A former US politician who dismissed Covid-19 as a hoax in a series of Facebook posts has died after a battle against the virus.
Former Nashville councillor Tony Tenpenny, 57, died as a result of complications relating to Covid-19 over the weekend.
The Trump-supporting politician had shared posts on a now-deleted Facebook account that argued the virus was a hoax to attempt to stop Trump’s re-election this November, as well as suggesting that mask wearers had been ‘manipulated to live in fear’ and were ‘controlled by a socialist agenda’.
He continued sharing his opinions on the Facebook account until August, when he fell ill and was later hospitalised.
Credit: Facebook
The father-of-one was placed on a ventilator at the beginning of September, but his condition continued to deteriorate until he died in the early hours of Sunday morning (20 September).
In other since-deleted posts, Tenpenny called the World Health Organisation and the US Centers for Disease Control ‘lying asses’ and shared posts that linked coronavirus to demons.
He was vehemently against the US lockdown, and said that the shutdown of the country was aimed at ‘shutting down the US economy, blaming Trump, & setting up a One World Govt’.
Tony’s passing was confirmed by his wife Robbie, who wrote: “It is with a very heavy heart that I let you all know, Tony passed away yesterday. Please pray for me, our son Ira and family as we process this tragic loss.”
Credit: Facebook
News
30-Year-Old Coronavirus Hoax Theorist Who Attended 'Covid Party' Dies Of Covid-192 months ago
Nashville’s Mayor John Cooper also expressed his sympathies, tweeting: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former councilman Tony Tenpenny. I send my condolences to his wife, Robbie, their son Ira and the rest of the Tenpenny family.”
Davidson County Juvenile Court Clerk Lonnell Matthews Jr., who served on the city’s council with Tenpenny, added: “I’m saddened by this news. Tony and I very seldom voted with each other but we respected each other. Prayers and condolences go out to the Tenpenny family.
“We have to continue to take Covid seriously until herd immunity is achieved.”
Credit: Nashville Council Office
Ginny Welch, who took Tenpenny’s councillor position in District 16 in 2019, said that the death of her predecessor should act as a warning to take the virus seriously.
Welch said: “The message to me is that Covid is no joke, it knows no boundary, and no matter what you might believe, it doesn’t care.
“Anyone can be felled by it. Not taking the precautions we know work to slow the spread is like playing Russian roulette.
“You are risking your life and the lives of those around you.”
Source link : https://www.ladbible.com/news/news-former-us-politician-who-called-coronavirus-a-hoax-dies-of-covid-19-20200922
