A Republican Senate candidate is under fire for spreading coronavirus vaccine misinformation.
Josh Mandel, who's running in the GOP primary for the seat that will open up with the retirement of Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), issued a pair of tweets Friday raising baseless concerns about the vaccine against COVID-19 and suggesting armed conflict against the government if inoculations become mandatory.
"Dear @GovMikeDewine, WE THE PEOPLE are putting you on notice that if you try to institute a 'vaccine passport,'" Mandel tweeted. "WE WILL REVOLT. WE WILL RISE UP. WE WILL DEFEND OUR FREEDOM."
The former Ohio treasurer and state representative then shared a story about a Utah woman who died two days after receiving her second dose of the vaccine, although the medical examiner said her death was not likely linked to the shot.
Dear @GovMikeDewine, WE THE PEOPLE are putting you on notice that if you try to institute a “vaccine passport":
WE WILL REVOLT ✊🏻✊🏽✊🏿
WE WILL RISE UP ⚔️⚔️⚔️
WE WILL DEFEND OUR FREEDOM 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 https://t.co/alXh5p45H7
— Josh Mandel (@JoshMandelOhio) March 12, 2021
This is so tragic.https://t.co/RV6yPAxCV9
— Josh Mandel (@JoshMandelOhio) March 12, 2021
Other social media users piled on the Ohio Republican for spreading false and inflammatory claims about the vaccine.
Hey Josh,
What's it called again when you openly advocate for armed and violent insurrection against a duly elected government? Especially when you know that call violates your oath of office? (Hint - it's NOT patriotism)
— 5mww8 (@5mww8) March 12, 2021
You're an awful human being
— wanda maximoff's buick verano (@jesseltaylor) March 12, 2021
WE WILL REVOLT
WE WILL RISE UP
WE WILL DEFEND OUR FREEDOM
.....
WE WILL BE KICKED OUT OF STORES
WE WILL BE DENIED BOARDING PASSES
WE WILL BE FIRED FROM OUR JOBS
WE WILL BE THE ONLY ONES STILL DYING FROM COVID
— Resistance Rages On (@ResistanceRages) March 12, 2021
You aren't doing shit, big mouth.
— The Hoarse Whisperer (@TheRealHoarse) March 12, 2021
You already have a "vaccine passort" it's your shot record. It's like you and your team arent even trying to win.
— Try FPL Not Well (@jnics23) March 12, 2021
This was the followup to the story @JoshMandelOhio tweeted: pic.twitter.com/hqxk1i64ob
— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) March 12, 2021
Dr. Erik Christensen, Utah's chief medical examiner, told the station that proving vaccine injury as a cause of death almost never happens.
“Did the vaccine cause this? I think that would be very hard to demonstrate in autopsy," he said.
— heyRayRay (@Rumwood15159) March 12, 2021
Stop with the anti-vax bait
— Adam Schiavone (@AdamSchiavone) March 12, 2021
It's also tragic that over 500,000 people have lost their lives due to republican incompetence but Josh doesn't seem to care about that.
— Kevin (@hebb1969) March 12, 2021
In light of the Jan. 6 attacks and ongoing threats to government buildings and personnel, I think that this message should be taken seriously as a threat, rather than ordinary political invective. I encourage appropriate law enforcement agencies to respond.
— Adversus Nihilismus (@AdversusN) March 12, 2021
Speak for yourself.
Though I find this revolting.
Vaccines save lives m, and at one time every American had to have them to avoid polio. Immigrants had to have them to migrate to America.
We are a better nation because of vaccines.
— Rachel J. (@RachelOsiris) March 12, 2021
Y'all going to storm the Ohio Capitol building and beat some cops to death with American flags?
— Heavy Metal June Cleaver🤘 (she/her) (@KayArissa) March 12, 2021
This is you pic.twitter.com/RHasvn7G3g
— Kyle (@KyleThatKyle) March 12, 2021
Proof of vaccinations is not a new or unusual requirement for travel.
— Mr Big BLM ACAB (@NotoriousMrBig) March 12, 2021
threatening an armed insurrection with swords.
You know the Ohio National Guard has a modern history of not being very patient with even minor public complaints, right?
— Whistling Batter (@WhistlingBatter) March 12, 2021
And having served abroad in the military he would have had to have proof of vaccinations to travel.
A kind of vaccination passport if you like.
— αmαи∂α ṧтᎥƚтʐ (@AJS71) March 12, 2021
dude, i think you already have the insurrectionist vote locked up. no need to try so hard.
— Casey Strapp (@caseyindc) March 12, 2021
Called it pic.twitter.com/rzME1lwNcH
— IMPEACHMENT + PIZZAZZ (@pizzazzimpeach) March 12, 2021
