Kentucky's Ex-GOP Governor Sparks Fierce Backlash With Sarcastic Coronavirus Tweet
Former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) drew scorn on Wednesday after he appeared to make light of the coronavirus that has killed more than 4,600 people worldwide with this apparently sarcastic tweet:
BREAKING NEWS:
Chicken Little has just confirmed that the sky IS indeed falling...
Everyone is advised to take cover immediately and to bring lots of toilet paper with them when they do so...— Matt Bevin (@MattBevin) March 11, 2020
More than 1,200 people in the U.S. have been sickened by the virus, which the World Health Organization has officially categorized as a pandemic. It has killed 38 people nationwide.
Critics accused Bevin of being insensitive. They also reminded the unpopular former governor, who was voted out of office in 2019 after one term, of the controversial pardons he granted to a slew of convicted criminals (including a child rapist) following his electoral defeat.
I really can't emphasize enough how irresponsible statements like this are.
How many Kentuckians have pre-existing conditions like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and more?
How many Kentuckians are over 60?
How many Kentuckians are immunocompromised? https://t.co/h8g0wCNHQX— Tessa "Professional Buzzkill" Duvall (@TessaDuvall) March 11, 2020
I think all of the people denying the seriousness of this need to all be in the same room together so they can't hurt anyone anymore.
— Sarah Burris (@SarahBurris) March 12, 2020
Breaking News:
Matt Bevin still sucks!— sarcasm_maybe (@LBauscher) March 11, 2020
6.6% fatality rate in Italy, but keep making jokes, chief.
— Emey the Social Distancer (@emeyerson) March 11, 2020
i usually try to be tactful, but check out this gargantuan dipshit that used to be our governor https://t.co/COtu7X1zUd
— J. Kyle Mann (@jkylemann) March 11, 2020
Shhhh adults are talking, one term
— wilson, josh (@THEJO5HWIL5ON) March 11, 2020
Here for when you announce you are self-quarantined.
— Matt Ortega (@MattOrtega) March 11, 2020
Pray tell oh wise one, are the other governor's also saying the sky is falling? What about the colleges and universities around the country? And the employers who are restricting employee travel? Are those who trust science wrong? If Trump changed his tune, will you then too?
— Brooke says protect and defend democracy. (@PreppyQ) March 11, 2020
Kind of makes me curious how he would have been responding to this. https://t.co/v79FrNat0s
— Victor Puente (@thevictorpuente) March 11, 2020
If Corona virus was a campaign donor in search of a pardon you'd surely believe it.
— Lee Donohue (@donohuelee) March 11, 2020
@GovAndyBeshear communicated clearly w KY Superintendents today. Agree or disagree w the content of the call, THIS GOV communicates w educators & informs rather than insult us & belittle our work. He's a LEADER.We washed our hands of @MattBevin...time for some social distancing.
— Thom Coffee (@thomcoffee) March 11, 2020
So glad you aren't governor anymore.
— Kris Shera (@KrisShera) March 11, 2020
With all due respect, this tweet is unnecessary and not helpful.
— Mike Barnhisel (@LexCity22) March 11, 2020
Do you realize people are dying? Why would a Christian joke about a pandemic?
— kris fitch (@mngopherbroke) March 11, 2020
As a proud Kentuckian, this is shameful to see. You understand there will be deaths in Kentucky from this illness, right? Colleges have gone to online learning and the NCAA has announced no fans will be in attendance at basketball tournament games. Have some compassion.
— J. R. VanHoose (@JRVanHoose) March 11, 2020
Area unemployed man logs on to https://t.co/FzczN1Nnli https://t.co/ShWxtFYMTo
— Kentucky Democrats (@KyDems) March 11, 2020
I will NEVER be able to express into words how elated I am that you are no longer governor of KY and that we actually have an adult in charge. #ByeFelicia #NoOneCaresWhatYouThink
— Michael Hartsfield (@INTLmischief) March 12, 2020
You’d enact state mandated corona virus parties. Please slink off back into whatever cave you emerged from, you are not needed and definitely not welcome.
— Jeni Ward (@jeni_ward) March 11, 2020
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.