Longtime scammer and notorious con man Tim Eyman, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, lives only a few miles away from Life Care of Kirkland, the senior living provider that has become the face of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States. So he ought to be fully aware and mindful of the disease’s potential to claim the lives of hundreds of thousands or even millions of people.
And he ought not to have any objection to the sensible orders recently issued by Governor Jay Inslee to protect Washingtonians from getting sick and dying.
This morning, however, Eyman appallingly revealed that he has no concern for the safety and well being of the people that he claims to so ardently love.
The initiative purveyor, who thinks he could do a better job than Jay Inslee, exhorted his network of Republican PCO and right wing activist followers to disregard Inslee’s orders and the advice of public health authorities, and instead join him at a social gathering on Whidbey Island being organized for his benefit.
Wrote Eyman:
LET’S STICK OUR FINGER IN THE EYE OF JAY INSLEE: 251 is the # of patriots I hope will join me @ Oak Harbor today.
I’m bringing a six-pack of Corona!
Everyone is welcome to join me and Shannon Williams and Erik Rohde and Carol Williams and Michelle Darnell and Avery Hufford and Rene Hollan and Aryeh Rohde and Anthony Welti AND SO MANY OTHERS at my Tim4Gov Meet-and-Greet in Oak Harbor today (Sat, March 14, 3–5 PM, address redacted by NPI).
My GPS shows 1 hour 37 min to get there — not bad at all!
Just revolting.
I pray and hope that Eyman’s followers have at least enough sense to realize that this is one cliff they should not follow him off of. It’s bad enough that Eyman has duped so many of them into giving him money over the years. Now Eyman wants them to put their lives at risk, too. That is an invitation they should refuse.
In the event any Eyman followers end up reading this post: Please understand that by congregating in large groups, you are not “sticking it to Jay Inslee,” but rather putting your own lives at risk. You will be the potential loser if you go to a party with Tim Eyman and end up getting exposed to coronavirus.
Don’t think it couldn’t happen to you.
Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz, Paul Gosar, Matt Gaetz, and others have all self-quarantined after being exposed to coronavirus at events like CPAC (the Conservative Political Action Conference) and Trump-hosted romps at Mar-a-Lago.
COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV‑2, a coronavirus. There is much about both the disease and the virus that infectious disease experts do not yet understand. But one thing they do know is that the virus is especially deadly to older people. According to the World Health Organization, the fatality rate in China for those over eighty is an estimated 21.9 percent.
A significant number of people in the Republican base are elderly. Many of Eyman’s followers are retirees. We know because “Retired” appears in the occupation field next to their names in Eyman’s PDC reports.
The ongoing tragedy at Life Care of Kirkland is an example of what can happen to a community of seniors when they are exposed to coronavirus. Many of the community’s members have already died and more are likely to die.
Acting on the advice of scientists and public health experts, Governor Inslee has been issuing a succession of orders intended to ensure that the virus’ spread is checked to the greatest extent possible. The overarching goal is to save lives.
Inslee’s orders — including his order banning large public gatherings — have now been copied by governors in other states, both Democratic and Republican.
Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine, for instance, issued an order forbidding public gatherings larger than one hundred people. Said DeWine:
“The purpose of these orders is to help Ohio keep social distancing. Our citizens must not only take steps to protect themselves, but to also protect others.”
In Washington State, Democratic and Republican events alike having been getting canceled or postponed or converted to virtual events. Jaime Herrera-Beutler recently postponed her campaign kickoff and several Republican Party organizations have pushed back their Lincoln Day dinners.
Tim Eyman has made it clear he doesn’t want to model good behavior and practice social distancing. He not only wants to campaign as though there were no pandemic, he wants other people to join him in mocking the efforts of our elected representatives to keep people safe. That is not the behavior of someone who should be entrusted with the responsibility of governing at any level.
2 Comments
Tim Eyman’s disregard for sound health policy to try to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is appalling. Taking actions that encourage people to congregate will contribute to spreading the virus and more deaths. In choosing to ignore public health concerns that can be fatal, Tim Eyman is not a qualified candidate for any office.
Hearing Tim Eyman’s voice makes me feel sick.
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[…] first time was in March, when Eyman encouraged Republican PCOs and other right wing activists to join him for a …, promising to bring a six-pack of Corona beer. After being roundly condemned for that […]