Now, The New York Times reports that nearly a dozen students have symptoms that could suggest infection ― and Falwell is facing the wrath of both parents and critics.
One parent slammed the decision to reopen as “crazy, irresponsible and seems like a money grab.” Falwell, as the Times notes, fired back with a tweet calling that parent a “dummy.”
Falwell on Twitter said no students on campus are sick with coronavirus, and one off-campus tested positive “from local contacts in the community.” He also said the school was “embracing its responsibility to care for students instead of running away.”
Falwell has been a coronavirus conspiracy theorist, claiming an “overreaction” to the threat is really an attempt to make President Donald Trump look bad.
“Impeachment didn’t work, and the Mueller report didn’t work, and Article 25 didn’t work,” he said earlier this month on Fox News, which has consistently given voice to conspiracy theories. “And so maybe now this is their next attempt to get Trump.”
People on Twitter slammed Falwell for the opening the school and putting his students at risk ― with some suggesting that he face lawsuits or even criminal charges:
Lawyer up. Cuz lawyers will be coming. Wonder if insurance will cover it. It’s arguably an intentional act by university for which the injuries could’ve been reasonably anticipated. Mr. Falwell could be personally liable. If it’s deemed intentional, bankruptcy may not help. Hmm. https://t.co/0oY0LY1ogV
— Daniel Mark Extrom (@DanMarkEx) March 29, 2020
Story Continues
Bugs Marlowe
Article URL : https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/jerry-falwell-jr-slammed-coronavirus-065938309.html