Climate Denial Crock of the Week

Remaining Koch brother, even with one foot in the grave, still reaching out to keep Americans from following best science and health practice to socially distance in what is clearly a global crisis.

They are truly merchants of Death.

Intellectualist:

Americans for Prosperity, founded and funded by Charles Koch, has blasted shelter-in-place orders in several states.

Libertarian billionaire Charles Koch is actively fighting during the coronavirus crisis engulfing the United States and the world — but rather than fighting against the virus’ spread, his group is pushing for businesses to stay open and an end to shelter-in-place orders.

Americans for Prosperity, which Koch founded and funds, released a statement last week urging businesses to remain open, The Intercept reported, as states across the U.S. began shutting down nonessential businesses in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.

“Rather than blanket shutdowns, the government should allow businesses to continue to adapt and innovate to produce the goods and services Americans need, while continuing to do everything they can to protect the public health,” Emily Seidel, chief executive of AFP, wrote in a press release.

AFP is speaking out at the state level as well, according to the report: “Some of the group’s state chapters have taken a similar tone. AFP Pennsylvania’s state director, as well as a regional director with the group, have taken to Twitter to lambast shelter-in-place policies.”

And when Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a stay-at-home order that closed down Michigan’s fitness centers, nail salons, amusement parks, casinos, and other nonessential businesses, AFP’s Michigan chapter slammed the move.

“All businesses are essential — to the people who own them, the people who work in them, and the communities they serve,” Annie Patnaude, the Michigan state director for AFP, said in response to the order.

But public health officials have maintained that such measures are necessary if the country hopes to avoid overwhelming its hospital systems with coronavirus patients.

“Experts around the country have called for shelter-in-place policies for nonessential businesses, arguing that social isolation can drastically curb the spread of the coronavirus,” The Intercept noted. “Slowing the pandemic, they say, can save lives by lowering the demand for medical supplies and limited hospital beds.”