Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has been one of the foremost purveyors of misinformation regarding the virus that's killed over 500 thousand Americans.
The Senator has often found himself at odds with career epidemiologist and top medical advisor to President Joe Biden, Dr. Anthony Fauci.
In a Monday tweet, Paul once again slammed Fauci on Twitter as a "petty tyrant" for urging Americans to practice basic safety protocols for the time being, even if they've been vaccinated.
Fauci continues to ignore 100 years of vaccine science. His only real theme is “do what I say” even when it makes… https://t.co/WmTkDRI6hG— Senator Rand Paul (@Senator Rand Paul) 1618242232.0
While just under 50 percent of Americans have received at least one dose of the vaccine, at least 70 percent is needed to achieve herd immunity. If precautions are thrown to the wind before that, the virus still has enough momentum to mutate. If this momentum is prolonged, it's an inevitability that a variant will emerge that renders vaccines ineffective.
When asked by MSNBC's Mehdi Hasan if eating and drinking indoors in bars and restaurants was safe, Fauci emphasized the still-high infection rates in the United States:
"For the simple reason that the level of infection, the dynamic of infection in the community are still really disturbingly high. Like just yesterday there were close to 80,000 new infections and we've been hanging around 60, 75,000. "
He concluded:
"And if you are vaccinated, please remember that you still have to be careful and not get involved in crowded situations, particularly indoors where people are not wearing masks."
When it came to the science, people largely took Fauci's word over Paul's.
@RandPaul *Looks outside* Yeah, we’re still in the middle of a deadly pandemic. Hey @RandPaul, here is some scie… https://t.co/3m9fp2Nxkc— ConcernedCitizen (@ConcernedCitizen) 1618242421.0
@RandPaul Randy continues to ignore new scientific evidence using new scientific tools - this is mRNA technology, n… https://t.co/MZZpuHqf80— Guy_at_the_Bar (@Guy_at_the_Bar) 1618242461.0
I will put my trust in Dr. Fauci 1000 X 1000 times before putting any trust in @SenatorRandPaul once! https://t.co/Ua2QnIurNn— Ms Peacock 🦚 (@Ms Peacock 🦚) 1618246134.0
Petty tyrants are those who impose their will on others because of selfishness rather than protection of others. Pe… https://t.co/cLj5Kdda86— Don't wash your pits in the river of Sacred Tears (@Don't wash your pits in the river of Sacred Tears) 1618260610.0
The eye doctor is questioning the physician-scientist and immunologist and infectious disease expert. 🙄🙄🙄🙄 https://t.co/z69azJS09n— SnarkyLiberal (@SnarkyLiberal) 1618250282.0
I think I I’ll trust in a real doctor, but thanks. #NotARealDoctor #fake #COVIDIOTS https://t.co/UILqJWaMwe— Sandra Stoecker (@Sandra Stoecker) 1618248834.0
The reception of Paul's latest diatribe against Fauci wasn't well-received.
@RandPaul rand, you're a total fraud. your constituents deserve better.— Matt Knudsen (@Matt Knudsen) 1618249059.0
@RandPaul Go do something worthwhile and leave the science to the those who understand.— Lduke32 (@Lduke32) 1618262574.0
@RandPaul I’m listening to health care professionals. Not armchair epidemiologists.— Jczie (@Jczie) 1618243024.0
A recent study found that more than 40 percent of Republicans don't intend to take the vaccine.