Rep. Cawthorn’s rhetoric is dangerous
To the Editor:
As a former Public Health Director in his district with over 30 years of public health experience, I’m appalled at Rep. Madison Cawthorn’s recent misleading statements made in an interview by the Right Side Broadcasting Network at CPAC and aired on NBC nightly news Friday, July 9, as part of their COVID story. His lack of understanding regarding public health science is obvious the more he speaks.
Community vaccination programs have been in practice long before he was born! Effectively dealing with small pox, polio, measles and other preventable childhood diseases. Before running his mouth with fearful rhetoric, he needs to look closer at the issue for knowledge and educate himself with the science. Why not reach out to local and state public health resources for the science and plans instead of assuming a plan is established that is not in evidence. I’m sure the public health professionals would be willing to educate him with facts!
Vaccines work! People don’t need him to lie about door-to-door vaccination programs designed to offer lifesaving medicine. This public health approach is not going to lead to taking guns or Bibles in the future as he stated.
Rep. Cawthorn needs to be a responsible public servant by helping others know the facts instead of the typical Republican tactic of fear mongering that confuses the issue. It would appear he learned nothing by speaking in support of “the big lie” regarding the election results or his addressing the mob on January 6 before the insurrection. Words matter. He has been nothing but a major disappointment to me since day one. His reckless comments need to stop or he needs to go.
Carmine F. Rocco
Waynesville
