Alabama Lt Gov with virus diagnosis still against mask order
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth said Thursday that he remains opposed to mandatory mask orders despite being diagnosed with COVID-19, even though he encourages people to wear one.
The Republican lieutenant governor announced Wednesday that he tested positive for the coronavirus. He said he sought a test after learning someone in his Sunday school group had COVID-19.
“I have always encouraged mask-wearing, and I wear one in my daily life. Those with underlying health conditions should be especially cautious, even to the point of limiting their time in public. At the same time, I believe in personal responsibility and think everyone has the right to make their own choices regarding their health,” Ainsworth said in a statement.
He added: “One-size-fits-all government mandates, and especially those that do not require legislative approval or oversight of any kind, erode our basic freedoms and liberties.”
Ainsworth has been critical of the state’s COVID-19 response under Republican Gov. Kay Ivey. In March, he criticized what he said at the time was the state’s slow response to prepare for a possible “tsunami of hospital patients.” But he has also been critical of the state’s mandatory mask order. He said last month that “masks should be voluntary, not mandatory.”
Ainsworth tweeted a picture of himself working on his farm in response to a social media comment implying, after his diagnosis was made public, that he was a step closer to death.
“While I am sure it will disappoint the liberal trolls who wish me dead, I feel great despite my positive test for COVID-19 and am using the quarantine period to catch up on some overdue work around the farm,” Ainsworth wrote.
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