John, we’ve got some serious news for you today: One of Hank’s colleagues, Rep. Louie Gohmert, tested positive for COVID-19.

After taking a public stance against wearing masks and blatantly disregarding public health protocols at the Capitol, we sadly can’t say we’re surprised by the news. 

But what makes this such a big deal is that Rep. Gohmert was supposed to be one of the leaders setting an example for Americans as we try to quell this ballooning pandemic. Instead, he ignored the science, politicized our public health response, and it ended up costing him. His own daughter even publicly criticized him for not heeding the advice of medical experts with such reckless disregard! 

While Rep. Gohmert is asymptomatic and expected to make a full recovery, this is a dangerous precedent to be setting — because not everyone will be as lucky as him. Just last month, Herman Cain, the prominent businessman turned presidential candidate, was not so fortunate and tragically passed away due to COVID-19 after attending a large gathering without a mask at Trump’s rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

Maybe these sobering recent events will bring about a shift in the GOP’s response to COVID-19 — one rooted in compassion and understanding that this pandemic has hit home for not just themselves, but for millions of Americans. Because right now, their denialism is putting lives at risk.

Right here in Georgia, our governor is actively fighting against citywide public mask requirements while sending kids back to school without proper safety and social distancing protocols in place. This is polar opposite to the leadership we need to guide us through the pandemic.

When it comes to handling the pandemic, the GOP’s behavior has been about as bad as it gets. Lives are at stake — even their own lives are being put at risk by their reckless decision making. We need your help to cut through this worst behavior and keep advocating for science-backed responses that prioritize public health first and foremost. Will you chip in to fight back against the GOP’s worst behavior? 

We are wishing a safe and speedy recovery for Rep. Gohmert. And just maybe, incidences like this one can provide a learning experience for Republicans who have fought back against public health guidelines in the past, as we work together to slow down this contagion. 

— Worst Behavior Watch