A police officer who has frequently voiced against vaccinations and used horse deworming in a misguided attempt to fend off the coronavirus has died of Covid-19.
Joe Manning, 57, of the Wayne County sheriff’s office in Georgia died of Covid-19 on Wednesday, according to local broadcaster WSAV.
Wayne County Sheriff Chuck Moseley described Capt Manning as “an integral part” of the area’s law enforcement agencies.
Following the announcement of his death, Facebook posts speaking out against the vaccine and promoting the animal deworming drug ivermectin were shared online.
In an August 14 post, Capt Manning shared the location of a feed store that sold the veterinary drugs.
“Ok guys, Wayne Feed and Seed has some liquid and pasty ivermectin, get it while supplies last,” he wrote.
Ivermectin is commonly used in horses and other animals to rid them of worms. Some forms of ivermectin are prescribed by doctors for people with parasitic worms or lice.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has urged Americans not to use the drug as it will not help prevent the coronavirus and cause disease in humans.
“Even the ivermectin levels for approved uses may interact with other drugs such as blood thinners. You can also overdose ivermectin which can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypotension (low blood pressure), allergic reactions (itching and hives)., Dizziness, Ataxia (balance problems), seizures, coma, and even death, “the FDA wrote on its website.
The FDA determined that ivermectin is not interchangeable with the animal version for humans.
“You are not a horse. You are not a cow,” the FDA wrote on Twitter. “Seriously, all of you. Stop that.”
The drug has gained popularity with conservatives and anti-vaccine advocates who view it as a viable alternative to taking the FDA-approved coronavirus vaccines.
Fox News personalities like Laura Ingraham, Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity have been promoting the drug to their viewers despite the risks.
“You have hydroxychloroquine, which of course has been politically and totally defamed, ivermectin, vitamin D, zinc – everything is good to take,” said Ingraham on her show.
Capt Manning discussed his use of the drug on Facebook and complained when the social media platform disciplined him for posting misinformation.
“I was reprimanded again for giving an opinion on COVID and not having been vaccinated,” he wrote in July.
One of his posts contained a button that said “I am not vaccinated” and the phrase “of my own free will and this is my right”.
