A top transition advisor to former Vice President Joe Biden this week advocated for a nationwide lockdown to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth (R-AL) is already fighting back.
Dr. Michael Osterholm, who Biden has named to his coronavirus advisory board, called for a mandatory lockdown lasting between four and six weeks. Osterholm claimed this would help the economy, despite state-level stay-at-home orders crushing the economy in the spring. He has written that the lockdown should “be as comprehensive and strict as possible.”
Reacting to this news, Ainsworth on Thursday tweeted, “I will fight this as hard as I can. I am 100% against a lockdown.”
I will fight this as hard as I can. I am 100% against a lockdown. https://t.co/S6aLXTOi6b
— Will Ainsworth (@willainsworthAL) November 12, 2020
In a statement to Yellowhammer News, the Republican expounded his thoughts.
“A mandated lockdown won’t eradicate the coronavirus, but it will eradicate the economy and the constitutional rights guaranteed to each American citizen,” Ainsworth stated.
“The individuals advocating for a lockdown are big-government liberals who are pushing our nation toward a Socialist model,” he warned.
Ainsworth concluded, “I predict that Alabamians will take our state motto of ‘We Dare Defend Our Rights’ to heart if anyone attempts to enact or enforce a widespread mandatory lockdown.”
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.