'It's a ploy': Anthony Mundine slammed over disturbing coronavirus theory
Anthony Mundine has caused fresh controversy by claiming coronavirus isn’t real.
The total number of deaths from the coronavirus epidemic in China had reached 259 by the end of Friday, an increase of 46, according to state broadcasters.
There were 2102 new confirmed infections in China during the day, bringing the cumulative total to 11,791.
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The local health commission of Hubei Province, the epicentre of the epidemic, earlier on Saturday reported 45 new deaths from the outbreak on Friday, bringing the total to 249.
However controversial Aussie boxer Mundine doesn’t think any of it is real.
“I don’t even think this Coronavirus is real,” the 44-year-old wrote on Facebook on Saturday.
“I think it’s a ploy to give a mass vaccine, look into it.”
The former rugby league player’s comments sparked immediate uproar.
“People have died man come on,” one of his Facebook followers commented.
“Come on choc. You’re smarter than that mate. It’s not as bad as made out but it’s real,” another person said.
While another suggested setting up a GoFund Me page to send Mundine to China to investigate firsthand.
“I think you should go over there and investigate choc..... I'm sure we could get a go fund me going for your plane ticket,” they wrote.
Another added: “Stupid comment and I am a fan of yours, seriously what are you thinking.”
The World Health Organisation declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on Thursday.
Cities across China have continued to implement special measures aimed at curbing the spread of the pathogen. Tianjin, a city in northern China with around 15 million people, said all schools and businesses would be suspended until further notice.
Amid fears that the virus could spread further overseas, the United States announced measures to restrict entry to foreign nationals who have recently been in China.
All three major US airlines announced the cancellation of flights to mainland China on Friday.
Mundine’s anti-vax stance
In April last year Mundine was slammed on social media after taking an anti-vaccination stance imploring parents not to vaccinate their children.
Mundine took to social media to warn parents to “do your research” before vaccinating their children.
“Don’t vaccine your kids period! The government bully you into vaccine! Do your research on the s*** & watched the documentary vaxxed,” he wrote on Twitter.
Don’t vaccine your kids period! The government bully you into vaccine ! Do your research on the shit & watched the documentary vaxxed ... https://t.co/PKX6qSYtm5
— Anthony Mundine (@Anthony_Mundine) April 10, 2019
Mundine’s comments were immediately labelled “dangerous”, with some calling for him to delete the post.
Paralympic champion Kurt Fearnley accused Mundine of promoting apathy over diseases that should be feared.
“You got many mates with Polio? I do. A heap. From countries that didn’t have the luxury of vaccinations you peanut,” Fearnley wrote.
He said it was “bad faith” for anti-vaxxers to say do your research when medical professionals had already done so.
“So do your research.. Consult your GP. Not Dr Google.”
The “Do your research” argument from anti-vaxxer is in bad faith. Most people don’t have the time required to adequately research. Such as PhD’s etc. so we rely on the combined knowledge of the medical profession. So do your research.. Consult your GP. Not Dr Google.
— Kurt Fearnley (@kurtfearnley) April 11, 2019
with AAP