Candace Owens “Begging To Be Banned” As She Tweets That COVID-19 Vaccines Don’t Work
Candace Owens Twitter account has a banner image describing her as “uncancelable.” It’s an obvious play on the right-wing narrative of ‘cancel culture’ — perhaps better described as consequence culture. However, so far Owens hasn’t managed to earn the elusive badge of being banned from most major social media platforms for spreading disinformation, and a Wednesday tweet might get her closer to that goal.
Owens retweeted a Newsweek post that linked to an article and read, “Like the Delta variant, Lambda is highly infectious and thought to be more resistant to vaccines.”
Adding her own commentary, Owens suggested this was misleading, that vaccines don’t actually work, and that such reporting is a way of dodging that “truth.”
“Lambda variant” is so much easier to say than “we lied. The vaccines don’t work”. https://t.co/blq1htza8Z
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) August 4, 2021
Of course, as Candace would have seen if she opened the Newsweek piece herself, it’s very open about what scientists are seeing with regard to new variants and vaccine efficacy.
“Even still, studies show vaccines protect against all the major coronavirus strains, including the Delta variant, and researchers believe this to be the case with Lambda. As of now, though, there hasn’t been sufficient data regarding exactly how effective current vaccines are against preventing infection from Lambda.”
Now other Twitter users are asking why Owens is still being allowed to share this kind of disinformation.
I’m tired of these stories of people dying, saying they wished they got the vaccine on their death bed. These people don't deserve to die because they’re being lied to. These shameless grifters peddling deadly lies need to be de-platformed. Enough. No more senseless death.
— Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) August 4, 2021
It’s almost like the vaccine doesn’t prevent COVID but rather greatly lessens the symptoms and risk of hospitalization and death. It’s ridiculous how someone with this large of a platform is STILL spreading blatant misinformation and Twitter hasn’t taken this tweet down 🙄
— Nunya (@nunyabizduh) August 4, 2021
I can’t believe you’re using your confusingly large platform to spread anti-vax messages rn it’s actually morally unconscionable. Vaccines don’t eliminate the possibility of contracting the virus or variants, but they prevent folks from severe illness, hospitalization, and death
— Serena Daniari (@serenajazmine) August 4, 2021
I really really liked you Candace and thought you had a great message. Boy, was I wrong your platform is Doing a huge disservice to the medical community spreading fear & misinformation. We’re tired & you’re NOT HELPING
— canofham (@barrycanavan3) August 4, 2021
The Lambda variant is only found in Peru, where only 14.8% of the population is vaccinated. Hey @jack it is time to remove people like @RealCandaceO from the platform. Misinformation can kill.
— jose lopez (@marauderjoe) August 4, 2021
Owens may call herself ‘uncancelable,’ but it’s clear that Twitter users are ready for the platform to make a decisive move to stop the spread of disinformation. Twitter, which for a period of time after the election added an option to report election and health disinformation, hasn’t responded to the call, so far.