As you’ve probably heard by now, MLB legend Hank Aaron passed away this morning a few days shy of his 87th birthday:
We are devastated by the passing of Hammerin’ Hank Aaron, one of the greatest players and people in the history of our game. He was 86. pic.twitter.com/bCvLOydGBZ
— MLB (@MLB) January 22, 2021
He, of course, is best known for breaking Babe Ruth’s homerun record:
BREAKING: Hank Aaron, the baseball legend who endured racist threats with stoic dignity as he broke Babe Ruth's career home run record, has died at 86. https://t.co/Re0rtZ0a79
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 22, 2021
But in the past few weeks, he also championed the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine and encouraged others to get it as well:
Hank Aaron would have turned 87 on Feb. 5. He most recently was heard from Jan. 5 when he publicly got a COVID-19 vaccination to support that endeavor: https://t.co/FDnzGJcDI7
— Tom (@Haudricourt) January 22, 2021
However, the timing of his death has vaccine-skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. questioning if there’s a possible link:
#HankAaron's tragic death is part of a wave of suspicious deaths among elderly closely following administration of #COVID #vaccines. He received the #Moderna vaccine on Jan. 5 to inspire other Black Americans to get the vaccine. #TheDefenderhttps://t.co/vbuHt22bJz
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) January 22, 2021
There’s also a death in Florida that’s under investigation as well:
For those saying “HanK aArOn diEd beCauSe hE waS aN oLd BLacK maN”…
'Healthy' South Florida doctor died 2 weeks after receiving COVID-19 vaccine https://t.co/wLpwfLmp6V
— Tariq Nasheed ?? (@tariqnasheed) January 22, 2021
But is anyone surprised? RFK Jr. has been saying the same thing for years now:
RFK the lesser is an absolute menace to public health and has been for many years.
His 2005 "Daily Show" interview where he peddled false anti-vaxx science to a credulous Jon Stewart is an all-time disgrace. https://t.co/fzpP7WbCQO https://t.co/ZJi07dAjsI
— Anthony L. Fisher (@anthonyLfisher) January 23, 2021
This is dangerous and ill-informed messaging without any scientific evidence. Additionally, it's in poor taste. Please delete this. https://t.co/WR9ONX47TA
— uché blackstock, md (@uche_blackstock) January 23, 2021
This is shameful, baseless fear mongering. Your disinformation will cost lives. You are a danger to public health. https://t.co/jDGobldLpZ
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) January 23, 2021
You would think, uh, a Kennedy, of all people would be above moronic shallow conspiracies and yet. https://t.co/CQdzASSyrk
— lukezim (@lukezim) January 23, 2021
Maybe if those in power want the vaccine rollout to be successful, they should address these concerns, ‘eh?
Some degree of vaccine skepticism has a place at the table of rational discussion. But demonizing the #COVID vaccine to forward your overall #antivaxxer fetish is some reckless garbage. #RFKJr https://t.co/ZZXxCLBR6u
— Mark Davis (@MarkDavis) January 23, 2021
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