An Ohio man has tragically died from COVID-19 after criticizing his state’s coronavirus lockdown.
John W. McDaniel, 60, died Wednesday in Columbus, exactly one month after reportedly calling Gov. Mike DeWine’s stay-at-home order “madness.”
“If what I’m hearing is true, that DeWine has ordered all bars and restaurants to be closed, I say bullshit! He doesn’t have the authority,” McDaniel reportedly wrote in a since-deleted social media post circulated widely on social media.
“If you are paranoid and getting sick just don’t go out. It shouldn’t keep those of us from living our lives. The madness has to stop,” he allegedly wrote March 15.
According to his online obituary, McDaniel died peacefully from complications related to COVID-19.
“On behalf of his family, they would like to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the nurses at Marion General Hospital and to all the staff at Riverside Methodist Hospital for everything they did to try and save Johnny’s life from Covid-19,” the tribute on the Synder Funeral Homes website read.
“They would also like to remind everyone to continue practicing social distancing to keep each other safe,” the post said.
McDaniel’s sister also urged people to adhere to the lockdown in a Facebook post that revealed McDaniel’s wife also contracted the deadly virus.
“May God wrap his arms around all persons suffering from this awful virus, specially my brother! STAY HOME!” sister Lisa McDaniel Hoppe wrote on Facebook back on March 30.
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