Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) says researchers are not interested in looking into ivermectin as a possible COVID-19 treatment because of their “hatred” for former President Donald Trump.
“The hatred for Trump deranged these people so much, that they’re unwilling to objectively study it,” Paul said during a meeting in a suburb just south of Cincinnati, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
He continued, “So someone like me that’s in the middle on it, I can’t tell you because they will not study ivermectin. They will not study hydroxychloroquine without the taint of their hatred for Donald Trump.”
Paul was asked about the FDA and CDC warnings on ivermectin. He replied, “I don’t know if it works, but I keep an open mind.”
The senator discussed the vaccine and mask mandates, saying, “I think I’m in the middle ground of the vaccines.”
He added, “CNN invites me on all the time. They have announcers calling me an ‘ass’ on TV. Then they have doctors saying I’m thoroughly anti-vaccine. You heard me, I’m not against the vaccine. I’ve already recommended if you’re at risk to take it…It’s still your choice if its a free country.”
According to the FDA, “Ivermectin tablets are approved at very specific doses for some parasitic worms, and there are topical (on the skin) formulations for head lice and skin conditions like rosacea. Ivermectin is not an anti-viral (a drug for treating viruses).”
The agency also warned Americans against taking it to treat the virus in a tweet.
“You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y’all. Stop it,” the FDA wrote.
In a video posted to Twitter earlier this month, Paul urged people to resist mask mandates, as IJR reported.
“It’s time for us to resist. They can’t arrest all of us. They can’t keep all of your kids home from school. They can’t keep every government building closed. … We don’t have to accept the mandates, lockdowns, and harmful policies of the petty tyrants and bureaucrats. We can simply say, ‘No. Not again,'” Paul said.