Alaska resident Paul Kendall, an anti-masker and former Republican candidate who recently called an out gay politician a "c**ksucker" during a city assembly meeting about a mask mandate, has died of Covid-19. He was 74 years old.
Kendall fiercely opposed mask mandates and earned some notoriety just a few weeks before his death after he, while attending the September 30 Anchorage Assembly meeting, referred to Assemblyman Chris Constant, who supports the mandate, as a "c**ksucker.
You can hear what he said in the video below.
WARNING: NSFW language and slurs
Man who would've ever imagined this guy would die of covid? pic.twitter.com/tcuLDtkNcu
— Happy Hallowizzle (@condiricenbeans) October 27, 2021
Kendall said:
"Don't you dare ever, ever mask up my grandchildren or my children. That's assault. That's a life-threatening assault."
Then, turning to Constant:
"Mr. Constant, I bear you no ill-will, I thought you were just a c**ksucker but you're a coward."
Kendall was removed by security. Speaking to reporters afterward, Constant appeared unfazed:
"I've been called worse by better. It's not worth my breath."
Kendall would test positive shortly afterward and, according to the site sorryantivaxxer.com, he died in the hospital on October 27.
Kendall's death was confirmed by his friend, anti-mask and anti-vaccine activist Dustin Darden, who, writing on social media, said:
"This man spoke bold words and his efforts were not in vain. We will continue to fight in love with the word of God, the pen, and the laws on the books with the grit and vigor Paul carried."
The news quickly went viral. Many mocked Kendall while others lamented that his death was entirely avoidable.
They pointed out that his death is evidence of the consequences of not abiding by common sense protective measures against Covid-19 like wearing a mask or getting vaccinated.
Anyone with a brain. https://t.co/GztxkIOz9g
— Janette Whittemore ⁷💜 (@JanetteWhittem1) October 29, 2021
I love it when trash takes itself out. https://t.co/JNNjw9kYgf
— Mark G 🇨🇦 (@itsmarky5) October 28, 2021
So which of the dozens of sowing and reaping Bible verses we wanna pick out for Paul? https://t.co/sJpFgmqzjC
— Tim Conrad (@CAD_Alaska) October 28, 2021
Not cheering anyone died - this is the reality of stupidity. This is the reality of what you pass to others by not wearing a mask and getting vaxxed. https://t.co/YiqFtrPRP0
— pankhurst🌊🌊🌊❤🐶🐘🐻🐋🌳🧬💉💉 (@mllea519) October 29, 2021
The fact that he called masking 'a life-threatening assault' is the ultimate irony.
— Suz (@CanUHearMeThink) October 29, 2021
How many more is it going to take before these people wake up and understand they've been LIED TO?
How many more will let themselves die rather than face reality? https://t.co/U30YroLYqG
— Irving's If You're Not Vaxxed Stay Away Zoo (@davidlwashburn) October 30, 2021
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes - Part 700,012 https://t.co/3vLdJDzJ4i
— The NW Magpie (Stealin' Yer Halloween Candy) (@TheNWMagpie) October 28, 2021
I hope he burns for all the people who got sick and died because of his BS. https://t.co/vZAxqziBtH
— Renca (@bow227) October 28, 2021
Before his outburst at the meeting garnered him attention, Alaskans knew Kendall for his campaigns for the Alaska State Senate and for his bid for Mayor of Anchorage.
Kendall's death brings to mind the recent death of H. Scott Apley, a member of the Galveston County Republican Party who died of Covid-19 in August
Like Kendall, Apley's death symbolizes yet another life lost to the consequences of disinformation about the virus; he died just a few days after uploading a Facebook post in which he shared a screenshot of a Twitter post mocking Covid-19.
There is overwhelming evidence that vaccines save lives. Despite the risk posed by the highly contagious Delta variant, Covid-19 vaccines prevent severe illness, hospitalizations, and death.
Masks have also been shown to be effective at stopping the spread of the virus.
@WhiteHouse/X
