Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Idaho GOP Lawmaker Slammed For Spreading Theory That Nurse's Death From Virus Is A Hoax

Idaho GOP Lawmaker Slammed For Spreading Theory That Nurse's Death From Virus Is A Hoax
Nichols for Idaho/Facebook

Of all the times for a dangerous issue to become politicized, you'd figure the pandemic would be one we could agree on for the safety of everyone.

Instead, we somehow have people who decry the use of masks to prevent the spread and listen to conspiracy theorists about the danger, or lack thereof, of the disease.


Even worse, politicians are spreading the allegations that this disease isn't so bad, possibly putting people in danger.

Idaho Rep. Tammy Nichols discusses Facebook post regarding death of Caldwell nurse practitionerwww.youtube.com

Republican State Representative Tammy Nichols of Idaho's 11th district was recently taken to task for sharing on Facebook a false claim that a story of a 45-year-old nurse who died due to complications from the disease was a hoax.

Instead, the conspiracy theory states that Samantha Hickey, a nurse practitioner in Canyon County for over 15 years, died from a random heart attack, but happened to test positive for the virus.

This comes from a place of fear that people control with outlandish conspiracy theories claiming the whole world is in on just to scare them and hurt Donald Trump.

Despite doctors ascribing the complications and cause of death of Hickey to the virus, people still want to find an out from reality.




The Facebook post was quickly deleted and Nichols proclaimed herself innocent.

As she told the Idaho Statesman, she shared it to her personal page without comment to look at it later when she had time.

However, she also commented on the original post, saying:

"So she died with covid as opposed from covid."

This seemed contradictory, so the Statesman asked for further clarification.

This is how she responded:

"My understanding is that dying from [the virus] is that there were no other underlying health issues or circumstances, dying with [the virus] is that there were other health issues or circumstances involved."

In case you were unaware, that word salad is not how it works. 

The virus can infect the respiratory system and cause damage to the lungs and heart. In the case of Samantha Hickey, her husband explains, the virus infected her heart and caused myocarditis.

Other issues can arise from the body's reaction to the disease, which is why some symptoms can resemble the flu or common cold. However, the danger here is much greater.

Lastly, and the point of contention for some, is that it's possible for these issues to not kill a person directly, but instead exacerbate a problem someone already had, such as asthma or a heart condition. This could cause the death of someone who would have lived had they not gotten the disease, even though it's another condition that technically killed them.

Basically, what we're saying is that Nichols' defense is bad and she should feel bad.




Many online were rightfully upset at the comments and actions of Nichols, especially since she's shared anti-mask sentiments in the past.

Others found her opponent in the 2020 election and thought he could use a boost.

Our current pandemic is a dangerous time. Are the doctors trying to fight the disease going to get everything right? No. Are they going to change their recommendations when the evidence changes? Yes.

Right now, our medical experts are our best bets at containing the disease and reducing the number of people who unnecessarily die.

So please, wash your hands thoroughly. Stay home as much as you can. Wear a mask if you have to go anywhere.

And don't share unfounded conspiracy theories.

More from Trending

Sarah Jessica Parker
Marc Piasecki/WireImage

Sarah Jessica Parker Claps Back At Conservative Critics Who Want Her To 'Shut Up' About Politics And 'Act'

Nothing seems to get conservatives' goats quite like celebrities having political opinions—well, liberal and leftist celebrities, anyway.

They seem to love it when weird right-wing celebs like Kevin Sorbo get on the internet and say bizarre, usually counterfactual nonsense, or when JK Rowling does her darnedest to make her legacy not about Harry Potter but about her weird obsession with trans people.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ann Coulter
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Ann Coulter Faces Fierce Backlash After Saying 'We Didn't Kill Enough Indians' In Deleted Post

Far-right provocateur Ann Coulter is facing fierce criticism after she made a genocidal remark in a now-deleted post on X in response to University of Minnesota professor and Navajo Nation member Melanie Yazzie's speech about colonization.

Yazzie, in a speech at last year's annual Socialism Conference, said "decolonization is the only thing that is going to save us as a species" during a panel hosted by Red Nation, a Native American nonprofit that advocates for Palestinian and Native American rights. She also said that the United States is the "greatest predator empire that has ever existed" and said it should be dismantled.

Keep ReadingShow less
James Gunn
Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage

James Gunn Bluntly Fires Back At 'Jerks' Who Criticize Superman's Pro-Immigrant Themes

Superman director James Gunn issued a response to the "jerks" who criticize the political themes inherent to the superhero's story, expressing his hope that seeing the movie will "make people a little nicer."

Speaking with The Times of London, Gunn stressed that the story of Superman is more relevant than ever considering the ongoing political turmoil in the United States largely centered around the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

Keep ReadingShow less

Things People Do In Relationships That Seem Sweet But Are Actually Toxic

Content Warning: Controlling and Toxic Relationship Behaviors

We've all either been involved in or witnessed a relationship where we saw something that we thought was cute or sweet at first, but we eventually found the behavior to be troubling or "too much."

Keep ReadingShow less
A piggy bank surrounded by loose change.
coin bank

'Poor Person Habits' People Won't Give Up No Matter How Rich They Get

When money is tight, we look for every possible way to avoid spending it.

As much as we might find ourselves missing out on some of the nicer things life has to offer, we find ourselves contented by the fact that we will always have enough money in our bank accounts to pay our bills on time.

Keep ReadingShow less