Gov. Bill Lee aide warns legislators against vaccine ‘conspiracy theories’ by right-wing groups

Gov. Bill Lee’s office cautioned legislators on Thursday against “conspiracy theories” circulating in conservative circles, including false claims that Lee is opening “quarantine camps” and having the National Guard force vaccines on citizens.

An email obtained by The Tennessean that was sent to members of the Tennessee General Assembly by Brent Easley, Lee’s legislative director, outlined “several conspiracy theories that ​are unfortunately being shared as fact,” dispelling the myths and asking legislators to inform their constituents that they’re false.

Easley wrote that “a number of” members had reached out to the governor’s office after hearing from constituents about the conspiracies.

“We are responding to constituents who reach out with concerns and hope you will join us in sharing the facts,” Easley wrote. “If you have additional questions on these items, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or anyone on my team.”

Examples Easley provided of conspiracy theories and rumors that have been spread in the last week regarding Executive Order 83, which Lee signed Friday, include

• “The EO creates “quarantine camps” – FALSE
• Tennesseans serving in the National Guard will be used to round up citizens that are unvaccinated and take them to locations to be quarantined or vaccinated – FALSE
• Tennesseans serving in the National Guard will be coming to forcibly vaccinate citizens in their homes – FALSE – This is specifically prohibited by state law as well.
• This executive order is laying the groundwork for permanent lockdowns – FALSE
• That Covid-19 vaccines are being given to livestock so it will enter the food supply to vaccinate citizens through their meat consumption – FALSE.”

Right-wing conservatives have gone after many of Lee’s policies throughout the coronavirus pandemic and continue to do so as he approaches reelection in 2022.

Greg Locke, the pastor of Global Vision Bible Church in Mt. Juliet, on Sunday claimed during his sermon that Lee had authorized the state to build “quarantine camps.”

Emails obtained by The Tennessean sent out by multiple right-wing groups but using the same language claimed Lee’s new executive order “authorizes National Guard and State Guard troops to break into peoples’ homes, kidnap them at gunpoint, and take them to COVID internment camps, all without due process or respect for civil rights.”

In a separate email, conservative group Tennessee Stands included a photo of a barbed-wire fence atop a message to supporters about the executive order, calling it “the most bombastic yet, if not downright nefarious,” but does not refer to camps. The group encourages people to read the executive order for themselves.

Gary Humble, director of Tennessee Stands, said in an interview Thursday he has not promoted any theories about quarantine or internment camps, but has other issues with the executive order.

“Do I have some concerns about language that says people can be involuntarily committed over a phone call? Yeah,” Humble said. “I don’t really know what that means, but it sounds concerning to me. We do have some concerns about the executive order and some implications and how some of those things can be construed.”

The executive order permits telehealth assessments for certain mental health commitments, as well as authorizes the construction of “temporary quarantine and isolation facilities” that previously would have needed review.

Easley explained to legislators that the executive order, which primarily pertains to relaxing requirements for medical professionals and hospitals, including allowing the Tennessee National Guard to administer COVID-19 tests and assist with vaccine distribution for those who want them.

“All of these examples, and related rumors, are demonstrably false,” Easley wrote of the conspiracy theories he listed. ​”Additionally, Tennesseans who serve in our National Guard have faithfully served their communities in many capacities this year and we are grateful that they remain committed to serving their neighbors.”

Thursday’s email wasn’t the first time Easley has had to assure members of the Republican-controlled General Assembly that a rumor they’ve heard about Lee is not true.

In January, Easley sent an email fact-checking a false rumor that the governor would be shutting down all schools in the state, which was not true.

Reach Natalie Allison at nallison@tennessean.com. Follow her on Twitter at @natalie_allison.

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