Last week, the NRA cancelled its annual convention due to concerns about coronavirus––but that hasn’t stopped several NRA board members and associates from furthering racist narratives about coronavirus, spreading conspiracy theories, and dismissing the seriousness of the pandemic. Here’s a sampling of their comments:

Furthering the racist “Chinese Virus” narrative, which has led to verbal abuse and physical attacks against Asian-Americans:

NRA Board Member Ted Nugent, on Alex Jones’ radio show: “In China… there is an entire culture where they believe and they perceive and they continue the horror that the more you torture a dog, the more pain and suffering and howling and whining and crying you perpetrate upon that dog, they actually believe the meat has medicinal qualities and is good for you. Stop and grasp the evil in that culture. This is the same Asian culture of the Bataan Death March and the Rape of Nanking even though the shoe is on the other foot at that time.”

NRA Board Second Vice President Willes Lee: “Dem Baby Killers tried to slip in their abortion trap when we’re trying to win the war against Chinese Wuhan virus. #Disgusting”

Spreading conspiracy theories:

NRA Board Member Bob Barr, in response to reports that Philadelphia police were delaying arrests for some nonviolent crimes: “[The District Attorney of Philadelphia], like others elected with money from George Soros, has shown a disinterest in enforcing such laws anyway.”

NRA Board Second Vice President Willes Lee said that coronavirus is an “Election ploy” that will “go away in mid-Nov.” Lee also retweeted Bernard Kerik: “Why do I feel this hysteria is being created to destabilize the country, and destroy the unparalleled and historic economic successes of President @realDonaldTrump?”

Dismissing the seriousness of the pandemic:

These comments are not only racist or dismissive––they contradict nearly every conclusion and recommendation from experts about coronavirus. Here is the CDC website, which––unlike these comments from NRA associates––actually provides helpful information about how to stay safe during this pandemic.