Arizona GOP chair tells protesters to wear scrubs, calls workers in photos ‘actors’

The chairwoman of the Arizona Republican Party told people planning to protest stay-at-home orders to “just wear scrubs.”

Dr. Kelli Ward, head of the Republican Party in Arizona, tweeted last week that anyone taking part in “reopen America” protests should wear scrubs and masks.

“Planning protest to #ReOpenAmerica?” she tweeted Friday. “EVERYONE wear scrubs and masks — the media doesn’t care if you are really in health care or not — it’s the ‘message’ that matters!”

Days before, Ward cast doubt on viral photos of health care workers who blocked protesters at demonstrations in Colorado and Arizona, calling the photos “propaganda” in a tweet.

“EVEN IF these spontaneously’ appearing ppl at protests against govt overreach (sporting the same outfits, postures, & facial expressions) ARE involved in healthcare - when they appeared at rallies, they were actors playing parts,” Ward tweeted.

Ward’s tweets have received backlash from many, including from Matt Grodsky, director of communications for the Arizona Democratic Party.

“If anyone’s status as a health care professional should be questioned it’s Dr. Kelli Ward’s,” he said in a tweet. “Irresponsible, shameful tweets like this do nothing to help people afflicted with the virus or the health care heroes who are working to save lives.”

There have been more than 3 million confirmed cases of coronavirus worldwide, with more than 988,000 of those cases in the U.S., according to data from Johns Hopkins University and Medicine.

In Arizona, there are more than 6,700 confirmed cases, according to state data.

This story was originally published April 27, 2020 at 9:39 PM with the headline "Arizona GOP chair tells protesters to wear scrubs, calls workers in photos ‘actors’."