'Listen up, dips***s': Kentucky mayor posts no-nonsense coronavirus advice

As cases steadily increase, leaders urge people to stay inside. Gabe Brown didn't hold back

A mayor in Kentucky has come up with an unusually frank warning about the dangers of the coronavirus for his constituents.

Gabe Brown, mayor of Walton, posted in the Boone County Neighborhood Facebook group: "Listen up dipsh***s and sensible people.

"I might not have the best bedside [manner]. I might not put you at ease like the Governor does, but I don't care. You need to realise that this is a serious ordeal. In fact, it's a big f--cking deal. Stay at home."

"I didn't give you information to induce panic," the post continued. "I gave you information to stay informed."

The post also said that testing was limited and that "more cases are coming." It urged people to stay indoors away from others who could be at a higher risk.

On Thursday the New York Times reported that there were 198 cases and five deaths in the state. Cases have been rising over the past week, and one mayor urged his constituents to take the pandemic seriously in a strongly-worded Facebook post.​

Kentucky governor Andy Beshear has been sharing similar sentiments but in a more refined manner. He has a daily Covid-19 update for his constituents and, on Tuesday, responded to a "coronavirus party" in the state.

“Anyone who goes to something like this may think they’re indestructible, but it’s someone else’s loved one that they are going to hurt,” Mr Beshear said. “We are battling for the health and the lives of our parents and our grandparents. Don’t be callous as to intentionally go to something and expose yourself to something that will hurt other people.”

On Wednesday, he ordered all "non life-sustaining" businesses to close. The executive order also stated that the CDC and the Kentucky Department of Public Health practice social distancing, staying home when possible, and staying at least six feet away from others. The order then went into which businesses can remain open, including hardware stores, stores that "supply medical first responders and other healthcare workers," agricultural supply and equipment stories, and food and beverage manufacturers.

Mr Beshear has been praised for his daily updates and for ordering a state of emergency in early March, which helped local health institutions and schools plan for the pandemic.

As of Thursday, more than 510,000 people around the world have been diagnosed with Covid-19, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University. More than 22,000 people have died. In the United States, more than 1,100 people have died, and more than 75,000 have been infected.

Later on Monday evening, in a separate Facebook post, Mr Brown apologised for his previous statements.

"I probably could've handled all of your comments with a little more tact and professionalism," he wrote. "Then again, some of you got told what you should've. Wash your hands you filthy animals."