Democrat Candidate For Governor Faces Major Backlash For Bizarre COVID-Era Posts

Old COVID-era posts tied to Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton are resurfacing, and they’re lighting up social media for all the wrong reasons.

Acton, the former top public health official in Ohio during the 2020 lockdowns, is now running for governor. But fresh scrutiny is landing on how she used social media at the height of the pandemic, when government officials and so-called experts were pushing sweeping mandates and scolding everyday Americans.

OutKick reported it obtained a series of May 2020 posts that appeared to come from Acton’s Twitter account. The posts, many of which were aimed at Cleveland Browns fans, have since been deleted, according to the outlet.

In one exchange, Acton replied to a Browns fan using a Kermit meme about playoff hopes by writing, “Please social distance.” In another thread about quarterback Baker Mayfield, Acton jumped in with, “Please follow CDC guidelines.” After a fan responded with a photo, she added, “We should be discussing ways to prevent covid.”

A separate post showed a photo of the Browns punter lifting a log. Acton’s response, again, was: “Please social distance.”

In another interaction, a fan commented Browns Twitter was the only “fun part of quarantine.” Acton replied: “Please stop.” In yet another exchange, she weighed in with: “We are in a pandemic.”

Acton also responded to a meme with: “Grow up #StayAtHome.” When a fan posted about hopes for a Super Bowl run, she shot back: “No. Too many people.” In another comment, she wrote: “We need masks and ppe, not jerseys.”

The resurfaced posts are drawing backlash from critics who say they reflect the heavy-handed tone that defined the lockdown era, when normal life was treated like a problem to be managed, and even harmless distractions like sports banter weren’t off-limits.

OutKick said it reached out to Acton seeking an explanation for the posts and her reasoning at the time. The outlet said it did not receive a response as of publication.

Acton’s run is now colliding with a political reality many voters haven’t forgotten: 2020 wasn’t just about public health. It was also about control, hypocrisy, and officials demanding compliance while millions watched their jobs, schools, and small businesses get crushed.

Download the FREE Trending Politics App to get the latest news FIRST >>