Former police officer Alex Cooney slammed for Covid misinformation

Dr Broomfield says there’s been a rise in such theories on social media and Covid-denying cop Alex Cooney’s views mirror them.

A Covid-denying former police officer has been slammed for spreading misinformation about the deadly virus at public events.

Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh was reluctant to comment, but made it very clear what his thoughts were.

“It’s impossible to refute people this far down the rabbit hole,” Mr Singh said.

“People should seek advice from properly qualified medical professionals and not rely on TikTok for medical advice.”

Mr Singh’s comments came after Coffs-Clarence officer Alex Cooney quit the police force to speak out about what he said was an “alleged virus”.

To date, NSW Health has reported 76,799 cases of Covid and 600 lives lost.

There are currently 2,898 active cases across the state.

Mr Cooney said he had attended a number of #ReclaimTheLine rallies.

Coffs Harbour GP Dr Ashlea Broomfield said Mr Cooney’s claim that Covid was an “alleged virus” was simply not true.

“There are a lot of people making dubious claims but they aren’t true,” Dr Broomfield said

“It is a real illness and people are getting very sick and dying from it.

She said there had been a rise in conspiracy theories on social media and Mr Cooney’s views appeared to mirror them.

“A lot of the things he is saying are consistent with conspiracy theories associated with misinformation about the virus that are circulating on social media,” Dr Broomfield said.

“The spread of misinformation is very dangerous if it means people don’t access appropriate medical care.”

In September Police Inspector Ben Atkinson distanced himself from Mr Cooney and emphasised the enforcement of public health orders remained a major priority for local officers.

“The Public Health Act is a big focus for us and while restrictions have eased we are still enforcing regulations to help ensure Coffs doesn’t go back into lockdown,” Inspector Atkins said.