Conspiracy theorist and Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) has garnered national attention for his ridiculous claims about the coronavirus pandemic and Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, among other delusions.

“The senator has been criticized for spreading conspiracy theories about the coronavirus and has promoted the use of drugs that have shown little to no evidence that they are effective in treating covid-19. YouTube this year suspended his account for violating the company’s medical misinformation policies. He has also expressed skepticism about the efficacy of coronavirus vaccine mandates and doses, which have undergone vigorous health testing,” The Washington Post reported Thursday.

Now he’s even recommending mouthwash as a treatment.

“Standard gargle, mouthwash, has been proven to kill the coronavirus,” Johnson claimed at a town hall on Wednesday. “If you get it, you may reduce viral replication. Why not try all these things?”

Johnson’s claim was quickly criticized.

“Though mouthwash can partially kill off parts of the coronavirus in a person’s mouth, most infections occur through the nose, health experts said,” the newspaper reported. A dental-professional-focused website run by Listerine, one of the world’s most widely used mouthwash products, specifically says the evidence is not strong enough to conclude that it is helpful against covid-19. Listerine ‘is not intended to prevent or treat COVID-19 and should be used only as directed on the product label,” the website notes in bold.‘

The newspaper interviewed Raymond Niaura, interim chair of the epidemiology department at New York University, who suggested gargling would not hurt, but only if accompanied by vaccination.

“That way, one would be at reduced risk for infection and have good smelling breath,” Niaura said.

The manufacturer of the 131 year old Lysol brand of disinfectants was forced to issue a statement after President Donald Trump Thursday evening dangerously suggested he wants doctors to test the “injection” of disinfectants into the human body as a possible coronavirus cure.

Reckitt Benckiser, the British multinational consumer goods company that makes Lysol, released a strong warning.

“As a global leader in health and hygiene products, we must be clear that under no circumstance should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body (through injection, ingestion or any other route).  As with all products, our disinfectant and hygiene products should only be used as intended and in line with usage guidelines. Please read the label and safety information.”

The company cited “recent speculation and social media activity,” and said it “has been asked whether internal administration of disinfectants may be appropriate for investigation or use as a treatment for coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).”

President Trump stunned many across the nation when he said, “I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out, in a minute. Is there a way we can do something like that? By injection, inside, or almost a cleaning, ’cause you see it gets in the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs. So it would be interesting to check that. You’re going to have to use medical doctors, right? But it sounds interesting to me.”

Related –
Watch: Trump Dangerously Suggests Doctors Test ‘Injection’ of Disinfectants Into Human Body to Cure Coronavirus

Injection of even a small amount of a disinfectant into any living body, human or animal, is extremely dangerous and deadly.

President Donald Trump on national television Thursday evening offered a dangerous suggestion: doctors and scientists should test the “injection” of disinfectants, like bleach or alcohol, into the human body as a way to cure coronavirus.

“And then I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out, in a minute,” Trump said. “Is there a way we can do something like that? By injection, inside, or almost a cleaning, ’cause you see it gets in the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs. So it would be interesting to check that. You’re going to have to use medical doctors, right? But it sounds interesting to me.”

After hearing presentation President Trump suggests irradiating people's bodies with UV light or injecting them with bleach or alcohol to deal with COVID19. pic.twitter.com/cohkLyyl9G

— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) April 23, 2020

(Note: it is extremely dangerous and likely deadly to inject any living being with any disinfectant. Do not do this.)

Trump made his remarks while standing in front of the sign that reads “The White House” in the press briefing room, leading some on social media to express concern that some Americans would try it at home.

Please don't inject or consume disinfectants.

— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) April 23, 2020

Thoughts and prayers for whoever has to explain to Trump why we can't inject people with bleach.

— Matt Rogers (@Politidope) April 23, 2020

Please don't drink bleach or isopropyl alcohol to remove #COVID19 from your saliva.

Please.

— Dara Kass, MD (@darakass) April 23, 2020