Radio Personality Who Called Himself a ‘Plague Spreader’ Dies From COVID-19

Italian anti-vaccine and COVID-19 skeptic radio personality Maurizio Buratti has died from the novel coronavirus after boasting about his maskless escapades.

Per the Daily Beast, Buratti, who called himself a “plague spreader,” was hospitalized earlier this month, and died following COVID-19 health complications on Monday, Dec. 27. The controversial radio personality, who also goes by the name Mauro from Mantua, repeatedly protested restrictions placed on the public throughout the pandemic. Sometime in December, he called into a show on Zanzara’s Radio 24 to tell listeners he was very ill with fever-like symptoms, but said he went through a grocery store without a mask at that time anyway.

Initially he refused to go to hospital despite showing obvious COVID-19 symptoms, and only did so after Zanzara radio host Giuseppe Cruciani urged him to do so. He also refused treatment at a hospital in Mantua, where he lived, “because the Communists are there.” Per Ansa, Hospital de Borgo Trento ICU director Enrico Polati said that Buratti arrived at the hospital in “desperate conditions.” Even as his condition worsened, he remained firm in holding his anti-vaccine sentiments.

Cruciani confirmed Buratti’s death via Instagram in a post dedicated to him.

Davide Parenzo, another radio host at Zanzara, said that he hopes Buratti’s death will highlight how conspiracy theories regarding COVID-19 and the vaccine are helping no one. “Rest in peace wherever you are, old conspiracy theorist. I only hope your sad story serves as an example to all those who are still fueling doubts about the efficacy of vaccines,” he said.