Governor Sisolak and Officials Condemn President Trump's Tweet Calling Renown Alternate Care Site 'Fake'

(Photos courtesy of Renown) (Photos of empty ward taken before opening in early November)

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak is condemning a tweet from President Trump calling the alternate care site inside Renown's parking garage “fake.” Sisolak is also calling on other Nevada lawmakers to do the same.

It all started with Dr. Jacob Keeperman, who took a photo of himself inside the parking garage turned alternate care site the day before patients were admitted. The site has cared for 200 patients so far and currently cares for 42 patients. "We are caring for patients in a converted parking garage....that is not what any of us thought we would be doing..." said Dr. Keeperman.

Dr. Keeperman posted it on Twitter Sunday, thanking staff who are 'fighting the good fight' to help those suffering from COVID-19, noting 5 deaths in the last 32 hours. "My team and I, we are often the last ones at the bedside holding the patients hand when they take their last breath and call the families to tell them that their loved ones are not coming home."

The tweet was picked up by an account which claimed that the picture was proof that local hospitals are not seeing a surge of COVID-19 patients, noting the empty beds and unused equipment, and called the pandemic a scam.

This is of course is due to the picture being taken before the site was put into use.

President trump fanned the flames when we re-tweeted the account, adding quote "fake election results in Nevada, also."

“COVID can affect anyone, it doesn't matter what side of the aisle you might sit on, where you live," said Dr. Keeperman. “This is real. Please be safe, protect yourself and protect your loved ones so I don't have to hold your hand while you take your last breath or I don’t need to call your family to tell them you aren’t coming home."

Governor Sisolak's statement is below:

“For nearly nine months, the State of Nevada has not only had to battle this pandemic, we have had to fight the President's nonstop attempts to politicize a virus that has led to over 260,000 American deaths.

His consistent misleading rhetoric on COVID-19 is dangerous and reckless, and today's implication that Renown's alternate care site is a "fake hospital" is among the worst examples we've seen. It is unconscionable for him to continue to spread lies and sow distrust at a time when all Americans should be united during this historic public health crisis. Enough is enough.

Nevada’s healthcare professionals continue to work around the clock to provide life-saving care to Nevadans during this pandemic, including standing up an alternate care site in a parking garage to ensure access to medical care for all those who need it.

Renown Hospital has served as a pillar of strength for the Northern Nevada community throughout this pandemic, and especially during this current surge. Every day, their health care workers mask up, go to work, and care for Nevadans most in need. They too live with the fear of becoming infected and bringing this virus back home to their families, yet they have sat at bedsides holding the hands of patients so they wouldn't have to be alone. They aren't liars, as the President implied -- they are heroes.

I call on all leaders throughout Nevada - regardless of political affiliation - to join me in condemning the President's attacks on the integrity of our healthcare workers."

Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve reacted to the tweet with this statement:

I stand with Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak in condemning the President’s attacks on the integrity of our healthcare workers. The hardworking men and women of our medical community are giving everything they can to keep our neighbors alive.

It is abhorrent to me that anyone, let alone a president, spout lies that mock and demean patients fighting for their lives. The exceptional leaders at Renown have been forced into this unbelievable situation and I commend them for this heroic work.

This is an attack on our community as we face this unprecedented challenge. This is exactly the inhumane and cavalier attitude that has cost thousands of Americans their lives.

My heart breaks for our families and friends who have lost loved ones. I stand with the front-line workers who have given their bodies and souls to fight COVID-19.

There are hundreds of patients fighting for their lives in Reno right now. That’s the very sad reality.

Perhaps he should put the phone down, get off the golf cart, and come down to our hospitals and see for himself the reality which he blatantly chooses to not face.

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford tweeted: