Chicago's Veronica Wolski, Who Wanted Ivermectin For COVID, Dies

CHICAGO — A woman from Chicago’s Northwest side who pushed for a local hospital to treat her with ivermectin died Monday from COVID-19, the Cook County Medical Examiner reported.

Veronica Wolski, 64, who lived in the Jefferson Park neighborhood and identified as a QAnon supporter, died shortly after 12:33 a.m. at her home. QAnon is a right-wing conspiracy theory rooted in baseless claims that President Donald Trump is waging a secret war against a satanic child sex trafficking ring run by top Democrats.

Wolski had been hospitalized at AMITA Resurrection Medical Center for two weeks after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

The medical examiner said that Wolski — who was known for demonstrating on a pedestrian bridge overlooking the Kennedy Expressway — died from pneumonia caused by the virus. The medical examiner also said that hyperthyroidism was a contributing factor in her death.

Wolski took aim at AMITA hospital officials on social media last week for refusing to treat her with ivermectin, a medication that is used to treat parasites in humans and animals. Proponents of the drug have said without strong evidence that it is effective in treating COVID-19.

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Despite efforts from Wolski's supporters to treat her with the drug, the hospital said that it does not use ivermectin to treat COVID-19 cases.

"At AMITA Health, our first priority is the health and safety of our patients. Our physicians and clinicians follow the full guidance of the FDA and the CDC in the treatment of COVID-19,” the hospital said in a media statement last week. “And while AMITA Health Resurrection Medical Center has received hundreds of phone calls and emails associated with one patient’s care, we have simply and respectfully noted the concerns shared."

In her final video posted on YouTube last month, Wolski recorded a message from what she called “the people’s bridge” while she wore a sequined cap with the image of an American flag.

In front of her, three banners had been posted on the fence, each bearing a word that when read together said “Never Comply COVID.” Wolski, who was a vocal opponent of COVID-19 vaccines, had previously recorded a video on the bridge with a banner reading "Axe The Vax."

“When you don’t comply and you don’t give up your freedoms, you never have to fight to get them back,” Wolski said in the video. “Once you give up your freedoms, you don’t get them back.”

She said in the video that she has “never once worn a mask” and has called the police when people have tried to force her to wear a mask.

By Monday afternoon, Block Club Chicago reported that supporters of Wolski had displayed an American flag at the bridge site where she recorded her videos and placed flowers and other signs of support, including balloons and a blue wristband reading "stormisuuponus," a reference to QAnon.

The Tribune reported that right-wing attorney Lin Wood posted a video Sunday night demanding that the hospital release Wolski to a person who held her power of attorney for medical issues.