In a column titled, "Mocking anti-vaxxers’ deaths is ghoulish, yes — but necessary," Pultizer-Prize winner Michael Hiltzik addressed the death of Kelly Ernby, a deputy district attorney in Orange County, California, who reportedly died of complications from the coronavirus last week after opposing vaccine mandates. .

CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN'S COVID DEATH MOCKED ONLINE BY ANTI-VAXXERS.

Ernby's death was immediately mocked by vaccine supporters on social media, who gleefully pointed out her opposition to vaccine mandates.

Kelly Ernby reportedly died of complications with the coronavirus.

Other anti-vaxxers – or "foes of public health" – as Hiltzik refers to them, who have died from the virus have faced similar remarks on social media. .

"What’s especially iniquitous about the anti-mandate and anti-vaccination arguments is the damage they are doing to America’s public health system," Hiltzik goes on.

Ernby reportedly died at home, but others of her ilk took up hospital beds that may accordingly have been denied to others in great need of treatment for non-COVID conditions.".

They demonstrate in the most vivid way imaginable the folly of vaccine refusal and of flouting responsible public health measures," he continues

"But let’s not mince words: Her campaigns against public health measures negated whatever good she may have done in her other endeavors," Hiltzik said

"Nor," he writes, "is it wrong to deny them our sympathy and solicitude, or to make sure it’s known when their deaths are marked that they had stood fast against measures that might have protected themselves and others from the fate they succumbed to."