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White House Mocks Podcast Megastar Who Suggested the Young and Healthy Don't Need COVID Vaccines

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White House communications director Kate Bedingfield said Americans shouldn’t be taking medical advice from popular podcast host Joe Rogan, who suggested young, healthy people don’t need to get the coronavirus vaccination.

“I guess my first question would be, did Joe Rogan become a medical doctor while we weren’t looking?” Bedingfield said on CNN’s “New Day” Wednesday.

“I’m not sure that taking scientific and medical advice from Joe Rogan is perhaps the most productive way for people to get their information.”

She added that people who hear that kind of message may question the vaccine.

“The fastest way to get [back to normal] is for more people to get vaccinated. If you get the vaccine, you can start to get back to normal life,” Bedingfield said.

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Rogan made his comments on a recent episode of his podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience.”

Do you think young, healthy people should get the vaccine?

Rogan said he believes it is safe to get vaccinated, but he doesn’t think young and healthy people need to worry about it.

“If you’re like 21 years old, and you say to me, should I get vaccinated? I’ll go no,” he said.

“If you’re a healthy person and you’re exercising all the time and you’re young and you’re eating well, I don’t think you need to worry about this.”

Rogan used the example of his kids, who got COVID and only experienced cold-like symptoms to back up his claim.

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“We’re talking about something that is not statistically dangerous for children … You should be vaccinated if you are vulnerable,” he said.

Other people criticized Rogan’s comments, with Dr. Anthony Fauci called them “incorrect.”

“You’re talking about yourself in a vacuum,” Fauci said during an appearance on NBC’s “Today.”

“You’re worried about yourself getting infected and the likelihood that you’re not going to get any symptoms. But you can get infected, and will get infected, if you put yourself at risk and even if you don’t have any symptoms, you are propagating the outbreak.”

A March Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll of 1,434 people found that 75 percent of adults are willing to get vaccinated or have received one dose, an increase from the 67 percent who were willing to get vaccinated in January.

An April Monmouth University poll of 800 adults found that only 21 percent of Americans said they would not get the vaccine.

Experts estimate 80 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated in order for the United States to reach herd immunity, The Hill reported.

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Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. A University of Oregon graduate, Erin has conducted research in data journalism and contributed to various publications as a writer and editor.
Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. She grew up in San Diego, California, proceeding to attend the University of Oregon and graduate with honors holding a degree in journalism. During her time in Oregon, Erin was an associate editor for Ethos Magazine and a freelance writer for Eugene Magazine. She has conducted research in data journalism, which has been published in the book “Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future.” Erin is an avid runner with a heart for encouraging young girls and has served as a coach for the organization Girls on the Run. As a writer and editor, Erin strives to promote social dialogue and tell the story of those around her.
Birthplace
Tucson, Arizona
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated with Honors
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Oregon
Books Written
Contributor for Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future
Location
Prescott, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English, French
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Health, Entertainment, Faith




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