Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil Apologize For Their Coronavirus Comments

As we all know how deadly coronavirus has been so far, it should be taken seriously and sensitively. However, TV personalities, Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil have made some upsetting comments about the virus. After they faced backlash, both of them came forward with apologies.

 

Although they are no experts, Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil were called on TV to give their opinion on coronavirus

Despite knowing the fact that there is no vaccine for coronavirus yet, some people are not taking it seriously. Every day, the death toll all over the world is increasing and millions have tested positive. However, TV personalities, Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil do not think that it is that harmful. In an episode of the television show, The Ingraham Angle, Dr. Phil claimed that there is no such need for social distancing:

“The fact of the matter is we have people dying, 45,000 people a year die from automobile accidents, 480,000 from cigarettes, 360,000 a year from swimming pools, but we don’t shut the country down for that, but yet we’re doing it for this? And the fallout is going to last for years because people’s lives are being destroyed.”

However, people took to social media to respond to his comments. Needless to say, no one was happy about it. A former US Attorney for New York, Preet Bharara advised people to ‘ignore quacks’.

Filmmaker, Morgan J Freeman emphasized that its a contagious disease.

Similarly, Dr. Oz of The Dr. Oz Show also made extremely insensitive comments about coronavirus. While making an appearance on Fox News, he argued that America needs to get its mojo back:

“Schools are a very appetizing opportunity. I just saw a nice piece in The Lancet arguing the opening of schools may only cost us 2 to 3%, in terms of total mortality. Any, you know, any life is a life lost, but … that might be a tradeoff some folks would consider.”

These comments made people furious who did not appreciate him suggesting to sacrifice some kids for the stability of the economy.

However, after the backlash, both of them have come forward with apologies

It seems that Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil have realized their mistakes and have asked for forgiveness. In a tweet, Dr. Oz posted a video where he said:

I’ve realized my comments on risks around opening schools have confused and upset people, which was never my intention. I misspoke.

On the other hand, Dr. Phil appeared on Facebook Live to clarify his comments and said:

“Last night, I said that we as a society have chosen to live with certain controllable risks every day: smoking, auto crashes, swimming. Yes, I know those are not contagious, so probably bad examples. I referred to them as numbers of death we apparently find acceptable because we do little or nothing about them.”

Despite Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil’s apologies, some people are not convinced. It is time to stop inviting non-experts to talk about such a sensitive topic.