Not a respected source of information
Medical advice from random podcasters is not one of our best inventions.
Hugely popular US podcast host Joe Rogan has backpedalled on his comments that young, healthy people could forgo the coronavirus vaccine.
“I’m not an anti-vax person,” Rogan said. “I believe they’re safe and encourage many people to take them.”
But Rogan did not walk back his suggestion that the young and healthy do not “need” vaccines, which drew backlash from White House officials.
Why call it “backlash”? What a stupid word to use. Rogan shouldn’t be making such reckless and destructive “suggestions,” and the government is entitled to say he’s wrong and must be ignored. This isn’t a game.
Asked about Rogan’s comments, top US infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci repeated guidance from experts that unvaccinated, asymptomatic people can still transmit Covid-19.
“Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you’re propagating the outbreak,” Dr Fauci said.
And the thing about that is, Fauci knows what he’s talking about and Joe Rogan is a comedian.
Rogan made the comments during a 23 April episode of his podcast, which was first reported by Media Matters this week.
In that episode, Rogan told listeners that he would not suggest the vaccine to a healthy 21-year-old. “If you’re a healthy person, and you’re exercising all the time, and you’re young, and you’re eating well…like, I don’t think you need to worry about this.”
Responding to the criticism on his podcast on Thursday, Rogan said the argument that young people need the vaccine “for other people” made sense. “But that’s a different argument,” he added.
And Rogan stressed that he should not be a source of scientific advice. “I’m not a doctor,” he said. “I’m not a respected source of information, even for me.”
Then don’t offer advice, at least not advice that contradicts what the actual scientific advisors are telling us. Just shut up about it.
His folks were vaccinated, he plans on getting vaccinated, and most of his guests have been vaccinated. I questioned whether I needed to get vaccinated myself, I don’t do much socializing, I don’t go to high risk environments, I have never felt the need to get a flu shot (because of these very reasons), I hate needles, no, make that I have an irrational fear of needles, I am at low risk of getting The Covid because I am diligent about wearing masks and practice sensible hygeine, and yet, I got the vaccine ANYWAY. Mostly because it’s not about me. Now if you can honestly tell me Rogan isn’t a ‘me’ person, I’ll eat my hat. I think his opinion has some validity, but the question isn’t why should you get the vaccine, it’s why shouldn’t you? I like the fact that he realizes that his opinion isn’t medically or socially valid, but as Ophelia points out, why bother talking about it at all? Either get the shot or don’t. There is no law compelling us to get the vaccine, and the only reason to get it is to promote the general welfare. How American is that. :P
At least Joe Rogan frequently reminds people not to take his advice. He often says something like, “Don’t listen to me — I’m a moron. And if you do something because of something I said, then you’re a moron, too.”
Then why does he give advice?
Was he giving advice? Or was he just saying how he sees things?
In the quotes you have he reiterates that he’s “not a respected source of information” and acknowledges that there’s a benefit to society for younger people to get the vaccine.
I don’t generally listen to his podcast, but from this clips I’ve heard I think a big part of his appeal (and he appears to have a lot of appeal, based on the size of his audience) is he’ll talk about anything, unafraid to ask stupid questions or voice unpopular opinions.