Two of America's most dominant voices on the airwaves are at odds on treatment for the pandemic that's killed over 600 thousand Americans and completely uprooted daily life in the United States.
Earlier this month, popular podcast host Joe Rogan—famous for his hours-long interviews with controversial figures like Elon Musk and Ben Shapiro—tested positive for COVID-19. The host announced he'd been prescribed ivermectin—an anti-parasitic drug used in humans to treat conditions like roundworm and rosacea. Ivermectin is also the active ingredient in animal deworming treatments.
Like hydroxychloroquine last year, conservatives have hailed ivermectin as a miracle treatment for the virus, presenting it to their audiences as an alternative to vaccination. As a result, some have resorted to using over the counter medications meant for animals where ivermectin is the active ingredient. This has resulted in increased calls to poison control centers.
Regardless of its safety, ivermectin is not thought to be effective in treating COVID-19.
In a recent episode of his show, legendary shock jock Howard Stern called out Rogan for touting ivermectin on his podcast.
Stern said:
"I heard Joe Rogan was saying 'What are you busting my balls [for]? I took horse de-wormer and a doctor gave it to me. Well, a doctor would also give you a vaccine, so why take horse-dewormer?"
Rogan is one of a chorus of alternative voices dismissing the need for vaccines, which have repeatedly proven to be safe and effective at slowing the spread of the virus.
The podcast host encouraged young people not to get a vaccine, saying:
"I'm not an anti-vax person. In fact, I said I believe they're safe and I encourage many people to take 'em. I just said, I don't think that if you're a young, healthy person, that you need it."
People agreed with Stern
I want to tell 1990s me that Howard Stern, Fart Man, is more trustworthy than 90% of Fox News anchors. Blow. My. Teenage. Mind.https://twitter.com/thedailybeast/status/1437536595188625414\u00a0\u2026— Melissa Nemeth (@Melissa Nemeth) 1631582838
First time I\u2019ve ever agreed with or endorsed something Stern has said. Bravo! A pox on these parasites on society. Get the damn vaccine and stop destroying our health system because morons are stupid and selfish. Thank you Howard Stern.https://twitter.com/thedailybeast/status/1437536595188625414\u00a0\u2026— Ann Secord (@Ann Secord) 1631578641
Well said\u2026https://twitter.com/thedailybeast/status/1437536595188625414\u00a0\u2026— MikeyD (@MikeyD) 1631578449
Good One - need more names calling out #AntiVaxxers but overrun hospitals when they get sick!https://twitter.com/thedailybeast/status/1437536595188625414\u00a0\u2026— Thinking Out Loud (@Thinking Out Loud) 1631574602
Amen! Thank you Howard! You could not have said it any better.https://twitter.com/thedailybeast/status/1437536595188625414\u00a0\u2026— Trent Fogle (@Trent Fogle) 1631574259
Totally agree with Howard Stern!https://twitter.com/thedailybeast/status/1437536595188625414?s=19\u00a0\u2026— Nan G (@Nan G) 1631574152
Meanwhile the use of ivermectin continues to spark discourse online.
Everybody is just constantly winging it on Ivermectin Facebook. Everything is a miracle cure, or it isn't, but every drug is worth a shot.\n\nExcept, of course, the thing that works: the vaccine. Anything pro-vaccine is instantly written off as "propaganda."pic.twitter.com/TVQdAqlldD— Ben Collins (@Ben Collins) 1631553393
My wife was angrily confronted by a chiropractor who knew she was MD & said she advocated vaccines (& not ivermectin) because she's a democrat & he's GOP. She refused to engage. I *wish* she said "No, it's because I treat patients in hospitals and you crack backs in strip malls."— Kurt Eichenwald (@Kurt Eichenwald) 1631554251
The right-wing media's business model often relies on selling out the audience to an assortment of grifters, conmen, charlatans, and snake oil salesmen.https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/ivermectin-and-right-wing-medias-con-culture\u00a0\u2026— Matthew Gertz (@Matthew Gertz) 1631546437
Just get vaccinated.
@PreetBharara/X
@RepBrendanBoyle/X
@twesq/Bluesky
@christopherharris/Bluesky
@evangelinewarren/X
@FrankC164/X
AMC