MMA Personality Criticized For Encouraging 'Healthy' People Not To Get COVID-19 Vaccine

KEY POINTS

Joe Rogan has the most-downloaded sports podcast on Spotify
On his show, the MMA personality said healthy people should not get vaccinated for COVID-19
The American CDC recommends vaccination for all people

Renowned mixed martial arts commentator Joe Rogan has turned a few heads following a misleading statement regarding the COVID-19 vaccine on his podcast.

Rogan pointed out that people in their 20s who are healthy and exercising have the choice not to get vaccinated, implying they are stronger than the rest of the population.

"Yeah, for the most part, I think it's safe to be vaccinated. But if you're like 21 years old and [asked] 'Should I get a vaccine?', I'll be like, 'No.'" he said. "If you're a healthy person and you're young, and you're eating well, I don't think you have to worry about this."

It is a dangerous claim to make, considering in the United States alone, an estimated 32.2 million cases—including 573,000 deaths—have been tallied since the start of the global health crisis.

Rogan's show is the top-downloaded sports podcast on Spotify, while his YouTube channel, PowerJRE, currently has 10.6 million subscribers.

Basketball writer David Gardner was quick to point out on Twitter that even Boston Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum wasn't safe from the virus.

Extremely healthy 23-year-old Jayson Tatum still has to use an inhaler before basketball games after contracting the coronavirus in January https://t.co/duvX0UmtHn
— David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) April 27, 2021

Another Twitter user emphasized a New York Times story where more younger people are being hospitalized in Michigan due to COVID-19.

https://t.co/n8bWNceZpJ https://t.co/fthieQkS78 pic.twitter.com/PiIOPhEa7A
— him. (@____theodoro) April 27, 2021

It seemed Rogan wasn't fazed at all when he made the statements, even doubling down using his children's experience.

"One of my kids had a headache, the other didn't feel good for a couple of days," Rogan stressed, downplaying the virus' effects using a mere two cases.

"It was nothing. I am sorry if someone's children died from [coronavirus], I am very sorry to say that. I am not in any way diminishing that. But I am saying, the personal experience that my children with COVID-19 was nothing."

The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends for everyone to be fully vaccinated for its benefits.

Besides, there are companies offering freebies like beer, doughnuts, and even recreational cannabis only for people who have taken the vaccine.