Phil Valentine, conservative radio host and vaccine skeptic, dies of COVID-19
Phil Valentine, a conservative radio discuss present host who was a vaccine skeptic and disagreed with masks mandates up till he was recognized with COVID-19 final month, has died at age 61.
“We’re saddened to report that our host and buddy Phil Valentine has handed away,” his station, SuperTalk 99.7 WTN, tweeted Saturday afternoon. “Please preserve the Valentine household in your ideas and prayers.”
Valentine, whose present first went on-air in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1995 and was ultimately syndicated to a number of cities throughout the nation, confirmed he was recognized with the coronavirus in a Fb put up on July 11, CBS affiliate WTVF-TV experiences.
“Sure, the rumors are true,” he wrote on Fb. “I’ve COVID. Sadly for the haters on the market, it seems to be like I will make it.”
He known as the sickness an “fascinating expertise” and stated he would fill listeners in when he was again on the air. “I am hoping that shall be tomorrow, however I could take a day without work simply as a precaution. It will be a recreation time choice,” he wrote.
A number of weeks later, the radio station shared an replace on their Fb web page from Valentine’s household, who stated his situation had worsened.
“Phil contracted the Covid virus slightly over every week in the past & has since been hospitalized & is in very severe situation, affected by Covid Pneumonia and the attendant unintended effects,” the put up stated. “He’s within the hospital within the vital care unit respiration with help however is NOT on a ventilator. We would ask that everybody please chorus from contacting him whereas he’s within the hospital.”
The put up concluded along with his household urging individuals to get vaccinated: “Please proceed to hope for his restoration and PLEASE GO GET VACCINATED!”
Valentine’s brother, Mark Valentine, additionally spoke on the radio after his brother’s situation started to deteriorate, saying that Valentine was, “regretful that he wasn’t a extra vocal advocate of the vaccination,” in keeping with AP. “For these listening, I do know if he had been capable of let you know this, he would let you know, ‘Go get vaccinated. Stop worrying in regards to the politics. Stop worrying about all of the conspiracy theories.'”
Previous to his prognosis, Valentine voiced skepticism in regards to the coronavirus vaccines.
In December of 2020 he tweeted “I’ve a really low danger of A) Getting COVID and B) dying of it if I do. Why would I danger getting a coronary heart assault or paralysis by getting the vaccine?”
He additionally recorded a parody track titled “Vaxman,” which mocked the vaccine, in keeping with WTVF.
Previous to his hospitalization, Valentine stated on the radio that he was “taking vitamin D like loopy” and that a health care provider agreed to prescribe him an anti-parasite drug known as ivermectin, in keeping with the Related Press. The U.S. Meals and Drug Administration has stated to not take the treatment to deal with or stop COVID-19.
“Ivermectin is usually used within the U.S. to deal with or stop parasites in animals. The FDA has obtained a number of experiences of sufferers who’ve required medical help and been hospitalized after self-medicating with ivermectin meant for horses,” the administration stated, including that ivermectin has not been accredited by the FDA to be used in treating or stopping COVID-19 in people.
Vitamin D can be not confirmed to assist deal with COVID-19, with the Nationwide Institute for Well being stating there “is inadequate proof to suggest both for or towards the usage of vitamin D for the prevention or remedy of COVID-19.”
