Joe Rogan has Covid and used ‘unsafe’ horse de-wormer drug ivermectin in treatment
The host said he tested positive over the weekend after a work trip, but was feeling better
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Joe Rogan, the widely popular comedian, MMA commentator and podcast host, tested positive for Covid-19 over the weekend and had to reschedule an upcoming tour date.
“I got back from the road Saturday night feeling very weary,” Mr Rogan, whose Joe Rogan Experience podcast reaches an estimated 11 million people, told followers in an Instagram video on Wednesday (1 September).
“I had a headache, and I just felt just run down. Just to be cautious, I separated from my family, slept in a different part of the house and throughout the night I got fevers and sweats and I knew what was going on.”
In the video, the host also said among the drugs he used to treat his case was ivermectin, a livestock de-worming medicine that has become popular in conservative circles. The FDA has warned it is an ineffective and unsafe treatment for Covid, though it is used in humans for other ailments.
“We immediately threw the kitchen sink at it: all kinds of meds. Monoclonal antibodies, ivermectin, Z-pack, prednisone – everything,” Mr Rogan said in the video, adding, “Crazy times we’re living in, but a wonderful, heartfelt thank you to modern medicine for pulling us out so quickly and easily.”
Rogan has not publicly said whether he is vaccinated, but he generated a storm of controversy in April when he told listeners he didn’t believe young, healthy people needed to get the vaccine.
He has since clarified his stance on vaccines generally, saying he supports them.
“I’m not an anti-vax person,” he explained on a later episode. “I believe they’re safe and encourage many people to take them.”
The Independent has reached out to Mr Rogan for comment, including his vaccination status.
The popular host has also called vaccine passports “one step closer” to dictatorship on the influential show, an eclectic and often bizarre program that sometimes features him promoting pseudo-scientific health supplements and interviewing right-wing conspiracy theorists like Sandy Hook denier Alex Jones.
“Many people spend more time listening to Rogan than they do to health professionals,” a group of doctors warned in an NBC News opinion piece, following the vaccine comments, adding, “Those with influential platforms have a responsibility to be a little more careful and realize the ripple effects of misguidance and a casual piece of misinformation.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments