Doctor Drops Some Coronavirus Truth Bombs On Fox News, Lights Up Twitter
A doctor’s no-holds-barred analysis of coronavirus testing shortcomings is going viral ― not just because of his blunt talk but because of where he made his case: live on Fox News.
Dr. Rishi Desai, chief medical officer of the Osmosis website, vigorously shook his head “no” as Fox News host Martha MacCallum mentioned, as President Donald Trump has, that there were supposed to be millions of tests available. She also said people were still waiting for a quick test for COVID-19.
Desai responded with a fact-check.
“Yeah, they’re working on it,” he said. “They should’ve been working on it for months.”
Desai noted that the World Health Organization had issued a warning about the virus on Dec. 31, 2019.
“We knew coronavirus was coming, we knew that it was a respiratory disease, we knew it was person-to-person,” he said.
Yet it’s only now that the FDA approved a 15-minute test and even it has shortcomings. Then, Desai explained how South Korea was able to get ahead of the situation by testing early and often.
“Look at what South Korea did, and what we did,” he said. “Their population is one-sixth of ours. Look at the cases they have. Look at the mortality they have. It’s a trifle compared to what we’re dealing with right now because we’ve had a very weak response and they had a really strong response.”
MacCallum wrapped up the segment:
How to ensure you don't get follow-up questions on Fox, apparently. pic.twitter.com/nOUqw4ZVhO
— Ben Smith (@benyt) April 2, 2020
In the longer interview on the Fox News website, Desai also called for a nationwide shutdown.
“We would see a drop off in cases within two weeks,” he said. “Within two weeks, the number of cases would start to fall, and the entire country would breathe a sigh of relief.”
Desai quickly found a new fanbase as his name trended on Twitter:
Somebody decided to invite Dr. Rishi Desai onto Fox.
I don’t think they’ll be asking him back.
pic.twitter.com/7BGXo5Le9r— Joshua Potash (@JoshuaPotash) April 2, 2020
So Dr. Desai won’t be invited back onto Fox News but God damn it was worth it.pic.twitter.com/tUN5ZkqGK7
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) April 2, 2020
Hope you come back, Dr. Desai.
(Something tells me Dr. Desai won't be asked back.) pic.twitter.com/dtDFzzcXUf— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) April 2, 2020
No doubt her producers were yelling in her ear to shut this segment down STAT!
Great job Dr. Desai! https://t.co/92UnH7gc2J— Dr. Christine Eady Mann (@DrChristineMann) April 2, 2020
When Dr. DeSai nods his head like that, it means he is NOT here for your bullsh*t, Martha McCallum. pic.twitter.com/t26TwZef4X
— Covfefe Jones- King Of Shade👑 FBR 🌊🌊 (@King_Of_Shade) April 2, 2020
I don’t know Dr. Desai but the man just crushed it there. https://t.co/fdzUHIMjLm
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) April 2, 2020
Dr. Desai bringing truth and impartiality to Fox “news”. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 https://t.co/jcdRm4jBqW
— Stephanie J. Block (@StephanieJBlock) April 2, 2020
The best part of this is the awkward silence from the @foxnews host after Dr. Desai speaks the truth. pic.twitter.com/TqtEumFuLy
— Steve Hall (@being_steve) April 2, 2020
Dr Desai ain’t having it👏👏👏👏👏 https://t.co/zXZnFV2zag
— SweetnSaltyRN (@saltywidowrn) April 2, 2020
Holy Shit balls. Listen to Dr. Desai on Fox. He's spitting the truth so fast they can't stop him! https://t.co/HI2npNYQ6l
— Pheznt Huntr in ND (@BottomofAgassiz) April 2, 2020
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