Joe Rogan Under Fire For Testing Guests For COVID-19
Joe Rogan has long-been a source for controversy online, but it rarely comes from his loyal army of supporters. Yet, after revealing that doctors tested him multiple times for the coronavirus, many of his fans have lashed out over his access to the tests.
Speaking with fellow standup comedian Chris D'Elia, Rogan admitted to receiving two tests for COVID-19 in the last week. The comment comes amid a national shortage of testing kits in the United States, contributing to stay-at-home orders from municipalities across the country.
"I got tested yesterday, and I got tested two days before that,” said Joe Rogan. “I’m just going to test myself every three or four days.”
If you can’t get a #coronavirus test it’s cause Joe Rogan hoarding all them bitches. Good lord lol pic.twitter.com/TUz0krXXul
— 🗿 (@thegreyrock) April 16, 2020
D'Elia elaborated on Rogan's access to COVID-19 testing in an interview with BUILD, during which he mentioned that Rogan had been paying for the tests. Shocked to hear that Rogan had D'Elia tested, interviewer Rick Camillieri asked, "How is Joe Rogan's podcast getting tests?" D'Elia responded, Well, because Joe's paying for is that's why […] Joe's basically Bruce Wayne."
Many fans of the podcast took offense to the news, expressing frustration at Rogan for not only having access to tests but also for testing so frequently.
Must be nice to get access to the Coronavirus test at will. I have had friends and their children who have been ill with flu systems & high temperatures and were refused the test because the ERs are rationing them. I guess you’ve reached elitist status. How nice for you.
— 🇺🇸🇺🇸Morris F.🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@MorrisF56319135) April 18, 2020
If you can’t get a #coronavirus test it’s cause Joe Rogan hoarding all them bitches. Good lord lol pic.twitter.com/TUz0krXXul
— 🗿 (@thegreyrock) April 16, 2020
A close friend, a doctor, presumably had Coronavirus but couldn't get tested in NYC. Cool that Joe Rogan is able to test his pals like it's nothing. https://t.co/T95TxIafr4
— Rebecca Klein (@rklein90) April 17, 2020
Huge fan of @joerogan but hearing him talk about how he’s abusing Covid-19 testing kits to test whoever’s on his podcast before he interacts with them and taking 2 tests 3 days apart at his leisure when people are still struggling to get tested is infuriating
— Destiny Judith❁ (@dcolon13) April 16, 2020
The test used by Rogan, however, is not the F.D.A.-approved nasal testing kit, which has been in short supply in the U.S. These at-home tests check for the presence of antibodies, according to the Daily Dot, and cost $299 for any Los Angeles residents willing to pay.
Rogan has been providing guests with tests for at least the last week. Before the controversy took hold of the fanbase, comedian Ryan Swaggart tweeted about the test.
bryancallen</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/joerogan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">joerogan getting tested for Covid-19 using the Rapid Test by $AYTU Joe can you please give us a RT to spread news about this amazing private sector company and help save lives! AYTU Bioscience has reliable tests that are readily available https://t.co/dl9Yl8aeOR pic.twitter.com/nbmaOpaWLX— Ryan Swaggart (@ryan_swaggart) April 15, 2020
Some have pointed to the test as a defense of Rogan, stating that those mad at the podcaster should focus their anger toward the U.S. government for not providing more widespread testing.
@joerogan is using test that aren’t FDA approved. Get mad at our government. Not a “PODCAST” entrepreneur. Tone of anger is misplaced. So glad you dummies don’t influence the “Experience” process. Thanks Joe
— Artorious DaVinci 🧢 (@ArtoriusDaVinci) April 19, 2020
It's not nothing. $300 per test and you could get one too if you were in California paying for it. Just be aware they're not FDA approved. You should applaud @joerogan for finding a way to safely continue to entertain us.
— Nxno (@NanoBuitron) April 18, 2020
The controversy comes just over a month after the coronavirus lockdown swept the United States, shining a light on the gap between care received by wealthy people and the general public. While testing has been scarce for many in the United States, celebrities were among the first to receive checks for COVID-19, despite not necessarily showing symptoms.
I’m 62 with lung cancer with flu like symptoms last week, I couldn’t get tested
— 🚩Working Class Socialist 🚩 (@logical4ever) March 17, 2020
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DirkDiggums
I mean money talks. Money buys power and prestige and it buys a way to get the best assistance for COVID-19 including testing. Dick Cheney got a heart implant can you imagine how many poor people got passed over so he could get it first? Welcome to the cold reality of planet earth.