Hey, remember when Fox News downplayed coronavirus and constantly peddled that whole narrative about it being not that big a deal, calling it a “Democratic hoax,” and blah, blah, blah. Well, the virus has officially made its way inside the network and now everyone there is freaking out.
The Daily Beast reports the network is “in a panic” after several of its top hosts, including network president Jay Wallace and on-air political hosts and analysts Bret Baier, Martha MacCallum, Dana Perino, and Juan Williams, were all exposed to the virus late last week.
Related: Fox News is officially being sued for peddling coronavirus misinformation
The exposure happened on a private jet the employees shared from the presidential debate in Nashville back to New York, where the network is headquartered. At least one person on the flight later tested positive for coronavirus, meaning everyone who was on board must now get tested and quarantine.
To complicate matters, Baier, MacCallum, Perino, and Williams were all supposed to lead the network’s election night coverage next Tuesday.
“I believe it will put election night-plans into chaos,” an anonymous Fox staffer tells The Daily Beast. “It will be like starting from scratch… It’s not good for anyone.”
The employee added, “It’s insane that there’s a possibility the anchors will have to host the biggest night of 2020 from their homes.”
Of course, it’s not that insane to anyone who believes in, you know, science. When you do risky things, like galavant around on private jets from place to place during a global pandemic, it’s very likely you will get sick.
Related: Fox News runs untrue segment about how coronavirus is “over”… so everybody crowd into restaurants!
In addition to scrambling to figure out its election night coverage, the network sent out an internal memo saying multiple staffers have now tested positive and so it would be reducing the number of people allowed in the building as well as implementing “enhanced testing procedures.”
But another Fox insider says the network has been lackadaisical about following public health guidelines, particularly when it comes to wearing masks in the workplace.
“In the elevators, everyone’s good about masks,” the insider claims. “But in the offices, nope.”
The network also hasn’t done a great job about social distancing on air or behind-the-scenes.
No social distancing happening on the Fox News set this morning. pic.twitter.com/EPhZNHtgN0
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) October 7, 2020
Sadly, the outbreak comes just one week after longtime Fox News producer, Rob Brown, who had been with the network since 1999, died from coronavirus complications.
The network has been widely criticized for downplaying the seriousness of the pandemic early on and well into the summer, even as cases numbers grew and the death toll climbed.
In April, the nonprofit media watchdog group Media Matters for America said Sean Hannity was one of the worst offenders when it came to spreading coronavirus misinformation.
And in July, Tucker Carlson said that mask-wearing has “no basis in science” at the same time the CDC called on all Americans to wear face masks to help slow the spread of the virus.
Related: Why is non-expert Laura Ingraham having secret meetings with Donald Trump about coronavirus?
Cam
They know Covid is dangerous, but keep telling people it isn’t. Karma.
ptcruiser13
The farce carries on unabated and no one – not even the president, is held accountable for their actions. In some ways, it always seems criminal when people who’ve been readily exposed to contaminated pals, willingly pass it on to everyone else. That whole “herder thing” from another White House medical specialist? I guess someone’s not getting an invite to Fox & Friends anytime soon.
WashDrySpin
This is just more of the same at Fox News…
fresnoman4man
My dear Cam, COVID is a scam demic. Ever notice that there are no stats on flu deaths any more? That the usual flu stats have been mysteriously supplanted by alleged COVID stats? Ever checked how anyone who has died of anything is labeled “COVID”?
Ever notice that the bogus PCR test comes out 100% positive? Ever notice that no legitimate study has been able to scientifically identify the supposed COVID virus? Ever notice how our controllers have continually imposed locked downs, social alienation, and dangerous compulsory making when Sweden has had far better outcomes without all the authoritarian regimentation? Look outside your matrix bubble & trust your inner truth and transcend it.
Cam
@fresnoman4man
Sweetie, if you’re going to lie please make sure it isn’t about stuff that is obviously false.
No, nobody has noticed any of those because you’re lying.
Oh, and as for Sweden….would that be the same Sweden that just announced that their “herd immunity” strategy failed and they were moving to lock down like other more successful countries have?
Go tell Putin to open his piggy bank and hire smarter trolls.
cuteguy
Why isn’t this propaganda network ever held accountable? The Democrats are too weak to handle them, so karma had to step in. If the Dems regain control next week, I truly hope they grow a pair
innocentgay
Yeah, I wish they would shut them up, too, but they can’t. Fox News can say anything they want to and the Government can’t do anything about it. The only people that can hold Fox and Murdock accountable are us, the consumers. We have to go after their advertisers, educate their viewers, and choke them out. Congress can’t do shit about speech.
Bengali
Sad you don’t understand that Dems can only do so much. It’s not about having balls. It’s the fact that corrupt president and just as corrupt GOP has the presidency and the senate. To make a difference Dems needs to at last get the Senate back. Even if Trump does win which he likely won’t, Dems could destroy GOP with having both House and Senate.
Cam
Canada and the UK have a simple rule, you can’t purposely lie and if you do you are held responsible.
It has prevented FOX News from entering the Canadian Market and it got them kicked off the air in Britain.
KyleMichelSullivan
We used to have a policy in place called the Fairness Doctrine, that required all news broadcasters to present both sides fairly. It was abolished in 1987, under Reagan, not long after Rupert Murdoch, who was Australian, was granted citizenship so he could purchase and build a network. He has continued to undermine truth and reality ever since.
ptcruiser13
As Canadians, we took COVD much more seriously from the onset, shut down anything that wasn’t essential, and for far longer than the US… that’s why our COVID numbers are so much lower. We’re 9% of the population of the USA, yet you’ve got ten times plus the mortality rate. Goes to show you that Americans who love to parade their vigilante-style freedoms… in your face attitude about not wearing something as simple yet effective as masks for saving lives… How many more lives will be lost before you all take it seriously.
ingyaom
ptcruiser – Have you seen Canada’s COVID numbers recently? They’re through the roof! Canadian infections are currently surging higher than ever (following the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday).
dougie
What a shame! Just kidding!
Liquid Silver
Please inquire as to my level of concern on this particular issue.
Essie
I’m betting your level of concern is about the same as my level of concern. It’s hard to feel sorry for these bozos.
Liquid Silver
@Essie: Ding, ding, ding. You win the prize! Of course, I’m so apathetic here that I forgot to buy one but…er, here, I have some pocket lint.
Mister P
Being held accountable for them means they pay out millions of dollars. As long as what comes in is larger than what they pay out, they aren’t going to change.
I am worried about the viewers who cannot distinguish the truth from fiction.
Kangol2
What else should we expect from the house propaganda unit of the Don the Con Republican Death Cult? Not even the death of an associate slaps these folks into reality!
Heywood Jablowme
“Herd mentality” – moo!
Openminded
For those in this article, I believe “hee-haw” (as in jack-ass) is more appropriate.
adolph7015
Good for them.. KARMA is on the way.
Openminded
After reading this article, it hit me that this virus needs to be renamed to “KARMA-2020”. I may die from Covid next week, but it sure seems like we hear more and more about the Covid deniers getting a big old Karma dose of it. I’ve had 2 different rednecks tell me just this week that they didn’t believe in Covid until they recently battled bad cases of it the past couple of weeks. I just looked at each of them while telling their stories and asked “do you believe the earth is round now?”. I just can’t understand anyone who denies Covid is a real thing and then they make it worse when they become “woke” after experiencing it.
Bengali
I don’t give two fu**s if anyone connected with Fox Fake News network gets sick or even suffers a horrible death from covid-19. I think it’s what they deserve for disputing proven science which endangered many. Seriously, let every fox host and everyone connected with them croak from covid and may they suffer.
exgoalie
It’s like you took my thoughts right from my head! Well put!! Let em suffer as badly as possible!
AxelDC
When “Fake News” bites you in the ass.
fur_hunter
As Sugarland sings it……..”Sshhhhh…..it happens.”
wiredpup
It is what it is.
I don’t really care, do you?
Doug
Still waiting for Carlson to get it.
SteveM
Now that would be Karma with a capital K. And I wouldn’t feel sorry for Carlson if he gets sick and dies.
James
GOOD RIDDANCE. WHAT HORRIBLE RACIST PEOPLE.
bachy
Drain the FOX swamp.
missvamp
karma is a vengeful whore & she’s had it with 2020 as much as the rest of us. i think she’s about to start cleaning house.
SteveM
This situation falls within the realm of that verse in the Bible: “vengeance is mine and I will repay, sayeth the Lord”.
butchqueen
I would love to see them all die. Can we watch?
Jon in Canada
And we should feel sympathy for them because?
Oh right, we don’t and never will. Die Bitches, DIE!
nirthboy69
Dumbasses.
stagehand1
Good riddance to bad rubbish! I don’t wish them well.
Terrycloth
I view Fox news just as I view Saturday night live a comedy ,entertainment show with just a little truth in it to keep it interesting..the stuff that comes out of those talking heads at Fox is mind boggling .you cant make this up and.its like a car crash you cant stop looking at it..