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American singer tests positive for COVID-19 after calling pandemic ‘scam’

Thursday, 22 April 2021 12:03 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 22 April 2021 12:03 AM ]

Ted Nugent

A US denier of COVID-19 has admitted that he has tested positive for it months after he called the pandemic a hoax.

"I was tested positive today. I got the Chinese s—," said Ted Nugent, a staunch supporter of former US President Donald Trump, in a video posted on Facebook.

"Everybody told me I should not announce this, but can you hear it?" he added, pointing out his hoarse voice. "I have had flu symptoms for the last 10 days that have just, I thought I was dying."

Nugent,72, had previously called the pandemic as a "scam" in a video released on the Christmas Day.

"It's not a real pandemic and that's not a real vaccine. I'm sorry, I ain't taking no vaccine," Nugent said.

"You come at me with a needle and I will be in fear of my life," he added. "You know what I'll do if you come at me with a needle: 'Hi, I'm from the government, this needle's good for you.' F--- you."

The comments by Nugent came amid concerns about the impact of the Republican COVID-19 deniers over the administration’s fight against the coronavirus.

Fauci, GOP Rep. Jordan spar over pandemic restrictions

On Sunday, Anthony Fauci, the US government’s leading infectious disease expert, stressed that the Republican deniers are hurting efforts to lift COVID-19 restrictions.

“The fact that one may not want to get vaccinated, in this case a disturbingly large proportion of Republicans, only actually works against where they want to be,” he told CNN.

“They want to be able to say these restrictions that are put on by public health recommendations are things that they’re very concerned about. But the way you get rid of those restrictions is to get as many people vaccinated as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

“When that happens for absolutely certain you’re going to see the level of virus in the community go down and down and down to the point where you would not have to have those public health restrictions.”

A poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research in late March found that 36% of Republicans said they will probably or definitely not get vaccinated, compared with 12% of Democrats.

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