Once again podcaster Joe Rogan has landed in hot water, this time for revealing he’s been tested for coronavirus multiple times on his most recent episode. During the episode, he also stated he test his guest for the virus before having them on. Even though the test is not FDA approved, backlash in the last couple of days has been heavy.
Concierge doctor Dr. Abe Malki from Concierge MD LA was hired by Rogan to administer the coronavirus tests. Rogan mentioned he had been tested twice twice in one week, with negative results.
Stand-up comedian Chris D’Elia was a guest on this fateful episode and joked about being tested prior to entering the studio.
“You know why I got the test? Because I know Joe Rogan. Because I came here and he had a doctor,” D’Elia said.
According to a VICE interview, this coronavirus test is not the same test that the United States is short on. The Concierge MD LA test is not FDA approved and does not provide conclusive results.
“Dr. Abe Malkin was recently filmed performing the tests on Rogan and his podcast guest, comedian Bryan Callen.
Malkin told VICE that he is mostly administering an antibody test that has not been approved by the FDA due to shortages of nasal swab tests and FDA-approved antibody tests.
“There’s about 70 companies producing antibody tests, and only one of them is FDA approved, that’s Cellex. I don’t know how the hell they got that contract that they got FDA approval, but it’s impossible to get those tests,” Dr. Malkin said.
Dr. Malkin stated that this test can’t be used for diagnosis.
“It’s more for peace of mind, for epidemiologic data,” said Dr. Malki. “But if they need a definitive diagnosis, they have to get a nasal swab.”
Suffice to say, people aren’t happy. Even though the tests aren’t completely correct, Rogan is being criticized for unfairly ‘hoarding’ tests.
Both Concierge MD LA in-home test options, the nasal swab and the antibody test, cost $299.
Photo Credit National Review
