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Why is Dr. Oz part of NBC News' "Coronavirus Crisis Team" when he's been accused of peddling misinformation?

posted 5 years ago by TMC-4 (20495)
4 replies | jump to latest

https://www.thedailybeast.com/why-is-alleged-quack-dr-oz-giving-coronavirus-advice-on-the-today-show

Dr. Mehmet Oz has been enlisted to discuss the coronavirus on NBC News, particularly on the Today show. As Lloyd Grove notes in The Daily Beast: "The telegenic Oz might well be a talented thoracic surgeon—best known as the host of the popular syndicated daytime program The Dr. Oz Show—but he is hardly an ideal dispenser of medical advice for an increasingly anxious American public." NBC News declined comment, but Oz released a statement to The Daily Beast saying: “There are lots of detractors in life who have trouble hearing the truth or engaging in difficult debates about multi-sided topics. I have spent my career with the belief that knowledge is power and I have never shied away from that mantra. We are in the midst of one of the biggest epidemics in recent time and my focus is on educating and calming a fearful public. That’s what we all should be focused on right now.”

[–] MoviesSuck (964) 5 years ago

He’s actually one of the most respected heart surgeons on the east coast. The guy may be partial to making a buck through his sponsors, but at the end of the day, he’s a true medical expert, and I’d listen to his thoughts a lot closer than some idiot news anchor, especially at a time like this.

[–] liscarkat (19447) 5 years ago

NBC News pedals misinformation all the time, so he's a perfect fit.

[–] TMC-4 (20495) 5 years ago

Dr. Oz and President Trump have become "pandemic partners" amid the coronavirus crisis

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/opinion/coronavirus-trump-dr-oz.html

"Of course President Trump is getting advice about the pandemic from Mehmet Oz, and of course Dr. Oz is eager to provide it. They’re a match made in ratings-obsessed heaven," says Frank Bruni. "Oz, mind you, is not a virologist. Not an epidemiologist. His actual specialty — cardiothoracic surgery — isn’t the most immediately relevant to the coronavirus. But his real specialty is using medicine as a means to maximum public exposure. He wasn’t about to let this dark chapter go to waste. Over recent weeks he has made a blizzard of appearances on Fox News, giving interviews to hosts not exactly known for the dissemination of responsible information. I mean Sean Hannity, Lou Dobbs, the Trump-besotted pep squad on Fox & Friends. And part of what the good doctor has done on these showcases is promote the anti-malarial treatment hydroxychloroquine as a potential wonder drug for Covid-19."

[–] johnmiller (4011) 5 years ago

Sounds like the perfect guy! :-) The real answer: He's a random celebrity doctor.