A conservative radio host from Tennessee, who was openly skeptical of COVID-19 vaccines, has been admitted to hospital and is currently in critical care. His family posted a statement to the Twitter account of Nashville's WWTN-FM. They said that Phil Valentine, a host on Nashville's WWTN, was diagnosed as having the coronavirus. He is currently in very serious condition with pneumonia. His family stated that Valentine needs assistance breathing but is not on a ventilator. They also said that the experience has changed Valentine's views on vaccination.AdvertisementPhil wants his listeners to know that he has never been anti-vaxer, but regrets not being more vocally pro-vaccine. He looks forward to being able advocate for that position more vigorously once he is back on air. Valentines family stated that he hopes that he will be back soon. Continue to pray for him and please go get vacinated!AdvertisementAdvertisementWe send our thoughts and prayers to @ValentineShow's family. Also, we are grateful for the support of YOU, our WTN Family, during this difficult time. We will keep you updated as the family makes updates. #prayersforphil pic.twitter.com/fTzABpiSWk SuperTalk 99.7 WTN (@997wtn) July 23, 2021AdvertisementValentine has been encouraging his listeners over the past few months to doubt the vaccine and to reconsider getting it if they aren't at risk of dying of COVID-19. Valentine stated publicly that he didn't get vaccinated after he was diagnosed. In December, he posted a blog posting in which he explained his position.I am not anti-vaxxer. I just use common sense. How likely am I to get COVID? They are very low. How likely am I to die from COVID? It is probably less than 1 percent. I am doing what everyone should, which is my personal health risk assessment. You should not get the vaccine if you have any underlying medical conditions. It is safer to not get the vaccine if you are not at risk of death from COVID.AdvertisementValentine wrote on Facebook shortly after being diagnosed that there were effective vaccine alternatives and that he was just doing his patriotic duty to natural herd immunity.Mark Valentine, the radio host's brother, apparently followed his brothers' advice. After being admitted, he decided to change his mind. My brother Phil is currently in hospital with Covid-related pneumonia. Many of you are aware. Mark Valentine posted on Facebook that Phil is currently fighting for his life. This has motivated me to get vaccines even though I wasn't inclined to. Mark Valentine spoke with WWTN-FM to discuss his brother's condition. Mark Valentine expressed regret that he was not a stronger advocate for the vaccination of his brother. If he could tell you this, I'm sure he would say, "Go get vaccinated!" Stop worrying about politics. Stop worrying about conspiracy theories.Tennessee has the lowest vaccination rate in the country, with less than 40% of its residents fully vaccinated.
