Ep 144. Dr. Oz: US Didn't Take Covid-19 Seriously Enough

In season 5 episode 144 of Politicking with Larry King, Dr. Oz joins Larry to discuss the US response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Oz, a popular TV personality and cardiac surgeon, has been a frequent guest on the show over the years.

The episode opens with Larry asking Dr. Oz about his experience with COVID-19, both as a doctor and as a public figure. Dr. Oz shares that he had contracted the virus himself and had to quarantine for two weeks, during which he continued to work remotely. He also talks about the challenge of addressing misinformation about COVID-19 in the media.

Larry then asks Dr. Oz about the US response to the pandemic. Dr. Oz is critical of the US government's handling of the crisis, stating that they did not take the virus seriously enough early on. He notes that other countries, such as Italy, were hit hard by the virus early on but that the US did not learn from their experience. He also criticizes the lack of a coherent national response, stating that every state had to handle things differently.

As the conversation continues, Dr. Oz talks about the challenges of testing and contact tracing, and the difficulty of balancing public health concerns with economic concerns. He also discusses the role of masks and social distancing in slowing the spread of the virus.

Larry and Dr. Oz then turn their attention to the vaccine rollout. Dr. Oz is cautiously optimistic about the efficacy of the vaccines but notes that there are still many unknowns. He stresses the importance of getting as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible and encourages people to trust the science behind the vaccines.

The episode concludes with Larry and Dr. Oz discussing the future of public health in the US. Dr. Oz emphasizes the need for better communication from public health officials and the media, and stresses the importance of investing in public health infrastructure to prepare for future crises.

Overall, season 5 episode 144 of Politicking with Larry King is a timely and informative discussion about the US response to the COVID-19 pandemic featuring an expert in the field. It offers valuable insights into the challenges of addressing a global health crisis and provides critical information about vaccines and public health preparedness.