‘I Misspoke,’ Says Dr. Oz After Appearing to Argue Reopening Schools Could Justify Rise in Coronavirus Deaths

(NEW YORK) — Television’s “Dr. Oz” says he misspoke during a Fox News Channel appearance this week where he said reopening schools was a “very appetizing opportunity” despite the coronavirus epidemic. In a Twitter post late Thursday, the heart surgeon and television talk show host said he recognized his comments had confused and upset people, and that was never his intention. I’ve realized my comments on risks around opening schools have confused and upset people, which was never my intention. I misspoke. pic.twitter.com/Kq1utwiCjR — Dr. Mehmet Oz (@DrOz) April 16, 2020 Oz was talking with Fox’s Sean Hannity on Tuesday about ways to get “our mojo back” during the epidemic and mentioned schools, which are largely closed across the United States. “I just saw a nice piece in [medical journal] The Lancet arguing that the opening of schools may only cost us 2% to 3% in terms of total mortality,” he said. “You know, any life is a life lost, but to get every child back into school where they are being safely educated, being fed and making the most out of their lives with the theoretical risk on the backside might be a trade-off some folks would consider,” he said. It’s not clear exactly what he was trying to say — if he meant that a certain number of deaths was worth the benefit of schools resuming — and a representative was not immediately available to clarify on Friday. R...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized COVID-19 News Desk wire Source Type: news