Fox News president Jay Wallace and a number of the network’s top talents were advised to quarantine after a possible COVID-19 exposure, according to a report in the New York Times.
A Fox News spokesperson did not confirm the report to TheWrap. The Times reported that a network representative “would not confirm any details of the exposure, citing the need to keep private health information confidential.”
The Times reports that among those advised to quarantine after a private flight with someone who later tested positive are anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum. “The Five” co-hosts Dana Perino and Juan Williams were also reportedly among those cautioned to quarantine. The on-air talents are, per the report, expected to host their respective shows remotely this week.
Also Read: Fox News’ Panel Show ‘The Five’ Returns to the Studio
According to the report, the exposure took place on a flight from Nashville to New York following last week’s presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
The news comes two days after a number of Vice President Mike Pence’s aides tested positive for COVID-19. Earlier this month, Trump himself tested positive and was hospitalized for a few days. First Lady Melania Trump and their son also tested positive, as did a number of White House officials and top Republicans, including senators and the GOP chair. Communications staff, including White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, also tested positive earlier this month, as did reporters who cover the White House.
Fox News’ on-air talents have transitioned back into the studio in recent weeks. “The Five,” on which Perino and Williams appear, went back to the studio in September, implementing new social distancing guidelines that do away with the panel show’s famous five-person table.
Perino, at least, is accustomed to remote work. She gave TheWrap her tips for working from home this spring, at the onset of the pandemic.
“I think it’s really important to try to keep as consistent a schedule, as if you were still going into the office,” she said in March. “But the other thing that I do recommend stepping away from the news for a few moments, if you can.”
12 Trump Tweets About the Coronavirus That Are Super Awkward Right Now (Photos)
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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday, which makes looking back on some of his tweets over the past 10 months pretty… ironic.
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On Jan. 24, the president was sure “it will all work out well.” He even personally thanked China’s President Xi.
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On March 18, he assured us that he “always treated the Chinese Virus very seriously.”
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On May 24, he said mail-in ballots would create a “rigged election… Trying to use Covid for this Scam!”
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On May 25, he claimied “great reviews” on his handling of COVID-19, “sometimes referred to as the China Virus.”
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Here’s a gem from May 28: “All over the World the CoronaVirus, a very bad ‘gift’ from China, marches on. Not good!”
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On June 15, he complained that the “Far Left Fake News Media” is trying to “Covid Shame us on our big Rallies.” This topic came up again few months later, at the first presidential debate, when Trump bragged that there has been “no negative effect” from his 35,000-40,000 person, largely-maskless, mid-pandemic outdoor rallies.
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Months before the U.S. deaths surpassed 200,000, Trump tweeted on June 25, “Coronavirus deaths are way down. Mortality rate is one of the lowest in the World.”
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On July 5, Trump was still blaming the rise in COVID-19 cases to “massive testing” and that death numbers are down “low and steady,” whatever that means.
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On July 6, Trump lamented that the “Lamestream Fake News Media REFUSE to say that China Virus deaths are down 39%.” In September, the country reached 200,000 deaths from the coronavirus.
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Eight days after wearing a mask in public for the first time, he declared that “many people say that it is very Patriotic” to wear a mask on July 20.
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This one is particularly ironic. On Sept. 3, Trump criticized “Sleepy Joe Hiden'” for sitting back “in his basement and criticizes every move we make on the China Virus. DOING GREAT JOB!”
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On Sept. 18, Trump bragged that he had done “an incredible job” with the “China virus” than Biden did with the Swine flu pandemic in 2009.
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Source: TheWrapTheWrap
