The Fox 5 station in Washington, DC, has suspended a news anchor who tweeted his annoyance that obese Americans have been getting the vaccine early before being slammed for his comments and a backhanded apology on Twitter.
Blake McCoy, who is the co-anchor for Fox 5’s evening broadcasts, made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon.
‘I’m annoyed obese people of all ages get priority vaccine access before all essential workers,’ he tweeted.
‘When most stayed home, we went into work everyday last March, April, May and everyday since putting ourselves & loved ones at risk. Vaccinate all essential workers. Then obese.’
He later deleted the tweet and issued an apology, saying: ‘Earlier today I Tweeted something insensitive and offensive. I truly regret my words and want to apologize. I have deleted my tweet and ask that you accept my sincere apology.’
The Fox 5 station in Washington, DC, has suspended news anchor Blake McCoy (pictured) who tweeted his annoyance that obese Americans have been getting the vaccine early before being slammed for his comments and a backhanded apology on Twitter
‘I’m annoyed obese people of all ages get priority vaccine access before all essential workers,’ he tweeted (above)
He later deleted the tweet and issued an apology (pictured), saying: ‘Earlier today I Tweeted something insensitive and offensive. I truly regret my words and want to apologize. I have deleted my tweet and ask that you accept my sincere apology’
But his remarks were met with swift criticism as several people slammed him for his ‘disgusting tweet’ and ‘hollow’ apology
But his remarks were met with swift criticism as several people slammed him for his ‘disgusting tweet’ and ‘hollow’ apology.
DC-based journalist, Chris Weidner, tweeted that the ‘shameful anchor’ should be fired ‘for his disgusting tweet regarding who should receive COVID vaccines. His apology rings hollow!’
‘And as a fellow DC gay man, he should be even more ashamed of himself for this. Blake, which comorbities are Ok?’ Weidner wrote.
One Twitter user wrote that she’s a plus-sized healthcare worker who was ‘pretty saddened to see that tweet’.
‘Everyone is waiting their turn and I waited for mine as a healthcare worker. There shouldn’t be any hierarchy on compassion,’ she added.
Another user shared: ‘My sister suffers from a number of mental health issues which in turn has caused her to deal with obesity her entire life. She is also a healthcare worker and is continuing her career in caring for people. To say that her life is less valuable than yours was truly despicable.’
b
‘The fact that you see essential workers as some universally thin horde also says something about how much time you’ve spent actually perceiving essential workers. Yikes, man. Can’t find a mindset with a tweet’
‘What are you sorry for and how will you work to shift your perspective in a meaningful way?’ one person questioned while a Twitter user responded: ‘THANK YOU. There really isn’t even an apology in his tweet’
‘I’ve struggled with weight my entire life and used to be on the brink of suicide from being judged and shamed by people just like you. I USED to respect you… LEARN SOMETHING FROM THIS!’ one man wrote.
‘The fact that you see essential workers as some universally thin horde also says something about how much time you’ve spent actually perceiving essential workers. Yikes, man. Can’t find a mindset with a tweet,’ a third wrote shortly after McCoy issued his apology.
On a discussion thread, a user questioned: ‘What are you sorry for and how will you work to shift your perspective in a meaningful way?’
In response, another user wrote: ‘THANK YOU. There really isn’t even an apology in his tweet.’
To make matters worse, McCoy responded to a user who tweeted: ‘I am a huge fan of yours, Blake, but Tweets like this only serve to divide people. I know that is not your intention.
‘You’re right,’ McCoy said. ‘I deleted because, frankly, who has the time to argue with strangers on the internet.’
That comment prompted Weidner to once again slam McCoy, saying: ‘His apology is empty.’
In addition, LGBTQ Nation reported that McCoy was working from home during the early days of the pandemic.
A spokesperson for the station, WTTG, said McCoy has been ‘suspended pending further review’.