Dr. Oz Is Seemingly Ok With Increasing The Pandemic Mortality Rate By 2-3%

Last night, Dr. Oz was interviewed on The Sean Hannity Show to discuss the current pandemic that is affecting millions of lives around the world. However, one clip in particular from Wednesday evening's interview spread like wildfire on Twitter, leading many to respond with outrage. After Oz was asked about reopening America, he mentioned that schools would be an "appetizing opportunity" since it would allegedly only increase the mortality rate by 2-3%. He added that allowing children to go back to school would be a "trade-off" to consider because students would be "safely educated" and "fed."

The theoretical numbers that Oz provided came from a piece in the medical journal The Lancet, and while the interview may have aired last night, it only took many angry Twitter users a few hours to send "2-3%," Dr. Oz's name, and "Appetizing" to all trend for the entire day. As it was later pointed out, many users had misinterpreted Dr. Oz's words after thousands of tweets falsely stated that the celebrity doctor found it acceptable for 2-3% of children to die.

 

DR OZ: "Schools are a very appetizing opportunity. I just saw a nice piece in The Lancet arguing the opening of schools may only cost us 2 to 3%, in terms of total mortality. Any, you know, any life is a life lost, but … that might be a tradeoff some folks would consider." 😳 pic.twitter.com/aifMeKTsIv

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 16, 2020

 

A majority of Twitter users were quick to react with anger, claiming that Dr. Oz had lost his mind by saying it was ok for "children to die."

Dr Oz is tripping..

— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) April 16, 2020

 

Folks questioning Dr Oz's credentials are missing the point. He has ALL THE FUCKING CREDENTIALS and STILL is okay with 2-3% of children in this country dying. That is the fucking problem. My dude is a board-certified, cardio surgery innovator and also trash.

— Leslie Mac (@LeslieMac) April 16, 2020

 

PSA:Don’t listen to Dr. Oz.

— andy lassner (@andylassner) April 16, 2020

 

Dr. Oz wants to open schools back up because the mortality rate will only be 2-3% and apparently that's worth it.I can't even imagine being this much of a heartless monster.pic.twitter.com/NoWFixD24Z

— James Kosur (@JamesKosur) April 16, 2020

 
Jokes about the Hippocratic Oath were made.

There really IS a tweet for everything!Dr. Oz should take note… since he's not tied up with paying attention to his Hippocratic oath, and all. https://t.co/gw3JCDQMNm

— Daphne Test-Kits-and-UBI-Checks-Now Shepherd (@antifashyst) April 16, 2020

 

Doctor Oz only took 2-3% of the Hippocratic Oath.

— Paul Lidicul (@PaulLidicul) April 16, 2020

 
Some were really uncomfortable with Dr. Oz's choice to use the word "appetizing."

First, my child isn't a very appetizing opportunity. He's a child.Second, no child is an acceptable loss.Third, there are health concerns at home which can lead to him causing serious harm if he passed COVID-19 to myself or my wife.pic.twitter.com/3deE7AknN1

— Red T Raccoon (@RedTRaccoon) April 16, 2020

 
Many GIFs and videos were used to emphasize just how much people did not like Dr. Oz.

Only 2-3% of kids will die if schools re-open Dr Oz: pic.twitter.com/aduiLaKeof

— 𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙣 🎡 (@JamaIAdamsEra) April 16, 2020

 

#DrOz can you look over at the blinds for a second…. pic.twitter.com/oJjueXdWL9

— Shamar English (@english_shamar) April 16, 2020

 

I think Butters speaks for the children of America #DrOz pic.twitter.com/6tkxGeI94b

— timothy osborne (@TimothyBOsborne) April 16, 2020

 
Twitter user @HankGreen was quick to clarify Dr. Oz's statements while also confirming that the doctor is in fact a "ghoul."

OK, well, since this has now spread everywhere and Josh refuses to delete this tweet, I guess I'll fucking go into it. What Dr. Oz is saying here is ghoulish…that overall mortality will increase 2 to 3% if kids go back to school. He is not saying that 2-3% of kids will die. https://t.co/yAvNpljD5H

— Hank Green (@hankgreen) April 16, 2020

 
The statistic used was being misinterpreted, but the fact that people would still die from the virus was enough for people to still react with anger.

Dr. Oz sucks, he's an entertainer and a schmoozer first and a doctor second. But implying that millions of kids might die is also misinformation that harms us all.Lancet study here: https://t.co/4J9fGcKyLe

— Hank Green (@hankgreen) April 16, 2020

 

Dr. Oz is a quack. But he didn’t say what you thought he said. Hank explains. https://t.co/DiuuMw8zFX

— Phil Plait (@BadAstronomer) April 16, 2020

 

I am not a huge fan of Dr. Oz, who has pushed anti-GMO stuff. But he never said "only 2-3%" of children would die, and in spreading this false quote, blue checkmark Twitter is promoting fake news about a study that suggests we actually could reopen schools https://t.co/pVNjCyfIcX

— Robby Soave (@robbysoave) April 16, 2020

 

As someone who has coronavirus I say fuck you #DrOz. Not one single death is worth opening this country for. pic.twitter.com/29IU5VhTZB

— Yarnie 🌹 (@TweetingYarnie) April 16, 2020

 
And while one mystery was solved, another which was pointed out on Twitter, remained.

is it just me or…..#DrOz pic.twitter.com/YbBDMSmtA0

— Deedubsz (@deedubsz) April 16, 2020