Opinion: Many have used ivermectin safely

Dr. Sanjay Gupta is the CNN chief medical correspondent and a practicing neurosurgeon. He regularly appears on CNN to opine on all things medical.

Joseph James Rogan is an American podcast host, Ultimate Fighting Championship color commentator, comedian, and former television presenter. He regularly appears on Spotify to opine on all things.

When Rogan came down with the COVID-19 virus recently, he chose to be treated by the drug, ivermectin. CNN promptly reported that Rogan took “horse de-wormer” to treat the Rona.

Rogan has an interview podcast with a three-hour, one-on-one format and he invited Gupta on the program to discuss this and other issues. Gupta accepted.

One of these men presented a clear case, with widely researched data from many different studies and current cases of individuals in various stages of the virus. The other one was the chief medical correspondent for CNN.

After discussing why Rogan felt he had better immunity from the virus because he had antibodies from the COVID, he flatly accused CNN of lying about his treatment. Rogan stated that the medication was prescribed by his physician, and Rogan took it under his care. He further said that he did not take animal medications and that CNN told a lie, knew it was a lie and told it anyway.

Strong stuff, and Gupta said, “They shouldn’t have said that.”

Ivermectin is considered a highly controversial choice by some, when used to treat COVID-19. An Associated Press story by Deepti Hajela, notes that some hospitals say, “their standards of care don’t allow them to give patients a drug that hasn’t been approved for COVID-19 and could potentially cause harm.”

Ivermectin is, however, regularly used to treat parasitic infections in humans and is taken by millions of people annually with no harm to patients.

It should be remembered that almost the exact language was used to denigrate the antimalarial drug, hydroxychloroquine, when it was being tested to treat COVID-19. Hundreds of thousands of U.S. service personnel used hydroxychloroquine, while in Vietnam to prevent malaria. I used it myself for approximately two years with minimal side effects, and personally do not know anyone who had major adverse side effects.

One more time, here’s what we know about the COVID-19 vaccine:

it does not prevent you from getting the virus;

it does not prevent you from spreading the virus if you have it;

we are uncertain of any long-term effects the vaccine may have on patients.

At least we know that millions, probably billions, of people have used ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine with minimal problems. Probably neither have been used for hang-nail though. Probably too dangerous.

Rube Render is a former Clovis city commissioner and former chair of the Curry County Republican Party. Contact him:

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