News (USA)

Gay news anchor gives tepid apology after offensive COVID tweet spawns backlash

Fox 5 news anchor Blake McCoy has apologized for an offensive tweet.
Fox 5 news anchor Blake McCoy has apologized for an offensive tweet. Photo: Screenshot

Blake McCoy, a gay news anchor for Washington D.C. station Fox 5, has apologized after tweeting that he is “annoyed” that obese people are able to get the COVID-19 vaccine before some other groups of people.

After Twitter users and fans reacted with outrage, McCoy deleted the tweet, telling one fan he deleted the tweet because he doesn’t have “time to argue with strangers on the internet.”

Related: Circuit queens vow revenge after being “outed” for attending potential superspreader party in Mexico

He subsequently issued a bland apology that followers said sounded like it was provided by the corporate “media relations department.”

“I’m annoyed obese people of all ages get priority access before all essential workers,” McCoy 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.”

McCoy broadcast from his home at the beginning of the pandemic. He has, however, posted photos on Instagram of his travels around the country – including Hawaii, California, West Virginia, and New York. In most of the photos, despite being surrounded by various groups of different people, he is maskless.

TV news anchors are not considered essential workers in D.C. Obese people, however, are at a greater risk of contracting and dying from the coronavirus.

After deleting the tweet, McCoy responded to one upset fan, saying he removed it so he didn’t feel obligated to explain himself, adding that he knows several people who have lied to get access to the vaccine early.

A few hours later, McCoy tweeted the official apology.

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