Despite the messaging of its pundits, Fox News has adopted a hardline policy in the battle against the pandemic by requiring its employees to be vaccinated or take a daily COVID-19 test.
In a company memo obtained by CNN, Fox’s executive VP of human resources Kevin Lord told employees that they had to suck it up and either get vaccinated or get tested daily. The memo also, strikingly, revealed that more than 90 percent of full-time Fox workers have told the company that they’re fully vaccinated.
In an ironic twist, the company’s policy is actually stricter than President Joe Biden’s guidance on COVID which requires companies of 100 or more employees to get vaccinated or undergo weekly testing. The result? A bizarre scenario in which the Biden White House doling out some rare praise for Fox News.
“Today’s news from Fox News follows a trend we’re seeing across the country: vaccination and testing requirements work,” a White House spokesperson told CNN. “We are glad they have stepped up to protect their workforce and strengthen the economy, and we encourage them to convey to their audience that these types of practices will protect their employees, their communities, and the economy.”
Of course, this revelation comes as the media giant’s pundits continue to lambast pandemic restrictions and mandates. For example, Tucker Carlson has compared asking questions about a person’s vaccination status to demanding details about their sex life. Meanwhile, Sean Hannity continues to spread dangerous and misleading information about vaccines.
So while it’s good that Fox News is taking the initiative in ensuring that its workplace is guarded against COVID, it should take the White House’s advice and convey that message to its audience. We wouldn’t hold out for that though.