Home>
News>

        Maine's CDC Director Used Rick Astley Lyrics to Reassure People About Virus Contact Tracing Program, and the Internet Has a New Hero
    

        Gregory Rec/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images; Official Rick Astley/YouTube
    
By Amelia Mavis ChristnotSep 09, 2020
Amelia Mavis Christnot
Amelia is an Oglala Lakȟóta, Kanien'kehá:ka Haudenosaunee and Métis Navy brat who settled in the wilds of Northern Maine. A member of the Indigenous Journalists Association, she considers herself a proud Maineiac.
 See Full Bio 
Top Stories
AI Powered

        Zohran Mamdani's Real-Time Reaction To Learning While Voting That Dick Cheney Died Is Going Viral
    

        Coca-Cola Defends Decision To Use AI To Make New Holiday Commercial After Backlash
    
According to pop culture reference Urban Dictionary, to be Rick Rolled involves a specific song from English crooner Rick Astley.

	Since Rick Rolling became a thing, you never know where the ubiquitous lyrics will pop up—like maybe a pandemic briefing by the head of the Maine Centers for Disease Control, Dr. Nirav Shah.
During an update Thursday, September 3, Dr. Shah used the 80s pop hit to reassure citizens on the Pine Tree State.

		Dr Shah just dropped a truth bomb on 
		#Maine pic.twitter.com/vXNI0Ah1Iw

		— Rebecca Stefansky (@RStefansky) 
		September 3, 2020
With a stoic expression, Dr. Shah said:
"The bottom line here is that Maine CDC contact tracers are never gonna give you up...""...they're never gonna let you down...""...they're never gonna run around and desert you." "Maine CDC contact tracers are never gonna make you cry..." "...they're never gonna say goodbye...""...and they're never gonna tell a lie and hurt you."Well played, Dr. Shah, well played.
Giphy
You can watch the full briefing here:
Since the beginning of the pandemic's spread to the United States, Dr. Shah has been the face of the crisis in Maine. 
Fan clubs, t-shirts and even candy bars have spawned for the popular public official.
What was it Dr. Shah said?

		Dr Shah just dropped a truth bomb on 
		#Maine pic.twitter.com/vXNI0Ah1Iw

		— Rebecca Stefansky (@RStefansky) 
		September 3, 2020


		People here in the state of Maine love our CDC director so much a local candy company put his face on a candy bar. 10% of sales go to help out a local food pantry.
		

		Source: 
		https://t.co/3FXScms4a7 pic.twitter.com/edaaBZAL3Y

		— John Andersen (@JohnAndersen21) 
		July 7, 2020


		I'm in Maine where we have crushed the curve and formed an actual fan club for our state CDC Director, 
		@nirav_mainecdc - now to keep it going now that we are into tourism season.

		— Laura (@laurarinck) 
		June 25, 2020


		Being from Maine, that's awesome ... not to mention cool to have the head of CDC in the whitest state in the USA be Indian-American. Seems he's much beloved, even has his own candy bar 
		https://t.co/T8gQckJC6G

		— Steve Mushero (@stevemushero) 
		September 4, 2020


		I love Maine CDC's Dr. Nivah Shaw. So down to earth and straight forward in his twice a week pandemic updates. Then he pulls things like this yesterday (go to 17:00 or so if it doesn't link right to that point):
		https://t.co/8a5R074IvR

		— Squirrel snug at home 🌻 (@AldinBusheytail) 
		September 4, 2020


		Is that CDC in general? I don't trust trump's CDC as it has been gagged. Our CDC in Maine, Dr. Nirav Shah is a superstar, Wilbur's Confections in Freeport has named a candy bar after him. He advocates for mask wearing!
		

		— dwondoowa (@stitchns) 
		June 28, 2020
Until an ill-advised wedding reception in rural central Maine, the state also had one of the best records for containment of the virus. 

		1/Good Labor Day afternoon, everyone. Right now in 
		#Maine, there are 4701 total cases of #COVID19. Of those, 4230 are confirmed and 471 are probable. 


		134 individuals have passed away w/COVID and 4076 have recovered.
		

		— Nirav D. Shah (@nirav_mainecdc) 
		September 7, 2020


		As of Tuesday, Maine CDC reported 158 total cases and three deaths linked to the Millinocket wedding on Aug. 7. Included in the 158 are the cases at the York County Jail and the Maplecrest Rehabilitation Center. 
		https://t.co/cxBMiTBB16

		— NEWS CENTER Maine (@newscentermaine) 
		September 9, 2020


		At least 147 Covid-19 cases are now linked to an August wedding reception in Maine, a state CDC spokesman said Saturday.
		

		Three people connected to the outbreak have died of the virus, the state CDC spokesman added. 
		https://t.co/9db0kh4fW2

		— CNN (@CNN) 
		September 5, 2020


		Maine Wedding Linked To More Than 140 COVID-19 Cases, 3 Deaths: State CDC
		

		 - 
		https://t.co/VVTbGPtTBs

		— CMSnice (@cmsnice_com) 
		September 8, 2020
But even though the nuptials lead to a number of new cases in the state, the total infections sit at 4,713 and deaths are at 134.
And Dr. Shah has assured that his agency's contact tracers are on the case.
Dr Shah just dropped a truth bomb on #Maine pic.twitter.com/vXNI0Ah1Iw
— Rebecca Stefansky (@RStefansky) September 3, 2020 


		The Maine CDC is reporting daily updates for COVID-19 outbreaks in the state, including those associated with the Aug. 7 wedding reception in Millinocket 
		https://t.co/S6Hh3AJVcY

		— TJB207 (@tjb207) 
		September 8, 2020


		"The outbreaks are spread among the York County Jail, which has identified 72 cases after an employee attended the wedding, according to Long and Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah." 
		


		a jail employee attended this wedding then infected those incarcerated at the jail. that's .. 
		https://t.co/412NCoHenb

		— Nhada (@koshari_) 
		September 6, 2020
Hence the Rick Rolling briefing.

		Sometimes your job as a Townsquare DJ is to watch closely for news your community needs to know about. And sometimes when you watch as closely as Jeff Parsons from 
		@Q979 in our Portland market, you get a nice surprise. https://t.co/zwidXzVcR5

		— Townsquare Media (@townsquaremedia) 
		September 5, 2020

	The global pandemic has people around the world on edge, but Dr. Shah's approach has put minds at ease in the state of Maine.
Oh, and this:
Rickrolling In Real Life WITH RICK ASTLEYyoutu.be
Maybe Dr. Shah can get in touch with Mr. Astley for his next briefing...
Latest News
Celebrities
        Neil DeGrasse Tyson Reveals Just How Convincing AI Deepfake Videos Have Gotten—And Yikes
    
Peter Karleby
2h
Political News
        Trump Dragged After Firing Off Panicked Posts Blaming Everyone But Himself For GOP Losses On Election Night
    
Alan Herrera
2h
Trending
        Mom Dragged For Melting Down Over Daughter's Puberty Lesson After Ignoring School's Permission Slip
    
Amelia Mavis Christnot
2h
Political News
        Seth Meyers Responds To Trump's 'Truly Deranged' Personal Attack Against Him With Hilarious Takedown
    
Alan Herrera
3h
Don’t Miss Out

      Join the
      ComicSands.com
      community and make your opinion matter.
    

The Top 5

Discover More

According to pop culture reference Urban Dictionary, to be Rick Rolled involves a specific song from English crooner Rick Astley.

Since Rick Rolling became a thing, you never know where the ubiquitous lyrics will pop up—like maybe a pandemic briefing by the head of the Maine Centers for Disease Control, Dr. Nirav Shah.

During an update Thursday, September 3, Dr. Shah used the 80s pop hit to reassure citizens on the Pine Tree State.

Dr Shah just dropped a truth bomb on #Maine pic.twitter.com/vXNI0Ah1Iw
— Rebecca Stefansky (@RStefansky) September 3, 2020

With a stoic expression, Dr. Shah said:

"The bottom line here is that Maine CDC contact tracers are never gonna give you up..."

"...they're never gonna let you down..."

"...they're never gonna run around and desert you."

"Maine CDC contact tracers are never gonna make you cry..."

"...they're never gonna say goodbye..."

"...and they're never gonna tell a lie and hurt you."

Well played, Dr. Shah, well played.

Giphy

You can watch the full briefing here:

Since the beginning of the pandemic's spread to the United States, Dr. Shah has been the face of the crisis in Maine.

Fan clubs, t-shirts and even candy bars have spawned for the popular public official.

What was it Dr. Shah said?

Dr Shah just dropped a truth bomb on #Maine pic.twitter.com/vXNI0Ah1Iw
— Rebecca Stefansky (@RStefansky) September 3, 2020

People here in the state of Maine love our CDC director so much a local candy company put his face on a candy bar. 10% of sales go to help out a local food pantry.
Source: https://t.co/3FXScms4a7 pic.twitter.com/edaaBZAL3Y
— John Andersen (@JohnAndersen21) July 7, 2020

I'm in Maine where we have crushed the curve and formed an actual fan club for our state CDC Director, @nirav_mainecdc - now to keep it going now that we are into tourism season.
— Laura (@laurarinck) June 25, 2020

Being from Maine, that's awesome ... not to mention cool to have the head of CDC in the whitest state in the USA be Indian-American. Seems he's much beloved, even has his own candy bar https://t.co/T8gQckJC6G
— Steve Mushero (@stevemushero) September 4, 2020

I love Maine CDC's Dr. Nivah Shaw. So down to earth and straight forward in his twice a week pandemic updates. Then he pulls things like this yesterday (go to 17:00 or so if it doesn't link right to that point): https://t.co/8a5R074IvR
— Squirrel snug at home 🌻 (@AldinBusheytail) September 4, 2020

Is that CDC in general? I don't trust trump's CDC as it has been gagged. Our CDC in Maine, Dr. Nirav Shah is a superstar, Wilbur's Confections in Freeport has named a candy bar after him. He advocates for mask wearing!
— dwondoowa (@stitchns) June 28, 2020

Until an ill-advised wedding reception in rural central Maine, the state also had one of the best records for containment of the virus.

1/Good Labor Day afternoon, everyone. Right now in #Maine, there are 4701 total cases of #COVID19. Of those, 4230 are confirmed and 471 are probable.

134 individuals have passed away w/COVID and 4076 have recovered.
— Nirav D. Shah (@nirav_mainecdc) September 7, 2020

As of Tuesday, Maine CDC reported 158 total cases and three deaths linked to the Millinocket wedding on Aug. 7. Included in the 158 are the cases at the York County Jail and the Maplecrest Rehabilitation Center. https://t.co/cxBMiTBB16
— NEWS CENTER Maine (@newscentermaine) September 9, 2020

At least 147 Covid-19 cases are now linked to an August wedding reception in Maine, a state CDC spokesman said Saturday.
Three people connected to the outbreak have died of the virus, the state CDC spokesman added. https://t.co/9db0kh4fW2
— CNN (@CNN) September 5, 2020

Maine Wedding Linked To More Than 140 COVID-19 Cases, 3 Deaths: State CDC
- https://t.co/VVTbGPtTBs
— CMSnice (@cmsnice_com) September 8, 2020

But even though the nuptials lead to a number of new cases in the state, the total infections sit at 4,713 and deaths are at 134.

And Dr. Shah has assured that his agency's contact tracers are on the case.

Dr Shah just dropped a truth bomb on #Maine pic.twitter.com/vXNI0Ah1Iw
— Rebecca Stefansky (@RStefansky) September 3, 2020

The Maine CDC is reporting daily updates for COVID-19 outbreaks in the state, including those associated with the Aug. 7 wedding reception in Millinocket https://t.co/S6Hh3AJVcY
— TJB207 (@tjb207) September 8, 2020

"The outbreaks are spread among the York County Jail, which has identified 72 cases after an employee attended the wedding, according to Long and Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah."

a jail employee attended this wedding then infected those incarcerated at the jail. that's .. https://t.co/412NCoHenb
— Nhada (@koshari_) September 6, 2020

Hence the Rick Rolling briefing.

Sometimes your job as a Townsquare DJ is to watch closely for news your community needs to know about. And sometimes when you watch as closely as Jeff Parsons from @Q979 in our Portland market, you get a nice surprise. https://t.co/zwidXzVcR5
— Townsquare Media (@townsquaremedia) September 5, 2020

The global pandemic has people around the world on edge, but Dr. Shah's approach has put minds at ease in the state of Maine.

Oh, and this:

Rickrolling In Real Life WITH RICK ASTLEYyoutu.be

Maybe Dr. Shah can get in touch with Mr. Astley for his next briefing...

Related Articles Around the Web

More from News

        @rootednjoyy/TikTok
    

        Girl's Hilarious Reaction To Getting Divisive Candy For Halloween Caught On Doorbell Cam
    
McKenzie Lynn Tozan
Nov 05, 2025
In the '80s and '90s, kids were raised with the understanding that they got what they got, and they should say, "Thank you," for what they received. This was true for birthdays, holidays, and trick-or-treating on Halloween, even if they got candy they wanted to throw away the instant they turned the corner.
But kids today are much more communicative about what they like and don't like, and they can be brutal in their bluntness.
Keep ReadingShow less
Most Read
Political News
        Don Jr. Called Out By His Former Mistress After He Tried To Slam Chelsea Clinton Over Ballroom Comments
    
Alan Herrera
29 October
Political News
        Gavin Newsom Expertly Trolls Trump Administration With Parody Spirit Halloween Costume Memes
    
Alan Herrera
03 November
Political News
        Blue States Are Taking A Page Out Of Trump's Playbook With Alerts About SNAP Benefits
    
Alan Herrera
03 November
Political News
        J.D. Vance Faces Backlash After Saying He Hopes His Wife Usha Will Be 'Moved' To Convert To Christianity
    
Alan Herrera
31 October
Trending
        Bride Calls Out Her Trump Loving Dad For Wearing His MAGA Hat During Wedding Speech
    
Amelia Mavis Christnot
29 October

        Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
    

        Lauren Boebert Slammed After Photos Of Her Racist ICE-Theme Halloween Costume Emerge
    
Alan Herrera
Nov 05, 2025
Colorado Republican Representative Lauren Boebert—one of the most prominent MAGA voices in Congress—has sparked outrage after she and her boyfriend Kyle Pearcy attended a Halloween party dressed as a Mexican woman and an ICE agent.
Boebert wore a sombrero and a traditional Mexican-style dress to a party in Loveland, Colorado, while Pearcy, a realtor, attended dressed as an ICE agent, complete with a uniform and weapon. The event took place amid growing outrage over President Donald Trump’s ongoing immigration crackdown that is tearing apart families across the country.
Keep ReadingShow less

        ABC
    

        MTG Just Admitted The Awkward Truth About The Republican Healthcare Plan On 'The View'
    
Alan Herrera
Nov 05, 2025
Speaking on The View, Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene spoke about sparring with House Speaker Mike Johnson over healthcare—and revealed that the GOP does not have any replacement for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) despite what Johnson and her fellow congressional conservatives tell the public.
Democrats have continued to reject Republicans’ proposed continuing resolution to keep the government open without considering an extension of the premium tax credit that helps subsidize health insurance for people earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.
Keep ReadingShow less

        Kajetan Sumila on Unsplash
    

        People Share The Best Ways To Shut Down A Debate With A Flat Earther Family Member
    
Amelia Mavis Christnot
Nov 05, 2025
The Flat Earth conspiracy theory is strictly a modern online movement, rumored to have begun as a prank, that gained momentum among people who mistrust authority through the power of social media.
 There is a persistent myth that Europeans in the Middle Ages believed the Earth was flat. But that is a 19th-century fabrication to sell Columbus Day, not historical reality.
Keep ReadingShow less

        NDZ/Star Max/GC Images/Getty Images; Samuel Corum/Getty Images
    

        Nicki Minaj Pushes Back After She's Called Out For Praising Trump's Threat To Nigeria Over Christian Persecution
    
Amelia Mavis Christnot
Nov 04, 2025
In his latest round of flinging things at the wall to see what will stick—to distract his base from the Epstein Files, his obvious cognitive decline, the mockery of the United States by the world, and the Republican government shutdown—MAGA Republican President Donald Trump unleashed selective outrage over a Nigerian internal matter on Truth Social.
On Friday afternoon, Trump posted:
Keep ReadingShow less
Load More

Latest Stories

Start your day right!

Maine's CDC Director Used Rick Astley Lyrics to Reassure People About Virus Contact Tracing Program, and the Internet Has a New Hero

Latest News

Don’t Miss Out

More from News

Most Read

Don't Bother

Pick Me!

Map It Out

Edgy

Why?

The Matrix

Look Up

Defining Moment

Out Crazy

Just Don't

Yes, And...

Historical Reference

Very Punny

Do Not Engage

Questions