In a welcome change from the current pandemic, the CDC turned its attention to a salmonella outbreak resulting from backyard poultry. This lead the CDC to issue a stern, yet strange warning—all poultry keepers should refrain, for the time-being, from snuggling their ducks and chickens.
43 states have now reported cases of salmonella caused by close contact with various fowl. One-third of all cases were found in children under 5, with North Carolina leading the pack, followed closely by Iowa.
Thankfully very few of the cases have been serious—only 34 out of 163 reported, with many unreported cases likely.
A salmonella outbreak linked to backyard poultry has prompted U.S. health officials to issue a stern warning: Don\u2019t kiss or snuggle your ducks and chickens.https://nyti.ms/3hPQQpy— The New York Times (@The New York Times) 1621870216
I know they're adorable, but... Leave them be.https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1396851047918882823\u00a0\u2026— Yaz (@Yaz) 1621873690
https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1396851047918882823\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/nb9yV4XKk9— arabesque \ud83c\udfc6\ud83c\uddfe\ud83c\uddea (@arabesque \ud83c\udfc6\ud83c\uddfe\ud83c\uddea) 1621873068
Seems strange to me that this needs to be said. But OK, don't kiss chickens, or ducks. No snuggling either.https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1396851047918882823\u00a0\u2026— robshaerphoto (@robshaerphoto) 1621872528
Of course, Fox News had to comment on this.
Tucker Carlson aired a bizarre segment wherein he brought in a "chicken enthusiast" to give a face to the people who are snuggling their chickens and refuse to stop.
In a move reminiscent of their pandemic pundits, the poultry enthusiast mocked the CDC guidelines.
"I'm not a huge fan of [the CDC's guidelines] because I've been handling chickens since I was about 4 years old," Tiara Soleim, a former Bachelor contestant and self-described chicken enthusiast, said.
"And I've been kissing them, snuggling them, shoving my face in them and I'm fine. People around me are fine. And I don't see a problem with it."
I hope she enjoys her Salmonella.https://twitter.com/mog7546/status/1396093448185393156\u00a0\u2026— Diane Harris (@Diane Harris) 1621739267
Waiting to see Tucker kiss a chicken...or be a chicken!https://twitter.com/mog7546/status/1396093448185393156\u00a0\u2026— Colben Ash (@Colben Ash) 1621727233
Like the ladies of the wet-markets love their bats?https://twitter.com/mog7546/status/1396093448185393156\u00a0\u2026— Colben Ash (@Colben Ash) 1621727141
@MeghanMcCain This is why we think your party is a bunch of rednecks.https://twitter.com/mog7546/status/1396093448185393156\u00a0\u2026— Marie J. (@Marie J.) 1621723139
This is nonsense simply to undermine the CDC! It will ultimately undermine the people's belief in the Country's leadership! We have to assume that is the treasonous intent of FOX News!https://twitter.com/mog7546/status/1396093448185393156\u00a0\u2026— Charlotte Bond (@Charlotte Bond) 1621714934
Soleim also lauded her chickens' personalities, and claimed the CDC was "just looking for something else to control" by suggesting she not put her face into contact with contagious pathogens borne by her 30 birds.
FOX's promoted Covid "hoax" is beginning to dissipate, so FOX is now pushing for a salmonella outbreak of their viewers?https://twitter.com/mog7546/status/1396093448185393156\u00a0\u2026— Laurie \ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0aThe Democrat \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2 (@Laurie \ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0aThe Democrat \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2) 1621713188
Cable news Russian propagandahttps://twitter.com/mog7546/status/1396093448185393156\u00a0\u2026— Back to the Beach (@Back to the Beach) 1621712709
Fox is not a news channel. They are a pathetic example of a propaganda machine who is losing its cult leader.https://twitter.com/mog7546/status/1396093448185393156\u00a0\u2026— Sherryc (@Sherryc) 1621704023
Being anti everything is really exploitable.https://twitter.com/mog7546/status/1396093448185393156\u00a0\u2026— Brian Fons (@Brian Fons) 1621698059
The three ring circus of the murdochs! The cable channel for morons?????? Just Askinghttps://twitter.com/mog7546/status/1396093448185393156\u00a0\u2026— Jan (@Jan) 1621693085
"I gotta ask since you're an enthusiast and an expert. Someone once told me chickens are so dumb, if you face them in a corner they can't get out. Is that true?" asked Carlson.
"Whoever made that up has something against birds and it's not true at all...They know exactly what to do. Sometimes they get stuck in corners but for the most part, they can figure it out."
FOX News is a joke! \nThat\u2019s it... That\u2019s the tweet\n@mog7546 \n#boycottfoxhttps://twitter.com/mog7546/status/1396093448185393156\u00a0\u2026— Triumphrat7 !!WE did it!! (@Triumphrat7 !!WE did it!!) 1621692462
Unspeakably stupidhttps://twitter.com/mog7546/status/1396093448185393156\u00a0\u2026— Jeffrey Tweets Stuff. \ud83c\udf08\ud83d\udc6c \ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\udf0e (@Jeffrey Tweets Stuff. \ud83c\udf08\ud83d\udc6c \ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\udf0e) 1621689823
When you spend an entire portion of your day having a guest advocating for snuggling chickens, can you truly call yourself a news network?
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
@arianagrande/Instagram
@arianagrande/Instagram