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What is the 'Barbenheimer' Covid surge? Dr Peter Hotez warns blockbuster marathon trend could spark new viral wave

Hotez has lately been in the news for his positive stand on vaccines for different infections, which includes Covid-19

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A vaccination expert has asked people to be careful since the number of moviegoers has increased after the release of two films – Barbie and Oppenheimer. Dr Peter Hotez has reportedly shared that the surge in cinema-goers may lead to a rise in COVID-19 cases again.

The top virology professor posted on Twitter, “Not to be a Debbie Downer…but anyone worried about a post-BarbieBoxOffice Covid bump? Or post-Oppie? We’ll probably never know since no one seems to be keeping track of such things anymore. Keep up with your boosters and find a pink N-95 or KN-95 if you can.”

‘People are still worried about Covid?’

However, he did not receive good responses from people online as Charlie Kirk, President of Turning Point USA, tweeted, “Having a bad day? Then take heart: You will never be as much of a pathetic loser as Peter Hotez is.” A user shared, “I read this and didn’t look at the author. I thought it was a ‘do you believe this crap’ kind of joke.”

“The brave @PeterHotez is giving some life-saving advice,” the second user wrote. “Is @PeterHotez unleashing another leaked virus Americans need to know about? Democrats paying you to scare Americans with your veiled threats of ‘better get your N95 masks’ especially around presidential voting time,” the third user stated.

The fourth one remarked, “People are still worried about Covid? Bless their heart.” “This can’t be real,” the fifth user added.

‘I don’t even think that would be in your best interests’

Hotez has lately been in the news for his positive stand on vaccines for different infections, which includes Covid-19. In June, the pediatrician came to the limelight after calling out Robert F Kennedy Jr for his anti-vax conspiracy theories. Soon Joe Rogan challenged him to a debate and tweeted, “Peter, if you claim what RFK jr is saying is ‘misinformation’ I am offering you $100,000.00 to the charity of your choice if you're willing to debate him on my show with no time limit.”

The director of Baylor College of Medicine's National School of Tropical Medicine did not shy away from responding and answered, “Joe, you have my cell, my email, I’m always willing to speak with you.”

But the podcaster did not seem to be satisfied as he continued, “This is a non answer.  I challenged you publicly because you publicly quote tweeted and agreed with that dogshit vice article. If you’re really serious about what you stand for, you now have a massive opportunity for a debate that will reach the largest audience a discussion like this has ever had. If you think someone else is better qualified, suggest that person.”

To which, Hotez added, “Joe if you are serious about addressing vaccines + the fact that 200,000 unvaccinated Americans needlessly perished during our awful delta/BA.1 Covid waves (including 40,000 in our state of Texas) because they fell victims to vaccine disinformation: I want to have that discussion. And I’m open to a number of different options, but to be pressured to give you an answer on Twitter, now, with a “take it or leave it” demand that’s not how I work. Honestly, I don’t even think that would be in your best interests.”