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It’s essential to understand that vaccines do not guarantee immunity against diseases. The primary goal of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is not to eliminate the risk of ever contracting the virus. Medicine works differently. The purpose of the vaccine is to significantly lower the chances of getting infected and, if infected, to lessen the severity of symptoms or even prevent them altogether. This became evident in the case of Bill Maher, the host of Real Time.
A spokesperson for Real Time confirmed Maher’s positive COVID-19 test result from the weekly PCR screenings the team has undergone since the start of the pandemic. Despite testing positive, Maher remains asymptomatic and feels well. Maher has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as he previously mentioned on his show, and the outcome is apparent: even though he contracted the virus, its impact on him is minimal.
On his personal Twitter account, Maher expressed gratitude for the well wishes he received: “Thanks to all wishing me get well – hard to do since I feel perfectly fine, but I appreciate it! Most upset about ending my streak going back to 1993 of never missing a Politically Incorrect or Real Time episode. Oh well, even Cal Ripken had to sit one out at some point.”
Thanks to all wishing me get well – hard to do since I feel perfectly fine, but I appreciate it! Most upset about ending my streak going back to 1993 of never missing a Politically Incorrect or Real Time episode. Oh well, even Cal Ripken had to sit one out at some point.
— Bill Maher (@billmaher) May 14, 2021
No other members of the Real Time team have tested positive for COVID-19. Nonetheless, as a precautionary measure, this week’s taping of the show has been called off to allow Maher time to recover fully from the virus. It’s disappointing as this week’s episode had exciting guests lined up, including Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Max Brooks. Perhaps they will be featured in a future episode.
