The radio host who lamented the vaccine’s skepticism dies of COVID

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – A conservative Tennessee radio host who had been skeptical of the vaccine until he was hospitalized for COVID-19 has died. He was 61 years old.

Nashville’s SuperTalk 99.7 WTN radio station confirmed Phil Valentine’s death in a tweet Saturday.

Valentine had been skeptical of coronavirus vaccines. But after testing positive for COVID-19 and before being hospitalized, he told his listeners to consider, “If I have this thing from COVID, do I have a chance to die from it?” If so, he advised them to get vaccinated. He said he chose not to get vaccinated because he thought he would probably not die.

After Valentine moved to a critical care unit, Mark Valentine said his brother regretted that “he wasn’t a more vocal advocate of vaccination.”

“I know if I was able to tell you this, I would tell you,‘ He’s going to get vaccinated. Stop worrying about politics. Stop worrying about all the conspiracy theories, ”Mark Valentine told The Tennessean on July 25th.

“I’m sorry not to be firmer when it comes to getting the vaccine. Look at the dadgum data,” Mark Valentine said.

Phil Valentine had been a radio personality since the age of 20 and became a popular Conservative host by contracting a state income tax proposed by the then Republican governor. Don Sundquist, the Tennessean reported.

According to the newspaper, the program became a nationally syndicated program that aired for 12 years on up to 100 stations. At the end of the race, Valentine signed a three-year deal in 2019 that kept him at 99.7 WTN.

“Phil Valentine was a visionary of the Conservative movement and had a huge impact on the lives of many Tennesseans,” U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn posted on Twitter. “My deepest condolences and prayers are with Susan’s wife, Susan, and her family. May they be comforted and surrounded by love during this difficult time. “