Overview

• Howard Stern, the radio host, revealed he contracted COVID-19, leading to his absence from his SiriusXM show last week.
• Stern, who had managed to avoid the virus since the pandemic started, described his experience as 'hell' and emphasized the severity of the disease.
• He praised the vaccine, questioning the severity of his illness had he not been vaccinated.
• Stern's fear of contracting the virus had previously led to arguments with his wife, as he lived a hermit-like lifestyle to avoid exposure.
• The rise in COVID-19 cases is attributed to the JN.1 variant, which is now the dominant strain in America, making up 61 percent of active cases.