Renowned radio host Howard Stern recently revealed that his concerns about a new variant of COVID-19 caused a disagreement with his wife. During a Wednesday segment of his Sirius XM radio show, the provocative broadcaster acknowledged his own paranoia and admitted to being “neurotic,” especially when it comes to the virus. He also pointed out that his wife, Beth Ostrosky Stern, is comparatively less worried.
As he explained, this has led to tension and arguments with her as media outlets have been warning about a new coronavirus strain and his wife wants to go out and socialize.
During the show, a guest caller raised the question of whether it was risky for the radio host to return to the studio amidst the new warnings of another COVID-19 outbreak.
Stern acknowledged that the apprehension of falling ill has been a burden on both him and his relationship.
He said, “I’m going crazy with this. My wife yelled at me last night. We got into a fight.”
He added, “You know how paranoid I am about getting COVID. I haven’t gotten it, and I’m pretty safe, and I really don’t want to get it.”
The radio host expressed frustration with those who suggested he should not be concerned about the disease, emphasizing that his age puts him at a higher risk. In a somewhat sarcastic tone, he remarked that he is “fortunate” enough to potentially have a severe case of it. Stern said, “Everyone goes, ‘Don’t worry, it’s just a cold for me.’ It’ll probably be way worse. You know what I mean? I mean, I’m the lucky one who will completely fall apart.”
He mentioned how his wife has fewer concerns compared to him adding, “You know, my wife’s considerably younger than me, as you might have heard. And you know, she’s not as concerned about getting COVID as I am, because, you know, I’m an older dude.”
Howard is 69 years old; Beth is 51.
“Beth has a bunch of plans. She has like a wedding shower to go to and lunch to go to with a friend and a dinner and a blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. So, you know, we’re really making an effort. We go out to restaurants. We went to the Ed Sheeran concert. We’ve really been out there. I haven’t gotten COVID. And I’m like, you know what? If I get it, I get it,” he said.
Stern said, “Then all of a sudden they announce there’s a new strain of COVID and it’s on the rise. And, you know, people are being hospitalized. ‘It’s time to go back down into lockdown.’ And I’m like, you mean I’m just emerging, and now I’m going back into lockdown!”
He also talked about how the argument with his wife went regarding his COVID concerns.: “She goes, ‘That’s what you do. Every time I say I’m going to do something, you bring up COVID.'” Giving his reply to her, he said, “I’m just telling you, I’m scared. Am I wrong?”
The host expressed his remorse and apologized to his wife following the argument. He concluded by affirming his commitment to resolving conflicts and maintaining a harmonious relationship, “I’m just expressing my fear to you, and I’m scared.”
Upon receiving empathy from the guest caller, he felt a sense of validation for his viewpoint., Stern added, “It makes me nervous. I’m neurotic. Listen, I have a lot of issues. I’m a neurotic. You know what a neurotic is?”
Co-host Robin Quivers answered his question, “Yes, a person with no real problems, but who makes them up.”
“Yeah. I make a ton of problems,” he responded.
