Whoopi Goldberg is easily an all-time fan favorite on The View. As the star moderator on the show, thousands of fans tune in to catch up with her and the other hosts and guests every episode.
However, viewers of the talk show became concerned when producers announced that Goldberg had received a positive diagnosis for Covid-19 and would not be making physical appearances on the show for a while.
View this post on Instagram
Her diagnosis was particularly worrying for many of Goldberg’s fans because of her previous health history and age. However, Goldberg made a live home appearance and reassured fans with an update on her health. Here are more details on everything she shared.
Goldberg’s Health Update
The View’s two-week hiatus ended on January 3, and they returned with brand new episodes that the hosts coordinated from the comfort of their homes. One of the hosts, Joy Behar, announced that Goldberg was not attending because she had received a positive result for Covid-19 and was on house rest.
On the January 5 episode, Goldberg made a remote appearance from her home and spoke about her experience since she received her diagnosis. She said, “I left a couple of weeks ago just before the break because somebody I had been around tested positive for coronavirus. I’ve been gone a long time, I feel. They have to test us and they sent people to test me. And they tested me and it was like, ‘Oh, no, you’re not coming back. We’re not sending anybody to your house, you have corona.'”
She shared that the positive result shocked her because she was “triple vaxxed” and mainly had stayed home. Goldberg said, “But that’s the thing about the Omicron, you just don’t know where it is. That’s the problem with the variant because it gets stronger and does different stuff to you.”
She also took the opportunity to warn her viewers about the dangers of not getting vaccinated and said, “Unless everybody gets vaccinated, this is what we’re going to be facing for the next little while.”
Behar Worried About Goldberg Due To Previous Pneumonia
Fans will also remember that Goldberg took a medical leave last year due to sciatica, and she also contracted a severe case of pneumonia a few years back. Behar shared her concerns for Goldberg’s health due to her previous pneumonia and the impact of the Covid on her system.
Goldberg herself isn’t as worried for her health. She said, “I just feel like, you can only do what you can do and whatever your body decides it’s going to do is what you have to roll with.”
View this post on Instagram
She also explained that she couldn’t complain about her quarantine because she has a nice house and has her family’s support. “My family is here and they’ve been hiding in their rooms as well,” she explained. “Doors are closed. I’m not allowed to leave this specific area and every now and then I just want to kick the door open.”
She also talked about how lucky she is that Covid didn’t affect her worse than it did. She stated that she feels fortunate and thankful that everyone tested with her has tested negative, and she’s the only one left. She added that she would spend more time quarantined at home till she received a negative result.
Goldberg Was Previously Off Due To Sciatica
In June 2020, Goldberg went on an unexpected leave from The View. Fans went wild on social media with theories of what had happened to the “Sister Act” actress. Later that month, Behar finally addressed Goldberg’s absence and revealed why the host had gone MIA.
At the beginning of the June 24 episode, Behar said, “Good morning and welcome to The View. Whoopi is out again today with her sciatica problem. We’re so worried about her at this point but I think it’s under control.” Later on June 29, Goldberg relieved and delighted her fans with her return to the talk show.
The Sciatica Forced Goldberg To Use A Walker
When Goldberg returned to the talk show, she confirmed to viewers that a bout of sciatica caused her absence, and because of it, she now has to use a walker for support.
She said, “Well, hello and welcome to The View. Yes, it’s me. I’m back. I was out because I was dealing with something called sciatica, which is basically a bulging disc in your back and it impacts the sciatic nerve, which sends pain down your leg.”
View this post on Instagram
Goldberg spoke more about the effect the disease had on her and how she had to come to terms with using a walker. “So there I was, trying to move my life – impossible to do – and it was horrible but I’m glad I’m here.,” she said. “I have a walker, which kind of freaked me out [as] I didn’t know that I needed it. That first step with the walker – this is my new best friend. I’m just gliding along.”
