Grand Rapids Radio Show Hit With Breakthrough Covid-19 Cases

In the span of just a few days, two members of the Big Joe Show on Mix 95.7 in Grand Rapids were diagnosed with Covid-19, despite both being fully vaccinated.

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On Saturday morning, show co-host and longtime radio talent, Wendy Reed notified her close contacts that she had tested positive for Covid on an over-the-counter quick test. She took the test after waking up with symptoms that morning, including the loss of her taste and smell. Those results were later verified with a more comprehensive PCR test.

The show's lead, Big Joe Pesh, noticed symptoms on Tuesday. Those symptoms included a fever along with some congestion and a headache. As part of the close-contact protocols, Joe took a quick test that came back inconclusive. A later PCR test confirmed that he was also positive for Covid-19.

Luckily for both Wendy & Joe, their symptoms have been relatively mild. A fact that many medical experts attribute to being fully vaccinated. Not only are vaccinations effective in preventing infection, but they lessen the severity of illness when breakthrough cases occur.

In fact, Reed's symptoms were mild enough to allow her to continue her duties from a makeshift home studio. Big Joe has been off the air since Wednesday morning, but he's also expected to return to the air on Monday once station staff can deliver equipment and safely connect him to the Grand Rapids' studios.

Afternoon host Ken Evans & Producer Steve have both tested negative, with Evans filling in for Pesh on Thursday & Friday.

Pesh wants listeners to know he's doing well:

I tested positive for Covid-19. So far, mild symptoms...Send positive thoughts I heal up fast....I can't wait to get back on air as soon as possible

Despite the possibility of breakthrough cases, medical professionals still say that vaccination is the best way to prevent contracting the virus and serious illness. From Johns Hopkins Medicine:

Breakthrough coronavirus infections can cause mild or moderate illness, but the chances of serious COVID-19 are very low, especially for people who are not living with a chronic health condition.

The COVID-19 vaccines are very effective in keeping you from having to go to the hospital, being put on a ventilator or dying due to severe coronavirus disease, including COVID caused by the delta coronavirus variant.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as Johns Hopkins Medicine and other health care organizations, recommend COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 12 years old and over.