Who is MSNBC health columnist, Dr Esther Choo? her statement Thanksgiving 'should be cancelled' sparks row

The suggestion to postpone ‘Thanksgiving’ and move the winter holidays by an MSNBC health columnist sparked a heated discussion on Twitter.

On November 23, Dr Esther Choo, an emergency medicine professor at Oregon Health and Science University, shared her thoughts on how to prevent respiratory infections like COVID-19 and RSV over the holiday season.

She stated that winter holidays should be shifted to the summer and should be more "comforting" or comfortable and that Thanksgiving should be cancelled "for so many reasons." She also listed a number of advantages of doing so, such as avoiding "awful holiday-themed clothes," avoiding travel during the snowy winter holidays, and not having to "endure" ‘Thanksgiving’.


Choo's plan was first met with skepticism because it was unclear if Choo was serious or kidding. As a result, social media users exchanged angry comments and debated the proposed alteration to the holiday schedule.

The concept was likewise rejected by DeSantis' deputy press secretary. I can't tell if you're joking, said Benjamin Ryan, a contributor to the New York Times and NBC News. Medical toxicologist Ryan Marino responded to Mandel by writing: Right-wing mother bloggers are the real heroes; public health specialists know nothing. Then Mandel spoke, perhaps objecting to Marino's portrayal of her credentials, calling him a "misogynistic doctor."

Many others agreed with the doctor's conclusions. A journalist for health and science, Melody Schreiber, asked Dr Choo to speak to her mum about this. Podcaster Josh Barro caused a contentious argument when he asked if only total nutcases enter MPH programmes or do MPH programmes transform people into weirdos?

Bethany S. Mandel, the editor of Heroes of Liberty, remarked that there are many hysterics in the public health field. We have learned this during the last three years.

Related FAQs

1. What did Dr Esther Choo post on November 23?
On November 23, Dr Esther Choo, an emergency medicine professor at Oregon Health and Science University, shared her thoughts on how to prevent respiratory infections like COVID-19 and RSV over the holiday season.

2. What did Melody Schreiber post?
A journalist for health and science, Melody Schreiber, asked Dr Choo to speak to her mum about her thoughts on Xmas holidays.