‘Doctor’ who claimed he gave Damar Hamlin COVID-19 booster last week wasn’t real
Damar Hamlin clearly took a significant blow to the chest before collapsing with a cardiac arrest during his Buffalo Bills’ Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
And, although a number of doctors have spoken out about what likely occurred and how such a thing is not unheard of after taking a blow to the chest, Hamlin’s tragedy provided an opportunity for COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theorists.
So they pounced, and they did so with some fuel added to the fire.
Because, as the 24-year-old safety from McKees Rocks was being rushed to the hospital, a person claiming to be doctor who gave him a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot last week took to social media.
“I recently administered Damar Hamlin’s Covid booster on 12/26, and as a medical professional, I can assure the public he passed all the screenings with flying colors. I am in contact with the (University of Cincinnati Medical Center) staff and will provide any assistance to them,” the account of Dr. Benjamin Eidelman posted to Twitter.
One problem.
That person does not appear to be a real doctor, and the account has since been deleted, according to multiple reports. There is also zero evidence that any doctor gave Hamlin a COVID-19 booster or vaccine last week. The account for “Dr. Eidelman” was reportedly created last month, and it described the person as an “Artist, Data Scientist, Disinfo/deception/fraud detector, Democracy Enjoyer.”
It said nothing about the creator of the account being a doctor.
A Dr. Benjamin Eidelman does exist, but he is a neurologist in Florida.
There are potential HIPAA issues, too, with a doctor making such information available on social media.
Nothing lines up or makes sense for rational individuals except for the account and post being fake news.
No matter though to the conspiracy theorists. Nothing like a good, honest tragedy to stoke the fires and push an agenda. So, that’s still a narrative being pushed by some of those “free thinkers” across social media as Hamlin continues to fight for his life.
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Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapses on field during Monday Night Football
The most recent reports are that Hamlin is still listed in critical condition at the hospital in Cincinnati. There were some reports from family members that his breathing has improved and he is showing positive signs.
It has been a harrowing couple of days, though, since Hamlin tackled Tee Higgins in the first quarter of his team’s game against the Bengals Monday. Hamlin popped up to his feet quickly after making the stop before wobbling and then dropping back to the turf. Medical personnel rushed onto the field and performed CPR for 10 minutes before Hamlin was transported to nearby UC Medical Center via ambulance.
His uncle told CNN that his nephew died twice, once on the field and once when arriving at the hospital, but medical personnel were able to revive him each time.
Hamlin played his high school ball at Pittsburgh Central Catholic before going on to play for Pitt in college. He was a sixth-round pick of the Bills in 2021, and moved into the starting lineup following Micah Hyde’s season-ending neck injury in Week 2 this year.
