Anti-Vax South Florida Radio Host Dies From COVID-19: Report

WEST PALM BEACH, FL — Throughout much of the COVID-19 pandemic, South Florida right-wing radio host and Newsmax anchor Dick Farrel was an outspoken anti-vaxxer who publicly criticized the vaccine developed to slow the spread of the virus.

On Facebook, the avid supporter of former President Donald Trump criticized Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, who he called a “power tripping lying freak” in one post, as well as pandemic safety protocols and the coronavirus vaccine.

In a July 3 post, Farrel wrote, “Why take a vax promoted by people who lied (to you) all along about masks, where the virus came from and the death toll?”

The West Palm Beach broadcaster, who was unvaccinated, contracted COVID-19 and died from the virus Aug. 4.

Friends say Farrel changed his stance on the vaccine after getting sick and encouraged them to get inoculated, according to WPTV.

"COVID took one of my best friends! RIP Dick Farrel. He is the reason I took the shot. He texted me and told me to 'Get it!' He told me this virus is no joke and he said, ‘I wish I had gotten it!’ his friend Amy Leigh Hair posted on her Facebook page after his death.

She told WPTV, "I was one of the people like him who didn't trust the vaccine. I trusted my immune system. I just became more afraid of getting COVID-19 than I was of any possible side effects of the vaccine. I'm glad I got vaccinated."