Yamiche Cites Social Media Outrage For ‘Gotcha’ Question Directed Towards Dr Jerome Adams

At the beginning of today’s press briefing, Dr. Jerome Adams spoke with a message directed towards all Americans, but specifically communities of color who might not be following the social guidelines.

He implored everyone to “do it for your Abuela … your Big Mama” when it comes to staying at home and following released guidelines. This language Dr. Adams used, he said, was in reference to what his own family calls members.

PBS reporter Yamiche Alcindor tweeted out what he said after he spoke, with a disclaimer that “some will find the language offensive.”

US Surgeon General Jerome Adams says black, Latino & other people of color should “avoid alcohol, tobacco and drugs.” “We need you to step up,” he says.

Some will find this language offensive after Adams stressed that behavior was not the issue for why more black ppl are dying.

Jerome Adams, U.S. Surgeon General, tells black people, Latinos and other ppl of color to avoid alcohol and drugs and adds: "Do it for your abuela, do it for your grandaddy, do it for your Big Mama, do it for your pop pop."

Context: Many found this language highly offensive.

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) April 10, 2020

Alcindor then cited Social Media’s response to this while asking if he had a response to people who might be offended by the language that he used. He responded that it is the language that is used in his family. He said, “it was not meant to be offensive.”

Yamiche: You said that African Americans and Latinos should avoid alcohol, drugs, and tobacco, you also said do it for your Abuela (grandmother) do it for Big Momma and Pop Pop, there are some people already online that are already offended by that language and the idea that behaviors might be leading to these high death rates, do you have a response to people who might be offended by the language that used?

.@Yamiche is at it again.

What a RIDICULOUS question for U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams.

Good thing he is quick on his feet to respond to her bonkers gotcha question.

WATCH: pic.twitter.com/R9ulQ5wIO7

— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) April 10, 2020

She asked him to clarify, does he want all Americans to avoid those products? And he said that he would clarify that “all Americans need to avoid these substances at all times.”