Andy Cohen Says He Can't Donate Plasma Because He's Gay | THR News - video Dailymotion

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"Why are members of my community being excluded from helping out when so many people are sick and dying?” Cohen urged during the final moments of his Bravo show 'Watch What Happens Live!' on Thursday night.

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00:00I am too. I am too. It's crazy. They said, no, you can't. You're an eligible.

00:05Andy Cohen is speaking out after learning that he's unable to donate plasma to help those affected

00:10by COVID-19. The Watch What Happens Live host took the closing moments of his show to open up

00:15about how he had signed up for a program that helps COVID-19 survivors donate their plasma,

00:20which is rich in antibodies, to help those battling the virus. Cohen has since recovered

00:24from COVID-19 after announcing his diagnosis last month. However, the host is saying that due to,

00:29quote, discriminatory guidelines by the FDA to prevent HIV, the host is not able to donate.

00:35To prevent HIV, I am ineligible to donate blood because I'm a gay man. He explained that the new

00:42relaxed rules require gay men to abstain from sex for three months, whether they're in a monogamous

00:47relationship or not, before giving blood. However, Cohen calls that hypocritical.

00:51Though no such blanket restrictions exist for people of other sexual orientations.

00:57The host continues to question why there is a three-month rule when all donated blood is

01:02screened for HIV. In fact, the host goes on to note that a rapid HIV test can be done in 20 minutes

01:07or less.

01:08Why are members from my community being excluded from helping out when so many people are sick

01:14and dying?

01:15Cohen went on to argue that stigma is being valued over science, saying,

01:19My blood could save a life, but instead it's over here boiling.

01:22We're quarantining, we're social distancing, we're wearing masks. Why can't we adapt when it comes to this rule?

01:29Adding that remaining quarantined has everyone wondering what day it is or what year it is,

01:34Cohen expressed his disappointment in being unable to help.

01:37We need to think about this and do better. Thanks.

01:40To watch the full video, head to THR.com. For The Hollywood Reporter News, I'm Neha Joy.

Andy Cohen Says He Can't Donate Plasma Because He's Gay | THR News

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