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Howard Stern may go for his walks, and he may have flown from one of his insanely gorgeous properties to another, but the radio legend simply hasn't reintegrated back into society since the pandemic started in March of 2020.
Despite most of his friends, including his best-buddy Jimmy Kimmel, having found ways of getting "back to normal" as the severity of the diseases wanes, Howard is still cooped up at home. In fact, he and his wife Beth have had little to no contact with anyone for years.
But the reason why Howard hasn't found his way back into society isn't as simple as being afraid of getting sick.
Howard Stern Does His Show From His Basement
The fact that Howard Stern has been broadcasting his acclaimed radio show from his basement since March 2020 has been a source of great aggravation for some of his fans. While many were thrilled that he continued his show during the lockdown, Howard received criticism for not going back to his New York City SiriusXM studio when he was allowed to do so.
Howard didn't go back into his studio with COVID precautions nor has he since basically all restrictions have been lifted.
This has drastically changed the dynamic of his show, which used to thrive on behind-the-scenes office in-fighting and brilliant one-on-one celebrity interviews. Doing everything over Zoom simply doesn't have the same effect despite there still being moments of gold.
Some of his staffers have returned to work but listeners get none of the in-person back and forth between them. The closest they come is hearing stories of the staff getting together outside of work. This includes the hilarious recent incident between the staffers and Selling Sunset's Jason Oppenheim.
Whether Howard and his co-host, Robin Quivers, will ever return to SiriusXM in person and bring their staff back together remains unknown... but unlikely.
Howard Stern Has Cut Himself Off From The World
For all of 2020 and most of 2021, Howard and his wife Beth completely cut themselves off from the world. They socialized with no one, not even outside. And anyone who had to come into their house (I.E. work-people) had to be tested and/or wear hazmat suits... At least, according to Howard.
It's true that Howard has slowly relaxed. Likely at the behest of his philanthropic wife, who has attended a few functions. Albeit only in a mask.
During various shows at the end of 2021 and throughout 2022, Howard has admitted to seeing some family and some close friends. However, all have taken place either outside or in his home. And to get into his home, guests have to be tested.
Howard's bestie, Jimmy Kimmel, and his wife Molly claimed that in order to stay at his house for a few days in the summer, they had to be tested twice. On top of this, they weren't allowed to leave the compound. If they did, they weren't allowed back due to possibly being exposed to COVID.
Jimmy half-jokingly equated the experience to visiting someone in jail.
Even Howard admits that he's gone overboard with his fear of reintegrating with society like the vast majority of the world already has. Howard knows that if he does get sick, he's likely to get through. Mostly because of his multiple vaccinations. But he states the possibility of contracting "long COVID" deters him.
But this isn't the whole truth.
Why Howard Stern Won't Leave His House
Despite numerous doctors and health professionals, including his psychiatrist, advising him to step back into the real world, Howard continues to refuse. It's true that he has told his audience that he plans to step outside again, go to a restaurant, and see more friends. But he keeps delaying it.
During Jimmy Kimmel's appearance on The Howard Stern Show on November 27th, 2022, the radio legend shed light on the real reason why he's "unable" to leave his house.
"For me, [COVID] is still going on and I haven't left my house," Howard admitted. "I can't figure out how to integrate myself."
Howard continued by saying, "I've been locked up so long and I haven't gotten COVID. I'm afraid I'll be the one a**hole who gets COVID and I'll die. Even though people don't seem to be dying that much [anymore]."
"You're eventually going to have to come out," Jimmy said as Howard revealed the real reason why he continues to sequester himself and his wife.
"I'm at my happiest," Howard said about staying at home with his wife. "This is my dream."
Howard is a notorious hermit. He loves his alone time. He loves his space. And he loves spending time with his wife and cats. COVID has allowed him to do all of these things and only these things. He claims to be comfortable in it.
"We're worried that we're going to lose you from society because the longer this goes on, the more comfortable you get in that little world," Jimmy said with Robin and his wife Molly backing him up. "And then it's harder and harder to get out of it."
"It's so wonderful to be locked in the house," Howard stated.
"But it's unhealthy," Jimmy countered.
"F*** it, I'm being a p****y, I know," Howard admitted, claiming that he would start venturing out of the house... eventually...