Joy Behar Is Taking Time Away From 'The View' To Self-Quarantine

As individuals try to cope with the coronavirus by vigorously washing their hands and dousing themselves in hand sanitizer (not to mention panic-buying toilet paper), others are engaging in social distancing as a protective measure. Additionally, some TV shows, including Jeopardy!, are currently filming without an audience and celebrities are taking various (sometimes extreme) precautions to deal with the health crisis. Now, Joy Behar has decided that her best bet is to take time off from The View.

"You really can't tell how old I am by looking at me, but I am actually up there," the 77-year-old host said during an episode of the talk show that aired on March 13, 2020. "I decided that I think I'm gonna stay home for a while. I'm gonna socially distance myself a little bit, so next week you won't see me here."

Behar, who has been open about medical issues she's faced in the past, hasn't tested positive for coronavirus. However, she is taking the extra precaution after her daughter asked if she was going to stay home during the pandemic. "I have to point out I'm in a higher-risk group for my age, but I'm perfectly healthy," Behar explained. "I'm doing this myself. Luckily I don't have to worry about childcare and things like that, and also I have enough money to take off some time."

Despite growing concerns about the novel coronavirus, it seems like Behar will be the only host stepping away from The View.

While Joy Behar is taking some time away, the other three hosts of The View – Whoopi Goldberg, Meghan McCain, and Sunny Hostin — intend to continue to show up to work despite coronavirus concerns. However, some think that Goldberg should also take time off because there's a good chance that she's also susceptible to the illness and could face serious issues if she were to contract the virus. In addition to being 64-years-old, the television host revealed in 2019 that she fought a bout of pneumonia that was nearly fatal. Because of that, one fan on YouTube pointed out that since Goldberg "probably has lung damage from her pneumonia, she too is probably vulnerable."

However, fans' opinions probably won't sway Goldberg considering the fact that she responded to Behar's announcement by saying this: "Here's the truth. Only you know what will work for you, and that's important." Perhaps, but she may want to listen to health officials and doctors — as well concerned fans — who have her and Behar's best interests in mind. That being said, the other two hosts on the show have also been vocal about what's going on.

Whoopi Goldberg isn't the only co-host of The View who is supporting Joy Behar's decision to stay away from the show during the coronavirus pandemic. "I think it's always better to be cautious than be sorry," Meghan McCain explained while chatting with the other ladies. She continued by noting that "people are very on edge" right now and told Behar that she "totally understands" why her co-host would "feel anxious."

On March 16, 2020, McCain also addressed what's happening and how it's being handled."There's clear[ly] a sheer distrust of the government on a level I don't think I even realized," she said on the show. "The mixed messaging coming out of the White House right now is not only irresponsible, but it's downright dangerous. ... Lead by example." Over on Twitter, she added, "This #coronapocolypse episode of Black Mirror sucks."

Sunny Hostin, who pointed out on the show that we're only receiving information in "drips and dribbles," has also taken to Twitter to address the circumstances. Seeing as how Hostin's Twitter account is full of coronavirus updates and developments, she obviously has strong opinions on the situation, which is probably why she retweeted a message from Rep. Adam Schiff noting that "[s]taying home when you're sick shouldn't mean losing a paycheck—especially during a public health emergency."

While each of the hosts is dealing with the coronavirus in their own way, fans are showing their support for all of the ladies on The View.

As the hosts of The View share their plans for and reactions to the coronavirus, fans of the show are also responding to the situation and one thing is for sure: viewers are fully behind the famous ladies during this uncertain time.

"Respecting Joy [Behar]'s decision but missing her already," one Twitter user wrote when it was announced that the host would be taking time off in order to protect her health. Another tweeted, "I love you so much. You make me proud. I'm glad you are taking time and trusting what is good for YOU." Over on YouTube, one person not only "agree[s] with Joy 100 percent," they added that they feel like "Whoopie should take time off also," and even suggested that "[m]aybe The View should go on hiatus for a while." 

Although it may come to that, for now, let's just hope that those who are well stay healthy, those who are sick recover, and that the situation starts to improve as soon as possible.