Watch In Awe As NZ’s Health Minister Accidentally Calls The Rest Of The World The C Word
We think he meant to say 'countries', but it didn't quite come out right.
New Zealand health minister David Clark accidentally said ‘cunt’ during a press conference on COVID-19 — better yet, it sounds like he’s calling the rest of the world ‘cunts’.
UPDATE: Regrettably, it seems that this was merely the world’s worst/best-timed audio glitch on the RNZ live-stream. On other versions, you can hear Clark say “countries” — still, this would have been heard by any New Zealanders watching, which certainly is something.
Clark was giving a live-stream update on New Zealand’s COVID-19 response: specifically, defending the 10 person restrictions around funerals, which has been criticised as ‘inhumane’ by the opposition leader. As Clark spoke, he stressed the importance of the restrictions, pointing towards the rising numbers across the globe due to a ‘second wave’ as restrictions ease. But he misspoke.
“Around the world, we have seen the virus spread at funerals, as well as a second wave of infection taking hold just as cunts were getting on top of the virus, like we are now,” he says, before taking pause.
In the second after, you can see him mentally weigh up whether to address it or steam ahead. He goes with the latter, but the internet won’t forget thanks to comedian and podcaster Tim Batt, who posted the footage to Twitter.
Hopefully it doesn’t start an international incident, but if it does, maybe Clark will handle it well. He’s no stranger to COVID-19 related controversy. In April, he was demoted by Jacinda Ardern after twice-breaking the country’s strict lockdown rules by going on a bike ride, then driving 20km from home to a beach — despite, of course, being the man who literally advises the public of the lockdown rules.
New Zealand has become a one of the globe’s success stories with COVID-19, as a severe lockdown has essentially “eliminated” the virus. On Thursday, restrictions will be loosened around the country, with cinemas, libraries, schools, workplaces, shops and restaurants opening. Still, there is risk of a ‘second wave’, as has occurred in South Korea post re-opening society, especially as New Zealand’s first wave was so small.
Find Clark’s moment below.
This is completely unedited footage of the New Zealand Health Minister. Seriously.
(sound on) pic.twitter.com/73bGeZxCR4— Tim "Eat My Piss" Batt (@Tim_Batt) May 13, 2020