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Remember the time when schools were temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic? This certainly had an effect on educational systems all over the world. A surge in COVID-19 cases in March 2020 resulted in the closure of multiple schools, colleges, and universities. Having said that, a recent episode of ABC’sThe Viewtouched on the same topic. Dr. Phil and Whoopi Goldberg had a fiery debate over the COVID shutdown and how it impacted kids’ mental health.
As schools remained closed and children were forced to study at home, the question of whether these measures were truly in the best interests of our youth became a hot-button issue. In an interview that aired on the daytime talk show on Monday, awell-known psychologist and TV personality Dr. Phil made the case that students’ lack of social interaction and school closures have negatively affected their mental health.
On the other hand, Whoopi Goldberg, a co-host ofThe View, defended the decision to keep schools closed in order to ensure the health and safety of everyone.
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Dr. Phil’s Tirade Against COVID Closures, StartledThe View’s Hosts
A recent episode ofThe Viewfeatured a conflict of viewpoints as hostsWhoopi Goldberg, Sunny Hostin, and Ana Navarro disputedDr. Phil’s (Phillip Calvin McGraw) critique of school closures. The latter argued that themeasures implemented to prevent the COVID-19 virusfrom spreading had inadvertently resulted in a rise in children’s mental health issues. To quote him:
“And then Covid hits 10 years later, and the same agencies that knew that, are the agencies that shut down the schools for two years. Who does that? Who takes away the support system for these children? Who takes it away and shuts it down?”
Hostin,co-host ofThe View,refuted McGraw’s perspective by highlighting the following:
“There was also a pandemic going on…”
Meanwhile, Dr. Phil’s claims did not seem to be supported by Goldberg, as she claimed:
“They were trying to save kids’ lives. We know a lot of folks who died during this…”
Dr. Phil gave the following response when Navarro questioned him about whether COVID had not resulted in any deaths of school kids:
“I’m saying it was the safest group. They were the less vulnerable group, and they suffered and will suffer more from the mismanagement of Covid than they will from the exposure to Covid, and that’s not an opinion. That’s a fact.”
McGraw has previously claimed that the lockdown was more deadly than COVID. He made an incorrect statement about non-contagious causes of death onFox Newsin 2020, shortly after the first lockdown had started.
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Dr. Phil’s Views Over COVID Lockdowns: What Are Fans Saying?
Theheated debate between Dr. Philand Whoopi Goldberg sparked an intense debate regarding physical health and mental well-being in such difficult times. The conversation was about more than just policies, though, as it became evident as the debate went on.Following the heated exchange between Dr. Phil and Goldberg, fans took to social media to share their thoughts and opinions on the topic.
The reactions were mixed, with a significant number of fans supporting Dr. Phil’s point of view.Let’s see what fans are saying:
I am really glad he is speaking up about this issue because it needs to be addressed! These children are hurting because of all this nonsense and IMO will never be the same without counseling!
— Kathleen Winchell ❤️🤍💙🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@KathleenWinche3)August 12, 2025
Dr. Phil is brining the heat down on these liberal ladies. You love to see it!
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press)August 24, 2025
Sometimes the cure is worse than the disease.
Especially when the whole COVĮD situation was politically motivated and abused.
The poor children who suffered through it will never get back those formative years.
There need to be legal consequences for those responsible.
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl)July 29, 2025
The governments that shut down the schools over Covid aren’t the only ones to blame. Parents who weren’t making sure their children were attending class and such also hurt the children’s education.
Many of these kids are still struggling 4 years later. They fell so far behind…
— ❥❥❥ᗰoᒪᒪie❥❥❥ (@mollie_don)June 16, 2025
https://twitter.com/Rightanglenews/status/1762219529373929555
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While many fans appear to agree with Dr. Phil’s concerns regarding how school closures affected kids’ mental health, a sizable number of fans also supported Goldberg’s focus on public health and safety.
As the discussion rages on, it is critical to acknowledge the complexity of the matter at hand. The COVID-19 pandemic has put unprecedented strain on all sectors of society, including education, and it must be our responsibility to navigate these uncharted waters.
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
