Howard Stern recently explained that he stopped clubbing and socializing largely due to his heightened fear of COVID-19.
As a self-professed germaphobe, Stern has been particularly cautious throughout the pandemic, spending over two years in near-complete isolation. Despite being vaccinated, Stern expressed deep anxiety about contracting the virus, even after pandemic restrictions eased. This anxiety led him to avoid public outings, including social gatherings and clubs, where close contact with others might increase the risk of exposure.
When he did finally venture out for dinner with friends like Jimmy Kimmel and Jennifer Aniston, Stern found the experience overwhelming and “exhausting,” reinforcing his reluctance to return to his pre-pandemic social habits.
