WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair has confirmed that his wife, Wendy Barlow, is currently sick from the coronavirus (COVID-19), while at the same time denying reports that he has also tested positive from the disease.
According to the NY Post, the former 16-time world champion tested positive for COVID-19 last week, though Flair denied the claim. "That is absolutely incorrect," Flair told The Post. "My wife does [have the virus]… we live in a 5,000 square foot home. I live in the basement. She lives upstairs on the third floor and she got sick." That same week Flair was caught on camera driving through a Starbucks drive-thru without wearing a protective facemask. Flair hung up the phone before the NY Post could probe further into his Starbucks trip, but did insist through a text message exchange that his "health is excellent."
The site's source also claimed Barlow is very ill and the only symptoms Flair is displaying is a cough, leading to speculation that he is currently asymptomatic. Flair partnered with the American College of Surgeons in April to urge his social media followers to practice social distancing and quarantining to slow the spread of COVID-19. The wrestling legend has also appeared on recent episodes of WWE's Monday Night Raw to help advance a program between Edge and Randy Orton.
In June, there were reports that several WWE employees tested positive for COVID-19, including in-ring talent. Another report claimed the number of infected WWE employees was over 30, which led to the company issuing a strict mask policy for TV tapings.
For more information on COVID-19, along with basic protective measures such as social distancing, please visit the World Health Organization website.