Vanessa Kade Fights Back After Being Blamed For 2021 WSOP COVID-19 Cases

Summary

• Todd Witteles criticized WSOP COVID-19 rules and accused Vanessa Kade of being a super spreader
• Kade accuses Witteles of ridiculous assumptions
• Kade is adamant she acted within the rules

A few weeks ago, Vanessa Kade publicly revealed that she tested positive for COVID-19. The poker pro had to temporarily sit out of the 2021 World Series of Poker (WSOP) while battling the virus.

She has since recovered and has been allowed to return to the festival, in time for the Main Event.

Now, the Canadian poker pro is being blamed for a recent spate of COVID-19 cases at the festival, which led to a Twitter row between her and fellow pro Todd Witteles.

Kade Played at WSOP Without Providing Negative Test

Earlier this week, Witteles criticized the WSOP for allowing one player who previously contracted COVID-19 to play at the festival without requiring a negative test.

In the now-deleted tweet, the American poker pro seemed to suggest that that particular player could have spread the virus to other participants at the 2021 WSOP. Screenshots of Witteles’ original tweets show him dropping Kade’s name, saying she played at the festival 11 days after testing positive for the virus.

This muppet is literally in like 6 threads effectively blaming me for an outbreak when I went above and beyond at every step to ensure the safety of others.

(repost, had a duplicate image) pic.twitter.com/2qzhEVKHOl

— Vanessa Kade (@VanessaKade) November 16, 2021

Witteles, the founder of PokerFraudAlert.com, said it was a huge mistake to allow Kade to return to the festival without presenting a negative test, accusing her of being a super-spreader. She isn’t the first player to be blamed for ‘putting lives at risk’ with Chris Hunichen also being accused recently.

Kade Fights Back

Kade was quick to defend herself, describing Witteles’ tweets as “ridiculous assumptions“. The Canadian pro, who currently serves as an ambassador for US-facing online poker site Americas Cardroom, said she’s totally cleared of COVID-19 when she returned to the Rio to play in the Main Event.

Kade said she would never endanger other people’s health, adding that she even voluntarily came forward to protect her fellow players. She insisted that her actions weren’t in breach of any rules.

What the fuck?

Ridiculous assumptions.

I tested negative, got checked out by a doctor, AND WSOP’s EMTs. I’m literally the only one who voluntarily came forward to protect others despite the personal cost.

Why would I ever do that and then turn around go back if it’s not safe. https://t.co/bGyq1vUjSI

— Vanessa Kade (@VanessaKade) November 16, 2021

While she isn’t entirely sure where she contracted COVID-19, Kade believes she probably caught the virus in late October prior to Event #51. After experiencing symptoms, she immediately went into self-isolation in her hotel room and took a confirmation test. When the result came out positive, she notified the poker community right away.

Kade self-quarantined for more than a week before fully recovering from the disease. Before returning to the festival, she tested negative several times and decided to wear a mask while playing even when it was no longer required.