Spry Training CEO Jae Edwards faces growing backlash for dismissing Jamaican Craig Powe’s experiences with erectile dysfunction (ED) as unrelated to him twice contracting the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Edwards, reacting to Powe’s testimonial on Tuesday (April 13), examined the 25-year-old’s Instagram feed and images posted as far back as June 2020. The Spry trainer then claimed that the young man’s pectoral conditioning justified his view that the ED claims were baseless.

“If you look around his pectoral area, which is his breasts, you can see popping through his shirt, man-boobs. Now, man-boobs [are] an indicator to a lot of potential issues,” Edwards argued in the six-minute video.

“Excess adipose tissue being stored around the pectorals is a major indicator for androgens and the secretion of testosterone,” he added.

Edwards, the lifestyle coach with a Masters in Sports Science, according to his Linkedin profile, scrolled further through Powe’s images, highlighting what he considered gynaecomastia in photos from 2017. Having worked with many clients afflicted with the disorder, the Spry CEO suggested that Powe’s ED issues are diet-related and not caused by COVID-19.

Edwards argued that Powe would have needed to analyse his blood chemistry to conclude that his ED was COVID-related and suggested that, based on his Instagram profile, he may not be “metabolically healthy”.

Edwards is being accused of using perceptions of Powe’s body weight to discredit his experiences, with several persons on social media, including Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton expressing their disappointment with the trainer.

More reactions:

“Extremely disappointed by this post. Craig used his own story to help others and you take his story, go into his post photos and try to tear him down?” Tufton commented on the Spry video.

The backlash is even stronger on Twitter as Jamaicans are reporting the Instagram TV video, likening it to harassment. Jamaican Twitter users calling for Spry Training, based in New Kingston, to be boycotted.

Powe, CEO of Adtelligent, said he made the video to encourage all Jamaicans, particularly men, to get protected from the disease and take the available vaccines.

In his testimonial, the Kingston native said he contracted the coronavirus twice, and while he recovered without much issue the first time around, he fell severely ill the second time—coming close to dying.

Understanding that there would have been blowback from sharing his experience, the two-time COVID survivor further warned that, for the last three weeks he has observed issues with his ‘plumbing’.

“Hi Jamaica, this is Craig Powe, COVID survivor and I want to let you guys know, since I’ve gotten COVID, I no longer get the morning wood,” Powe began before going into detail about his condition.

Click here for Powe’s full testimonial. While there is a outpouring of care on the internet as he recalled his near-death ordeal with COVID-19 Craig’s account has polarised much of social media as detractors allege the video is being used to force persons to take the vaccine.

A July 2020 article published by the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation suggests a link between COVID-19 infection and ED.

According to the article, endothelial dysfunction, subclinical hypogonadism, psychological distress and impaired pulmonary haemodynamics all contribute to the potential onset of ED.

“Additionally, COVID-19 might exacerbate cardiovascular conditions; therefore, further increasing the risk of ED. Testicular function in COVID-19 patients requires careful investigation for the unclear association with testosterone deficiency and the possible consequences for reproductive health,” the seven-member team noted.

“COVID-19 survivors might develop sexual and reproductive health issues. Andrological assessment and tailored treatments should be considered in the follow-up,” the article concluded.