Barbara Walters (Getty Images)

Don’t scratch, Barbara! Barbara Walters, who has been hospitalized since she fell and hit her head on January 19, is now recovering from a common childhood affliction: Chicken Pox. Ms. Walters was kept in the hospital for observation after her fall because of a high temperature, and it seems to have been a result of the pox.

“We want to give you an update on Barbara,” co-host Whoopi Goldberg announced today on The View. ”You all know that she fell and cut her head 10 days ago, and then was running a temperature, but it turns out it is all the result of a delayed childhood. Barbara has the chicken pox.” 

Ms. Goldberg also advised her 83-year-old co-host not to scratch. We remember our parents putting socks on our hands to prevent scratching, but we assume Ms. Walters has more self-control than a five-year-old.

We advise Ms. Walters to enjoy watching, as opposed to being on, daytime television. Also, oatmeal baths!

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