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Google PlayKyla Galer isn’t taking any chances—at least when it comes to protecting her gear.
The Emmy-winning reporter went viral Wednesday for her on-the-ground coverage of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida. Galer braved the harsh elements as the storm made landfall, providing crucial updates on the conditions, search-and-rescue missions, and evacuation orders. However, it wasn’t Galer’s hurricane coverage that got people talking; it was her condom-covered microphone.
Over the past couple days, viewers have noticed Galer’s mic looked a bit unusual, as it appeared to be wrapped inside stretchy, opaque material.
After being bombarded with a flood of questions, Galer finally confirmed it was a latex condom on her microphone. She explained the move in an Instagram Stories post Wednesday afternoon.
“A lot of people are asking what is on my microphone,” she began. “It is what you think it is. It’s a condom. It helps protect the gear. We can’t get these mics wet. There’s a lot of wind and a lot of rain, so we gotta do what we gotta do, and that is put a condom on the microphone.”
Fellow Fort Meyers reporter Jeff Butera shared a close-up of Galer’s mic and defended the method.
“WE PRACTICE SAFE HURRICANE REPORTING,” he tweeted. “Yes, it’s a condom. Nothing better to waterproof a microphone. My Waterman Broadcasting colleague @kylagaler has been fielding lots of questions, haha. Moment of levity in this nasty storm…#HurricaneIan.”
Hurricane Ian weakened to a Category 3 storm Wednesday with sustained 115 mph winds. More than 2.5 million residents were urged to evacuate this week after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency.
The federal government has reportedly sent emergency personnel, medical supplies, food, and water to the Sunshine State as it faces the life-threatening storm.
“We’ll be there to help you clean up and rebuild, to help Florida get moving again,” President Joe Biden said Wednesday. “And we’ll be there every step of the way. That’s my absolute commitment to the people of the state of Florida.”
