5 Celebrities Who Blatantly Disregarded Coronavirus Guidelines While 266,000 Americans Died
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According to some celebrities and influencers, 266,000 coronavirus-related deaths aren’t their problem, and the CDC’s guidelines (which are intended to maximize safety) don’t apply to them. Halloween and Thanksgiving were perfect excuses to throw parties and share pictures of their social events on social media, while thousands of Americans who have been taking strict precautions for months watched loved ones die over Facetime.
Of course, COVID-19 must not feel like such a big threat to people who are privileged enough to be able to purchase the best possible medical care in the event that they fall ill. But for those who can’t simply check themselves into a hospital as a precautionary measure and request experimental treatments if they get sick, these celebrity gatherings have stirred up major backlash on social media. While many Americans have been isolated from their families for months, or working on the frontlines to keep others safe, watching celebrities do whatever they want has been a poignant reminder of entitlement and privilege amongst the elite.
Here are five of the most egregious displays of entitlement that celebrities have put on full display.
1. Kendall Jenner
The Kardashian family doesn’t seem to care about COVID-19.
Let’s start with Kendall Jenner, who hosted a Halloween party (which she called a birthday party, even though it wasn’t her birthday, not that it matters) with 100 other celebrities and VIPs in attendance. According to TMZ, the party was attended by “Justin and Hailey Bieber, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Travis Scott, Scott Disick, Jaden Smith, Paris Hilton, The Weeknd, Justine Skye, Quavo, Doja Cat, Winnie Harlow and Saweetie”, amongst others. Jenner requested that attendees refrain from sharing photos of the event on social media. Gee… I wonder why.
Jenner’s mom defended this gathering, telling television presenter Andy Cohen, “We’re dealing with lots of people that have different opinions and all we can do is live our lives the best way we know how, and be responsible and do the right thing.”
Of course, the fact that hundreds of thousands of Americans have died from COVID-19 is not an opinion, but to each their own, according to Jenner’s mom.
This comes after Jenner decided that she would go on a road trip with NBA pal Devin Booker so that she could get some “much needed air”.
2. Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian couldn’t refrain from celebrating her birthday, either. A few days before Jenner’s party, Kardashian flew a few dozen friends to a private island and shared the evidence on social media.
“Before COVID, I don’t think any of us truly appreciated what a simple luxury it was to be able to travel and be together with family and friends in a safe environment,” she wrote on Twitter.
If only the healthcare workers who put their lives on the line for months on end could be surprised with a private island getaway after the pandemic is over (at Kardashian’s expense).
While millions of Americans struggle to put food on the table and while hundreds of thousands die from this virus, birthday parties on private islands seem to be a top priority for those with enough money and influence to make a positive difference if they had any desire to do so.
3. Justin Bieber
A role model for young people no longer, Justin Bieber and wife Hailey decided to throw a maskless party at the height of the pandemic in Los Angeles. To be clear, throwing a party where attendees actually do where masks wouldn’t be much better, but this particular party went against government guidelines in more ways than one.
The party was attended by Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Jaden Smith, and a handful of others who were photographed shoulder to shoulder throughout the night.
Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti authorized utility companies to cut people’s power if they defied coronavirus guidelines and hosted large gatherings. Unfortunately, it seems that the Biebers electricity was unaffected, despite plenty of evidence that the rules were broken. Perhaps these rules are only for the non-elite.
4. Donald Trump Jr.
Donald Trump Jr. attended a party with around 100 attendees in Bridgehampton, NY. According to the East Hampton Star, partygoers “enjoying a catered rooftop event at sunset, most … not wearing masks, and evidently not practicing social distancing. At the time — as now — New York State was in Phase 3 of reopening; gatherings of up to 25 people are permitted, so long as masks are worn when distances of six feet cannot be maintained.”
Trump Jr.’s girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle, who also attended the June 27 festivities, tested positive for COVID a few days later on July 3.
Guilfoyle’s diagnosis apparently caused panic and ruined socialites’ Fourth of July plans.
Don’t worry, though. They had enough money to hire private doctors to test absolutely everyone in their circle.
5. Governor Gavin Newsom
This is a good one. California Governor Newsom apologized after attending a friend’s 50th birthday party, saying that he didn’t realize how many people would be in attendance and that he should have just gone home.
“As soon as I sat down,” Newsom explained, “I realized it was a little larger group than I had anticipated. “Instead of sitting down, I should have stood up and walked back and got in my car and drove back to my house.”
“The spirit of what I’m preaching all the time was contradicted and I’ve got to own that, so I’m going to apologize to you, because I need to preach and practice,” Newsom continued, in an apology that sounded like it would not have been issued at all had he not been caught.
Perhaps the rules and guidelines he issues don’t apply if you host or attend a large gathering by accident.
Dishonorable mentions
YouTube personality Jake Paul attended parties during the pandemic after calling it a “hoax”.
Influencer Tana Mongeau attended a party at the Hype House mansion and was forced to apologize.
Influencer James Charles issued an apology after attending the same party as Mongeau in the middle of the pandemic.
“Even though I have been wearing a mask in public and have tested negative multiple times, going to a party during a pandemic was a selfish and stupid decision. People’s safety and keeping Covid-19 contained is FAR more important than celebrating a friend’s birthday and unsafe partying is not something I want to promote to my audience,” Charles explained. “I recognise that with my platform comes responsibility, and I encourage you guys to be smarter than I was.”
