Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift want their fans to heed the warnings of health experts and socially isolate themselves to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Grande took to social media to tell young people they are being “stupid and privileged” and “need to care more about others.”
The pop star wrote: “I keep hearing from a surprising amount of people statements like ‘this isn’t a big deal / we’ll be fine’… ‘we still have to go about our lives’ and it’s really blowing my mind.
“It is incredibly dangerous and selfish to take this situation lightly. The ‘we will be fine because we’re young’ mindset is putting people who aren’t young and/or healthy in a lot of danger.”
Grande later got more direct. She tweeted: “your hip hop yoga class can f**king wait i promise.”
Swift echoed Grande. “I love you guys who much and need to express my concer that things aren’t being taken seriously enough right now,” she wrote in an Instagram Story. “I’m seeing lots of get togethers and hangs and parties still happening.
“This is the time to cancel plans, actually truly isolate as much as you can, and don’t assume that because you don’t feel sick that you aren’t possibly passing something on to someone elderly or vulnerable to this.”
Swift said in this “really scary time” everyone need to make “social sacrifices.”
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Not surprisingly, both stars got accused of not relating to the challenges of self-isolation for many people, particularly those who need to go to work.
“I understand and entirely support your frustration,” Grande responded. “i do not mean to disrespect anyone who doesn’t have the privilege of cancelled work or being able to call out of their work. but, this is a national emergency and a pandemic of global proportion.”
The singer urged Americans to support a bill before the U.S. Senate that would provide financial support to those who need it during the pandemic.