Influencers are called as such because they have some form of effect on the people that follows them that they can pretty much tell them what to buy and what to do. In the midst of a pandemic, you would think that influencers would be using their platform to remind their followers of how serious a pandemic is, but of course, that’s not the case with many influencers.
Many influencers have been going against very basic, unchanged protocols such as not going outside or doing collabs with other influencers when it is truly unnecessary. Many are using the outdated reasoning of “getting tested” beforehand, which just shows blatant ignorance to the fact that many people who need to get tested couldn’t get their hands on COVID-19 tests to go to work.
Lately, there have been many TikTok influencers hosting big parties more than once, without any regard to the protocols, and still tries to justify it and host some more.
It is infuriating to watch, really. Many people are succumbing to this virus. In the US alone, the virus has killed nearly 500,000 people and nearly 30 million people are infected today, with many essential workers risking their lives for the comfort of others. Not to mention the disregard to health workers having to directly risk their lives just to ensure others are safe and healthy.
It is clear that what influencers have done so far is underplaying how dangerous this virus is. Staying home is still a crucial key to combat this pandemic, many scientists have claimed that even the vaccine is not enough to end the pandemic alone, protocols will still need to be done in a strict manner.
Holding influencers accountable is important as many people look up to them and are affected by their lifestyles. If they are showing negative responses towards following protocols and acts as if the pandemic doesn’t exist, it won’t be surprising to see that their followers think the same way.
Written by Savannah
Artwork by Delicia
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