Serious question. Is the coronavirus pandemic over for rich people? Looks like it.
While COVID continues to be an issue around the world, it seems as though the rich and famous have forgotten we’re in the middle of a global pandemic. They may be following all the correct protocols, keeping their distance, wearing masks etc, but does it really send the best message to the wider public to be seen out and about partying and travelling? Is it insensitive to the lives lost and people struggling?
The latest celebrity to make headlines during the pandemic is Kora Organics Founder, Miranda Kerr.
The Aussie supermodel was issued a warning by police after she breached her 14-day quarantine in October 2020.
Kerr was given an exemption to isolate in her $7.5 million Hunter Valley home, rather than mandatory hotel quarantine, however, after later being granted a further exemption to leave the home, the mandatory notification process was not completed.
“Under the terms of an approved NSW Health exemption, she was allowed to leave the property for a specific purpose,” Police said in a statement to The Daily Telegraph.
The outlet reported that Kerr went to visit a relative in palliative care, however, she was in breach of the exemption after failing to correctly complete the notification process.
Health authorities notified the police who turned up to her property and Kerr was not home. It was said to be a misunderstanding however, she received an official warning.
On September 4, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez posted a photo from inside of a private plane of his fiancé and their dog Lady.
Captioning the Thanksgiving holiday post, he wrote: “Lady is definitely ready for #Thanksgiving! We have so much to be grateful for and are excited to be heading home to spend time with family. What are your holiday plans?”
Unfortunately, while the sentiment was sweet, some of his fans were not so impressed.
“Hmm let see … stay home lol can’t visit family due to the pandemic,” one person commented, while another said: “People are really really struggling. Maybe don’t post your enormous wealth on a private plane with Hermes blankets. Compassion is all you need right now.”
Lopez and Rodriguez have joined a long-line of high-profile celebrities who seem to think the global pandemic is over.
In October, Kim Kardashian’s 40th birthday party made headlines when posted a series of photos from an extravagant week-long affair. Flying 40 of her closest friends and family to a private island in Tahiti, the reality star was slammed by millions of fans for “flaunting” her wealth and seemingly ignoring the state of the world.
While many private events have taken place, during the Venice Film Festival in September it seemed that some non-Italian residents had flown in for the occasion.
Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton and Matt Dillon have all made a special appearance on the red carpet. Sure, it’s work, so if there are border restrictions in place for where they came from, chances are they were allowed special privileges. But what about the rest of us who want to head O/S for a spot of “work” and conveniently tap a holiday on at the end? Only one quarter of Australia’s travel application requests have been granted. (Note: We have no idea if any of them are tapping a holiday onto the end, but wouldn’t you?!)
Kylie Jenner is another example of what some are calling “covidiocy”. Given she shares a great deal of her life across her social accounts (please never stop, Kylie), she was caught numerous times on social media, meeting up with friends during lockdown and not wearing a mask.
At the end of August, Jenner was also spotted on her Instagram in Paris. Fans in the comments section weren’t too happy. Worth noting since August 1, US citizens are able to travel to France so long as they present a negative COVID test. However, the issue more lies in the fact that Jenner was flaunting the trip on Instagram, while so many are unable to leave the house. Insensitive? Tell us what you think.
Here’s some more COVIDity.
According to The Cut, rich people are so bored, they’re dropping millions on diamonds. A new report in Bloomberg, said that “the pivot hasn’t negatively impacted sales on collectible jewellery.”
“What we’re finding is that anything of good quality is performing well,” Catharine Becket, Sotheby’s “magnificent jewels” specialist in New York, told Bloomberg, “and actually better than it would have just a couple of months ago.”
Locally, megastars like Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban were also touched with the golden exemption crown. Back in July, upon arriving home from Tennessee so that Kidman could film Nine Perfect Strangers, they were spared from mandatory hotel quarantine.
The couple arrived by private jet, along with their two daughters, and were allowed to isolate in their holiday home in a regional part of NSW.
At this point, Australia had already closed its borders to the world with all travellers returning home (still) being placed in compulsory hotel quarantine for a fortnight. Unless, of course, you are an Oscar-winning actor or Grammy Award Winning musician and live on a country estate…
Then there was the case of a Melbourne millionaire who cruised to Queensland on his luxury yacht — stopping along several locations on the New South Wales coast before finally disembarking in Queensland — where there are strict border restrictions.
Mark Simonds, who is the executive director of development company Simonds Group and six other people, left Victoria on his yacht “Lady Pamela” on August 9 for a 15-day voyage and had been granted a travel exemption to enter Queensland. Why? No one knows.
After public outrage, Simonds, his yacht and his travel exemption were promptly revoked and according to the ABC, a Queensland spokesperson said: “New information had been provided which indicated the owner of the Lady Pamela [the Super Yacht] obtained an exemption approval based on incomplete information,” and that “any attempt to bypass or manipulate Queensland’s border directions was unacceptable.”
It seems as though the lifestyles of the rich and famous will always have their benefits. We as a community must continue to do the right thing where possible by wearing a mask, washing our hands and listening to authorities.
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