Kelly Dodd vocalized her dangerous skepticism about the effectiveness of wearing masks, despite clear, scientific evidence they can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In a sneak peek from the upcoming Real Housewives of Orange County reunion, the 45-year-old reality star complained about having to adhere to coronavirus safety protocols, which have been designed to protect lives.
‘I hate wearing a mask,’ the mother-of-one told host Andy Cohen, who battled the virus in March. ‘I think everybody’s on that with me. I will wear them because I have to, but does your pants protect you from a fart? Like is it helping?’
Problematic: Kelly Dodd expressed her dangerous skepticism about face masks again, despite clear evidence they can help prevent the spread of COVID-19
She continued: ‘Are the masks helping? I don’t know.’
Her problematic statement questioning masks conflicts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‘s research, which finds call masks a ‘simple barrier to help prevent your respiratory droplets from reaching others.’
Immediately, her costars Braunwyn Windham-Burke, Shannon Beador and Gina Kirschenheiter looked appalled by her troubling anti-mask confession.
‘Kelly, I know Braunwyn did an interview when she said that you were not taking COVID seriously and there were a lot of people who expressed that on social media,’ Cohen asked. ‘What’s your reaction to that?’
‘I hate wearing a mask,’ the mother-of-one told host Andy Cohen, who battled the virus in March
Defensive: When the 52-year-old Bravo host questioned how many trips she took during the first six weeks of lockdown, the wife of Rick Leventhal admitted she traveled frequently to New York to take care of ‘business’
Dodd replied: ‘I said some things that I regret. I feel bad for anybody who’s lost loved ones. I think it’s horrific. I think it’s horrible. Did I take it seriously? Yeah, but I also was frustrated.’
When the 52-year-old Bravo host questioned how many trips she took during the first six weeks of lockdown, the wife of Rick Leventhal admitted she traveled frequently to New York to take care of ‘business.’
Over New Years Kelly and husband were spotted vacationing in Aspen.
Last month, she expressed regret months after she was at the center of controversy for making insensitive comments about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Back in April, Dodd called the outbreak ‘God’s way of thinning the herd’ in since-deleted Instagram Stories.
During an interview on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, she said admitted to be remorseful over her ‘insensitive’ words.
She said: ‘It was a stupid thing for me to say. It was insensitive and I apologize if I hurt or offended anybody cause that wasn’t really my intention. I got freaked out about it and, in hindsight, it was the stupidest thing I’ve ever said’
Taking a stand: In November, Cohen went on to ask her if she believes people should be wearing masks especially after her mom contracted COVID-19 and was in the ICU
‘It was a stupid thing for me to say,’ she admitted. ‘I apologize if I hurt or offended anybody cause that wasn’t really my intention. I got freaked out about it and, in hindsight, it was the stupidest thing I’ve ever said.’
She issued an apology at the time, but then weeks later in May, she bragged that she and her family weren’t wearing masks when they went to a restaurant while also claiming that ‘no one is dying’ in Orange County.
Cohen went on to ask her if she believes people should be wearing masks, especially after her mom contracted COVID-19 and was in the ICU last month.
Dodd said: ‘Well at first I was misinformed. You guys have to realize this was, like back in January when this happened. I was misinformed.’
Yikes: Back in April, Dodd called the outbreak ‘God’s way of thinning the herd’ in since deleted Instagram Stories
‘I didn’t realize not wearing a mask — I hate it. I’m claustrophobic. I can’t stand wearing a mask and now I understand the science behind it and I’m ready, willing and able to wear a mask and I know that it’s important,’ she said.
Her interview came amid reports that the US has reported its highest ever daily COVID-19 death toll with 117 Americans dying every hour in the past day last month- as an analysis of CDC data shows total fatalities could be as high as 386,000 as of January 14.
Back when she sparked controversy in April, the reality star was responding to critics who asked why she was flying from New York to LA at such a time after she posted photos from the empty airport and plane.
‘God’s way’: The Bravo star was responding to critics who questioned why she got a flight from New York to LA during the pandemic
‘If it’s dangerous why are the airlines still flying? You think I want to fly? I had to get back, how is that elitist?’ Kelly snapped back.
In a separate comment the TV star then claimed the people who have fallen victim to COVID-19 ‘would have died this year they were compromised,’
‘Do you know how many people died from the H1N1, the swine flu or SARS?’ she wrote. ‘It’s 25% get your facts straight you only hearing numbers not the reality! It’s God’s way of thinning the herd!’
Viral on Reddit: Kelly had a response for many of her followers who were angered at her comments and actions
She finished the comment with some ‘common sense’ ways vulnerable people can protect themselves.
‘If you are vulnerable or compromised, stay inside. If you don’t protect others by wearing masks and gloves keep your distance and don’t go out if you are ill,’ she ranted. ‘It’s common sense!’
Realizing how controversial her words were, Kelly later apologized In a selfie video, claiming her words were taken the wrong way.
‘I want to give a public apology. When I wrote this is ‘God’s way of thinning the herd,’ that’s not what I meant,’ she said.
‘I want to give a public apology. When I wrote this is ‘God’s way of thinning the herd,’ that’s not what I meant,’ Kelly said in her apology video later in the day
‘What I meant was, do these pandemics happen because it’s God’s way? I’m not God, I’m not insensitive. I feel bad for all the families who have lost loved ones.’ she tried to explain
Backtracking: ‘I want to apologize to anybody who got offended. I’m sorry.’
‘What I meant was, do these pandemics happen because it’s God’s way? I’m not God, I’m not insensitive. I feel bad for all the families who have lost loved ones. And I do think we should all stay home and protect everybody. That’s not what I meant, and I want to apologize to anybody who got offended. I’m sorry.’
At the time, the Bravo star had shared a video of her at the doctor’s office while getting tested for coronavirus.
Kelly winced as the doctor pushed a swab high up into her nasal cavity.
‘Getting my covid test!! That hurt’ she captioned the clip as she pulled faces at the camera.
Painful: On Monday the RHOC was filmed having the coronavirus test done despite having no symptoms
Ouch: Kelly winced as the doctor pushed a swab high up into her nasal cavity
Precaution: Kelly decided to get the test after flying back from New York to her home in Orange County, California
The move angered her Kelly’s fans who questioned how she could get tested without exhibiting any symptoms of the disease – and many people who are very sick are still having trouble getting tested.
One Instagram user asked: ‘How did you get tested? People who have symptoms can’t get a test [crying emoji].’
‘You can get tested if you know people!’ Kelly responded.
She knows people! Kelly explained she was able to get a coronavirus test because of her connections