"I've just lost a few people in my weekly routine who have refused or did not disclose [whether or not they had been vaccinated], and it was unfortunate."
Jennifer Aniston is not taking no for an answer!
The FRIENDS actor has reportedly cut ties with some close friends in her circle because they haven't gotten their Covid vaccinations yet, or have chosen to not reveal. "There's still a large group of people who are anti-vaxxers or just don't listen to the facts. It's a real shame," she said in InStyle's interview.
"I've just lost a few people in my weekly routine who have refused or did not disclose [whether or not they had been vaccinated], and it was unfortunate," Aniston continued. "I feel it's your moral and professional obligation to inform, since we're not all podded up and being tested every single day. It's tricky because everyone is entitled to their own opinion — but a lot of opinions don't feel based in anything except fear or propaganda."
Her statement comes at a time when breakthrough cases (when fully vaccinated people contract the virus) are at an all-time high. However, according to PEOPLE, she was met with criticism for her opinion on vaccinations. Finally, when the Just Go With It actor had had enough of being criticized, she took to Instagram to share her honest thoughts, according to PEOPLE.
One person commented on a picture of the actor from a year ago, urging people to mask up: "But if [Jennifer's] vaccinated she's protected correct? Why be worried about [having unvaxxed people] around her?" To her, the 52-year-old actor responded via an Instagram story, "Because if you have the variant, you are still able to give it to me," referring to breakthrough cases of COVID-19 infections."
"I may get slightly sick but I will not be admitted to a hospital and or die," the Golden Globe winner continued. "BUT I CAN give it to someone who does not have the vaccine and whose health is compromised (or has a previous existing condition) — and therefore I would put their lives at risk."
"THAT is why I worry," Aniston said. "We have to care about more than just ourselves." After her statement, she put another Instagram story with a message that said, "What doesn't kill you mutates and tries again."
This is not the first time Aniston has shared her views on maintaining distance and implementing norms. In July 2020, Aniston shared a photo of her friend Kevin —who was hospitalized with COVID-19 months earlier— on Instagram as a reminder to continue wearing face masks.
“We can't be so naive to think we can outrun this,” Aniston wrote in the post’s caption. “If we want this to end, and we do, right? The one step we can take is PLEASE #wearadamnmask."
“Just think about those who've already suffered through this horrible virus," Aniston added. “Do it for your family and most of all, yourself: COVID affects all ages.”
Aniston also revealed that she’s had to reduce her news consumption as a result of the draining effect of the pandemic. “We all went through news fatigue, panic fatigue, during the pandemic because we were hoping one day we would wake up and hear something hopeful, and all we got was more insanity.”
References:
https://www.instyle.com/celebrity/jennifer-aniston/september-2021-cover-story
Cover Image Source: (L) Getty Images | Photo by Astrid Stawiarz (R) Instagram story | Jennifer Aniston
