Gene Simmons educates fans after some say face masks don't help fight coronavirus: 'Don't talk out of your a**'
KISS co-lead vocalist and bassist Gene Simmons has responded to some concerning social media comments regarding the usage of face masks during the coronavirus pandemic. On May 2, after the rocker shared a photo on Twitter of a fan wearing a KISS bandana as a mask, a follower replied that cloth masks "don't keep you safe". Simmons, however, wasn't letting this one slide.
A follower responded to the post saying, "Except those cloth masks don’t keep you safe only a medical mask does and a good one at that." This had the rockstar ready with an answer or two. He said, "You are incorrect and misinformed," and added, "The idea of cloth masks or any other kind of mask, is not to protect you. It’s to protect everybody else around you in case you cough or talk. It's not about you, David. It's about protecting everybody else. From you."
Another follower decided to get in on the argument and added, "With all due respect, Gene. Face covers don't prevent the spread of viruses. It’s more of a psychological thing. It’s social pressuring. You are disrespectful if you don’t cover your face. It’s nonsense." Simmons kept a cool head at this point and wished them "good health". He also went on to add, "Please wear a mask, to prevent your cough, sneeze or other, from infecting people. Be safe, not sorry."
Simmons got further involved with more one-on-ones and insisted that people should "respect others" and 'WEAR A MASK!" He seemed to get increasingly frustrated as fans kept arguing, but offered some useful reading material to support his point that masks will help flatten the curve during the spread of COVID-19.
He said, "Some of you believe masks do nothing. False! Even covering your mouth when you sneeze with your HAND (much less a cloth mask) helps cut down germs. DO YOUR RESEARCH. Don’t talk out of your a**... Respectfully."
Simmons showed he had been doing research of his own and shared a CNN video on May 3 about how far coughs can travel. He tweeted, "WEAR MASKS! Stay 10 ft. away from each other. Please!!!"
KISS has contributed to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus by launching a new line of face masks which carry images of the band members. According to Billboard, all proceeds will go to Live Nation's Crew Nation, which is aiding touring and venue crews as a growing list of live shows are being canceled during the pandemic.
