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'No masks for elites': Outrage after celebs caught ignoring California’s mask mandate at Super Bowl

Hollywood stars who have been vocal in their support for mask mandates chose to skip wearing it at the Super Bowl despite California's indoor mask mandate

Many users on social media slammed several high-profile celebrities as NBC's Super Bowl LVI telecast showed them disobeying California's indoor mask mandates. After watching Jay-Z, Charlize Theron, LeBron James, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck enjoying the game without a mask while not eating or drinking, social media exploded. This was a breach of California's indoor mask rule, which is in effect until February 15. Face masks must be worn when indoors in public spaces - as in, inside a private box at the Super Bowl.

One teacher wrote on Twitter, “My students all have to wear masks all day tomorrow, inside and outside of their classrooms because we are in LA County. Same place as the Super Bowl. But not a mask in sight here.” In addition, children in the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra were forced to wear masks while other adults were not following the same norm. “No masks for the elites paying $9,700 for a #SuperBowl ticket. But for your kids 😷” a person added. 

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Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who responded to criticism at being photographed without a mask at a recent Rams game by stating that when he removes his mask for pictures, he holds his breath. Garcetti was seen at the Super Bowl, and he didn't appear to be wearing a mask while conversing with pals. One person posted on Twitter, “LA Mayor @ericgarcetti once again ignoring the mask mandate. That’s the second game in a row (last time he said he was holding his breath), but they are still forcing kids to wear masks every day.” 

LeBron James and 74-year-old retired basketball player Kareem Abdul Jabbar were also maskless. "Kareem has been very vocal on his stance as far as masks/vaccines & then shows up to the Super Bowl like this?" one woman asked. Affleck and JLo were spotted dancing in footage from the game, laughing and chatting indoors in a private box and both were maskless. Kendall Jenner, Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey Bieber were arranged at seated at prime seats at the front of the suite, all maskless. Jenner was also joined by her boyfriend Devin Booker.

Despite presenting a show that required visitors to wear masks, television star Ellen DeGeneres was also seen without one. A user remarked while posting a photo of Ellen is attending the event, “to all the people saying “but Ellen is outdoors” please explain why these kids are the only ones who have to wear masks outdoors at the Superbowl.” Another person added, “At this point, we are making kids wear masks to protect those adults that refuse to protect themselves. It is very rare that kids will get seriously ill. We aren't protecting them. It is time to end it.” 

Jay-Z was also spotted at the arena with daughter Blue Ivy Carter before Super Bowl LVI match, however, both them were sporting masks. However, he took it off during the match.