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Here’s a shocker for you. You know those rich and famous people out there in Hollywood? Some of those same people who claim to care so much for the average Joe’s well-being when it comes to COVID-19? Turns out that a bunch of them are more concerned about themselves. Hard to believe, right?
In the immortal words of American hero Kurt Angle, “Oh, it’s true…. it’s true!”
A new report by Variety paints a very bad picture of these Hollywood elite and how they are trying to circumvent the rules to make sure that they receive the first doses of the coronavirus vaccine and not the people who actually need it.
They are using private physicians, concierge services, on-demand doctors and their access private planes to engage in vaccine tourism so they can receive the coronavirus vaccine.
Beverly Hills-based Dr. Robert Huizenga confirmed to Variety that his practice has been offered in excess of $10,000 by individuals, including members of the entertainment industry, desperate to get vaccinated.
“We’ve been offered bribes. We see people taking planes to every location. We’ve seen people try to transiently get into the healthcare profession or on staff at nursing homes, so they qualify for an early vaccine,” said the physician.
Faking having a job at a nursing home so you can get the coronavirus vaccine is certainly one way to punch your ticket straight to hell.
Also, so many people have been flocking to Florida to get the vaccine (AKA vaccine tourism) that Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees is now requiring everyone to provide proof of residency in order to receive it. So, many of these people are instead flying to Hawaii.
“Industry people in these positions should be using their power to help and heal the system, not hurt it,” said one former healthcare worker-turned-media-executive.
Dr. Art Caplan, director of the division of medical ethics at the NYU School of Medicine, said he has heard of hospital donors seeking early access to the vaccine, or about concierge doctors being asked to provide it early for their wealthy clients.
“It’s bad behavior. It should not be condoned. We should find ways to penalize it,” he said. “We’ve got 91-year-olds waiting, health care workers waiting. People who are wealthy can easily find ways to quarantine, mask, and stay isolated for another month or two, and more vaccine will become available.”
Not every big name in Tinseltown is using their clout to jump ahead in line though. Arnold Schwarzenegger waited in line at Dodger Stadium’s vaccination site. Harrison Ford reportedly waited in line 2-1/2 hours at El Camino Community College after booking an appointment. Steve Martin waited in line at New York’s Javitz Center.
Of course, all of those guys are in their 70s and shouldn’t have to wait, yet they did. Good for them.