Country singer Chase Rice faces criticism after joking that he has COVID-19 symptoms: 'Really in bad taste'
Country singer Chase Rice has again upset people amid the coronavirus pandemic.
He tweeted Sunday that he had lost his sense of taste and smell — a symptom that many COVID-19 patients have experienced — in the same tweet that he teased the release of a new song. Twelve minutes later, Rice said that on “a real note,” he didn’t have the virus that’s raging across the country and much of the world. But he was actually dropping a new track, a collaboration with Florida Georgia Line, called “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.”
Some people commented that Rice’s attempt at a joke wasn’t funny, especially when more than 267,000 had died from it as of Monday afternoon. They also noted that one of the members of Florida Georgia Line, Tyler Hubbard, tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month. It’s why Hubbard canceled his scheduled appearance at the 2020 Country Music Association Awards at the last minute. They also suggested that Rice donate proceeds from the song to those suffering from the virus or treating people with it.
I'm legitimately glad you're ok but it's NOT funny joking about having Covid. Especially to promote music. People are literally dying from it. And Tyler might not find your joke funny either since he's actually HAD Covid.
— 🎄Kay Watson (@Kaylore) November 30, 2020
I’m sure the family members of the 250K that have died of COVID appreciate your joke. And I hope everyone remembers @FLAGALine endorses COVID jokes when fellow Americans are in the hospital taking their last breath.
— ross (@OnceUponARoss) November 30, 2020
Really in bad taste to joke about Covid. Thought you had learned something since the concert incident this year. Guess not. Here’s an idea: take all the earnings from this song and donate to Covid survivors or donate PPE to local hospitals. Do better, Covid is not a joke.
— wendyrn11 (@wendyrn11) November 30, 2020
you made a joke in poor taste considering the state of our citizens at this time. i do hope you’ll sincerely apologize and donate a portion of the sales from this single to frontline workers and PPE as a good faith gesture. just a thought...
— flutie's girl (@flutiefan) November 30, 2020
imagine using a virus that one of the men THAT SANG WITH YOU ON THIS SONG has battled to promote the song. i KNOW he doesn't appreciate it. you should be ashamed of yourself.
— ?tay 4 (@larriscardigan) November 30, 2020
Nothing like a COVID joke. My wife’s a nurse.
— mike8 (@MikeCubfan) November 30, 2020
Yahoo Entertainment reached out to Rice’s record label for comment.
Rice was criticized in June after he shared footage of his first in-person concert in months, which showed a packed crowd, seemingly with no masks or social distancing, in Tennessee. There was enough backlash that he addressed it, saying, “You guys are everything to me so your safety is a huge, huge priority.” He then made his next show a drive-in event.
For the latest coronavirus news and updates, follow along at https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus. According to experts, people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised continue to be the most at risk. If you have questions, please reference the CDC’s and WHO’s resource guides.
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