'Real Housewives' star Kelly Dodd apologizes for saying coronavirus is 'God's way of thinning the herd': 'Forgive me'
Kelly Dodd made it clear on Season 12 of the Real Housewives of Orange County — "If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you" — but a lot of people were unhappy with her hot take about the coronavirus. The Bravo star issued an apology Tuesday for saying the pandemic is "God's way of thinning the herd."
Dodd sparked controversy in since-deleted Instagram comments when she was defending her recent choice to fly while experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, according to Newsweek. Dodd even posted a video on her Instagram story Monday of her getting swabbed for COVID-19. The reality star was quickly called out by her 757,000 followers.
"She's in NY then the Hamptons and now flying home. This girl is making a mockery of this. I'm not surprised. More like embarrassed for her," one person wrote.
Dodd, who is engaged to Fox News Channel senior correspondent Rick Leventhal, has been traveling back and forth from California to New York, where her fiancé is based.
"If non-essential workers keep traveling back and forth like you, it will last longer," another person wrote. Dodd responded directly to the Instagram user, saying, "It's essential that I get back home! I waited...I'm not spreading anything..."
"If it’s dangerous why are the airlines still flying? You think I want to fly? I had to get back, how is that elitist?? People are so judge mental it's sick!!" Dodd replied to someone else.
In another comment Dodd added, "Do you know how many people died from the H1N1, the swine flu or SARS ?? It’s 25% get your facts straight you only hearing numbers not the reality!! It’s God’s way of thinning the herd!! If you are vulnerable or compromised stay inside if you don’t, protect others by wearing masks and gloves keep your distance [glove emoji] and don’t go out if you are ill !! It's common sense!"
Dodd issued an apology Tuesday afternoon after that comment made headlines.
"I want to give a public apology," she began on her Instagram story. "When I wrote that it's 'God's way of thinning the herd' that's not what I meant. What I meant was, do these pandemics happen because it’s God's way? I'm not God, I'm not insensitive, I feel bad for all the families that lost loved ones and I do think we should all stay home and protect everybody. That's not what I meant and I want to apologize to anyone that got offended, OK? I'm sorry."
The television star continued her mea culpa in another video.
"So for anybody who felt offended by my stupid writing of God thinning the herd, I don't — I'm just asking a question," she continued. "Is it God's way of thinning the herd? I don't know. I just feel bad and my choice of words were stupid and I hope you guys can all forgive me for saying something so ridiculous and so stupid. So again, please accept my apology and I feel bad for everybody out there that has lost loved ones and I hope everybody's safe and protects themselves from this pandemic."
Dodd has starred on the Bravo show since 2016 and survived this year's major overhaul that saw longtime cast members Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Judge depart. Filming had begun on Season 15 when production was shut down due to the pandemic.
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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