Cardi B apologized after backlash about her large Thanksgiving gathering which included 12 children and 25 adults.
Cardi B, who lives in Atlanta with her husband Offset and their daughter Kulture, was among millions of Americans celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday.
While thanksgiving is normally celebrated with family, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advised people to avoid large gatherings because of the coronavirus outbreak, and instead enjoy the holiday only with those in the same household.
Offset shared the video online showing a large gathering of people dancing together in their Atlanta home. There is no evidence of social distancing and no one is seen wearing a mask, defying even more of the CDC’s advice.
Cardi B added fuel to the fire by writing about the gathering on Twitter: “12kids and 25 adults over the holidays. It was lit !!”
Coronavirus can be spread from person to person through droplets, and while some experience very mild symptoms, it can be fatal for others. It can take days for symptoms to emerge, and sometimes they are hard to identify, which means people carrying the virus can go undiagnosed and spread it to those they come in to contact with.
Having large gatherings can increase the risk of spreading the virus among those involved and those with who they may have contact afterward.
As a result of these risks, Cardi B was met with backlash after seemingly boasting about her Thanksgiving. A Twitter user responded to say it ‘doesn’t sound like something to be proud of’, while others slammed the rapper’s actions as ‘irresponsible’, ‘ignorant’, and ‘stupid’.
On the other hand, a number of Cardi’s fans stood up for her, arguing the rapper had been diligent with wearing a mask and encouraging others to stay safe. The rapper later issued an apology for having angered people, explaining she’d made sure everyone at the gathering had been tested before attending.
“Sorry, my bad wasn’t trying to make nobody feel bad. I just had my family in my home for the first time and it felt so good & uplifted me. I spent so much money getting every1 tested but it felt worth it. I wasn’t trying to offend no1 [sic].”
The rapper later added that she and everyone who ‘works around’ her get tested ‘literally 4 times a week’, saying: ‘I’m [sic] In the middle of work and every time we clock in we MUST GET TESTED !’
Coronavirus cases continue to rise in the US, with more than 13 million confirmed cases reported since the outbreak began.