FEATURE:
The Maskless Singer
IN THIS PHOTO: Noel Gallagher/PHOTO CREDIT: Mitch Ikeda
Revered Artists Who Are Sending Out a Very Bad Message
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I know most people…
are pretty sensible when it comes to COVID-19, and the fact that we need to wear a mask when on public transport and indoor spaces. Everywhere I travel on public transport, there are plenty not wearing a mask, or many sort of draping it over their mouth or chin! There are exemptions in place – anyone with breathing difficulties, for example, does not need to wear one -, but so many of those I have seen not wearing a mask would struggle to have a genuine excuse! The same goes for shops and indoor spaces – so many people ignoring the law and doing what they want! It is aggravating to see it happen and one is hardly surprised there are so many cases of COVID-19 in the U.K. given the number of people who are not obeying the rules. It is not just the general public who are breaking social distancing rules and not wearing masks when they should be. There is plenty of insanity from the music world. Whilst the vast majority are being sensible and sending out the right message – to follow the rules -, there are artists holding gigs without social distancing (Smash Mouth are one example), and others that are defying the rule regarding masks. Ian Brown is someone who has tweeted about his feelings, and he seems to think that there is some sort of conspiracy and that we do not need to wear masks! A fellow northern singer, Noel Gallagher of Oasis, is the latest artist to refute masks and ask what the point is.
IN THIS PHOTO: Ian Brown
I am not suggesting that there is this subset of former northern music heroes who just have this attitude, but I would not be shocked if Morrissey was the next to have his say! This article from The Guardian from earlier in the week discussed the Noel Gallagher quagmire furthere:
“Noel Gallagher has said he refuses to wear a mask during the coronavirus pandemic, complaining that it is a violation of his liberty.
Speaking on the Matt Morgan podcast, the former Oasis guitarist said: “It’s not a law. There’s too many fucking liberties being taken away from us now … I choose not to wear one. If I get the virus it’s on me, it’s not on anyone else … it’s a piss-take. There’s no need for it … They’re pointless.”
Gallagher said he had resisted calls to wear a mask on a train and in shops. “I was going up to Manchester the other week and some guy’s going, ‘Can you put your mask on,’ on the train, ‘because the transport police will get on and fine you a thousand pounds. But you don’t have to put it on if you’re eating.’ So I was saying: Oh right, this killer virus that’s sweeping through the train is gonna come and attack me, but see me having a sandwich and go, leave him, he’s having his lunch?
“Why do you have to wear one when you’re having a fucking haircut, but you don’t have to wear one in the pub?” he added. He referred to Morgan, who argued in favour of mask wearing, as a “cowardly germophobe”.
Contrary to Gallagher’s complaint, by UK law you must wear a face covering on public transport, as well as in concert halls, shops, hotels and numerous other public locations”.
Fortunately, many people have condemned Gallagher, and there was a backlash against Ian Brown (and others) regarding their mask stance. One hopes that Noel Gallagher does not try and host a gig because he feels social distancing is pointless and COVID-19 is nothing to be worried about. The problem is, many people look up to artists like Gallagher, and they see him as a hero. I know many will feel that, if Noel Gallagher is not wearing a mask and feels he will be safe, then what is the point of doing it?! That will lead to others discarding masks and distancing rules, but on a larger scale, it is quite irresponsible and dangerous for any artist to promulgate recklessness that flies in the face of medical and governmental advice. I do fear for those who take Noel Gallagher’s words to heart, and I do hope that there is not a wave of artists out there who feel the same way as Gallagher and Ian Brown. If in doubt, listen to Paul Rudd, but it will be interesting to see if Liam Gallagher – there is always a bit of spat between the two – retorts with a tweet of his own! Even though he is not keen on masks, he is still wearing one, so there is one slightly responsible Gallagher brother! Many can brush off artists saying stupid things because we know what the right thing to do is, but there will be fans who follow their idols and copy what they do. Not that there is a way for social media or record labels to punish artists who send out such bad messages, but let’s hope that this sort of irresponsibility and naivety is not spread…