If you aren't vaccinated, Jennifer Aniston doesn't want to be friends with you
Friends actor Jennifer Aniston recently took to social media to defend her decision to cut ties with people who refuse to get vaccinated against Covid-19, saying her decision could potentially help decrease the transmission of the virus to others.
According to Oprah Daily, Aniston shared her decision during an interview with InStyle magazine. "There's still a large group of people who are anti-vaxxers (unvaccinated) or just don't listen to the facts. It's a real shame. I've just lost a few people in my weekly routine who have refused or did not disclose [whether or not they had been vaccinated], and it was unfortunate," she had said.
"I feel it's your moral and professional obligation to inform, since we're not all podded up and being tested every single day. It's tricky because everyone is entitled to their own opinion — but a lot of opinions don't feel based in anything except fear or propaganda."
Many netizens criticised and disagreed with the actor's decision in the comment section of Oprah Daily's Instagram when the publication shared Aniston's views.
The actor later shared her disappointment with the negative comments she was receiving on Instagram.
She then went on to defend her decision by answering a question posed to her by a user. "If she's vaccinated, she's protected correct? Why be worried about unvaccinated people around her?" the user asked critically.
"Because if you have the variant, you are still able to give it to me," Aniston replied. "I may get slightly sick but I will not be admitted to the hospital and/or die. But I CAN give [the virus] to someone else who does not have the vaccine and whose health is compromised (or has a previous existing condition) — and therefore I would put their lives at risk. THAT is why I worry.
"We have to care about more than just ourselves here," she emphasised.
According to People Magazine, Aniston has advocated for social distancing and other Covid-19 precautions since the beginning of the pandemic. She has strongly emphasised the importance of wearing a face mask to her followers on social media as well.
In May, the actor had also urged her fans to support the people of India when the country was in the midst of a deadly Covid-19 wave that killed many citizens.