Gene Simmons blasts people who are sceptical of wearing face masks

NME

Gene Simmons has a bee in his bonnet again, but this time, he may actually have a point.

Taking to Twitter earlier today (March 20) the often outspoken KISS bassist blasted people who are sceptical of mask-wearing during the coronavirus pandemic, saying they pose a risk to themselves and those around them.

The musician likened his argument to traffic laws, saying in his initial post, “You must stop at a red light, and you must put on your seatbelt, and you can’t drive over the speed limit. Your rights stop if you effect others. So why should you have a say in not wearing a mask in public?”.

You must stop at a red light, and you must put on your seatbelt, and you can’t drive over the speed limit. Your rights stop if you effect others. So why should you have a say in not wearing a mask in public?

— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) March 19, 2021

A few hours later, Simmons made a comparison with why surgeons wear masks in operating rooms, saying, “Why is it ALL surgeons, without exception…anywhere in the world, wear masks during surgery!!! Do you think they do that for political reasons, or could it be you are delusional and are hanging out with losers”.

Another question for all you geniuses out there. Why is it ALL surgeons, without exception…anywhere in the world, wear masks during surgery!!! Do you think they do that for political reasons, or could it be you are delusional and are hanging out with losers. . What say you?

— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) March 20, 2021

Simmons’ comments sparked debate among his followers, some agreeing with his opinion, with tweets such as; “people think having to wear a mask for 30 mins to go to the grocery store is infringing on their constitutional right”, and “I’ve never liked you more than I do right now!”.

Mask deniers could voluntarily declare to do without a hospital bed if they should become infected with covid.
(Which by their definition cannot happen anyway, so they have nothing to lose.)

— snearch (@cloudoffice21) March 20, 2021

Surgeons can wear masks for hours on end during surgery and won’t complain once and some people think having to wear a mask for 30 mins to go to the grocery store is infringing on their constitutional right.

— Chris Rahn (@chrisrahn) March 20, 2021

I’ve never liked you more than I do right now! Thanks for helping keep us safe so we can reopen and go to concerts! PS….@kiss Dressed to Kill was released on this day in 1975! What a wonderful gift to the world @genesimmons @PaulStanleyLive pic.twitter.com/tsrq35RSZp

— Tim Hayes (@TimHayesNYC) March 20, 2021

Others argued that Simmons’ comparison was moot, saying, “I’m not sure that being required to wear a mask in a sterile environment is the same as wearing one in public” and “this is a bad argument”.

I love you Gene, and I see the point you are trying to make, but I’m not sure that being required to wear a mask in a sterile environment is the same as wearing one in public.

Still would like a signed photo of @kiss to hang in my classroom though.

— Brandon Rice (@BallCoach15) March 20, 2021

Seriously? It's to protect from blood splatter, period. They also wear gloves, should we all wear gloves? Should we all wear masks for the rest of our lives?
I'm all for using the masks, and I do, but this is a bad argument imo.

— Edward Garbowski Jr (@exg001) March 20, 2021

It’s not the first time Simmons has criticised people for not adhering to the mask-wearing recommendations in America.

Last December, Simmons appealed to everyone to wear a face mask, sharing a photo of KISS donning masks ahead of a virtual concert.

“Wear your masks. Even if it’s only as a courtesy,” he said. “If you yawn, or sneeze, you don’t think twice about covering your mouth. Do the rest of us a favor! Mask Up! … Besides, it looks cool.”

Simmons’ bandmate, Paul Stanley, had previously also urged people to wear masks, tweeting last July, “Don’t listen to conspiracy theorists or graduates of The Internet University Of Medicine”.

Recently Simmons was slammed for his comments accusing young fans of being the culprits for “the death of rock”. Blaming, among other things, streaming and digital downloads, he said, “You killed the thing you love”.

Legendary shock-rocker Alice Cooper hit back shortly after, arguing that “Kids are learning hard rock right now”.

Cooper defiantly told NME in a recent interview that a new generation of rock stars are preparing for greatness in their homes right now.

“Gene Simmons – I would like him to do my taxes because he’s a businessman and that’s valid, but I guarantee you right now that in London somewhere, in garages, they’re learning Aerosmith and Guns ‘N’ Roses,” he said.

“There’s a bunch of 18-year-kids in there with guitars and drums and they’re learning hard rock. It’s the same with the United States: there’s all these young bands that want to resurge that whole area of hard rock.”

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