CNN host Don Lemon railed against the general public for ignoring social distancing protocols from health officials.
On Wednesday, the host of CNN Tonight diverged from his planned coverage of the coronavirus to rant about growing outdoor activity by the public, complaining about traffic and accusing them of endangering others.
“Let me just say something before I move on with what I had planned here,” Lemon began. “I’ve seen so many people out and about lately, not socially distancing, not wearing masks, not following the rules. This is not over. You may think it’s over, because if you actually pay attention to what’s happening in Washington with this administration, not having the briefings, trying to — pretending that this is over. They want to move on to other things,” Lemon said, later sounding off on citizens who are “putting other people’s lives at risk.”
“So don’t get it twisted. Don’t sit there and think that this is over because you’ve been in the house for a long time. That’s not so. Think about the people who are giving up their jobs, who have come to New York and other places, and are putting their lives on the line and their health on the line. And yet you’re out running around, and you’re getting coffee, and you’re doing your thing, and you’re running around to the store without your mask, and I see everybody out — every day I come into work, I go between my house, the last two weeks, I’ve been to my house and work. And I see more and more traffic,” Lemon continued, noting he could not distinguish between essential and nonessential workers on a cursory glance.
“Until the authorities tell you it’s over, then it’s over. No more than ten people,” Lemon reprimanded his audience.
Lemon went on to describe how he feels lonely in his 100-story high-rise office building and understands concerns of others who may want to leave their homes, but said he, and others, should only do so when it is safe.
“Everybody wants to get back to work. But when it is safe. When officials, when the experts tell you it’s time to go back to work. It’s time to let up off the gas. Do it when the experts, the scientists, the doctors, not when the politicians who are playing political games tell you,” Lemon said.
