Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Gene Simmons praised for saying anti-vaxxers should ‘stop being selfish’ on GMB: ‘Get over yourself!’

Viewers praised Kiss frontman’s ‘spot-on’ analogy for getting vaccinated

Isobel Lewis
Friday 22 October 2021 11:21 EDT
Comments
Gene Simmons says Boris Johnson is ‘cool as cool can be’

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Gene Simmons has been praised for saying that anti-vaxxers should “get over themselves” and become vaccinated against Covid-19.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain on Friday (22 October), the Kiss frontman discussed reports of a surge in coronavirus infection numbers in the UK.

“Get over yourself,” the 72-year-old said of anti-vaxxers. “We’re not concerned if you agree with it or not, we’re concerned about you making us sick, so get your god damn Covid shot and protect other people from getting your stuff.”

Asked by Kate Garraway whether mask wearing should once again become mandatory in the UK, Simmons responded that “it should” and that fans for the forthcoming Kiss Kruise would not be able to attend without being vaccinated.

Now in its 10th year, the Kiss Kruise event – which sees the band perform aboard the cruise ship’s pool deck – will take place in November this year.

“Look, before [they] go to school you have to have your children get the flu vaccine and the polio vaccine, and there’s no discussion,” he said.

“‘What about my rights?’ Well, you don’t have as many rights as you think. When you get up to a red light, you must stop. There’s no choice. It’s because it’s not about you, it’s about the other innocent people going by.”

He continued: “Get over yourselves. Even when you get in the car, you must put on your seatbelt. ‘Well, you’re taking away my rights and the government’s telling me what to do.’ That’s right, the government is telling you what to do. Shut up, be respectful of other people and get a vaccine… stop being selfish.”

Simmons was widely praised on social media for his speech, with one Twitter user writing: “​​Top man Gene Simmons! Get a jab…”

“Gene Simmons telling it like it is this morning,” another tweet read.

“Honestly thought Gene Simmons would have dog s*** opinions regarding vaccines, fair play on him,” one commenter said.

Another echoed: “Seeing Gene Simmons trending and thinking ‘Oh, bloody Hell...’ but it turns out he’s neither dead nor being an awful person - and is in fact encouraging folks to get vaccinated. Excellent!”

“One for the best metaphors for Covid vaccination I’ve heard... from Gene Simmons of Kiss,” another commenter said of Simmons’s speech, while someone else added: “Gene Simmons red light analogy was spot on. It’s so simple!”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in