Ellen DeGeneres Is Getting Backlash Over Her Quarantine Joke
Ellen DeGeneres is officially back on air from home after putting her show on pause due to coronavirus concern. Unfortunately, the anticipated return to her talk show included a joke that isn't sitting well with some people.
On Monday, she came back to her show's afternoon time slot in an appearance filmed from her home, and referenced the self-isolation she's been undergoing to keep safe from the pandemic.
"This is like being in jail, is what it is," she said. "It's mostly because I've been wearing the same clothes for ten days and everyone in here is gay."
"The jokes that I have," she laughed.
I’m thinking of you and sending love to you all. There’s no better way for me to do that than from my show. pic.twitter.com/HsKvTorsLm
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) April 6, 2020
The joke garnered plenty of backlash as people pointed out the dangerous conditions and surging cases of coronavirus within jails across the country.
What a great look for Ellen as thousands of people sit in actual jail cells just hoping for the best without soap and basic protections https://t.co/RBytt0Kl4B
— Caroline Darya Framke (@carolineframke) April 7, 2020
You have any fucking idea how many human beings are locked in cells, sick, dying, terrified they’ll be next, because they couldn’t come up with a thousand dollars for bail, because they missed a court date, because they’re addicts, because we lock people in cells @TheEllenShow
— Lauren Hough (@laurenthehough) April 7, 2020
"Jail" https://t.co/XThdaX9IBx pic.twitter.com/hvJ0tqQYVU
— Nikola (@niktaylorde) April 7, 2020
"One of the most concentrated coronavirus outbreaks in the world is happening in NYC’s biggest jail complex...The jail’s top doctor called the situation a “public health disaster" ....One inmate said: "A lot of us are going to be going home in body bags." https://t.co/m1adElxfJP https://t.co/DIC6U4AwY8
— Christopher Mathias (@letsgomathias) April 7, 2020
A rep for The Ellen DeGeneres Show did not immediately respond to InStyle's request for comment.
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In light of the pandemic, some jails are releasing people to stem outbreaks, though some critics told New York Times this isn't happening quickly enough to prevent deaths. A doctor at Rikers Island in New York called the jail a "public health disaster unfolding before our eyes."
