CBS News published a video titled “25 Celebrities sing ‘Imagine’ in isolation, creating a moving montage”. This YouTube video was posted on March 19, 2020, and currently has 213,309 views.
Under quarantine, we observe celebrities pulling apart the lyrics of John Lennon’s song “Imagine”. Line by line, they film themselves from their phones melodically presenting the lyrics.
It is the responses of CBS’s 2.43 million subscribers that really should be considered by their production teams. People are unamused by celebrities having this kind of attention during a health crisis. Users have posted comments that include harsh feedback and discontent, to say the least.
Not to mention one day before, on March 18, 2020, the New York Times released an article titled “Need a Coronavirus Test? Being Rich and Famous May Help”. The article was written by Megan Twohey, Steve Eder, and Marc Stein. They suggest that the rich and famous are receiving tests during a shortage of medical supplies and without showing significant symptoms. Utilizing connections and private health to get expedited services.
While New York is facing testing and shortages, The New York Times reports, “People with mild symptoms are being told to quarantine themselves at home. Even health care workers, at high risk of contracting the virus and transmitting it, have struggled to get tested.”
Entitlement and privilege is not novel in America. This is the harsh and normal reality of millions of Americans. Money can buy a lot in a capitalistic economy. The wealthy can afford better health coverage and access to doctors in a way that many people cannot. It would be of no surprise that this occurs with privatized health care. Those who can afford higher-quality health care do not necessarily receive the same accommodations as those using public health coverage. This has always been the nature of health industries.
Will there be a shift in politics? People need health coverage by law and this is an essential service. Voting against health services for the public should be heavily reconsidered because people don’t want to pay higher taxes for these types of services. We are now paying the price, as businesses are gouging essential items. Flaws can be voiced about the American health system, but more importantly, voice them during elections by being educated voters.
What is really discomforting is knowing how unbalanced our system is and how the community will respond to it once life re-settles. It is worth pondering how much kindness and appreciation we will keep in our daily interactions. Will people still be nice to retail workers or hospital staff? Will they support small businesses? Or will communities return to normal as if the system never faltered? I think a return to normalcy with no change is the scariest thought of all.
Observation of the comment thread to the video clearly shows that the public doesn’t receive Hollywood celebrities as idols or even leaders. Now networks shouldn’t be broadcasting politicians, celebrities, and influencers as a beacon of hope to pass the time. Families in financial turmoil cannot fundamentally connect to the millionaire montage. It is uncomfortable to watch a group of people half-heartedly sing a song that isn’t theirs.
I find this video as an excuse for a lack of answers. If celebrities need to save face for receiving special treatment, they can live stream their apologies on social media. The public would prefer news networks to provide updates on novel and relevant topics. There is no shortage of content worthy of television. There is a boom in the arts, musicians are releasing quality albums, and people are changing lives all over the world. There is little reason to shine a light on poor quality production using celebrities. People are not relating to the wealthy right now. Understanding that feedback can make or break viewership.