New York influencer Arielle Charnas was diagnosed with COVID-19. Then she went on holiday.

We are living in a new world. And this week, New York-based influencer Arielle Charnas was accused of being out of step with it.

It started on March 16, when the fashion blogger announced to her 1.3 million followers that she was getting tested for coronavirus due to some mild symptoms she was suffering.

Arielle explained to her followers that her doctor friend, Dr. Jake Detsch, was able to test her for the illness.

Some expressed concern that Arielle had access to a test, when there is a profound shortage of tests available in New York – the epicentre of COVID-19 in America.

Popular critic Diet Prada said Arielle’s documentation of her getting tested was representative of “what privilege looks like in the age of coronavirus”.

“The issue is still about the flaunting of privilege on social media during a time when so many people who are more at risk are being denied treatment,” the Instagram with nearly two million followers wrote. “Unless your condition becomes life threatening, you’re still advised to self-quarantine and nurse any symptoms regardless of whether you’re believed to carry the virus.”

Arielle responded by saying: “This is the last time I’m going to talk about feeling sick right now on my Instagram and move on to the things that make me happy, like my kids, family life, fashion and work. If it offends anyone or seems as though I’m being insensitive during this time, I’m sorry but it’s what I’ve chosen to do. Back to regular content/programming. Can’t wait to post my partnerships and my outfits from inside my apt every day.”

 

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It’s been 4 days since I started feeling incredibly sick. Each day the symptoms evolve into something else and while I can’t imagine how I’d ever catch coronavirus (from what I know I haven’t been in contact with anyone who has it) I’m dealing with the weirdest virus I’ve ever had since mono. I’m so happy my fever is gone but the body pain that I’m feeling today is unlike anything else. It feels like we’re all in a bad dream right now but I’m determined to bring back some normalcy to our lives. This is the last time I’m going to talk about feeling sick right now on my Instagram and move on to the things that make me happy, like my kids, family life, fashion and work. If it offends anyone or seems as though I’m being insensitive during this time, I’m sorry but it’s what I’ve chosen to do. Back to regular content/programming. Can’t wait to post my partnerships and my outfits from inside my apt every day. I promise they will be better than this one ???? – love you all, stay home and stay healthy!

A post shared by Arielle Charnas (@ariellecharnas) on Mar 17, 2020 at 6:33am PDT

On March 18, Arielle announced she had tested positive to COVID-19.

In her announcement she acknowledged the backlash she had received online.

“It is the responsibility of our government office to ensure all Americans can access necessary tests,” she wrote. “I acknowledge how lucky I am to have had that access.”

Eight days after announcing her positive diagnosis, the influencer began to post photos from the Hamptons, on eastern Long Island’s South Fork, with her family. It appeared that she had decided to self-isolate in the Hamptons, famous for being a playground for the wealthy.

 

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A post shared by Arielle Charnas (@ariellecharnas) on Mar 18, 2020 at 5:46am PDT

The order for everyone – but most importantly for those who actually have contracted the illness – is to stay home and self-isolate, as this is critical to slow the spread of coronavirus and mitigate the severity of the outbreak.

Further to being asked to self-isolate, people are being asked to refrain from visiting smaller towns to isolate in, to ensure the already-limited supplies and resources in those smaller communities are not exhausted.

Once again, and this time more than before, her followers were not happy.

Brands who she was working with began to pull.

On April 1, Nordstrom, a department store in the U.S. that previously had a clothing line with Arielle, tweeted, assuring their supporters that their “partnership with Arielle Charnas ended in 2019.”

On April 2, Arielle uploaded a post to her website with the title: “My sincere apology”.

 

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A post shared by Arielle Charnas (@ariellecharnas) on Apr 2, 2020 at 9:27am PDT

“I am not writing this to make excuses and I am not searching for validation; I want to share the truth behind the story and above all else, express my sincerest remorse,” she began.

“I apologise to anyone that I unintentionally harmed in the course of my decision making.”

She added: “New York City is dense, with the highest number of cases in the U.S., and we felt that it would be safer for us to resume our lives while continuing to quarantine elsewhere. That includes our nanny, who we love dearly and who has been with us every step of the way…

“All around the world, we are learning to adjust to the realities of life during a pandemic, and my family has made the decision to do so in the Hamptons. I know that a lot of New Yorkers have made the decision to do the same, and that this decision has faced legitimate criticisms in its own right.”

Read more on COVID-19:

• What you need to know about COVID-19 today, Saturday April 4.
• $11,000 fines and 6 months in prison: The COVID-19 penalties in each state and territory.
• ‘Can I visit my partner?’ All your questions about the two-person gathering limit, answered.

If you are sick and believe you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your GP ahead of time to book an appointment. Or call the national Coronavirus Health Information Line for advice on 1800 020 080. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.

To keep up to date with the latest information, please visit the Department of Health website.

Feature Image: Instagram. 

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