Ellen Pompeo Had A Harsh Message For Stay-At-Home Protesters
Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo is more than willing to speak out when there's something on her mind. Pompeo, who has starred on the hit series for 16 seasons, slammed rumors that her salary forced her co-stars' exit from the show, for instance, and she even opened up about getting robbed while on vacation in Italy. Her penchant for honesty might explain why she delivered a harsh message to those protesting stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus pandemic.
Although the true toll of the global crisis is uncertain at this time, a staggering amount of people have been exposed to the virus, and sadly, even died from the illness or related complications. That's why individuals are being asked to isolate themselves until the situation is under control, as staying at home will help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Although many experts believe social distancing is a top defense against the potentially deadly virus, some people argue the stay-at-home orders are supposedly unconstitutional and have taken to the streets to express their discontent. As for Pompeo's reaction to their outrage? Let's just say she didn't hold back.
Ellen Pompeo says protestors 'didn't get the memo'
Although a poll conducted by Reuters-Ipsos shows that 70 percent of Americans support the efforts to isolate, some people are protesting the protective measures — and Ellen Pompeo is not thrilled with their efforts. Pompeo shared her candid thoughts via Twitter in response to a Los Angeles Times article that detailed the actions of protesters in California.
"They didn't get the memo that this isn't about them," Pompeo wrote. "So if any of them get sick they should be fine with just going home and staying home caring for themselves ... you don't have the right to ask for help from people you didn't care about when you were waving your flag."
The actor noted that people are being asked to stay at home "for very good reasons," one of them being "to stop the spread to nurses doctors and anyone who works in a hospital housekeeping, security, [and] maintenance." She explained how protecting these groups helps hospitals from being overburdened in tough times.
And while Pompeo certainly made her point clear, she wasn't done by a long shot.
Ellen Pompeo also called out 'old white guy tv docs'
Despite Grey's Anatomy not always being medically accurate, Ellen Pompeo encourages people to listen to experts and not famous television personalities when it comes to serious advice. "The old white guy tv docs who say stupid selfish sh*t should yes ...walk that sh*t [right] back to your lazy boys and sit your stupid a**es down in your living rooms on your golf courses where you live," she tweeted, adding that she's "tired" of "out of touch old fools."
Pompeo was likely referring to figures like Dr. Phil McGraw and Dr. Mehmet Oz. The latter faced backlash during an April 2020 interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity, he advocated reopening schools across the country, arguing that this measure "may only cost us 2 to 3 percent in terms of total mortality," per The New York Times.
As for Dr. Phil (who isn't a medical doctor, BTW), he also stirred up strong reactions when he told Fox News, "Look, the fact of the matter is we have people dying — 45,000 people a year die from automobile accidents, 480,000 from cigarettes, but we don't shut the country down for that. But yet we're doing it for this?"
Both men backpedaled and apologized, but their efforts didn't appease Pompeo. And as it turns out, some fans don't blame her.
Ellen Pompeo's fans react to her tweets
Ellen Pompeo wasn't the only one who wanted to share their thoughts about the coronavirus stay-at-home protesters and TV doctors. After the star took to Twitter to express her opinions about the sensitive circumstances, her followers were quick to respond.
"I don't know how there are people who make this kind of protest. It's too irrational," one person tweeted in regards to those who opposed the order to isolate. Another fan thanked the actress and shared their personal connection with medical professionals, writing, "My daughter is a doctor at Jackson in Miami and my son is a doctor at Mount Sinai in NY," she wrote. "I worry about them every moment. They didn't sign up for this pandemic either — but they are playing their part and staying home is the part non-essential workers must play."
As for the "old white guy tv docs," as Pompeo referred to them, they also came under fire. "Omg, Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil have worked my last d**n nerve now with the protestors screaming for independence like we didn't have [it] already."
Although we can't say for certain, we have a feeling Pompeo and her fans also aren't thrilled with these celebs who didn't take the coronavirus seriously.