Channel Seven has issued a statement after Home And Away star, Sam Frost, tearfully declared she was not vaccinated.
According to news.com.au, a spokesman for Seven, said: “Seven strongly encourages vaccination for all our people and all Seven productions strictly adhere to the public health COVID-19 safe protocols.
“All Home and Away cast and crew also undertake COVID-19 testing three times a week in addition to other preventive measures. Sam Frost continues to work on Home And Away and follows the safety protocols in place.”
The response comes from Seven after Frost took to Instagram over the weekend to tearfully declare she is not vaccinated. Her emotional declaration was met with incredible backlash.
Frost, who is known for her time on both the Bachelor and Bachelorette and now as a star on the long-running soap, Home And Away, also has a huge social media presence, with over half a million followers on Instagram.
On the weekend, the actress uploaded a video on Instagram, where she declared she was not vaccinated, and tearfully discussed how she felt her choice was alienating her from society. She also encouraged employers to make their unvaccinated staff, feel “valued.”
It was a plea that has been criticised for its lack of awareness. Particularly because of Frost’s own inherent privilege. She is young and currently able to work on a hit television show, despite her unvaccinated status, and assumedly is paid well. Arguably it is difficult to consider her a “victim” during this Covid crisis.
ABC reported that you are four times more likely to die from COVID-19 if you are poor. Frost’s privileged position means that even if she did contract the virus, she is less likely to become very ill and more likely to make a full recovery. Though, her unvaccinated status may place those less privileged than herself at risk.
Frost said: “I’m not vaccinated and there’s a reason why I’m not vaccinated, there are a few reasons why I’m not vaccinated.
“It’s a really hard time to be in society now, and you feel like, you are less of a human, and you feel like people judge you, and you are too scared to talk, talk about your opinion or your feelings.
“I hope this segregation disappears and people treat each other with kindness, compassion and empathy.”
The video was met with immediate backlash. Many people took to Twitter to say call out her privilege, including Em Rusciano, who referred to Frost as, “A privileged white woman.”
Her use of the word “segregation” was also called out – because of its harmful history, a term usually associated with racial segregation and oppression.
This is not a real problem 😢
If medical reasons mean you can’t get vaccinated, then pro vaxx advocates are trying to protect you cos everyone who can needs to get vaccinated to protect those who CAN’T.
If you’re CHOOSING not to?
You’re not a victim
— Jess McGuire (@jessmcguire) October 9, 2021
Hot tip: Sam Frost if you want fewer people to judge you & more people to empathise with you — maybe, just maybe don't use the word 'segregation' 30 sec into your video. This isn’t 1950s Alabama. You ain't Rosa Parks.
OK. Thanks.
That is all.
Bye. https://t.co/6wsmJeWQwI— Antoinette Lattouf (@antoinette_news) October 9, 2021
https://twitter.com/EmRusciano/status/1446715428483452929
My review of Sam Frost using the word “segregation” to describe employment vaccine mandates. pic.twitter.com/Wbypqj1c7U
— Bhakthi (@bhakthi) October 9, 2021
Frost’s message was also slightly confusing, although she cited medical reasons for why she was not getting the jab, she also used the word “choice” a lot.
Either way, Frost’s admission seemed to miss the mark. Frost has since deleted her Instagram and continues to work on Home And Away.
