Cody Simpson has seemingly questioned the necessity of Covid lockdowns as the highly contagious Delta strain rips through Australia.
The singer and aspiring Olympic swimmer, 24, shared his thoughts in an Instagram post on Wednesday, three days after his home state of Queensland was plunged into a snap lockdown.
‘Making the most of Aussie lockdown. We can’t train at our pool all week,’ he wrote next to a photo of himself posing at the beach with his hands raised towards the sun.
‘Turn off the news and go outside’: Cody Simpson, 24, has seemingly questioned the necessity of Covid lockdowns as the highly contagious Delta strain rips through Australia
‘But more importantly most people have had to shut their businesses. It’s a curious and complex argument but I hope the world can open again soon and we can go back to normal life,’ Cody added.
The Gold Coast native, who has a reported net worth of $6million, suggested that government officials who order lockdowns aren’t suffering like everyday Australians.
Rant: The singer and aspiring Olympic swimmer shared his thoughts in an Instagram post on Wednesday, three days after his home state of Queensland was plunged into a snap lockdown
‘If politicians and bureaucrats had to sacrifice their salaries or take pay cuts during lockdowns, I wonder how long they’d last? Food for thought,’ he asked.
Cody went on to say ‘the best armour we have is a healthy lifestyle and sustainable decision making’.
He also suggested ‘fear’ was being used as a ‘weapon’ to destroy ‘freedom’, and urged his followers to ‘turn off the news and go outside!’
Frustrated: The Gold Coast native, who has a reported net worth of $6million, suggested that government officials who order lockdowns aren’t suffering like everyday Australians
Cody has no scientific or medical qualifications.
He previously made headlines in 2015 when he tweeted a list of misleading ‘facts’ about vaccines and seemingly discouraged the vaccination of children.
The musician called on then-Prime Minister Tony Abbott to end laws that required parents to vaccinate their children unless a special exemption was granted.
Beliefs: Cody went on to say ‘the best armour we have is a healthy lifestyle and sustainable decision making’. He also suggested ‘fear’ was being used as a ‘weapon’ to destroy ‘freedom’, and urged his followers to ‘turn off the news and go outside!’
‘Tony Abbott let go of your controlling infant vaccination laws. I’m appalled. Free Australia. Free humanity,’ he tweeted.
Many followers were offended by Cody’s tweet, with one replying: ‘Hey Cody Simpson, remember that time you got polio? Or rubella? No? Must have been because your parents had a brain and vaccinated you.’
Another said: ‘Please take the time to understand the importance of vaccinations and the devastation that these diseases have caused globally.’
‘Free Australia. Free humanity’: Cody previously made headlines in 2015 when he tweeted a list of misleading ‘facts’ about vaccines and seemingly discouraged the vaccination of children
Backlash: Many followers were offended by Cody’s tweet, with one replying: ‘Remember that time you got polio? Or rubella? No? Must have been because your parents vaccinated you’
He later deleted his tweet.
It comes as Queensland’s latest Covid outbreak continues to grow, with 16 new cases of community transmission announced on Tuesday morning.
The lockdown in Brisbane and surrounding regions in the southeast of Queensland state was announced on Saturday and was due to end on Tuesday.
Outbreak: It comes as Queensland ‘s latest Covid outbreak continues to grow, with 16 new cases of community transmission announced on Tuesday morning. Pictured: People line up for a Covid-19 test in Brisbane, Queensland on Tuesday
However, the Queensland government has since extended the lockdown until 4pm Sunday 8 August.
On Monday, Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick yesterday announced a $260million support package for Queensland businesses.
‘We’ll be opening an 2021 COVID Business Support Program,’ he said. ‘That will be $5,000 grants available to Queensland businesses – not just businesses in the locked down area.’
Lockdown continues: People are seen exercising in Brisbane during the second day of south-east Queensland’s latest lockdown, which was extended yesterday until next Sunday, 4pm