View source for Gia Gunn Apologizes For Calling COVID-19 A Hoax

Gia Gunn is apologizing after a video of her calling the novel [/news/coronavirus/index.html coronavirus] a hoax went viral. <br>The former RuPaul's Drag Race contestant posted a five minute video to Youtube on Wednesday, titled 'I'm sorry for calling COVID-19 a hoax.'<br>In the video, Gia apologized for the previous video and encouraged fans to practice social distancing and wear a mask as the pandemic continues. <br>         Apologizing: Gia Gunn posted a five minute video to Youtube on Wednesday, titled 'I'm sorry for calling COVID-19 a hoax,' after her controversial statements drew criticism <br>'I firstly want to apologize for using the word "hoax" when it came to COVID-19,' she said.<br>The 30-year-old continued to say that she has since realized the comment was harmful to those who have experienced the virus first hand and with family members. <br>   RELATED ARTICLES  [# Previous] [# 1] [# 2] [# Next]     [/tvshowbiz/article-8466359/RuPauls-Drag-Race-contestant-Gia-Gunn-comes-fire-calling-coronavirus-pandemic-hoax.html  RuPaul's Drag Race contestant Gia Gunn comes under fire for...] [/tvshowbiz/article-7863079/Salma-Hayek-dominates-black-pantsuit-Tiffany-Haddish-Rose-Byrne-Like-Boss-premiere.html  Salma Hayek dominates in chic black pantsuit with Tiffany...]   [/tvshowbiz/article-7779673/Lala-Kent-goes-bold-leopard-print-Scheana-Shay-Ariana-Madix-Fancy-AF-Cocktails-launch.html  Lala Kent goes bold in leopard print as she joins Vanderpump...]    <br><br><br><br>Share this article<br>Share<br><br><br>Saying: 'I realized that this was completely wrong of me and very insensitive especially to the families and people who have experienced tremendous amounts of loss and/or struggle due to this terrible virus.'<br>Gia went on to encourage safety measures as the coronavirus continues to see rising numbers across the U.S., and states keep limitations on gatherings and businesses. <br>          Harmful: 'I firstly want to apologize for using the word "hoax" when it came to COVID-19,' she said.<br><br>The 30-year-old continued to say that she has since realized the comment was harmful to those who have experienced the virus first hand and with family members <br>         Be safe: Gia went on to encourage safety measures as the coronavirus continues to see rising numbers across the U.S., and states keep limitations on gatherings and businesses <br>'With that being said I want to ask everybody to please put your masks on when you go out in public,' she said.<br><br>'And let's continue to practice social distancing because this virus has not gone anywhere.'<br>There are 2.74m confirmed cases of the virus in the U.S., and over 130k deaths.  <br>'It's up to us to look out for one another and stop the spread of this terrible, terrible virus,' she said. <br>In her initial video that went viral over the weekend, Gia criticized people for wearing masks amid the global health crisis and claimed everyone is being brainwashed into thinking the situation is worse than it actually is. <br>           Misguided: In her initial video that went viral over the weekend, Gia criticized people for wearing masks amid the global health crisis and claimed everyone is being brainwashed into thinking the situation is worse than it actually is <br>         Cute: 'I think everybody who is, you know, taking precautions is cute and it's definitely the thing to do, but I also think a lot of people are brainwashed.' <br>       'I think the whole mask thing is f**king ridiculous,' Gia said in an Instagram Live clip which was shared by Evan Ross Katz on Twitter.<br>'I honestly think this whole COVID-19 thing is a hoax.' she added, before continuing, 'I think everybody who is, you know, taking precautions is cute and it's definitely the thing to do, but I also think a lot of people are brainwashed. <br>'I think the more and more that we look around and see each other with masks on, the more influenced we are going to be to also put our masks on, which then to me, insinuates that everything is not ok.<br>'I'm here to tell you guys that I think things are more okay than the government is allowing you to think.' she added.<br>         Reflecting: In her video posted on Wednesday, Gia said she reflected on the initial statements.<br><br>'I've taken this weekend and some time to sit with the consequences of my actions,' she said. 'But most importantly to think and to wrap my head around this whole thing, but most importantly share with you guys what I have learned' <br>Gia's comments came on a day where coronavirus cases in the US rose by a record 45,242. <br>In her video posted on Wednesday, Gia said she reflected on the initial statements.  <br>'I've taken this weekend and some time to sit with the consequences of my actions,' she said.<br><br>'But most importantly to think and to wrap my head around this whole thing, but most importantly share with you guys what I have learned.'<br>Adding: 'As my parents always told me, it's okay to make mistakes just as long as you walk away having learned something.'<br>           Ignorant: Phi Phi O'Hara (Jaremi Carey) from season four hit back at Gia revealing that his mother has COVI-19<br>Several Drag Race stars slammed Gia for her misguided comments. <br>Phi Phi O'Hara from season four hit back at Gia's original comment, writing, 'My husband had and my mom HAS covid currently.<br><br>THIS IS NO HOAX @GiaGunn. Your video and comments are honestly quite ignorant and it would behoove you to step back from Twitter and educate yourself,  [http://momfuture.mystrikingly.com/blog/my-mom-is-my-angel-my-guardian momfuture.mystrikingly.com] false information is harmful to so many. <br>Aquaria from season 10 wrote: 'please @GiaGunn put on your stupid mask and let it be a reminder to not open your mouth when trying to influence your followers to practice the same unsafe actions you feel entitled to.<br><br>people are still dying. be grateful its not you or I right now.'<br>           Aquaria from season 10 wrote: 'please @GiaGunn put on your stupid mask'<br>           Apology: It seems Gia was also hitting out at restaurants that were asking to take her temperature so she could dine there as a precaution <br>Farrah Moan didn't beat around the bush as she hit back: 'STFU b***h and put your mask on. And stop attacking businesses on your social media for taking your temperature before entering.<br><br>People are dying.' <br>Following the backlash Gia issued an apology.<br>In another video she said, 'It's time for Miss Gia to take her own advice and do better.<br>           'Dumbest thing I've heard all week': Gia was hit with a deluge of criticism when her video went viral  <br>'With the 6,000 cases on the rise alone here in California, it's apparent that no theories, no questions, no excuses, it's time for us to put our masks back on. <br>'And for those of you that never took their masks off, I thank you and I commend you so much for setting the example that I wish I would have.<br><br>I thank you all so much for correcting me, educating me, and informing me.'<br>Gia rose to fame on Season six of RuPaul's Drag Race, Season 2 of The Switch Drag Race, and Season 4 of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars.<br>           Gia, pictured December 10 2019, rose to fame on Season six of RuPaul's Drag Race, Season 2 of The Switch Drag Race, and Season 4 of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars<br>