Amanda Kloots responded to criticism after people on Instagram began to shame her for getting the COVID-19 vaccine in Los Angeles. As you might recall, the fitness guru lost her husband, Nick Cordero last year to complications caused by the virus.
The talk show host, 38, shared an image on Friday of her receiving the vaccine which angered many as the vaccines are only supposed to go to people over 65 and essential workers in Los Angeles. Now, she’s sharing the circumstances that got her to this point.
Amanda Kloots stirred up some controversy after she shared an image of herself getting the COVID-19 vaccine in Los Angeles.
“Can you explain why you got the vaccine ahead of 65 yr olds and first responders here in LA that [can’t] get them yet,” one follower commented on the Instagram post. “Inquiring minds want to know how you got your vaccine while those working in schools still cannot even book an appointment,” another person wrote.
The backlash prompted Kloots to change her caption on the image to address the growing frustration. She implores followers not to shame those who have received the vaccine. And, she explained that she is merely trying to protect herself and her family after the passing of her husband in July 2020.
“I went to a site and waited in my car until all appointments were over in hopes that they had any extra vaccines,” the TV personality wrote. “I was fully prepared to be turned away, but they said they had enough tonight for everyone waiting. I cannot tell you how emotional I was and still am right now.”
“I have been terrified since Nick has passed, as a single mother of getting this virus and now I am one step closer,” she explained.
Apparently, her amended caption did not do the trick so she took to her Instagram stories to talk further about the topic.
“First of all, vaccine shaming should not happen,” she said. “Everyone should be getting this vaccine, and anyone that gets it, we should be celebrating that one more person has got the vaccine.”
“I knew that I could possibly be turned away,” she went on, “but I drove [there], and I waited in a line in the hopes that at the end of the day, at the end of appointments, they may have extra vaccines that would otherwise be thrown out,” she said with tears forming in her eyes.
“And instead of being thrown out, they were put into an arm, an arm of a surviving single mother that deserves to have an extra vaccine that would have been thrown in the trash,” she revealed.
She apologized for getting emotional saying, “So, sorry that I am getting a little emotional, but this was a very emotional experience for me. I was perfectly fine being turned away tonight if that was the case. I was actually prepared to be turned away.”
“I was giving it a shot, and luckily the shot worked and they had availability and they were happy to have people there waiting with willing arms. And I was happy to be one of those willing arms,” Kloots concluded.
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Many of her fans came to the star’s defense. “To everyone commenting on this — y’all are on Instagram, right?” one commenters remarks began. “You should know by now there are lines in every major city for extras at the end of the day. I find it highly doubtful this is news to those of you trolling her. Weirdos. Celebrate anyone getting a shot — let alone a single mother and window because of this very virus.”
Even some celebrities felt the need to congratulate Kloots. “I’m so happy for you!!!” Jennifer Love Hewitt wrote.
“YESSSSSSSS @amandakloots i am so so happy for you,” echoed Jacey Duprie.
As with all forms of shaming, we were not a huge fan of the harsh criticism Kloots received. It would be ideal if women and moms could exist on the internet without having their every action and comment policed. Unfortunately at this point, it’s an inevitability so we were proud of Kloots for defending herself on this front.