The Kardashian clan will not curtail their plans for holiday parties amid the COVID-19 pandemic, despite repeated and furious backlash against several celebrations that flouted guidelines meant to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Following controversy over Kim Kardashian's 40th celebrations on a private island and Kendall Jenner's crowded, maskless Halloween-themed 25th birthday bash on a hotel rooftop, Khloe Kardashian has insisted the family will be charging ahead with their annual lavish Christmas party.
Responding to a fan who asked about the fate of the event this year, Khloe tweeted: "I pray not!"
"I think it will have to be way smaller obviously. And I'm totally fine with that! But we’re definitely celebrating Christmas! It will just have to be small and safe," she added.
"Maybe do rapid testing before. We have to think of what is safest."
Khloe's declaration that the Kardashians will "definitely" be celebrating the holiday with some kind of event as the US experiences a surge in coronavirus cases has infuriated fans, many of whom are in disbelief at the family's repeated refusal to follow the rules.
"You and your entire family are so out of touch with reality!" one angry Twitter user replied.
"Millions are struggling as essential workers to stay safe and healthy (me among them!), they struggle to put food on the table and be able to have access to health care! And your concern is your party?!"
"I love you and you're a badass but the safest way to do it is to just not do it," another follower tweeted.
"There's no 'safe' parties right now. And as someone who has had it, I thought you would be aware of that now and not be selfish and throw a party," they added, referring to the fact Khloe contracted COVID-19 earlier this year.
The family has frequently used the concept of rapid testing guests before events as an example of them implementing sufficient safety measures, however a recent study of one type of rapid test found that it only detected 32 percent of positive cases, and that those tests were only approved for use on symptomatic people.
Both Kris Jenner and Khloe mentioned frequent testing in defense of the Kardashian family's recent gatherings, however people pointed out that access to regular testing is difficult for many, and that the money spent on procuring large numbers of expensive rapid tests could be spent elsewhere.
"Is that the best use of the tests we have? So you can party? Just keep it to family. We are all making sacrifices this year," one tweet read.
"Khloe Kardashian is a selfish waste," wrote another. "If she had any empathy for other people during the pandemic she’d donate her rapid testing money to people who are actually suffering."
"Do you not care about the 240+ thousand of Americans who have died from COVID?" wrote a third.
"This is just selfish, pathetic and plain wrong."
