He shocked his fans when he said he would ‘absolutely not’ be taking the COVID-19 vaccine and that he was anti-vaccine – statements he later back pedaled and said he is not ‘anti-vax.’
And one week later, Anwar Hadid was seen having a blast – maskless – with friends in Mexico despite the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The 21-year-old brushed off his controversial statements as he high fived his pals and played soccer on the beach Tuesday.
No worries: He shocked his fans when he said he would ‘absolutely not’ be taking the COVID-19 vaccine and that he was anti vaccine – statements he later back pedaled and said he is not ‘anti-vax.’ And one week later, Anwar Hadid was seen having a blast – maskless – with friends in Mexico despite the global COVID-19 pandemic
The younger brother of models Gigi and Bella Hadid showcased his tattoos while going shirtless with plaid shorts.
Anwar – who is in a relationship with girlfriend Dua Lipa – played soccer with pals – all of whom were maskless as well on the beach.
His beach day with friends comes just a week after he answered fan questions that began the controversy.
Anwar, who was diagnosed with Lyme Disease alongside his mom Yolanda and sister Bella, was asked: ‘Will you take the vaccine,’ to which he answered ‘Absolutely not.’
Having fun: The 21-year-old brushed off his controversial statements as he high fived his pals and played soccer on the beach Tuesday
Good times: The younger brother of models Gigi and Bella Hadid showcased his tattoos while going shirtless with plaid shorts
Another person then asked ‘Why are you anti vax,’ to which Anwar said: ‘Either I just don’t get it and god willing heal from it and get antibodies rather than do that process unaturally [sic], our bodies are made by the creator to do way more than we think.’
He quickly backtracked on his interesting statements in another statement to Instagram: ‘I’m not “anti vax” I think everyone has to be careful with each vaccine individually looking at positive and possible negative effects.’
Anwar added that he has ‘taken vaccines before but as someone who has had a compromised immune system.’
![Wow: Another person then asked 'Why are you anti vax,' to which Anwar said: 'Either I just don't get it and god willing heal from it and get antibodies rather than do that process unaturally [sic], our bodies are made by the creator to do way more than we think'](https://i1.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/29/16/37292240-9096033-Backtracking_Realizing_the_stark_nature_of_the_language_used_las-a-34_1609261037852.jpg?resize=306%2C340&ssl=1){kind=tracking}
Interesting: Anwar, who has diagnosed with Lyme Disease alongside his mom Yolanda and sister Bella, was asked: ‘Will you take the vaccine,’ to which he answered ‘Absolutely not’
His latest statement: He quickly backtracked on his interesting statements in another statement to Instagram: ‘I’m not “anti vax” I think everyone has to be careful with each vaccine individually looking at positive and possible negative effects’
He noted that he wants to ‘continue to learn about the many ways I can protect myself in others’ and that he ‘never meant to offend anyone with my words, and I am so grateful for all the frontline workers and doctors and the powerful work they have done during this time.’
Anwar said that he’s listening’ and ‘all about the conversation.’
He concluded his statement with: ‘My response was not too [sic] a stance it was honestly just a thought, but I can’t expect you all 2 known where my heart and head is at and that’s where I went wrong, I will be more aware.’
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection from Borrelia burgorferi from getting bitten by an infected tick.
Ten to twenty percent of people diagnosed with Lyme disease and treated with antibiotics have symptoms that persists for six months or longer, according to healthline.
The chronic symptoms usually improve after six months to a year, the site reported, but some people have long-term symptoms including fatigue, pain and aching joints that can last years.
Anwar’s holiday comes amid an alarming surge in COVID-19 cases with 198,000 more cases and 2,048 deaths nationally.
His family: Anwar pictured with mom Yolanda and sisters Gigi and Bella
In total, the US has had 20.9 million plus cases with 354,000 deaths due to the COVID-19 virus.
Anwar lives in New York City, which has had over 1.04 million cases and 38,167 deaths with 11,242 new cases recorded Monday, January 4 and 166 more deaths.
Last week, more than 18,400 Americans died of COVID-19 with a seven-day rolling average for fatalities at just over 2,600 per day.
The number of deaths is expected to skyrocket due to the result of holiday travel and activities.
The super-contagious mutant strand of COVID-19 has forced the UK into their third lockdown; the strand has already been detected in the US.
Ten people spread across California, New York, Colorado and Florida have been confirmed to have the variant of the virus.
There are currently two vaccines that have been approved by the CDC in the US: Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, with three others in phase three clinical trials.
Both vaccines are administered with two doses- Pfizer’s doses are administered 21 days apart and Moderna is two doses 28 days apart.
The Pfizer vaccine is 95% effective, per the CDC and Moderna is 94.1% effective.
Currently, healthcare personnel and residents of long term care facilities are being vaccinated state by state per their protocol.
Frontline essential workers and those over 75 are also at a high risk of hospitalization and are in the next phase of vaccination.
December: Anwar was seen wearing a mask on December 20, 2020 in New York City’s East Village during a solo walk