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Real Housewives star Kelly Dodd has apologised after claiming that the coronavirus pandemic is “God’s way of thinning the herd” during an argument with her followers.
Dodd had sparked controversy by defending her decision to travel between California and New York, where her fiancé is based, while she was experiencing Covid-19 symptoms.
Dodd is engaged to Fox News Channel senior correspondent Rick Leventhal.
“She's in NY then the Hamptons and now flying home. This girl is making a mockery of this. I'm not surprised. More like embarrassed for her,” one person wrote.
“If non-essential workers keep traveling back and forth like you, it will last longer,” another person wrote. Dodd responded directly to the Instagram user, saying, “It's essential that I get back home! I waited...I'm not spreading anything...”
Dodd replied: “If it’s dangerous why are the airlines still flying? You think I want to fly? I had to get back, how is that elitist?? People are so judge mental it's sick!!”
In another comment she wrote: “Do you know how many people died from the H1N1, the swine flu or SARS ?? It’s 25 per cent get your facts straight you only hearing numbers not the reality!!
“It’s God’s way of thinning the herd!! If you are vulnerable or compromised stay inside if you don’t, protect others by wearing masks and gloves keep your distance [glove emoji] and don’t go out if you are ill !! It's common sense! [sic]”
After her comment about “thinning the herd” made headlines, Dodd issued an apology.
“I want to give a public apology,” she began on her Instagram story. “When I wrote that it's 'God's way of thinning the herd' that's not what I meant. What I meant was, do these pandemics happen because it’s God's way?
“I'm not God, I'm not insensitive, I feel bad for all the families that lost loved ones and I do think we should all stay home and protect everybody. That's not what I meant and I want to apologise to anyone that got offended, OK? I'm sorry.”
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In another video, she continued: “So, for anybody who felt offended by my stupid writing of God thinning the herd, I don't — I'm just asking a question,” she continued. “Is it God's way of thinning the herd? I don't know. I just feel bad and my choice of words were stupid and I hope you guys can all forgive me for saying something so ridiculous and so stupid.
“So again, please accept my apology and I feel bad for everybody out there that has lost loved ones and I hope everybody's safe and protects themselves from this pandemic.”
Dodd has starred on Bravo’s Real Housewives of Orange County since 2016. She remained on the show after a major overhaul that saw the departure of longtime cast members Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Judge.
Filming on season 15 has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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