Rosie Perez and Chris Rock decry the 'arrogance' of those not wearing masks

Rosie Perez
(Image credit: CNBC Television)

Live from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's (D) coronavirus press conference, it's Chris Rock and Rosie Perez with an important message about wearing masks.

Cuomo during his daily press conference on Thursday said he was "trying different ways" to communicate the importance of face coverings and social distancing during the coronavirus crisis, and he brought in "two great New Yorkers" who will help by doing advertisements for the state: Rock and Perez.

Perez had a message for those who aren't following the state's guidelines: "Just know that you're not just disrespecting yourself, you're disrespecting your loved ones, your communities, your neighbors, everyone," she said, adding, "Get tested, wear a mask, and let's help fight this virus. We can do it."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Rock echoed that sentiment, saying "everybody that can get tested, should get tested as soon as possible" while comparing social distancing and mask-wearing to taking a prescription.

"Social distancing is what was the prescription, and we need to take the whole dose, or else it's going to get worse," Rock added.

But Rock commented that in Brooklyn, he's observed only about 40 percent of people wearing masks, observing that it's "sad that our health has become a sort of political issue." Perez also decried especially those "hipsters and yuppies" in affluent communities not wearing masks, saying "everyone needs to get on board" and "put your arrogance aside," referencing one of her most famous films by urging these people to put a mask on and "do the right thing." Brendan Morrow

YouTube YouTube
Watch On
Explore More
Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.