Actor Kirk Cameron criticized for hosting 'irresponsible' caroling events as COVID-19 cases surge

Former '80s heartthrob Kirk Cameron has decided the best way to celebrate Christmas is by ignoring all public health warnings and organizing super-spreader caroling events, where people don't wear masks or social distance.

Cameron is an evangelical Christian, and in his invitation to his Tuesday night singalong, he urged people to "let your voice be heard at this peaceful protest praising the Prince of Peace." The gathering was held outside of The Oaks shopping center in Thousand Oaks, California, next to a COVID-19 testing site. The mall stated that it did "not condone this irresponsible — yet constitutionally protected — event," and asked Cameron to stop using The Oaks as a venue.

About 75 to 100 people showed up for the gathering, from children to senior citizens, ABC 7 Los Angeles reports. Footage shot from ABC 7's helicopter shows few people wore masks and there was no social distancing, in clear defiance of public health officials who have been begging people amid the pandemic to stay home as much as possible, avoid large groups, wear face coverings, and stand at least six feet apart from others.

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California is seeing a surge in coronavirus cases, leaving hospital intensive care units at capacity, but that hasn't deterred Cameron — who not only isn't a public health expert, but also never played one on TV — from holding his events. His first one was attended by hundreds of people earlier this month, and afterwards, Thousand Oaks Mayor Claudia Bill-de la Pena said, "Liberty and freedom are very fragile and they come with great responsibility. Continuing to hold large gatherings and ignoring all guidelines, I feel, is un-Christian." Catherine Garcia

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Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.