Isbell on Covid vaccines: “If you’re dead, you don’t have any freedoms at all”

Live Nation recently announced that artists in the US will have the option to decide on whether fans need to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination to get into their shows, and Jason Isbell in response has spoken about why he will uphold those requirements at all of his upcoming autumn dates with the 400 Unit, in the process justifiably losing his rag with an anti-vaxxer on Twitter.

“They’re just getting so much pushback from some of the governors of certain states who want to kowtow to their political base and try to make people think their freedom is being encroached upon,” Isbell said during an appearance on MSNBC. “I’m all for freedom, but if you’re dead, you don’t have any freedoms at all… People who work at the venues and who work in the music business understand. A lot of these smaller venues, they’re not going to be able to reopen if they go through another round of shutdowns.”

It’s fair to say that not all musicians share Isbell’s view. It’s also fair to say Isbell hasn’t got much patience with them:

Isbell continued: “This one does piss me off, I have to admit. How many kids are in the hospital in Louisiana right now, the place you love so much, @MarcBroussard? How many of our heroes died in the last year and a half? You seriously need to rethink some shit.”

Round two will hopefully be Isbell vs Clapton, then round three Isbell vs Van Morrison. We know which horse we’re betting on.

About Mark Whitfield 2013 Articles
Editor of Americana UK website, the UK's leading home for americana news and reviews since 2001 (when life was simpler, at least for the first 253 days)
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JEREMY BARNES

Thanks Jason. Truth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lynn Lancaster

I already feel better about my Jason Isbell tickets for a November show that was originally scheduled in 2020. I’ve been having second thoughts recently. Thanks for caring about others.

Dave Smith

So, it appears that Isbell is medically better qualified than Clapton! Does he know that the transmission of C19 has no bearing on whether you are vaxed or unvaxed. Virtue signalling at it’s very best.

Dave Smith

I wouldn’t disagree with you Mark, but Isbell’s stance is more about protecting his career than anything to with C19 transmission. Just another musician following the MSM line of total compliance without any critical thinking.

[…] recently had a Twitter spat with an anti-vaxxer which as entertaining as it was to watch, showed the strong resistance in some parts of the music […]

[…] lately had a Twitter spat with an anti-vaxxer which as entertaining because it was to observe, confirmed the robust resistance in some elements […]