Eric Clapton has outlined his views on Covid restrictions and the vaccine.
Clapton has been a longstanding opponent to the British Government’s Covid-19 restrictions as well as the ban on live music. Last December, he recorded the anti-lockdown track called “Stand And Deliver” with Van Morrison.
Clapton said that he became “disenchanted and suspicious” with the British Government since Brexit.
Clapton’s “Alternative data”
Clapton also told Oracle Films, that he began to consume “alternative data” about the pandemic via YouTube as well as the group of academics who were responsible for the Great Barrington Declaration.
Their call for a “focused protection” to those at risk from Covid-19 and a return to normal life for all others has received strong criticism from many health official bodies which include the World Health Organisation.
“The more I got into that, the more I realised I was distancing myself not only from the government but from the rest of the public too”, Clapton said. He also added that he became involved in anti-lockdown communities such as apps like Telegram.
Clapton on his “Pretty heavy feedback”
Clapton like many musicians had to cancel a tour in 2020, which he described as “devastating”.
Following this, Clapton said he considered leaving the UK entirely, but he had received such strong criticism stateside over his collaboration with Morrison.
“The minute I began to say anything about the lockdown here, and my concerns, I was labelled a Trump supporter”, Clapton revealed. “I got some pretty heavy feedback”.
The vaccine
Regarding the vaccine, Clapton revealed that he had “disastrous” side effects after taking the jab.
In this new interview, the singer said that he took the jab for the sake of his children. He added that the vaccine had left him “out for the count for a week”. He also said it worsened his peripheral neuropathy.
Clapton also claimed that the second vaccine dose left him unable to use his hands for three weeks. He said that he still “can’t touch anything cold or hot” without the use of gloves.
Clapton also said he is concerned about the long term effects that vaccines may have on his children.
“To talk to my daughters about, that they may not to be able to have kids, they probably don’t care”, he said. “That’s one of the risks I take by doing this. They’re going to look at me like, ‘Why don’t you just keep your mouth shut, dad?”.
There is no evidence to indicate that the Covid-19 vaccine hinders fertility in men or women.
“I don’t want to lose their trust and love”, Clapton said of his family. He also revealed that he has lost friends due to his stance.
“I would try to reach out to fellow musicians and sometimes I just don’t hear from them anymore. My phone doesn’t ring very often. I don’t get that many texts and emails any more. It’s quite noticeable”.
“Guilt tripping”
Clapton also accused celebrities from ethnic minorities of “guilt tripping their own communities”.
“That broke my heart and made me so angry”, he added.
On the government advertisements for promoting vaccines, Clapton said they “stepped into sadism for me. The photos of people on buses saying ‘Don’t let their sacrifice be in vain.’ That’s bad, it’s very dark. It’s victimisation is what it is”.
Clapton’s views were seemingly echoed by Noel Gallagher who also hit out at celebrities for encouraging other people to get the vaccine, saying “that’s how facism starts”.
Such celebrities have included Elton John.
