Fashion

Now Is the Time to Close Your COVID-19 Circle

It’s imperative that young, healthy, mobile people like myself reconsider how many people we’re coming into contact with; otherwise, we run the risk of infecting people who are far worse-positioned to recover from COVID-19 than we are….

There’s simply no way to get around it: COVID-19 cases are rising exponentially around the country, including in cities like New York and Los Angeles that were particularly hard-hit when the disease first entered the U.S. this spring. Chicago is on lockdown as of Monday, hospitals in Missouri are turning people away, and another school shutdown looms in New York. While all of this horror unfolds, the question we all thought we’d definitively answered in March has returned with a vengeance: What do we do?

In an ideal world, the federal government would take greater responsibility in helping the U.S. stem the tide of COVID-19 infections. Unfortunately, though, we still live in Trump’s America, and even liberal politicians like New York Mayor Bill de Blasio seem more concerned with issuing panicked exhortations on Twitter than shutting down indoor dining or taking any other meaningful steps to protect us.

Once again, Americans find ourselves in the all-too-familiar predicament of expecting more from one another than we can from our elected leaders; it’s maddening, certainly, to feel our every individual choice imbued with so much potential harm, but right now, all we can do is try—haphazardly and imperfectly, if necessary–to keep each other safe.

Right now, keeping ourselves and our communities safe looks different than it did even a few weeks ago. To avoid stigmatizing anyone else’s choices, I’ll submit myself as a test case; I’ve been seeing friends, albeit exclusively outdoors and with the benefit of masks and regular COVID-19 testing, since this summer. I’ve eaten in restaurants—always outside, but still—and I’ve gone on dates, even if they always came with readily exchanged negative test results.

Overall, I consider myself a responsible, if occasionally flawed, adaptor to these bizarre times, and a few weeks ago, I would have stood by any of the above choices; after all, we know that masks work, and that outdoors is far safer than indoors in most cases. As the positive rate in my home city of New York climbs toward 3%, though, I’ve once again learned to change my behavior overnight.

Ever since someone in my social orbit tested positive on Monday, the rules I’ve vaguely adhered to for the past five months have solidified and gotten more extensive as my anxiety levels have soared once again. The multi-person backyard hangs I got used to over late summer and early fall are over, at least for now; I’m not sitting down at a bar or restaurant again until New York cases drop significantly, no matter how well-spaced or uncrowded its outdoor-dining setup is; there will be no dates with new people for a while, even if I see a PDF of their negative results beforehand.

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Artist Spotlight

Ice Spice Stuns in Paris Fashion Week Photo Dump, Fans Celebrate Her Iconic Looks and Natural Glow

Ice Spice is showing that she’s not only a rising star in rap but also a true fashion icon. Recently, while in Milan, she brushed aside rumors about her dating football player Sauce Gardner and then took Paris Fashion Week by storm, leaving her fans in awe. In her latest series of Instagram photos, captioned “princess in paris,” she displayed an amazing mix of high-fashion styles, proving that she knows how to set trends. She flaunted various looks, from chic and cool to gracefully glamorous. Whether she was sporting wavy hair in a sheer dress or sleek and stylish in leather with straight hair, Ice Spice radiated confidence and creativity.

Some photos even featured her with fellow artists PinkPantheress and Chappell Roan, showing how well she blends music, culture, and fashion. Fans couldn’t help but shower her with compliments, celebrating her bold changes in style and her undeniable star quality. However, there was some chatter about her body along with the fashion talk. Some fans pointed out that Ice Spice seemed to have gained some weight, which reminded them of her earlier look, playfully nicknamed “Old Spice” by her followers.

While it’s easy for social media to focus on how celebrities change over time, it’s essential to remember that body image is a personal journey. As always, Ice Spice carries herself confidently, promoting self-acceptance and self-expression. No matter what others think, she embraces her individuality, balancing her artistry with a refreshing honesty that keeps fans engaged. Her time at Paris Fashion Week was a strong message. Ice Spice is determined to set her own. Whether she’s front row at the hottest fashion shows or casually sharing snapshots, the world is paying attention, and she’s making the most of every moment.

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Artist Spotlight

Adin Ross Blindsided by Kanye West’s Controversial Gift, A Swastika Shirt With His Name

Adin Ross is a well known streamer in the hip-hop community, famous for showcasing some of the biggest artists in the genre. He has hosted viral interviews and has helped amplify the work of music giants like Drake, earning a reputation as a connector between artists and their fans. However, things took a shocking turn with Kanye West, and the relationship may be irreparable. In the past, Ross has expressed his admiration for West and even tried to collaborate with him on his stream. Recently, West made a bizarre attempt to reach out to Ross by gifting him a custom t-shirt with a Swastika and Ross’s name. This left Ross, who is Jewish, feeling horrified and betrayed.

The awkward moment unfolded during a FaceTime call that Ross recorded and shared with his followers. What started as a friendly chat quickly turned shocking when West unveiled the offensive t-shirt. Ross was visibly stunned, exclaiming, “What the f*ck?!” as he processed what he had just seen. He paused the video and turned to his audience to express his disbelief. “He has a shirt with a Swastika with my name on it,” he said, clearly disappointed and in shock. His viewers reacted with outrage and support for Ross, flooding the chat with their messages.

Throughout the call, Ross tried to keep his cool and handled the situation carefully. He later explained that some fans might have expected him to confront West more aggressively, but he felt the entire situation was just too absurd. “I know y’all are gonna say I didn’t stand up to him,” he noted, emphasizing that his calm reaction didn’t mean he supported West’s actions. This incident is just another episode in Kanye West’s ongoing controversies, but for Adin Ross, it feels like a personal betrayal.

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