Tully Smyth Is Getting Dragged For Trying To Catch COVID
Big Brother alum Tully Smyth has found herself in hot water after telling her 200k Instagram followers that she was isolating in Melbourne with her COVID-19 positive partner in an attempt to catch the deadly virus.
The influencer’s bizarre announcement comes as both Victoria and New South Wales have seen COVID cases skyrocket in recent weeks to unprecedented numbers. Tully hard-launched her new boyfriend Daniel Parasi in December, revealing in an Instagram post that she had been low-key dating him for six months.
On Tuesday, Tully revealed that Daniel had tested positive for COVID, and she said after much deliberation that she had decided to move in with him in an effort to catch the virus too. “I’ve decided to pack my stuff and move in for the week to hopefully catch it sooner rather than later,” she wrote. “Packing essentials [such as] lots of loungewear and oversize tees, 4 books, Monopoly Deal, a nice smelling candle, ear plugs (jokes bby) and, of course, the golden ticket RATs. Wish me luck!”
I have no words.
On Tully’s second day of isolation, she posted an image showing that she had tested negative to a rapid antigen test, writing that she was “annoying invisible so far”. Must be nice! In another Instagram Story, Tully said that she hoped herself and her partner would get COVID at the same time so they wouldn’t have to isolate in the future and could attend weddings and other events.
🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ Tully Smyth thinks going to her Covid positive boyfriend’s house to “hopefully catch it sooner than later” is better for their social schedule. I can’t even 🙄😑 She is an influencer. I hope she doesn’t “influence” those in her audience to do this #COVID19Aus pic.twitter.com/YWJl1N6G5h
— Yumiko Kadota (@mindbodymiko) January 5, 2022
Tully also revealed that she had cancelled her booster shot, deciding to isolate with a positive COVID case instead. Makes sense!
Unsurprisingly, Tully was immediately called out for her irresponsible post. The So Dramatic! podcast Instagram page said that Tully was sending a dangerous message as in some cases, contracting COVID can result in serious and longterm illness, or even death.
The podcast’s host Megan Pustetto recently experienced COVID firsthand after testing positive and commented on the post. “I just recovered from COVID and I was extremely sick for 8 days. It was a struggle just to watch TV and be on my phone. The last thing I felt like doing was playing Monopoly. You also lose your sense of smell so there is no point burning candles. The more I think about the mindset behind this whole post, the more I just can’t.”
Married at First Sight’s Natasha Spencer wrote on the post, “Ultimately our government has said we will all get COVID, it’s inevitable,” she began. “But 100% as to why you would purposely go and infect yourself is beyond me. People are getting long COVID, scarring on their lungs and other serious long term side effects. While everyone has free choice, I definitely don’t think this is something to advertise and influence people to do the same.”
The most vitriolic comment came courtesy of The Bachelor’s Leah Costa, who happens to have been rumoured to have dated Big Brother’s Anthony Drew after he ended his infamous relationship with Tully. “Plain and simple she is just a self absorbed entitled c*nt. Everyone in the world has suffered trying to prevent the spread and she intentionally tries to catch it? People have died, they have lost jobs and businesses, separated from family, healthcare workers used and abused,” she continued.
“This is pathetic codependency at its very best. The fact that anyone lets themselves be ‘influenced’ by this vile human that clearly has no consideration for anyone but herself.”
Gabrielle Ebsworth (aka Brooke Blurton’s bestie) also added her two cents in an Instagram Story loosely directed at Tully.
Part of the criticism levelled at the former Big Brother housemate is directed at her liberal use of RATs. At-home tests are currently in short supply — especially in Melbourne — and throughout her stories, Tully hasn’t noted that she’s experiencing any symptoms. In response, Tully wrote, “I am allowed access to RAT tests just like everyone else. I drove around for days and days trying to track them down, just like everyone else. I now have a box of seven (less three) to share with my partner, his brother who lives here and myself. I’m hardly ‘squirreling them’ away.”
In another post, Tully has addressed her critics again, stating that as she thinks she already has COVID, she is moving in with her boyfriend to protect her housemate. “He tested negative yesterday but positive this morning. Chances are I already have it and by coming here and isolating, I’m less likely to give it to my housemate,” she wrote.
“I’m not even sure this is the right play, but it’s a weird time and we’re all just doing what we think is best. Stay safe, be kind.”
One might argue that ‘staying safe’ would probably involve not isolating with someone who has COVID.
