Nets' Kyrie Irving Clarifies 'Mask off' Tweet, Says It Wasn't Related to COVID-19

Featured Columnist IVSeptember 16, 2021

MILWAUKEE, WI - JUNE 13: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during Round 2, Game 4 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on June 13 2021 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images).

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving clarified a tweet he sent out Wednesday telling people to live with their "mask off," saying it was not related to COVID-19.

A11Even @KyrieIrving
“Mask off” means<br>You stop being something you’re not and stop lying to yourself. It’s the moment you discover the real you and can walk around with NO FEAR in a society that shows a lot of the masks people wear to hide who they truly are. <br><br>*nothing COVID rule related!! Relax 🤞🏾

Irving generated some concern when he tweeted earlier in the day, "My mask is off. Now take yours off. No fear."

While the idea of taking your "mask" off has long been a turn of phrase unrelated to COVID-19, it's understandable why some assumed Irving's original tweet was related to COVID-19/

The idea of mask-wearing is one of the hottest-button issues in modern culture, with many Republican politicians pushing against wearing masks.

The CDC recommend wearing masks in indoor public spaces, even for vaccinated individuals, to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

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