Influencer’s Controversial Decision Sparks Debate About Public Health Etiquette

In a move that has ignited significant online backlash, popular UK content creator Madeleine White found herself at the center of controversy after documenting her decision to attend a massive rave in Orlando, Florida, despite having conjunctivitis, commonly known as “pink eye.” The incident unfolded on TikTok where White, who boasts 5.1 million followers, posted a “Get Ready with Me” video showcasing her makeup preparation for her 30th birthday celebration. With visibly red and puffy eyes, White openly admitted to having conjunctivitis but expressed her determination not to let the condition interfere with her plans to join approximately 100,000 others at the event. “I’m just going to cover it up with sparkles and a pair of sunglasses and call it a goddamn day,” she told viewers, seemingly unconcerned about the potential health implications of her decision. This casual approach to a known contagious condition prompted immediate concern from her audience, who recognized that conjunctivitis—an inflammation of the clear membrane covering the white part of the eye—is highly transmissible through close personal contact, airborne droplets, or contaminated surfaces.

White offered some explanation for her apparent lack of caution, claiming she contracted the infection from her husband, Andrew Fedyk (one half of DJ duo Loud Luxury), who had allegedly developed it after using cheap green makeup for a Halloween costume. “I really didn’t know that it was contagious,” she stated in her video. “I thought he got it from the makeup. I didn’t know that I could get it. I was definitely nowhere near as cautious as I should’ve been with him.” Throughout her makeup routine, White discussed which brushes and products she would discard after use, acknowledging some level of awareness about contamination risks. Yet this precaution stood in stark contrast to her willingness to attend a crowded event, culminating in a follow-up clip where she playfully declared, “I’m thirty, I’m flirty and I’m contagious!” The juxtaposition between taking precautions with personal items while potentially exposing thousands to infection struck many viewers as profoundly inconsistent, highlighting a disconnect between personal convenience and public health responsibility.

The response from White’s audience was swift and critical, with numerous commenters expressing concern over her “selfish” choice to attend a massive gathering while knowingly infectious. “Girl, pink eye is literally VERY CONTAGIOUS, the doctors will give you days off because of this,” wrote one commenter, while another emphasized, “This is very contagious for you to be out of the house around a bunch of people.” Even supportive fans felt compelled to speak up, with one writing, “Hey, I really love you, Mads, but this is not okay,” and others describing her decision as a “wild choice.” These comments reflect a broader public sentiment that prioritizing personal enjoyment over collective wellbeing represents a troubling ethical stance, particularly from someone with significant influence over millions of followers. The criticism centered not just on White’s actions, but on the broader implications of normalizing such behavior through her platform, potentially encouraging others to make similar choices when faced with contagious conditions.

When confronted with this criticism, White defended herself by suggesting a cultural difference in how conjunctivitis is perceived and handled between the United Kingdom and the United States. “In England, this is viewed as more minor than the common cold,” she claimed in response to critical comments. In another reply, she elaborated, “This is my first time hearing in my life you’re expected to stay home with conjunctivitis. In the UK, we wash hands, don’t touch eyes and continue as normal.” Later, she posted (and subsequently deleted) a TikTok with the caption: “Today I learned conjunctivitis/pink eye is treated very differently in the US than in the UK lol,” adding, “Back in the day, I didn’t even get a day off school for this…” This defense found support from some British followers, with one commenting: “Everyone forgets she’s English, trust me, conjunctivitis is not a huge deal here. We don’t have to stay home, we don’t get time off work, etc, so as an English person she’s doing what we would do.”

Despite her attempts to frame the issue as a cultural misunderstanding, medical guidance on conjunctivitis in both the UK and US emphasizes its contagious nature. The UK’s National Health Service advises individuals with conjunctivitis to avoid touching or rubbing their eyes, wash hands regularly, and avoid sharing towels or pillows—recommendations that inherently acknowledge the condition’s transmissibility. Similarly, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends avoiding close contact with others while infected. The contradiction between established medical advice and White’s cavalier approach raises questions about the responsibilities of public figures when it comes to health practices. While cultural norms regarding illness management may indeed vary somewhat between countries, basic principles of preventing disease transmission during infectious periods remain consistent across medical communities worldwide.

After her birthday celebrations, White shared a carousel of Instagram photos that appeared to show her in a cordoned-off area at the rave, possibly in the DJ booth where her husband was performing as part of Loud Luxury. The post also included images of White closely surrounded by friends before the event, with her arms around two of them, further calling into question her awareness of appropriate precautions while contagious. She captioned the post, “30, flirty + in bed for the foreseeable future, feeling very loved,” a statement that some viewers interpreted as suggesting she might have fallen ill after the event, potentially due to exacerbating her condition through lack of rest. This incident serves as a microcosm of broader societal debates about personal choice versus collective responsibility, particularly in post-pandemic contexts where awareness of disease transmission has been heightened. The controversy surrounding White’s decision highlights how social media can amplify both problematic behaviors and the public’s response to them, creating teachable moments about health etiquette in an increasingly connected world where personal choices can have far-reaching consequences.

As social media continues to blur geographical boundaries and cultural differences, incidents like this one demonstrate the ongoing negotiation of shared norms around public health and social responsibility. While White’s explanation points to potential cultural differences in approaching minor illnesses, the universal nature of disease transmission suggests certain precautions transcend cultural contexts. The backlash to her decision reflects growing public consciousness about how individual choices during periods of contagion impact community wellbeing—a lesson made painfully clear during the COVID-19 pandemic. For influencers with platforms reaching millions, these choices carry added weight, as their actions not only affect those in their immediate vicinity but potentially shape the behavior of their followers. This incident serves as a reminder that in our interconnected world, the tension between personal freedom and collective responsibility remains a complex terrain to navigate, especially when health considerations are involved.