Twitch has indefinitely banned popular streamer Kacey “Kaceytron” Caviness over some insensitive COVID-19 comments. While taking part in a stream with another popular Twitch user, Rajj Patel, she joked about COVID-19 fatalities and how “the world would be a better place without old and poor people.” Twitch swiftly caught on and suspended her immediately.
In more detail, Rajj asked her if she would kiss someone with COVID-19, and she responded, “We would leave quarantine, and we would try to spread it as much as possible because the world would be a better place without old and poor people.” After hearing this, Rajj responded, “Oh my God, Kacey, what the f-?” This statement violated Twitch’s Community Guidelines by “engaging in hateful conduct and threats of violence against a person or group of people.”
I've been indefinitely suspended because of an insensitive comment I made lastweek. I don't condone hatred towards any person and it was a poor reflection of my character. I'm just trying to take this all in right now. I ask that my audience please remain calm and rational. pic.twitter.com/EOu0pn4vF8
— 💚kaceywastaken💙 (@kaceytron) March 17, 2020
As a result, Twitch has suspended her account for an indefinite amount of time. The chance of her stream coming back online looks slim. As Twitch has indicated on their website, “We keep a record of past violations, and multiple suspensions over time can lead to an indefinite suspension. For the most serious offenses, we will immediately and indefinitely suspend your account with no opportunity to appeal.”
Damage control
Kaceytron shared the suspension notice on her Twitter, calling the incident “a poor reflection” of her character. She also offered some clarification, saying, “Obviously it was a joke but that doesn’t excuse it. It was in poor taste and my fault.”
Adding fire to the flame, she went on to try to explain her thought process through a series of Tweets. Unfortunately, the comments that followed were full of anger and disbelief. One response said, “Stop trying to manufacture a sincere apology.” Still, while Kaceytron has plenty of people against her, she also has a few loyal fans backing her up.
https://twitter.com/kaceytron/status/1240358763544162304?s=20
The current COVID-19 pandemic has been hard-hitting in plenty of countries across the globe. With over 200 thousand cases worldwide, many people are losing their jobs and lives due to the quickly-spreading sickness. As such, what Kaceytron said in her stream can come off to others as hurtful and mocking. At the moment, her Twitch channel is inaccessible and offline. There’s no word from Twitch on whether she will get her channel back soon. The only option she has now is to appeal the suspension and hope for the best.
