Celebrity Health

Kirk Cameron took his anti-mask Xmas caroling on the road again, but this time he encountered protesters who were enraged by the flaunting of COVID precautions.

The "Growing Pains" star got around 100 people to descend on The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks -- just outside of L.A. -- and there was no social distancing and hardly any masks in sight.

Some folks who saw the display voiced their displeasure in their cars and on foot, some confronting the carolers.  It looked tense as the carolers got in the face of at least one protester.

Kirk gets on the megaphone and tells the crowd, "We live in a free land, regardless of what they are trying to do. The liberty we have from Christ that no one can take away."

The message is a little complicated. We know Cameron has been railing on Governor Gavin Newsom's COVID shutdowns -- something that has caused a lot of head-scratching in determining why certain businesses were ordered shut while others remained open.

But, as for the masks and social distancing ... well, if Kirk thinks that's an assault on democracy, he's gotta bone up on history because there are an untold number of restrictions on "liberty" for health and safety reasons.

There was a stand where carolers were handing out "mask exemption badges." It's theatre, but given the explosion of COVID cases and deaths, it ain't funny.

The folks who run The Oaks said this ... "We continue to share our community's concerns over these irresponsible - yet constitutionally protected - events and have law enforcement on property. We reached out to the organizer to ask that the event be moved."

"Cake Boss" Buddy Valastro is out of the cast he had on his impaled right hand, and showing it off for the first time ... while also talking about his challenging road to recovery.

TMZ got this exclusive clip of a new TV special documenting Buddy's horrific freak accident. You get to see the TLC reality star getting the plaster removed. The Boss' cake hand was covered in stitches and staples, but the good news is he's starting to get feeling back.

Now, if you're squeamish, watching his son, Buddy Valastro Jr., give an up-close view of the bowling pinsetter that caught his dad's hand ... might be a little rough. Straight out of a horror movie.

Luckily, Buddy's strength in that all-important hand is improving -- which he displayed for us on "TMZ Live" ... complete with a gnarly scar and everything.

As for how he's navigating his cake biz these days, BV says he's had to teach himself how to be ambidextrous -- for virtually every task, really -- but has a ways to go until he's back in tip-top shape. Sounds like he's leaning left now, which has its limitations.

Still, it's pretty miraculous he's come along as well as he has considering the severity of that September accident ... when the pinsetter stabbed right through his hand -- flesh, bone, tendon and all -- which required a bunch of surgeries.

Speaking of that, Buddy tells us he's actually glad he captured a lot of that action on camera -- which will air in that new TV special above -- because he says it helped show exactly what happened, which led him to the right hand doctor almost immediately.

Several passengers who were on the same United jet where a passenger fell ill and died of COVID now fear they may have COVID themselves, and they're thinking about legal action.

Francois Montinat tells TMZ ... he's suffering from strong nasal and head congestion, and it's freaking him out because he had COVID back in May and those were 2 of the many symptoms he experienced.

Adding to his worries ... he can't get an appointment for a COVID test and he feels like crap and doesn't want to stand in a first-come-first-served line for hours. Montinat says he thinks United's safety protocol is deficient and he's pondering legal action for emotional distress.

Megan Hubbard and Cameron Roberts were also on the flight and they tell us ... Cameron's been experiencing symptoms since landing in L.A. He says he's developed a persistent cough and suspects he's come down with COVID.

Megan's not experiencing symptoms but the anxiety for both has reached a breaking point ... she says she's seeing a shrink to help her deal with it.  Megan feels someone should pay her medical expenses ... and you can guess who.

The man who went into cardiac arrest on a United flight 8 days ago had COVID, but the airline still hasn't notified passengers and says it's not their responsibility.

As TMZ reported, the Jefferson Parish Medical Examiner in Louisiana determined the 69-year-old man had COVID and died of respiratory failure. During the medical emergency on the flight from Orlando to L.A., the man's wife was heard saying her husband was suffering from COVID symptoms -- shortness of breath and a loss of taste and smell. He apparently didn't tell the truth before boarding and didn't disclose his symptoms.

United has still not notified the 179 passengers on board. A spokesperson for the airline tells TMZ they are not medical professionals so they can't make COVID determinations. The spokesperson said they have been in touch with the CDC and given them the flight manifest. The spokesperson says it's up to the CDC to contact passengers who may have been exposed.

We asked why the airline wouldn't immediately tell the passengers someone on the plane had COVID symptoms and, since he was in distress for nearly an hour before the emergency landing, wouldn't it be advisable to tell passengers so they could make decisions like staying away from elderly relatives during the Christmas holidays. The response ... they're not medical professionals so it's not up to them.

The spokesperson said they didn't know for nearly a week the passenger had COVID so they couldn't make any determination, but they clearly knew the guy had symptoms.

Many private companies notify their employees directly when they suspect someone in the office might be COVID-positive, so why not the airlines?

Christmas came early for Keyontae Johnson and his family ... the Florida Gators star is being released from the hospital!!

The 21-year-old collapsed on the court during Florida's game against Florida State on Dec. 12. He was hospitalized in Tallahassee and transported to the UF hospital in Gainesville ... and at one point, was placed in a medically induced coma.

But, Johnson has been improving ever since ... and even did the famous "Gator Chomp" from his hospital bed last week.

Now, it's time to go home.

"Today is a great day!" Johnson's family said in a statement Tuesday. "We continue to be amazed at the pace of his recovery and look forward to spending Christmas together as a family."

"Along with so many well wishes and prayers, we've understandably gotten questions about the cause and extent of Keyontae's illness."

"As much as everyone involved wants firm answers, the process to draw definitive conclusions continues, and we ask for patience as the medical professionals continue their work."

The Johnsons say they will share as much info as possible to potentially help others dealing with similar issues once it's available.

The United Airlines passenger who fell ill on a flight last week and died did indeed have coronavirus ... yet United has not notified passengers they may be at risk for COVID.

The Jefferson Parish Coroner's Office in Louisiana released the passenger's cause of death -- he died from acute respiratory failure and COVID-19. The passenger -- a 69-year-old Los Angeleno -- died at a New Orleans hospital following an emergency landing.

As TMZ reported, the passenger's wife was overheard telling people on the plane that her husband had COVID symptoms, including a loss of taste and smell as well as shortness of breath. It appears the man did not tell the truth before boarding when asked if he had COVID symptoms.

One of the passengers on the flight -- EMT Tony Aldapa -- administered CPR for 45 minutes before the plane landed. He says United contacted him a few days ago and said it was turning the flight manifest over to the CDC and they would either get in touch with him or he could call them.

The incident occurred 8 days ago, and Tony says although he's had symptoms he tested negative as recently as Monday. He's getting another test today.

We've spoken with other passengers who say they have still not been contacted by anyone about the flight or the danger of contracting COVID onboard.

Washington Football Team QB Dwayne Haskins is owning up to attending a stripper-filled party without a mask on Sunday ... apologizing for his actions and calling it all "irresponsible."

Pics of the 23-year-old hit social media hours after he quarterbacked WFT in a 20-15 loss to the Seattle Seahawks ... showing the QB and a female friend holding a stack of dollar bills while a dancer performs.

Haskins -- who was also previously fined for breaking COVID protocols earlier this season -- says he's sorry for his lack of judgment.

"I want to publicly apologize for my actions this past Sunday. I spoke with Coach (Ron) Rivera yesterday and took full accountability for putting the team at risk."

"It was irresponsible and immature of me and I accept responsibility for my action."

Haskins also extended an apology to his teammates for creating a distraction as they continue a push for the playoffs.

"I will learn and grow from this and do what’s best for the team moving forward."

The team addressed the situation on Tuesday, saying it's aware of the incident and will handle the matter internally ... but, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, WFT does not intend to release the QB.

Haskins could, however, be hit with a fine or suspension as a result of the strip club visit.

Dr. Anthony Fauci -- America's true leader in the battle against the coronavirus -- just got the COVID-19 vaccine ... along with some of his colleagues.

Fauci took his shot in the arm Tuesday morning at a National Institutes of Health kickoff event in Bethesda, Maryland. He got the first dose of the Moderna vaccine, which he and his team helped develop.

Fauci wanted the nation to see him roll up his sleeve and get inoculated ... a message to the public he has complete confidence in the vaccine. He gave everyone 2 big thumbs up.

The country's leading infectious disease expert was joined by other top Trump administration health officials in getting vaccinated, including HHS Secretary Alex Azar and NIH Director Francis Collins.

Before getting their injections, all 3 men spoke on the incredible scientific accomplishment in getting this vaccine out in such a short time frame ... providing hope and saving lives going forward. A small group of nurses and healthcare providers also got their shots on stage.

As you may know ... the FDA approved the Moderna vaccine for emergency use Friday night, days after frontline health workers and several politicians began getting Pfizer's vaccine.

President-elect Biden is one big step closer to inoculation against COVID-19 after taking the shot in his left arm ... and actually thanking President Trump's administration for making it happen.

Joe and Dr. Jill Biden went to a hospital Monday afternoon in Newark, Delaware ... and after a little small talk with the nurse practitioner, got right to doing the deed. The Prez-elect kept a straight face, no wincing, as nurse Tabe Masa injected him with the Pfizer vaccine.

Afterward, he thanked the heroes ... "Scientists, front line workers, the ones who actually did the clinical work," and said we all owe them a huge debt.

He turned to Nurse Masa and said, "We owe you big. We really do" -- but then added, "The administration deserves some credit for getting this off the ground ... Operation Warp Speed."

Biden's said he wants to bridge the divide with Trump's supporters ... and giving POTUS his due could go a long way.

John Mulaney will be spending the holidays away from friends and family, he's checked into rehab to treat cocaine and alcohol abuse after relapsing ... TMZ has confirmed.

The comedian entered rehab this past weekend and will spend the next 60 days at a facility in Pennsylvania. John's reportedly not fighting rehab ... and his friends and family are happy that he's getting the help he needs.

According to Page Six, which first reported the news, John struggled to stay sober during the pandemic. John, who had been sober since he was 23, was no stranger to openly talking about his struggles ... admitting his dabbling with prescription and illegal drugs.

Just last year, he said he started drinking at just 13 years old ... and drank for attention. John said he didn't know how to act ... until booze made him hilarious again.

But, the struggles didn't end there. The 38-year-old comedian told Esquire for a September cover story that the drinking ultimately led to him using drugs. He said, "I never liked smoking pot. Then I tried cocaine, and I loved it."

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams says LeBron James can help end the pandemic ... explaining Monday if the NBA superstar takes the COVID vaccine, others will follow suit.

"LeBron James, I know you’ve been a big supporter of masks," Adams said on KTLA. "I want to know when you’re going to take the shot. Not the basketball shot, but the COVID shot."

"Because I did it because I know it’s safe, and we want to make sure people understand this is how we end the pandemic.”

Adams says if LeBron publicly vouches for the vaccine ... he's confident it could send a HUGE message to anti-vaxxers.

"That's how we promote confidence," Adams said. "We want people to lead by example."

Adams says he hasn't been able to personally reach out to LBJ with the request -- but he said if he were able to get a hold of the L.A. Lakers champ, he'd tell him to urge others to donate plasma as well.

Bill Bellamy says flying during a pandemic is inevitable ... he just wishes there was more accountability all around to help prevent what sadly went down on United Flight 591.

We got Bill out at LAX on Monday afternoon and talked to him about the man who died on a flight from Orlando to Los Angeles. It's a terrible situation for sure, but Bill says there are a few "security blankets" the airlines could implement to ease passenger's fears.

He tells our photog it would help if, for starters, people adhered to the honor system. Meaning, don't lie! If ya don't feel well, don't fly. But, he adds ... airlines need to get serious about COVID screenings, such as temperature checks.

As we reported ... United Flight 591 made an emergency landing in New Orleans but not before medics performed CPR. The man was later transported to a hospital where he died.

Bill says people who feel sick and board flights put the very same people who are trying to save their lives at risk.

NYC is getting wild when it comes to COVID-19 ... cops raided a club filled with more than 160 patrons who were not wearing masks, in clear violation of the state's COVID-19 restrictions.

The bust went down at around 2:45 AM Sunday in Queens when NYC Sheriff's deputies entered the joint to find the place packed like sardines. According to cops ... the shoulder-to-shoulder partygoers were entering the building through an alleyway.

Making matters worse ... the building is NOT set up to be a club -- so, on top of violating COVID restrictions, the operators were violating fire safety codes and didn't even have a liquor license.

The Sheriff's Dept says 5 people were charged with multiple offenses ... including violation of emergency orders.

In New York, there's a strict mandate prohibiting indoor and outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people who are not living in the same household.

This is not the first time cops in NYC have had to shut down illegal establishments. Cops busted one last month in Midtown Manhattan where nearly 400 people were partying their asses off.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez just gave an awesome break-down of what's in the COVID vaccine, what it'll do and how it works ... this after getting the shot herself.

The New York Congresswoman hopped on IG Sunday to both document the Pfizer vaccine being administered to her by a health pro, as well as explain it ... which is truly helpful, since she talks in terms most people can understand, using a stellar analogy.

Check it out ... AOC says the vaccine being rolled out right now is NOT the actual virus, unlike other vaccines we take which often contain a dead version of the virus to train our bodies on how to recognize and fight it. This time around, we're getting a blueprint.

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez characterizes it this way -- rather than having a live burglar break into your home and you learning how to ward him off in the moment, we're getting a photo of the burglar in hopes of being able to recognize it before said crook fully infiltrates.

That "photo" we're getting through this vaccine, as AOC illustrates, is called the mRNA of COVID (aka SARS-CoV-2), and it's meant to be a forewarning to the real McCoy. That way, if/when you come into contact with the virus ... your body's already prepped to stamp it out.

Denmark's decision to kill off all of their minks, out of fear the animals could spread a mutated version of COVID-19, is coming back to bite them -- because the little bastards are rising out of their graves, and slaughtering them might've been illegal to begin with.

A month ago, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen handed down a national order to cull the country's 15-million-plus population of minks that were scattered about in farms all throughout the country ... and the farmers who sell off their fur agreed and did just that.

The reason ... scientists discovered minks could catch COVID-19 from humans, have it mutate within their own bodies, and then transmit it back to people, which government officials feared could screw up vaccination efforts. So, they called the shot and wiped 'em all out.

Not all of the dead minks -- most of which were suffocated with CO2 -- were able to be incinerated ... millions had to be buried in mass trenches at said farms and elsewhere in the country ... which might've been a bad idea, 'cause they're literally back from the dead.

Gasses released from their dead bodies have been forcing their remains back above ground, and it's grossing people out. Not only that, but there've been concerns burying so many minks at once has compromised the drinking water supply in parts of Denmark.

Adding insult to injury, lots of farmers who agreed to go along with the PM's order are hurting and fear their business will forever be ruined ... since they killed off their product line. Not only that, it's now clear the Prime Minister didn't technically have the authority to order the deaths of an entire population of species ... which is forcing some major backpedaling and catch-up as far as legislation. They're apparently working to pass a law that retroactively gives the PM that power ... even though she didn't have it at the time.

The Danish Parliament agreed this weekend it's probably best to dig up 4 million of those dead minks and to burn them properly ... but thing is, that won't happen for at least another 5 months, when it's deemed safe to do so.

The PM has also apologized for the rushed decision, saying she was just doing what she thought was right for her people to keep them safe.

The United Airlines passenger who appears to have died from COVID-19 complications was laid out in the middle of the floor and getting CPR in a compact area -- which is now seen on video.

TMZ has obtained footage of the moment fellow passengers stepped in to do chest compressions on the man -- who fell unconscious earlier this week while United Flight 591 was up in the air and on its way to L.A. from Orlando.

As we reported, passengers say the man's wife said, during the emergency, her husband had various symptoms, including a loss of taste and smell and shortness of breath, yet he did not disclose this before boarding.

As you can see, it was a tense scene as passengers in surrounding rows looked on while one of three trained professionals administered CPR for almost an hour before the plane could land in New Orleans and get the man to a hospital, where he ultimately died.

One of those people who was rotating in to help was EMT Tony Aldapa, who gave us his first-hand account ... and it sounds like he was willing to risk potential exposure to help save the man's life.

No one knows for certain if the man had the virus -- but some of the passengers believe he did ... and also fear they may have been infected.  Tony tells us they took the man's mask off but replaced it with an oxygen mask. Still, it creates lots of worry for those on board.

It's a huge problem that has mostly gone unaddressed until now ... the fact that there's virtually no way of weeding someone out who might have COVID from getting on a plane and putting everyone else's life at risk. The honor system is only as good as the honesty of the passengers, and that's clearly a problem.