COVID rules find unlikely critic in Trevor Noah, who exposes absurdity of NYC's protocols: 'S**t like this makes zero sense'

Absurd COVID-19 rules in New York City found an unlikely critic this week: liberal comedian Trevor Noah.

Noah, host of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," railed against nonsensical pandemic-related rules that forced Brooklyn Nets star point guard Kyrie Irving to be sidelined.

What happened with Irving?

The NBA fined the Brooklyn Nets $50,000 after Irving was allowed into the team locker room during a game on Sunday. The crime? Irving is not vaccinated against COVID-19, and thus he is not permitted to mingle with his teammates at the Barclays Center, the Nets' home court.

Highlighting the absurdity of NYC's COVID rules, Irving sat court-side without a face mask during the same game.

Under current New York City COVID laws, Irving cannot play in games at Barclays Center because Mayor Eric Adams (D) has refused to rescind a vaccine mandate for in-person workers. "Workers in New York City who perform in-person work or interact with the public in the course of business must show proof that they have received a COVID-19 vaccine.Businesses may not allow any unvaccinated workers to work at their workplace," the mandate says.

What did Noah say?

The liberal comedian normally parrots progressive talking points. But he sounded more like a conservative on his show Monday night.

"Restrictions are being lifted so quickly that things are getting a little confusing," Noah began. "Right here in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams had lifted the rule that you had to be vaccinated to attend indoor events," Noah explained. "But there is still a rule that you have to be vaccinated to go to your workplace, so if someone's job is at an indoor event, they can't go to work — but they can show up to work to watch their colleagues do their thing."

"I don't care like how COVID-compliant you are, s**t like this makes zero sense," Noah slammed. "Can we agree on that?"

Content warning: rough language

"So Kyrie can go inside, not wear a mask, even hug a teammate, but he cannot play? I don't get it," Noah continued. "Does the ball have a weak immune system? What's going on? I mean, it's crazy."

"Just think about it, just think about it: Kyrie can't play, but he can sit in the stands — like a fan," he added. "And then as a fan what happens if he gets picked to take the half-court shot to win the car?" Noah asked. "Can he do that? What are those rules? How does it work?"

Adams admitted last month that New York City's rule preventing Irving from playing is "unfair." Still, he does not want to rescind it because doing so now would "send mixed messages."