If the coronavirus pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that rich people are insane. If they’re not doing cringe collaborative covers of John Lennon’s “Imagine”, they’re fleeing their huge homes for even bigger ones despite lockdown orders, or attempting to escape the crisis altogether with ‘virus-free’ retreats.

Last week (April 1), a Californian program called the Harbor – which seems to require a password to access its website (LOL) – offered a “luxury two-month retreat” in an exclusive villa for $3,000 (£2,434) to $6,000 (£4,869) per person per month. The Harbor offered visitors a place to “meet, mingle, and collaborate with some of the brightest, forward-thinking individuals – no facemask required”.

Although the ‘coronavirus escape’ has now officially been cancelled, it was advertised as a “sanctuary” and an alternative to social distancing which is, according to the Harbor, “not the only option to stay safe (and keep others safe) during the time of crisis”. 

Launched by Jay Jideliov, the chief executive officer of New York tech company Callision, the retreat would supposedly screen guests for COVID-19 before admittance, though made no mention of keeping guests apart for two weeks to avoid any asymptomatic carriers spreading the virus to everyone else in the “luxury” haven.

The retreat quickly – and understandably – faced backlash, with many comparing it to the infamously shambolic Fyre Festival. Speaking to The Guardian, Jideliov and his co-founder Mikhail Larionov said: “We have decided to close the Harbor open call based on the latest recommendations from the White House and the CDC, and will provide updates as the situation develops.”

The misguided program is another example of the wealthy being completely out of touch with the real world in times of crises. As well as posting videos from their million pound mansions urging other people – many of whom don’t even have gardens – to stay inside, the rich have been criticised for jumping to the front of the testing queue, accessing tests before even medical staff, and often without symptoms.

Some celebrities are stepping up, though. Jay-Z and Meek Mill’s justice reform organisation is donating face masks to prisons across the US; Taylor Swift donated $3,000 each to four fans in financial crisis; and Rihanna’s charity, the Clara Lionel Foundation, has pledged $5 million to help with coronavirus efforts.