It is safe to say that at this point the majority of people have turned their attention toward the national emergency that is the Coronavirus, with many businesses and schools shutting their doors, and a national quarantine commencing. While the daily routine of most people has drastically changed, the same can be said for the entertainment industry, as many celebrities have been speaking out about the situation.
The most notable instances have certainly been the celebrity contractions of the Coronavirus, with both Tom Hanks and Idris Elba testing positive.
Tom Hanks, and wife, Rita Wilson took to Instagram on Wednesday, stating that they tested positive while in Australia.
Hanks stated, “hello, folks. Rita and I are down here in Australia. We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches. Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too. To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the Coronavirus, and were found to be positive,” Hanks wrote on Instagram. “Well, now. What to do next? The Medical Officials have protocols that must be followed. We Hanks’ will be tested, observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires. Not much more to it than a one-day-at-a-time approach, no? We’ll keep the world posted and updated. Take care of yourselves!
Actor Idris Elba has tested positive for coronavirus, stating in a Twitter video that he had no symptoms, but was tested anyway.
“I didn’t have any symptoms. I got tested because I realised I was exposed to someone who had also tested positive,” he added. “I found out last Friday that they were tested positive. I quarantined myself and got the results immediately and got the results back today,” he said.
He continued, “now’s the time to really think about social distancing, washing your hands… Beyond that, there are people out there who aren’t showing symptoms and that can easily spread it.”
Ariana Grande took to Twitter Sunday, stating, “I keep hearing from a surprising amount of people statements like ‘this isn’t a big deal,’ ‘we’ll be fine,’ ‘we still have to go about our lives,’ and it’s really blowing my mind,” the “thank u next” singer wrote in her first tweet. “I understand if that is how you felt weeks ago. But please read about what’s going on. Please don’t turn a blind eye.”
She continued stating that it is “incredibly dangerous and selfish to take this situation that lightly,” calling out young, healthy people who think they are protected from the disease. “The ‘we will be fine because we’re young’ mindset is putting people who aren’t young and/or healthy in a lot of danger,” she said. “You sound stupid and privileged and you need to care more about others. Like now.”
Taylor Swift followed with a post on her Instagram Story, stating to her fans, “I follow you online and I love you guys so much and need to express my concern that things aren’t being taken seriously enough right now. I’m seeing lots of get-togethers and hangs and parties still happening. This is the time to cancel plans, actually truly isolate as much as you can, and don’t assume that because you don’t feel sick that you aren’t possibly passing something on to someone elderly or vulnerable to this. It’s a really scary time, but we need to make social sacrifices right now.”
When it comes to the world of television and film, the show must not go on. Instead, filming for shows, such as “Riverdale” and “Euphoria,” among others, have been temporarily suspended.
Late night shows, such as “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” and “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” are taping their broadcasts without audiences or from other locations with very limited staff.
As well, many film releases have been postponed, however “The Invisible Man,” “The Hunt,” and “Emma” are instead going to be available on home release on Friday. Each film will be available on demand as a 48-hour rental.
Many celebrities have been self quarantining at home along with much of the public, and to pass the time some are going live to provide some entertainment to those stuck at home.
John Legend, Coldplay and Keith Urban all went live, performing concerts for those who are social distancing to watch.
As well, Grammy-award winning musician, Lizzo, is leading 30 minute meditations, “to promote healing during this global crisis.”
She stated during her Instagram Live, “It’s a scary time for a lot of people and even I was experiencing some fear.”
She continued, “One of the first things I thought of was, there is the disease and there is the fear of the disease. I think that fear can spread so much hatred and fear can spread so much negative energy and fear can spread the disease even quicker than the disease can. When I got back to LA I noticed that the fear was heightened here. So I wanted to empower everybody and I wanted to let you guys know that we have power, you have power. You have power to eliminate fear.”
Photo Source: Hollywood Reporter
