Culture

The Internet Is In Meltdown Over Tom Hanks Being The First Celebrity Coronavirus Case

"@ the coronavirus, YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO GET DONALD TRUMP NOT TOM HANKS I ––"

by Michelle Rennex  12 March 2020
tom hanks coronavirus reactions memes

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The internet is in absolute disarray over the news that the beloved actor Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson are the first celebrity cases of COVID-19 coronavirus.

Taking to social media, Tom Hanks shared that both he and Rita Wilson had contracted the virus in Australia and have begun isolation as per medical protocol.

“We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches,” Tom addressed his fans. “Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too.”

After getting tested, the pair found out they did in fact have coronavirus. Promising to keep his followers updated, Tom shared that he and Rita would just take the diagnosis day by day.

“We Hanks’ will be tested, observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires,” he said before signing off. 

Tom Hanks is currently in the Gold Coast working on Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming Elvis Presley biopic.

While pretty fit for a man of his age, 63 isn’t a great age to be contracting the disease. As the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reports, people over the age of 60 with susceptible immune systems are the most vulnerable to the virus. As an adored actor across all age groups, the sheer thought of possibly losing Tom Hanks has left people freaking out over the news.

Some people were certain that Tom Hanks would bounce back from the virus considering he managed to survive on a stranded island for so many years. Plus the fact that Tom would likely be the actor who would play a survivor in a movie about COVID-19 is also calming down those bummed out over the news.

Even Tom’s very bad son Chet Hanks encouraged people to keep their cool in a new Instagram video. “Yeah, it’s true my parents got coronavirus. Crazy,” Chet said. “They are both are fine, they’re not even that sick. They’re not tripping but they’re going through the necessary health precautions, obviously.”

“I don’t think it’s anything to be too worried about but I appreciate everyone’s concern and the well wishes but I think it’s all gonna be alright,” he continued.

Unfortunately, however, Tom Hanks is a pretty big celebrity which means people are always keen to get right up close for a pic. So if you’ve been in the Goldy and have taken a pic with Tom Hanks in the last week or so, you might want to get yourself tested too.