Culture Feature

14 Celebrities Who Shared Their COVID-19 Stories

The coronavirus clearly cares little for fame.

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson attending the 77th Golden Globe Awards Arrivals at The Beverly Hilton, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Photo by Hahn Lionel/ABACA/Shutterstock

When the coronavirus first began to sweep the world in early 2020, few could imagine that in November we'd still be fully immersed in it, living in a world ravaged by fire, disease, and chronic governmental ineptitude.

Today the United States has reported more than 250,000 COVID-19 deaths, and that number shows no sign of decreasing. The virus has spared no one and nothing, and Hollywood and the entertainment industries were hard-hit, with even some of the world's largest and wealthiest stars relegated to their beds, forced to turn to Instagram for sympathy and updates.

Here are some of the most famous people to confess that they received a positive COVID-19 test. It's likely that many other famous people had the virus and either were never diagnosed or chose not to share their stories. The list also doesn't begin to cover the tragedy of all those who died from the virus, or the agony felt by those whose lives were torn apart by the pandemic and other crises in 2020.

But even these few stories are testimonials to a virus that proved itself to be far more powerful than mankind's most renowned figures. And, if the fact that Tom Hanks is still isolating is any proof, it's not over yet.

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Culture News

Does Tom Hanks Really Need to Be Quarantined Again?

The Cast Away actor has returned to a mandatory two-week quarantine in Australia.

Tom Hanks arrives at the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The actor delivered a surprise virtual speech Saturday, May 2 to performing arts graduates of Wright State University in Dayton, OhioPeople Tom Hanks, Los Angeles, United States - 09 Feb 2020

Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Back in March Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson contracted COVID-19 and spent weeks quarantining in Australia before they could safely return to the world.

Now, Tom Hanks has returned to Australia to continue filming Elvis, Baz Luhrmann's Elvis Presley biopic scheduled for release next year. But before Hanks can return to set and resume his role as Elvis's manager—Colonel Tom Parker—he is required by Australia's COVID measures to complete another two-week quarantine in the Gold Coast Hotel in Queensland.

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Culture News

Donald Trump's Favorite Unproven Coronavirus Treatment Gave Rita Wilson "Extreme Side Effects"

The president has repeatedly urged Americans to try chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as possible treatements for COVID-19

Donald Trump

Photo By Evan El-Amin/ Shutterstock

President Donald Trump has received backlash for repeatedly promoting anti-malarial drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as possible treatments for COVID-19.

While there is limited evidence to suggest that the drugs are an effective measure against the virus, that hasn't stopped Trump from promoting them as an option. At recent press conferences he has interrupted attempts to get a comment on the drugs from Dr. Anthony Fauci—a prominent member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force—and even urged Americans to try the unproven treatments, saying, "What do you have to lose? Take it. I really think they should take it."


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Satire

Do Not Text Rita Wilson! (Unless You're Ready to Fall in Love)

You might just be trying to add to her COVID-19 quarantine playlist, but she will still break your heart.

Photo by Adem AY on Unsplash

When I saw this morning that singer, songwriter, and acclaimed actor Rita Wilson had posted her phone number on Instagram, I was intrigued.

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