Just hours after the coronavirus was designated
as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization,
Hollywood's all-time sweetheart Tom Hanks
announced that he had tested positive for
the virus while shooting a movie in Australia.
On March 11, Hanks posted on his Instagram
that he and his wife Rita Wilson, who also
tested positive, both felt cold-like symptoms,
fatigue, and body aches.
He added:
"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."
As not only the first high-profile celebrity
to be diagnosed, but also one who has won
many peoples' hearts over the years, Hanks'
diagnosis came as an eye-opener for fans.
Since then, the actor's son Chet Hanks tried
his best to put fans at ease about his parents'
health with a video on Instagram,
"They both are fine, they're not even that
sick.
They're not worried about it, they're not
trippin', but they're going through the necessary
health precautions, obviously."
But what is it that made Hanks so prone to
catching the spreading virus in the first
place?
It was a combination of factors.
The Forrest Gump actor, whose birthday is
in July, is nearing 64 years old, falling
into the age range of people health officials
have identified as being more prone to catching
the virus.
According to CNN, the CDC says that "older
adults," or anyone over the age of 60, are
more likely to contract the illness.
While it's possible for kids and younger adults
to catch COVID-19, it's more dangerous for
the elderly or those with weaker immune systems.
Not only does Tom Hanks hit the age range,
but he also has another qualifier making him
more at risk: He has a chronic illness.
According to USA Today, people with pre-existing
health conditions are predisposed to contracting
coronavirus.
For Hanks, that chronic illness is diabetes.
Back in 2013, the actor disclosed he has type
2 diabetes during an appearance on The Late
Show With David Letterman.
Hanks' diagnosis came when he went to the
doctor after years of struggling with high
blood sugar.
"Well you've graduated.
You've got type 2 diabetes young man.
Well, it's controllable."
Those words feel a bit ominous knowing Hanks
was diagnosed with COVID-19.
At least there's comfort in knowing the actor
and his wife are currently receiving good
care from doctors in Australia.
Despite the ongoing panic, Tom Hanks has continued
to calmly keep followers informed about how
he and Rita Wilson are coping with this whole
situation.
The Cast Away star posted an update on March
12 that he and Wilson are, quote, "taking
it one-day-at-a-time" while still in isolation
in Australia.
"So...we dig in."
Along with a selfie of the Hollywood couple,
Hanks wrote in his caption:
"There are things we can all do to get through
this by following the advice of experts and
taking care of ourselves and each other, no?
Remember, despite all the current events,
there is no crying in baseball."
"There's no crying.
There's no crying in baseball."
Then on March 15, Hanks shared a heartwarming
pic of a stuffed kangaroo holding an Australian
flag next to a plate with Vegemite toast,
and wrote,
"Thanks to the Helpers.
Let's take care of ourselves and each other."
Taking a page out of Mr. Rogers' playbook,
he's clearly focusing on the positives of
his situation while stuck being sick on another
continent.
Hanks and Wilson aren't the only celebrities
proceeding with caution right now.
Although they have not been diagnosed, Katy
Perry and Orlando Bloom have decided to self-quarantine,
while Kim Kardashian shared a video of her
new way to greet people without shaking hands
or spreading germs.
Even Queen Elizabeth has adjusted her schedule
and canceled royal engagements as a precaution.
So let's do like they are and follow Hanks'
lead, and take care of ourselves and those
around us.
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