Tom Hanks And Rita Wilson Announce Coronavirus Diagnosis
On the same night that President Donald Trump announced travel restrictions from Europe to the U.S. and the NBA suspended the rest of its season "until further notice," a beloved Hollywood couple joined the conversation about the ongoing pandemic. On March 11, news broke that Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks and his just-as-famous wife Rita Wilson tested positive for the novel coronavirus while in Australia.
Almost as soon as Hanks announced the news on Instagram, social media went into overdrive with worry. As comedian Whitney Cummings summed it up on Twitter, "It's like it picked the celebrity we cared the most about to make a point." Hanks is Hollywood's go-to nice guy, so it's not all that surprising that fans would freak out, but as it turns out, the actor is staying relatively calm. And so is his own son, Chet, who posted a video giving an update on the headline-making situation with his parents.
So, let's dive into Hanks' announcement and learn more about what's really going on here.
Tom Hanks is following a 'one-day-at-a-time approach'
Before diving into Tom Hanks' own diagnosis, let's take a look at the latest details about the virus sweeping the world. According to CNN, there are at least 1,267 cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) and 38 deaths so far in the United States. Per the World Health Organization, there are 124,518 cases and 4,607 deaths globally at the time of reporting. Since there is currently no vaccine, the CDC encourages prevention tips, like washing your hands, avoiding large crowds, and staying home if you're sick.
Being isolated is exactly what Hanks and Rita Wilson are doing. As he wrote on Instagram, "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." Deadline reported the pair is in Australia for pre-production on Warner Bros.' untitled Elvis Presley film.
The 63-year-old explained how he's handling the news: "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?" Hanks noted that they'd keep everyone updated, but in the meantime, he encouraged everyone to "Take care of yourselves!"
Chet Hanks doesn't think people should be 'too worried' about his parents
The comments section of Tom Hanks' Instagram was filled with well wishes after he posted the coronavirus announcement. Stars ranging from Reese Witherspoon to Wilmer Valderrama to The Bachelor's Nick Viall shared their support. And while those sentiments are surely appreciated, there's at least one person staying calm: the Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood actor's son, Chet Hanks.
To quickly rewind, Chet has sparked his share of controversies and sideways glances, especially in recent months. But the video he posted to Instagram on March 11 certainly seems like it's coming from a good place.
"Wassup, everyone. Yeah, it's true my parents got coronavirus. Crazy," a shirtless, tattooed Chet said in the brief clip. "They're both down in Australia right now, 'cause my dad was shooting a movie down there. But I just got off the phone with them. 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."
Chet continued, "I don't think it's anything to be too worried about. I appreciate everyone's concern and the well wishes. But I think it's all going to be alright. I appreciate it. Just everybody stay safe out there. Much love." It looks like his mom Rita Wilson appreciated the message, since she wrote in the comments, "Love you angel."
Chet isn't the only Hanks family member to share an update
Instead of filming a video update like his brother, Fargo actor Colin Hanks took to Instagram to respond to the news about his parents. "We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from everyone. My parents are receiving excellent care in Australia and are doing well (and in good spirits) given the circumstances," Colin wrote. "Despite the fact that I'm in LA and haven't seen them in over three weeks, we have been in constant contact and am confident that they will make a full recovery."
It's a comforting sentiment, for sure. And over on her Instagram Story, Rita Wilson posted her own update, sharing what music she's listening to during her "coronavirus vacation" — her song, "The Wind." If you're not familiar, the lyrics are pretty fitting: "I listen to the wind, to the wind of my soul / Where I'll end up, well I think only God really knows." She also sings, "I listen to my words but they fall far below / I let my music let me take me where my heart wants to go."
Not to downplay the seriousness of the situation, but it really sounds like Hanks and Wilson are in good hands and good spirits. For anyone wanting more info about preventing and treating the virus, the CDC is continually adding updates to their website, which features tips for protecting yourself and your community.