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| When Tom Hanks, Hollywood’s Everyman, Gets Coronavirus | When Tom Hanks, Hollywood’s Everyman, Gets Coronavirus |
| (7 days later) | |
| Tom Hanks has never been like other Hollywood celebrities. | Tom Hanks has never been like other Hollywood celebrities. |
| Though he first made his mark donning a dress in the 1980s sitcom “Bosom Buddies,” Mr. Hanks became America’s everyman thanks to a goofy, relatable on-screen persona that never seemed all that different from his off-screen personality. And even as he rose from TV actor to movie star to two-time Academy Award winner, his humble attitude seemed to remain the same. | Though he first made his mark donning a dress in the 1980s sitcom “Bosom Buddies,” Mr. Hanks became America’s everyman thanks to a goofy, relatable on-screen persona that never seemed all that different from his off-screen personality. And even as he rose from TV actor to movie star to two-time Academy Award winner, his humble attitude seemed to remain the same. |
| [Update: Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are released from the hospital.] | [Update: Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are released from the hospital.] |
| “You would never know from Tom if he has $1,000 or $1. He’s just that person,” said Michael Rosenberg, the co-chairman of Imagine Entertainment, the studio that produced “The Da Vinci Code” and other projects with Mr. Hanks. “He’s smart, authentic, real and honest. It’s hard to find all of those things in one person these days.” | “You would never know from Tom if he has $1,000 or $1. He’s just that person,” said Michael Rosenberg, the co-chairman of Imagine Entertainment, the studio that produced “The Da Vinci Code” and other projects with Mr. Hanks. “He’s smart, authentic, real and honest. It’s hard to find all of those things in one person these days.” |
| So when Mr. Hanks announced on Wednesday night that he and his wife, the actress Rita Wilson, had tested positive for the coronavirus, the reaction was swift and emotional. The pandemic might mangle the stock markets, shut down colleges and bring worldwide travel to a halt. But infecting the beloved Tom Hanks? That was too far, especially for many people who have not been personally affected by the spread of the virus. | So when Mr. Hanks announced on Wednesday night that he and his wife, the actress Rita Wilson, had tested positive for the coronavirus, the reaction was swift and emotional. The pandemic might mangle the stock markets, shut down colleges and bring worldwide travel to a halt. But infecting the beloved Tom Hanks? That was too far, especially for many people who have not been personally affected by the spread of the virus. |
| People across the globe sent Mr. Hanks “get well” messages; others asked for 2020 to be canceled. Many thanked Hollywood’s unofficial goodwill ambassador for his “graceful leadership,” a phrase not often associated with A-list celebrities. | People across the globe sent Mr. Hanks “get well” messages; others asked for 2020 to be canceled. Many thanked Hollywood’s unofficial goodwill ambassador for his “graceful leadership,” a phrase not often associated with A-list celebrities. |
| Because of the diverse projects that Mr. Hanks, 63, has chosen over his 40-year career, his fandom is both multigenerational and worldwide. Two generations (and counting) grew up hearing him as Woody, the animated cowboy he voiced in four “Toy Story” movies since 1995. “Hey Tom … my 16 yr old daughter, who worships you, literally burst into tears when CNN just reported the news,” the Twitter user Andy Ostry wrote. | Because of the diverse projects that Mr. Hanks, 63, has chosen over his 40-year career, his fandom is both multigenerational and worldwide. Two generations (and counting) grew up hearing him as Woody, the animated cowboy he voiced in four “Toy Story” movies since 1995. “Hey Tom … my 16 yr old daughter, who worships you, literally burst into tears when CNN just reported the news,” the Twitter user Andy Ostry wrote. |
| Others are partial to his romantic comedies, like “Sleepless in Seattle” and “You’ve Got Mail.” Then there are his Oscar-winning performances as a history-adjacent gentle soul in “Forrest Gump” and a gay lawyer battling AIDS and discrimination in “Philadelphia.” Some prefer the ones he didn’t win an Oscar for: “Cast Away,” “Apollo 13,” “Saving Private Ryan” or “Captain Phillips,” each of them showcasing his ability to play dependable and honorable men overcoming unthinkable challenges. | Others are partial to his romantic comedies, like “Sleepless in Seattle” and “You’ve Got Mail.” Then there are his Oscar-winning performances as a history-adjacent gentle soul in “Forrest Gump” and a gay lawyer battling AIDS and discrimination in “Philadelphia.” Some prefer the ones he didn’t win an Oscar for: “Cast Away,” “Apollo 13,” “Saving Private Ryan” or “Captain Phillips,” each of them showcasing his ability to play dependable and honorable men overcoming unthinkable challenges. |
| The awards don’t seem to matter that much to Mr. Hanks — who was most recently nominated for playing another person who seemed to personify goodness, Fred Rogers in “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” The publicist Tony Angellotti recalled standing next to him during the Golden Globes the year Mr. Hanks was nominated for “Captain Phillips” but didn’t win. | The awards don’t seem to matter that much to Mr. Hanks — who was most recently nominated for playing another person who seemed to personify goodness, Fred Rogers in “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” The publicist Tony Angellotti recalled standing next to him during the Golden Globes the year Mr. Hanks was nominated for “Captain Phillips” but didn’t win. |
| “I said, ‘Sorry you got robbed,’ and he just said, ‘Shake it off, shake it off,’ like I was nuts for being concerned about it,” Mr. Angellotti said. | “I said, ‘Sorry you got robbed,’ and he just said, ‘Shake it off, shake it off,’ like I was nuts for being concerned about it,” Mr. Angellotti said. |
| The outpouring of love for Mr. Hanks came as no surprise to Brian Grazer, a producer and a partner at Imagine who has made seven movies with him. Mr. Grazer recalled trying to cast “Apollo 13,” the story of the failed lunar landing. The studio wanted a big action star, until Mr. Grazer asked his fellow filmmakers, “Who does the world want to save most?” The answer, according to him and the others, was Tom Hanks. | The outpouring of love for Mr. Hanks came as no surprise to Brian Grazer, a producer and a partner at Imagine who has made seven movies with him. Mr. Grazer recalled trying to cast “Apollo 13,” the story of the failed lunar landing. The studio wanted a big action star, until Mr. Grazer asked his fellow filmmakers, “Who does the world want to save most?” The answer, according to him and the others, was Tom Hanks. |
| “That’s why we went after him,” he said. | “That’s why we went after him,” he said. |
| “He’s honest and noble and gifted, and people love earned success,” Mr. Grazer added. “When we make movies about earned success, when human beings demonstrate earned success, we Americans and the world love those people.” | “He’s honest and noble and gifted, and people love earned success,” Mr. Grazer added. “When we make movies about earned success, when human beings demonstrate earned success, we Americans and the world love those people.” |
| Updated June 22, 2020 | |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| The film historian and critic Leonard Maltin said he was shocked by the news of Mr. Hanks’s illness. Then he read the statement that Mr. Hanks had posted on Instagram, along with a photograph of a medical glove in a hazardous-waste container. It said, in part, “To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the coronavirus and were found to be positive.” | The film historian and critic Leonard Maltin said he was shocked by the news of Mr. Hanks’s illness. Then he read the statement that Mr. Hanks had posted on Instagram, along with a photograph of a medical glove in a hazardous-waste container. It said, in part, “To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the coronavirus and were found to be positive.” |
| “It was very reassuring,” Mr. Maltin said. “And it’s what you’d expect from Tom: sensible, down to earth, even self-deprecating. | “It was very reassuring,” Mr. Maltin said. “And it’s what you’d expect from Tom: sensible, down to earth, even self-deprecating. |
| “What I hope now is that this is a learning process for people around that world. He’s such a prominent person, so well loved, and he has come forward. Now we will have a chance to experience how he — and his equally famous wife — recover from this illness.” | “What I hope now is that this is a learning process for people around that world. He’s such a prominent person, so well loved, and he has come forward. Now we will have a chance to experience how he — and his equally famous wife — recover from this illness.” |