“In times of crisis, I think we all know that it’s the celebrities that we count on most. They’re the ones that are going to get us through this,” the Deadpool actor explains on social media. “Right after healthcare workers, of course. First responders. People who work in essential services. Ping-pong players. Mannequins, they’re great. Childhood imaginary friends, sure. Like, 400 other types of people.”
In response to the recent pandemic (excuse me) of dreary, self-involved publicity clichés – including Gal Gadot’s cringe-o-tron version of Imagine, Kim Kardashian’s quarantine kissy-selfie, and Madonna telling her fans that the virus “is the great equaliser, and what’s terrible about it is what’s great about it” from the austere seclusion of a milky, rose-petal bath (since deleted, but the internet is forever) – Ryan Reynolds has published a much more practical memo to the planet.
“Look, stay at home. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands,” he says. “We are going to get through this thing. We are going to get through this thing together.”
Another important message from an important celebrity. Let’s spread the word not the virus. I happily nominate, @stevenpage @Sethrogen and @TerryR49776917 #PlankTheCurve #StayAtHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/IRJNI9Y6G9
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) March 23, 2020
Reynolds and wife Blake Lively have also donated $1 million to food banks in the US and Canada, and promised 30 percent of the profits from his Aviation Gin brand to bar workers who are unemployed as a consequence of the COVID-19 shutdown. In the meantime, Ant-Man and the Wasp star Evangeline Lilly won’t be self-isolating because “freedom”.