Some of the world’s biggest pop stars are urging their fans, especially millennials, to practice social distancing to help fight the spread of the coronavirus after multiple reports showed young people defying government recommendations by partying in large groups while on spring break.
Celebrities including Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, and Justin Bieber are telling young people to stay at home as much as possible and avoid gatherings of more than 10 people.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Tuesday the mass closure of bars and nightclubs following reports of hordes of college students crowding South Florida beaches in open defiance of guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control. As the number of coronavirus cases in Florida grows, officials in the Miami area have imposed a curfew in certain areas and shut down public beaches.
On Wednesday, Dr. Deborah Birx of the White House’s coronavirus task force noted reports from France and Italy of more young people falling “very seriously ill” from the virus.
Pop star Ariana Grande warned her followers that “it is incredible dangerous and selfish to take this situation that lightly.” She said that young people who say they will be fine “sound stupid and privileged and you need to care.”
Grande added: “like your hip hop yoga class can fucking wait i promise.”
Lady Gaga advised young people to avoid unnecessary contact with elderly family members. The megastar said she is avoiding contact with her parents and grandparents.
“It’s much safer to not so I don’t get them sick in case I have it. I’m hanging at home with my dogs. I love you world, we’ll all get through this. Trust me, I talked to God —she said we’re gonna be ok,” she wrote in a recent Instagram post.
Justin Bieber wrote on Instagram that “now is the time to engage online not in person.” He said that people should avoid bars, clubs, and restaurants. “If you care about your parents or your grandparents or any friend who could be compromised please stay in and be safe,” he added.
Will & Grace star Debra Messing posted a video to Twitter urging her fans to “please stay home. It will save lives.”
The actress also noted the reports from France and Italy of young people who are falling seriously ill. “So no one is immune,” she said.
Model Kylie Jenner tweeted out: “It’s so important right now to self quarantine to ensure we aren’t endangering ourselves or anyone who can’t handle this virus.”
Singer Sam Smith revealed on social media that he is self-isolating because he isn’t feeling well, though it remains unclear if he has coronavirus.
“I’m going to stay in side to be safe,” he said in a video posted to Twitter. “I just want to really bring home and to say how important I think this time, right now, is for all of us to remain a unit and look out for each other.”
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