15 celebrities who have warned fans about staying protected against coronavirus
03/04/2020- Millions of people worldwide are taking safety precautions against coronavirus while traveling, and celebrities are no exception.
- A-Listers have been sharing their face mask selfies on Instagram from Kim Kardashian to Gwyneth Paltrow — who even joked about her role in the 2011 virus movie "Contagion."
- Other celebrities, like Justin Bieber and Donatella Versace, have been more virtuous in their approach by donating to charities.
- While big-name musicians like Avril Lavigne, BTS, and Green Day have postponed the Asian legs of their respective tours amid ongoing travel and health concerns.
- Insider has rounded up 15 celebrities who have spoken about staying protected from coronavirus.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
Kim Kardashian said she now travels 'prepared'
Kim Kardashian-West was one of the first celebrities to be pictured wearing a travel mask when she shared a selfie on her Instagram story on February 2.
The reality star also shared a separate Instagram story which showed her wearing hygiene gloves and a travel pack and Vitamin C tablets on her stowaway table.
Kardashian wrote: "I travel prepared now thanks to Ready Set Judy."
The travel pack was gifted to Kardashian by her friend and founder of the emergency-preparedness company Simon Huck.
Huck told Page Six they had "been unable to keep up with the demand" for his emergency kits, which range in price from $60 to $250.
"All its air masks and one of its emergency kits sold out in less than 10 hours," Huck said.
With limited supplies as the virus continues to spread globally, Huck said they're "limiting customers to three kits per order so there are enough supplies for everyone."
However, Business Insider reported that it is pointless to wear a face mask if you do not have the virus and are not a medical professional coming into contact with it.
In fact, healthy people buying masks could worsen the shortage of them.
Katy Perry sent a video via Weibo to Chinese fans and told them to 'keep fighting'
Katy Perry told Chinese fans to "keep fighting and stay healthy and positive" in a video message she sent via Weibo.
"I just wanted to send a message to you to let you know that we are all with you during this time, and keep fighting, and stay healthy, and positive as best as you can. We're thinking of you. We are sending our prayers. We're gonna get through this," Perry said.
The video was posted on Twitter by the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus.
"This is a great message of solidarity from @katyperry to the people of #China. I couldn't agree more – we're in this together and we can only stop it together! Thank you for lending your voice to such an important cause," he wrote.
Bill Gates warned of a pandemic and donated $100 million to help contain the outbreak
Billionaire Bill Gates has suggested the coronavirus could become a pandemic.
At the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAS) in Seattle on February 15, Gates said the virus could cause more than 10 million deaths.
"This is a huge challenge, we've always known the potential for a naturally caused, or intentionally caused pandemic is one of the few things that could disrupt health systems and economies and cause more than 10 million excess deaths," Gates said.
The Microsoft founder also said the virus is more dangerous than Ebola as it spreads faster.
Despite the fatality rate for coronavirus being lower (around 2-4%), Gates said the disease could have "very dramatic" consequences for Africa.
"This disease, if it's in Africa … it's more dramatic than if it's in China, even though I'm not trying to minimize what's going on in China in any way," Gates said, according to a report by The Telegraph.
"Will this get into Africa or not and if so, will those health systems be overwhelmed?"
On February 5, the philanthropist's charity — Bill and Melina Gates Foundation — announced they'd donate $100 million to help contain the outbreak.
"The funding will help strengthen detection, isolation and treatment efforts; protect at-risk populations; and develop vaccines, treatments and diagnostics," the foundation said in a press release.
Donatella Versace donated $143,500 to the Chinese Red Cross Foundation
Donatella Versace shared her support for the victims of coronavirus in a statement announcing that her fashion house was donating ¥1 million RMB (approximately $143,500 USD) to the Chinese Red Cross Foundation.
"My heart goes out to those affected by the Coronavirus and their families," the Versace chief creative officer said.
"Versace is donating ¥1 million RMB to help with the relief effort. We are sending our love and support, and I urge everyone to help by donating to groups on the ground that assist those in need," she said.
Justin Bieber donated to a Beijing charity and sent his thoughts and prayers to those affected
Justin Bieber showed solidarity with his fans in China with a side-by-side Instagram post of a video and screengrab from Weibo of a 200,000 RMB ($29,000 USD) donation to Beijing Chunmiao Charity Foundation.
Bieber said in the Instagram caption that he'd been watching the news and that "we all need to be there for each other" now.
"What's going on China? Justin Bieber here. Just wanted to say it's a very scary time in your country right now, but my prayers and thoughts are with you all right now," Bieber said in the video.
The charity's official Weibo account reportedly posted Bieber's donation certificate, which calls him "爱心人士" which translates to a "caring person."
Stormzy said he had to regrettably postpone his sold-out Asia tour
Stormzy postponed the Asian leg of his "Heavy is the Head" world tour due to coronavirus.
The British rapper told fans, on his now de-activated Twitter account, that he was "seriously looking forward" to playing his sold-out shows, but had to reschedule amid the "ongoing health and travel concerns."
"I was seriously looking forward to bringing the #HITH world tour to Asia and playing some epic sold-out shows but due to the ongoing health and travel concerns surrounding the coronavirus, I'm regrettably having to reschedule this leg of the tour," Stormzy tweeted.
Brody Jenner and ex Kaitlynn Carter twinned face masks on a flight back from Bali
Brody Jenner shared a selfie of him wearing a face mask on Instagram, on what appears to be an empty flight from Taiwan to Bali for a friend's wedding.
But when Jenner was leaving Bali (one of the destinations currently recording a drop in tourists) he ran into his ex Kaitlynn Carter on the plane back to Los Angeles.
Carter also posted to her Instagram story of her covering her nose and mouth with a disposable face mask, while Jenner appeared to wear a face mask with a respirator attached.
"Well, one of us is going to survive the coronavirus and it's probably not me in my flimsy mask," Carter said in the video as she panned over to Jenner who sat next to her.
Eva Longoria told fans via Instagram that she was safe in Italy
Eva Longoria, who's currently shooting a short film in Italy, told fans on Instagram not to worry about her after being inundated with concerned messages from followers.
"I am shooting in this small town in Italy. I'm nowhere near the north. Thank you for your concerns," She said in a video.
The "Desperate Housewives" star was staying in Castel Gandolfo — a small town near Rome.
"Everybody was calling and texting me and talking about the coronavirus in the north of Italy. It's really sad, but we're further away," Longoria said.
In a previous Instagram video, she told her 7.7 million followers she would be in Italy for a week.
Gwyneth Paltrow joked about being in the virus movie 'Contagion' while wearing a mask
Gwyneth Paltrow covered her face with a mask to minimize the risk of infection during her flight to Paris.
The 47-year-old Goop founder shared a selfie of her on February 27 wearing a large black face mask and wrote: "En route to Paris. Paranoid? Prudent? Panicked? Placid? Pandemic? Propaganda?"
She then referred to herself in the third person and said: "Paltrow's just going to go ahead and sleep with this thing on the plane."
She also joked about her role in the 2011 movie "Contagion" — where she plays Beth Emhoff who becomes the first person to die from a mystery fictitious virus that kills millions of people worldwide.
"I've already been in this movie. Stay safe. Don't shake hands. Wash hands frequently," she concluded.
Since coronavirus spread globally, Cinemablend reported that "Contagion" has seen a spike on streaming services.
Raul de Molina kissed his wife Millie while wearing a face mask
Multiple Emmy Award-winning television personality Raul de Molina posted a photo on Instagram of him and his wife Millie kissing while wearing masks.
"Returning from Los Angeles, rather healthy than sick. Taking the coronavirus very seriously. Be informed, " Molina wrote.
Molina also tweeted on January 31: "A grapefruit a day keeps the coronavirus away! Desperate Chinese resort to using FRUIT as face masks," in a reference to a Daily Mail article he linked.
BTS canceled four shows in Seoul that were expected to draw in 200,000 fans
The world's highest-paid K-pop group BTS have now cancelled four shows scheduled for Seoul in April.
The cancellation comes following a sharp rise in coronavirus cases in South Korea over the past two weeks. The country also has the second largest number of cases outside mainland China.
"We must take into consideration the health and safety of hundreds of thousands of guests as well as our artists," the boyband said.
More than 200,000 were expected to attend their concert at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul.
The seven-person boyband — which is reportedly worth $3.6 billion to South Korea's economy — also gave a press conference in Seoul last week where they urged fans to seriously consider their health.
"Health is always on our minds these days, and our messages of facing your inner self and loving yourself are ultimately only possible when you're healthy," band-member Jimin said.
"Especially since it is very risky outside these days. I hope you take care of yourself."
The band's management, Big Hit Entertainment, provided more details in a statement.
"We have decided to fully co-operate with the government's policy to refrain from holding events with a massive number of participants in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
"We would like to advise fans to refrain from visiting the venue of the press conference for your own safety, and ask you to support BTS by watching the press conference via livestreaming," Big Hit Entertainment said.
The South Korean group will be promoting their new album "Map of the Soul: 7" on several TV shows, with no studio audience.
Green Day told fans to 'hold on to your tickets' as they canceled shows across Asia
Green Day also said on Instagram that it had to make the "difficult decision" to postpone its upcoming shows across Asia.
"We have unfortunately made the difficult decision to postpone our upcoming shows in Asia due to the health + travel concerns with coronavirus," the band wrote.
Green day was scheduled to tour in Bangkok, Manila, Taipei, Hong Kong, Seoul, Osaka and Tokyo for their new album, "Father of All Motherfuckers."
"We know it sucks, as we were looking forward to seeing you all, but hold on to your tickets we'll be announcing the new dates very soon," the band wrote.
Steve Harvey and his wife Marjorie wore bedazzled face masks
Steve Harvey and his wife Majorie stylishly protected themselves from coronavirus as they wore bedazzled masks while sitting in first class.
Majorie shared a picture of her beside Steve on Instagram on Saturday as the pair matched with grey pyjamas and glittering masks.
Despite the couple looking prepared, supermodel Naomi Campbell questioned where one other protective element was as she commented: "Wipes ??"
On February 7, Steve's official Facebook page linked to a research article published on his website — Harvey's Hundreds — which explained the virus and how people can protect themselves.
Avril Lavigne said she was 'completely bummed out' to postpone her Asian tour
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9KfxIOnVqX
Avril Lavigne has postponed 12 shows across Asia "due to the continuous outbreak of the coronavirus."
The 35-year-old posted a picture on Instagram of her "Head Above Water" world tour poster, and said she was "completely bummed out" by the decision but her "thoughts and prayers" are with fans.
"Please everybody take care of yourselves and stay healthy. You're in my thoughts and prayers and we are hoping to announce rescheduled shows soon," Lavigne wrote.
Lavigne was also forced to cancel an upcoming show on March 13 in Switzerland following the Swiss government's decision to "cancel all events with more than 1,000 people in attendance" in a bid to combat coronavirus spread.
The singer explained the cancellation on an Instagram story on Sunday and said it was "out of my control."
"I was really looking forward to come and see you all and very disappointed that the show can not proceed.
"We have tried to reschedule the date but sadly that is not possible on this tour."
The singer also said Swiss fans will be able to get a full refund for their tickets.
Arnold Schwarzenegger said postponing his annual fitness festival was the 'right thing to do'
Arnold Schwarzenegger postponed his annual sports festival over coronavirus concerns.
Schwarzenegger uploaded a video on Instagram on March 3 in which he told fans: "it's a very sad day" but the "right thing to do."
"I think it was a wise decision because, under the circumstances, listening to the governor's concern, the mayor's concern, the CDC's concern, all the experts, scientists and the health community, the doctors …" Schwarzenegger said.
The 72-year-old said more than 250,000 people were expected to attend "Arnold's Classics Sports and Fitness Festival."
"So, to us, we're the biggest and the best in the world, but making money is less important than being healthy and promoting health and fitness.
"We want people to stay healthy and fit, that's what it's all about. So we'll postpone it, we'll keep you up to date," Schwarzenegger said.
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