Coronavirus: 'Big Brother' housemates clueless about pandemic as they remain cut off from world outside
The concept of 'Big Brother' needs its contestants to live in isolation, cut off from society. This often leads to contestants not getting to know of worldly affairs as they unfold around them. As it turns out, the rules hold true even in the case of a deadly, global pandemic.
'Big Brother' contestants of the Australian and German versions of the popular show are almost blissfully unaware of coronavirus that has presently plunged the globe into panic and chaos and claimed thousands of lives. While it has almost become impossible for one to escape daily updates about the disease, the broadcasting networks are not feeling the need to inform the housemates of the virus since they are already living in self-isolation.
For instance, Channel Seven, the network which broadcasts 'Big Brother Australia', chose to keep their contestants in the dark about the virus since the latest season started filming in Manly, Sydney, three weeks ago.
According to Daily Mail, the set of the show is most likely the safest zone in the country as the contestants spend their time in a purpose-built compound, which is well stocked with food and essentials. They will come to know about what happened in the world outside only after they are eliminated from the house.
Australia currently has more than 300 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including five reported deaths. Actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson announced last week that they had contracted the disease while filming in Australia. They have been placed in isolation at a Gold Coast hospital.
Just like 'Big Brother' contestants Down Under, contestants of the show currently being filmed in Germany also have no clue about the global spread of the virus. German broadcaster Sat.1 has chosen to honor the format of the show and that means that the contestants who entered the house on February 6, will only learn of the virus once they make their way out of the show, Extra reported.
The German network said that the only time they would permit the ban on outside information to be lifted was in case of one of the contestants' personal crises, such as a relative's sickness.
"Of course, the residents will be informed if there is reason to do so," the station said. "Which information is given to the residents from outside is also decided in exchange with the relatives."
However, unknown to the contestants, the showrunners have introduced certain measures to ensure "special hygiene" is maintained with regards to the stars as well as the crew members in the light of the virus threat.
There are 4,838 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Germany with 12 deaths so far.
Contestants of 'Big Brother' Canada, on the other hand, were unaware of the spread of the virus until last week. They began to wonder what was happening when the last eviction episode was filmed without a live audience present. It was then that they were informed about COVID-19 and the severity of the issue. They also received letters from their family members, Big Brother Network reported.
Canada has 304 cases of COVID-19 so far and one confirmed death.