Tom Hanks says he had crippling body aches and was tired all the time for two weeks after contracting Covid-19
Tom Hanks, one of the first celebrities to contract the Covid-19 along with his wife Rita Wilson, has opened up about his experience with the deadly virus. Hanks and Wilson tested positive for coronavirus in early March when the 63-year-old actor was shooting Baz Lurhmann's Elvis Presley biopic in Australia. The couple completely recovered and are now in quarantine at their home in Los Angeles, California.
Hanks talked with The Guardian as he shared his experience as well as voiced his opinion on Donald Trump’s handling of the pandemic. He also blasted those who refuse to take preventive measures against the virus. “When we were in the hospital, I said: ‘I’m 63, I have type 2 diabetes, I had a stent in my heart – am I a red flag case?’ But as long as our temperatures did not spike, and our lungs did not fill up with something that looked like pneumonia, they were not worried. I’m not one who wakes up in the morning wondering if I’m going to see the end of the day or not. I’m pretty calm about that,” Hanks said.
The ‘Cast Away’ star also said that he and his wife have not suffered any after-effects of the illness. “We’re fine. Our discomfort because of the virus was pretty much done in two weeks and we had very different reactions, and that was odd. My wife lost her sense of taste and smell, she had severe nausea, she had a much higher fever than I did. I just had crippling body aches, I was very fatigued all the time and I couldn’t concentrate on anything for more than about 12 minutes. That last bit is kinda like my natural state anyway,” Hanks added.
During the interview when Hanks was asked about his views on how America has responded to the pandemic, the actor seemed a bit disappointed as he told the newspaper: “Oh dear! I have nothing but question marks about the official position as well as the individual choice. There are really only three things everyone needs to do: wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands. I know societally it’s been politicized, but I don’t get it, man. I don’t understand how anyone can put their foot down and say: ‘I don’t have to do my part.’”
Taking a subtle dig at President Donald Trump, the father-of-four said, “Well, I must say, I grew up looking to our leaders for calm and informed guidance and I don’t think we’ve got that.” This comes after recently Hanks slammed those who don't wear masks while promoting his upcoming movie ‘Greyhound’. “Wear a mask, social distance, wash our hands. Those things are so simple, so easy. If anybody cannot find it in themselves to practice those three very basic things — I just think shame on you. Don’t be a pu***, get on with it, do your part. It’s very basic. If you’re driving a car, you don’t go too fast, you use your turn signal and you avoid hitting pedestrians. My Lord, it’s common sense."
‘Greyhound’ was scheduled to release in movie theatres in May, but due to coronavirus, Apple has acquired the action-packed film from Sony pictures in June. Now, the film - written by Hanks himself who plays the character of Captain Ernest Krause - will stream on Apple TV+ from July 10.
