Advertisement

'Don't be a p***k': Tom Hanks shames those not wearing masks during coronavirus pandemic

FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020 file photo, Tom Hanks arrives at the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. On Friday, May 15, 2020, The Associated Press reported on videos circulating online incorrectly asserting actor Tom Hanks and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot support the “New World Order,” a conspiracy theory built on the idea that the world’s most wealthy and powerful are plotting to overthrow democracy and install a single, global authoritarian government. The clip featuring Hanks was taken from a five-minute video of him addressing the class of 2020 at Wright State University. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Tom Hanks (Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Tom Hanks has a word to two to say to those not wearing protective masks amid the coronavirus pandemic in the US.

63-year-old Hanks, and his wife Rita Wilson, contracted the virus in March, as he was about to begin working on the new Baz Luhrmann movie in Australia.

The pair were quarantined and treated for the disease, before returning to the US a few weeks later.

He told People: “There’s really only three things we can do in order to get to tomorrow: Wear a mask, social distance, wash our hands.

March 11th 2020 - Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. - File Photo by: zz/KGC-143/STAR MAX/IPx 2018 7/16/18 Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson at the premiere of "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" in London, England, UK.
Hanks and Rita Wilson (Credit: zz/KGC-143/STAR MAX/IPx)

“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 p***k, 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.”

Read more: Hanks says wife ‘really suffered’ with coronavirus

Currently, the wearing of face coverings in England and Scotland is only compulsory on public transport, and they should also be worn by hospital staff, outpatients and visitors.

Jennifer Aniston has also weighed in, with a post to Instagram saying that 'it really shouldn't be a debate'.

“I understand masks are inconvenient and uncomfortable. But don’t you feel that it’s worse that businesses are shutting down... jobs are being lost... health care workers are hitting absolute exhaustion. And so many lives have been taken by this virus because we aren’t doing enough,” the Friends star said.

Read more: Where to buy face coverings in the UK

The US has the most recorded deaths from the virus of any country in the world, as of yesterday the number of fatalities reaching 129,000, and 2.6 million confirmed infections.