If people aren't listening to the governors' call to stay home, maybe they'll listen to the likes of Robert DeNiro and Danny Devito.
As the U.S. struggles to slow down the spread of the coronavirus, the states of New York and New Jersey have recruited celebrities to urge residents to follow CDC's recommended social distancing guidelines, as well as help donate to the newly introduced New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo began sharing PSA-style, home videos of celebrities since Sunday, starting with actor Ben Stiller who asked New Yorkers to heed the advice of the governor and stay home.
"Take this as an opportunity to take a breath and maybe read some books, watch some movies or take up a hobby. I've always been interested in chainsaw art. Never had the time to explore it," the comedian said as he pulled out a chainsaw.
In another video, Robert De Niro says he's "watching you" after asking people to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
"Young people can get it and they can transmit it to old people. The next thing you know, I'm out of there!" said Danny DeVito. The 75-year-old New Jersey native also joined Bruce Springsteen, Jon Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg and several other celebs in contributing to the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund.
In the video, Springsteen says that âthese are uncertain times." He continued: âWhat is for certain is the pain, the fear, and the real needs of many of our neighbors, our friends and certainly all of those who are on the front lines of this pandemic.â
While some expressed in online comments that they're following the governors' order and staying home, many others expressed frustration towards well-off celebrities whose stakes in the fight against the pandemic doesn't appear as high as those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19.
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"No one cares what rich people think right now, they have plenty of money, beautiful homes, someone to do their shopping and cook," one Twitter user responded to Gov. Cuomo's latest video of Alec Baldwin.
The growing dissent towards Hollywood stars who have also been forced to stay home has been noticeable online after some of them shared their opinions on the topic on social media.
Actress Vanessa Hudgens faced backlash last week after she called the coronavirus shutdowns "bull----" and said people dying as a result of the virus is "inevitable." Madonna also garnered criticism for appearing to "trivialize" the effects of coronavirus in a video taken while she sat in a bathtub full of rose petals.
