Fans were so worried about the 98-year-old that the icon began trending on Twitter right after Tom Hanks revealed he'd tested positive for coronavirus.
Netizens had a complete meltdown on Wednesday night when Tom Hanks broke the news that he and his wife, Rita Wilson, have tested positive for coronavirus. Despite many wondering for weeks why no one famous had been infected, when Hollywood's nicest guy drew the short straw, it hit a bit too close to home. The painful reality check also left the internet terrified for the wellbeing of another national treasure: Betty White. In fact, fans were so worried about the 98-year-old that The Golden Girls icon began trending on Twitter the same night as Hanks.
From suggesting that White should immediately be quarantined as a preventative measure to threatening the virus itself, fans of the legend vowed to put their own lives on the line for her if need be.
Someone get Betty White into her own quarantine... we can’t lose her #CoronaOutbreak pic.twitter.com/KtfCLgmBBU
— Michael Barber 🏈💀 (@MBarber_22) March 12, 2020
Checking twitter to make sure Betty White is okaypic.twitter.com/lPKUrZcvKZ
— Cherry🌹 (@cherryboy307) March 12, 2020
@ coronavirus so help me god if you do anything to Betty White we’re gonna have some problems pic.twitter.com/FGk2PlLpky
— Megan🤪 (@megwallace96) March 12, 2020
IF YALL SO MUCH AS SNIFFLE AROUND BETTY WHITE IT IS ON SIGHT!!!! ON!! SIGHT!! pic.twitter.com/1nR6u7zqXe
— molly (@mollyholmes_1) March 12, 2020
SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN TOM HANKS HAS CORONAVIRUS.
— Lana Del Gay 🏳️🌈👻✨ (@McClellandShane) March 12, 2020
Someone gather our national treasures - Betty White, Dolly Parton, RBG - and put them in individual sterile containment rooms
Betty White better keep her cute lil ass in the house
— Jenny Don’t (@JenniferKrame20) March 12, 2020
OKAY SOMEBODY CHECK ON BETTY WHITE, PATRICK STEWART, CICELY TYSON, HELEN MIRREN, JAMES EARL JONES AND MORGAN FREEMAN PLEASE #coronavirus OUT HEA WILDIN. pic.twitter.com/0rJa9UHVwG
— anza (@AnzaTheGreat) March 12, 2020
Just found out Tom Hanks has the Coronavirus 🙁🙁😊 SOMEONE GO GET BETTY WHITE!!!!! pic.twitter.com/vKxxc4a1Dt
— Brandon (@MrPhenomz) March 12, 2020
me telling the corona virus to leave betty white alone pic.twitter.com/em9fMvmrcS
— indie (@INDIEWASHERE) March 12, 2020
coronavirus we about to square tf up dont ever come near mrs betty white bitch pic.twitter.com/Gym8M6roW2
— lemonhead (@picantelimon) March 12, 2020
So, Tom Hanks has Coronavirus...I was all sad like “wow, hope it doesn’t hit him too hard.”
— 𝕞𝕣𝕤. 𝕡 ☾ (@mommaxunicorn) March 12, 2020
Then it hit me...Betty White. Lord JESUS. You better put Betty White in antiseptic bubble wrap because I’m not having this wholesome angel get sick! Nope. Not on my watch.
Protect Betty White at any cost! pic.twitter.com/zJzjDZ8n3F
— Lion Lyons (@LionLyons2) March 12, 2020
Of course, seeing the legend's name trend on Twitter at a time when it's been revealed that older people are more susceptible to fatalities if infected only made matters worse. People were legit terrified.
Saw Betty White trending and DO NOT EVER FUCKING GODDAMN SCARE ME LIKE THAT AGAIN I SWEAR TO GOD
— Coperbraegen (@Coperbraegen) March 12, 2020
Y’all idiots are making me panic cause I saw Betty White Trending for no reason. Fucking hate it here pic.twitter.com/HmHyccW7db
— Tiff (@earthtotiffany_) March 12, 2020
Saw Betty White trending and legit had a panic attack given everything that's happened in the last couple of hours. Thankfully it's just people being concerned about Betty White. pic.twitter.com/RzEtzHhgVc
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) March 12, 2020
Yet again you assholes make Betty White trend & SHE IS FINE. pic.twitter.com/Z6ARPQ5irq
— And I oop- (@beoffended_idc) March 12, 2020
saw Betty White trending and now that i have fully recovered from my panic attack, i’d like to say say from the bottom of my heart...
— Jessica Papayiannis (@SimplyJessP) March 12, 2020
FUCK YA’LL FOR DOING THAT SHIT AGAIN . pic.twitter.com/TZz1NyAJxO
The online panic got so out of hand that a representative for White had to clear the air by issuing this very informative statement to TODAY: "Betty is fine." Phew!
Despite the clarification from White's representative, fans of notable personalities in the over-60 demographic might still have reason to worry. A top CDC official recommended on Monday that those in this age group and anyone with chronic medical conditions should prepare for a lengthy stay at home. "This seems to be a disease that affects adults and most seriously older adults," director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, told reporters on a conference call. "Starting at age 60, there is an increasing risk of disease and the risk increases with age."
CDC tells people over 60 or who have chronic illnesses like diabetes to stock up on goods and buckle down for a lengthy stay at home. https://t.co/Lej6QMp0oY
— Jim Roberts (@nycjim) March 10, 2020
We're glad you're okay, Betty.