Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have been released from the hospital after coronavirus diagnosis

Actor Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, have been released from the hospital in Queensland, Australia after they both tested positive for the novel coronavirus last week. On Monday night, their son Chet Hanks broke the news through a video on Instagram. "Quick update on my folks, they’re out of the hospital. They're still self-quarantined, obviously, but they’re feeling a lot better, so that's a relief." They were placed under quarantine at the hospital after being diagnosed with coronavirus. The couple is yet to make an official statement on their release, but the internet has already expressed their relief. A representative for Hanks told CNN that the couple is now back at their home in Australia. It is unclear if Hanks and Wilson will be permitted to travel outside of the country and back home to the United States. Hanks was down under for the preproduction of one of his upcoming movies, however, production on the project has currently been suspended. 

Hanks and Wilson confirmed their positive coronavirus results through their social media pages. In his first Instagram post about the diagnosis, Hanks wrote, "We felt a bit tired like we had colds, and some body aches. Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too. To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the coronavirus and were found to be positive. Well, now. What to do next? The Medical Officials have protocols that must be followed. We Hanks' will be tested, observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety require. Not much more to it than a one-day-at-a-time approach, no? We'll keep the world posted and updated. Take care of yourselves!"

Since then, both Hanks and Wilson have tried to make the quarantine process more enjoyable and less mundane - for themselves as well as anyone else who is currently under self-isolation. Wilson, for example, took to Twitter to ask her followers for song suggestions. She explained that she was building a Spotify playlist to help us all get through this period of isolation. Punnily named Quarantunes, the playlist is filled with fun, motivational, and mellow tracks to help everyone beat the loneliness they may otherwise experience while being cooped up all alone at home. You can listen to the playlist here.

Meanwhile, Hanks was off sharing updates and other quirky posts about being under quarantine. He even took a moment to thank those who were helping him and his wife recover from the deadly virus. Taking to Instagram, he posted a selfie of him and his wife. He wrote, "Hello folks. Rita Wilson and I want to thank everyone here down under who are taking such good care of us." In another post, he uploaded a photo of a small kangaroo plushie standing next to some toast with vegemite spread (an acquired taste, to say the least). He added the following caption: "Thanks to the helpers. Let’s take care of ourselves and each other."

Both Hanks and Wilson are 63, which made the diagnosis rather concerning. During this pandemic, it is the elderly, the very young, and those with compromised immune systems who are most at risk. Therefore, practicing self-isolation even if you personally feel well is the best way to help suppress the spread of Covid-19. This helps protect others who may be more susceptible to the disease. As the public health crisis worsens, it takes active citizenship and mutual responsibility to fight the spread. As Hanks said, do your part, look for the helpers, and stay safe.