B.C. premier asks Ryan Reynolds, Seth Rogen to help fight increase in COVID-19 cases

B.C. premier asks Ryan Reynolds, Seth Rogen to help fight increase in COVID-19 cases
Associated Press. Photo courtesy of CBC
Premier John Horgan has asked Seth Rogen and Ryan Reynolds for help with spreading the word on limiting the spread of COVID-19.

As COVID-19 cases continue to go up among younger people in British Columbia, Premier John Horgan wants B.C. celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Seth Rogen to help spread the message about the dangers of the virus.

“This is a callout to Deadpool right now. Ryan, we need your help up here. Get in touch with us, my number’s on the internet,” Horgan said during his Wednesday media availability. “Seth Rogen, another outstanding British Columbian. We need to communicate with people who aren’t hearing us. The two of you alone could help us in that regard.”

Horgan made the request after announcing B.C. would be hiring 500 new contact tracers as it prepares for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases this fall. 

This isn’t the first time that Reynolds and Rogen have been a part of COVID-19 messaging during the pandemic. Back in March, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau enlisted the help of celebrities on social media to help drive home the message about social distancing and staying home.

Both British Columbian stars have big platforms with a major reach. Reynolds has over 35 million followers on Instagram and over 16 million on Twitter, while Rogen has over 8 million on both social platforms.

Also on Wednesday, B.C. health officials reported 85 new cases of COVID-19, the third highest rise in daily cases in B.C. since the pandemic began. 

According to the province, the majority of new cases are among young people in the Lower Mainland, with their exposures being at “events in the community.”

On Monday, B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said more messaging has to be directed at the younger demographic to discourage them from going to large indoor parties.

“And to do that we are and will be finding people on social media and influencers,” Dix said during a news conference Monday. “But I want to say to everyone out there that we are all influencers and we can influence the behaviour of ourselves and everyone around us.”

Last month, Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, did a takeover of actress Olivia Munn’s Instagram account to help spread COVID-19 awareness.

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