Celebrities across Canada are trying to leverage their platforms in an effort to encourage social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to social media on Tuesday and extended a challenge to famous Canadians to help spread the word about staying at home.
“Now is not the time to be hanging out in parks with friends or hosting dinner parties. If we all step up and do the right thing, we will get through this together. So help me spread the word and let’s plank the curve,” said Trudeau in a video posted to Twitter.
You need to stay home. And so do your friends and family members. Help spread the word with your own video – and tag your friends to remind them to stay home too. And together, we can #PlankTheCurve. @MichaelBuble and @VancityReynolds – can you help? #StayAtHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/f1PQQrzMIK
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 23, 2020
In his tweet, the Prime Minister called upon popular British Columbian actor Ryan Reynolds and singer Michael Bublé to pass the torch and send the message onwards, using the hashtag #PlankTheCurve.
Reynolds took the challenge and ran with it, sending a video message himself, but adding his own, more comedic approach.
“Thank you, Prime Minister Trudeau. We need to work together to flatten the curve and fight off COVID-19. I think in times of crisis I think we all know that it’s the celebrities that we count on most. They’re the ones who are going to get us through this,” Reynolds joked. “Right after healthcare workers of course.”
Another important message from an important celebrity. Let’s spread the word not the virus. I happily nominate, @stevenpage @Sethrogen and @TerryR49776917 #PlankTheCurve #StayAtHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/IRJNI9Y6G9
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) March 23, 2020
The Deadpool actor ultimately asked fans to please “stay home,” while nominating Seth Rogen.
Rogen echoed the same sentiments from his “bunker” saying “just don’t leave the house, there are worse things that you could be asked to do.”
Help #PlanktheCurve. Please let’s not get sick. @Lilly @BaruchelNDG @ShawnMendes pic.twitter.com/KcRfqHshmL
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) March 24, 2020
The social distancing encouragement also reached Olympic champion Hayley Wickenheiser who is currently a doctor-in-training in her final year of med school.
Ok @JustinTrudeau, @VancityReynolds @ArleneDickinson @Marner93 @91Tavares @paulbrandt @brendanshanahan @jannarden you’re up! #PlanktheCurve #StayHome https://t.co/ceEbVt4Osz pic.twitter.com/uEYTQBmBdj
— Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) March 23, 2020
With the chance of soon becoming a practicing doctor, the gold medalist issued a more personalized message while wearing medical scrubs. “You definitely don’t want to be seeing me in the hospital, so stay home.”
Other Canadian celebrities who have sent out messages as part of the #PlankTheCurve movement include Bublé, Shania Twain, Shawn Mendes, Paul Brandt, Jann Arden, Tom Green, Brent Butt, Kia Nurse and Will Sasso among others.
The ask for help spreading the word from Prime Minister Trudeau comes just a few days after he told Canadians who weren’t social distancing that “Enough is enough. Go home and stay home.”
CHEK News
