SCIFI.radio reported that Tom Hanks (Big, Saving Mr. Disney, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood) and his wife, actress, producer and singer-songwriter Rita Wilson (Boy Genius, A Simple Wedding, The Good Wife) had been diagnosed with COVID-19. They have since recovered and according to Instagram, Hanks has donated plasma for a second time in the hopes of helping other coronavirus victims.
The novel coronavirus, being a new virus, scientists are not yet sure whether surviving the disease provides a lifetime immunity nor if a vaccine can be developed from the plasma of survivors. The Washington Post reported there’s a good chance this coronavirus may never go away.
“Even after [if] a vaccine is discovered and deployed, the coronavirus will likely remain for decades to come, circulating among the world’s population. Experts call such diseases endemic — stubbornly resisting efforts to stamp them out. Think measles, HIV, chickenpox.”
Whether donating plasma will lead to a cure or not, donating blood and plasma is always a good thing. The late Robert A. Heinlein was an advocate of donating blood and organized blood drives at many science fiction conventions, a practice that continues to the current day.
-30-
Susan Macdonald is the author of the children’s book “R is for Renaissance Faire”, as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in “Alternative Truths”, “Swords and Sorceress #30”, Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, “Cat Tails” “Under Western Stars”, and “Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid”. Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio’s web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions, Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.
