Betty White “Is Fine” Amid Outbreak as Netizens Express Worry for Senior Celebs

(TMU) — In news that should relieve many, actress Betty White has confirmed that she is doing just fine.

As the coronavirus outbreak continues to expand across the world, people have expressed concern about a number of prominent celebrities and figures who are in their advanced years—including the spry 98-year old White, who is best known for her role as Rose in the classic sitcom The Golden Girls (1985-92).

A representative of White confirmed Thursday to TODAY that the lifelong actress “is fine.”

Concern has spiked about White and others after news spread that another universally admired celebrity, Tom Hanks, had been diagnosed with CoViD-19 and placed into quarantine along with his wife, Rita Wilson.

On Wednesday, Hanks announced on Instagram that he and his wife, both 63, had tested positive for the novel virus while in Australia.

The news also comes as various sports leagues, including the NBA, MLB, and NCAA, had suspended their seasons while President Donald Trump halted all travel from Europe to the U.S. due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has warned that those in the over-60 demographic are among the most vulnerable to coronavirus. On Monday, a top official at the CDC urged people over 60 and those with chronic medical conditions to prepare for a potentially lengthy stay at home.

Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters:

“This seems to be a disease that affects adults and most seriously older adults.

Starting at age 60, there is an increasing risk of disease and the risk increases with age.”

On Twitter, users have expressed concern about White and other prominent elders.

In a widely-shared tweet, one person wrote:

“Someone get Betty White into her own quarantine… we can’t lose her #CoronaOutbreak“

While another warned:

“Coronavirus so help me god if you do anything to Betty White we’re gonna have some problems.”

As new cases of the novel virus continue to emerge in various parts of the world and many governments appear unprepared to deal with the crisis, we can simply hope that Betty—along with the elders in our own families and communities—are spared the worst of the outbreak.

Someone get Betty White into her own quarantine… we can’t lose her #CoronaOutbreak pic.twitter.com/KtfCLgmBBU

— Michael Barber ?? (@MBarber2222) 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

Checking twitter to make sure Betty White is okaypic.twitter.com/lPKUrZcvKZ

— ???? (@3klaws) March 12, 2020

Since Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have announced they have coronavirus, I think it's time to boy in the bubble RBG, Jane Fonda, Betty White, Dolly Parton and Gloria Steinem. I am open to adding others as needed.

— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) March 12, 2020

By Elias Marat | Creative Commons | TheMindUnleashed.com