COVID-19: Idris Elba Calls for Weekly Quarantine

Idris Elba, British movie star, has called for a weekly quarantine per year to ‘remember’ the coronavirus pandemic. 

The “Luther” actor was one of the first celebrities to test positive for the virus but has since recovered along with his wife Sabrina Dhowre.

Despite only having mild symptoms, the couple diclosed that contracting the virus “turned around” their lives and called the experience “definitely scary and unsettling and nervous.”

According to him, the pandemic should be recognised every year once the global health crisis is over.

Speaking to the Associated Press, the actor said:

“You know, everyone’s sort of feeling the way we have been feeling. But it has definitely been sort of just a complete upheaval. I think that the world should take a week of quarantine every year just to remember this time. Remember each other. I really do.”  He added: “I think it’s… other species use it. It’s called hibernation. But it does remind you that the world doesn’t tick on your time.”

Idris and Sabrina appointed UN Ambassadors

Idris Elba and Sabrina are currently self-isolating in New Mexico where the actor was filming a project as the U.S and UK went into lockdown. 

It meant he was forced to miss his son Winston’s sixth birthday but hopes to be able to catch a flight back to London soon.  “We’ve been fortunate. We have been staying in a lovely place that’s been very comfortable for the time. But we’re looking forward to going home,” he said. 

The couple, who got married last year, experienced ‘mild’ symptoms of coronavirus.  hey’ve now been appointed UN Goodwill Ambassadors to help lessen the impact of Covid-19 on farmers and food producers in rural areas.

Sharing an insight into their new roles, Sabrina explained:

“People forget that 80% of the poor population live in these rural areas.  What we are really worried about at the moment. And why we are launching this fund is that those people are being forgotten.”