On Sunday, famed English actor Idris Elba told Oprah Winfrey on an episode of “Oprah Talks Covid-19” that earth has unleashed the China-originated novel coronavirus on humanity because we treat the environment poorly.
Elba and his wife Sabrina Dhowre have both tested positive for the virus.
“One of the upsides of this whole drama is that we are forced to think together as a race,” the actor told Winfrey, as reported by The Independent. “We really are, as a human race.”
“Our world has been taking a kicking,” the 47-year-old continued. “We have damaged our world, and it’s no surprise that our world is reacting to the human race. It’s no surprise that a virus has been created that is going to slow us down, and ultimately make us think differently about our world and ourselves.”
“For me, that’s a stand-out thing that’s very obvious. That, this is almost like the world’s cry out. Like: ‘Hey, hey, hey – you are kicking me and what you’re doing is not good, so I’ll get rid of you,'” Elba added. “As any organism would do, (the world) is trying to get rid of an infection, and maybe this is it for the world.”
Winfrey was in agreement that the virus is meant to teach humanity something.
“I think we all lose as human beings if we just think of this as a physical virus,” she told the actor. “I think it is exactly as you said, that it is here to teach us, show us something about ourselves, as individuals and also as a world of people. And this is the moment for our humanity to either rise or not.”
The “Luther” actor announced Monday that he had tested positive for COVID-91; days later it was announced that his wife, who stayed by his side in quarantine, also had the virus.
“This morning I tested positive for Covid 19,” Elba said via social media on Monday. “I feel ok, I have no symptoms so far but have been isolated since I found out about my possible exposure to the virus.”
“I didn’t have any symptoms,” he explained. “I got tested because I realized that I was exposed to someone who had also tested positive. I found out last Friday that they were tested positive. I quarantined myself and got a test immediately and got the results back today.”
“Look, this is serious. Now’s the time to really think about social distancing, washing your hands. Beyond that there are people out there who aren’t showing symptoms, and that can easily spread it,” continued the acclaimed actor. “So now’s a time to be real vigilant about washing your hands and keeping your distance, okay.”
“Transparency’s probably the best thing for this right now,” he said. “If you’re feeling ill or you feel like you should be tested or you’ve been exposed, then do something about it, all right — it’s really important.”
“Look, we live in a divided world right now, we can feel it — it’s been bullsh**,” Elba emphasized. “But now’s the time for solidarity, now’s the time to be thinking about each other. There are so many people whose lives have been affected — from those who have lost people they have loved, to those who don’t even have it and have lost their livelihoods. This is real.”
Related: Naked Madonna Posts Coronavirus Bathtub Message: COVID-19 Has ‘Wonderful’ Side