We regret to inform you that although reports of Tom Hanks chilling in coronavirus quarantine with Wilson, the volleyball from Cast Away, sound delightful, they're not actually real.
On Wednesday, the public learned that both Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson — who are currently in Australia — tested positive for the novel coronavirus. As the contagious virus (which results in the disease COVID-19) continues to spread around the world, fans of Hanks have turned to a lighthearted tweet about the actor for comfort.
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The Betoota Advocate tweeted a photo of Hanks holding a Cast Away-inspired volleyball on Thursday. In it, they claim that staff at Australia's Gold Coast University Hospital, where the two are being treated, rolled the ball into Hanks' quarantine room to keep him company.
What most people don't know, however, is that theBetoota Advocate is a satirical site, kind of like Australia's version of The Onion.
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The widely shared tweet links out to an article that states, "the thoughtful and overworked staff at the Gold Coast hospital have brought Hanks in a Wilson volleyball to keep him company for the duration of his stay."
Again, because the Betoota Advocate publishes satire, that is not true. The image in the story was also Photoshopped. (It was taken from footage of a 2015 Rangers game at which Hanks was thrown the ball.)
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Several trusted reporters and people with high follower counts on social media have shared the false story as though it were real, which unfortunately helps elevate the spread of misinformation. It's unclear if they knew if they were sharing satire.
As the coronavirus continues to spark concern it's important to be aware of the myths surrounding the pandemic and be extra vigilant when reading related tweets.