Hollywood’s Ryan Reynolds, Justin Bieber give money to fight coronavirus

As the race to find a vaccine for COVID-19 gathers speed, even as supermarkets around the global struggle to keep up with demand amidst panic buying, some heroes are stepping up (capes not included) to fight the good fight.

Hollywood celebrity power couple Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are leading the cause by donating $1 million, which will be divided between Feeding America and Food Banks Canada. “If you can give, theses orgs need our help,” Reynolds posted on Instagram. The actor also took the time to troll his ‘good buddy’ Hugh Jackman in the post, as he added: “Take care of your bodies and hearts. Leave room for joy. Call someone who’s isolated and might need connection. (Hugh Jackman’s # is 1-555-(sad emoji)-HUGH).”

Lively also posted a similar message, urging people to help communities by shopping for the elderly, making lunches for children and helping out when possible. She also took the time to troll her own husband in the post, writing: “Now can someone please tell Ryan that ‘emotional distancing’ from his mother in law is not a thing. Nothing can save him.”

Singer Lady Gaga announced earlier this week that her cosmetics company, Haus Labs, would donate 20 per cent of its online profits from the previous week to local food banks in Los Angeles and New York City.

Also joining is singer Justin Timberlake, who stated earlier this week that he was donating an undisclosed amount to the Mid-South Food Bank in his hometown of Memphis. In a Twitter post, the singer wrote: ““This is a crazy time, but remember we’re all in it together. Start small and support your local communities by getting food out to those in need. I’m donating to @midsouthfoodbank an organization in my hometown that is helping people assemble and deliver nonperishable food in the Mid-South so families can be prepared to stay at home. Every. little. thing. helps.”

In February, Justin Bieber announced that he was donating 200,000 RNB ($29,000) to the Beijing Chunmiao Charity Foundation, a children’s charity in China, to help with the coronavirus relief efforts. “Watching the news I couldn't imagine how scary it would be if a new disease was effecting my wife and my family and friends," Bieber said in a video posted on Instagram. “China we stand with you as a collective humanity and have made a donation to support.”

Fashion designer Donatella Versace also lent her support for the victims of coronavirus by donating ¥1 million RMB to the Chinese Red Cross Foundation. “My heart goes out to those affected by the coronavirus and their families,” the Versace chief creative officer said in a statement last month, urging others to follow suit.

Breakthrough artist Lil Nas X was taking his donations directly to the people in a bid to help them get food. “Hey guys drop ur cashapp. Gonna send some of u some money to go get some food then stay inside,” the rapper tweeted on March 12.

BTS’ Suga, along with the Oscar winning ‘Parasite’ director Bong Joon-ho have each donated more than $82,000 to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association in their native South Korea, according to a Newsweek report. The donation will be used to purchase and distribute face masks and hand sanitisers in the Asian country that is facing a surge in cases.