So obviously yesterday - even this morning - was a sort of 'coming-out party' for the coronavirus. It shut down the NBA, incoming flights from Europe, suspended the Champions League, and of course, it got to Tom Hanks. It was all... shocking - for lack of a better word. Tom Hanks announced he had coronavirus via Instagram:

However, to keep him company, 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.

The celebrity diagnosis follows news that the world is continuing to spiral further and further into pandemic chaos as the virus causes lockdowns, downturns and all sorts of flow-on effects.

The news breaks after it was confirmed Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilsons have been taken into a Gold Coast Hospital after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

This sent the internet into a panic. Everyone was concerned for Tom Hanks, as was I. We can't be losing Forest Gump, of all people, fall victim to COVID-19. Thankfully, Chet Hanks was able to clear everything up. He kindly informed us that his parents, in fact, are NOT trippin. His words, not mine.

Naturally, the internet started some Castaway jokes, given that Tom Hanks is gonna be in isolation due to his illness. I mean, how could you not? It was an easy layup in terms of cheap comedy. Slap that on twitter and you've got yourself a few likes, maybe even a retweet or two if you're lucky.

I actually found it pretty funny that they gave him a Wilson replica to keep him company during his isolation. Maybe funny isn't the best word to use in that situation but that's what it was. Then again, I'm slightly chuckling from afar. My only question is did Tom Hanks find it funny? I honestly can't exactly tell by that picture. He's somewhere between amused and being the most confused man on the planet. Happily confused, perhaps.

I'm not sure whether I should be scared of this whole Coronavirus thing or not. I got people telling me "it's the flu, you'll be fine" but then I see every sports league under the sun get suspended to prevent it from spreading too bad. If coronavirus is snatching up guys like Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, my puny ass stands no chance against this thing. I'd say I'm feeling concerned at the time of writing this blog, not exactly scared but I'm definitely aware of the situation.

PS - had to include this clip. The first thing and really only thing that comes to my head when thinking about Castaway.