Evangeline Lilly is Sorry for Her Cornoavirus Comments

Ant-Man and the Wasp star Evangeline Lilly has apologized for her previous dismissal of the social-distancing policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. After her March 16 Instagram post, she faced significant backlash, including from other celebs like Sophie Turner and Maggie Grace. Lilly had also implied that she thinks the pandemic is a politically-motivated conspiracy, and her apology post didn't make clear whether she's changed her mind about that. Read on for details.

Via Page Six.

Evangeline Lilly has issued an apology in response to the backlash she received for dismissing the idea of self-quarantining amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The “Lost” actress, 40, took to Instagram on Thursday to also assure fans she’s doing her part to flatten the curve.

View this post on Instagram

Hello everyone. I am writing you from my home where I have been social distancing since Mar 18th – when social distancing was instituted in the small community where I am currently living. At the time of my Mar 16th post, the directives from the authorities here were that we not congregate in groups of more than 250ppl and that we wash our hands regularly, which we were doing. Two days later, those directives changed and, despite my intense trepidation over the socioeconomic and political repercussions of this course of action, PLEASE KNOW I AM DOING MY PART TO FLATTEN THE CURVE, PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING AND STAYING HOME WITH MY FAMILY. I want to offer my sincere and heartfelt apology for the insensitivity I showed in my previous post to the very real suffering and fear that has gripped the world through COVID19. Grandparents, parents, children, sisters and brothers are dying, the world is rallying to find a way to stop this very real threat, and my ensuing silence has sent a dismissive, arrogant and cryptic message. My direct and special apologies to those most affected by this pandemic. I never meant to hurt you. When I wrote that post 10 days ago, I thought I was infusing calm into the hysteria. I can see now that I was projecting my own fears into an already fearful and traumatic situation. I am grieved by the ongoing loss of life, and the impossible decisions medical workers around the world must make as they treat those affected. I am concerned for our communities – small businesses and families living paycheck-to-paycheck – and I am trying to follow responsible recommendations for how to help. Like many of you, I fear for the political aftermath of this pandemic, and I am praying for us all. At the same time, I am heartened by the beauty and humanity I see so many people demonstrating toward one another in this vulnerable time. When I was grappling with my own fears over social distancing, one kind, wise and gracious person said to me “do it out of love, not fear” and it helped me to realize my place in all of this. Sending love to all of you, even if you can’t return it right now. EL

A post shared by Evangeline Lilly (@evangelinelillyofficial) on Mar 26, 2020 at 1:29pm PDT

“I am writing you from my home where I have been social distancing since Mar 18th – when social distancing was instituted in the small community where I am currently living,” Lilly began the lengthy statement. “At the time of my Mar 16th post, the directives from the authorities here were that we not congregate in groups of more than 250ppl and that we wash our hands regularly, which we were doing. Two days later, those directives changed and, despite my intense trepidation over the socioeconomic and political repercussions of this course of action, PLEASE KNOW I AM DOING MY PART TO FLATTEN THE CURVE, PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING AND STAYING HOME WITH MY FAMILY.”

She went on, “I want to offer my sincere and heartfelt apology for the insensitivity I showed in my previous post to the very real suffering and fear that has gripped the world through COVID19. Grandparents, parents, children, sisters and brothers are dying, the world is rallying to find a way to stop this very real threat, and my ensuing silence has sent a dismissive, arrogant and cryptic message.

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#flashdancequeen🕺🏼 we were NOT prepared for this weather, #Dallas! What’s going on????? #lovingit #tilldeath #tilldeathmovie @rebeller #cinestate @aharon_keshales #jasonsudeikis

A post shared by Evangeline Lilly (@evangelinelillyofficial) on Feb 6, 2020 at 1:40pm PST

“My direct and special apologies to those most affected by this pandemic. I never meant to hurt you. When I wrote that post 10 days ago, I thought I was infusing calm into the hysteria.”

Lilly then admitted that her original statements were made out of fear, and that a conversation with a beloved friend convinced her to think bigger.

“When I was grappling with my own fears over social distancing, one kind, wise and gracious person said to me ‘do it out of love, not fear’ and it helped me to realize my place in all of this. Sending love to all of you, even if you can’t return it right now. EL.”

The “Ant-Man and the Wasp” star’s original post stated that she believes the government is taking too much control over something she referred to simply as a “respiratory flu.”

Get the rest of the story at Page Six.

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