Actor Reynolds warns B.C. partiers about COVID risk

VANCOUVER—“Deadpool” star and B.C.-born heartthrob Ryan Reynolds has strong words for young partiers spreading COVID-19.

His main message? Don’t kill my mom.

“Young folks in B.C., yeah, they’re partying, which is of course dangerous,” he said in a voice message directed to Premier John Horgan in a tweet Friday. “It’s terrible that it affects our most vulnerable. B.C. is home to some of the coolest older people on earth. I mean, David Suzuki, he lives there. My mom!

“I hope that young people in B.C. don’t kill my mom or David Suzuki, or each other,” the message goes on.

Reynolds’ message was a response to Horgan’s public callout earlier this week, in which he specifically asked “Deadpool,” a superhero character played by

Reynolds, and B.C.-born actor Seth Rogen for help in getting out the message about physical distancing to the young people whom officials could not easily reach. The day before, B.C. reported 78 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the province’s total active cases to 578.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the latest modelling shows daily case counts could remain that high through the fall — potentially leading to a larger second wave of COVID-19 in B.C. compared to its first.

People between the ages of 20 and 29 now make up the group seeing the largest increase in infections, Henry said. Those infections have been seen after exposure events, such as parties where young adults have been gathering, she added.

Henry said those in that age range, as well as people between 30 and 39, make up a disproportionate number of the province’s infections.

But she cautioned against criticizing the behaviour of all people in that age group.

“I think we have to be a little bit careful about demonizing. Most young people are doing the right things and they are socially responsible, and they care a tremendous amount about their communities and their families,” she said.