Written by: Savannah Alday
Coronavirus, COVID-19, Rona, Miss Rona, etc. However referred to, this global pandemic has stopped everyday life for people and countries around the world. Those most affected by this virus are the healthcare workers who are tasked with caring for those infected, risking their own health to help everyone else. Supplies are very limited and staff at all hospitals have been greatly overworked to meet the demands of affected people seeking treatment. In response, several celebrities are doing what they can to aid in the search for a cure as well as try and support those who have been most affected by COVID-19.
The most recent to provide assistance is singer/songwriter Halsey. On April 8th, 2020, she announced via Instagram post that she “acquired and purchased 100,000 FDA certified 3 ply masks (with the help of Orange International Inc who sourced the masks for [her] from a factory in Guangzhou, China)” She continues to say that “these masks will be distributed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Providence Saint Joseph, LAC+USC Medical Center, and Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital; for the medical professionals and non-medical hospital staff.” She also went on to talk about Give Directly (@givedirectly) a non-profit that allows you a way to give direct cash payments to vulnerable households in at-risk communities, most of whom are single mothers. She tells fans that she will be making a ‘sizable’ donation, and she hoped for them to do what they can, even if that was only staying inside.
Member of k-pop group BTS, Suga reportedly donated the equivalent to $83,000 to a disaster-relief organization in his hometown of Daegu, South Korea called “Hope Bridge.”
The rappers have an organization called REFORM Alliance, working toward justice reform. They announced that they would be donating more than 130,000 surgical masks to frontline workers helping in correctional facilities, as well as correctional officers, and inmates.
Jay-Z’s foundation The Shawn Carter Foundation and Rihanna’s The Clara Lionel Foundation announced that they’d be jointly donating $1 million dollars each for a total of $2 million to support undocumented workers, the children of frontline healthcare workers and first responders, as well as the incarcerated, elderly and homeless population in New York City and Los Angeles.
The couple brought one of their local hospital's healthcare workers 120 tacos as a symbol of gratitude for their sacrifices. Cody videoed loading up the tacos in which he said: “Show some love to yours in your community!”
Both artists individually decided to help their fans pay some bills by tweeting for fans to drop their cashapp handle in the thread. Randomly they selected people to drop money to.
Megan Thee Stallion earlier donated to Houston’s HMG Healthcare Foundation, which Amazon Music then matched to support her hometown and the Park Manor Skilled Nursing Facility there.
Rihanna already had a nonprofit organization established prior to the COVID-19 pandemic called the Clara Lionel Foundation. The foundation donated $5 million to various organizations supporting underserved communities. Some of the organizations they donated to include: Direct Relief, Partners In Health, Feeding America, the International Rescue Committee, World Health Organization’s COVID’19 Solidarity Response Fund and more.
The living legend announced she’s donating $1 million to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. The money will be going towards specific research that is showing advancements towards finding a cure for coronavirus
As plenty have said, these are weird times. But this time has also brought to light how well we can all care for each other.
So many people have reached deep inside themselves and their wallets to help those that truly need it. It really has been inspiring to see celebrities doing their part in aiding the crisis. We here at With The Band want to thank every person on the frontlines dealing with this pandemic. We hope that you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy. Everyone at home knows that we love you and we are wishing you the same.
Do your part. Donate and/or if that is not possible stay home and keep social distancing. We will make it through this!
If you want to get more involved in fan communities,
join a Fan Crew or our awesome weekly newsletter!