Evangeline Lilly Posts Apology for Controversial Coronavirus Comments

A week after making comments about how she didn’t plan to self-quarantine in the face of the […]

March 26, 2020, 5:24pm

A week after making comments about how she didn’t plan to self-quarantine in the face of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, Ant-Man and The Wasp star Evangeline Lilly has taken to Instagram to apologize for what she previously said and to confirm that she is practicing the safety precaution after all. Lilly revealed that she has been social distancing since March 18th, two days after her controversial comments, and that despite her “intense trepidation over the socioeconomic and political repercussions of this course of action,” she has been going about it since then. The Marvel actress also expressed condolences for those suffering because of the coronavirus

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“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,” Lilly wrote. “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.”

You can read the full post from Lilly below.

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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

Many celebrities took issue with Lilly’s original comments with the likes of Game of Thrones Star Sophie Turner and Lilly’s LOST co-stars Maggie Grace and Josh Holloway.

If you are in the large camp of staying home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, you are encouraged to join ComicBook.com’s Quarantine Watch Party events. Tonight will see our latest with a group viewing of Doctor Strange and featuring special guest, director Scott Derrickson. All those participating are encouraged to use the hashtag #QuarantineWatchParty across social media as we all watch and enjoy together, safely from our own homes.