Hamilton: Stop “irresponsible and selfish” socialising

Lewis Hamilton has asked people to assess their “totally irresponsible and selfish” lifestyle decisions by not adhering to social distancing and health advice amid the coronavirus pandemic.

While effectively all of Italy and Spain have been forced into lockdown in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19, recent problems have occurred in countries which only have guidelines and partial closures to prevent large social gatherings which is causing the rapid spread of coronavirus according to medical experts.

It has become a key problem in the United Kingdom, with many public parks and seaside towns becoming overcrowded this weekend as people tried to continue socialising and exercising after the government ordered the closure of places like bars, clubs and restaurants last Friday.

Having tested negative for COVID-19 after being checked over since attending an event with Idris Elba who tested positive for the virus, Hamilton is thought to have been in self-isolation since the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled as a precautionary health measure.

Hamilton called out for people to change their approach to fighting coronavirus and felt the continued social gatherings in public places are “totally irresponsible and selfish”.

“I’m so sad to hear of the amount of deaths happening around the world,” Hamilton wrote on his Instagram account. “I know most of us are limited with the knowledge of why and how this has happened. There is nothing we can do about it either way except try to isolate ourselves, stop ourselves from catching it and spreading it.

“There are people out there still going to clubs and bars and large gatherings which I personally feel is totally irresponsible and selfish.

“I’m praying for my family’s safety each day but I’m also praying for you out there. I’m praying for those working at the local stores, deliverers, doctors and nurses who put their own health at risk to help others and keep the countries running. Those are the heroes. Please stay safe people.”

Hamilton was one of the few drivers to speak out against the planned running of the Australian GP, explaining he saw “cash is king” behind the decision, until the 2020 opener was cancelled after a McLaren team member testing positive for COVID-19 at the track.

Since that incident, along with the rapid spread of the virus worldwide, F1 has seen its opening seven races postponed or cancelled while the Azerbaijan and Canadian rounds are also expected to be delayed in the coming days.

Hamilton has also asked his social media followers to reassess their lifestyle during the coronavirus crisis.

“If you can, try and take this time to assess your life and situation and how you might want to change things for the better moving forwards,” he wrote. “Hopefully through this people will realise even more how health is priceless, how you treat yourself and what you put in your body is so important and also hygiene. We take this life for granted. I hope we don’t moving forwards.”

According to worldwide reports, over 340,000 cases and over 14,700 deaths have been caused by coronavirus.