A-listers join former presidents to call for unity against pandemic threat

Actors and musicians joined two former US presidents to try and lift morale and call for unity amid the coronavirus pandemic. Former US president Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey were among those who participated on Friday night, and Quincy Jones, Jennifer Garner, Common, Maria Shriver, Questlove, Yo-Yo Ma, were also participating in the event, being livestreamed at unite.us and on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, LinkedIn and SiriusXM Stars. She praised nurses and doctors especially for risking their lives to save others, and therapists donating services to tend to people’s mental health. The event, organised by Tim Shriver, was launched to help inspire people to endure and overcome the challenges of the pandemic. Former president George W. Bush said: “Even at an appropriate social distance, we can find ways to be present in the lives of others to ease their anxiety and share their burdens.” Mr Clinton delivered the message that “we can get through this together”. Instead of performing collectively, each member clapped and danced individually in various places from inside their apartment, rooftop or park to the tune of Ailey’s Rocka My Soul In The Bosom Of Abraham.