Savannah Guthrie and Whoopi Goldberg host Today show and The View from home amid coronavirus pandemic

‘This is what we call responsible social distancing,’ says Goldberg

The coronavirus pandemic means many are working from home – including celebrity TV hosts.

Savannah Guthrie and Whoopi Goldberg joined their respective shows from home on Wednesday to respect the rules of social distancing.

Guthrie tuned into the Today show from her own house as a necessary precaution after feeling sick.

“I have a sore throat and I have the sniffles and I didn’t think anything of it because frankly, it doesn’t seem to be on the official list of symptoms. But what I’ve been told is: Number one, the doctors are getting new information about this novel coronavirus. It’s new, that means we’re learning about it and the symptoms that present. That’s thing one,” Guthrie said.

“And the other thing is, if you’re sick at all, the CDC is saying this is the time to stay home. You know me, I like to come rain or shine, spread my germs around, but we don’t do that anymore. We stay home and we keep everybody safe. I think of it as a way of loving your neighbour. Love your neighbour and keem them safe.”

Hoda Kotb was in the Today studio but Al Roker was once again doing the weather report from home, also as a precaution linked to the pandemic.

Goldberg also joined The View from home, telling viewers: “I am great. This is what we call responsible social distancing.

“I went to the doctor’s yesterday to check myself out, just to make sure, and he gives me the all-clear to go to work and I’m getting ready to do it – and then I start hearing these inconsistent messages from everyone.”

The host, who had pneumonia last year, explained that she decided she shouldn’t go into work as long as New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo agree on plans.

De Blasio has floated the idea of a shelter-in-place order for the city. Cuomo said on Tuesday he wasn’t interested in local quarantines but hasn’t ruled them out.

On Wednesday, De Blasio said he was “almost to the point” of recommending a shelter-in-place order to Cuomo.