Justin Long and his brother believe they have coronavirus but say they can't get tested
Actor Justin Long and his brother Christian think they have coronavirus even though they haven't been able to get tested.
During an episode of the "Life is Short with Justin Long" podcast Monday, the brothers said they've been quarantining for about 14 days and experiencing coronavirus-like symptoms.
“We should tell everyone that you actually might have corona. You think you do. I think I might have it as well,” Justin, 41, said.
Christian, 38, replied, “I do have it. We’re not just being paranoid.”
Justin explained how they think they were exposed to the virus.
“Sadly, Christian’s girlfriend Maggie came back from her work trip and a couple of days later she was very ill. She had classic corona symptoms," he said. "She had a fever, dry cough, all the things that they’re saying people have with COVID.”
Christian added that she's been dealing with the symptoms for about 12 days but is now doing better. "Luckily the last 24 hours she's had no fever and seems to be doing a lot better," he said.
He added that shortly after Maggie fell ill, he and Justin both experienced mild symptoms.
Another reason they're convinced it's COVID-19? Christian and Maggie also lost their sense of taste, which doctors have found to be a symptom for the virus.
"It's so weird to not be congested and still have no sense of smell or taste," he said. "I was quite sure I had it, but now I'm convinced."
They added that they've tried to get tested for the virus but were denied because they are not in a high-risk group.
USA TODAY has reached out to Justin Long's rep for comment.
From a performer's perspective, Justin added that it's "strange to know how to joke" amid the pandemic.
"I've also really been enjoying online humor surrounding this thing," he said, before encouraging listeners to follow fellow celeb Kristen Bell. "She's really great at curating really useful information and really funny memes and stuff."
Bell made it clear to her followers last month that she is taking the virus seriously after posting memes about it to her Instagram.
"There are alot (sic) of jokes being made about the coronavirus right now. I just wanna be clear: My deepest condolences go out to the people and families effected (sic) by this virus," she wrote on her Instagram Stories. "I also know there are a ton of us trying to figure out how to deal with the panic of this whole thing. So let's let the joke and the memes get us through this, together. People feel calmer and closer when they laugh together. Comedy bonds people."
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus: Justin Long, brother think they have virus, denied tests
