Follow me on Instagram @danwakeford
H
alf way through
working on this
issue of People
we were advisedÑ
like many others across the
country—to work from home
due to the escalating COVID -
crisis. So for the first time in our
history, we put out the magazine
without meeting in person,
touching the pages or photos or
layouts. It was a challenge, but
the People staff kept calm and
carried on, setting up camp at
home and continuing to report,
interview, write, edit, design and
fact-check the pages now in your
hands. (Yes, this did involve our
pajamas and too many snacks.)
It’s inspiring to see how
difficult times bring out the
best in people. I’m heartened
by those like Chevon Jones, 54,
a public health nurse in
New Rochelle, who has gone
door-to-door in the hot spot to
test people for the virus; or Bob
Shellard, who celebrated his
67th-wedding anniversary with
his wife, Nancy, by standing
outside her nursing-home
room in Stafford Springs,
Conn., with a homemade sign
and a bouquet of balloons.
In the coming weeks, whether
the People team can return to our
offices or must continue to work
Here for You in
Uncertain Times
DAN WAKEFORD,
EDITOR IN CHIEF
editorÕs letter
H ow
to stay
resilient
We know we need
to wash our hands,
avoid touching our
faces and stay
home for now. Here
are a few things to
help you stay
emotionally strong:
Connect
with friends.
This can be hard
when the guidelines
say to avoid
gatherings, but
touch base through
video chats or text,
or even a virtual
happy hour. And
here’s my challenge
to you: Talk about
something other
than COVID-19.
DonÕt keep the
news on nonstop.
And of course turn
to reliable sources.
I check people.com,
The New York Times
and the morning
news shows, and
then hold off on
checking again until
a few hours before
bedtime. According
to experts, smaller
doses can help keep
anxiety levels lower,
but you’ll still
stay informed.
Help others and
spread positivity.
Be kind and ask
older people if they
need help shopping
or picking up
medication—the act
of doing good can
be calming.
Try a simple
breathing
exercise or
meditation.
Many apps are easy
to use and effective,
and the Meredith-
owned Stop,
Breathe & Think can
be customized to
your needs.
Also in
This Issue
1 CHATTER
6 STAR TRACKS
17 SCOOP
25 PASSAGES
26 STORIES TO
MAKE YOU SMILE
29 PEOPLE PICKS
77 BEAUTY
79 STYLE
81 FOOD
84 PUZZLER
87 SECOND LOOK
88 ONE LAST THING
remotely, we’ll keep bringing you
our compelling entertainment
stories, inspiring human-inter-
est profiles and essential service.
We feel our mission becomes
even more useful in difficult
times. With our print edition and
100 stories daily on people.com,
we will keep you updated on the
trusted information you need to
know about the virus—but also
help you escape and be enter-
tained when you might need a
little comfort and normalcy.
So in this issue you will find
our cover story on many aspects
of the virus: the heroes and
helpers who are tirelessly caring
for those who are suffering, the
dos and don’ts to keep your
family safe and an update on
how Tom Hanks and Rita
Wilson are doing after testing
positive for COVID -19 while in
Australia. And of course we
have the latest on the Bachelor
breakup, interviews with Hugh
Jackman and Geena Davis and
our much loved column, Stories
to Make You Smile.
Hopefully this issue will keep
you calm and smiling. Stay safe!
Me, with my cat
Mikey, working
from home on
this issue.
52
Suzanne Somers
The former TV star bares
all about feeling joyful
and sexy at 73
56
Mental Health
Ban.do founder Jen Gotch
explains how her depression
has helped her succeed
62
Hugh Jackman
The actor on his long marriage
to wife Deborra-Lee Furness
and getting back to Broadway
64
K-Pop Tragedies
The recent suicides of Korean
music stars reveal a dark side
to their mega fame
44 Geena
Davis
How the Oscar
winner became
one of the most
vocal activists
in Hollywood,
fighting for
gender equality. March 30, 2020 5
P13TOC2B.indd 5 FINAL 3/17/20 2:31 AM