Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has endured his fair share of pain: He played football at Miami, had a long career as pro wrestler, and has starred in countless high-paced action movies. But the severity of COVID-19 took even him by surprise.
Johnson, his wife Lauren Hashian, and their daughters, Jasmine, 4, and Tiana, 2, all contracted the virus, the actor explained on Wednesday.
"I can tell you that this has been one of the most challenging and difficult things we have ever had to endure as a family," Johnson said. "And for me personally, too, as well, and I've gone through some doozies in the past."
Fortunately, the entire family seems to be on the mend and are no longer contagious. The Rock said his daughters were over it in a couple of days, while it was more a struggle for him and his wife.
"We are counting our blessing right now because we're well aware it isn't always the case that you get on the other end of COVID-19 stronger and healthier," Johnson said in a video posted to Instagram. "Some of my best friends have lost their parents, their loved ones to this virus that is so incredibly relentless and unforgiving and it is serious."
He urged folks to be careful and take measures like getting tested or wearing a mask — even if you know the people well.
"We picked up COVID-19 from very close family friends. These are people who we love and trust. These are people who we still love and trust," Johnson said. "They are devastated that it led to them infecting our family. Luckily we were able to control it and mitigate it and it didn't spread out of control."
The Rock, who has never run for office despite toying with the idea, made a hell of a stump speech toward the end of his 11-minute video. He had a simple message for people of all creeds: Mask up.
"Wear your mask," he said. "I'm not a politician. I'm a man, though, who cares about his family deeply and will do everything he can to protect them. But I'm also a man who cares about all of you guys. I don't care what political party you're affiliated with. I don't care what part of the world you're from. I don't care what your skin color is, what your job is, what your bank account says, I don't care. I do care about all of you and I do not want you or your entire family to get COVID-19."