DJ Jazzy Jeff is a hip-hop pioneer. He also could be one of the many confirmed COVID-19 cases.
The “Summertime” producer took to his Instagram account Monday to reveal that he’s battling pneumonia and implied that the underlying cause is the coronavirus.
“Pls say a prayer for all the sick, it’s a lot more than you know!!” he wrote in a live story.
Jeff, whose real name is Jeffrey Allen Townes, then went on to say that he is not only ill but is experiencing symptoms that are associated with the coronavirus.
“I’m recovering from pneumonia in both my lungs…I lost my sense of smell and taste which is a main sign of the virus. I would NOT be here if not for my guardian angel for a wife!” the 55-year-old wrote.
We gotta keep DJ Jazzy Jeff in our prayers. ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/wtwn526HBA
— Summa y’all irk (@Kierryk345) March 31, 2020
“Please take this serious…it does not care who you are…what you do or what your plans are. Stay safe,” he concluded.
The Philadelphia music legend joins an ever-growing list of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the nation. The virus has proved indiscriminate as several celebrities have come out to reveal positive coronavirus diagnoses. Jeff isn’t even the first rap legend to share his coronavirus experience this week. Houston icon Scarface is recovering after a positive test, as Blavity previously reported.
“This whole three weeks have been an ordeal,” The Geto Boys member said. “It’s the craziest s**t I have ever done and seen in my life. I've been to the point where I just felt like I was just gone die."
On Monday, White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx painted a bleak picture of the number of anticipated cases to come before the pandemic ends according to NBC News.
As of a Tuesday CNN report, there are over 171,000 confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses in the U.S.
"I think everyone understands now that you can go from five to 50 to 500 to 5,000 cases very quickly," Birx said.
She went on to say that even if this crisis was handled perfectly, she still predicts up to 200,000 U.S. deaths.
Birx acknowledges that residents of major cities have been late to abide by quarantine guidelines.
"I think in some of the metro areas we were late in getting people to follow the 15-day guidelines," she said.
Indeed, many officials have taken decisive actions to regulate growing populations that do not seem to be taking safety precautions seriously. Also on Monday, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam implemented an immediate stay-at-home order that would see Virginians quarantined until June 10, according to WUSA 9. Many on the net believe social media posts showing the packed shores of Virginia Beach informed the governor's decision.
It’s unclear where Jeff may have come in contact with the virus. However, a post from his Twitter account dated March 7 reveals that he’s been sick for weeks.
“I’ll be happy when I’m home and I can cough freely…LOL,” he lightheartedly joked.
I’ll be happy when I’m home and I can cough freely…LOL— DJ Jazzy Jeff (@djjazzyjeff215) March 7, 2020
Feel better soon, Jazzy Jeff!