Culture
30 Mar 20

Update: John Prine Battles With Covid-19

Last night, the chilling news came through that songwriter extraordinaire John Prine, one of the greats of American music, was in intensive care, stricken by the coronavirus. For now, there is no significant change. The good news, meanwhile, is that his partner Fiona Whelan-Prine has fully recovered from her battle with the dreaded disease.

Fiona Whelan Prine tonight provided an update on both her health and that of her husband John Prine. And the news – in so far as it goes – is cautiously positive.

In a twitter post, Fiona revealed that she herself has recovered from Covid-19, the virus which has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation. And in that revelation, there are the seeds of hope that John Print too might find the strength to rally.

“I have recovered from Covid-19,” Fiona said via Twitter. “We are humbled by the outpouring of love for me and John and our precious family.”

And the news on John Prine was also very cautiously positive.

“He is stable,” Fiona added. “Please continue to send your amazing Love and prayers. Sing his songs. Stay home and wash hands. John loves you. I love you.”

Lest there be any confusion, that communication was followed by another tweet, just a short while ago.

“I need to clarify,” Fiona explained, “what I mean by 'John is stable’. That is not the same as improving. There is no cure for Covid-19. He needs our prayers and love – as do the thousands of others who are critically ill.”

And she repeated what is becoming a mantra for so many who have been affected by the illness.

“Stay at home. Wash your hands. We love you.”

Earlier Fiona had been highly critical of the US President, Donald Trump – who is blamed by many in the US for the precipitous rise in the number of cases of Covid-19 there. At this stage, the United States has by far the most cases of any country in the world, with 161,088 confirmed positive tests. The death toll in the US is currently at 2,968 – and today Donald Trump pronounced that if the US could keep the death toll to 100,000 "that would be a great result." Many Americans were not impressed.

“If @realDonaldTrump was a doctor would you trust him?," Fiona Whelan Prine said. "A surgeon? What about a teacher? Why in the hell would we trust this man to be President of the United States?”

It is a very good question. Meanwhile, Hot Press wishes to extend its best wishes for a speedy recovery to John Prine. Truly, he is one of the giants of American music. Here's hoping.