Mel Brooks, son urge precautions against coronavirus: ‘Don’t be a spreader’

Comedy icon Mel Brooks and his son Max Brooks, the author of “World War Z,” produced a video Monday encouraging viewers to take steps to avoid spreading the coronavirus.

In the video, the younger Brooks notes that he is 47, whereas his father, who appears behind a glass door, is 93. “If I get the coronavirus, I’ll probably be OK, but if I give it to him, he could give it to Carl Reiner, who could give it to Dick Van Dyke, and before I know it, I’ve wiped out a whole generation of comedic legends,” he adds.

“When it comes to coronavirus, I have to think about who I can infect, and so should you,” the younger Brooks adds, advising viewers to practice social distancing by avoiding crowds, staying home whenever possible and staying six feet away from other people.

“Do your part. Don’t be a spreader,” he says.

A message from me and my dad, @Melbrooks. #coronavirus #DontBeASpreader pic.twitter.com/Hqhc4fFXbe

— Max Brooks (@maxbrooksauthor) March 16, 2020

Public health officials have stressed that while the virus is less likely to kill young and healthy people, they could transmit it to the elderly or immunocompromised, the most at-risk demographics.