As the coronavirus pandemic continues, and until it gets under control, many local and national governments are encouraging residents to stay inside. For weeks now, people have been told to only venture outside for the essentials and keep a six-feet distance from others while doing so. Up until last week, Lost and Ant Man actress Evangeline Lilly refused to social distance and continued to go about her regular life, despite warnings that doing so put herself, her family, and many others at risk of contracting the virus. But it seems she’s since seen the light because she just took to Instagram to apologize for her previous “arrogant” statements.

On March 16, Evangeline told her followers that she took her kids to gymnastics camp and wrote, “Where we are right now feels a lot too close to Marshall Law [sic] for my comfort already, all in the name of a respiratory flu.” She also added, “Some people value their lives over freedom, some people value freedom over their lives. We all make our choices,” so she knew the choice she made had dangerous consequences.

View this post on Instagram

#morningtea ☕️ Just dropped my kids off at gymnastics camp. They all washed their hands before going in. They are playing and laughing. #businessasusual

A post shared by Evangeline Lilly (@evangelinelillyofficial) on Mar 16, 2020 at 9:45am PDT

Understandably, people all over social media came for her and told her she was being unbelievably irresponsible.

After a week went by, Evangeline hopped back on IG to apologize and say she’s been social distancing since March 18, when her local government enacted new regulations, limiting how many people can gather in one place. She wrote:

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Hello everyone. I am writing you from my home where I have been social distancing since Mar 18th – when social distancing was instituted in the small community where I am currently living. At the time of my Mar 16th post, the directives from the authorities here were that we not congregate in groups of more than 250ppl and that we wash our hands regularly, which we were doing. Two days later, those directives changed and, despite my intense trepidation over the socioeconomic and political repercussions of this course of action, PLEASE KNOW I AM DOING MY PART TO FLATTEN THE CURVE, PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING AND STAYING HOME WITH MY FAMILY. I want to offer my sincere and heartfelt apology for the insensitivity I showed in my previous post to the very real suffering and fear that has gripped the world through COVID19. Grandparents, parents, children, sisters and brothers are dying, the world is rallying to find a way to stop this very real threat, and my ensuing silence has sent a dismissive, arrogant and cryptic message. My direct and special apologies to those most affected by this pandemic. I never meant to hurt you. When I wrote that post 10 days ago, I thought I was infusing calm into the hysteria. I can see now that I was projecting my own fears into an already fearful and traumatic situation. I am grieved by the ongoing loss of life, and the impossible decisions medical workers around the world must make as they treat those affected. I am concerned for our communities – small businesses and families living paycheck-to-paycheck – and I am trying to follow responsible recommendations for how to help. Like many of you, I fear for the political aftermath of this pandemic, and I am praying for us all. At the same time, I am heartened by the beauty and humanity I see so many people demonstrating toward one another in this vulnerable time. When I was grappling with my own fears over social distancing, one kind, wise and gracious person said to me “do it out of love, not fear” and it helped me to realize my place in all of this. Sending love to all of you, even if you can’t return it right now. EL

A post shared by Evangeline Lilly (@evangelinelillyofficial) on Mar 26, 2020 at 1:29pm PDT

Interesting that she let a whole week go by before telling everyone that she has been practicing social distancing, but let’s just be glad she’s doing it. Better late than never! But, like, if you know someone who can but isn’t social distancing yet, please encourage them to start right now!

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