Yesterday we reported that while our Big Brother contestants have been quietly informed about the coronavirus pandemic, Germany’s contestants were set to be told in a live TV special.
Now, the footage has aired and it went pretty much as you’d expect it to go.
During the episode, the show’s host and a doctor told the housemates of the outbreak, who were then shown a video about how the virus had spread, how Germany had shut its borders, and how restaurants and bars all over the country had closed.
Watching Big Brother Germany’s live coronavirus special – the host and doctor are in the house, seemingly behind a glass partition. Housemates were just shown a VT summarising news coverage – they appear a bit shellshocked and emotional #BBDE #BigBrother
— bbspy (@bbspy) March 17, 2020
Some pictures from Big Brother Germany’s live coronavirus special – a few housemates have shed tears but they’re generally keeping their composure. The doctor spoke to them at length and is now taking their questions #BBDE #BigBrother pic.twitter.com/CayT9HgERj
— bbspy (@bbspy) March 17, 2020
Big Brother Germany is now playing housemates video messages from their family and friends addressing the coronavirus, which have lifted the mood a bit #BBDE #BigBrother pic.twitter.com/7EgSiAGkVw
— bbspy (@bbspy) March 17, 2020
Houseguests were also shown videos of their loved ones (some of which you can see in the show’s Instagram stories) and told that they would be informed immediately if any of their friends or family was sick. During a q&a session, they were even told that if things get worse or if any family members get sick, they are fully allowed to leave the house.
https://twitter.com/whitneyunicorn/status/1240047814144647168
https://twitter.com/whitneyunicorn/status/1240047932298219527
The contestants also asked about the death rate (currently about 20 in Germany) and risk for their family members, and many were in tears by the end of the discussion.
To see footage of the housemates finding out about the virus (with English subtitles), head here.
Ahead of the announcement, a spokesman for the German broadcaster revealed their plans to share the bad news.
“Big Brother will give all contestants the latest information about COVID-19 in Germany and the whole world tonight,” they said in a statement to CNN.
“The first contestants had been cut off from the outside world in preparation for the show on February 6. Theoretically they could know about the virus outbreak in Wuhan/China but don’t know anything about the current situation in Germany.”