Hollywood star Tom Hanks has slammed people who do not wear masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The Toy Story star, 63, recovered from the coronavirus after he and wife Rita Wilson were struck down with it earlier this year.
Speaking in an interview with Associated Press to promote his new Apple TV film Greyhound, Hanks did not shy away from his thoughts about wearing masks to protect others against Covid-19.
Hanks said: "I don’t get it, I simply do not get it. It is literally the least you can do."
The Forrest Gump star likened the decision to reckless driving.
He added: I mean, when you drive a car, you've got to obey speed limits, you've got to use your turn signals, you've got to avoid hitting pedestrians.
"If you can’t do those three things, you shouldn't be driving a car."
Tom then went even further, saying he had lost any respect for people who put others at risk of catching the disease.
He concluded: "If you can’t wear a mask and wash your hands and social distance, I've got no respect for you, man.
"I don't buy your argument."
The words come after Tom and his actress wife Rita Wilson were struck down with Covid-19 whilst in Australia earlier this year.
The pair were quarantined and had a stay in hospital due to the illness but thankfully both recovered.
Following their health battle, Tom told NPR's Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! podcast of how he and Rita were feeling after their recovery in April.
He said: "We are just fine, dandy. We had all of the flu-like symptoms. My wife, Rita, was a little worse off than me.
"She had a very high temperature. And we were isolated so that we would not give it to anyone else."
The Big actor also discussed the arguments around masks when speaking to The Guardian, saying: "I know societally it’s been politicised, but I don’t get it, man.
"I don’t understand how anyone can put their foot down and say: ‘I don’t have to do my part.’"
Tom isn't the only Hollywood star to be advocating the use of masks as the need to wear them has become a hotly contested political issue in the US, with President Donald Trump showing inconsistent feelings towards wearing them.
Oscar-winning Reese Witherspoon wrote on Instagram : "Hey Everybody! Wearing a mask is not a political statement.
"It means you care about other people’s health and safety. Be KIND, wear a mask! #wearadamnmask ".
Hollywood actress and director Olivia Wilde also wrote on Instagram: "Wear a damn mask. No, it doesn't cause breathing problems. No, it isn't worse for you than the virus.
"I like these lightweight easy disposable ones. They’re $6 for 50 masks. Just do it. This isn't a debate. It’s science.
"We can debate about other stuff, like fruit in salad which is WRONG."
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