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As the coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads, many people are choosing to quarantine themselves in their homes in order to both protect themselves and slow down the speed at which the virus is spreading. This means that people are stuck inside, usually with their family members, roommates, or significant others. Though Oprah Winfrey and Stedman Graham live together, they aren’t quarantining in the same place. Oprah is staying in the main house while Graham has been exiled to the guest house.

Stedman Graham and Oprah Winfrey
Stedman Graham and Oprah Winfrey | Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Robin Hood

Why are Oprah and Stedman apart?

During these troubling and uncertain times, many people are clinging to their relatives and loved ones. So, why are Oprah and Graham apart right now?

Well, coronavirus can be particularly harmful for those with pre-existing medical conditions and those who are immunocompromised. Oprah falls into that category.

“He’s at the guest house because you all know I had pneumonia late last year…I had just gotten off of antibiotics last week, because I had a bronchial infection,” she said during an interview with Oprah Magazine’s Arianna Davis on Instagram Live.

As Graham didn’t take the pandemic seriously initially and was traveling for a while after the virus started spreading, Oprah doesn’t want to take any chances.

“Stedman did not arrive from Chicago until Thursday, he had been speaking in St. Louis… he’d been on planes,” Oprah continued. “So Stedman is like, ‘What’s the procedure for coming home?’ The procedure is… you ain’t coming and sleeping in my bed!”

“Literally, he goes, ‘I’m not?’ And I go, ‘Have you not been paying attention to the news? Social distancing does not mean you go and sleep in the same bed with the person! When you just got off American Airlines!'”

How is Stedman coping in the guest house?

Stedman may be out in the guest house but that doesn’t mean he has to fend for himself.

“The meals are dropped off at the door,” Graham said during the interview. “It’s not too bad.”

And Graham apparently is OK with the setup.

“My friends say ‘Oh, isn’t Stedman upset?’ He’s really not,” Oprah said. “He’s happy to keep me safe.”

Though some people might rather quarantine with their significant other to have some entertainment, Oprah is just fine alone.

“I’m never bored because I always have myself,” she continued. “I never feel alone, have never felt alone, because I just love being with myself.”

Oprah encouraging others

While Oprah may never get bored herself, she has decided to use this time to uplift others through Oprah Talks. She recently had Pastor Wintley Phipps on the talk show.

“Here’s a reminder from my friend Pastor Wintley Phipps: ‘Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come.’ Amazing Grace is always with us 🙏🏽,” she wrote.

She also spoke with Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina after Idris tested positive for COVID-19.

“Like millions of people all over the world, I’ve been staying safer at home for over a week now,” she captioned the Instagram video of the conversation. “I know a lot of people are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and uncertain. Because of that, I wanted to offer some hope and gather thought leaders and people going through it to add some perspective. Which is why I FaceTimed Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina who are safely quarantined together after he tested positive for COVID-19. Idris fills me in on his journey and Sabrina reveals the result of her test after they decided to quarantine together.”

The Oprah Talks are available for free on Apple TV.




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