Michael Stipe sings R.E.M.’s ‘It’s the End of the World As We Know It’ on social media and shares a message with fans

Michael Stipe shared a fun - yet serious - message with fans on social media by singing what has become an anthem of sorts during the coronavirus pandemic, “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine).”

The 1987 rock hit (it climbed to No. 16 on the Mainstream Rock Chart) for Athens-born R.E.M. has exploded on the downloads chart, increasing 184 percent for the week ending March 12, according to Billboard.

Stipe posted a video of himself singing the chorus of the song (a longer version is available at www.michaelstipe.com), but he also wanted to remind fans of the four important rules: stay at home, wash hands for 20 seconds, act like you're already sick so as not to inadvertently infect anyone and make sure to get your information from the CDC or "trusted news source."