COVID-19 Update, May 8, 2020: These Numbers Are Huge

Happy V-E Day; the world is short on victories at the moment.

The so-called greatest economy in US history is officially over. The new unemployment numbers are the worst since the Great Depression: tinyurl.com/yauxxock.

Then again, based on the assumption that we have hit rock bottom, the stock market leaps up: tinyurl.com/y93hgyjv.

But American attempts at flattening the coronavirus curve lag behind similar efforts in Europe: tinyurl.com/y9nfg2la.

Which may be why two-thirds of Americans don't want their cities and states to reopen: tinyurl.com/y8d2q7pf.

The secretary of state walks back his assertion that the coronavirus originated in a Wuhan lab: tinyurl.com/yaycbjml.

News Corps loses $1 billion in three months: tinyurl.com/ya5t7fzc.

As the cruise industry struggles to recover, it could be curtains for Broadway shows at sea: tinyurl.com/y9e7wrv8.

Social media platforms scramble to remove video peddling conspiracy theory that the coronavirus was created to increase profits for vaccine manufacturers: tinyurl.com/yc6uvm6l.

Live Nation issues its first pandemic-era earnings statement. The numbers are grim but the good news is that, where refunds are available, 90% of the fans are holding on to their tickets: tinyurl.com/yadzrryw. The company's CEO, Michael Rapino, discusses the lay of the land: tinyurl.com/y86vm9g4.

In Alabama:

An off-duty police officer body-slams a woman at a Walmart, in a dispute about wearing a face mask: tinyurl.com/ycldw4yd.

In China:

Tickets sell out fast for the reopening of Shanghai Disneyland: tinyurl.com/y9ae5e48.

In the Czech Republic:

Film and TV production are back: tinyurl.com/yd5jpxgz.

In DC:

The Small Business Administration slashes its disaster loan limit from $2 million to $150,000: tinyurl.com/ydchwf25.

In Florida:

The Disney Springs dining, shopping, and entertainment complex will be the first part of Disney World to open: tinyurl.com/yblhozzj.

In Iowa:

More than 1,000 workers at a Tyson meat processing plant are infected, double the number cited by the governor a day earlier: tinyurl.com/y9stfrkx.

In New York:

Long Island City's Secret Theatre has closed, a victim of the lockdown: tinyurl.com/y9b8dfsc.

In Vegas:

Businesses must decide whether to open tomorrow: tinyurl.com/y8nhlkv8. But restaurants are blindsided by the short lead time: tinyurl.com/yd8rntcg. And the businesses on Fremont Street feel especially vulnerable: tinyurl.com/ycjzssz5.

And the Nevada Gaming Commission has released its guidelines for reopening: tinyurl.com/y7su68tk.

Losses:

The British rapper Ty: tinyurl.com/yauzzzp9.

Mobilizing:

On Saturday, April 25, over 50,000 people from around the globe in more than 70 countries were treated to ALL TOGETHER NOW! -- an all-star online telethon that raised over $110,000 for the City of Los Angeles Coronavirus Crisis Fund. The event, was presented in association with the Get Together Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3), and Los Angeles City Council member John Lee and aired on Alert the Globe (www.alerttheglobe.com), www.abc7.com, Facebook Live, and www.alltogethernowla.org. 100% of the money raised is going directly to the Mayor's relief fund to help Los Angeles support families and small businesses, relieve hospital and healthcare workers, provide critical medical resources, and provide essential services to the unhoused.

Training:

On May 12 at 11:00am ET, Sennheiser's expert round table will see leading women from the pro audio and touring industry join Sennheiser hosts Jessica Dabbs and Tim Moore. Loreen Bohannon, Rachel "MrSoundlady" Ryan, Jess Jacobs, Grace Royse, Jac Nott, and Amanda Davis will speak about their roles in the industry and answer questions from the audience. Registration is now open at tinyurl.com/y9mbwb83.

Company news:

The Audio Engineering Society has raised more than $159,000 USD since the launch of its COVID-19 pandemic-driven fundraising campaign in mid-April with a goal of raising $500,000 by June 1. More than 170 individuals, making donations ranging from $10 to $,4,500, have been joined by corporations and organizations -- 21 new names have been added to the educational non-profit AES's Sustaining Member roster. "The AES is grateful for the validation of its importance to the professional audio industry by each and every contributor that is helping at whatever level they can," said AES president Agnieszka Roginska.

Atlanta, Georgia-based MAGNUM will be opening its offices and warehouse on Monday, May 11. The company writes, "We've continued to do business during the lockdown, but the shop has mostly been closed. Starting Monday, we are fully open, but with very strict protocols for returning to work. Access the protocols at tinyurl.com/y8phsbzl.

Messe Frankfurt has announced that the two concurrent fairs in its Light + Building portfolio, Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition (GILE) and Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology (GEBT), have been postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Both fairs were originally due to take place from June 9 - 12 and will now be held at a future date which will be announced shortly. They will remain at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou.

Scheduling:

The Off Broadway musical Between the Lines, based on Jodi Picoult's best-selling novel, has been postponed until spring 2021: tinyurl.com/ydeo9u33.

Off Broadway's Potomac Theatre Project has canceled its summer season: tinyurl.com/y992qyju.

Entertainment:

Starting this evening, at the Metropolitan Opera's website, you can stream a 1977 production of La bohème, starring Luciana Pavorotti and Renata Scotto. www.metopera.org.

For your pleasure:

Durham Marenghi on bad reviews and lighting Naomi Campbell and Grace Jones: tinyurl.com/y8tp6dsj.

To receive your LSA copies at home (no charge), please email LSA@plasa.org or go to www.ezsubscription.com/lsa/mysubscription.