COVID-19 Update, May 6, 2020: Tasked or Untasked?

The number of deaths rises, infections spread into new areas, and unemployment explodes, but the president decides to retire the coronavirus task force: tinyurl.com/y7osw5yv.

But then he changes his mind: tinyurl.com/ybwonbxr.

The turnabout is due in part to public criticism, but members of his administration were also in a panic: tinyurl.com/ybomt68s.

Meanwhile:

New evidence surfaces suggesting that the coronavirus can spread silently: tinyurl.com/yamb2v4g.

Private payrolls drop by 20.2 million in April, the worst in the history of the ADP report: tinyurl.com/y8twpfjx.

Europe's economic downturn is the worst since World War II: tinyurl.com/y92t89w7.

Arts groups fight their insurers over coronavirus losses: tinyurl.com/ycyoh9cl.

Europe's theatres look at reopening, but artistic directors say safety guidelines are unrealistic: tinyurl.com/y8o3p4n9.

A useful list of legislative must-haves for entertainment industry works: tinyurl.com/yawempl4.

In California:

Disney reports a 58% drop in operating income: tinyurl.com/y8odmvyt.

In Canada:

Arts groups to the north are doing much better than their US counterparts: tinyurl.com/yad2ur95.

In China:

Disneyland Shanghai is set to reopen May 11: tinyurl.com/ycsc99dd.

In Italy:

Organizers of the Venice Film Festival work to gauge who is willing to attend the event in September: tinyurl.com/y7qb3r7f.

In Missouri:

The state opens up, but nobody is rushing to take part: tinyurl.com/y8eomz28.

In Nevada:

What stays in Vegas: Can a city built on carefree fun and total customer service operate under pandemic restrictions? tinyurl.com/ycjhmso6.

In New York:

The mayor of New York City aims for life to return to something like normal in September: tinyurl.com/ybfzb252.

An ICU doctor arranges bedside concerts for her patients, via FaceTime: tinyurl.com/y9h33fwh.

In Texas:

The governor privately admits that reopening the state will lead to more deaths: tinyurl.com/y7ax3nc9.

In the UK:

Cinemas may reopen in late June: tinyurl.com/y6vy99eq.

In Washington State:

Seattle arts groups get nearly $5 million in relief from the nonprofit ArtsFund: tinyurl.com/y9zuaq3w.

Company news:

From Avixa: The AV industry looks to the future: tinyurl.com/yb86mfs6.

How Lex Products, deemed an essential business, has kept going, aided by hand sanitizer from a distillery, face masks from a bathing suit manufacturer, and PPE shields from Upstaging: tinyurl.com/y77glcq7.

Training:

From Avixa: "How Can We Ensure That Collaboration is Secure?" May 7, 1:00pm ET. Register at tinyurl.com/y8ef27oq.

Harman adds new training events: tinyurl.com/ybfvp6tb.

"Shackles, Burlap, & Lies" is a new Podcast about the entertainment rigging industry and the people in it. Each episode features different individuals about topics ranging from their journey into the business to their thoughts on the current industry. Hosted by Ethan Gilson of Entertainment Rigging Services, LLC, an ETCP certified rigger and recognized trainer. Go to tinyurl.com/yah7yezt.

Scheduling:

The Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, New York has canceled its summer season: tinyurl.com/y8756f8f.

The organizers of Prolight + Sound Guangzhou (PLSG) 2020 have announced new show dates. The previously postponed show will be held from August 21 - 24 in Areas A and B of the China Import and Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou.

The much-loved symposium Showlight is off for 2021: tinyurl.com/y75subql.

Entertainment:

On Thursday at 7:00pm ET, Alvin Ailey American Dance theatre will stream the legendary Judith Jamison in Ailey's solo piece Cry. Go to: tinyurl.com/y7hxvdxp.

The Off Broadway theatre company The Civilians holds an online benefit May 11. Hosted by Jo Lampert, it will feature Harriet Harris, Jason Butler Harner, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Lesli Margherita, Grace McLean, Duncan Sheifk, Jill Solbule, and Marty Testa. Viewers can join the livestream for a contribution in any amount. Donations can be made online at one.bidpal.net/thecivilians.org/welcome, by calling 929-428-5024, or by emailing margaret@thecivilians.org.

Beginning tonight, the Metropolitan Opera streams its production of Kaija Saariaho's L'Amour de Loin. Go to www.metopera.org for information.

Obie Award winner Metropolitan Playhouse will present a "screened" reading of William Dean Howells's one-act farce, The Parlor Car via livestream video on Saturday, May 9 at 8:00pm ET. It is available via Zoom and YouTube: tinyurl.com/sn7ksjy. The program will also be simultaneously broadcast on WBAI Radio 99.5 FM.

And for your pleasure:

Check out this video of the Paris Opera Ballet dancers at home: tinyurl.com/y9hlzj39.

That's all for today. Stay safe. Make good choices.

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