COVID-19 Update: April 3, 2020: Get Out Your Masks

Greetings. The numbers of the infected are going up. The stock market is going down. But a lot more is happening. Read on.

The White House is expected to urge Americans to wear face masks -- although by the time you read this, it may be another proclamation that went by the boards: tinyurl.com/qnnkylc.

Light in the tunnel? The Chinese film and TV industries are starting to gear up again: tinyurl.com/v44kcda.

More light? In Spain, the curve is flattening: tinyurl.com/s5b5hws.

How they do it in Korea: "The Seoul City government on Friday announced that it will monitor all the 8,578 people who watched The Phantom of the Opera at Blue Square in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. On Tuesday, a Canadian female ballet dancer of the show was confirmed with novel coronavirus infection and another American actor in the ensemble was tested positive on Thursday. 'We have the list of all the audiences and will send out text messages, Na Baek-joo, director of Seoul City's public health care management division said during a regular online briefing on Friday at 11:00am'.": tinyurl.com/w7yn83k.

New York's Javits Center begins accepting patients: tinyurl.com/raqv3uv.

Bucky Pizzarelli, one of the great contemporary jazz guitarists, passes away: tinyurl.com/tapb982.

Singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles was diagnosed with COVID-19, but is now fully recovered: tinyurl.com/tjgzeuw.

The latest mobilizations: COVID-19 Entertainment Industry Response, organized by Gallagher Staging and Productions, Silent House, Joe Lewis Company, All Access Inc., and Go For Site Management, is a collective of entertainment professionals based in Southern California with resources, supplies, and crew to aid local governments in the fight against the novel coronavirus. It is dedicated to providing structures for drive-through test facilities, tent hospitals and compounds, cold rooms, and existing facility build-outs: www.eir.team/.

Guy Fieri has announced a relief fund for restaurant workers: tinyurl.com/rw97lp5.

The latest on theatre workers mobilizing to make face masks, hospital gowns, and other crucial medical gear: tinyurl.com/tyvhd3x. (If you can sew, you can join it; check out the list of links that direct you how to take part.)

The small business lending program has gone live and it's a free-for-all: tinyurl.com/troww86.

N/A Collective, a creative agency meets production house, has issued a call to action for the events industry, both companies and individuals with expertise in this field to use their knowledge and ability for good during the COVID-19 crisis. The experiential community is accustomed to situations where it is important to improvise and to pivot quickly, drawing a parallel to successfully dealing with a crisis such as this. "As the virus spreads exponentially throughout the United States, there has been a surge in hospital patients. In turn, healthcare centers are in dire need of supplies to ensure the health of patients remains paramount and that the healthcare system doesn't become overwhelmed," said Chiara Adin Moore, co-founder and chief creative officer at N/A Collective. "There is an entire industry of skilled professionals with untapped knowledge in logistics and event operations who are out of work due to the cancellation of conferences, festivals, trade shows, and we know the entire experiential marketing community will see this as an opportunity to step in to help." Volunteers are being registered at www.canhelpneedhelp.com/.

From the UK, Rob Halliday writes about People Powered, "a team to provide support to the NHS, including in ITUs (intensive treatment units) where need is greatest, to relieve pressure on the health service and assist with flattening the curve. People Powered UK has 915 members and counting from across the entertainment and live event industries. People who usually work at venues like the London Roundhouse and provide production services to festivals are working together across the entire UK. They're using skills and ingenuity honed building festival infrastructure to provide structures quickly and effectively, and sourcing equipment from outside the NHS's usual supply chain to provide solutions to challenges hospitals are currently experiencing. Production people already work with emergency services and local authorities at SAGs, on health and safety, and at planning meetings, so already speak the same language." The group has already completed several much-needed medical structures, created a pop-up grocery for medical workers, and secured thousands of walkie-talkies for hospitals: peoplepowereduk.org/.

The latest company news:

iWEISS reports, "In consideration of new restrictions imposed by local governments that affect both our Missouri and New Jersey facilities, in conjunction with any construction halts, iWEISS has had to further reduce our fabrication capabilities. At this time, we are no longer producing any materials that require fabrication of any kind. We all hope that we can get back to work as quickly as possible. In the meantime, our full sales, project management, and engineering staff are fully operating in order to keep things moving forward." The company adds that its teams in both staffs are busy making masks, having donated more than 100 of them to local hospitals.

Keep learning during this imposed downtime:

AVNation, the audio visual industry podcasting, blogging, and social media content provider for professionals, invites dealers, integrators, technicians, and industry professionals in the custom installation space to its first Residential Learn From Home Virtual Event. The virtual event was created to continue education, trainings, and networking as the industry has transitioned to remote work. On April 7 and 8, online sessions, morning, noon, and evening, offer dealers and integrators the opportunity to learn, network, and stay up to date on the best practices and strategies through webinars, video conference panels, and keynotes. Register at tinyurl.com/t2k82r6.

Chroma-Q is offering free Vista by Chroma-Q lighting and media control training. Register at: tinyurl.com/uhnhced.

USITT is announcing an online learning program. Beginning Monday, April 6, USITT will be offering free weekly online learning sessions in the form of two different segments titled "New @ Noon" and "Forum @ Four." These sessions will take place Monday through Thursday at 12:00pm and at 4:00pm EDT, respectively, via the popular online conference application, Zoom. Schedules and registration at: tinyurl.com/wjq9xsc.

More cancellations and postponements:

In New York, Carnegie Hall has cancelled the remainder of its 2019 - 2020 season, which means all events through July 25 are no longer happening.

Mint Theatre Company, an Off-Broadway mainstay, has cancelled its summer productions, Chains and Partnership, both by Elizabeth Baker.

Orchestra of St. Luke's (OSL) has cancelled the 2020 OSL Bach Festival scheduled for June 9 - 30, 2020. Cancelled events include three orchestral concerts at Zankel Hall presented in association with Carnegie Hall, in addition to concerts, events, and masterclasses at The DiMenna Center for Classical Music, Manhattan School of Music's Neidorff-Karpati Hall, and Temple Emanu-El's Streicker Center. OSL musicians will be paid in full for these cancelled programs. The festival has been reconceived as a curated online series, Bach at Home 2020, and will be released on OSLmusic.org/ in June.

Off Broadway's Vineyard theatre has cancelled its spring show, the world premiere of Antoinette Nwandu's Tuvalu, or the Saddest Song.

And keep yourself up to date with the latest online entertainment:

Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals are going online: tinyurl.com/vvkq5wd.

Bindlestiff Open Stage Variety Show: Quarantine Edition, presented by the troupe Bindlestiff Family Cirkys, features the best in both established and up-and-coming variety artists, with a cast that might include a heavy metal magician, kung fu jugglers, trained rats, clown bands, aerial artists, wire walkers, sideshow performers, stripping clowns, living cartoons, physical comedy, contortionists, emerging burlesque starlets, and more. Hosted by Keith "Bindlestiff" Nelson, the show celebrates works in progress, emerging artists, and professionals trying something new -- this night promises many surprises. It takes place April 6, at 7:30pm EST. Donations are welcome but not required. RSVP at tinyurl.com/st3xut7.

From Cirque du Soleil: "Our Cirque du Soleil shows offer an escape from everyday life through delight and whimsy. Announcing #CirqueConnect, your home for Cirque du Soleil content: exercise the #CirqueWay, learn new makeup techniques, dive into VR, or entertain your kids." tinyurl.com/qsvuhqx.

Off Broadway's Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre announces a series of free weekly online programs designed to connect audiences with new ideas and artistic expressions. On Tuesdays, beginning April 7, the Virtual Salon Series will explore the coronavirus pandemic through in-depth conversations between an artist and a leading expert. On April 7 at 3:00pm EST, Tony Award-nominated and four-time Obie-winning actress Kathleen Chalfant joins medical epidemiologist and pandemic preparedness expert Dr. Steven C. Phillips in conversation. Online reservations are required: tinyurl.com/tppqwvm.

Roland Corporation is sponsoring the launch of "We Are Hear: On The Air," a free multi-platform streaming network set to debut on YouTube that will entertain, educate, and raise funds for entertainers, crew members, and creatives who have been impacted by the current coronavirus pandemic. It is live now. "We Are Hear: On The Air" will bring music, educational discussions, and community entertainment directly to viewer's homes. Each video on YouTube will feature a "Donate" button linked the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund, which provides relief to members of the music community affected by the coronavirus pandemic, as well as a direct PayPal.me link to support those who might need it during these turbulent times. The first slate of scheduled programming includes "What's Up with Linda Perry," "Raise Your Horns with Lzzy Hale," a performance by Laura Jane Grace of Against Me!, Donita Sparks of L7 Hi-Low Variety Show, "Jesse Malin: The Art of Social Distancing," "In A Lonely Place with Matt Pinfield," Tom Green live podcast recording, "Life of Kii Arens -- Pop Art, Interviews, and Music," Live with Macy Gray, DJ Adam 12 Bravin sets, The Top Floor Interactive Dance Party, Frank Turner, and Natasha Bedingfield, and more. New acts will be updated daily: www.YouTube.com/WeAreHear.

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