NCAA Cancels Basketball Tournaments Because Of Coronavirus Concerns
How do we stay safe from COVID-19 when even health officials say things get worse before they get better?
We are providing the tools for each dreamer to be successful.
Anne Ogunrinde – Marketing Strategy Manager, Walt Disney World, talks about what these dreamers will experience.
Virginia COVID-19 cases jump from nine to 15.
“Having a television show to showcase your life and business is an opportunity not afforded to many people, so I didn’t even consider turning it down.”
Nat Geo WILD’s new series Critter Fixers: Country Vets follows two friends, Dr. Terrence Ferguson and Dr. Vernard L. Hodges that run Critter Fixers, their animal clinic, in Bonaire, Georgia.
The pair met while they were undergraduate biology students at Fort Valley State University. After, they both attended the Tuskeegee School of Veterinary Medicine and opened up Critter Fixer in 1999, according to Den of Geek.
The duo is excited to use the series as a way to promote their business as well as the veterinary industry.
“Having a television show to showcase your life and business is an opportunity not afforded to many people, so I didn’t even consider turning it down,” said Dr. Ferguson.
The doctors acknowledge how important it is to have a representation of black veterinarians on television.
“African-Americans comprise less than 3% of the veterinary population. I often hear “I’ve never seen a black vet.” I feel a television show gives me a platform to show the diversity of our wonderful profession,” said Dr. Hodges in Today’s Veterninary Business.
The series premiered March 7, on Nat Geo Wild. Check out a clip of Critter Fixers here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKpGczEXnjg&feature=emb_title
Since last night 9PM EST, Willow Smith has been staying inside a box for 24 hours with her boyfriend Tyler Cole at the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Geffen Contemporary in Los Angeles.
Since last night 9PM EST, Willow Smith has been staying inside a box for 24 hours with her boyfriend Tyler Cole at the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Geffen Contemporary in Los Angeles. According to Daily Mail, Smith and Cole’s goal for the exhibit is to spend three hours performing the different emotions of anxiety: paranoia, rage, sadness, numbness, euphoria, strong interest, compassion and acceptance. The box will only have one glass wall for viewers to see the duo in action, but also three other walls covered in canvas so the duo can express themselves through art. For fans that cannot attend, there is a live stream of the exhibit.
Smith posted information about the exhibit on her Instagram account:
Smith talked to the LA Times about her inspiration behind the exhibit, which was the sudden death of Kobe and Gianna Bryant. She hopes that her exhibit will bring awareness to mental health, specifically anxiety: “And so as long as it’s bringing awareness and a positive light to the darkness, it doesn’t matter if you don’t enjoy it.” The duo, also known as The Anxiety, will be releasing an album after the experience is completed. Smith’s struggle with anxiety and other mental health issues have been made known to the public through Red Table Talk, a Facebook Live talk show starring her alongside her mother and maternal grandmother. On one episode, she was asked by her mother, actress Jada Pinkett-Smith about her coping mechanisms for anxiety, and she shared that she does push-ups: “Recently I have been, like, I just get really frustrated and I just feel like there is so much energy. I get frustrated and then in my head I feel manic. So like, lately I’ve just been dropping down and just [doing push ups].”
Smith is a singer and actress who is most known for her platinum hit single “Whip My Hair”, which she released at the age of 10. She starred in I Am Legend alongside her father, actor Will Smith, as well as in Kit Kittredge: An American Girl. However, she expects to channel more of her acting skills through this performance with Tyler Cole.
But now both, former First Lady Michelle Obama and Viola Davis have both stepped in!
Click here for the First Lady’s response
Click here for Viola Davis’s post.
4th Coronavirus Infection Confirmed In Prince George’s County and officials expect more cases.
Landover, Maryland (March 12, 2020) – Prince George’s County officials are providing an update on the latest cases of the coronavirus infections. With 4 confirmed cases and still counting, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks was joined by Health Officer Dr. Ernest Carter today to spell out the county’s plans for moving forward.
The D.C. area is taking precautions amid the increasing rate of Coronavirus cases. The DMV has 34 confirmed cases so far.
The D.C. area is taking precautions amid the increasing rate of Coronavirus cases. The DMV has 34 confirmed cases so far.
D.C. Health has urged people to not convene in large groups of more than 1,000. “DC Health recommends that non-essential mass gatherings, including conferences and conventions, be postponed or canceled,” they stated in an advisory.
Loudoun County Public Schools have decided to close and cancel all activities from March 12- 20. Saint Teresa Catholic School will close today, Thursday March 12 as well.
Eleanor Roosevelt High School and College Park Academy will be closed and all activities canceled from March 12-13 for sanitization and cleaning. School will reopen on March 16.
D.C. Public Schools and Fairfax County Public Schools will be closed March 16 to prepare for at home learning and evaluate the impact of the virus.
Colleges in the area have taken precautions as well and have moved to have students leave campus for an extended period. American University will have an extended spring brea until March 17 and then all classes will be online until April 3. Georgetown University will have indefinite online classes. George Washington University will have online classes from March 23-April 5. Galludet University will have online classes from March 23-May 4. Howard University will have online classes from March 23-April 6. University of Maryland has canceled class from March 23-29 and advises students not to return to campus until April 10, classes will be online during that time. University of Virginia will move all classes online March 19th and asked students to return home. Catholic University will have online classes until at least March 30.
Schools will not be the only thing canceled in the area. The annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade has been indefinitely postponed and parts of the Cherry Blossom Festival have been canceled or postponed. All participants in the SSt. Pts Run Fest have been moved to the 2021 event.
All events that were scheduled at 9:30 Club, Lincoln Theatre U Street Music Hall and he Anthem have been postponed, however those who had tickets to attend will have options available regarding refunds or exchanges.
The Washington Cathedral and D.C. Episcopal churches are closed for two weeks. The Catholic Diocese of Arlington has lifted all obligations to those 60 years of age or older from attending Sunday Mass.
People are urged to stay at home if sick and utilize paid sick leave.
Hanks said he and Wilson had felt tired, with colds, aches and slight fevers. “To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the coronavirus and were found to be positive,” he said, adding they’ll be “isolated for as long as public health and safety requires.”
SYDNEY (AP) — Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson are isolated in stable condition in an Australian hospital Thursday after contracting the new coronavirus, the actor and Australian officials said.
The two-time Oscar winner is easily the most famous person yet to disclose they have COVID-19, which the World Health Organization has declared a pandemic.
Hanks said he and Wilson had felt tired, with colds, aches and slight fevers. “To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the coronavirus and were found to be positive,” he said, adding they’ll be “isolated for as long as public health and safety requires.”
Australian officials said the couple were being treated at a Queensland hospital. “We wish them a very speedy recovery,” state Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told reporters.
Hanks had been in Australia shooting an untitled Elvis Presley biopic directed by Baz Luhrmann. Hanks plays Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker. The film, slated for release in October 2021, has suspended production, Warner Bros. said.
Hanks, after accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes this year, spoke backstage about taking on the Parker role. “I will then finally have an answer to all these stupid questions about why I never played a bad guy,” he said as the room burst into laughter.
Hanks and Wilson, both 63, were married in 1988. In 2013, Hanks disclosed he has Type 2 diabetes.
Chet Hanks later posted on social media that his parents were doing fine and thanked fans for their concern.
Wilson had performed at the Sydney Opera House on Saturday night and earlier last week in Brisbane.
Queensland health authorities would not give specifics on their health due to privacy issues. But the state’s update on its coronavirus infections describe a U.S. couple of their age both in stable condition.
Palaszczuk said people who had been in close contact with Hanks and Wilson will have to self-quarantine but she cautioned that people who had taken selfies with Hanks recently should not panic about contracting the virus.
She said she had spoken to Luhrmann and conveyed his reassurances that he would comply with the government’s health restrictions.
Australia has confirmed more than 120 cases of infection with the new coronavirus, with three deaths from COVID-19.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. People with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover, WHO says.
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AP Film Writer Jake Coyle in New York contributed to this report.
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The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
“It’s a very serious time right now,” Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I think the league moved appropriately and prudently and we’ll all just have to monitor the situation and see where it goes from here.”
MIAMI (AP) — The NBA has suspended its season “until further notice” after a Utah Jazz player tested positive Wednesday for the coronavirus, a move that came only hours after the majority of the league’s owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas.
Now there will be no games at all, at least for the time being. A person with knowledge of the situation said the Jazz player who tested positive was center Rudy Gobert. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the league nor the team confirmed the test.
“The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice,” the league said in a statement sent shortly after 9:30 p.m. EDT. “The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”
The test result, the NBA said, was reported shortly before the scheduled tip-off time for the Utah at Oklahoma City game on Wednesday night was called off. Players were on the floor for warmups and tip-off was moments away when they were told to return to their locker rooms. About 30 minutes later, fans were told the game was postponed “due to unforeseen circumstances.”
Those circumstances were the league’s worst-case scenario for now — a player testing positive. A second person who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity said the league expects the shutdown to last a minimum of two weeks, but cautioned that timeframe is very fluid.
“It’s a very serious time right now,” Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I think the league moved appropriately and prudently and we’ll all just have to monitor the situation and see where it goes from here.”
The Jazz released a statement saying a player — they did not identify Gobert — tested negative earlier Wednesday for flu, strep throat and an upper respiratory infection. That player’s symptoms diminished as the day went along, but the decision was made to test for COVID-19 anyway. That test came back with a preliminary positive result.
“The individual is currently in the care of health officials in Oklahoma City,” the Jazz said, adding that updates would come as appropriate.
For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, which declared a pandemic on Wednesday, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered.
It has been a worldwide issue for several weeks. And now, it has hit the NBA.
“This is crazy,” Cleveland forward Tristan Thompson said on Twitter.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he was stunned when the news came down, adding that “this is much bigger than basketball.”
“This is a global pandemic where people’s lives are at stake,” Cuban said. “I’m a lot more worried about my kids, and my mom is 82 years old, and talking to her, and telling her to stay in the house, than I am about when we play our next game.”
Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego, speaking before his team’s game at Miami, said “these are scary times.”
Rapidly evolving times, as well. Around 7 p.m., a person with knowledge of the situation told AP that owners — who met by teleconference Wednesday — were largely in support of a plan to play games in empty arenas on a short-term basis.
About an hour later, the Thunder-Jazz game was halted before tip-off. And about 90 minutes after that, the season was called off, effective when the last whistle was to blow Wednesday night.
That came even earlier than planned: The last game of the night’s six-game slate, New Orleans at Sacramento, was called off as well because one of the referees assigned to work that Pelicans-Kings game, Courtney Kirkland, worked a Utah game on Monday.
“The game was canceled out of an abundance of caution,” the NBA said.
There are 259 games, roughly 21% of the schedule, left to play this season — and no one knows if, or when, things will resume.
“We believe in the leadership of the league,” Philadelphia 76ers general manager Elton Brand said.
The shutdown is the latest major development in a season filled with unspeakably hard challenges. The league lost as much as $400 million in revenue after a rift with China was started in October when Houston general manager Daryl Morey tweeted out support of anti-government protesters in Hong Kong. Former NBA Commissioner David Stern died in January, the same month that soon-to-be Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash.
And now, a pandemic — which could also cost the league hundreds of millions in lost revenue, depending on how long it lasts. Cuban said he expected his team to remain in Dallas, rehabbing and working and being ready to return whenever the league re-opens.
“As we’ve said from the beginning, the health and safety of our fans, employees, players and partners is our top priority and thus we fully support the NBA’s decision to postpone games,” Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins said. “We will continue to stay in contact with the league, and local, state and federal health experts as we closely monitor this public health crisis.”
If the regular season ends here, it would be the end of Atlanta guard Vince Carter’s 22-year playing career. And just in case this was it, the Hawks put Carter in with 19.5 seconds left in overtime in what was already clearly going to be a loss to New York.
Carter took an open 3-pointer and made it — the Knicks, aware of the moment, didn’t defend him either — and celebrated with Hawks teammates afterward after what may be the final shot of his career.
“A weird, but cool memory,” Carter said.
Also shut down: The G League, the NBA’s minor league where teams have somewhere between six and nine games left on their 50-game schedules.
The NBA’s movement toward empty arenas in the short term came on the same day that the NCAA announced that the men’s and women’s Division I tournaments would be played without fans — except for a few family members — permitted inside to watch.
“People are clearly taking the measures that they feel they need to take for safety,” said Heat guard Duncan Robinson, who played in both the Division I and Division III national championship games during his college days at Michigan and Williams.
Robinson added, “but at the same time the NBA has to protect its players in the league and the fans.”
Things were trending toward games in empty arenas for some time, and it was abundantly clear Wednesday morning when the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told a Congressional committee that he would recommend the NBA not allow fans at games in response to the coronavirus.
Dr. Anthony Fauci was responding to a question asked by Rep. Glenn Grothman, a Wisconsin Republican, “is the NBA underreacting or is the Ivy League overreacting?” Grothman was referencing how the Ivy League recently canceled its basketball tournaments, instead of having them without fans or keeping the status quo.
“We would recommend that there not be large crowds,” Fauci said. “If that means not having any people in the audience when the NBA plays, so be it. But as a public health official, anything that has crowds is something that would give a risk to spread.”
That was when the concern was about crowds and containment.
By the close of business Wednesday in the NBA, the concern was so much more.
“This is surreal,” Borrego said. “This is reality for us now. It’s no longer just on TV somewhere. This is now home.”
Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine Class of 2020
The Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine is a life changing experience for 100 High School students from across the country. This year the DMV is represented by four very talented young ladies who will be part of this years Disney Dreamers Academy down in Orlando, Fl. Congratulations to Kailin Frye, Amari Mealy, Esha Venkat and Caitlyn Lynch! Disney Dreamers Class of 2020. Follow us and here their stories, dreams and goals.
Listen to their story and dreams – Esha Venkat and Kailin Frye:
Listen to their story and dreams – Amari Mealy and Caitlyn Lynch:
What’s behind the violent acts of young people and what can be done to address it?
Carmeta Albarus, who has served as an adviser and mentor for Malvo since testifying at his 2003 trial, confirmed the wedding took place earlier this month.
Allison’s Timeline for today, Wednesday, March 11th was filled with the latest surrounding Bowie State University, DC sniper Lee Boyd Malvo and Harvey Weinstein. If you missed it, check out the Audio below to hear what Allison has to say!
Still want to know more? If you want all the details.. be sure to click on the links below to get the full story on each headline!
Bowie State University cancels Thursday, Friday classes to prepare for remote instruction, click for more details. Click for full story
DC sniper Lee Boyd Malvo marries while serving life in prison, click for full story
Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 23 years in prison, click for full story.
Harvey Weinstein’s Brother Says Harvey Belongs in Hell, click for full story
Be sure to check out Allison’s Timeline every weekday in the 3pm hour with Allison & Marc in the Afternoon right here on WHUR so you can stay up to date and in the loop with what’s going!
I “was amazed because two saints gave me sage for my new house. I didn’t know what to do with it. I was unsure of it. And all the more, why they’d feel comfortable giving it to a pastor.”
AMPM Entertainment Report for today, Tuesday, March 10th was filled with the latest surrounding Gayle King, Jamal Bryant and Burning Sage. If you missed it, check out the Audio below to hear what Allison, Marc and Coka-Lani has to say!
Still want to know more? If you want all the details.. be sure to click on the links below to get the full story on each headline!
Gayle King opens up to Oprah about Kobe Bryant Interview backlash, click for full story.
Jamal Bryant Warns Christians Against Burning Sage, Calls It ‘Witchcraft’ and ‘Satanic Aromatherapy’, click for full story.
Burning sage kills 94% of airborne bacteria, research shows, click for full story
Be sure to check out AMPM Entertainment Report with Coka-Lani every weekday in the 5pm hour on Allison & Marc in the Afternoons right here on WHUR so you can stay up to date and in the loop with what’s going!
Michael Strahan wants primary custody of twin daughters.
Michael Strahan is accusing his second ex-wife, Jean Muggli Strahan, for abusing their teenage daughters.
According to lovebscott.com “Michael claims Jean’s been engaging in a ‘pattern of abusive conduct towards the children for years’ he claims he’s got proof of the physical and emotional abuse and says he’s gonna detail it in sealed docs.”
Strahan and his ex-wife married in 1999 and had twin daughters Isabella and Sophia in 2004. They went their separate ways in 2006.
Strahan wants to obtain primary custody as he claims, “Jean’s not taking their kids to court-ordered therapy sessions and says she’s the reason Sophia and Isabella keep missing their volleyball matches and equestrian events” as stated on TMZ.
His ex-wife and daughters currently live in North Carolina, but Strahan would like for his daughters to move in with him in New York
To make matters even more strained, Strahan and his ex-wife are also going through a rough child support battle.
Naomi Campbell has recently been spotted in LAX wearing a full hazmat suit covered in a camel cape along with pink latex gloves and N95 mask as a result of the coronavirus.
According to CNN, she was spotted in LAX wearing a full hazmat suit covered in a camel cape along with pink latex gloves and N95 mask. Campbell posted a photo on Instagram with her coronavirus-fighting outfit, captioned “Safety First NEXT LEVEL”:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9kwcbPnFPo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Campbell’s germaphobic behavior was first shown in last year’s viral video of her cleaning “anything that you could possibly touch.”
She was shown wiping her seat, seat belt, tray table, TV screen, remote control and window followed by placing a mask on her face for the duration of the flight. Although Campbell’s behavior seemed bizarre at the time, coronavirus has forced fearful people to think of the most creative ways to protect themselves.
On Fox13 News, Memphis adults were seen taking extra measures against coronavirus at Treadwell Middle School, including one woman wearing plastic bags from head to toe as well as one man spraying a student with what appeared to be a disinfectant spray:
Although these methods probably seem reasonable due to the chaos of the coronavirus spreading, the Center of Disease Control simply suggests that people wash their hands often, wear a face mask if they are sick, avoid close contact to others, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or inside of their elbow, and clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Hazmat suits, trash bag suits, and excessive amounts of Lysol are not necessary.
WHUR is proud to support four inspiring young high school students Kailin Frye, Caitlyn Lynch, Amari Mealy and Esha Venkat.
I am an 18-year old senior at Potomac High School in Dumfries, Virginia. I have been awarded a scholarship to attend Workforce Training after graduating high school in June 2020. I’m extremely excited to start career training to be a Special Education Teacher. I will then go on to college to complete my bachelor’s degree in education and start my journey to becoming the future United States Secretary of Education. I am a High School/All Star Cheerleader, a Girl Scout, a Delta Academy member, Assistant Cheer Coach, and a volunteer teacher assistant to Special Education students. I’m a Dreamer and my dream will come true by impacting other human being lives by teaching, guiding and leading others to their dreams.
I am a home-schooled senior from Hyattsville, Maryland. Homeschooling is a good option for me because it allows me to work at my own pace while eliminating the distractions of the standard high-school environment. Once I graduate early 2020, I plan to land an internship opportunity in a technology field. I will attend Howard University and the Fall of 2020 and acquire my bachelor’s degree in computer science and my master’s degree in computer science and artificial intelligence. I hope to one day be a successful machine learning engineer as well as explore entrepreneurship in the hair-care industry as a leisure activity. I believe that my ability to conquer challenges is limitless and my potential to succeed is infinite. With determination and motive on my side, I know I will not fail.
I am a 14 year old freshman at Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria, VA where I serve as a member of our Food Pantry club, Blood Donors club, and on the finance committee in our Black Student Union. When I am not in school, I enjoy baking, dancing, writing, playing with my dog, and hanging out with friends. My main goal and philosophy in life is to help others and spread kindness throughout the world. I will forever work towards this goal as my dream is to be a fifth-grade teacher who teaches all of my students the joy of learning and change the stigma that is associated with careers in education because I believe that educating others is the most important profession.
I’m Esha V, a 14-year-old from Ashburn, Virginia. I’m the co-founder of NEST4US, a 501©3 nonprofit, with a mission to provide volunteer solutions to make the world better through kindness. In addition to being an honor roll student, I find time to play piano, earn my 2nd-degree black belt, dance hip-hop, and serve as the captain of my travel soccer team. I have over 4 years of volunteer service under my belt and have spent over 600 hours giving back to my community. My goal is to become a neurosurgeon and continue touching lives through my non-profit, NEST4US.
The health officials define mass gatherings as events where 1,000 or more people congregate, including social, cultural or entertainment events.
Weinstein now heads to Rikers Island and then to the Downstate Correctional Facility in Fishkill, New York, where he’ll be assigned to a prison.
Coronavirus has killed nearly 44-hundred people and infected more than 121-thousand in more than 100 nations.
Film producer Harvey Weinstein has reportedly been sentenced to 23 years in prison by the Manhattan Supreme Court for rape and sexual assault.
Film producer Harvey Weinstein has reportedly been sentenced to 23 years in prison by the Manhattan Supreme Court for rape and sexual assault. According to CNBC, he was found guilty of committing a first-degree criminal sexual act as well as third-degree rape. He was acquitted of two counts of predatory sexual assault and one count of first-degree rape. This will most likely serve as an effective life sentence because Weinstein’s health has already been deteriorating. If he can survive throughout the sentence, he will be given five years of probation after his release. His sentence will be served in an upstate New York prison.
Throughout the trial and sentencing hearing, several of his accusers spoke, including Mimi Haleyi and Jessica Mann, whose respective encounters with Weinstein landed him two convictions.
A group of Weinstein’s accusers named the Silence Breakers released a statement following his sentencing hearing: “Harvey Weinstein’s legacy will always be that he’s a convicted rapist. He is going to jail – but no amount of jail time will repair the lives he ruined, the careers he destroyed, or the damage he has caused.” According to The Wrap, the group, which includes prominent women in the entertainment such as Ashley Judd, Rose McGowan, Rosanna Arquette, Alyssa Milano, Mira Sorvino, and more, believe that justice has not been properly served.
Allegations about Weinstein’s sexual predatory behavior emerged in late 2017 with the #MeToo movement on social media. The hashtag was created years prior by activist Tarana Burke and was initially dedicated to low-income women and girls of color harmed by sexual assault. However, the hashtag became a phenomenon when numerous women tweeted the hashtag after actress Alyssa Milano. In 2017, Milano tweeted “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet”:
https://twitter.com/Alyssa_Milano/status/919659438700670976?s=20
Following this exchange between thousands of women about the terrors of sexual harassment and assault, a focus on Weinstein was created. Numerous women began to come forth in solidarity to enlighten the public about Weinstein’s secret reputation.
According to The Guardian, actress Gwyneth Paltrow was one of the first famous names to accuse Weinstein of harassment. Her story and other numerous stories from his accusers have been hidden for years due to his prominent reputation and position in Hollywood, as well as the fear that he can destroy careers. The Me Too movement stripped women of that fear, and justice has finally been able to be served after more then 20 years.
Several television programs are taking precautionary measures against coronavirus by continuing to tape episodes without live studio audiences.
Several television programs are taking precautionary measures against coronavirus by continuing to tape episodes without live studio audiences. This includes talk shows, game shows, and sitcoms.
According to USA Today, Walt Disney Co. has confirmed that all of its news and talk shows will not have a studio audience, including “The View”, “Tamron Hall”, and “Live with Kelly and Ryan.” Additional shows that will not have a studio audience are “The Wendy Williams Show”, “Dr. Phil”, “Jeopardy!”, and “Wheel of Fortune.”
Yesterday, the production team of “The Wendy Williams Show” informed fans of this recent decision on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9khC4Thip0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Warner Bros. has taken a different approach and kept the studio audience for its programs, but the screening process for potential guests will be taken more seriously.
According to USA Today, “Guests must confirm that neither they, nor members of their household, have traveled in the last three weeks to a place given a Level 3 Travel Health Notice by the Centers for Disease Control.” Restricted travel destinations include China, Iran, South Korea and Italy. Shows affected by this new screening process include “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”, “The Bachelor”, “The Voice”, “Mom” and “The Real.”
Other programs and events have been affected by coronavirus as well, including the upcoming Democratic debate between Sen. Bernie Sanders and and former Vice President Joe Biden. The Democratic National Committee has requested for no live audience. Many musicians have cancelled or postponed upcoming concerts including Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Ciara, Queen, Khalid, Mariah Carey, Pearl Jam, Green Day and more.
NBC News spoke with one college student named Ashley Henkel who has booked three flights to Vancouver, New York City and Portland: “I feel like if the coronavirus would get even more serious and like wipe out a large amount of people, I might as well be somewhere having fun.”
The coronavirus outbreak has led to unbeatable one-way and round-trip flight deals for both domestic and international travel. Flights that would usually be skyrocketed in price due to location and/or date are almost dirt cheap. Millennials are taking advantage of these cost-efficient travel options because, according to CNBC, the Center of Disease Control “is recommending people with underlying conditions or who are over 60 to stock up on medications, household items and groceries to stay at home.” This has been loosely interpreted as millennials being at lower risk and able to travel to see family, see new sights, or just have fun.
NBC News spoke with one college student named Ashley Henkel who has booked three flights to Vancouver, New York City and Portland: “I feel like if the coronavirus would get even more serious and like wipe out a large amount of people, I might as well be somewhere having fun.” Her care-free attitude is shared by many millennials on social media who have been making jokes about traveling during the outbreak:
Coronavirus got Boomers stocking their doomsday bunkers… meanwhile millennials are online shopping for bathing suits for the five island trip they just booked on Spirit for $130.
— Philly’s Original Harden (@KHJ_Esq) March 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/JardinTaylor/status/1237429345632882688?s=20
Me and my homegirl boarding our flight during this coronavirus mess pic.twitter.com/DFxjQguYj2
— JOHN (@IAM_Johnathan) March 10, 2020
The Chicago Tribune spoke with several key figures in the travel industry, including Hayley Berg, an economist at Hopper, who confirmed that flight deals are definitely unbeatable: “We’re seeing fantastic deals (from Chicago) to Miami, San Diego, Orlando, New Orleans, Phoenix — 40 to 70% off what we’d typically see.” Although millennials are taking advantage of these deals, the majority is not, and the travel industry is suffering. Many of these discounted flights still have numerous empty seats, as seen in this video by ABC News:
https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1237620298230517760?s=20
Mount Vernon Healthcare Center has implemented a no-visitation policy due to the spread of the Coronavirus.
Mount Vernon Healthcare Center, has officially closed its doors for visitation due to the spread of the Coronavirus.
This DMV area healthcare center has placed a bright orange COVID-19 sign on its doors, notifying the public that visitation rights are temporarily revoked for family and friends.
According to NBCWashington.com, “This facility serves more than 100 long term care patients, those rehabbing from surgery, and there is hospice care.” The reporter continues saying, “It is one of seven facilities in the DMV operated by CommuniCare health services.”
The company has implemented plans like Facetime to continue communication amongst family members and friends. However, family members in hospice care will still be allowed to see family in their final days.
The visitation precautions are being taken seriously because the elderly are more susceptible to the COVID-19 virus. Anyone with a compromised immune system is at risk, which can be fatal.
According to the CDC Newsroom, “This seems to be a disease that affects adults. And most seriously older adults. Starting at age 60, there is an increasing risk of disease and the risk increases with age.”
At this moment, the company does not know how long the no visitation policy will be in effect, but will continue every precaution to protect its residents.
Nicki Minaj is put on the spot for marrying a registered sex offender.
Wendy Williams is known for speaking her mind and not holding back. On her most recent show, Williams addresses Nicki Minaj for marrying an alleged molester.
Minaj’s husband, Kenneth Petty, was forced to register as a sex offender in California. According to NY Daily News, “Petty was convicted of first-degree attempted rape in 1995 but failed to register as a sex offender after moving to Los Angeles from New York.”
In a video clip, Williams says, “You should’ve never married him, because now you’ve ruined everything about what your brand could be, again. You’re never gonna stand a chance when you’re with a man who pulls a knife at rape point … a molester … a registered sex offender.”
This isn’t the first time Minaj and Williams have shared their opinions on each other. Last November, Minaj said, “It’s not about doing your job. There are people who report the news and there are people who do it with an evil intent in their heart, viciousness. And I pray for you because I know you’re hurting and I know you must be sick and humiliated” as reported by oxygen.com.
Minaj has not made a statement, but she rarely ever keeps quiet. You can catch ‘The Wendy Williams Show’ every Monday through Thursday on BET.
Several colleges and universities are canceling classes after Spring Break, telling students to prepare for online classes. In the DMV, local leaders are prepping to do the same just in case.
Washington, D.C. (Wednesday, March 11, 2020) – It is literally the talk of every jurisdiction locally and nationally. How do you stop the spread of the coronavirus and yet keep much of your operations functioning? Most of the thought centers around teleworking and on-line teaching.
Several colleges and universities right here in the Washington, D.C. area are already telling college students to prepare not to return to classes after spring break. Howard University just announced it is moving to online and remote instruction following Spring Break from March 23rd to April 6th. The following universities are also moving to on-line classes; the University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins, American, George Washington, Georgetown, and Bowie State.
DC and Fairfax County Public Schools are canceling classes Monday to determine if on-line teaching will be necessary in the near future.
Meantime, local elected leaders and federal officials say they are monitoring the threat of further outbreaks to determine whether to tell workers to stay home and telecommute. To date, there have been 21 confirmed cases in the DMV with 4 in DC, 9 in Maryland, and 9 in Virginia.
The Black Love Experience takes place March 21st at THEARC.
The Black Love Experience is back and I have the details about this celebration of music, business, and Black culture. My guest is Anika Hobbs – Founder of the Black Love Experience
The Black Love Experience is March 21st @ 7pm at THEARC in SE. This year Black Love Experience will partner with Washington Performing Arts and WHUR to Celebrate Black Excellence. More information here:
Tune in to Taking it to the Streets, weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:40 on the Steve Harvey Morning Show on 96.3 WHUR.
Follow me on facebook and twitter at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.
Listen to this mornings segment here:
Examination of The Crown Act nationwide and the impact on youth
Westchester County, has had 108 cases of coronavirus, Cuomo said. New Rochelle makes up a majority of the state’s 173 coronavirus cases and has double the number of cases as New York City.
Allison’s Timeline for today, Tuesday, March 10th was filled with the latest surrounding Coronavirus update, New York creates ‘containment zone’ and LeBron James. If you missed it, check out the Audio below to hear what Allison has to say!
Still want to know more? If you want all the details.. be sure to click on the links below to get the full story on each headline!
Coronavirus update: Prince George’s County Public Schools sent this bulletin, click for more details
2 new coronavirus cases identified in Prince George’s County, click for full story
New York creates ‘containment zone’ around cluster of coronavirus cases in New Rochelle, click for full story
LeBron James Says He Wouldn’t Play If COVID-19 Led the NBA to Hold Games Without Fans, click for more details
For your latest Coronavirus updates be sure to check out WHUR Full Coverage.
Be sure to check out Allison’s Timeline every weekday in the 3pm hour with Allison & Marc in the Afternoon right here on WHUR so you can stay up to date and in the loop with what’s going!
Loudoun County Reports Presumptive Positive Coronavirus Test
Colleges adjust because of coronovirus crisis
American University will also temporarily hold classes online after spring break as coronavirus cases spread in the DC metro. Spring break will be extended through March 17. Online class change are scheduled to go into effect March 18th through April 3rd. The campus will remain open for students who cannot got home.
Towson University in Baltimore County has cancelled classes this week and is planning online classes for after spring break.
It’s music and messages that you need to hear to get cranked up. Morning Inspirations with Tracy Morgan, right before Steve Harvey and only on 96.3 WHUR! Sounds like Washington!
Jazmine has ventured into acting some and now FASHION! This amazing photo popped up on her instagram and fans are losing their minds!
The victims are a woman in her 50s and a couple. All three victims are said to be in good condition and are self-quarantined at home.
Largo, Maryland (Tuesday, March 10, 2020) – Prince George’s County has joined many other jurisdictions across the DMV trying to balance information while controlling panic and fear of the ever spreading coronavirus. County Executive Angela Alsobrooks this morning updated residents on COVID-19, announcing three confirmed cases.
The victims are a woman in her 50s and a couple. All three victims are said to be in good condition and are self-quarantined at home as are their family members. The woman in her 50s apparently contracted the virus while on a trip to Boston between February 25th – 27th. Not much is known about the couple, except they are returning from an international cruise. Alsbrooks also announced she had just learned about their positive testing moments before the press conference. Officials are now trying to retrace the steps of all the victims to see who they may come in contact with in recent weeks.
Meantime, Alsbrobrooks has raised the county’s level of emergency operations center from enhanced to a partiial activation. Residents with questions about the coronavirus can call 301-883-6627.
As a precaution, the County Executive has canceled two upcoming events, the Women’s History Month Luncheon and the Census Block Party were slated for later this month. Alsbrook says she will rescheduled both once the county gets beyond the coronavirus crisis.
The County Executive was joined by Dr. Ernest Carter – County Health Officer, Ronnie Director – Director of Office of Emergency Management and Barry Stanton – Chief Operating Officer for Public Schools.
Coachella is reportedly being postponed until October due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Coachella is reportedly being postponed until October due to the coronavirus outbreak. The popular annual music festival was initially scheduled for the weekends of April 10 and April 19, but it has been moved to the weekends of October 9 and October 16. This was possibly in result of a Change.org petition titled “Cancellation of Coachella 2020 music festival due to COVID-19 Outbreak”, which collected more than 15,000 signatures as of Monday. The petition organizer, Stella Young, wrote: “COVID-19 outbreak hit California. Large personnel gathering event can be extremely dangerous especially when participants travel all around the world attending the event.”
Coachella began in October 1999 in Indio, California as a smaller festival, attracting around 25,000 attendees. Over the years, the festival has grew both in size and popularity, attracting an average of more than 250,000 attendees in recent years. The festival spans over two consecutive weekends with star-studded lineups, including past headliners such as Beyonce, Jay-Z, Prince, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Drake, Calvin Harris, Childish Gambino, Outkast, and more. The festival also consists of a ferris wheel, camping trucks, company-sponsored interactive activities, a variety of food and drink vendors, and more. The tickets range from $429 to $999 for an entire weekend. More information can be found on Coachella’s official website.
AJC reports more than 130 cases have been confirmed in California with two deaths. In Riverside County near the Coachella site of Indio, there are three confirmed cases in total. Riverside County officials have released a statement to Los Angeles Magazine: “The City of Indio is actively monitoring input from local, state, and national health officials to assess the health risks of COVID-19 and update those risks to stakeholders.” However, a state of emergency has not been declared in the county.
According to TMZ, the postponement has been confirmed by several sources including agents of the musical acts, the musical acts, and journalists with close sources to Coachella. Scheduled musical act Pearl Jam went on social media to confirm. Coachella has not released an official statement as of yet. Coachella’s promoter Goldenvoice has to inform the reps of all scheduled acts.
Other festivals have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak, including SXSW, which has recently been cancelled, and Stagecoach, which is also postponed to October.
New York reportedly has the most confirmed coronavirus cases in the entire country with a total of 143.
New York reportedly has the most confirmed coronavirus cases in the entire country with a total of 143. The confirmed cases are located in Westchester County, which has the majority, followed by New York City and Nassau County. Suffolk County has just confirmed its first case. A state of emergency was declared by Governor Cuomo this past Saturday.
Cuomo is taking as many safety precautions to keep the virus from spreading to more victims. Schools are closing to protect students and teachers; if any individual tests positive at a school, the school must be closed for at least 24 hours to decide on longer closure periods and to assess safety. Cuomo introduced the “New York State Clean Hand Sanitizer”, a free hand sanitizer that will be provided to schools, government agencies, and MTA prisons. According to CBS 2, 100,000 gallons was “made by prisoners through the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision” to combat the overpricing and shortage of hand sanitizer in stores across the state.
In New York City, Mayor Bill DeBlasio is taking his own additional precautionary methods against the virus. DeBlasio is suggesting to avoid large crowds, especially the MTA subway system. If there are other available methods of transportation for an individual, he/she should take advantage of it to protect his/herself from contamination. Every 72 hours, each individual train is disinfected to kill any potential virus. According to the New York Times, Columbia University, Fordham University, St. John’s University, Yeshiva University and New York University campuses have been closed and students have been informed that classes will be postponed or offered online. Other educational institutions are considering long-term online learning, although many students do not have Wi-Fi access outside of their schools.
The New York government has been slowly conducting testing while the number of cases increase due to lack of testing resources. Many people with potential coronavirus systems cannot afford to be tested efficiently due to lack of healthcare. DeBlasio is pleading for the U.S. government to provide New York City with automatic testing. However, DeBlasio assures New Yorkers that coronavirus is not as scary as it appears. On MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”, DeBlasio stated: “If we had universal health care, a hell of a lot more people would have been tested, a hell of a lot more people could have been saved.”
To see an updated map of the total number of cases in each of the affected states, see here.
Lebron James on potential games without fans “I ain’t got the fans in the crowd. That’s who I play for. I play for my teammates. I play for the fans. That’s what it’s all about.”
Lebron James said to reporters after a win against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday that he would not play a game in a stadium without fans.
“What, we play games without the fans?” he asked, eyebrows raised. “Nah, it’s impossible. I ain’t playing.”
The issue has circulated in the NBA community recently do to the continued spread of COVID-19 throughout the United States. With ongoing cancellations and closures, as well as the threat of quarantine in cities around the nation, the NBA has warned players to prepare for the possibility of playing games with no fans present. For Lebron, it seems, this is simply not an option.
“I ain’t got the fans in the crowd. That’s who I play for. I play for my teammates. I play for the fans. That’s what it’s all about. If I show up to an arena and there are no fans in there, I ain’t playing. They can do what they want to do.”
To date, there are over 111,750 cases of coronavirus worldwide, and nearly 4,000 deaths. In the United States there are almost 600 cases and 21 reported deaths.
The US Rwandan Community Abroad is hosting it’s annual International Women’s Day Celebration.
March is Women’s History Month and the US Rwandan Community Abroad of DC, Maryland, and Virginia is gearing up for its annual International Women’s Day event. My guest is Deborah Woolen – Event Coordinator
The US Rwandan Community Abroad of DC, Maryland, and Virginia International Women’s Day Celebration is Saturday, March 14th at 5pm at White Oak Community Center. More information here:
Tune in to Taking it to the Streets, weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:40 on the Steve Harvey Morning Show on 96.3 WHUR.
Follow me on facebook and twitter at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connect
Listen to this mornings segment here:
Somaya has become a successful actress, artist, and entrepreneur, and one can only guess what she will take on next.
AMPM Entertainment Report for today, Monday, March 9th we had a special guest to drop by the neighborhood. Somaya Reece of Love & Hip Hop NY. If you missed it, check out the Audio below to hear what Allison, Marc and Coka-Lani has to say!
Be sure to check out AMPM Entertainment Report with Coka-Lani every weekday in the 5pm hour on Allison & Marc in the Afternoons right here on WHUR so you can stay up to date and in the loop with what’s going!
Sending a Big “Thank You” to Somaya Reece for stopping by Allison & Marc’s Neighborhood. To find out more about Somaya Reece and everything they talked about in The Neighborhood during the interview.. click here www.missreece.com/.
Be sure to follow Somaya Reece on all social media!
IG- @somayareece
Twitter- @Somaya_Reece
Facebook- SomayaReece/
D.C.’s Mayor Muriel Bowser says a city high school linked to a second case of the coronavirus is staying closed Monday.
Allison’s Timeline for today, Monday, March 9th was filled with the latest surrounding Washington Mystics, School Without Walls High School and DR. Drew. If you missed it, check out the Audio below to hear what Allison has to say!
Still want to know more? If you want all the details.. be sure to click on the links below to get the full story on each headline!
Washington Mystics To Host Parade On May 12 To Celebrate 2019 WNBA Championship, click for more details
School Without Walls High School closed Monday following conronavirus concerns, says DC Mayor Bowser, Click for more details
Dr. Drew Pinsky’s message to media, click for more details.
Be sure to check out Allison’s Timeline every weekday in the 3pm hour with Allison & Marc in the Afternoon right here on WHUR so you can stay up to date and in the loop with what’s going!
Maryland’s governor gives an update on how the state is handling the coronavirus.
“You have your mothers, sisters, girlfriends, friends in your life, protect them,” she said. “Make sure that they are feeling valued and safe. And let’s all just rally together to make International Women’s Day something that is not just on Sunday, but frankly feels like every day of the year.”
LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry’s wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has visited a school to offer an International Women’s Day message with an appeal to men to honor the women in their lives.
The surprise visit Friday took place at the Robert Clack Upper School in Dagenham in east London. The community was the site of famous strikes by female sewing machinists at a Ford plant, an equal pay fight depicted in the 2010 film “Made in Dagenham.”
In one of her final duties as a senior British royal, Meghan urged the boys in the school assembly of 700 students to “continue to value and appreciate the women in your lives and also set the example for some men who are not seeing it that same way.”
“You have your mothers, sisters, girlfriends, friends in your life, protect them,” she said. “Make sure that they are feeling valued and safe. And let’s all just rally together to make International Women’s Day something that is not just on Sunday, but frankly feels like every day of the year.”
The Duchess of Sussex asked for a male volunteer to offer their thoughts on the importance of International Women’s Day. Aker Okoye, 16, raced to the stage, greeting her with what appeared to be an air kiss to her cheek.
“She really is beautiful, innit?” he said as he took the podium. “I had to speak the truth there.”
Meghan gave him a hug and later praised his “incredible confidence”.
Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi were honored for their 2013 founding of Black Lives Matter which has shaped a decade.
For International Women’s Day, 2020, TIME magazine released 100 covers of women from 1920-2019 who impacted history. For the 2013 cover, the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi were recognized.
“While critics called Garza, Cullors and Tometi terrorists and threats to America, the activists continued urging the public to pay attention to the spate of fatal shootings of unarmed black men and women that followed Martin’s, shutting down highways, blocking bridges and staging die-in demonstrations. “We will continue to fight like hell,” Cullors wrote on the group’s website, “because we deserve more,” said TIME writer Melissa Chan in her post on the group.
The trio join influential women such as Michelle Obama, Toni Morrison, Eleanor Roosevelt and Aretha Franklin on this years list. They were selected by TIME’s editorial staff, Har’el and influential women that include Soledad O’Brien, Lena Waithe, MJ Rodriguez, TIME’s former editor-in-chief and more.
The portrait of Garza, Cullors and Tometi was commissioned by New York artist, Molly Crabapple.
“They were the different drummers, to whose beat a century marched without always even knowing it. So this special project is an act of discovery, and rediscovery, of the possibilities that come when we look and listen differently to the world these women made,” said former TIME editor and chief Nancy Gibbs.
RHOA star Kenya Moore reveals that her husband always felt the need to “completely destroy” her whenever they got into an argument.
Kenya Moore revealed what really caused her and her estranged husband Marc Daly to file for separation on the latest episode of
Moore told cast mates Kandi Burruss and Cynthia Bailey that she was informed by her publicist that Daly was going to release a statement behind her back that said the two were splitting up.
The story I told @Kandi and @cynthiabailey10 about the ex wanting to “keep it going” was shared from Marc just weeks after he told her he got married nearly 3 years ago and that was her response. #RHOA
— KENYA MOORE (@KenyaMoore) March 9, 2020
Moore says she never intended to separate from Daly originally. “He kind of forced my hand,” she stated. The two were seen arguing after a charity event that Daly had thrown.
“We went to the event and he just seemed very irritated the whole time we were there. Not loving, not being nice to me. He was just like, saying little things under his breath. It just seemed everything I was doing was an issue. And then, I don’t know what happened, but he ended up getting in the Uber and we took off and he was just like, livid. He was like, ‘I didn’t even want you to come.’ Somehow I ruined his night,” Moore said.
“Every time he gets mad, he goes in. He goes for my throat,” said Moore. “It’s like, he can’t stop until he feels like he’s just destroyed me. I’ve seen him angry before, I’ve never seen him angry like that, where we’re that close to each other.”
Regardless of what you think about Kenya, the way she's been treated by Marc is completely heartbreaking and unacceptable. Nobody deserves that kind of emotional abuse. #RHOA pic.twitter.com/Rjf0mUOcN4
— Gibson Johns (@gibsonoma) March 9, 2020
After the incident Moore told Daly he couldn’t come back to her.
Prior to the event the pair got into an argument over a woman who Daly had been seeing in the early stages of their relationship. Event though they were married the woman still communicated with Daly and wanted to continue their relationship.
Moore says she called the woman and confronted her about the situation, she then confronted Daly. “We had this big blow out and I’m like, ‘What did I marry? What is going on here? We had talked about separating and Marc is like, ‘I was wrong for that, I’m sorry.’ And I just said, ‘Okay. That was your one mess-up,” Moore revealed.
She also stated that she missed a lot of “red flags” during her relationship with Daly. “The last few weeks have taught me you can’t believe who someone says they are, you have to believe who someone shows you who they are,” said Moore.
Daly and Moore got married of June 2017 and separated in September of 2019. The two share a one year old daughter ho they co-parent.
Amtrak told passengers that it would be suspending its nonstop Acela train between DC and NY from March 10 until May 26. Passengers can still use their service to get between the cities through slower, connecting lines.
Amtrak told passengers that it would be suspending its nonstop Acela train between DC and NY from March 10 until May 26. Passengers can still use their service to get between the cities through slower, connecting lines.
The transit company announced that in addition to scheduling changes it would be “increasing the frequency of cleaning services to multiple times a day, and in some cases, on an hourly basis.” This comes during an increasing number of cancellations around the country as the coronavirus continues its global spread.
Amtrak customers can view their website or Twitter page for updates in their region. Additionally, they are waiving change fees on all new and existing reservations before April 30th.
“Whether it be Disney World, whether it be other destination, whether it be cruise ships … those most at risk are seniors with serious or chronic underlying health conditions.”
Over the weekend, Pence stressed it is safe for healthy Americans to travel, noting “one of our favorite places to go when my children were young and even before my children came was in Orlando.”
“Whether it be Disney World, whether it be other destination, whether it be cruise ships … those most at risk are seniors with serious or chronic underlying health conditions.”
“Otherwise Americans can confidently travel in this country,” Pence said at a meeting with cruise industry officials in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday.
Still, as COVID-19 concerns multiply, the issue weighs heavily in the tourism industry.
“There is definitely concern. Particularly how and when it could manifest itself in the U.S.,” said Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services Inc., an independent industry consultant.
He’s been watching the spread of the coronavirus for weeks, as theme parks in Asia have closed. He estimated the temporary closure of Disney parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong will cost the company anywhere from $175 million to $300 million dollars.
Coronavirus concerns have impacted the state’s cruise industry and convention business, but the theme parks have been spared so far, although that could change at any moment.
Orlando is the nation’s most visited tourist destination, bringing vast numbers of people from around the globe to its major theme parks, which also include Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando. The city attracted 75 million visitors in 2018.
As of Sunday, the city was at least 65 miles (105 kilometers) from the nearest person testing positive for coronavirus.
Though several conventions in Orlando have been canceled because of concerns, individual leisure travel hasn’t been affected, local officials said.
Jennifer Morales, a 47-year-old mother from San Antonio, said the outbreak hasn’t changed her plans for an eight-day Walt Disney World vacation with her daughter. She’s been to Disney World 20-plus times, and her daughter is in a marching band scheduled to be in a park parade. They leave Sunday.
“I don’t think it warrants canceling a vacation right now,” she said, adding that she’s more worried about sitting on a plane with people with colds and the flu. “I’m kind of a germaphobe. We all have our own personal hand sanitizers, We’re diligent about handwashing at the parks, especially after rides. Now we’ll spending a little extra time washing hands. I already travel with a small can of Lysol and hose everything down in our hotel rooms.”
The state draws hordes of college-age students and families with grade-school children during the spring break season, which begins in earnest in mid-March and runs into April. Cancellations could be devastating during one of the busiest times of the year in the Sunshine State.
Last week, five big conventions said they were cancelling their conferences in Orlando because of coronavirus concerns. President Donald Trump had been scheduled to speak at one of the conventions, and Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders had been set to headline a forum at another convention.
Over the weekend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that travelers defer all cruise travel, especially if they have underlying health issues.
The U.S. Travel Association on Tuesday predicted a 6% decline in international visitors to the U.S. over the next three months as a result of coronavirus. If the prediction holds, it would be the largest decline in international inbound travel since the recession a dozen years ago, the association said.
Coronavirus fears hit Florida last week as Disney World opened a new ride based on Mickey Mouse, a park first. The resort’s most anticipated new land in years, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, debuted only last August.
If a Disney visitor shows coronavirus symptoms or first responders think they have the flu, both patient and paramedic will get a face mask, said Tim Stromsnes, president of the union local for firefighters at Disney World.
Speigel said parks and attractions likely will undergo “a lot of fumigation, disinfection, right now, not only in the front of the house, but the back of the house.”
Full Coverage: Virus Outbreak
Officials with Busch Gardens and SeaWorld didn’t respond to email inquiries about how the coronavirus had affected them.
Disney officials said in a statement that extra hand sanitizers were being placed throughout its four parks and more than two dozen hotels.
Tom Schroder, a spokesman for Universal Orlando, said it is reinforcing “best-practice health and hygiene procedures” in response to the coronavirus outbreak and adding more hand sanitizer units to its parks.
“We will continue to closely monitor the situation and be ready to act as needed,” he said.
Spiegel added that at many parks, deliveries will be scrutinized and workers will be retrained on cleanliness procedures. Parks may also restrict employee travel to higher-risk countries such as China, Italy and South Korea — a measure Legoland has already taken.
On Wednesday, the opening day of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, about 1,000 people were waiting to enter the park, said Kurt Schmidt, the owner of Inside the Magic, a massive online community and news site for Disney fans.
No one was wearing a mask, Schmidt said.
“From where I’m sitting, there’s absolutely no difference in how things feel,” he said. “I can’t see anything that is different.”
Starting at the end of this month, the Sussexes will no longer use their royal titles and pursue a new life of financial freedom in North America.
LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, will make their final appearance as senior royals Monday when they appear with Queen Elizabeth II at the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey.
The televised event will mark the last time they will work alongside the entire Windsor clan before flying off into self-imposed exile in North America. The separation will be marked in protocol: Harry and Megan will be ushered to their seats rather than waiting for the monarch’s arrival and walking through the church with her as the other senior roles will do.
The service will also end the two-month drama that began when the couple announced plans to walk away from their roles as senior members of the royal family and into a world where they will have to earn a living. It’s uncharted territory for the House of Windsor, which only has the messy abdication of Edward VIII in 1936 as a guide to the potential pitfalls.
“(The Windsors) have lost a major attraction for the future,″ said Pauline Maclaran, co-author of “Royal Fever: The British Monarchy in Consumer Culture.”
The Commonwealth service is a major event on the royal calendar, largely because the 93-year-old monarch has embraced the organization for much of her life. She became head of the network of 54 countries when she was only 26 in 1952, and has long considered supporting good relations among its members to be her own particular political project, said Philip Murphy, the director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the School of Advanced Study at the University of London.
“It’s not just what a lot of people would call Imperial nostalgia — a yearning for the good old days of the Raj,″ Murphy said. “The queen has always embraced an evolving Commonwealth and supported the notion of Britain as a multiracial country because it is part of a multiracial Commonwealth.″
The decision to leave the couple out of The Procession of The Queen at a moment so important to the monarch offers a poignant reminder of the coming break. The procession will feature Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge and and Prime Minister Boris Johnson among others.
Last year, Harry and Meghan waited alongside William, Kate, Charles and Camilla for the queen to arrive before taking part. This year, they will arrive after the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
Starting at the end of this month, the Sussexes will no longer use their royal titles and pursue a new life of financial freedom in North America.
The couple are expected to earn their keep at least partly through speaking engagements, which can net as much as $400,000 per event for the most sought after speakers such as former U.S. President Barack Obama. They’ve already had at least one speaking engagement, at a JPMorgan investment conference last month in Florida, but it isn’t known whether they were paid or how much.
Among the things they may have to pay for is security after the Canadian government said it wouldn’t cover the cost of the couple’s security detail once they step back from royal duties.
Zaya Wade made her first red carpet appearance, accompanied by father Dwyane Wade and stepmother Gabrielle Union, at the sixth annual Truth Awards in Los Angeles this past Saturday.
Zaya Wade has become a trending topic since her parents’ recent announcement of her identifying as transgender. She made her first red carpet appearance, accompanied by father Dwyane Wade and stepmother Gabrielle Union, at the sixth annual Truth Awards in Los Angeles this past Saturday.
She attended fashionably, wearing, according to CNN, a “bright green suit jacket and button-down with flared black dress pants and a hot pink diagonal stripe detail” with “hot pink clutch.” Her parents wore “coordinating black and white suits with hot pink and green tops underneath.”
Dwyane Wade posted about his daughter’s experience, saying “Last night was Zaya’s first red carpet and we couldn’t have been prouder of how she handled the questions that were asked of her. She has emerged as one of the young faces and voices for the LGBTQ+ community”:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9eV-FwnNwT/?utm_source=ig_embed
The Truth Awards highlights Black LGBTQ figures and allies’ achievements in their lives and careers as well as any cultural contributions. The awards show also provides educational scholarships for the LGBTQ youth. Although this was her first public appearance, Zaya’s transgender identity has been previously discussed by her father on Ellen. He told Ellen: “Me and my wife, my wife Gabrielle Union…we are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community and we’re proud allies as well.” Both Wade and Union are continuing to serve as LGBTQ allies by supporting their daughter’s decision on social media as well as during public appearances: “When our child comes home with a question, when our child comes home with an issue, when our child comes home with anything, it’s our job as parents to listen to that, to give them the best information that we can, the best feedback that we can. And that doesn’t change because sexuality is now involved in it.”
