The Coronavirus crisis crippled Hollywood and the US movie businesses this week, with theaters across North America recording a 97% plunge in box office receipts as viewers stay home and practice “social distancing.”
“As theaters across the country close their doors due to government mandates prohibiting large gatherings, it means that ticket sales have been reduced to almost nothing. After hitting a 20-year low over the weekend, the box office has now sunk even lower,” reports Fox News.
“According to The Hollywood Reporter, on Wednesday box office sales were only $300,000. By contrast, at the exact same time last year, ticket sales in North America made up roughly $10.7 million in revenue. That marks a historic 97 percent year-over-year decline. To demonstrate how quickly the coronavirus situation impacted the industry, the outlet reports that this time last week the box office total was $7.7 million. It is estimated that only 440 theaters in the United States remained open throughout the week,” adds Fox.
“This is an unprecedented challenge to the business,” said John Fithian, president and chief executive of the National Association of Theater Owners. “We’re looking to Congress and White House to understand this is a cultural institution where people gather.”
“We want our policy makers to know that at the end of this thing, when people have been cooped up in their house for several months, they’ll need a break to go out and do something collectively that’s affordable and fun and away from what they’ve just been through,” he said. “But we still need to be viable.”
Read the full report at Fox News.
'SICKENING': Backlash Grows Against Denver Democrat Who Supported Spreading Coronavirus at MAGA Rallies
Denver’s Democratic Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca is facing a growing backlash on social media this week after calling for those sick with the deadly Coronavirus to intentionally spread the disease at ‘Make America Great Again’ rallies.
“Democrat Denver Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca says that she stands in ‘solidarity’ with someone who says that they if they get the coronavirus that they will attend as many Trump rallies as possible She appears to have made the statement on her government Twitter account,” posted a reporter with the Daily Wire.
These people are sick. https://t.co/74mEIJDOpa
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 3, 2020
“These people are sick,” posted Donald Trump Jr.
“This elected Democrat in Colorado doesn’t seem very nice!” the Trump campaign War Room Twitter account posted in response.
This elected Democrat in Colorado doesn't seem very nice! @CandiCdeBacaD9 https://t.co/NvCn6UA4Wd
— Trump War Room – Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) March 3, 2020
Read the full report here.
Source: Fox News
AOC: US Needs ‘Climate Transition, Free Education, Healthcare, Apprenticeships’ to Combat Coronavirus
Controversial Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez weighed-in Monday on the country’s efforts to combat the effects of Coronavirus; calling for “climate transition,” education expansion, free healthcare, and apprenticeships to offset the disease.
“What we should seriously start to consider now for the medium & long term (bc it will take time) is New Deal-style policy. We need a mix of policies to help put a lot of people to work. Climate transition, edu expansion w/ apprenticeships & colleges, M4A. These are jobs bills,” posted AOC on social media.
What we should seriously start to consider now for the medium & long term (bc it will take time) is New Deal-style policy.
We need a mix of policies to help put a lot of people to work. Climate transition, edu expansion w/ apprenticeships & colleges, M4A.
These are jobs bills.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 16, 2020
Her comments come hours after NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio announce a citywide shutdown on all theaters, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs to prevent new infections.
“Mayor Bill de Blasio announced late Sunday that the Big Apple’s nightlife will shut down and its restaurants and bars will only provide takeout or delivery service as authorities struggle to get ahead of the mounting coronavirus pandemic,” reports the NY Post.
Businesses have until 9am Tuesday morning to close their dining rooms to patrons. The move also applies to Starbucks, McDonalds, and other quick-service restaurants.
“Our lives are all changing in ways that were unimaginable just a week ago,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
BREAKING: Statement from @NYCMayor on restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. pic.twitter.com/rMK5rhCPL4
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) March 16, 2020
“We are taking a series of actions that we never would have taken otherwise in an effort to save the lives of loved ones and our neighbors,” he added.
“This virus can spread rapidly through the close interactions New Yorkers have in restaurants, bars and places where we sit close together,” de Blasio’s statement said. “We have to break that cycle.”
Read the full report here.
Source: NY Post
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