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Coronavirus Silences the Met Opera, and Poses an Economic Threat Coronavirus Silences the Met Opera, and Poses an Economic Threat
(about 1 hour later)
During the last few performances before the coronavirus outbreak silenced the Metropolitan Opera on Thursday, posters placed discreetly in the theater’s restrooms offered tips for staying healthy: Avoid contact with the sick. Cover coughs. Wash hands.During the last few performances before the coronavirus outbreak silenced the Metropolitan Opera on Thursday, posters placed discreetly in the theater’s restrooms offered tips for staying healthy: Avoid contact with the sick. Cover coughs. Wash hands.
Keeping the Met financially healthy through the closure, which will extend at least through the end of the month, will be another kind of challenge.Keeping the Met financially healthy through the closure, which will extend at least through the end of the month, will be another kind of challenge.
The Met is the largest performing arts organization in the nation: It is a $308 million-a-year operation, but a fragile one. The high costs of mounting opera, coupled with weakness at the box office and a relatively small endowment, make it highly dependent on donations. Now, it will lose millions in ticket revenues.The Met is the largest performing arts organization in the nation: It is a $308 million-a-year operation, but a fragile one. The high costs of mounting opera, coupled with weakness at the box office and a relatively small endowment, make it highly dependent on donations. Now, it will lose millions in ticket revenues.
“There is no question that it is of severe financial consequence to the Met not to have performances,” said Peter Gelb, the company’s general manager, adding that he hoped some people with tickets for canceled performances would donate the money to the Met instead of seeking refunds, and that other donors would also step in to help. “We have an obligation to the world of opera, and to our public, to survive.”“There is no question that it is of severe financial consequence to the Met not to have performances,” said Peter Gelb, the company’s general manager, adding that he hoped some people with tickets for canceled performances would donate the money to the Met instead of seeking refunds, and that other donors would also step in to help. “We have an obligation to the world of opera, and to our public, to survive.”
The wave of coronavirus closures threaten not just the Met, but also other nonprofit cultural institutions in New York, even the biggest and oldest of which are not necessarily stable. In a bid to shore up revenues, the Metropolitan Museum of Art recently ended its 50-year-old pay-what-you-wish policy for out-of-state residents, and has been cutting expenses after a period of financial turbulence. The New York Philharmonic only recently ended a long streak of deficits, and is working with Lincoln Center to raise money for the renovation of its home, David Geffen Hall, which is expected to cost $550 million.The wave of coronavirus closures threaten not just the Met, but also other nonprofit cultural institutions in New York, even the biggest and oldest of which are not necessarily stable. In a bid to shore up revenues, the Metropolitan Museum of Art recently ended its 50-year-old pay-what-you-wish policy for out-of-state residents, and has been cutting expenses after a period of financial turbulence. The New York Philharmonic only recently ended a long streak of deficits, and is working with Lincoln Center to raise money for the renovation of its home, David Geffen Hall, which is expected to cost $550 million.
With all these organizations dependent on philanthropy, many are watching the recent downturn in the stock market warily — wondering how it will impact their donors.With all these organizations dependent on philanthropy, many are watching the recent downturn in the stock market warily — wondering how it will impact their donors.
The Met likely faces the loss of between $8 million and $12 million in box office revenues through the end of the month, and more if the closure continues, as many are beginning to believe it will. The company will continue paying its full-time workers — including its orchestra and chorus, scenic designers, some stage hands, dressers and others — at least through this month. Mr. Gelb said that it was unlikely that they would be paid if the closure continued longer, but said that the Met was committed to making sure that those employees continued to have health coverage.The Met likely faces the loss of between $8 million and $12 million in box office revenues through the end of the month, and more if the closure continues, as many are beginning to believe it will. The company will continue paying its full-time workers — including its orchestra and chorus, scenic designers, some stage hands, dressers and others — at least through this month. Mr. Gelb said that it was unlikely that they would be paid if the closure continued longer, but said that the Met was committed to making sure that those employees continued to have health coverage.
Michael M. Kaiser, the chairman of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland, said that while small organizations faced the greatest risk from closures, large ones are vulnerable, too.Michael M. Kaiser, the chairman of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland, said that while small organizations faced the greatest risk from closures, large ones are vulnerable, too.
“It depends on how long it goes on for,” he said. “It’s really a question of duration. If this ends in March it will be a loss, but manageable. But if it goes much beyond that, then it gets to be a really serious financial challenge.”“It depends on how long it goes on for,” he said. “It’s really a question of duration. If this ends in March it will be a loss, but manageable. But if it goes much beyond that, then it gets to be a really serious financial challenge.”
Backstage at the closed opera house, the Met’s boardroom has been turned into a war room of sorts, with company officials trying to navigate the human resources logistics associated with shutting down. The development office has been reaching out to donors. And the media department is working on a new initiative: The company plans to begin offering nightly online streams of filmed operas from its extensive catalog, free of charge, beginning Monday at 7:30 p.m. with a 2010 performance of Bizet’s “Carmen.”Backstage at the closed opera house, the Met’s boardroom has been turned into a war room of sorts, with company officials trying to navigate the human resources logistics associated with shutting down. The development office has been reaching out to donors. And the media department is working on a new initiative: The company plans to begin offering nightly online streams of filmed operas from its extensive catalog, free of charge, beginning Monday at 7:30 p.m. with a 2010 performance of Bizet’s “Carmen.”
While many of the European opera companies that have closed because of the pandemic receive substantial government funding, American ones rely on private donations and ticket revenues, leaving them particularly vulnerable to the economic impact of closing. On Friday, Lyric Opera of Chicago announced that it was canceling its coming performances of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle, an undertaking it has been preparing for years.While many of the European opera companies that have closed because of the pandemic receive substantial government funding, American ones rely on private donations and ticket revenues, leaving them particularly vulnerable to the economic impact of closing. On Friday, Lyric Opera of Chicago announced that it was canceling its coming performances of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle, an undertaking it has been preparing for years.
The risks of closing go beyond short-term revenue. It can sometimes take years for organizations to build back audiences after interruptions. That has happened before at the Met, where attendance fell after labor battles canceled performances in 1969 and 1980. Once some operagoers broke their habit of regularly attending, they either stopped going or went less often. Major League Baseball struggled with ticket sales for several years after the 1994-95 strike. And New York City Opera never recovered the audience it lost when it closed in 2008 for a season while its theater was renovated: It went bankrupt.The risks of closing go beyond short-term revenue. It can sometimes take years for organizations to build back audiences after interruptions. That has happened before at the Met, where attendance fell after labor battles canceled performances in 1969 and 1980. Once some operagoers broke their habit of regularly attending, they either stopped going or went less often. Major League Baseball struggled with ticket sales for several years after the 1994-95 strike. And New York City Opera never recovered the audience it lost when it closed in 2008 for a season while its theater was renovated: It went bankrupt.
Updated June 16, 2020 Updated June 12, 2020
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
But Mr. Kaiser noted that in all those cases, people had alternate live entertainment options, whereas now virtually everything is closed. “I’m expecting there will be a burst of interest in going out and doing things when we’re allowed to again,” he said.But Mr. Kaiser noted that in all those cases, people had alternate live entertainment options, whereas now virtually everything is closed. “I’m expecting there will be a burst of interest in going out and doing things when we’re allowed to again,” he said.
The coronavirus crisis hit the Met just as it seemed to be finding a firmer footing after several tumultuous years. There was labor unrest in 2014, when the company won concessions from its unions that it said were necessary for its survival. It weathered sexual abuse allegations that led it to fire its longtime music director, James Levine.The coronavirus crisis hit the Met just as it seemed to be finding a firmer footing after several tumultuous years. There was labor unrest in 2014, when the company won concessions from its unions that it said were necessary for its survival. It weathered sexual abuse allegations that led it to fire its longtime music director, James Levine.
But it has successfully rolled out his successor as music director, the conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who has found favor with audiences and critics. This year the company introduced Sunday matinees; and two new productions, the Gershwins’s “Porgy and Bess” and Philip Glass’s “Akhnaten,” were box office hits.But it has successfully rolled out his successor as music director, the conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who has found favor with audiences and critics. This year the company introduced Sunday matinees; and two new productions, the Gershwins’s “Porgy and Bess” and Philip Glass’s “Akhnaten,” were box office hits.
The Met still faces major financial challenges, though. In November, the outlook on its “A” credit rating was revised to negative by S&P Global Ratings, which warned of “weak balance sheet metrics” and noted that the endowment, valued at $284 million in 2018, was “low for an organization of its scope.” But Mr. Gelb said that the company was on solid footing, and noted that the box office losses would be partially offset by lower operating expenses.The Met still faces major financial challenges, though. In November, the outlook on its “A” credit rating was revised to negative by S&P Global Ratings, which warned of “weak balance sheet metrics” and noted that the endowment, valued at $284 million in 2018, was “low for an organization of its scope.” But Mr. Gelb said that the company was on solid footing, and noted that the box office losses would be partially offset by lower operating expenses.
Still, he said, it was eerie on Thursday night on Met’s stage, usually a hive of activity around the clock, on what was supposed to be the opening night of Rossini’s sparkling comedy “La Cenerentola.”Still, he said, it was eerie on Thursday night on Met’s stage, usually a hive of activity around the clock, on what was supposed to be the opening night of Rossini’s sparkling comedy “La Cenerentola.”
“I walked across an empty stage, and it was just the ghost light on,” Mr. Gelb said, referring to the lone bulb left on in empty theaters. “It was a strange and hollow feeling.”“I walked across an empty stage, and it was just the ghost light on,” Mr. Gelb said, referring to the lone bulb left on in empty theaters. “It was a strange and hollow feeling.”