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Broadway Will Remain Closed at Least Until June, and Probably Longer Broadway Will Remain Closed at Least Until June, and Probably Longer
(8 days later)
Broadway will remain closed for at least another two months, industry leaders said Wednesday, as they formally acknowledged what has been widely known: that their initial target of reopening in mid-April has become impossible because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.Broadway will remain closed for at least another two months, industry leaders said Wednesday, as they formally acknowledged what has been widely known: that their initial target of reopening in mid-April has become impossible because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The Broadway League, a trade association representing producers and theater owners, said the 41 Broadway houses would remain shuttered at least through June 7. But industry leaders widely expect the theaters to remain closed longer — many say that a best-case scenario is reopening following the July 4 weekend, and that it is possible that the industry will not reopen until after Labor Day.The Broadway League, a trade association representing producers and theater owners, said the 41 Broadway houses would remain shuttered at least through June 7. But industry leaders widely expect the theaters to remain closed longer — many say that a best-case scenario is reopening following the July 4 weekend, and that it is possible that the industry will not reopen until after Labor Day.
“We’re hopeful that the restrictions will be lifted by June 7,” said Charlotte St. Martin, the president of the Broadway League. “If they’re not, we will continue to monitor government restrictions and will advise ticket holders as soon as we know what those restrictions are.”“We’re hopeful that the restrictions will be lifted by June 7,” said Charlotte St. Martin, the president of the Broadway League. “If they’re not, we will continue to monitor government restrictions and will advise ticket holders as soon as we know what those restrictions are.”
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, asked at a news conference in Albany about the Broadway announcement, said it was too early to determine when large gatherings could resume. “I wouldn’t use what Broadway thinks as a barometer of anything, unless they’re in the public health business,” he said.Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, asked at a news conference in Albany about the Broadway announcement, said it was too early to determine when large gatherings could resume. “I wouldn’t use what Broadway thinks as a barometer of anything, unless they’re in the public health business,” he said.
He added, “Before you go to Broadway theaters, people are going to say, ‘When can I go back to work? When can I go back to school? When are the other essential services going to open?’ Before they go to a play, there’s going to be a lot of other questions that they’re going to ask, and that’s going to be a function of numbers.”He added, “Before you go to Broadway theaters, people are going to say, ‘When can I go back to work? When can I go back to school? When are the other essential services going to open?’ Before they go to a play, there’s going to be a lot of other questions that they’re going to ask, and that’s going to be a function of numbers.”
The pandemic that has killed tens of thousands of people around the world and has battered the global economy is also wreaking havoc with the theater industry. Broadway is not only an important center for the art form, but is also big business: The industry drew 14.8 million patrons last season and grossed $1.8 billion.The pandemic that has killed tens of thousands of people around the world and has battered the global economy is also wreaking havoc with the theater industry. Broadway is not only an important center for the art form, but is also big business: The industry drew 14.8 million patrons last season and grossed $1.8 billion.
The entire industry — like so many others — is on pause, at the cost of thousands of jobs and millions of dollars.The entire industry — like so many others — is on pause, at the cost of thousands of jobs and millions of dollars.
Spring and summer programming has already been canceled in other sectors of the performing arts world — all five Edinburgh festivals, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Jacob’s Pillow dance festival, and New York nonprofits including Lincoln Center Theater and the Roundabout Theater Company. In Britain, London’s West End theaters have canceled all performances through May 31, and in Canada, Toronto’s Mirvish Theaters have closed until June 30 “at the very earliest.”Spring and summer programming has already been canceled in other sectors of the performing arts world — all five Edinburgh festivals, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Jacob’s Pillow dance festival, and New York nonprofits including Lincoln Center Theater and the Roundabout Theater Company. In Britain, London’s West End theaters have canceled all performances through May 31, and in Canada, Toronto’s Mirvish Theaters have closed until June 30 “at the very earliest.”
Broadway has been loath to officially announce a far-off reopening date for several reasons: ticket sellers are reluctant to refund more tickets than they need to, sooner than they need to; each closing extension requires another consideration of whether and how to compensate or provide health benefits for unemployed workers at a time when there is no box office revenue; and getting ahead of government mandates might endanger insurance coverage. (Theater producers and 14 labor unions are now negotiating a possible extension of health benefits for workers affected by the ongoing suspension of performances.)Broadway has been loath to officially announce a far-off reopening date for several reasons: ticket sellers are reluctant to refund more tickets than they need to, sooner than they need to; each closing extension requires another consideration of whether and how to compensate or provide health benefits for unemployed workers at a time when there is no box office revenue; and getting ahead of government mandates might endanger insurance coverage. (Theater producers and 14 labor unions are now negotiating a possible extension of health benefits for workers affected by the ongoing suspension of performances.)
But theater presenters also expect that their stages will recover more slowly than some other parts of the economy because live performance usually involves large numbers of people getting together in confined spaces, which could be viewed as a public health risk, and theater tends to draw an older audience, which is a population particularly vulnerable to this coronavirus.But theater presenters also expect that their stages will recover more slowly than some other parts of the economy because live performance usually involves large numbers of people getting together in confined spaces, which could be viewed as a public health risk, and theater tends to draw an older audience, which is a population particularly vulnerable to this coronavirus.
Broadway has even more challenges than other parts of the theater world: It is heavily dependent on tourism, and it is not clear when visitors from around the country and around the world will again be excited about visiting New York. And the high production costs of Broadway shows mean high ticket costs, which could be an obstacle during a recession or depression.Broadway has even more challenges than other parts of the theater world: It is heavily dependent on tourism, and it is not clear when visitors from around the country and around the world will again be excited about visiting New York. And the high production costs of Broadway shows mean high ticket costs, which could be an obstacle during a recession or depression.
The League said that people who had already bought tickets for Broadway shows through June 7 should soon receive an email about refunds or exchanges; if such an email is not received by April 12, the League advises ticket holders to contact the organization or company that sold them the tickets.The League said that people who had already bought tickets for Broadway shows through June 7 should soon receive an email about refunds or exchanges; if such an email is not received by April 12, the League advises ticket holders to contact the organization or company that sold them the tickets.
The uncertain Broadway schedule has impeded the Tony Awards, which honor Broadway plays and musicals. The ceremony, originally scheduled for June 7, has been postponed indefinitely.The uncertain Broadway schedule has impeded the Tony Awards, which honor Broadway plays and musicals. The ceremony, originally scheduled for June 7, has been postponed indefinitely.
Updated June 24, 2020
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
A few options being discussed in the industry: The Tonys could extend the eligibility deadline, which had been April 23, for shows to compete in this year’s awards, and hold a ceremony later in the year. But the longer Broadway remains closed, the less practical that seems because of the amount of time it takes to preview and open a show and then allow the approximately 850 Tony voters, who live all over the country, time to see it.A few options being discussed in the industry: The Tonys could extend the eligibility deadline, which had been April 23, for shows to compete in this year’s awards, and hold a ceremony later in the year. But the longer Broadway remains closed, the less practical that seems because of the amount of time it takes to preview and open a show and then allow the approximately 850 Tony voters, who live all over the country, time to see it.
One alternative: Honor an abbreviated 2019-20 season, considering only those shows that opened before the March 12 shutdown. That would exclude 16 shows that had been scheduled to open between that date and the April 23 deadline.One alternative: Honor an abbreviated 2019-20 season, considering only those shows that opened before the March 12 shutdown. That would exclude 16 shows that had been scheduled to open between that date and the April 23 deadline.
Another option: The Broadway League and the American Theater Wing, which jointly produce the awards, could consolidate the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, and let any shows that opened over a two-year period compete for honors at an awards ceremony next year.Another option: The Broadway League and the American Theater Wing, which jointly produce the awards, could consolidate the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, and let any shows that opened over a two-year period compete for honors at an awards ceremony next year.
In any case, awards organizers are hoping CBS will agree to air a broadcast, coordinated with the reopening of Broadway, that would celebrate theater as a way of reminding viewers of the joys of the art form.In any case, awards organizers are hoping CBS will agree to air a broadcast, coordinated with the reopening of Broadway, that would celebrate theater as a way of reminding viewers of the joys of the art form.
Jesse McKinley contributed reporting from Albany.Jesse McKinley contributed reporting from Albany.