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The WWE Is Now Considered an ‘Essential Service’ in Florida The WWE Is Now Considered an ‘Essential Service’ in Florida
(2 days later)
In a pandemic, as state officials desperately shut down parts of society to keep people away from one another, there are some services that most would agree must go on: Grocery stores feed the public. Health care workers tend to the infirm. Others maintain law and order, deliver goods and keep the lights on.In a pandemic, as state officials desperately shut down parts of society to keep people away from one another, there are some services that most would agree must go on: Grocery stores feed the public. Health care workers tend to the infirm. Others maintain law and order, deliver goods and keep the lights on.
The list, typically, does not include the WWE.The list, typically, does not include the WWE.
Nevertheless, in Florida, World Wrestling Entertainment has found itself among the services considered “essential,” according to Mayor Jerry L. Demings of Orange County, where the sports entertainment business has a sizable training facility and has held recent events, including its marquee show, WrestleMania, this month.Nevertheless, in Florida, World Wrestling Entertainment has found itself among the services considered “essential,” according to Mayor Jerry L. Demings of Orange County, where the sports entertainment business has a sizable training facility and has held recent events, including its marquee show, WrestleMania, this month.
Mr. Demings, speaking at a news conference on Monday, said the WWE was “not initially deemed an essential business,” and traced the change to discussions with the office of Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials.Mr. Demings, speaking at a news conference on Monday, said the WWE was “not initially deemed an essential business,” and traced the change to discussions with the office of Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials.
Mr. DeSantis issued an executive order that went into effect on April 3, directing people to stay at home unless they were providing essential services or participating in essential activities. In a memo on April 9 from Jared Moskowitz, the director of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, the state added a new category to its list of essential services: “employees at professional sports and media production with a national audience” only if “the location is closed to the general public.”Mr. DeSantis issued an executive order that went into effect on April 3, directing people to stay at home unless they were providing essential services or participating in essential activities. In a memo on April 9 from Jared Moskowitz, the director of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, the state added a new category to its list of essential services: “employees at professional sports and media production with a national audience” only if “the location is closed to the general public.”
“There was a review that was done,” Mr. Demings said Monday, in response to a question from a reporter about how the WWE can hold events at the training facility in light of the order. “With some conversations with the governor’s office regarding the governor’s order, they were deemed an essential business. Therefore, they were allowed to remain open.”“There was a review that was done,” Mr. Demings said Monday, in response to a question from a reporter about how the WWE can hold events at the training facility in light of the order. “With some conversations with the governor’s office regarding the governor’s order, they were deemed an essential business. Therefore, they were allowed to remain open.”
At a time when public health experts are imploring people to gather only if they have to, it has struck many as odd and even dangerous that a form of entertainment like pro wrestling — in which two or more people tussle, have close contact and sometimes throw objects at one another — has been deemed “essential.” Most professional, collegiate and amateur sports have opted to shut down or postpone games, matches and other events, including the Olympics.At a time when public health experts are imploring people to gather only if they have to, it has struck many as odd and even dangerous that a form of entertainment like pro wrestling — in which two or more people tussle, have close contact and sometimes throw objects at one another — has been deemed “essential.” Most professional, collegiate and amateur sports have opted to shut down or postpone games, matches and other events, including the Olympics.
That the news came as the WWE had recently acknowledged that an employee had tested positive for the virus only heightened the criticism. According to the WWE, the infected employee was not an “in-ring performer,” and had no contact with anyone else from the WWE since being exposed last month to two people working in health care.That the news came as the WWE had recently acknowledged that an employee had tested positive for the virus only heightened the criticism. According to the WWE, the infected employee was not an “in-ring performer,” and had no contact with anyone else from the WWE since being exposed last month to two people working in health care.
A spokesman for the WWE said the company takes precautions to protect the health of its staff members and other workers.A spokesman for the WWE said the company takes precautions to protect the health of its staff members and other workers.
“All WWE performers and staff are required to participate in medical screenings prior to entering any closed set,” the spokesman said. “Only essential personnel are on-site and social distancing is practiced outside of performances. After each performance, the set goes through ‘pandemic-level cleaning.’ When widespread testing becomes available, all talent will be tested before performing. We have recommended our talent to self-isolate when not performing.”“All WWE performers and staff are required to participate in medical screenings prior to entering any closed set,” the spokesman said. “Only essential personnel are on-site and social distancing is practiced outside of performances. After each performance, the set goes through ‘pandemic-level cleaning.’ When widespread testing becomes available, all talent will be tested before performing. We have recommended our talent to self-isolate when not performing.”
The move has also raised questions about the political influence of the WWE’s leadership, especially Vince McMahon, the chairman and chief executive of the WWE, and his wife, Linda McMahon, a former head of WWE. The couple has donated millions of dollars to President Trump’s foundation — and Ms. McMahon was appointed by Mr. Trump to lead the Small Business Administration (she resigned from that role in March 2019).The move has also raised questions about the political influence of the WWE’s leadership, especially Vince McMahon, the chairman and chief executive of the WWE, and his wife, Linda McMahon, a former head of WWE. The couple has donated millions of dollars to President Trump’s foundation — and Ms. McMahon was appointed by Mr. Trump to lead the Small Business Administration (she resigned from that role in March 2019).
“We are in the middle of a public health crisis and the American people need to know the government is putting their needs first,” said Kyle Herrig, the president of the watchdog group Accountable.US, in a statement on Tuesday. “It is unfortunate but hardly surprising that corporate executives with close ties to President Trump are receiving special treatment from his allies. Like wrestling, the fix is in.”“We are in the middle of a public health crisis and the American people need to know the government is putting their needs first,” said Kyle Herrig, the president of the watchdog group Accountable.US, in a statement on Tuesday. “It is unfortunate but hardly surprising that corporate executives with close ties to President Trump are receiving special treatment from his allies. Like wrestling, the fix is in.”
The memo from Mr. Moskowitz does not single out the WWE as an essential service. State officials in the Emergency Operations Center and the governor’s office did not respond to questions about what other businesses might be affected. In an email on Tuesday, the Emergency Operations Center said that the affected services were “critical to Florida’s economy.”The memo from Mr. Moskowitz does not single out the WWE as an essential service. State officials in the Emergency Operations Center and the governor’s office did not respond to questions about what other businesses might be affected. In an email on Tuesday, the Emergency Operations Center said that the affected services were “critical to Florida’s economy.”
“It is important to note that professional sports activities may only be considered essential if the event location is closed to the general public,” the center said in the email.“It is important to note that professional sports activities may only be considered essential if the event location is closed to the general public,” the center said in the email.
At a news conference on Tuesday, Mr. DeSantis, a Republican, said his office was considering requests to be added to the state’s list of essential services on a case-by-case basis.At a news conference on Tuesday, Mr. DeSantis, a Republican, said his office was considering requests to be added to the state’s list of essential services on a case-by-case basis.
Updated June 5, 2020Updated June 5, 2020
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.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.
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.
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.
He said tapings of WWE events do not require many people to be on-site but can entertain many on television.He said tapings of WWE events do not require many people to be on-site but can entertain many on television.
“We do need to support content, especially like sports and events,” he said. “Now, we’re not going to have crowds there. If NASCAR does a race and can televise it without large crowds, I think that’s a good thing.”“We do need to support content, especially like sports and events,” he said. “Now, we’re not going to have crowds there. If NASCAR does a race and can televise it without large crowds, I think that’s a good thing.”
He added, “I think people have been starved for content.”He added, “I think people have been starved for content.”
The WWE spokesman said in an email that it was “now more important than ever to provide people with a diversion from these hard times.”The WWE spokesman said in an email that it was “now more important than ever to provide people with a diversion from these hard times.”
“We are producing content on a closed set with only essential personnel in attendance following appropriate guidelines while taking additional precautions to ensure the health and wellness of our performers and staff,” the spokesman said.“We are producing content on a closed set with only essential personnel in attendance following appropriate guidelines while taking additional precautions to ensure the health and wellness of our performers and staff,” the spokesman said.
Patricia Mazzei contributed reporting from Miami.Patricia Mazzei contributed reporting from Miami.