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Live Music Returns to the Shore: ‘It’s Like Getting Your Life Back’ Live Music Returns to the Shore: ‘It’s Like Getting Your Life Back’
(32 minutes later)
OCEANPORT, N.J. — On a hot, humid summer Saturday night down the Jersey Shore, about 1,000 cars parked in a vast lot, seeking some semblance of normalcy.OCEANPORT, N.J. — On a hot, humid summer Saturday night down the Jersey Shore, about 1,000 cars parked in a vast lot, seeking some semblance of normalcy.
Normal, on past Jersey Shore summer nights, is to be washed over with live music, to sweat off the salty, sticky ocean mist while a bar band blasts through a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Badlands.” It is a D.J. bumping enough bass to blow the sand off your feet, or ballads from the summer stage behind the legendary Stone Pony rock club in Asbury Park echoing all the way down Cookman Avenue.Normal, on past Jersey Shore summer nights, is to be washed over with live music, to sweat off the salty, sticky ocean mist while a bar band blasts through a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Badlands.” It is a D.J. bumping enough bass to blow the sand off your feet, or ballads from the summer stage behind the legendary Stone Pony rock club in Asbury Park echoing all the way down Cookman Avenue.
Yet this year the Stone Pony can’t be packed shoulder to sweaty shoulder. Live music, especially played indoors, is one life’s many affirmations put on pause by the coronavirus pandemic.Yet this year the Stone Pony can’t be packed shoulder to sweaty shoulder. Live music, especially played indoors, is one life’s many affirmations put on pause by the coronavirus pandemic.
But music is as core to life at the Jersey Shore as a melting soft-serve cone on the boardwalk. So Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, who got their start as the house band at the Stone Pony, took over an expanse of asphalt at Monmouth Racetrack in Oceanport for a drive-in concert. Thousands of fans filled a parking lot — socially distanced of course — taillight to glowing taillight.But music is as core to life at the Jersey Shore as a melting soft-serve cone on the boardwalk. So Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, who got their start as the house band at the Stone Pony, took over an expanse of asphalt at Monmouth Racetrack in Oceanport for a drive-in concert. Thousands of fans filled a parking lot — socially distanced of course — taillight to glowing taillight.
Across the country, live music is slowly returning, enjoyed safely from the confines of a car for a drive-in concert even as the outbreak still surges in many states.Across the country, live music is slowly returning, enjoyed safely from the confines of a car for a drive-in concert even as the outbreak still surges in many states.
As Southside Johnny and the Jukes kicked off their show with the hopeful song “Better Days,” Brad Paisley, a country music star, was taking the stage in Nashville, set up in the parking lot of Nissan Stadium for a similar drive-in show. In Indiana, Jon Pardi, another country music singer, was playing a drive-in show just outside Indianapolis.As Southside Johnny and the Jukes kicked off their show with the hopeful song “Better Days,” Brad Paisley, a country music star, was taking the stage in Nashville, set up in the parking lot of Nissan Stadium for a similar drive-in show. In Indiana, Jon Pardi, another country music singer, was playing a drive-in show just outside Indianapolis.
Linda Thebold, 55, said she had been to countless Southside Johnny concerts — “I stopped counting in 1992 when I hit 100 shows” — but she said the thought of taking in a concert from a car initially felt odd.Linda Thebold, 55, said she had been to countless Southside Johnny concerts — “I stopped counting in 1992 when I hit 100 shows” — but she said the thought of taking in a concert from a car initially felt odd.
“I have to admit when the tickets were on sale, I was a little apprehensive about what this was like because I love to be in the front,’’ Ms. Thebold said. “I rush the stage, and all my friends, we’re all together.”“I have to admit when the tickets were on sale, I was a little apprehensive about what this was like because I love to be in the front,’’ Ms. Thebold said. “I rush the stage, and all my friends, we’re all together.”
“But now that were here, right here, and I’m actually front row center,’’ Ms. Thebold added, “I literally started crying because I could see my friends from their cars and we could all wave to each other.”“But now that were here, right here, and I’m actually front row center,’’ Ms. Thebold added, “I literally started crying because I could see my friends from their cars and we could all wave to each other.”
The show was organized by another famous New Jersey venue, the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, and part of the proceeds went to help keep the Basie doors open in the future. New Jersey is slowly easing its lockdown, allowing restaurants to serve outdoors and stores to open at limited capacity. But indoor music venues are last on the list of places that can reopen under the state’s phased plan.The show was organized by another famous New Jersey venue, the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, and part of the proceeds went to help keep the Basie doors open in the future. New Jersey is slowly easing its lockdown, allowing restaurants to serve outdoors and stores to open at limited capacity. But indoor music venues are last on the list of places that can reopen under the state’s phased plan.
So on Saturday night, Southside Johnny turned a space that is normally reserved for overflow horse bettors from the nearby track into a rock 'n' roll arena.So on Saturday night, Southside Johnny turned a space that is normally reserved for overflow horse bettors from the nearby track into a rock 'n' roll arena.
Though the rush of sound that typically rolls through a cramped crowd now washed over windshields, the music was still loud and live. For those parked in the back, the show was streamed on a low frequency FM station and could be played through car stereos.Though the rush of sound that typically rolls through a cramped crowd now washed over windshields, the music was still loud and live. For those parked in the back, the show was streamed on a low frequency FM station and could be played through car stereos.
People perched on top of S.U.V.s, swaying with the music, while others danced in the flatbeds of their pickup trucks. Craig Peters and Lisa Kessler squeezed through the sunroof of their cherry red Lexus sedan to watch the show.People perched on top of S.U.V.s, swaying with the music, while others danced in the flatbeds of their pickup trucks. Craig Peters and Lisa Kessler squeezed through the sunroof of their cherry red Lexus sedan to watch the show.
“We have concert tickets for the summer, at least 12 shows, and everything is postponed until 2021,” she said. “So to have live music again is amazing. It’s like getting your life back.”“We have concert tickets for the summer, at least 12 shows, and everything is postponed until 2021,” she said. “So to have live music again is amazing. It’s like getting your life back.”
As in any summer concert in New Jersey, particularly one by Southside Johnny, there was a buzz in the air that Mr. Springsteen — the state’s most famous rocker — might make an appearance. “Our fingers are crossed,” Ms. Kessler said. Mr. Springsteen has a history of showing up at local Jersey concerts, including by Southside Johnny, and playing a couple of songs.As in any summer concert in New Jersey, particularly one by Southside Johnny, there was a buzz in the air that Mr. Springsteen — the state’s most famous rocker — might make an appearance. “Our fingers are crossed,” Ms. Kessler said. Mr. Springsteen has a history of showing up at local Jersey concerts, including by Southside Johnny, and playing a couple of songs.
Though the Boss didn’t hop onstage, most in the crowd seemed happy just to be out for a night on the Shore.Though the Boss didn’t hop onstage, most in the crowd seemed happy just to be out for a night on the Shore.
“It’s at least a parking lot at Monmouth Park,” said Becky Erdelyi, 27. “I’ve seen shows here. You’re still in a place.’’“It’s at least a parking lot at Monmouth Park,” said Becky Erdelyi, 27. “I’ve seen shows here. You’re still in a place.’’
Updated July 15, 2020Updated July 15, 2020
The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization.
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.
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.
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.
Concerts down the Shore have been familiar to me for more than 20 years; my first dose of the live alchemy produced by guitar, bass and drums came in the parking lot of the Stone Pony in 1999, when I reveled in the deafening anthems from Blink 182 and Bad Religion.Concerts down the Shore have been familiar to me for more than 20 years; my first dose of the live alchemy produced by guitar, bass and drums came in the parking lot of the Stone Pony in 1999, when I reveled in the deafening anthems from Blink 182 and Bad Religion.
Now, rather than tap my thighs or hug the cold front rail of a rock club, I was pounding away on the faux wood grain of my steering wheel, keeping the beat to “I Don’t Want to Go Home,” a Southside Johnny standard — often one of the last songs in a set and a communal chorus for all who set food on the sandy beaches near Asbury Park.Now, rather than tap my thighs or hug the cold front rail of a rock club, I was pounding away on the faux wood grain of my steering wheel, keeping the beat to “I Don’t Want to Go Home,” a Southside Johnny standard — often one of the last songs in a set and a communal chorus for all who set food on the sandy beaches near Asbury Park.
“This is exciting, like we’re all guinea pigs in the wheel,” Southside Johnny, whose real name is Johnny Lyon, said toward the end of the show. It was the first of a live performance experiment being run by the Count Basie Theater. Comedians and a Queen cover band are on the schedule this month. Nothing has been officially scheduled for August.“This is exciting, like we’re all guinea pigs in the wheel,” Southside Johnny, whose real name is Johnny Lyon, said toward the end of the show. It was the first of a live performance experiment being run by the Count Basie Theater. Comedians and a Queen cover band are on the schedule this month. Nothing has been officially scheduled for August.
The normal roar of a crowd following each song was replaced with the cacophonous chorus of approving car horns, which occasionally honked along to the beat of songs. Mr. Lyon even orchestrated a rhythmic honking to the syncopated opening chords of “Talk to Me.”The normal roar of a crowd following each song was replaced with the cacophonous chorus of approving car horns, which occasionally honked along to the beat of songs. Mr. Lyon even orchestrated a rhythmic honking to the syncopated opening chords of “Talk to Me.”
“There’s no one to react to, it’s all cars,” Mr. Lyon told the audience early on in the show. But he still held the microphone out, as a more dispersed but no less energized crowd sang along to the lyrics of “Love on the Wrong Side of Town.”“There’s no one to react to, it’s all cars,” Mr. Lyon told the audience early on in the show. But he still held the microphone out, as a more dispersed but no less energized crowd sang along to the lyrics of “Love on the Wrong Side of Town.”
“I wouldn’t miss this for anything,” said Susan Doerger, who drove to New Jersey from just outside Cleveland for the concert, her 88th Southside Johnny concert. “I don’t miss a show, if I can get there, I’m there. I pretty much work for it. Music is the best thing for you. Music is so good for the soul. Without that, what do we have?”“I wouldn’t miss this for anything,” said Susan Doerger, who drove to New Jersey from just outside Cleveland for the concert, her 88th Southside Johnny concert. “I don’t miss a show, if I can get there, I’m there. I pretty much work for it. Music is the best thing for you. Music is so good for the soul. Without that, what do we have?”
So for those who came to get a dose of rock 'n' roll and the communion of a live concert, the live sounds reverberating through the parking lot on would have to suffice.So for those who came to get a dose of rock 'n' roll and the communion of a live concert, the live sounds reverberating through the parking lot on would have to suffice.
“People don’t come to rock shows to learn something,” Mr. Springsteen wrote in his autobiography. “They come to be reminded of something they already know and feel deep down in their gut.”“People don’t come to rock shows to learn something,” Mr. Springsteen wrote in his autobiography. “They come to be reminded of something they already know and feel deep down in their gut.”
And as that first searing guitar note from Southside Johnny pierced the night sky, I felt that familiar pang in my gut.And as that first searing guitar note from Southside Johnny pierced the night sky, I felt that familiar pang in my gut.
I don’t want to go home.I don’t want to go home.