Coronavirus Adds ‘Live Entertainment’ to it’s List of Kills

Earlier this week, the President of the United States officially laid all things live entertainment to rest throughout the entire nation. During Trump’s announcement, he stated that gatherings with more than 10 people in attendance are now strictly prohibited in advancements to help isolate the deadly spread of our country’s current viral arch enemy.

News of large-capacity events such as the NBA, SXSW, and Disney closing until April left local entertainers shaking at their knees with fears that restaurants with live bands, night clubs, and venues will be next. Many entertainers throughout America are now facing the harsh reality that they will be out of work until the pandemonium is over…whenever that is.

None of this is good for the world of entertainment. The coronavirus has claimed lives around the world and is now creeping into lives of those that benefit from fans and crowds. Just today in Orlando, FL, the governor has mandated all bars and nightclubs to be closed for 30 days and restricted any sell of alcoholic beverages in restaurants.

Officials have declared the shut downs will be approximately take up to 4 weeks or more. That means no live entertainment. No performances. No social gatherings.

Hundreds of artists and entertainers as well as those who play part behind the scenes have all been affected by this decision being that their income depends solely on these events and it’s revenue. Think of your local bartender, exotic dancer, musician, and event planner.

Frustrations are building up as venues decline requests for deposit refunds and event curators are forced to postpone their shows until further notice.

This is a time where money is a vital necessity as panic-shoppers leave grocery shelves empty to prepare for a potential shortage of goods and anticipation of possible curfews and lockdowns.

The current events tend to get worse with time and many of those who rely on venue space are stuck in a fog of worrying about bills, work, childcare -all with no solution.

If there is anything that we have learned in the short moments of our current social distancing, we now know that the internet is a utility and not a luxury. For some, the internet is all they have left to keep the show going. Artists are now turning to the World Wide Web, creating playlists and visual content to encourage plays or using branding tools to sell apparel and other items via online shopping as they impatiently wait for the end of the coronavirus pandemic.