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Broadway Is Closed, but London’s Theaters Carry On Broadway Is Closed, but London’s Theaters Carry On
(2 months later)
LONDON — On Broadway, theater doors are shut. In Milan, the Teatro alla Scala opera house is silent. In Paris, theaters including the storied Comédie-Française announced on Friday they were closing down temporarily, too.LONDON — On Broadway, theater doors are shut. In Milan, the Teatro alla Scala opera house is silent. In Paris, theaters including the storied Comédie-Française announced on Friday they were closing down temporarily, too.
Across the United States and across Europe, theaters and other cultural venues have drawn the curtains as authorities try to halt the spread of the coronavirus.Across the United States and across Europe, theaters and other cultural venues have drawn the curtains as authorities try to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
But on Friday afternoon, inside the National Theater in London, the show was going on. Dozens of people milled around in the foyer of the concrete building on the south bank of the river Thames, many of them with a drink in hand. They were about to go in and see “The Seven Streams of the River Ota,” Robert Lepage’s seven-hour saga about the repercussions of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.But on Friday afternoon, inside the National Theater in London, the show was going on. Dozens of people milled around in the foyer of the concrete building on the south bank of the river Thames, many of them with a drink in hand. They were about to go in and see “The Seven Streams of the River Ota,” Robert Lepage’s seven-hour saga about the repercussions of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
Tasha Kitcher, 22, said she wasn’t worried about sitting next to a stranger for such a long time. “We’re British,” she said, “so it’s, like, whatever.”Tasha Kitcher, 22, said she wasn’t worried about sitting next to a stranger for such a long time. “We’re British,” she said, “so it’s, like, whatever.”
Barbara Shep, 65, was a little more concerned. She would ask to move if someone next to her coughed or sneezed, she said. “But I think you’ve got to carry on and just try and be as careful as you can,” she said.Barbara Shep, 65, was a little more concerned. She would ask to move if someone next to her coughed or sneezed, she said. “But I think you’ve got to carry on and just try and be as careful as you can,” she said.
“I’m quite glad it’s seven hours,” said Alastair Knights, 30. “I think I’d happily stay in there for double that, if it meant that I wasn’t just looking at my phone going, ‘Argh.’”“I’m quite glad it’s seven hours,” said Alastair Knights, 30. “I think I’d happily stay in there for double that, if it meant that I wasn’t just looking at my phone going, ‘Argh.’”
On Friday, Britain’s approach to containing the coronavirus seemed out of step with other European countries. France, Denmark and Austria, for example, have restricted indoor gatherings to fewer than 100 people. But the government here has not placed any restrictions on events. At a news conference on Thursday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson simply advised anyone showing symptoms of the virus to self-isolate for seven days.On Friday, Britain’s approach to containing the coronavirus seemed out of step with other European countries. France, Denmark and Austria, for example, have restricted indoor gatherings to fewer than 100 people. But the government here has not placed any restrictions on events. At a news conference on Thursday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson simply advised anyone showing symptoms of the virus to self-isolate for seven days.
Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, explained the government’s reasoning to BBC radio on Friday. “The most likely place you’re going get an infection from is from a family member, a friend, somebody very close, in a small space,” he said.Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, explained the government’s reasoning to BBC radio on Friday. “The most likely place you’re going get an infection from is from a family member, a friend, somebody very close, in a small space,” he said.
There were 798 confirmed cases in Britain on Friday morning, although on Thursday, health authorities estimated that between 5,000 and 10,000 people in the country were infected.There were 798 confirmed cases in Britain on Friday morning, although on Thursday, health authorities estimated that between 5,000 and 10,000 people in the country were infected.
It’s not just theaters that are open: Most of London’s museums were open Friday, too, including Tate Modern, despite an employee there having tested positive for the coronavirus.It’s not just theaters that are open: Most of London’s museums were open Friday, too, including Tate Modern, despite an employee there having tested positive for the coronavirus.
Some event organizers in Britain have decided to take their own actions, canceling or postponing tours and festivals. On Friday, the Premier League, Britain’s top soccer competition, announced it was suspending matches.Some event organizers in Britain have decided to take their own actions, canceling or postponing tours and festivals. On Friday, the Premier League, Britain’s top soccer competition, announced it was suspending matches.
But cultural venues, most of which are not insured against pandemics, were waiting for instructions from the government.But cultural venues, most of which are not insured against pandemics, were waiting for instructions from the government.
In a statement on Friday, the Society of London Theater, a trade body, said, “Following the latest government advice, theaters continue to stay open as part of the scientific rationale for managing the coronavirus outbreak.”In a statement on Friday, the Society of London Theater, a trade body, said, “Following the latest government advice, theaters continue to stay open as part of the scientific rationale for managing the coronavirus outbreak.”
“In uncertain and anxious times, theater can provide a much-needed boost and escape,” it added.“In uncertain and anxious times, theater can provide a much-needed boost and escape,” it added.
Over 15.3 million people saw plays and musicals in London in 2019 — more than one million more than on Broadway — according to the society.Over 15.3 million people saw plays and musicals in London in 2019 — more than one million more than on Broadway — according to the society.
The society had issued guidance to its members to limit contact between staff and audience members, such as at stage doors. Theaters should also deep clean venues regularly, it added. Actors were told to sign autographs with their own pens.The society had issued guidance to its members to limit contact between staff and audience members, such as at stage doors. Theaters should also deep clean venues regularly, it added. Actors were told to sign autographs with their own pens.
On Wednesday, Daily Mail Online, the website of The Daily Mail newspaper, published a story with the headline: “The best time to snap up theater tickets!”On Wednesday, Daily Mail Online, the website of The Daily Mail newspaper, published a story with the headline: “The best time to snap up theater tickets!”
Updated May 28, 2020
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.
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.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
There is an uptick in people reporting symptoms of chilblains, which are painful red or purple lesions that typically appear in the winter on fingers or toes. The lesions are emerging as yet another symptom of infection with the new coronavirus. Chilblains are caused by inflammation in small blood vessels in reaction to cold or damp conditions, but they are usually common in the coldest winter months. Federal health officials do not include toe lesions in the list of coronavirus symptoms, but some dermatologists are pushing for a change, saying so-called Covid toe should be sufficient grounds for testing.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
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.
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.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
Tickets for popular shows in London’s West End, including “Hamilton” and “Wicked,” were now available for just 15 pounds, about $18, “as tourists cancel bookings amid the coronavirus outbreak,” the website said.Tickets for popular shows in London’s West End, including “Hamilton” and “Wicked,” were now available for just 15 pounds, about $18, “as tourists cancel bookings amid the coronavirus outbreak,” the website said.
Five London theater owners turned down or did not respond to interview requests to discuss coronavirus for this article. Philip Bernays, chief executive of the Theater Royal, Newcastle Upon Tyne, in northeastern England, said in a telephone interview that he understood why the government had not ordered closures. “It’s an immensely complicated situation,” he said. “It’s about balancing safety and the economy.”Five London theater owners turned down or did not respond to interview requests to discuss coronavirus for this article. Philip Bernays, chief executive of the Theater Royal, Newcastle Upon Tyne, in northeastern England, said in a telephone interview that he understood why the government had not ordered closures. “It’s an immensely complicated situation,” he said. “It’s about balancing safety and the economy.”
Some impact of the coronavirus could be seen in London’s theaters on Friday. During a packed performance of “Hamilton” at the Victoria Palace Theater, a few attendees wore face masks. At one point in the show, Gavin Spokes, playing King George, cleared his throat and made a look of mock virus-related concern at the audience. He got a huge laugh.Some impact of the coronavirus could be seen in London’s theaters on Friday. During a packed performance of “Hamilton” at the Victoria Palace Theater, a few attendees wore face masks. At one point in the show, Gavin Spokes, playing King George, cleared his throat and made a look of mock virus-related concern at the audience. He got a huge laugh.
And at Shakespeare’s Globe theater, a cleaner was rubbing down handrails with Safe Zone Plus, a disinfectant that kills viruses, as school groups and tourists waited to see a performance of “The Taming of The Shrew.”And at Shakespeare’s Globe theater, a cleaner was rubbing down handrails with Safe Zone Plus, a disinfectant that kills viruses, as school groups and tourists waited to see a performance of “The Taming of The Shrew.”
A few groups had canceled bookings, but some shows including Saturday evening’s performance of “Macbeth” were sold out, said a spokeswoman for Shakespeare’s Globe.A few groups had canceled bookings, but some shows including Saturday evening’s performance of “Macbeth” were sold out, said a spokeswoman for Shakespeare’s Globe.
Inside, Georgina Frylink, 37, a nanny on a trip from Edinburgh, was sitting in the mezzanine with a friend, nursing a drink and waiting for the show to begin. She was the only person in the audience who looked worried. “My boss is a doctor, and she advised against going to large gatherings,” she said.Inside, Georgina Frylink, 37, a nanny on a trip from Edinburgh, was sitting in the mezzanine with a friend, nursing a drink and waiting for the show to begin. She was the only person in the audience who looked worried. “My boss is a doctor, and she advised against going to large gatherings,” she said.
“I’m a bit nervous,” she said, when asked how she would feel if someone coughed, “but it’s a little bit too late to do anything about it now.”“I’m a bit nervous,” she said, when asked how she would feel if someone coughed, “but it’s a little bit too late to do anything about it now.”
The play soon began. Five minutes in, a woman about 30 feet from Ms. Frylink started to cough, quickly raising her elbow to her mouth (as advised by health authorities). The woman unwrapped a sweet, but it didn’t seem to help. She kept hacking into her arm.The play soon began. Five minutes in, a woman about 30 feet from Ms. Frylink started to cough, quickly raising her elbow to her mouth (as advised by health authorities). The woman unwrapped a sweet, but it didn’t seem to help. She kept hacking into her arm.
But no one in the audience turned around to look. Even Ms. Frylink didn’t. They were absorbed by the action onstage. Then everyone laughed at a joke.But no one in the audience turned around to look. Even Ms. Frylink didn’t. They were absorbed by the action onstage. Then everyone laughed at a joke.