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Movie Theaters, Urged to Open, Want to Delay Showtime Movie Theaters, Urged to Open, Want to Delay Showtime
(about 16 hours later)
LOS ANGELES — In recent weeks, a tentative timeline for reopening America’s movie theaters began to take shape. It involved pushing to get 75 percent of the country’s 5,548 cinemas selling tickets again this summer, enough to justify the wide release of two potential blockbusters: Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending “Tenet,” scheduled for July 17, and Disney’s mega-budget “Mulan,” set for July 24.LOS ANGELES — In recent weeks, a tentative timeline for reopening America’s movie theaters began to take shape. It involved pushing to get 75 percent of the country’s 5,548 cinemas selling tickets again this summer, enough to justify the wide release of two potential blockbusters: Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending “Tenet,” scheduled for July 17, and Disney’s mega-budget “Mulan,” set for July 24.
That one-two punch would be enough to draw moviegoers back into theaters that had been closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, multiplex operators believed, allowing Hollywood to salvage part of the blockbuster season and, perhaps, revive a pastime that has taken on symbolic importance for the American economy.That one-two punch would be enough to draw moviegoers back into theaters that had been closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, multiplex operators believed, allowing Hollywood to salvage part of the blockbuster season and, perhaps, revive a pastime that has taken on symbolic importance for the American economy.
But some politicians want their popcorn now.But some politicians want their popcorn now.
Some Republican governors are urging cinemas to reopen sooner rather than later, despite business and public health realities that make an abrupt relighting of marquees impractical, if not impossible. To help restart Georgia’s economy, Gov. Brian Kemp wants theaters to reopen starting Monday. Tennessee, where Regal Cinemas is based, plans to allow most businesses to reopen at the end of next week. South Carolina and Ohio are also restarting their economies. Texas and Florida are itching to do the same.Some Republican governors are urging cinemas to reopen sooner rather than later, despite business and public health realities that make an abrupt relighting of marquees impractical, if not impossible. To help restart Georgia’s economy, Gov. Brian Kemp wants theaters to reopen starting Monday. Tennessee, where Regal Cinemas is based, plans to allow most businesses to reopen at the end of next week. South Carolina and Ohio are also restarting their economies. Texas and Florida are itching to do the same.
But movie theaters are worried about opening up too early. They don’t want to be lumped in with meatpacking plants and senior centers as hot spots for the virus. Already struggling financially, theaters fear that a too-soon return could stigmatize them as dangerous places to congregate. And with new movies from Hollywood not set to debut until the middle of July — at the earliest — opening too soon would only make operators spend money before they could truly recoup costs from patrons.But movie theaters are worried about opening up too early. They don’t want to be lumped in with meatpacking plants and senior centers as hot spots for the virus. Already struggling financially, theaters fear that a too-soon return could stigmatize them as dangerous places to congregate. And with new movies from Hollywood not set to debut until the middle of July — at the earliest — opening too soon would only make operators spend money before they could truly recoup costs from patrons.
“Hell no, we’re not opening on Monday,” Chris Escobar, who owns the 485-seat Plaza Theater in Atlanta, said by phone. “When we do, it will not be because of political pressure. It will be because leading public health experts say our lives are no longer at risk.”“Hell no, we’re not opening on Monday,” Chris Escobar, who owns the 485-seat Plaza Theater in Atlanta, said by phone. “When we do, it will not be because of political pressure. It will be because leading public health experts say our lives are no longer at risk.”
He added: “I want to be back in business right this second. But we’ve got to be smart about it. What happens if we open too soon and contribute to an outbreak? Traced to the Plaza Theater! You know what that would do to my business? I wouldn’t have one.”He added: “I want to be back in business right this second. But we’ve got to be smart about it. What happens if we open too soon and contribute to an outbreak? Traced to the Plaza Theater! You know what that would do to my business? I wouldn’t have one.”
Aubrey Stone, the chief executive of the Georgia Theater Company, which operates more than 200 screens in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Virginia, also said he will not open on Monday. More realistic would be a July start, should the virus comply.Aubrey Stone, the chief executive of the Georgia Theater Company, which operates more than 200 screens in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Virginia, also said he will not open on Monday. More realistic would be a July start, should the virus comply.
“We are not going to reopen until our partners in distribution will be supplying us with a consistent supply of new films,” Mr. Stone wrote in an email.“We are not going to reopen until our partners in distribution will be supplying us with a consistent supply of new films,” Mr. Stone wrote in an email.
The two biggest chains, AMC and Regal, declined to comment.The two biggest chains, AMC and Regal, declined to comment.
The industry was heartened to be included in Phase 1 of President Trump’s broad federal guidelines to restart the economy, grouped with restaurants and houses of worship rather than with large concert venues.The industry was heartened to be included in Phase 1 of President Trump’s broad federal guidelines to restart the economy, grouped with restaurants and houses of worship rather than with large concert venues.
Now the chains, which operate independently but consult one another on best practices, are spending their time determining what protocols should be established. Separating seating within auditoriums is one idea. Owners are also contemplating longer intervals between showings to allow for deeper cleaning, plexiglass partitions at concession stands, and primarily touch-free environments in which staff members wear masks and gloves and patrons don’t carry physical tickets. Hand sanitizer and wipes would be made available.Now the chains, which operate independently but consult one another on best practices, are spending their time determining what protocols should be established. Separating seating within auditoriums is one idea. Owners are also contemplating longer intervals between showings to allow for deeper cleaning, plexiglass partitions at concession stands, and primarily touch-free environments in which staff members wear masks and gloves and patrons don’t carry physical tickets. Hand sanitizer and wipes would be made available.
Theater companies are desperate to begin doing business again. They were in a delicate state even before the pandemic: Attendance has been on the decline — down 5 percent last year in North America to 1.24 billion — and competition, most notably from streaming services, has been on the rise.Theater companies are desperate to begin doing business again. They were in a delicate state even before the pandemic: Attendance has been on the decline — down 5 percent last year in North America to 1.24 billion — and competition, most notably from streaming services, has been on the rise.
Out of business for more than a month, chains like AMC and Cineworld are in particularly bad financial shape. Last week, AMC staved off bankruptcy by taking on $500 million in new debt, pushing its total to $5.3 billion. The new funding, AMC said, will allow it to withstand closures around the world until November.Out of business for more than a month, chains like AMC and Cineworld are in particularly bad financial shape. Last week, AMC staved off bankruptcy by taking on $500 million in new debt, pushing its total to $5.3 billion. The new funding, AMC said, will allow it to withstand closures around the world until November.
There is concern that the longer theaters remain closed, the more the habit of moviegoing weakens, especially as studios send more films — initially intended for theatrical release — to video services. That list now includes “Artemis Fowl” (Disney), “Trolls World Tour” (Universal), “The Love Birds” (Paramount) and “Scoob!” (Warner Bros.).There is concern that the longer theaters remain closed, the more the habit of moviegoing weakens, especially as studios send more films — initially intended for theatrical release — to video services. That list now includes “Artemis Fowl” (Disney), “Trolls World Tour” (Universal), “The Love Birds” (Paramount) and “Scoob!” (Warner Bros.).
But theaters are uneasy about rushing back for a number of reasons.But theaters are uneasy about rushing back for a number of reasons.
Publicly, theater operators have pointed to supply as the primary holdup. The major studios have postponed every big release planned for May and June — “Black Widow,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “F9,” “Wonder Woman 1984” — leaving multiplexes with nothing to show even if they wanted to reopen. Because most summer films cost $300 million or more to make and market, studios need the majority of theaters to be open before releasing the movies. Bringing them out in staggered fashion in the United States is not an option, studio executives say, in part because of piracy concerns.Publicly, theater operators have pointed to supply as the primary holdup. The major studios have postponed every big release planned for May and June — “Black Widow,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “F9,” “Wonder Woman 1984” — leaving multiplexes with nothing to show even if they wanted to reopen. Because most summer films cost $300 million or more to make and market, studios need the majority of theaters to be open before releasing the movies. Bringing them out in staggered fashion in the United States is not an option, studio executives say, in part because of piracy concerns.
“Until the majority of markets in the U.S. are open, and major markets in particular, new wide-release movies are unlikely to be available,” the National Association of Theater Owners said in a statement on Wednesday.“Until the majority of markets in the U.S. are open, and major markets in particular, new wide-release movies are unlikely to be available,” the National Association of Theater Owners said in a statement on Wednesday.
Updated June 5, 2020Updated June 5, 2020
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.
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.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.
“As a result, some theaters in some areas that are authorized to open,” the statement added, “will not be able to feasibly open.”“As a result, some theaters in some areas that are authorized to open,” the statement added, “will not be able to feasibly open.”
Behind the scenes, owners are working through a more complicated mix of considerations. Lawyers are trying to sort out what kind of liability theaters could face if audience members get infected with the virus. Some multiplex operators are discussing whether to require ticket buyers to be part of a loyalty program, collecting personal information so the company can assist authorities with contact tracing if needed.Behind the scenes, owners are working through a more complicated mix of considerations. Lawyers are trying to sort out what kind of liability theaters could face if audience members get infected with the virus. Some multiplex operators are discussing whether to require ticket buyers to be part of a loyalty program, collecting personal information so the company can assist authorities with contact tracing if needed.
Adam Aron, AMC’s chief executive, previously indicated that he would rely on public health officials to guide reopening. “The health and well-being of AMC guests and employees, and of all Americans, takes precedence above all else,” Mr. Aron said in a statement last month.Adam Aron, AMC’s chief executive, previously indicated that he would rely on public health officials to guide reopening. “The health and well-being of AMC guests and employees, and of all Americans, takes precedence above all else,” Mr. Aron said in a statement last month.
Mark Zoradi, the chief executive of Cinemark, the No. 3 chain behind AMC and Regal, told analysts on an April 15 conference call that “Cinemark is currently working toward a midsummer opening date, contingent upon health and safety regulations, as well as availability of studio content.” In a statement on Friday, Cinemark added that “a “return to ‘normalcy’ may span multiple months, driven by staggered theater openings due to government limits, reduced operating hours, lingering social distancing and a ramp up of consumer comfort with public gatherings.”Mark Zoradi, the chief executive of Cinemark, the No. 3 chain behind AMC and Regal, told analysts on an April 15 conference call that “Cinemark is currently working toward a midsummer opening date, contingent upon health and safety regulations, as well as availability of studio content.” In a statement on Friday, Cinemark added that “a “return to ‘normalcy’ may span multiple months, driven by staggered theater openings due to government limits, reduced operating hours, lingering social distancing and a ramp up of consumer comfort with public gatherings.”
Even with all the uncertainty, many are hoping that “Tenet,” Mr. Nolan’s film, will mark the real return of theaters. Mr. Nolan has been an impassioned advocate for preserving the moviegoing experience. In March, he wrote in The Washington Post that movie theaters were “the most affordable and democratic of our community gathering places” and urged Congress to include them in the federal bailout.Even with all the uncertainty, many are hoping that “Tenet,” Mr. Nolan’s film, will mark the real return of theaters. Mr. Nolan has been an impassioned advocate for preserving the moviegoing experience. In March, he wrote in The Washington Post that movie theaters were “the most affordable and democratic of our community gathering places” and urged Congress to include them in the federal bailout.
“When this crisis passes, the need for collective human engagement, the need to live and love and laugh and cry together, will be more powerful than ever,” Mr. Nolan wrote. “We don’t just owe it to the 150,000 workers of this great American industry to include them in those we help, we owe it to ourselves. We need what movies can offer us.”“When this crisis passes, the need for collective human engagement, the need to live and love and laugh and cry together, will be more powerful than ever,” Mr. Nolan wrote. “We don’t just owe it to the 150,000 workers of this great American industry to include them in those we help, we owe it to ourselves. We need what movies can offer us.”