vox--2020-03-10--The high-stakes fight over a coronavirus economic stimulus package, explained

The biggest thing standing in the way of a coronavirus-targeted economic stimulus package could be the Trump administration ’ s proposed payroll tax cut .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer would rather prioritize expanding benefits and delivering relief directly to American workers and families hit by the coronavirus , and making testing free , than imposing a tax cut that ’ s likely to benefit only companies and a subset of workers .
Some Democrats said they ’ re especially concerned a payroll tax cut could leave out workers who have already been laid off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening .
Even Senate Republicans aren ’ t convinced it ’ s the correct course of action .
“ One of the dilemmas with the payroll tax is if you ’ ve lost your job or you ’ re in the gig economy , you ’ re not going to get anything , ” said Rep. Don Beyer ( D-VA ) , vice chair of the US Congress Joint Economic Committee .
“ Or if you ’ re like so many Americans — making $ 25,000 or less — it ends up being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to really do anything.
” Some Republicans are skeptical of the payroll tax cut idea , too , which could limit the administration ’ s leverage in negotiations .
“ I certainly want information on this .
Obama did a payroll tax ; I ’ m not sure how well that worked .
I think this president is planning something more dramatic than that , ” said Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) .
Trump acknowledged this in a press conference Monday .
“ I was just with the Republican senators and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said .
“ There ’ s a great feeling about doing a lot of things , and that ’ s one of the things we talked about.
” Sen. Ron Wyden , the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee , mentioned concerns about exactly who would benefit from these policies .
“ A payroll tax cut can be an effective tool , but it ’ s not the best answer in this case , ” he told Vox in a statement .
“ A payroll tax cut would do little to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who have lost shifts and tips.
” Claudia Sahm , a former Federal Reserve economist who is now head of macroeconomic policy at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth , has been echoing Wyden ’ s concerns on social media for days , calling for direct payments to all individuals .
Similarly , “ if we are doing stimulus too , per person checks much better than payroll tax cut , ” tweeted Jay Shambaugh , a former member of Obama ’ s Council of Economic Advisers and now director of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If people miss work , can ’ t do gig work , or are unemployed : no payroll tax cut.
” Pelosi is negotiating a stimulus deal directly with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin ; the two met Tuesday afternoon and Pelosi later told reporters Democrats are “ ready with our legislation.
” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Pelosi and Mnuchin have worked well together in the past and he ’ s hopeful they can reach a bipartisan deal .
Congress and Trump have a very tight timeline .
The House was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , and members are scheduled to fly out on Thursday .
The Senate , too , is slated to be on recess from March 16 to 20 .
“ Coming up with something is likely ; having it voted on this week is going to be challenging , ” said Rep. Dean Phillips ( D-MN ) , adding that Congress could potentially stay longer or come back next week to vote on a package .
Democrats want to prioritize public health and relief for workers Whether it ’ s paid sick leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a common theme to Democrats ’ proposals .
They want to make sure cost doesn ’ t impede workers from getting the health care they need , or taking the time off from work to quarantine if they suspect they have coronavirus .
“ For the families , we want to be sure from the standpoint of being tested if need be that there be no cost to the families , ” Pelosi said at a press conference Monday night .
“ If people don ’ t go for that — go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t go to get tested and can ’ t go to get the treatment because they are afraid they can ’ t afford the bill , this will get worse , ” Schumer added .
Here is what ’ s likely to be in Democrats ’ proposal , based on what Pelosi and Schumer have so far outlined .
Both have continued meeting with their members and are likely to release a full proposal in the coming days .
• Paid sick leave : Sick leave would be directed to those workers impacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must stay home to care for their children .
Some lawmakers expressed concerns that not doing so would result in those infected with coronavirus continuing to go to work , thus continuing to spread the virus .
• Enhanced unemployment insurance : Democrats want to expand unemployment benefits for workers laid off due to the coronavirus , which is already happening in the US .
• Expanding food security : Expanding access to programs like SNAP , WIC , and school lunch programs throughout the coronavirus outbreak .
Progressive economists have long believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a highly effective way of stimulating the economy because the sorts of low-income people who benefit from them are highly likely to immediately spend any extra money they get — helping stabilize economy-wide demand .
The 2009 stimulus bill featured many provisions along these lines .
Conservatives , who are critical of those programs in general , tend to be highly skeptical of putting more money into them .
• Free coronavirus testing : Democratic leaders are proposing making coronavirus testing free to increase access .
Free testing is being offered in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s no federal regulation mandating it so far .
• Increasing the capacity of the US medical system and ensuring affordable treatment : Pelosi and Schumer are calling for insurance providers to reimburse coronavirus patients for any non-covered costs related to coronavirus .
Again , they ’ re hoping this gets more people treated and makes it so people don ’ t put off going to the doctor because they are worried about costs .
Trump is focused on tax relief .
Republicans are still weighing their options .
Trump met with Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lunch on Tuesday and presented a proposal featuring a couple of priorities , including a payroll tax cut .
It ’ s a plan that Republicans have said they ’ re open to hearing , though many said that a lot of details still needed to be ironed out .
“ The administration is seriously considering a fiscal stimulus .
What that will be , I don ’ t think anybody has decided yet , ” Sen. John Kennedy ( R-LA ) told reporters following the lunch .
The policies — which Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — were just broad outlines , according to Republican senators .
His statements this week , however , touched on a couple of areas : • Payroll tax cut : A payroll tax cut would reduce the amount of taxes that both workers and companies contribute , putting money back in the pockets of both corporations and their employees in the near term .
Given the lack of specifics we have so far , it ’ s unclear whether companies or workers would benefit more from this move .
A payroll tax cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ package the Obama administration negotiated in 2010 , but Jason Furman , one of Obama ’ s top economic policy hands and lead negotiators on the stimulus deal , tweeted Monday that “ it was far from optimal then and would be even further from optimal now.
” The key drawback of payroll tax cuts is they dribble out slowly over time , bit by bit , in each paycheck and fail to reach the people most in need of help — those who have lost their paychecks entirely .
• Loan expansion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among those that could be hit hardest by short-term changes in consumer behavior , and Trump has hinted that expanding access to such loans could help cushion some of these shortfalls .
• Aid for hourly workers : There ’ s some potential overlap between this idea and the expansion of paid sick leave that Democrats have proposed .
Trump has signaled that he wants to ensure hourly workers have a safety net they can rely on if their wages and work are compromised by illness — which a paid sick leave program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this have historically faced Republican opposition , and those same roadblocks could come up again .
“ I like the idea as long as it ’ s the choice of the company , ” Sen. Mike Braun ( R-IN ) said , signaling that he wasn ’ t supportive of a measure that would mandate such benefits .
• Airline , cruise , and hotel industry support : We don ’ t know much about what this assistance would look like , but Trump has said his administration intends to help these industries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken place in the wake of the coronavirus .
Sahm counters that what businesses really need is customers , so the right approach is to “ help everyone ” rather than trying to target particularly industries or companies .
Key gaps remain between what Democrats have proposed and what Trump put forth on Tuesday .
Working through these differences and the specifics of a potential plan will be a major challenge for lawmakers as they continue to grapple with the outbreak .
Multiple Democratic House lawmakers told Vox they want to see economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefiting big businesses and corporations .
“ A lot of us are traditionally skeptical about stimulus , generally , but it depends on what it ’ s for , how much it ’ s going to cost , how we ’ re going to pay for it , and what it ’ s going to do , ” Sen. Richard Shelby ( R-AL ) , the head of the upper chamber ’ s appropriations committee , told reporters Tuesday morning .
Time to pass a stimulus package is running out Congress is running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market appeared to recover from Monday ’ s dive — its worst day since the 2008 financial crisis — stocks fluctuated again as of Tuesday afternoon .
With coronavirus spreading to multiple US states , economists predicted a greater likelihood that the US could experience a recession in 2020 .
“ I think it is very difficult to avoid a recession , ” Moody ’ s economist Mark Zandi told CNBC on Monday .
“ The depth of the recession will depend on how the [ Trump ] administration reacts.
” As Vox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An old adage among economists is that [ economic ] expansions don ’ t die of old age ; something has to happen to cause them.
” Economists worry the coronavirus could be the thing to curb the expansion of a previously booming economy .
Recalling a recent trip to the port of Los Angeles , Rep. Jimmy Gomez ( D-CA ) told Vox the coronavirus outbreak means shipments of goods from China to California are halting , causing bookings for dock space to unload container ships to go down substantially .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
“ A lot of the longshoremen that work there are not as impacted , but some of the people who are more on contract are — the drivers , the teamsters , and the truck drivers who get paid by haul are impacted , ” Gomez said .
“ We ’ re going to start seeing a ripple effect throughout our supply chain and our economy.
” Layoffs in other sectors of the economy are already happening .
Some airlines are planning layoffs , and the parent company of Austin ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s laying off one-third of its staff after the annual festival was canceled due to coronavirus concerns .
That could be the tip of the iceberg , unless Congress intervenes in time .

The biggest thing standing in the way of a coronavirus-targeted economic stimulus package could be the Trump administration’s proposed payroll tax cut.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer would rather prioritize expanding benefits and delivering relief directly to American workers and families hit by the coronavirus, and making testing free, than imposing a tax cut that’s likely to benefit only companies and a subset of workers.
Some Democrats said they’re especially concerned a payroll tax cut could leave out workers who have already been laid off, given that coronavirus-related layoffs are already happening. Even Senate Republicans aren’t convinced it’s the correct course of action.
“One of the dilemmas with the payroll tax is if you’ve lost your job or you’re in the gig economy, you’re not going to get anything,” said Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), vice chair of the US Congress Joint Economic Committee. “Or if you’re like so many Americans — making $25,000 or less — it ends up being $10 a week, not enough to really do anything.”
Some Republicans are skeptical of the payroll tax cut idea, too, which could limit the administration’s leverage in negotiations. “I certainly want information on this. Obama did a payroll tax; I’m not sure how well that worked. I think this president is planning something more dramatic than that,” said Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI).
Trump acknowledged this in a press conference Monday. “I was just with the Republican senators and they were just about all there,” Trump said. “There’s a great feeling about doing a lot of things, and that’s one of the things we talked about.”
Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, mentioned concerns about exactly who would benefit from these policies. “A payroll tax cut can be an effective tool, but it’s not the best answer in this case,” he told Vox in a statement. “A payroll tax cut would do little to help workers without paid sick days or those who have lost shifts and tips.”
Claudia Sahm, a former Federal Reserve economist who is now head of macroeconomic policy at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, has been echoing Wyden’s concerns on social media for days, calling for direct payments to all individuals. Similarly, “if we are doing stimulus too, per person checks much better than payroll tax cut,” tweeted Jay Shambaugh, a former member of Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers and now director of the Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution. “If people miss work, can’t do gig work, or are unemployed: no payroll tax cut.”
Pelosi is negotiating a stimulus deal directly with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin; the two met Tuesday afternoon and Pelosi later told reporters Democrats are “ready with our legislation.” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Pelosi and Mnuchin have worked well together in the past and he’s hopeful they can reach a bipartisan deal.
Congress and Trump have a very tight timeline. The House was already scheduled to be on recess next week, and members are scheduled to fly out on Thursday. The Senate, too, is slated to be on recess from March 16 to 20.
“Coming up with something is likely; having it voted on this week is going to be challenging,” said Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), adding that Congress could potentially stay longer or come back next week to vote on a package.
Democrats want to prioritize public health and relief for workers
Whether it’s paid sick leave or free coronavirus testing, there’s a common theme to Democrats’ proposals. They want to make sure cost doesn’t impede workers from getting the health care they need, or taking the time off from work to quarantine if they suspect they have coronavirus.
“For the families, we want to be sure from the standpoint of being tested if need be that there be no cost to the families,” Pelosi said at a press conference Monday night.
“If people don’t go for that — go for testing — if they can’t go to get tested and can’t go to get the treatment because they are afraid they can’t afford the bill, this will get worse,” Schumer added.
Here is what’s likely to be in Democrats’ proposal, based on what Pelosi and Schumer have so far outlined. Both have continued meeting with their members and are likely to release a full proposal in the coming days.
Paid sick leave: Sick leave would be directed to those workers impacted by quarantine orders, or those who must stay home to care for their children. Some lawmakers expressed concerns that not doing so would result in those infected with coronavirus continuing to go to work, thus continuing to spread the virus.
Sick leave would be directed to those workers impacted by quarantine orders, or those who must stay home to care for their children. Some lawmakers expressed concerns that not doing so would result in those infected with coronavirus continuing to go to work, thus continuing to spread the virus. Enhanced unemployment insurance: Democrats want to expand unemployment benefits for workers laid off due to the coronavirus, which is already happening in the US.
Democrats want to expand unemployment benefits for workers laid off due to the coronavirus, which is already happening in the US. Expanding food security: Expanding access to programs like SNAP, WIC, and school lunch programs throughout the coronavirus outbreak. Progressive economists have long believed that expanding existing safety net programs is a highly effective way of stimulating the economy because the sorts of low-income people who benefit from them are highly likely to immediately spend any extra money they get — helping stabilize economy-wide demand. The 2009 stimulus bill featured many provisions along these lines. Conservatives, who are critical of those programs in general, tend to be highly skeptical of putting more money into them.
Expanding access to programs like SNAP, WIC, and school lunch programs throughout the coronavirus outbreak. Progressive economists have long believed that expanding existing safety net programs is a highly effective way of stimulating the economy because the sorts of low-income people who benefit from them are highly likely to immediately spend any extra money they get — helping stabilize economy-wide demand. The 2009 stimulus bill featured many provisions along these lines. Conservatives, who are critical of those programs in general, tend to be highly skeptical of putting more money into them. Free coronavirus testing: Democratic leaders are proposing making coronavirus testing free to increase access. Free testing is being offered in a number of states, but there’s no federal regulation mandating it so far.
Democratic leaders are proposing making coronavirus testing free to increase access. Free testing is being offered in a number of states, but there’s no federal regulation mandating it so far. Increasing the capacity of the US medical system and ensuring affordable treatment: Pelosi and Schumer are calling for insurance providers to reimburse coronavirus patients for any non-covered costs related to coronavirus. Again, they’re hoping this gets more people treated and makes it so people don’t put off going to the doctor because they are worried about costs.
Trump is focused on tax relief. Republicans are still weighing their options.
Trump met with Senate Republicans during the party’s weekly lunch on Tuesday and presented a proposal featuring a couple of priorities, including a payroll tax cut. It’s a plan that Republicans have said they’re open to hearing, though many said that a lot of details still needed to be ironed out.
“The administration is seriously considering a fiscal stimulus. What that will be, I don’t think anybody has decided yet,” Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) told reporters following the lunch.
The policies — which Trump first laid out in remarks on Monday — were just broad outlines, according to Republican senators. His statements this week, however, touched on a couple of areas:
Payroll tax cut: A payroll tax cut would reduce the amount of taxes that both workers and companies contribute, putting money back in the pockets of both corporations and their employees in the near term. Given the lack of specifics we have so far, it’s unclear whether companies or workers would benefit more from this move. A payroll tax cut was used as part of a stimulus package the Obama administration negotiated in 2010, but Jason Furman, one of Obama’s top economic policy hands and lead negotiators on the stimulus deal, tweeted Monday that “it was far from optimal then and would be even further from optimal now.” The key drawback of payroll tax cuts is they dribble out slowly over time, bit by bit, in each paycheck and fail to reach the people most in need of help — those who have lost their paychecks entirely.
A payroll tax cut would reduce the amount of taxes that both workers and companies contribute, putting money back in the pockets of both corporations and their employees in the near term. Given the lack of specifics we have so far, it’s unclear whether companies or workers would benefit more from this move. A payroll tax cut was used as part of a stimulus package the Obama administration negotiated in 2010, but Jason Furman, one of Obama’s top economic policy hands and lead negotiators on the stimulus deal, tweeted Monday that “it was far from optimal then and would be even further from optimal now.” The key drawback of payroll tax cuts is they dribble out slowly over time, bit by bit, in each paycheck and fail to reach the people most in need of help — those who have lost their paychecks entirely. Loan expansion to small businesses: Small businesses are among those that could be hit hardest by short-term changes in consumer behavior, and Trump has hinted that expanding access to such loans could help cushion some of these shortfalls.
Small businesses are among those that could be hit hardest by short-term changes in consumer behavior, and Trump has hinted that expanding access to such loans could help cushion some of these shortfalls. Aid for hourly workers: There’s some potential overlap between this idea and the expansion of paid sick leave that Democrats have proposed. Trump has signaled that he wants to ensure hourly workers have a safety net they can rely on if their wages and work are compromised by illness — which a paid sick leave program would specifically help provide.
Efforts like this have historically faced Republican opposition, and those same roadblocks could come up again. “I like the idea as long as it’s the choice of the company,” Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) said, signaling that he wasn’t supportive of a measure that would mandate such benefits.
Airline, cruise, and hotel industry support: We don’t know much about what this assistance would look like, but Trump has said his administration intends to help these industries given the dips in travel that have taken place in the wake of the coronavirus. Sahm counters that what businesses really need is customers, so the right approach is to “help everyone” rather than trying to target particularly industries or companies.
Key gaps remain between what Democrats have proposed and what Trump put forth on Tuesday. Working through these differences and the specifics of a potential plan will be a major challenge for lawmakers as they continue to grapple with the outbreak. Multiple Democratic House lawmakers told Vox they want to see economic relief going directly to workers rather than benefiting big businesses and corporations.
“A lot of us are traditionally skeptical about stimulus, generally, but it depends on what it’s for, how much it’s going to cost, how we’re going to pay for it, and what it’s going to do,” Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), the head of the upper chamber’s appropriations committee, told reporters Tuesday morning.
Time to pass a stimulus package is running out
Congress is running against the clock; after the stock market appeared to recover from Monday’s dive — its worst day since the 2008 financial crisis — stocks fluctuated again as of Tuesday afternoon.
With coronavirus spreading to multiple US states, economists predicted a greater likelihood that the US could experience a recession in 2020. “I think it is very difficult to avoid a recession,” Moody’s economist Mark Zandi told CNBC on Monday. “The depth of the recession will depend on how the [Trump] administration reacts.”
As Vox’s Emily Stewart wrote, “An old adage among economists is that [economic] expansions don’t die of old age; something has to happen to cause them.” Economists worry the coronavirus could be the thing to curb the expansion of a previously booming economy.
Recalling a recent trip to the port of Los Angeles, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) told Vox the coronavirus outbreak means shipments of goods from China to California are halting, causing bookings for dock space to unload container ships to go down substantially. That could have enormous effects on local workers there.
“A lot of the longshoremen that work there are not as impacted, but some of the people who are more on contract are — the drivers, the teamsters, and the truck drivers who get paid by haul are impacted,” Gomez said. “We’re going to start seeing a ripple effect throughout our supply chain and our economy.”
Layoffs in other sectors of the economy are already happening. Some airlines are planning layoffs, and the parent company of Austin’s South by Southwest festival announced it’s laying off one-third of its staff after the annual festival was canceled due to coronavirus concerns. That could be the tip of the iceberg, unless Congress intervenes in time.
Matt Yglesias contributed reporting to this piece.


vox--2020-03-10--The coronavirus will cause a child care crisis in America

Elk Grove Unified School District in Northern California is closing for at least a week .
Northshore School District in Washington state is shutting its doors for up to two .
Public schools in Scarsdale , New York , are shut down until March 18 .
As of Tuesday , 621 K-12 schools around the country have closed in response to the growing coronavirus outbreak , according to Education Week .
The closures come as a means to fight the spread of the virus , often ( though not always ) after a parent or other community member tests positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , preschools , and other early childhood education and care providers is harder to measure , since facilities tend to be smaller and many are privately run .
But at least one preschool has closed in California , and more are likely to follow .
When schools are closed unexpectedly , whether it ’ s for something as simple as a snow day or as new and uncertain as the coronavirus , “ lots of families are left scrambling , ” Aaron Pallas , a professor of sociology and education at Columbia University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For kids , a school closure means lost learning time , which can have long-term effects .
In some cases , it can also mean going hungry , since many kids across America — including about 70 percent of students in New York City — rely on free or reduced-price lunch programs at their schools .
For parents , a school closure can mean taking time off work to care for kids — except that many jobs don ’ t offer paid time off .
That means parents can lose pay for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or even lose their jobs entirely .
And while working from home is a possibility for some parents , many jobs can ’ t be done remotely — cleaning hospitals and other facilities , for example , or putting out fires — and it ’ s not always possible to care for a child while working at the same time .
Like so much about the coronavirus outbreak , school closures are highlighting larger social problems as well as creating immediate problems for many of the most vulnerable people in society .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the need for improvements to the child care system in America so that parents aren ’ t left without options when schools close .
And , perhaps most of all , it ’ s the need for paid leave — not just for sick people , but for those caring for others , whether they ’ re children , older people , or anyone in need of extra support .
As Taryn Morrissey , a professor of public administration and policy at American University , put it , when it comes to coping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crises , “ paid sick leave and paid family leave are key.
” When schools and day cares are closed , it affects kids — and their whole families Closing schools can be a necessary precaution to keep students , teachers , and families safe if someone in the school community is infected with the coronavirus , according to the CDC .
Though the virus is thought to be less severe in children , it can spread to adults and people with underlying conditions that make it more dangerous .
Meanwhile , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools regardless of whether someone has tested positive .
But closing schools and child care centers comes with its own set of problems .
New York City is a good example .
Earlier this month , Richard A. Carranza , the chancellor of the city ’ s schools , said they would only close as a “ last resort , ” according to the New York Times , because so many students — including about 114,000 who are homeless — rely on them for food , health care , and even a place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mirrored around the country , where 1.36 million students were homeless as of the 2016- ’ 17 school year .
Meanwhile , about 30 million students in the US qualify for free or reduced-price lunch at school .
For families living in poverty , “ the closure of the school makes those kinds of supports less accessible , ” Pallas said .
And when schools are closed , parents are faced with a question , he added : “ Who ’ s going to watch their young kids ?
” Some parents have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work to take care of their children .
But as of 2018 , one in three private sector workers , and seven in 10 low-wage workers , lacked paid sick days , according to the National Partnership for Women & Families .
And even those with paid sick days may not be allowed to use them to care for a family member .
So for a lot of families , school closures mean “ there ’ s a risk that parents will lose income , which of course then affects the well-being of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That may be especially true if schools are closed for a long period , and if parents lose their jobs or are forced to quit to care for a child .
Some parents may be able to work from home and supervise their children at the same time , but many jobs don ’ t allow for that — bus drivers and hospital workers , Pallas noted , can ’ t exactly work remotely .
What ’ s more , taking care of very young children , or older children with special needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some kids , “ even if you have the option to work from home , that child requires care , ” Morrissey said .
Meanwhile , the closure of schools and other facilities raises questions of pay and leave for those who work with children .
While public school teachers will likely still be paid if schools close , the picture is less clear for early child care workers , who already make just $ 10.82 an hour on average , about a third of what elementary school teachers make .
In New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child care facilities will be paid even if the facilities shut down , said Andrea Anthony , executive director of the Day Care Council of New York , an organization representing publicly funded facilities .
But at privately funded centers supported by parents ’ fees , it ’ s unclear what will happen , she said .
“ We haven ’ t encountered something like this , ” Anthony said .
“ It ’ s just very unpredictable.
” To mitigate the effects of school closures , the country needs big structural changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus outbreak is already bringing with it a child care crisis for many of America ’ s families .
In the short term , solutions are somewhat difficult to come by .
Group child care arrangements can be a solution to school disruptions , Pallas said , but in this case , when many people around the country are being discouraged from congregating in groups , that ’ s not an ideal fix .
Moreover , the country doesn ’ t really have systems in place to facilitate such arrangements .
Working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tips on how to work from home with kids , if you have that option .
Journalist Lyz Lenz recommends podcasts , simple toys and games ( “ pipe cleaners and tape don ’ t ask just hand them over ” ) , and acceptance ( “ it ’ s always gon na be a mess and suck there is no secret ” ) .
For parents of older children who want to help them keep up with learning , Pallas recommends homeschooling networks , which may have resources for parents to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or experimenting with online learning , but that requires children to have access to a computer at home , something not every family has .
And it still requires supervision .
“ You give a kid a laptop , they ’ re not likely to be spending their time doing academic stuff ” unless an adult is keeping an eye on things , Pallas said .
Ultimately , coping with the fallout of this outbreak — and preparing for the next major disruption in school and child care — will require structural changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ we need to invest more in the child care system , ” so that families have more backup options in case their primary source of care falls through , Morrissey said .
And people need paid time off to care for themselves and others .
That includes paid leave for child care workers , many of whom currently don ’ t have access to it .
Some states , like New York and Washington , have instituted paid family leave programs in recent years .
And other countries around the world are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care arrangements have been affected by the epidemic — France , for example , is offering 14 days of paid leave to parents whose children must be isolated , according to the New York Times .
Meanwhile , some are advocating that any economic bailout in the US related to the coronavirus could include investment in America ’ s child care infrastructure , since the availability of child care supports so many other industries .
Indeed , child care investment has become an election issue , with a number of Democratic candidates unveiling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affordable while boosting the wages of workers .
Sen. Bernie Sanders , for example , released a plan last month to provide free child care to all who need it ( former Vice President Joe Biden has yet to release a child care plan , though he has called for universal preschool ) .
Overall , “ it ’ s terrible that it takes a crisis like this to get us thinking about ” reforms like paid family leave , Pallas said , “ but that ’ s certainly an area where there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development .
”

Elk Grove Unified School District in Northern California is closing for at least a week. Northshore School District in Washington state is shutting its doors for up to two. Public schools in Scarsdale, New York, are shut down until March 18.
As of Tuesday, 621 K-12 schools around the country have closed in response to the growing coronavirus outbreak, according to Education Week.
The closures come as a means to fight the spread of the virus, often (though not always) after a parent or other community member tests positive. The impact on day care centers, preschools, and other early childhood education and care providers is harder to measure, since facilities tend to be smaller and many are privately run. But at least one preschool has closed in California, and more are likely to follow.
When schools are closed unexpectedly, whether it’s for something as simple as a snow day or as new and uncertain as the coronavirus, “lots of families are left scrambling,” Aaron Pallas, a professor of sociology and education at Columbia University’s Teachers College, told Vox.
For kids, a school closure means lost learning time, which can have long-term effects. In some cases, it can also mean going hungry, since many kids across America — including about 70 percent of students in New York City — rely on free or reduced-price lunch programs at their schools.
For parents, a school closure can mean taking time off work to care for kids — except that many jobs don’t offer paid time off. That means parents can lose pay for the days they don’t work, or even lose their jobs entirely. And while working from home is a possibility for some parents, many jobs can’t be done remotely — cleaning hospitals and other facilities, for example, or putting out fires — and it’s not always possible to care for a child while working at the same time.
Like so much about the coronavirus outbreak, school closures are highlighting larger social problems as well as creating immediate problems for many of the most vulnerable people in society. In this case, it’s the need for improvements to the child care system in America so that parents aren’t left without options when schools close. And, perhaps most of all, it’s the need for paid leave — not just for sick people, but for those caring for others, whether they’re children, older people, or anyone in need of extra support.
As Taryn Morrissey, a professor of public administration and policy at American University, put it, when it comes to coping with this outbreak and preparing for future crises, “paid sick leave and paid family leave are key.”
When schools and day cares are closed, it affects kids — and their whole families
Closing schools can be a necessary precaution to keep students, teachers, and families safe if someone in the school community is infected with the coronavirus, according to the CDC. Though the virus is thought to be less severe in children, it can spread to adults and people with underlying conditions that make it more dangerous. Meanwhile, some are advocating for preventive closure of most schools regardless of whether someone has tested positive.
The CDC and the WHO recommend several basic measures to help prevent the spread of Covid-19: Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects.
Practice social distancing, and stay home when you are sick.
Contact a health worker if you have symptoms; fever and a dry cough are most common. Guidance may change. Stay informed, and stay safe, with Vox’s coronavirus coverage hub.
But closing schools and child care centers comes with its own set of problems. New York City is a good example. Earlier this month, Richard A. Carranza, the chancellor of the city’s schools, said they would only close as a “last resort,” according to the New York Times, because so many students — including about 114,000 who are homeless — rely on them for food, health care, and even a place to do laundry.
Those needs are mirrored around the country, where 1.36 million students were homeless as of the 2016-’17 school year. Meanwhile, about 30 million students in the US qualify for free or reduced-price lunch at school. For families living in poverty, “the closure of the school makes those kinds of supports less accessible,” Pallas said.
And when schools are closed, parents are faced with a question, he added: “Who’s going to watch their young kids?”
Some parents have little choice but to take time off work to take care of their children. But as of 2018, one in three private sector workers, and seven in 10 low-wage workers, lacked paid sick days, according to the National Partnership for Women & Families. And even those with paid sick days may not be allowed to use them to care for a family member.
So for a lot of families, school closures mean “there’s a risk that parents will lose income, which of course then affects the well-being of the family,” Pallas said. That may be especially true if schools are closed for a long period, and if parents lose their jobs or are forced to quit to care for a child.
Some parents may be able to work from home and supervise their children at the same time, but many jobs don’t allow for that — bus drivers and hospital workers, Pallas noted, can’t exactly work remotely. What’s more, taking care of very young children, or older children with special needs, can make work impossible. For some kids, “even if you have the option to work from home, that child requires care,” Morrissey said.
Meanwhile, the closure of schools and other facilities raises questions of pay and leave for those who work with children. While public school teachers will likely still be paid if schools close, the picture is less clear for early child care workers, who already make just $10.82 an hour on average, about a third of what elementary school teachers make.
In New York City, workers at publicly funded child care facilities will be paid even if the facilities shut down, said Andrea Anthony, executive director of the Day Care Council of New York, an organization representing publicly funded facilities. But at privately funded centers supported by parents’ fees, it’s unclear what will happen, she said.
“We haven’t encountered something like this,” Anthony said. “It’s just very unpredictable.”
To mitigate the effects of school closures, the country needs big structural changes
Overall, it’s clear that the coronavirus outbreak is already bringing with it a child care crisis for many of America’s families. In the short term, solutions are somewhat difficult to come by.
Group child care arrangements can be a solution to school disruptions, Pallas said, but in this case, when many people around the country are being discouraged from congregating in groups, that’s not an ideal fix. Moreover, the country doesn’t really have systems in place to facilitate such arrangements.
Working parents with small children have been sharing tips on how to work from home with kids, if you have that option. Journalist Lyz Lenz recommends podcasts, simple toys and games (“pipe cleaners and tape don’t ask just hand them over”), and acceptance (“it’s always gonna be a mess and suck there is no secret”).
So for the first six years as a parent I worked from home with babies and I want to say few things...1. It's totally okay to just let them play unstructured, it's fine! Let them be! — Lyz Lenz (@lyzl) March 9, 2020
For parents of older children who want to help them keep up with learning, Pallas recommends homeschooling networks, which may have resources for parents to give lessons.
Many school districts are discussing or experimenting with online learning, but that requires children to have access to a computer at home, something not every family has. And it still requires supervision. “You give a kid a laptop, they’re not likely to be spending their time doing academic stuff” unless an adult is keeping an eye on things, Pallas said.
Ultimately, coping with the fallout of this outbreak — and preparing for the next major disruption in school and child care — will require structural changes, experts say. For example, “we need to invest more in the child care system,” so that families have more backup options in case their primary source of care falls through, Morrissey said.
And people need paid time off to care for themselves and others. That includes paid leave for child care workers, many of whom currently don’t have access to it.
Some states, like New York and Washington, have instituted paid family leave programs in recent years. And other countries around the world are taking steps to help parents whose child care arrangements have been affected by the epidemic — France, for example, is offering 14 days of paid leave to parents whose children must be isolated, according to the New York Times.
Meanwhile, some are advocating that any economic bailout in the US related to the coronavirus could include investment in America’s child care infrastructure, since the availability of child care supports so many other industries. Indeed, child care investment has become an election issue, with a number of Democratic candidates unveiling ambitious plans to make child care more affordable while boosting the wages of workers. Sen. Bernie Sanders, for example, released a plan last month to provide free child care to all who need it (former Vice President Joe Biden has yet to release a child care plan, though he has called for universal preschool).
The sector I study — the child care market — has a great case for direct government investment in the event of a Coronavirus-related bailout.
Their employment enables the continued employment (and the associated tax revenues) of millions of parents. https://t.co/JZtIrjkwIm — Rasheed A. Malik (@ramskull) March 10, 2020
Overall, “it’s terrible that it takes a crisis like this to get us thinking about” reforms like paid family leave, Pallas said, “but that’s certainly an area where there’s a lot of room for development.”


vox--2020-03-12--How the coronavirus outbreak is roiling the film and entertainment industries

The Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak , which was first identified in China in December , has had sweeping effects in the public health , business , and travel sectors , among others .
And while the repercussions for the entertainment industry may seem to pale in comparison to the clear threat the virus poses to human life , the ripple effects do have implications for the people around the world who make a living producing and distributing movies , music , and more .
The immense and lucrative Chinese film industry was hit almost immediately as movie theaters across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hollywood soon began to feel the effects too , and as time passes , the impact of the coronavirus on the global film and entertainment industries will certainly grow .
Consequences of the outbreak on these industries could range from lowered attendance at film festivals and disruptions in film distribution to delayed or canceled movie releases and concert dates to curtailed on-location film shoots .
Financial ramifications will likely be felt by studios , filmmakers , theater owners , and more for months or even years .
Here are the biggest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in response to the outbreak .
Most recently , Disney announced the delay of three spring releases , including Mulan and The New Mutants ; Broadway shows and Disneyland in California closed ; the NBA has suspended its season ; and major cultural events have been postponed or canceled , including SXSW , E3 , and Coachella .
K-pop concerts canceled , including BTS shows : On February 28 , the hugely popular K-pop group BTS canceled a series of planned concerts in Seoul .
The shows were scheduled for April 11 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seoul ’ s Olympic Stadium .
The group ’ s management agency said the decision was made due to the impossibility of predicting the scale of the outbreak in South Korea come April and cited the health and safety of the musicians themselves , workers , and concertgoers .
Two hundred thousand fans were expected to attend .
Days earlier , BTS had asked fans to avoid a series of TV appearances scheduled to promote their newest album , Map Of The Soul : 7 , which had originally been planned to include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fans via a streamed press conference .
“ Health is always on our minds these days , and our messages of facing your inner self and loving yourself are ultimately only possible when you ’ re healthy , especially since it is very risky outside these days , ” one of the singers , Jimin , said .
” I hope you take care of yourself.
” The entire Korean entertainment sector has been affected by the outbreak , and K-pop has been hit particularly hard , with groups including GOT7 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) I-DLE , and others canceling scheduled tour dates .
Variety reported that box office revenue in South Korea was down 30 to 40 percent in January 2020 compared to previous years .
SXSW canceled : On March 6 , the city of Austin , Texas , declared a state of disaster , requiring the cancellation of public gatherings and events for the near future .
The most notable of those is the cancellation of South by Southwest , the annual music , film , TV , and technology festival that serves as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The announcement came after a week full of major companies — including Netflix , Apple , Amazon , WarnerMedia , Facebook , Twitter , TikTok , Mashable , Intel , and more — dropping out of the well-attended event , canceling panels , premieres , and other appearances .
Days later , SXSW organizers announced that they had laid off one-third of the festival ’ s employees in what they called “ a necessary , but heartbreaking , step.
” Emerald City Comic Con delayed : The organizing body behind Emerald City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its kind in Seattle , Washington , announced on March 6 that it will postpone the event until sometime this summer .
The event was to run March 12 to 16 .
“ We did everything that we could to run the event as planned , but ultimately , we are following the guidance of the local public health officials indicating that conventions should now be postponed , ” convention organizers Reedpop said in a statement published on the Emerald City Comic Con website .
Cannes Film Festival remains in question : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , arguably the most prestigious film festival in the world , is still in question following the French government ’ s ban on gatherings of more than 1,000 people through at least the end of May .
( The festival is slated to take place May 12 to 23 and draws thousands of industries and press from around the globe each year . )
The festival issued a statement on February 28 after the first case of coronavirus in nearby Nice , France , was confirmed by the city ’ s mayor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but planned for the festival to go forward .
( Cannes is a seaside resort town located on the French Riviera , about 30 km from Nice . )
Variety reported on March 10 that the festival ’ s organizers had previously elected not to carry a buy-back option on its insurance , meaning that if the event is canceled , the festival will not be able to rely on an insurance claim to recoup its costs .
Meanwhile , on March 10 , the UK sales outfit GFM became the first film @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be traveling to Cannes in May .
Coachella delayed : Goldenvoice , the organizers of Coachella , one of the largest annual music festivals in the US , announced on March 10 that the festival would be postponed due to concerns about the outbreak .
Another Goldenvoice festival , the country music-oriented Stagecoach , has also been postponed .
The Indio , California-based event was originally set to run for two weekends , April 10-12 and April 17-19 , with the same talent lineups performing both weekends .
It will now run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 has been pushed back from April to October 23-25 .
Electronics Entertainment Expo ( E3 ) canceled : The 2020 Electronic Entertainment Expo ( E3 ) — the single biggest trade show in the video game industry — has been canceled .
The Entertainment Software Association , which organizes the event , announced that it would not go forward with the annual event due to coronavirus fears in California , where E3 takes place .
The event was scheduled for June 9 to 11 .
The organization said it will contact exhibitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passes , and that it is considering ways to “ coordinate an online experience ” in lieu of the in-person event .
It also maintains that E3 will return next year as planned .
The NBA suspended basketball games indefinitely : A player on the Utah Jazz tested positive for coronavirus on March 11 , leading NBA officials to call off that night ’ s Jazz game just before tip-off .
As a further precautionary measure , the league issued a statement that it would suspend the basketball season “ until further notice.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the rest of the season , the NBA made other efforts to protecting players and fans .
The league barred media from locker rooms , and publicly considered having teams play to empty arenas , before ultimately stopping play altogether .
Disney postpones major releases : On March 12 , Disney confirmed that three of its biggest releases of the year — Mulan ( scheduled for March 27 ) , The New Mutants ( scheduled for April 3 ) , and Antlers ( scheduled for April 17 ) — would be postponed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disney did not set a new release date .
The Chinese and European premieres of Mulan had previously been delayed as well .
No Time to Die : On February 16 , MGM announced that it would cancel the Chinese premiere and publicity tour planned for the new James Bond movie , No Time To Die , which was scheduled for April .
On March 4 , the studio announced that it had delayed the film ’ s release until late November , making the film the first major tentpole release to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On February 24 , Paramount Pictures announced that it would delay the release of Sonic the Hedgehog in China , with a new release date to be determined .
Peter Rabbit 2 : On March 10 , Sony announced that it would push the global release of Peter Rabbit 2 : The Runaway from late March/early April to August .
A Quiet Place Part II : On March 12 , A Quiet Place Part II director John Krasinski announced via Twitter that the movie ’ s planned March 19 release date would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m most proud of is that people have said our movie is one you have to see all together .
Well due to the ever-changing circumstances of what ’ s going on in the world around us , now is clearly not the right time to do that , ” he wrote .
“ As insanely excited as we are for all of you to see this movie ...
I ’ m gon na wait to release the film till we CAN see it all together !
So here ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you soon !
” Fast and Furious 9 : On March 12 , Universal Pictures announced that it would delay the release date of the ninth installment in the Fast and Furious franchise by 11 months , from May 22 , 2020 to April 2 , 2021 .
Chinese movies scrapped theatrical release and premiere online : The biggest films of China ’ s year are usually scheduled to release during the Lunar New Year holiday , near the end of January , but mounting fears of the coronavirus and public reticence to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voluntarily cancel or postpone several film releases .
Huanxi , distributor of the Chinese blockbuster Lost in Russia , announced on January 22 that the film would premiere online for free .
Promotional materials encouraged audiences to “ stay safely at home and watch Lost in Russia with your mom.
” On January 31 , Enter the Fat Dragon became the second major Chinese film to premiere online , as theaters are closed by order of the government .
Film and TV productions halted , altered , or shut down TV shows suspend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delayed or suspended production , including Apple ’ s The Morning Show and Little America , Netflix ’ s Russian Doll , the CW ’ s Riverdale , CBS ’ s The Amazing Race and Survivor , and many more .
Jia Zhangke project delayed : At the Berlin Film Festival in February , famed Chinese director Jia Zhangke ( Ash Is Purest White , A Touch of Sin ) told Indiewire that production on his new film , which was slated to begin in April , was delayed indefinitely .
Jia spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where his documentary Swimming Out Till the Sea Turns Blue premiered .
But he said that before he left , he ’ d feared his flight to Berlin would be canceled , and that some of his collaborators chose not to make the trip .
Regarding his next film , he said : Mission : Impossible production paused : On February 26 , Paramount Pictures announced that it had halted a planned three-week shoot in Venice for the seventh installment in the Mission : Impossible franchise .
“ Out of an abundance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our cast and crew , and efforts of the local Venetian government to halt public gatherings in response to the threat of coronavirus , we are altering the production plan for our three-week shoot in Venice , the scheduled first leg of an extensive production for Mission : Impossible 7 , ” a Paramount spokesperson told the Hollywood Reporter .
“ During this hiatus we want to be mindful of the concerns of the crew and are allowing them to return home until production starts .
We will continue to monitor this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government officials as it evolves.
” Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune tape without a studio audience : Though Sony declined to comment , sources told the Hollywood Reporter on March 9 that scheduled tapings of the shows would go forward without a live studio audience .
The measure was taken partly as a precaution for the health of Jeopardy host Alex Trebek , who has stage 4 pancreatic cancer .
Late-night shows tape without a studio audience : On March 11 , producers of shows including NBC ’ s The Tonight Show ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Night With Seth Meyers , CBS ’ s Late Show With Stephen Colbert , TBS ’ s Full Frontal with Samantha Bee , and Comedy Central ’ s Daily Show ( hosted by Trevor Noah ) all announced they would begin taping without a live studio audience on March 16 .
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson announce they ’ ve contracted the virus : One of Hollywood ’ s biggest stars , Tom Hanks , announced that he and his wife Rita Wilson had contracted the coronavirus while shooting Baz Luhrmann ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a message posted publicly on March 11 , Hanks was his typical upbeat self : Chinese movie theaters shut down : Hoping to contain the coronavirus outbreak , on January 23 the Chinese government decided to temporarily shut down movie theaters throughout the country until further notice .
A total film production shutdown soon followed .
Loss of revenue over the Lunar New Year holiday in late January , during which movie theaters typically see an uptick in ticket sales , amounted to a staggering $ 1 billion , according to analysts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cultural attractions and institutions in China that have been closed to the public include Tiananmen Square ’ s National Museum of China , the Forbidden City , and a section of the Great Wall of China located near Beijing .
Some Disney parks shut down : On January 25 , Disney shut down its Shanghai Disneyland park over fears of the coronavirus .
The park is a major revenue generator , with 11.8 million guests in 2018 , 50 percent from outside the Shanghai region , and an estimated $ 1 billion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operating profit .
A day after Shanghai Disneyland ’ s closure , Hong Kong Disneyland shut down .
Both Disney parks in Japan closed on February 29 and announced on March 11 that they will remain closed through at least the end of April .
Late in the day on March 12 , Disneyland in California announced it would close the following day .
As of March 12 , Disneyland Paris remained open , despite three staff testing positive for coronavirus .
For now , Florida parks remain open .
Italian cultural sites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of major museums in Venice , Milan , Turin , and other northern Italian cities were closed as part of the government ’ s aggressive attempt to contain the virus , and annual Carnivale celebrations stopped early .
By early March , with the country under complete lockdown , cultural sites across Italy were closed , including the Colosseum and Pompeii .
New York City cultural sites closed : On March 12 , major cultural sites in New York City began to close , including the Metropolitan Museum of Art .
Other institutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as the New York Public Library and Carnegie Hall .
Broadway shows closed : On March 12 , New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that beginning at 5:00pm , Broadway would be closed , part of a ban on gatherings of more than 500 people .
We will continue to update this article as the story develops .

The Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, which was first identified in China in December, has had sweeping effects in the public health, business, and travel sectors, among others. And while the repercussions for the entertainment industry may seem to pale in comparison to the clear threat the virus poses to human life, the ripple effects do have implications for the people around the world who make a living producing and distributing movies, music, and more.
The immense and lucrative Chinese film industry was hit almost immediately as movie theaters across the country were closed and major releases were delayed. Hollywood soon began to feel the effects, too, and as time passes, the impacts of the coronavirus on the global film and entertainment industries continue to be vast.
Consequences of the pandemic on these industries could range from lowered attendance at film festivals and disruptions in film distribution to delayed or canceled movie releases and concert dates to curtailed on-location film shoots. Financial ramifications will likely be felt by studios, filmmakers, theater owners, and more for months or even years.
Here are the biggest and most significant developments in the entertainment industry in response to the pandemic. Most recently, Disney announced more delays to several of its biggest films slated for 2020, including West Side Story and Black Widow.
Major entertainment festival cancellations and postponements
K-pop concerts canceled, including BTS shows: On February 28, the hugely popular K-pop group BTS canceled a series of concerts in Seoul. The shows were scheduled for April 11 and 12 and April 18 and 19 at Seoul’s Olympic Stadium. The group’s management agency said the decision was made due to the impossibility of predicting the scale of the outbreak in South Korea come April and cited the health and safety of the musicians themselves, workers, and concertgoers. Two hundred thousand fans were expected to attend.
Days earlier, BTS had asked fans to avoid a series of TV appearances scheduled to promote their newest album, Map of the Soul: 7, which had originally been planned to include studio audiences. The group also appealed to fans via a streamed press conference. “Health is always on our minds these days, and our messages of facing your inner self and loving yourself are ultimately only possible when you’re healthy, especially since it is very risky outside these days,” one of the singers, Jimin, said. ”I hope you take care of yourself.”
The entire Korean entertainment sector has been affected by the outbreak, and K-pop has been hit particularly hard, with groups including GOT7, Winner, Sechs Kies, (G) I-DLE, and others canceling scheduled tour dates. Variety reported that box office revenue in South Korea was down 30 to 40 percent in January 2020 compared to previous years.
SXSW canceled: On March 6, the city of Austin, Texas, declared a state of disaster, requiring the cancellation of public gatherings and events for the near future. The most notable of those is the cancellation of South by Southwest, the annual music, film, TV, and technology festival that serves as a significant financial powerhouse for the city.
The announcement came after a week full of major companies — including Netflix, Apple, Amazon, WarnerMedia, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Mashable, Intel, and more — dropping out of the well-attended event, canceling panels, premieres, and other appearances. Days later, SXSW organizers announced that they had laid off one-third of the festival’s employees in what they called “a necessary, but heartbreaking, step.”
Emerald City Comic Con delayed: The organizing body behind Emerald City Comic Con, the largest convention of its kind in Seattle, Washington, announced on March 6 that it will postpone the event until sometime this summer. The event was scheduled to run from March 12 to 16.
“We did everything that we could to run the event as planned, but ultimately, we are following the guidance of the local public health officials indicating that conventions should now be postponed,” convention organizers Reedpop said in a statement published on the Emerald City Comic Con website.
Cannes Film Festival delayed: Initially, the 2020 edition of the Cannes Film Festival, arguably the most prestigious film festival in the world, was left in limbo following an announcement from the festival’s organizers on March 19 that the gathering could be delayed until “late June or early July,” or another time. (The festival had been slated to take place May 12 to 23 and draws thousands of industries and press from around the globe each year.) The festival first issued a statement on February 28 after the first case of coronavirus in nearby Nice, France, was confirmed by the city’s mayor, saying that organizers were monitoring the situation but planned for the festival to go forward. (Cannes is a seaside resort town located on the French Riviera, about 30 km from Nice.)
By late spring, the organizers announced that the 2020 edition would be canceled. All films that would have played in the official and sidebar programs at the festival will bear the official Cannes seal when released in theaters or potentially at partner festivals in the fall, such as those that take place in Venice and Toronto. They announced these selections on June 3.
Coachella delayed, then canceled: Goldenvoice, the organizers of Coachella — one of the largest annual music festivals in the US — announced on March 10 that the festival would be postponed due to concerns about Covid-19. Another Goldenvoice festival, the country-music-oriented Stagecoach, was also delayed.
The Indio, California-based event was originally set to run for two weekends (April 10-12 and April 17-19), with the same talent lineup performing both weekends. The postponement moved Coachella to October 9-11 and October 16-18; Stagecoach 2020 was pushed back from April to October 23-25.
But on June 10, both events were canceled by an order from the public health officer of Riverside County, California.
Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) canceled: The 2020 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) — the single biggest trade show in the video game industry — has been canceled. The Entertainment Software Association, which organizes the event, announced that it would not go forward with the annual event due to coronavirus fears in California, where E3 takes place. The event was scheduled for June 9 to 11.
The organization said it will contact exhibitors and attendees about receiving full refunds for passes, and that it is considering ways to “coordinate an online experience” in lieu of the in-person event. It also maintains that E3 will return next year as planned.
The NBA suspended basketball games: A player on the Utah Jazz tested positive for coronavirus on March 11, leading NBA officials to call off that night’s Jazz game just before tip-off. As a further precautionary measure, the league issued a statement that it would suspend the basketball season “until further notice.”
Prior to putting an early pause on the rest of the season, the NBA made other efforts to protect players and fans. The league barred media from locker rooms and publicly considered having teams play to empty arenas before ultimately stopping play altogether.
Games resumed on July 30.
2020 Tokyo Olympics delayed: On March 24, following pressure from athletes and multiple nations’ Olympic committees, the International Olympic Committee and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe announced that the 2020 Summer Olympics would be postponed, possibly until 2021; on March 30, the dates were set for July 23-August 8, 2021.
San Diego Comic-Con 2020 canceled: On April 17, the organizers of San Diego Comic-Con announced that the yearly fan convention will not go on as planned in 2020. The event will resume once again in July 2021 at the San Diego Convention Center. The cancellation marks the first time in Comic-Con’s 50-year history that the event, the largest convention of its kind in the US, will not take place.
Major film release dates postponed or canceled
Warner Bros. changes release plans: On April 20, Warner Bros. announced changes to its slate. The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson, shifted from a release date of June 25, 2021, to October 1, 2021. The Many Saints of Newark, a prequel to The Sopranos, was delayed from September 25, 2020, to March 12, 2021. King Richard, a biopic about Venus and Serena Williams’ father starring Will Smith, shifted from November 25, 2020, to November 19, 2021. An untitled Elvis movie moved from October 1, 2021 to November 5, 2021.
Two DC titles also shifted dates: Shazam! 2 is delayed from April 1, 2022 to November 4, 2022, and The Flash moved from July 1, 2022, to June 3, 2022.
On April 21, the studio announced that the big-screen adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights, originally set for June 26, 2020, would move to June 18, 2021, because of pandemic-related post-production delays. Malignant, a thriller from Aquaman director James Wan that had originally been scheduled for August 14 was pulled from the release schedule.
On June 12, the studio announced that Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, previously slated for release on July 17, would move to July 31. Wonder Woman 1984, which was set for August 14, moved to October 2. (Wonder Woman 1984 previously shifted from June to August.)
On July 20, with case numbers rising around the US and most theaters remaining closed, Warner Bros. announced that Tenet’s release would be delayed indefinitely. A week later, the studio announced that the film would be released on a staggered schedule: on August 26 in 70 international territories and then in select US theaters beginning September 3.
On September 11, the studio announced that it had delayed Wonder Woman 1984 again, reportedly until Christmas.
Related Wonder Woman 1984 has been postponed until August 14
Newest Pixar film delayed: On April 13, Disney announced that Pixar’s latest release, Soul, would open on November 20, 2020. The film was previously set to open on June 19.
Disney makes sweeping changes to release calendar: On April 3, Disney made huge changes to its release calendar, setting dates for movies it had previously pulled without a date and moving others. Mulan was set to open on July 24, 2020, while Jungle Cruise, which had been set to release that day, moved to July 30, 2021. An untitled Indiana Jones film moved from July 9, 2021, to July 29, 2022.
Changes in the MCU calendar also set off a domino effect. Black Widow was newly set for November 6, 2020, while the previous release on that date, Shang-Chi, shifted to May 7, 2021. Originally, Doctor Strange 2 was set to release on that date; it’s now set to open November 5, 2021, displacing Thor: Love and Thunder until February 28, 2022. Black Panther 2 is still currently set for May 6, 2022, and Captain Marvel 2 moved from July 22 to July 8, 2022.
Disney also owns 20th Century Films and Searchlight Films, which had a number of changes. The Ryan Reynolds film Free Guy moved from July 3 to December 11, 2020. West Side Story is still set for December 18 and Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel for Christmas Day.
On July 23, however, Disney announced a series of sweeping scheduling changes once again. Mulan was pulled off the release calendar, indefinitely delaying its debut. Disney also took Wes Anderson’s newest film, The French Dispatch, off the calendar indefinitely, after it had initially moved from July 24 to October 16, 2020. Disney moved its upcoming trio of Star Wars movies forward by one year; they’re now slated to release in 2023, 2025, and 2027. And James Cameron’s Avatar sequels were moved back by a year as well, with the first set to premiere in December 2022.
The August 28 date for Disney’s The New Mutants remains August 28, for now; it was originally slated for April 3. And a release date for The Woman in the Window (originally slated for May 15) has not been set yet.
On August 4, Disney announced that Mulan would be released on its Disney+ streaming service. Subscribers will pay an additional $29.99 to rent the movie, available September 4. In territories where Disney+ is not available, Mulan will open in theaters that same day. (Notably, Disney+ is not available in China.)
On September 23, Disney announced more sweeping changes to its release schedule. Black Widow, originally set for November 6, is now slated to open on May 7, 2021. That delay shifted release dates for several other movies in the MCU, including Eternals (from February 12, 2021, to November 5, 2021) and Shang-Chi (from May 7, 2021, to July 9, 2021).
West Side Story, which had been set to release in the prime awards-season slot of December 18, 2020, will now open a full year later on December 10, 2021. The King’s Man — which had initially been set to open in September 2020, then delayed into 2021 — now has a release date of February 16, 2021. And Deep Water, starring Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas, moved from November 13, 2020, to August 13, 2021.
A number of Disney’s films — among them Soul, the latest from Pixar — are still set for 2020 release. Soul has retained its November 20 date, at least for now. Death on the Nile shifted from October 23 to December 18. And the horror film The Empty Man is now set to open on October 23 rather than December 4.
Sony delays nearly all its movies until 2021: On March 30, Sony announced that nearly all of its summer tentpole films would be delayed until late 2020 or early 2021. Delayed movies include Kevin Hart’s Fatherhood, Jared Leto’s Morbius, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Uncharted, and the previously delayed Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway. The only film that appeared unaffected was the Spider-Man: Far From Home sequel, which is still set for theatrical release on July 16, 2020.
NBCUniversal to release major films digitally: In an unprecedented move, NBCUniversal announced on March 16 that it would make some movies available digitally the same day they are released in movie theaters that remain open, including Trolls World Tour, which is set to hit theaters on April 10. Movies currently in theatrical release will also be available on-demand, including The Hunt, The Invisible Man, and Emma. Movies are available for a 48-hour rental period for $19.99 in the US and an equivalent price abroad.
No Time to Die: On February 16, MGM announced that it would cancel the Chinese premiere and publicity tour planned for the new James Bond movie, No Time To Die, which was scheduled for April. On March 4, the studio announced that it had delayed the film’s release until November 25, making the film the first major tentpole release to be delayed worldwide. The film’s release date moved again on June 12, from November 25 to November 20.
Paramount changes release dates: On March 12, John Krasinski, director of Paramount’s A Quiet Place Part II, announced via Twitter that the movie’s March 19 release date would be delayed. “One of the things I’m most proud of is that people have said our movie is one you have to see all together. Well due to the ever-changing circumstances of what’s going on in the world around us, now is clearly not the right time to do that,” he wrote. “As insanely excited as we are for all of you to see this movie ... I’m gonna wait to release the film till we CAN see it all together! So here’s to our group movie date! See you soon!”
On July 23, Paramount announced that the Quiet Place sequel would be pushed to April 23, 2021. Top Gun Maverick was also delayed from December 23, 2020 to July 2, 2021. And that bumped Jackass, previously scheduled for July 2, 2021, to September 3, 2021.
Fast and Furious 9: On March 12, Universal Pictures announced that it would delay the release date of the ninth installment in the Fast and Furious franchise by 11 months, from May 22 to April 2, 2021.
Chinese movies scrapped theatrical release and premiere online: The biggest films of China’s year are usually scheduled to release during the Lunar New Year holiday, near the end of January, but mounting fears of the coronavirus and public reticence to be in crowded spaces caused distributors to voluntarily cancel or postpone several film releases. Huanxi, distributor of the Chinese blockbuster Lost in Russia, announced on January 22 that the film would premiere online for free. Promotional materials encouraged audiences to “stay safely at home and watch Lost in Russia with your mom.” On January 31, Enter the Fat Dragon became the second major Chinese film to premiere online, as theaters are closed by order of the government.
Film and TV productions halted, altered, or shut down
Saturday Night Live aired remotely produced content: On April 9, the producers of Saturday Night Live, which had been on hiatus since mid-March, announced that new, remotely produced material would air on NBC in the show’s usual Saturday night slot, 11:30 pm on April 11, including a “Weekend Update” segment.
The coronavirus has touched Saturday Night Live in at least two ways. The show’s long-time music supervisor, Hal Willner, passed away on April 7 at the age of 64; he was not formally diagnosed with the virus but had consistent symptoms. And Michael Che, one of the show’s co-head writers and co-anchor with Colin Jost of “Weekend Update,” announced via social media on April 6 that his grandmother had passed away from coronavirus complications.
The show joined other late-night comedy shows, such as NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers, CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, in creating comedy content remotely.
Eurovision canceled: On March 18, the organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest announced via Twitter that the 2020 edition of the event was canceled. The event had been planned for May.
TV shows suspend production: Hundreds of shows have delayed or suspended production, including Apple’s The Morning Show and Little America; Netflix shows including Russian Doll; the CW’s Riverdale; NBC shows including the Chicago dramas and The Kelly Clarkson Show; CBS shows including the NCIS dramas, The Amazing Race, and Survivor; and many more.
Late-night shows suspend production or tape without a studio audience: Originally, on March 11, producers of shows including NBC’s The Tonight Show (hosted by Jimmy Fallon) and Late Night With Seth Meyers, CBS’s Late Show With Stephen Colbert, TBS’s Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, and Comedy Central’s Daily Show (hosted by Trevor Noah) all announced they would begin taping without a live studio audience on March 16.
A day later, NBC announced that The Tonight Show and Late Night would suspend production beginning the week of March 16; Stephen Colbert also announced that the Late Show would suspend production. All three shows were already scheduled to go into hiatus on March 23. On March 13, Jimmy Kimmel Live also suspended production. Most shows eventually began producing remotely, often with hosts and guests working from home studios.
Disney suspends live-action production: On March 13, Disney announced that production on its live-action movies would suspend production. Affected films include The Little Mermaid, a Home Alone reboot, and Peter Pan. Earlier in the day, production on Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings had been suspended due to director Destin Daniel Cretton’s decision to self-isolate upon advice of a doctor. (Marvel is owned by Disney.)
Jia Zhangke project delayed: At the Berlin Film Festival in February, famed Chinese director Jia Zhangke (Ash Is Purest White, A Touch of Sin) told Indiewire that production on his new film, which was slated to begin in April, was delayed indefinitely. Jia spoke with Indiewire at the Berlin Film Festival, where his documentary Swimming Out Till the Sea Turns Blue premiered. But he said that before he left, he’d feared his flight to Berlin would be canceled, and that some of his collaborators chose not to make the trip. Regarding his next film, he said:
For some film companies and studios involved in pre-production, a lot of costs are going down the drain, and those that already started production have to be somehow cut short or suspended. Some of them are already in the process of distributing films and they’ve paid for a lot of promotion and PR costs. The economy is now taking a huge hit, and I think the investment side will be hugely impacted as well.
Mission: Impossible production paused: On February 26, Paramount Pictures announced that it had halted a planned three-week shoot in Venice for the seventh installment in the Mission: Impossible franchise. “Out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of our cast and crew, and efforts of the local Venetian government to halt public gatherings in response to the threat of coronavirus, we are altering the production plan for our three-week shoot in Venice, the scheduled first leg of an extensive production for Mission: Impossible 7,” a Paramount spokesperson told the Hollywood Reporter. “During this hiatus we want to be mindful of the concerns of the crew and are allowing them to return home until production starts. We will continue to monitor this situation, and work alongside health and government officials as it evolves.”
Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune tape without a studio audience: Though Sony declined to comment, sources told the Hollywood Reporter on March 9 that scheduled tapings of the shows would go forward without a live studio audience. The measure was taken partly as a precaution for the health of Jeopardy host Alex Trebek, who has stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson announce they’ve contracted the virus: One of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Tom Hanks, announced that he and his wife Rita Wilson had contracted the coronavirus while shooting Baz Luhrmann’s untitled Elvis Presley film in Australia:
In a message posted publicly on March 11, Hanks was his typical upbeat self:
Well, now. What to do next? The Medical Officials have protocols that must be followed. We Hanks’ will be tested, observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires. Not much more to it than a one-day-at-a-time approach, no? We’ll keep the world posted and updated. Take care of yourselves!
Entertainment venues and attractions shut down
All Disney parks shut down: On January 25, Disney shut down its Shanghai Disneyland park over fears of the coronavirus. The park is a major revenue generator, with 11.8 million guests in 2018, 50 percent from outside the Shanghai region, and an estimated $1 billion in annual revenue and $50 million in operating profit. A day after Shanghai Disneyland’s closure, Hong Kong Disneyland shut down. Both Disney parks in Japan closed on February 29 and Disney announced on March 11 that they will remain closed through at least the end of April.
Late in the day on March 12, Disneyland in California announced it would close the following day; by that evening, the company announced that all of its parks would close, including those in Florida and Disneyland Paris (where three staff had previously tested positive for coronavirus).
In July, Disney World reopened amid a spike in Florida coronavirus cases.
North American movie theaters shut down: On March 13, a number of theaters and theater chains, including AMC Theatres, and the Canadian chain Cineplex, announced that they would be reducing the number of tickets sold to screenings by as much as 50 percent in order to enable patrons to sit further apart as part of “social distancing” measures.
On March 15, theaters in New York and Los Angeles were shut down by order of their respective mayors. On March 16, Regal announced it would shut down all of its 543 US theaters indefinitely; later in the day, AMC followed suit.
New York City cultural sites closed: On March 12, major cultural sites in New York City began to close, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Other institutions canceled programming for the month of March, such as the New York Public Library and Carnegie Hall.
Within days, the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced that it anticipated staying closed through July and laying off much of its staff. On March 19, the Metropolitan Opera laid off all of its union employees, including musicians and chorus.
Broadway shows closed: On March 12, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that beginning at 5:00 pm, Broadway would be closed, part of a ban on gatherings of more than 500 people. On April 8, the Broadway League announced that theaters would remain closed through June, and probably longer. On June 29, the League extended the shutdown through January 3, 2021.
West End closes: On March 16, London’s West End shut down, following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s speech urging Britons to avoid public spaces. The theaters, including the Royal Opera House, will stay closed indefinitely. As of June, the West End closures remained in effect through at least August 2.
Italian cultural sites closed: In February, a number of major museums in Venice, Milan, Turin, and other northern Italian cities were closed as part of the government’s aggressive attempt to contain the virus, and annual Carnivale celebrations stopped early. By early March, with the country under complete lockdown, cultural sites across Italy were closed, including the Colosseum and Pompeii.
Chinese movie theaters shut down for months, tentatively begin to reopen, then re-close: Hoping to contain the coronavirus outbreak, on January 23 the Chinese government temporarily shut down movie theaters throughout the country until further notice. A total film production shutdown soon followed. Loss of revenue over the Lunar New Year holiday in late January, during which movie theaters typically see an uptick in ticket sales, amounted to a staggering $1 billion, according to analysts.
By March 23, about 500 cinemas had reopened in China, roughly 5 percent of the cinemas in the country that were open before the outbreak. Variety reported that box office earnings remained minimal. But by March 27, they were closed again. Some Chinese movie theaters began to open in late July.
We will continue to update this article as the story develops.