Wait Some More | THE VIRAL Journal, Part 12

By Steve Coonan

Today the President announced that Americans will have to continue their social distancing until April 30.  New York City is seeing many cases and hospitalizations, as well as California, New Jersey, Illinois and Washington State.  Also enacted were travel bans out of many of these states to further stop the spread of the virus.  It will be 32 more days before we can try to resume our lives prior to this pandemic.

In light of the news, American musicians wanted to cheer our spirits so tonight we were treated to the nation to the FOX and iHeart Media’s “Living Room Concert for America”. This attracted 8.7 million viewers across FOX, Fox News Channel, Fox Business, Fox Sports1, Fox Sports 2 and FOX Deportes.

It was hosted by Elton John  aired commercial-free, using breaks to encourage viewers to donate to Feeding America and First Responders Children’s Foundation. The performers were also quarantining and performed from their homes while observing social distancing guidelines. Artists including Alicia Keys, Backstreet Boys, Dave Grohl, Billie Eilish, Sam Smith, Camilla Cabello, Shawn Mendes, H.E.R., Billie Joe Armstong Demi Lovato, Tim McGraw and Mariah Carey.  In between songs the first responders where highlighted from nurses, doctors, janitors, grocers, truck drivers, police and firemen. 

The amount of money donated hasn’t been revealed yet, but Proctor and Gamble immediately donated $500,000 which Fox matched. It was a time to listen to music, forget our woes, appreciate those in danger helping us and to be grateful. 

This too shall pass,

Steve

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Our e-journal documents the COVID-19 pandemic from our viewpoint within our community. In the short-term, we hope it promotes connectivity and contrast within our shirtBOARD network. In the long-term, we hope it gives timely interpretations of the event to provide insight and understanding for future generations.