This may be the scariest news conference about the coronavirus to date, because Donald Trump has all but said he is going to do what he can to break the mandatory quarantines and get people back to work, and he says it will happen "quickly."
His statement flies in the face of people who have devoted their lives to infectious diseases -- like Dr. Anthony Fauci -- who has said the virus and not people [politicians] set the timeline.
Trump said later in his news conference when he first learned of the disease, he thought the death toll would be way higher than it is. Yay?
And, there's this ... he said when people go back to work, they can still practice as much social distancing as possible. This suggests at times, we all have to come in close contact ... which is probably true and almost certainly dangerous.
Cara Delevingneis the proud new foster parent of an adorable little puppy ... and she's already bringing the pooch on her essential coronavirus errands!!!
The "Suicide Squad" star and her girlfriend, Ashley Benson, hit up Erewhon Market in Los Angeles Thursday afternoon ... stocking up on some quarantine food and showing off their furry friend.
Cara says she's fostering two dogs during coronavirus quarantine, Bowie and Hendrix ... and Ashley carried one over her shoulder as they ventured into the store.
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As we reported ... more and more people are adopting and fostering pets during the coronavirus pandemic, giving the adorable animals some much-needed companionship and love, and more importantly, a home.
Cara and Ashley definitely seem to be loving their new pups ... and she's encouraging other folks to follow her lead.
Puppies certainly make grocery store runs a helluva lot cuter!!!
R. Kelly's latest pitch to be released pending his trial in Illinois federal court centers on his fear -- like most Americans - of coming down with COVID-19.
The disgraced singer's attorney, Steven Greenberg, filed a motion Thursday in which he refers to coronavirus spreading around the world, and the health risks he believes he's facing while penned up in Chicago MCC. "No matter what steps they take the sanitation will be substandard, the risk of an internal pandemic at the MCC is great."
Kelly says social-distancing is near impossible in the jail, soap is only available to inmates who can afford to buy it from the commissary -- and don't mention hand sanitizer. He claims there's just ONE large bottle on the visiting floor ... but it is labeled, "STAFF ONLY."
He says forcing anyone to remain under these conditions is "tantamount to making them drink poison."
Kelly wants to be released on bond, and says he's willing to wear electronic monitoring -- although he notes it's not really necessary, because during the current pandemic he's a "low risk" to go outside at all.
As for where he'd live -- Kelly says he'd shack up with his last remaining girlfriend, Joycelyn Savage, at an apartment complex in Chicago.
TMZ broke the story ... Kelly's legal team was blocked from visiting him in prison last week and it was all due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Kelly's lawyers had wanted to check on his health while also discussing strategy, given his ever-growing legal mess.
In the new docs, Kelly points out that keeping his attorneys and other visitors from entering doesn't solve the problem of possible exposure ... because there's always new inmates entering.
As we reported ... Kelly -- currently behind bars in Illinois as he awaits his trial -- recently got slapped with a slew of new charges by federal prosecutors in NY. The new indictment is related to 2 new alleged victims, one of whom was under 18 when she claimed she had sex with the singer in 2015.
The indictment includes charges of coercion and enticement, coercion of a minor and transportation of a minor across state lines. Kelly's also been hit with new racketeering charges including allegations he used "force, threats of force, physical restraint and threats of physical restraint."
Evangeline Lilly's apologizing for the "insensitivity" she showed toward the very serious coronavirus crisis facing the world, saying she was trying to infuse "calm into the hysteria" ... but she was scared too.
The actress sent out her sorries on Instagram Thursday, saying she's realized her original message suggesting she was against self-quarantining and subsequent silence since then "has sent a dismissive, arrogant and cryptic message" ... and she seems to want everyone to know she's on their same page now.
Lilly says she's been social distancing where she lives since March 18 and doing her part to "flatten the curve" by staying home with her family.
She suggests when she first stated she valued freedom over life and was making the choice to not self-quarantine with her kids ... she didn't grasp the gravity of the situation.
Evangeline says she began to change her mind when precautionary directives changed and decided to follow the rules.
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Now, she says she's realized her original message was hurtful to people who've been greatly impacted by the suffering COVID-19 has brought ... and sends her "direct and special apologies" to them.
She claims she was "projecting my own fears into an already fearful and traumatic situation."
Philadelphia 76ers partner Michael Rubin came up with a creative way to help those fighting the coronavirus pandemic -- by turning baseball jerseys into masks and gowns!!
Rubin's Fanatics company -- which makes official MLB unis -- has halted all jersey production and instead, they're using the materials for the jerseys to make essential products for frontline workers in Pennsylvania.
Rubin said the PA governor hit him up asking for help ... and the dude delivered, saying he's planning to make 1 million masks and gowns to help Pennsylvania and eventually more states in need.
The finished product is actually pretty dope ... with the Phillies and Yankees pinstripes clearly recognizable in a new form.
"Thanks to @MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred for not only agreeing to halting production of MLB jerseys, but also doing everything possible to make this happen as quickly as possible!!" Rubin tweeted.
"And thanks to our incredible associates who raised their hands and wanted to be part of the effort to help the frontline heroes in this war stem the spread of the virus!!"
Dr. Anthony Fauci is moving further into the good graces of Americans looking for guidance amid the coronavirus pandemic ... his mug is now on a super-popular donut.
Here's the deal ... a bakery in upstate New York is selling new donuts with Dr. Fauci's face on them, and the sweet treats are flying off the shelves!!!
Donuts Delite in Rochester started selling the donuts with Dr. Fauci's face earlier this week, and the bakery says they've already sold hundreds of 'em.
Dr. Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert who has become a fixture in daily TV briefings on the virus, is gonna like the delivery options too ... because the bakery is offering curbside pickup, takeout and contact-less delivery.
The Dr. Fauci donut is a plain donut with frosting and if you want, you can it get it with filling. His face is printed on wafer-thin edible paper and placed upon a layer of buttercream frosting. Yum!!!
Dr. Fauci's not only helping save lives with his expertise, he's becoming a rising star in pop culture ... and he just did a fascinating Q&A with Steph Curry, which drew rave reviews from Barack Obama.
Quick, someone get a dozen Dr. Fauci donuts to our junk-food eatin' President!!!
New York Sports Clubs members are pissed they're still paying, but not playing while the gyms are shut down due to the pandemic ... so they're suing.
Mary Namorato filed a class-action lawsuit Thursday against NY Sports Clubs and its parent company, Town Sports International, claiming that despite closing its doors on March 16 due to the coronavirus, it's still charging customers monthly dues.
In docs, obtained by TMZ, Namorato estimates TSI is raking in around $30 million per month from its customers, who have been ordered to remain home to help stem the spread of the virus.
She calls TSI's conduct "particularly reprehensible as it is stealing hard-earned money New Yorkers now need more than ever to pay for the necessities of life -- such as food and rent for themselves and their families -- despite the fact that its gyms are closed and TSI is not able to provide the services for which it is charging customers."
What's more ... Namorato claims TSI -- which operates gyms nationwide -- has a long history of refusing to honor member cancellation requests. She also points to the Attorney General of Washington D.C. having gone after TSI not once but TWICE for similar issues in the past. The lawsuit also drags out a ton of complaints from customers ... and, for good measure, mentions TSI's "F" rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Namorato's suing for damages and to get TSI to stop making customers jump through hoops to cancel memberships. We've reached out to TSI, so far, no word back.
Steph Curryjust stepped up and finally asked Dr. Anthony Fauci the question MILLIONS of Americans want to know -- WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET SPORTS BACK!?!?
The NBA superstar connected with the man heading up the White House Coronavirus Task Force for a video chat Thursday to get as much info as he could about the pandemic, without President Trump trying to sugarcoat it.
Oh, and there was a bonus (comment) cameo from Barack Obama!
The whole conversation was fascinating -- not only did Steph get answers about what needs to happen before we can have major sporting events and public gatherings, but Curry also revealed he was tested for COVID-19 a few weeks ago when he was showing symptoms.
Steph says his symptoms were minor and he appears okay now -- and Dr. Fauci praised the 32-year-old for not rushing to the hospital right away.
"You did the right thing! If someone right now gets flu-like symptoms, a fever, aches and a bit of a cough, the first thing you do is stay at home. Don't go to the emergency room because you might be affecting others."
Fauci added, "Get on the phone with a physician, a nurse of a healthcare provider. Get instruction from them on what to do and if available, you can get a test."
"But, the critical issue is don't flood the emergency room. Stay at home. If you're really obviously seriously ill, then you gotta go quickly there but if you just have aches, pains and a fever stay where you are but contact your physician."
There's more ... during the chat, Steph's good pal President Obama added some words of encouragement to the guys.
FYI, Dr. Fauci is a HUGE basketball fan -- he's even got a hoop in his office (which you can see in the shot!).
Barbara Corcoran knows real estate and knows the market is grinding to a halt, but she also says now's the time to score a steal.
The "Shark Tank" star was on "TMZ Live" Thursday and while she's always on the hunt for real estate, she told us what she's seen in the market -- since widespread quarantines began -- and it's basically slim to none.
That being said, you can count on Barbara to find the silver lining. She told us buyers who are willing to pay special attention to details can find properties discounted by as much as 25%. She's seen it happen in NYC, and says that kinda deal won't be uncommon due to the harsh economic reality facing millions of Americans.
Check out the video ... she says if sellers are willing to list right now during a pandemic, it's likely because they're desperate to unload the property. That adds up to great deals ... if you're able to buy now.
Barbara also tells ya what kinda listing you should be looking for if you're in the market to buy. Pay attention, baby sharks ... if ya wanna swim in the big tank.
11:53 AM PT -- Globetrotters GM Jeff Munn just released a statement on Curly's passing ... saying "We have lost one of the most genuine human beings the world has ever known."
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“His basketball skill was unrivaled by most, and his warm heart and huge smile brought joy to families worldwide. He always made time for his many fans and inspired millions.”
Tragic day for the basketball community ... beloved Harlem Globetrotters legend Fred "Curly" Neal has passed away. He was 77 years old.
Curly became one of the most recognizable players for the Globies during his 22-year stint with the team ... playing in more than 6,000 games.
Neal's #22 jersey was retired in 2008 ... one of just 5 players to receive the honor.
Curly was also featured in several of the Globetrotters' TV specials ... including "The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island" and "The Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Special" ... as well as 'Scooby-Doo.'
Curly was the team's elite ball handler for the Globetrotters after a successful career at Johnson C. Smith University ... where he averaged 23 points a game.
Fellow Globetrotters legend Curley "Boo" Johnson mourned the loss of his friend on Twitter, saying "Last night the World lost a true ambassador of the game of basketball and outside of Muhammad Ali one of the most recognizable faces on the Planet!"
G-Eazy is making sure kids on his home turf don't go hungry while sheltering in place due to coronavirus ... hooking 'em up with free grub.
Here's the deal ... the Bay Area rapper, through his Endless Summer Fund, is providing meals to local at-risk youths in San Francisco -- and the G-Eazy gravy train is gonna be running for the next month, we're told.
G-Eazy's partnering with Larkin Street Youth Services to fund a local food truck which will help reach community members who can't easily access meals at Larkin’s walk-in sites. The food truck will provide lunch 7 days a week for the next month, the duration of San Fran's shelter-in-place order.
The name of the food truck is Mi Morena and it's equipped with a full commercial kitchen. G-Eazy’s Endless Summer Fund is footing the bill ... and Larkin Street Youth Services is a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness in the Bay.
As you know, schools across the country are closed due to the coronavirus outbreak ... and unfortunately, millions of students depend on schools for daily meals, so they need all the assistance they can get.
Arnold Schwarzeneggerlaunched a similar initiative earlier this month ... partnering with TikTok to donate $3 million to help provide meals to needy kids across the nation.
3:17 PM PT -- Madonna, who was also a big part of "Desperately Seeking Susan" just posted a heartfelt tribute to the actor, saying, "Another reminder that this virus is no joke."
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Mark Blum, famous for starring in "Desperately Seeking Susan" and "Crocodile Dundee" ... has died as a result of complications from the coronavirus.
Mark, who also starred as Mr. Mooney in the hit series, "You," and acted on Broadway, was a true working actor.
Blum played Gary Glass in 1985's 'DSS' ... and he played Richard Mason in 1986's "Crocodile Dundee."
The veteran character actor was well known within the NYC theater community ... Mark appeared on Broadway in Neil Simon's "Lost In Yonkers" plus Gore Vidal's "The Best Man," and many more. He also won an Obie Award for his work in the Playwrights Horizons production of an Albert Innaurto play, "Gus and Al."
The rapidly spreading novel coronavirus has already led to more than 19,600 deaths across the globe, including several celebrities ... COVID-19 is also believed to have killed American playwright Terrence McNally, Italian actress Lucia Bosè and celeb chefFloyd Cardoz.
Here's what it's come to in Los Angeles ... you can't go inside the courthouse anymore to file a lawsuit .... one brave soul stands by the door, grabs your legal docs, and then sends you on your way.
The main courthouse in Downtown L.A. is now posting a court clerk by the dropbox. She receives and monitors lawsuit filings from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
It's become increasingly difficult and in some cases impossible to get justice these days. No such thing as a jury trial at most courthouses -- with good reason, of course. And, increasingly, it's hard to get any matter heard before a judge.
Check out the restrictions at the Downtown L.A. courthouse ... and with the direction things are going, the list will get longer.
There have been real issues with family law in many states. We're told a number of family law courts are only hearing domestic violence cases. There are other issues -- especially regarding child and spousal support -- that have just been put on ice.
Joe Rogan is blasting Gal Gadot for what he sees as a serious case of tone-deafness ... Joe says she's a "f***ing idiot" for singing "imagine there's no heaven."
Joe just gave Gal an epic dressing down on his podcast, ripping her for getting tons of her celebrity friends to sing John Lennon's "Imagine" in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.
The way Joe sees it ... "This is not the time when everyone's grannie is dying, you f***ing idiot, to sing, 'Imagine there's no heaven.' It's such a dumb move."
As you know ... Gal and her famous friends -- including Will Ferrell, Natalie Portman, Amy Adams, Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Kravitz, Kristen Wiig and Sarah Silverman -- sang parts of Lennon's famous tune and posted it on social media while in self-isolation.
Joe says they're all a bunch of "knuckleheads" ... he thinks it's really not what the country needs at this time, and says they all stink at singing anyways.
Comedian Tom Segura, Joe's podcast guest, thinks Gal and her buddies probably feel like they did something significant, but he says it's really a slap in the face to many.
Tom joked ... "I lost my job at the meatpacking plant, but Gal Gadot sang 'Imagine.'"
U.S. Army soldiers based in South Korea won't be getting their fitness on in their usual spot -- the main gym on base is closed due to someone contracting the coronavirus.
Lt. Col. Robin Ochoa of the U.S. Army tells TMZ ... Camp Humphreys, located some 40 miles south of Seoul, will close it's so-called "super gym" because an individual on the base who tested positive for COVID-19 had recently visited the gym.
We're told staff is sterilizing the gym but hasn't determined when it will reopen, the location serves nearly 40,000 residents at Camp Humphreys ... the largest overseas base in the world. According to the military outlet Stars and Stripes, U.S. Forces Korea announced late Thursday an 11th individual affiliated with USFK tested positive for COVID-19 but provided no additional details about who or the timeline.
So far, there have been just over 9,200 cases in South Korea ... resulting in 131 deaths.
John Finlay -- one of the stars of the hit Netflix docuseries 'Tiger King' and Joe Exotic's ex-husband -- has a nice new set of pearly whites ... that almost make him look like a different person.
John tells TMZ ... he actually got his teeth redone in July 2019 all at once -- they're dentures -- and he's a little miffed at Netflix and the filmmakers because they never showed it.
We're told there's plenty of footage and photos of John fixing his smile but for whatever reason ... none of it made the final cut of 'Tiger King.'
Finlay also wants to clarify something about his gnarly teeth -- they weren't the result of meth abuse. Though John admits meth was a drug of choice for him in the doc, we're told his teeth were messed up before that, due to genetic reasons. He told us he has not touched drugs in 6 years.
John is currently working as a welder and living in central Oklahoma with his fiancee Stormey. We're told she's the one with John at the end of the series when he's getting his Joe Exotic tattoo reworked.
As for why Finlay's shirtless the entire time he's being interviewed on 'Tiger King' ... our sources say that was the idea of one of the producers, and John went with it.
For more on Finlay, ya gotta watch 'Tiger King' on Netflix, and also check out the podcast "Joe Exotic: Tiger King" by Robert Moor on Joe Exotic's story ... including more with John.