As the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise, Hampton University cancels its commencement, and more celebrities are stepping in to help their communities amid the outbreak.
On Thursday, the U.S. became the country with the most confirmed cases of the coronavirus COVID-19 in the world, with at least 24 states having more than 100 new cases. As of Friday morning, the nation has 85,755 total cases of coronavirus COVID-19.
In total, 25,042 people have died around the world from the disease, and 128,705 people have recovered. Among those that have lost their lives to the deadly virus is longtime actor Mark Blum, who starred in Desperately Seeking Susan, Crocodile Dundee, and the Netflix series You. Blum passed away on March 25 at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, according to his wife.
Hampton University has fallen in line with many other institutions by canceling its commencement ceremony for graduate students. Hampton University President William R. Harvey made the announcement on Wednesday. But rather than permanently canceling the celebration, Harvey has decided to postpone it to September 25. “The decision to postpone instead of cancel Commencement was made because we feel so strongly about the importance of the ceremony to students, their families, alumni, and the entire Hampton University community,” Dr. Harvey said.
Among the numerous closures and cancelations is this year’s Governors Ball. Organizers shared the news via Twitter on Thursday. “It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the cancellation of Governors Ball 2020 due to COVID-19,” organizers wrote. “Simply put – due to current government mandates and the evolving situation in NYC, it is neither safe nor prudent to move forward with our June dates. The well-being of our fans, artists, staff, vendors, partners, and the surrounding NYC community is always our #1 priority.”
While things seem dim, celebrities are stepping in to brighten their communities. New Orleans Saints player #DrewBrees and his wife Brittany announced on Thursday that they would be donating $5 million to the State of Louisiana for relief efforts to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, CBS Sports reports. The couple encouraged their followers to “all do our part, maintain hope, and get through this together.” #BillClinton and #HillaryClinton will also be paying it forward to health officials. The political couple sent over 400 pizzas to all the hospitals in their home county of Westchester “as a small token of their appreciation for everything medical professionals are doing for their communities,” according to Angel Ureña, spokesman for President Clinton. The Clintons sent a note that read, “Thank you for protecting our communities. From Bill and Hillary Clinton.”
The top provider of MLB hats, jerseys and other merchandise has also pitched in to help health care workers by making face masks and gowns out of jersey material. #MichaelRubin, the executive director of Fanatics, said last week that he talked to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred about the effort. “The COVID-19 crisis has compelled our country to be more collaborative, innovative, and strategic than ever before,” Rubin said in a statement to MLB.com. “As the demand for masks and gowns has surged, we’re fortunate to have teamed up with Major League Baseball to find a unique way to support our frontline workers in this fight to stem the virus, who are in dire need of essential resources.”
The good deeds from celebs stretch all the way to the Bay Area, as rapper G-Eazy has promised to provide meals to at-risk youths in San Francisco through his Endless Summer Fund for the next month. The 30-year-old’s plan comes as part of a collaborative effort with Larkin Street Youth Services, which will fund a local food truck that will access individuals who struggle reaching Larkin walk-in centers. TMZ reports the food truck will provide lunch seven days a week for the next month, which is the entirety of the city’s shelter-in-place order.
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