Coronavirus cancels our favorite entertainment

As the outbreak of the coronavirus continues to take center stage in every headline on every newspaper, news channel, and online journal that exists, many are bewildered about how to continue their day-to-day lives and what can be done to contain the virus.

The virus has just been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization and many are still coping with straategies on fighting it.

Global industries such as the stock market and traveling agencies are experiencing the shockwaves of the virus.

The entertainment industry is no exception to this global turn of events.

A prime example of the influence of the coronavirus is the cancellation of popular music festival South by Southwest, or SXSW, which takes place annually in Austin, TX.

The popular festival, which attracts thousands of visitors has decided to not go ahead with plans to conduct the event for the first time in decades.  “We are devastated to share this news with you,” said SXSW organizers. “The show must go on’ is in our DNA, and this is the first time in 34 years that the March event will not take place.”

Another blow to festivals across the nation was the cancellation of acclaimed festivals Coachella and Stagecoach, which both take place in California. They, instead, will be moved to October later this year.

Artists like newly-reunited hard rock band Rage Against The Machine, Frank Ocean, and Travis Scott were all scheduled to perform at Coachella.

The state of California has confirmed 167 cases of the coronavirus along with two deaths.

Goldenvoice, which organizes the festival every year, said in a statement on Twitter, “At the direction of the County of Riverside and local health authorities, we must sadly confirm the rescheduling of Coachella and Stagecoach due to COVID-19 concerns.

While this decision comes at a time of universal uncertainty, we take the safety and health of our guests, staff and community very seriously. “We urge everyone to follow the guidelines and protocols put forth by public health officials.”

Seattle-based rockers Pearl Jam have also decided to postpone their upcoming tour due to alerts of the coronavirus.

The band posted a tweet that said, “Unfortunately, communing in large groups is a huge part of what we do as a band and the tour we’ve been busy planning for months is now in jeopardy.  “We have and will always keep the safety and well-being of our supporters as top priority.” The band made the decision after their hometown Seattle, a part of King County, became exposed to the outbreak.

So far, there have been 180 cases of the virus reported along with 22 deaths in the state of Washington.

Pearl Jam are not the only artists delaying their tour due to the outbreak.

Pop star Madonna just recently announced that she will be canceling her “Madame X” tour with just two remaining shows left in Paris.

Her website provided a statement with, “Following official notification from the Office of the Police this morning prohibiting all events with an audience attendance of over 1000, Live Nation regrets to announce the final two Madame X performances previously re-scheduled to 10-March and 11-March are forced to be canceled.”

Other artists such as Queen, Louis Tomlinson, Yungblud, Mariah Carey, Maluma, Green Day, and BTS have all canceled  events in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Besides music, film studios have also decided to move the release of films backward in an effort to slow down the virus’ progress.

Upcoming movie “No Time To Die” has also been pushed back seven months from April 10 to November 25, due to the virus.

Sony has also decided to move another one of its future releases “Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway” backward five months.