TMZ

A tiger housed at New York City’s Bronx Zoo has tested positive for COVID-19, which makes it the first-known animal in the U.S. to have contracted coronavirus. The Wildlife Conservation Society — which runs the facility and cares for the animals at the zoo — made the announcement Sunday, saying a 4-year-old Malayan female tiger named Nadia has tested positive for the disease, which up until recently mostly affected just humans. The diagnosis was confirmed by the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Lab. The org adds other animals of theirs that have shown COVID-19 symptoms of late, including three other tigers and four lions, which have developed a dry cough, but all of which are expected to fully recover. Presumably, those other big cats will get tested too. The Malayan tiger marks the first U.S-based animal case of coronavirus and the first case in a tiger anywhere in the world. Different animals — including at least a couple dogs — in China have reportedly contracted COVID-19, but it hasn’t gotten to our furry domesticated friends … or at least as far as we know. It’s pretty frightening … and just goes to show the virus can, indeed, spread and adapt fairly rapidly. With this in mind, we imagine people will start having major convos about how to deal with the animal kingdom … as that’s a whole other swab of potential patients we’d have to care for on top of all the people already infected. BTW, the Bronx Zoo has been closed since March 16 — and, as you might know, NYC is considered the epicenter of coronavirus cases here in the States. Scary stuff … Read Full Article

There’s an ancient song by Peter Paul and Mary, which lyrics include this — “When will they ever learn?” — and it has sudden relevance today because open-air markets were packed this weekend, and it’s insane. Check out the Studio City Farmers Market in L.A. Sunday, packed with scores of people crowding in … some of whom were not wearing face masks. Again, the mask protects people from those who might have the virus, and people who know what they’re talking about are urging everyone to wear anything other than the professional-grade masks when they’re out and about. And, look at this … a line of people way closer than 6 feet apart are lining a sidewalk outside of a Hermosa Beach (SoCal.) bar, drinking, talking and violating social distancing rules. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a temporary suspension of all farmers markets until they could come up with a workable, safe plan. Fact is … it’s not happening in L.A. or elsewhere. The good news … Garcetti shut down the Brentwood Farmer’s Market after there were insanely large crowds packed in last weekend, but the Market has now changed its ways … and people are staying appropriately apart. This is a problem all over the country, and it underscores the need for the federal government to step up and URGE ALL GOVERNORS to impose a stay-at-home order because it’s hard enough even when an order is in place. Read Full Article

A couple in New Orleans just tied the knot with one of the most creative — and probably sweetest — ceremonies we’ve seen in a while … and it was quarantine friendly!!! The two lovebirds are Alex Cotant and Darla Edin-Cotant, and they got married Saturday right on their front-porch in a part of town called Mid-City. It was a small ceremony (very small, in fact) because they didn’t have very many guests besides their next-door neighbors. After they said “I do” in front of their doorway — and in front of a minister pal, who officiated — Alex and Darla hit the stoop below them and had a little sidewalk reception for the whole block to see, including their first dance … which was complete with a live music cameo. The guitarist you see here helping them swoon is local musician Mike Doussan, who tells TMZ … he got on over there in a heartbeat after a friend told him what was happening. He says he played two songs for them, both originals, and it looks like the bride and groom were digging the tunes — sneaking in kisses between swaying and boogieing down. BTW, there’s a reason Mike was ready at the drop of a hat … he tells us he’s been doing livestream gigs from his own front-porch lately since every venue around town is closed. As for the at-home wedding … it too has become a thing, especially as folks rush to cash in on their marriage licenses — which will expire within a month or so if they don’t pull the trigger. Courthouses are shut down too, so you can’t get more anytime soon. Sure seems like Alex and Darla got their vows in right in the nick of time. Congrats! Read Full Article

A college student who had his diploma ceremony stripped away because of the coronavirus got creative on behalf of his grandmother — and a UPS driver was happy to help. The at-home impromptu graduation ceremony went down last week in Richmond, Virginia, where the guy says he waited for his diploma to arrive from his school — James Madison University — via snail mail, but while waiting … he got dressed up in his cap and gown. And, get this … it was for his granny, who wanted to see her grandson graduate and walk. Awwwwww!!!! Anyway, it’s unclear if the UPS driver who eventually showed up to deliver the goods was in on what was happening, but he was a good sport and handed the kid his diploma. It started out from a safe distance, but they eventually did appear to get closer than 6 feet. At any rate, the makeshift grad celebration isn’t all that uncommon right now among college students — seeing how pretty much all of their spring semesters were scrapped outright amid the pandemic. No more school activities for a while, and that means stuff like this. Good to see he took matters into his own hands and got creative. Lifts the spirits, don’t it? Read Full Article

Queen Elizabeth II just delivered an official palace address to the UK about the coronavirus pandemic — her basic message … hang in there, y’all!!! We’re being flip, but that’s the gist of Her Majesty’s broadcast speech. QE2 tells the British to maintain their resolve, keep their good humor and spirits about them and that together … we’ll all come out on the other side of this challenging time, across the pond and beyond. You can watch the full speech above, but what’s interesting about it is the historical nature of the Queen delivering remarks like this at all — it rarely happens outside of Christmas. Sunday’s address marks just the fourth time Liz has spoken to the public in an official speech — again, besides her annual Christmas talks — during her 68-year reign as Queen of England. So yeah, it’s a big deal she felt the need to talk now. The ‘rona got to her! One other interesting note … according to Deadline, the Queen’s speech here was filmed with just one cameraman in the room with her (fully decked out in protective gear) while the rest of the crew monitored and tinkered from other rooms in the building. Considering Prince Charles got hit with COVID-19 himself, the precautions probably a good idea around QE2. She’s right in that age group where coronavirus can hit hard. Read Full Article

Tekashi 6ix9ine is back to his trolling ways for the first time since getting out of prison — his first order of business … letting L.A.’s Mayor he’s down to rat out quarantine breakers. The rapper just commented on an IG post by TSR, which captured a photo/headline of Mayor Eric Garcetti telling Los Angelenos he would be willing to offer “rewards” to folks who snitch on businesses and others blatantly breaking the city-wide stay-at-home order. Tekashi’s official two cents … “Coming to the rescue.” Short and sweet, but it speaks volumes (somewhat hilariously) for a number of reasons. For starters, this appears to be 6ix9ine’s first social media interaction that we’ve seen from his official account in a long time — since November 2018, in fact, when he first got locked up on racketeering charges — so it’s noteworthy in that sense. Out of prison, back online. Also, it’s funny Tekashi’s commenting on a timely topic — namely, the coronavirus chaos happening all around us — while also touching on something he knows all too well … singing like a canary. Granted he’s in NYC, not L.A. … but it’s the though that counts. If his music career doesn’t take off again like he’d planned, maybe the dude’s got a career in comedy. He’s got us chuckling 😅 Read Full Article

‘Bachelor’ Nation, meet your new fix — a couple dudes in SF started their own quarantine dating show, but they’ve nixed the roses and replaced it with a way more precious item. Two former Yelp employees in the Bay Area — Tyler Cohen and Jimmy Parenteau — already had a virtual dating show in the works prior to the coronavirus outbreak, but when it hit … they pivoted and launched “Quarantined Bachelor.” It’s exactly how it sounds … a single gentleman is chosen as a bachelor, and he’s introduced to a bunch of potential suitors via Zoom, who then go on individual dates with the fella and eventually … get whittled down to a final 3 via elimination. Just like ABC’s hit series. Tyler and Jimmy told the SF Chronicle the big difference with their show — besides no physical interaction — is the rose ceremony … which ditches the petals and replaces it with paper. Toilet paper, that is!!! It also goes without saying, the stakes for ‘QB’ aren’t as high … no proposal, just an eventual in-person date. The first season of ‘Quarantined Bachelor’ is actually already wrapped and completely up episode by episode on the show’s official IG page. They also found their leading man — his name is Richard Shall, and he seems like quite a catch. Now, keep in mind … the production value isn’t anywhere near what you might be used to on network television, so lower your expectations. That said … it might become a blueprint for actual ‘Bachelor’ producers the longer this quarantining goes on. Read Full Article

This is a terrifying scene for every store clerk these days — a woman coughing and spitting in rage while checking out at a California Walmart!!! The crazy altercation went down in Eureka, CA when the woman got into a spat over her bill while she was at the register this past week. Apparently, she felt she was overcharged and wanted to glance at the screen, but the Walmart worker told her to back up. That’s when the spit started hitting the fan. A manager walked over and tried to calm her down, but the womqn spun into a full-blown meltdown … suddenly beginning to cough and SPIT on a Walmart staffer … who immediately dialed 9-1-1. If you thought that was crazy, just watch the cringe-worthy aftermath of her trying to explain why she did what she did. Spoiler … it’s got something to do with a crackpot theory about dispelling phlegm, to get rid of the virus. She also brought up “dumb blondes.” Anyway, there’s more … but we’ll let you watch. Eventually, cops reportedly arrived and escorted her out. It’s unclear if she was arrested. Read Full Article

A super-popular weekend spot in the nation’s capital was super dangerous Saturday, when crowds of people swarmed into a relatively tight space, squarely violating social distancing rules. Check out the pic of the Wharf, where lots of locals descend to buy fresh seafood … especially crab legs and shrimp. D.C. has a stay-at-home order, but people are allowed to go out and shop.  Problem here … they’re WAY too close together. Notice the sign, warning people to stay 6 feet apart. Some are wearing masks … but most aren’t. It’s actually pretty incredible because at this point you have to be living under a rock not to understand the need to keep your distance. The Deputy Mayor shut the market down Saturday night. As we reported, mayors of various cities have shut these open markets down. TMZ first reported, Katherine Schwarzenegger blew the whistle on shoppers at the Brentwood Farmers Market last weekend, and when she did Mayor Eric Garcetti swiftly shut the market down until safety measures were enacted. Read Full Article

Well this is frightening … a Texas pastor is selling a new cure for the virus … just blow it away. Check out this video from Televangelist Kenneth Copeland, who sermonized to his congregation Thursday that with a little wind and heat, he could take the wind out of the sails of the deadly virus. Copeland, who heads up the Copeland Ministries out of Fort Worth, has been in the biz for 52 years, but this sermon has gotta take the cake. He has promised his congregants that the virus would end soon. Let’s hope Trump doesn’t hear about the Pastor’s “cure.” Read Full Article