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This was bound to happen -- several stands have popped up across L.A. selling COVID-19 protective gear ... but for once, vendors are NOT fearing getting shut down by cops.

We're told one stand in particular just off Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood is selling black masks ($10), masks with designs ($5), face coverings ($20), 10-pack gloves ($5) and boxes of gloves ($20) and bodysuits ($20). The vendor at this stand tells us her dad owns a medical supply company and he gave her a stash to sell.

This is just one example of the several stands setting up shop across town. Those who shop are also encouraged to practice social distancing ... like in the sign posted at the shop on Sunset Blvd. It's no coincidence why there have been more and more stands like this popping up ... since L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered residents last week that they must wear masks or other types of face-coverings when inside grocery stores and other essential businesses.

Now, normally when these stands pop up they're usually shut down when cops roll up asking to see a permit. LAPD sources, however, tell TMZ ... they're largely letting vendors handle their business. But, there are exceptions.

We're told cops will interfere if there are large crowds, price gouging and those sorts of things. In short, cops understand the items being sold are really necessary right now and these stands provide a cheap and incredibly quick alternative. An easy search for these items on Amazon shows orders not being fulfilled until at least late April to early May.

But, good luck trying to sell these items in Bev Hills. We're told anyone selling them there will need a peddler's permit. Either way, the town for the rich and famous has been a ghost town as of late.

Tons of luxury stores in the 90201 have not only closed shop ... they've emptied out their merch to avoid being victims of looting. Some shops even boarded up their storefront. Saint Laurent, Cartier and Louis Vuitton are just some of the stores that got out of dodge.

Dr. Deborah Birx is in the hall of fame -- the Bobblehead Hall of Fame -- and like Dr. Fauci before her ... her plastic likeness will raise funds for protective gear for medical workers.

Bobbleheads for Birx -- the coronavirus response coordinator for the White House task force -- went on pre-sale Wednesday for $25, and 5 bucks from each sale will be donated to the American Hospital Association's Protect the Heroes campaign ... according to National Bobblehead HOF and Museum co-founder Phil Sklar.

Sklar says ... "Bobbleheads are the ultimate honor, and we think Dr. Birx deserves it, given what she has done and continues to do for our country and the world in the battle against COVID-19."

Birx's figurine features her wearing one of her signatures scarves, which have garnered a fan following -- one Instagram account has more than 17,000 followers. The bobbleheads are expected to ship in July.

Joaquin Phoenix is joining the chorus of people advocating for some prisoners to be released in order to prevent a coronavirus outbreak among the incarcerated.

The "Joker" star's specifically calling for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to grant clemency to NY inmates, saying ... "The spread of coronavirus in prisons threatens the health and safety of all of us."

Phoenix adds that prisoners are unable to practice proper social distancing or maintain good hygiene, putting them at greater risk of infection, and says ... "No one deserves to die in prison from COVID-19."

It's unclear exactly what category of prisoner the actor's suggesting be released -- his message was delivered by the Release Aging People in Prison Campaign -- but Cuomo's office say they're already working on it.

Secretary to the Governor, Melissa DeRosa, tells TMZ ... a process has begun to release inmates "with 90 days or less remaining on their sentence who are 55 years of age or older, and whose underlying crime was not a violent felony or a sex offense."

This sounds similar to the "compassionate release" of qualifying prisoners Van Jones has been pushing for amid the pandemic ... meaning low-level and non-violent offenders.

Of course, many prisons across the country are already seeing high rates of coronavirus infection. Interestingly, one prison with ZERO cases is the supermax in Colorado that houses the most notorious criminals like El Chapo and the Unabomber.

Great news, sports fans ... Dr. Anthony Fauci is throwing out a way to bring back sports in America -- and it seems feasible!

"There's a way of doing that [bringing sports back]," Fauci said during a Snapchat interview.

Here's the plan ...

"Nobody comes to the stadium. Put them in big hotels, wherever you want to play. Keep them very well surveilled ... have them tested like every week and make sure they don’t wind up infecting each other or their family and just let them play the season out."

On a personal note, Fauci says he would LOVE to get sports back again -- he's a big baseball fan who loves the Washington Nationals.

"People say, 'Well you cant play without spectators.' I think you'll probably get enough buy-in from people who are dying to see a baseball game, particularly me!"

MLB has floated an idea that seems similar to Fauci's plan -- moving the players to Arizona and having them play in empty stadiums there.

Chippendales is making their fans' wildest fantasies come true -- you can finally bring home one of their exotic dancers!!!

The male revue is offering a new virtual experience called "Chippendales@Home" ... and the streaming parties allow party people to hang out with Chippendales dancers from the comfort of their own homes.

The virtual experience is a 30-minute party with at least 2 Chippendales dancers and you can chat, flirt, play games and most importantly -- give or receive a virtual lap dance!!!

The new service streams from platforms such as ZOOM, House Party, FaceTime or Google Hangout -- and Chippendales says it's way easier to get to know their performers in such an intimate group setting.

They're also offering FREE virtual parties for health care workers and first responders -- a well-deserved treat for them. Additionally, if you bought a ticket to a Chippendales show postponed by the pandemic ... you can also get a free party.

As we reported ... Chippendales has been going the digital route to keep clients entertained during shelter-in-place orders, with in-home workout tutorials.

But, now it's expanding, and the virtual lap dance sounds way more fun!!!

Tom Brady just offered up an INSANE package for COVID-19 relief efforts that includes his first-ever Buccaneers jersey ... and he's challenging Roger Goodell to one-up his donation!

TB12 on Wednesday officially joined the #AllIn movement -- a fundraiser started by 76ers partner Michael Rubin aimed at giving away amazing prizes in exchange for coronavirus donations -- and what Tom is offering up is pretty crazy.

The new Tampa Bay QB says the winner of his charity auction will score a trip to Florida for his first game as a Buccaneer and receive the FULL VIP treatment at Raymond James Stadium.

Tom also says the lucky auction winner will get his first Bucs jersey, his game-worn cleats from the day AND dinner with the GOAT after the game!!!

The starting bid for the once-in-a-lifetime experience? $50,000 -- and it seems like it's going up in a hurry!!

As for who Brady challenged to join him in the charity efforts ... he picked out his wife, Gisele, his buddy, Drake -- and, interestingly, NFL commish Goodell.

Of course, Brady and Goodell haven't had the best relationship over the years ... Roger famously suspended him FOUR GAMES back in 2015 for allegedly deflating footballs.

But, is this an olive branch from Tom??

Set your ovens to COVID-425 and get ready to join these stars in passing the time with some good eats ... from baking banana bread to preparing full-on feasts, these famous faces have really been getting creative in the kitchen.

Stars such as John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Jim Gaffigan, Amber Heard, and Selena Gomez are just some of the celebs that have spent this time showing off their culinary skills.

Who needs a recipe book when you can scroll through our gallery of quarantine cooking stars ... Get inspired by all of the other celebs that have also shared their creations!

Donald Trump is putting together a team of the most powerful people in U.S. sports to serve as advisors to get the country up and running again ... including Dana White, Adam Silver and even Vince McMahon!

POTUS says the team will help advise him on how to restart the economy and get pro sports going again in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We have to get sports back," Trump said at the White House ... "I'm tired of watching baseball games that are 14 years old."

Here are some of the names Trump mentioned ...

-- NBA Commish Adam Silver

-- NFL Commish Roger Goodell

-- NHL Commish Gary Bettman

-- MLB Commish Rob Manfred

-- Patriots owner Robert Kraft

-- Dallas Mavs owner Mark Cuban

-- UFC president Dana White

-- WWE owner Vince McMahon

-- Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones

He's also working with the top execs from the PGA, LPGA, NASCAR and MLS.

YNW Melly's going to have to get over the coronavirus from his jail cell -- a judge shot down his request to get out while awaiting his double murder trial.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ ... the rapper will remain in the Broward County Jail in Florida despite allegedly testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this month.

We broke the story ... Melly's lawyer, Bradford Cohen, filed docs claiming his client was suffering from several of the telltale symptoms of coronavirus -- chills, labored breathing, headaches and body aches -- after testing positive.

The rapper's side argued he's in danger of dying due to his infection, along with inadequate care and protection provided by the jail. Melly hoped the judge would release him to house arrest and allow him to be treated at a medical facility at his own expense ... but no dice.

In his order, the judge says if Melly needs special medical treatment while in jail, he can request it from the Broward Sheriff's Office.

This should come as good news for the families of Melly's alleged victims, who opposed the rapper's release request ... stating he didn't deserve it and could potentially be a threat to them and other witnesses.

As you know ... Melly's been in lockup for more than a year after being arrested and charged for the early 2019 double murder of 2 of his friends.