College Grad UPS Driver Plays a Diploma-Giver ... During At-Home Ceremony

SCHOLARLY DISTANCING
ViralHog

A college student who had her 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 Virginia, where the girl says she waited for her diploma to arrive from her school -- James Madison University -- via snail mail, but while waiting ... she got dressed up in her cap and gown.

And, get this ... it was for her granny, who wanted to see her granddaughter 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 her 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 she took matters into her own hands and got creative. Lifts the spirits, don't it?

'Quarantined Bachelor' IG Show Big Viral Hit in SF ... Zoom Dates, Toilet Paper Ceremony!!!

'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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

Coronavirus D.C. Residents Packed in Like Sardines ... Shopping for Crab

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.

Pastor Kenneth Copeland I'll Blow This Stinkin' Virus Away!!!

CORONAVIRUS BLOWS
Kenneth Copeland Ministries

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."

NFL Legend Tom Dempsey Dead at 73 From Coronavirus

Tom Dempsey, a legendary NFL kicker who is best known for a spectacular game-winning field goal, died Saturday from complications from the coronavirus.

Dempsey, who was born without toes on his right foot and without fingers on his right hand, was able to excel as an NFL kicker with the help of specially-designed shoes.

As for the legendary kick, it went down in 1970.  Dempsey was the kicker for the New Orleans Saints when they played the Detroit Lions, and he shattered the field goal record by 7 yards, propelling it 63 yards. The record has since been matched by 5 kickers and it was shattered -- actually more like broken -- by Denver Bronco kicker Matt Prater in 2013, when he scored a field goal from 64 yards.

Dempsey also played for the Eagles, the Rams, the Oilers and the Bills during his 11-year career.

The Saints said, "The New Orleans Saints family is deeply saddened and heartbroken at this most difficult time. Tom's life spoke directly to the power of the human spirit and exemplified his resolute determination to not allow setbacks to impede following his dreams and aspirations." He exemplified the same fight and fortitude in recent years as he battled valiantly against illnesses but never wavered and kept his trademark sense of humor."

As for how Dempsey contracted the virus ... he was living in a New Orleans retirement home where 15 patients have died from the disease. Louisiana has really gone through it ... more than 12,400 confirmed cases. New Orleans, where many contracted the virus during Mardi Gras, has had 153 deaths so far.

Dempsey grew up in CA and played football at Palomar College in SoCal. After calling it quits with the Saints, he became an oilfield salesman, and later became a high school football coach and a car dealership manager.

Dempsey had been battling dementia for years.

He's survived by his wife and 3 kids.

Dempsey was 73.

RIP

Elton John Donates a Mil ... To Prevent HIV Positive People from Contracting Coronavirus

NO ONE'S LEFT BEHIND

Elton John has dug deep into his pockets only to pull out a million bucks to protect people living with HIV from contracting the coronavirus.

Sir Elton posted a video, saying, "Today, I’m proud to announce that my Foundation is launching a $1million COVID-19 Emergency Fund to make sure that our frontline partners can respond to the effects of COVID-19 on HIV care for the most marginalized communities around the world."

The singer, who also hosted last Sunday's coronavirus relief concert, Fox Presents the iHeart Living Room Concert for America, has been a driving force in combating the AIDS epidemic for 30 years. People with HIV often have compromised immune systems, so they can be especially vulnerable in contracting the disease.

Elton says, "Now and always, I’m committed to not leave anyone affected by HIV behind. Visit http://ejaf.org/covid19 for more info. Sending love to all of our Foundation’s partners, grantees, supporters, frontline workers and members of our community during this time."

'Tiger King' Star Jeff Lowe Hot Nanny Says She's Real Deal ... But Part-Time Only

Jeff Lowe -- Joe Exotic's ex-business partner and mentor -- raised eyebrows on 'Tiger King' over his search for a nanny and has folks speculating it's all a stunt ... but the nanny in question tells TMZ -- she's legit, just not full-time.

Masha Diduk is the hot nanny Jeff and his pregnant wife, Lauren, wanted to hire on the Netflix docuseries, and Masha tells us ... she was indeed hired by the couple in September to care for their daughter.

She says she actually met Jeff and Lauren 4 years ago in Las Vegas -- where she lives and works as a model -- back when they drove to Sin City with a few tiger cubs ... as those who have seen 'Tiger King' recall.

We're told Masha's agreement was to work part-time as their baby girl's caretaker during business hours at Jeff's Oklahoma zoo -- mostly on weekends -- which she's been doing recently.

The nanny recently appeared with Jeff, Lauren and the baby on "Lights Out with David Spade," and rumors began swirling she was paid by Jeff to be there simply for the TV interview ... but she says that's not true.

Masha tells us her Vegas work has dried up because of the pandemic -- and Jeff's been busy moving the zoo to a new location -- so she really has been with the family taking care of baby Sarah.

Granted, the timing with the release and popularity of 'Tiger King' is suspicious at best.

As for 'Tiger King' ... Masha says it's entertaining, but she feels the producers twisted some things about Jeff. She says it made it seem like Jeff mistreated animals the way Joe Exotic did, but that's wrong ... and she wouldn't work for him if he did.

Coronavirus Super-Creative, Homemade Masks

If necessity really is the mother of invention, then lots of folks have stepped up with their own ways of staying relatively safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

Check out our gallery of homemade protective masks or reasonable facsimiles thereof. From party hats to a giant water bottle ... they hopefully do the trick.

As you know, or should know by now, we're all being advised not to wear the professional-grade masks which are in extremely short supply and reserved for frontline health care workers, so the creative ones are welcome by all.

As for how to make a homegrown mask, the CDC recommends it fit snugly but comfortably and secured with ties or ear loops. It should also include multiple layers of fabric and allow for unrestricted breathing. It should also be laundry friendly.

The CDC has recommended wearing face coverings when out in public, but some members of the Coronavirus Task Force are now urging us to stay clear of grocery stores and pharmacies for the next 2 weeks ... which is going to be a rough period for all of us.

Demi Lovato, Max Ehrich Grocery Shopping Cover Up!!!

Demi Lovato and Max Ehrich are here to show you how it's done when you venture out for some grub!!!

Demi and Max, the newly-minted couple who are self-quarantining, hit up Erewhon organic market in L.A. Saturday, and they were following recommendations from the top down -- when you venture out, protect yourself and others.

In case you've been under a rock -- which, in many ways we all have -- we're all supposed to act in public as if we have the disease because a mask and gloves can prevent others from contracting it.

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Max, whose credits include "Young and the Restless" and "American Princess," gave us a peek into his and Demi's life this week, along with her trusted pooch, Batman.

Demi and Max got together recently and this is the test for many couples ... spending 24/7 together during the stay-at-home order.

Spielberg, Capshaw, Pfeiffer, Kelly L.A. Power Walk!!!

If you forgot what it looks like when Hollywood titans meet up for chitchat, take a peek at this.

The likes of Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw joined married couple Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelley as they walked their Pacific Palisades neighborhood on the westside of L.A.

They meandered around the hood late afternoon for about an hour, and were yakking it up the whole time.

Hard to tell from the pic if they're properly social distancing -- 6 feet of separation, please.

L.A. has been a mixed bag when it comes to the stay-at-home order. Many beaches, hiking trails and open-air markets have been crowded this week, despite orders by the Mayor and the Governor.

The famous quartet did what lots of people are doing ... taking a walk, stretching, getting some air and trying to avoid going stir crazy.

Pharrell Williams Good Genes or Good Docs?!

Will Pharrell Williams' good looks ever really die!

Here is a 29-year-old version of the Grammy award-winning artist looking his best in his signature N.E.R.D. hat at a launch party in New York City while he made waves as The Neptunes with his longtime friend and music partner Chad Hugo back in 2002 (left).

And, 18 years later ... The trendsetter is spending this weekend celebrating his 47th birthday. The BBC boss and producer was last spotted sporting his Benjamin Button looks at Paris Fashion Week earlier this year (right).

He's got a lot to be happy about!

The question is ...

Pharrell Williams ...

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