Coronavirus

Tokyo 2020 could be CANCELED over the coronavirus -- so says a senior Olympic official who says postponing or moving the games to another country is probably out of the question.

With 80,000 people reportedly infected with the virus -- and 2,600 deaths -- people are concerned a massive international gathering like the Olympics could accelerate the spread. And, with the Games set to kick off in late July, athletes and fans want to know if there's a backup plan.

Enter Dick Pound -- a senior member of the International Olympic Committee -- who told the Associated Press a total cancelation IS on the table.

"In and around that time, I’d say folks are going to have to ask: 'Is this under sufficient control that we can be confident about going to Tokyo or not?'" Pound said.

And, if officials determine it's too dangerous to move forward, "You’re probably looking at a cancellation."

That being said, Pound is urging athletes to continue training as usual -- because the current plan is to HAVE the Games in Tokyo as scheduled.

"As far as we all know, you’re going to be in Tokyo. All indications are at this stage that it will be business as usual. So keep focused on your sport and be sure that the IOC is not going to send you into a pandemic situation."

The Olympics have only been canceled in modern history as a result of war -- the Games were called off in 1916 for WWI and both the 1940 and 1944 Games were axed because of WW2.

Nothing can stop Ethan Hunt ... except the coronavirus.

That's right ... Tom Cruise and co. are gonna be sent packing from Italy after Paramount announced Monday they were putting a pause on production for their latest installment in the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise -- and it's all because of the worldwide outbreak.

The studio says, "Out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of our cast and crew, and efforts of the local Venetian government to halt public gatherings in response to the threat of coronavirus, we are altering the production plan for our three week shoot in Venice, the scheduled first leg of an extensive production for ‘Mission: Impossible 7."

As you might've noticed in the many 'MI' sequels -- including this last one -- they shoot all over the world ... especially Europe. Coronavirus has already reportedly affected a couple hundred or so people in Italy alone, so Paramount clearly isn't taking any chances.

They continued, "During this hiatus we want to be mindful of the concerns of the crew and are allowing them to return home until production starts. We will continue to monitor this situation, and work alongside health and government officials as it evolves."

In other words ... Paramount's gonna be shipping everyone out there back home, including possibly to the States -- which probably won't make our President all that happy.

On Saturday, the NYT reported Trump was "furious" over 14 Americans who tested positive for coronavirus recently being sent back here from an infected cruise ship without his sign-off. Of course, he downplayed the story on Twitter, saying coronavirus was under control.

Ryan Eggold -- who plays a doctor on TV -- says the coronavirus may very well spread to TV plotlines like his NBC hit ... 'cause "Law & Order" ain't the only show ripping stuff from headlines.

We ran into Dr. Max Goodwin from "New Amsterdam" Monday on the streets of NYC and asked if the potentially deadly disease is in the running for a future episode. Ryan says it's definitely possible ... apparently, the series hasn't quite tackled an outbreak of this magnitude.

You can tell Ryan's been thinking about this stuff -- he actually told us there's another important medical issue he wants worked into a script ... something impacting pregnant women at an alarming rate.

"New Amsterdam" is a 20-plus episode per season type of show, so there's likely time to work in both. In any case, viewers might be in store for a viral subplot sooner rather than later.

Dr. Drew's beyond fed up with the media coverage of the coronavirus because he believes it's majorly overblown and causing hysteria ... while another major threat's being ignored.

The doctor was outside Beauty & Essex restaurant in L.A. Wednesday night went he went off on the media for misreporting the coronavirus, and even worse ... failing to point out facts in order to alleviate some of the panic.

According to Dr. Drew -- who was leaving sports agent Darren Prince's 50th bday bash -- coronavirus should be reported as being widespread, BUT, much milder of a virus than everyone is freaking out about. As he points out, there are tens of thousands of people infected ... but only a few hundred deaths.

By comparison, roughly 60,000 people die from the flu each year in the U.S. alone ... and it can be as high as 646,000 on average worldwide!!!

So, it's safe to say Dr. Drew's right when he says influenza is way more of a killer than the coronavirus ... so you should get your flu shot. We know Dr. Oz agrees too.

To be fair, though ... Dr. Drew's numbers are a couple hundred short when it comes to coronavirus deaths. So far, 563 have died -- all but 2 in China -- and there's more than 28,000 cases across the globe.

Dr. Oz is doing a major eye roll at anyone who's using the coronavirus as a way to scapegoat Asian people and spew their xenophobia, 'cause he says we're better than that.

We got the doc at Shaq's Fun House party in Miami heading into Super Bowl weekend, and while the mood was light ... things immediately got serious when our guy asked about the disease and the collateral damage Asians have been experiencing as a result.

A lot of folks have turned to outdated tropes or outright racist remarks in characterizing the outbreak in China, which has spread to different countries ... including the U.S. Be it a nasty tweet or a French headline reading, "Yellow Alert?" ... other-ing is indeed happening.

Fast-forward to Dr. Oz ... who actually sticks up for Chinese people with a pretty impassioned callback to the time he's spent there and the culture he encountered. He even says the fear people are feeling is misplaced, as the virus isn't nearly as deadly as it's being represented in the media. If anything, DO says this should unite us in preparing for the "big one."

You'll recall ... Dr. Oz had told us about a week ago or so that while he was concerned about the coronavirus, he wasn't panicking just yet. Looks like he's doubling down here.

Dr. Oz isn't panicking yet about the deadly coronavirus arriving in America ... but he says there is something very concerning about it that could become a big problem.

The doctor was outside NBC's 30 Rock Monday when he dropped some knowledge about the coronavirus -- which has now killed 80 people in China and infected roughly 3,000 more, including 5 confirmed U.S. cases in the U.S.

So, first the good news -- Oz tells us the actual virus "doesn't seem to be as deadly as we fear." Awesome, right? Well, hang on ... 'cause he also said it gets into the lungs and isn't easy to get rid of, but that's not even the worst of it.

He let us in on the real reason to fear coronavirus, and it's all about how and WHEN it spreads. Let's just say it's near impossible to detect the danger ... which could lead to a bigger outbreak in America, as well.

Felicity Huffman wasn't able to escape to the U.S. criminal justice system, but she is trying to make a clean break from the coronavirus ... which has apparently made its way stateside.

The actor was out Saturday at JFK with her daughter, Sophia, who was roped into the college admission scandal last year. They were both wearing face masks, seemingly to combat the spreading super-germ, which has at least a couple confirmed cases here at home.

Looks like Felicity isn't taking any chances as she travels with her flesh and blood. We've been seeing that a little bit here in L.A. too -- Kristin Chenoweth was also rocking a mask just this past week ... and for good reason. This thing can be fatal in humans.

If you haven't heard, the virus reportedly starting breaking out in China first -- but, as we mentioned, there've been some folks within our borders that have contracted it.

Supposedly, it mimics a cold at first ... and then turns into a full-blown respiratory infection. And, if you're unlucky, it might even kill you.

Kristin Chenoweth is terrified over the spread of the deadly coronavirus ... and she's doing everything she can to stay safe while traveling.

We got Kristin at LAX Thursday and asked if she's scared to fly now that the outbreak is spreading from its epicenter in China to our borders.

As you know ... coronavirus started in Wuhan, China and the United States just got its first confirmed case. As if the world weren't scary enough right now.

Kristin came prepared for the worst ... because she busted out a face mask, and even handed an extra one to our camera guy. Good looking out!!!

The Emmy and Tony award winner is on her way to Key West for her Saturday tour stop and says she can't take any chances because she's gotta sing. Oh, and Kristin just got over a bout with the flu.

It's pretty alarming ... Kristin has a hunch that masks could become commonplace in the U.S.