Coronavirus

Elon Musk's offering to make ventilators to help coronavirus patients who desperately need them, but his proposal begs the question ... what's the freakin' holdup?!

The Tesla founder stirred the pot on Twitter late Wednesday night when he replied to someone who told him to "stop being an idiot" about the COVID-19 pandemic and use his factory to make ventilators as quickly as possible.

Elon's response -- "We will make ventilators if there is a shortage."

It's not necessarily the most heroic way of putting it, but it's promising to see Musk committing to helping out ... following the footsteps of other major motor companies that have already promised to lend a hand in any way possible.

Problem is ... health experts are already clear ... there WILL be a shortage of ventilators for those seriously infected with the coronavirus. So, Elon's "if" seems moot.

Of course, just days ago he said the "danger of panic still far exceeds danger" of COVID-19, and cited a CDC graph suggesting if we over-allocate medical resources to coronavirus it will come at the expense of treating other illnesses.

He may be right, but if time is of the essence with producing ventilators ... there's no time to argue.

Australia's most prestigious pro rugby league is combating the coronavirus pandemic ... by appointing a special BALL WASHER to keep things clean on the field.

The problem??? The rest of the players are smothering each other!!

It all went down Thursday in Sydney -- where the North Queensland Cowboys took on the  Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.

Officials in Australia have outlawed public gatherings of more than 500 people -- so the National Rugby League (NRL) decided to push forward with games ... with limited people in attendance.

In total, there were 241 people at the stadium (including the players) so the game was allowed to take place.

Still, a disturbing sight to see the players sweating, breathing and bleeding on each other with the global COVID-19 pandemic in full swing.

After the game, the players were seen hugging family members in the stands -- another big NO-NO according to some health experts.

Mama June and Geno Doak are gambling with their health -- maybe more so than usual -- because they're still hanging out in a Florida casino despite the coronavirus pandemic.

June and her BF were hanging out Tuesday at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL -- and folks there tell us the couple seemed to be walking aimlessly around the casino floor. They meant it literally, not metaphorically.

Seems Mama and Geno aren't about to let the outbreak stop their good times from rolling ... South Florida casinos are starting to shut down as officials recommend avoiding crowds, but the Hard Rock is staying open and implementing social distancing measures. As you can see, the casino floor is relatively empty.

Mama and her man have taken a liking to the Hard Rock ... as we reported, they were chowing down on fries inside there just last month. FYI, this is the same resort where Anna Nicole Smith died back in 2007.

Looks like Mama and Geno might be staying on the property now. Witnesses tell us June was wearing a dress over some swimwear, which is interesting because only hotel guests have access to the pool.

Remember, Mama sold her house in Georgia, for way under its value. And, ever since then, she's been living on the move. If a "shelter in place" order comes down, June's place is TBD.

Another bizarre (yet necessary) scene ... the Olympic Torch Handover ceremony went down in Athens, Greece on Thursday -- with ZERO fans allowed at Panathenaic Stadium.

In fact, Japan reportedly contacted little-known former Olympic swimmer Naoko Imoto to represent the country ... since the athlete was already living in Greece.

The original plan was to have a massive star-studded event for the flame-passing tradition -- but with the coronavirus pandemic in full swing, organizers wanted as few people involved as possible.

So, Japan contacted former Olympic swimmer Naoko Imoto, who was already living in Greece, to represent the host country. The 43-year-old agreed and she was all smiles on Thursday.

There were flags, there was a stage -- but absolutely NO fans at the venue. Super weird.

FYI, Naoko swam in the 800-meter relay in the '96 Games in Atlanta.

Now, the flame will be transported from Athens to Japan, for another scaled-down ceremony at a military base on Friday.

Japan insists the 2020 Tokyo Games will go on as planned -- despite the fact most of the world is in quarantine.

Celebs used to those Hollywood nights of glitzy parties ... are quickly becoming Hollywood homebodies -- and they're making self-quarantine look super-comfy.

As you know, nearly all of showbiz is in shutdown mode due to the coronavirus pandemic -- and all those folks normally in front of a camera, are now stuck at home. Yes, for once, A-listers are going through the same crap as you -- looking like a lazy bum at home. Try to ignore the fabulous homes around them!

Check out the famous faces -- like Ellen DeGeneres, Natalie Portman, Justin and Hailey Bieber and Lady Gaga -- who are practicing good "social distancing." Others staying the heck away include Alec Baldwin, Demi Moore, Seth Rogen, and Ariana Grande.

Okay, we admit it's gonna be hard to avoid the fabulous digs of Andy Cohen, Steve Aoki, Dan Bilzerian and many more, but a lot of 'em are cozy in their jammies ... just like you.

Amazon is doing its part to help stabilize its home turf, pouring additional millions into the Seattle area ... a community devastated by the coronavirus outbreak.

The shipping giant is behind a number of community-related efforts underway in several locations, but especially in Seattle, its primary HQ. Amazon's created a $5 million Neighborhood Small Business Relief Fund to provide cash grants to local companies in Seattle and Bellevue, WA. The money's intended to help them continue paying employees, and cover rent and other costs.

The corporation's also made a million-dollar donation to provide sick leave pay or health insurance to Seattle residents -- and pitched in another mil in Washington, D.C. toward medical response teams for the homeless, the elderly and hourly workers.

Of course, the goodwill efforts come on the heels of Amazon catching flak from some of its employees around the world -- some of whom reportedly feel overworked and not totally safe from the pandemic in their warehouses. We're told Amazon's committed to paying them even if they can't work due to COVID-19 cases or schedule changes.

Amazon's payroll expense is about to jump anyway ... because it's hiring at least 100k more people in the U.S. to meet surging demand. All those quarantined customers shopping from home want their stuff now.

O.J. Simpson is pleading with golf courses nationwide -- PLEASE stay open during the coronavirus scare ... or old dudes across the country are gonna lose their damn minds.

While he continues his search to find the "real killer," O.J. spends a lot of time on the links ... and on Wednesday, he voiced his frustrations with his local course planning to close during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"You don't really get that close to one another on a golf course," O.J. said. "And, I think for some of the older guys that golf as their only exercise, I think it's gonna hurt them if you start closing all the golf courses."

"I'm just saying, and if you do close them, you better open up some insane asylum, get me a bed because I know if I can't play golf for the next month, I'ma go crazy."

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom are on the hunt for supermarket supplies -- just like most of us adjusting to life in a pandemic -- but the expectant parents look super comfy doing it.

Orlando and his pregnant, pop singer fiancee hit up a Whole Foods in L.A. Wednesday along with Katy's sister, Angela, and another male friend.

It looks like all 4 remained pretty chill amid the coronavirus panic-shopping many are still doing -- and they walked out with fresh produce, frozen veggies, boxes of bottled water and a plant-based protein powder called Vega.

One thing not visible in their haul -- toilet paper. Let's hope they've already stocked up.

We're told Katy and co. shopped for about 30 minutes and practiced good social distancing. She went to the car about 10 minutes before Orlando. Of course, KP -- whose baby bump is more prevalent these days -- could've just needed to get off her feet.

As we reported ... Katy revealed her pregnancy earlier this month in her new "Never Worn White" music video, referring to it as the hardest secret she's had to keep.

She and Orlando recently returned to the U.S. just before the new reality of self-isolating at home to limit the COVID-19 outbreak really set in. They're reportedly postponing their summer wedding in Japan due to the global crisis.

At least they've got plenty of water and protein to get through.

Dr. Jenn says the key to overcoming loneliness if you're single and suddenly forced into isolation, is a whole lot of structure, and some help from your friends ... virtually, of course.

The "Couples Therapy" doc tells TMZ she's been talking to several single people who are grappling with the new reality of self-quarantine and trying not to go stir-crazy, and she says the best way to deal with it ... wake up with a plan!!!

Dr. Jenn says for those working from home, this means starting each day with a purpose and a schedule -- as if you were still going into the office -- and to continue focusing on hobbies, creative endeavors or self-care when work hours are over.

For the newly unemployed or furloughed, she recommends using the time to improve one's health ... through exercise, self-reflection and intellectual stimulation.

That's all great, but obviously, people still need to engage socially with the outside world -- and Jenn highly recommends reaching out, but not the way ya used to do it.

The coronavirus has pregnant women turning back the clock -- with increased fears about entering jam-packed hospitals, those about to pop are making alternate plans.

Several stand-alone birthing centers across the country tell TMZ they are seeing a massive influx of inquiring moms-to-be looking to deliver their babies -- either at their facilities or even at home ... just like in the old days.

Birthing center employees and directors in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Tennessee, Seattle, Minnesota and elsewhere say a lot of third-trimester moms-to-be are freaked out about possibly delivering in hospitals that are getting more and more inundated with coronavirus patients.

Fortunately, most of the birthing centers we spoke with say they're adapting their policies to meet the frenzy -- now, they're taking in gals near full-term pregnancy ... but we've been told if someone is days away from their due date, they'll probably be turned away -- as these centers need time to set up and take measures to guarantee a safe birth.

That's not the only solution that's being considered in light of the crisis. The director of Seattle Birth Centers (a city now considered a major coronavirus hot spot) tells us their community is seeing retired midwives come back into the workforce because some folks are opting to push through right at home.

Of course, that usually means no epidural. Ouch ...

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles is closing its doors to most visitors during the coronavirus pandemic ... TMZ has learned.

As of early Wednesday morning, the hospital put the new rules in place to severely restrict the number of outside people entering the hospital. We're told surgery patients, and emergency room patients will be allowed one visitor.

Additionally, anyone who's given birth at the hospital is allowed one visitor. Sorry ... aunts, uncles, grandparents might have to wait until the newborn gets home.

Cedars is following in the footsteps of several other major hospitals around the country -- including ones in San Francisco and New York City.

Celebs are clamoring for plastic surgery while everyone's outta the public eye during the coronavirus pandemic ... but Dr. Terry Dubrow says some procedures just aren't smart.

The "Botched" star joined us on "TMZ Live" Wednesday and told us our hunch is correct ... Hollywood's biggest stars are using the outbreak as the perfect cover for some cosmetic work.

Dr. Dubrow says his Orange County practice is fielding tons of calls from huge movie stars and rich folks in Beverly Hills, where no one is allowed to get elective beauty treatments or cosmetic surgeries during the pandemic, and the flavor of the month is a facelift.

Movies are not filming, so it seems like the perfect time for celebs to go under the knife for a major overhaul ... but the doc says not so fast.

Dr. Dubrow's advising against facelifts for his famous clients, because they could run into all sorts of problems if they encounter complications. Remember, the hospitals have their hands full dealing with COVID-19.

Instead, Dr. Dubrow says the smart move is to get some fillers and botox ... and he tells us why it's really dumb to try plastic surgery at home.

This happy couple is never gonna forget their first kiss as husband and wife -- that'll happen when ya get married in the middle of a pandemic, while wearing surgical masks!!!

Yes, it's a legit pic ... the bride and groom, Christopher and Tessa, just tied the knot down in New Orleans ... and they took every possible precaution, which meant a masked smooch after their "I dos."

Even Rev. Tony, the pastor at the French Quarter Wedding Chapel, wore full protection from the outbreak.

The masked kiss is pretty similar to what we've seen over in the Philippines, where hundreds of brides and grooms kissed through masks last month as coronavirus spread through that country.

It's gotta be true love for Christopher and Tessa ... the couple braved today's scary world of air travel, flying into New Orleans from their home in Colorado.

New Orleans and masks kinda go hand-in-hand ... it's woven into the city's history, from Mardi Gras masks to masquerade balls, but this image takes the wedding cake.

There's not gonna be much of a reception either ... New Orleans already shut down all the bars and casinos, and public gatherings of more than 50 people are banned, with police patrolling the streets.

Might wanna hold off on that honeymoon too.