Coronavirus

"Straight Outta Compton" star Jason Mitchell was trying to get straight outta dodge to a better quarantine spot when he got busted for drugs and weapons, but it's all a big mix-up ... at least according to his camp.

Mitchell's agent, Dr. Glenn Toby, tells TMZ ... the vehicle the actor was driving when he got arrested in Mississippi is not his -- and neither are the guns, 2 pounds of marijuana and 1,300 doses of MDMA cops found inside. He claims it's a friend's rental car.

According to Toby ... Jason was using the car to flee with his immediate family to a safer spot to shelter-in-place during the coronavirus pandemic, because where they were staying had become dangerous.

The agent would not elaborate, but claims Mitchell decided to leave in his friend's rental instead of hiring a car service ... due to fears of COVID-19 exposure.

Harrison County Sheriff Troy Peterson tells us ... Mitchell was initially pulled over for careless driving, and there was a woman and a minor inside. We're told the woman was not charged in the bust, and cops allowed her to leave with the child.

Our sources say the woman and child are Mitchell's family members, and they were heading to his mother's home before getting stopped and arrested.

Law enforcement declined to comment on whether the vehicle was his friend's rental car.

We broke the story ... Jason, who played Eazy-E in the N.W.A biopic, is facing 2 felony charges for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and 2 more felony charges for possession of a weapon by a felon.

The sun is starting to creep out in the Big Apple, and New Yorkers are clearly getting restless and eager to take in the rays as a giant flock of them went out en masse to a park.

Check out this photo of a bunch of Brooklynites hitting up Domino Park Saturday near the Williamsburg Bridge, just along the East River. There's at least a couple dozen people here, and while some are wearing masks ... none are as nearly spread out as they should be.

While New York's coronavirus death toll has begun to plateau, Gov. Cuomo has NOT lifted the stay-at-home orders for residents there -- in fact, he has the state-wide mandate in place through May 15. Clearly, not everyone is abiding ... and weather might be to blame.

The cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Central Park, and lots of people have left home to take in the sights.

In Saturday's case, you can see the sun's out here, and considering it's supposed to be pretty cloudy with some scattered showers over the next few days -- it stands to reason people wanted to get out and catch a bit of Spring-time bliss while they could ... as summer gets closer and closer. Bottom line ... people are itching to get back to normal.

New York's had it rough through all this -- and while it seems folks have been following orders pretty steadfastly ... nobody's perfect, as we've seen lately. Still, it's crucial we try to stick to it ... 'cause by heading out like this, it could spark another wave of cases and deaths could spike again.

England's historic Cerne Abbas Giant is, at long last, getting some much-needed attire, but it's not below the belt where he REALLY needs it ... someone just added a face mask instead.

The massive hillside figure in Dorset -- which measures about 180 feet in length -- got a makeover recently that reflects these crazy times ... with some prankster getting up there and etching out a face covering for the big bloke to show he's heeding government guidelines.

It's pretty funny, 'cause his excited genitals remain uncovered -- as they have been for decades, if not centuries now. Gotta get that mask on though. According to one local resident, who spoke to the BBC, the new change has actually lifted the townsfolk's spirits, which we can all use right about now with stay-at-home orders.

It's unclear who defaced the blocked-off protected site, but The National Trust (which maintains and manages this thing) has said it does NOT encourage this ... though it's been done countless times in the past.

Once, the giant's twig and berries were adorned with flower petals and made to look like a plant, and another time ... it was tweaked to resemble a tennis racket.

Supposedly, this thing is off-limits to the public -- but, obviously, people find a way to get up there and screw around. Compared to the States, CAG's like our Hollywood sign, which itself has been vandalized and played with over the years -- to the chagrin of authorities.

As for what the hell the drawing, if you will, even is or where it came from -- well, it's a bit of a mystery scientists are still trying to solve. Some have speculated it originated during the Iron Age (back in BC times) but more likely, it's a bit more recent ... probably 17th or 18th century, as some experts have theorized it was initially done as political satire.

Whatever the case, people have kept it up for a long time now -- re-digging the trenches along the hill it covers, and filling it in with lots o' crushed chalk ... which gives it the white look.

We knew Ciara and Russell Wilson were a hot couple, but we didn't know they were THIS hot -- as in, someone dropping six-figures to have dinner with them!!!

The Seahawks QB and singer closed their All In Challenge auction Friday night ... and there was some furious bidding as the closing bell sounded. The couple offered up a chance for a dinner double date to support the Challenge which, as we've told you, is raising money to feed children and families in need during the coronavirus pandemic.

Early Friday morning, we're told the top bid was $32,000 -- which would have been impressive enough -- but some superfan or fans sent the bids skyrocketing. When the dust settled, the winning bid came in at $240k.

So far, the winner is anonymous. All we know is he or she REALLY loves them some Russell and Ciara.

A few other Challenge auctions closed yesterday ... including Yo Gotti's limited edition Rolex AND tour bus going for $190k -- and NY Giants star Saquon Barkley pulled in $47k for a dinner, workout and game experience.

As we reported, the All In Challenge is the brainchild of 76ers partner Michael Rubin ... who told us on "TMZ Live" about launching the project when he saw how the pandemic was impacting so many millions of families.

This is gonna be a big week for Michael's baby. So far it's raised nearly $20 million, and some big-ticket auctions are closing Tuesday -- like golfing with Peyton Manning, Eli Manning's Corvette, A-Rod's batting practice and, of course, the Tom Brady extravaganza.

Tyler Perry isn't jumping to reopen his 330-acre Atlanta studio complex, but we've learned he's working on a really unique, interesting and safe way to shoot TV shows there during the coronavirus pandemic.

Studio sources tell TMZ, Tyler has a plan he's currently running up the flagpole with his studio execs, and it goes like this. Productions that shoot at his facility would have the cast and crew check in on the first day of filming. Everyone would be tested, and everyone who tests negative would be invited on the lot, where they will live during the entire production.

As for where they'd live, well, there's plenty of options. The facility used to be an army base, and there are 141 barracks on-site -- all usable. There are also 40 historic houses that are habitable. In addition, Tyler built around 30 houses on the lot for various productions, and they're all functional. And, we're told if the idea takes off he'd erect some pre-fab hotels.

The cast and crew can use all the facilities, including a gym, a bar and restaurants. A hospital building was built for one of the shows, and we're told Tyler believes it can become functional enough and he's thinking of bringing a doctor and nurse on board.

We're told Tyler would first reopen just with his productions -- 6 tv shows strong. Each show takes about 2 1/2 weeks to film a season, so the cast and crew would show up and stay for just shy of 3 weeks.  A few weeks later the same crew would return to shoot another season of another show, and so on. They'd also get extra pay for dealing with the circumstances.

There are still open issues. What do you do with day players and extras? What happens if there are family medical needs that require a cast or crew member to leave?

Lil Durk brought some warm meals and happiness to healthcare workers on Chicago's frontlines against COVID.

The rapper and his team pulled up to Chicago's Rush Hospital Friday with boxes of meals from PHLAVZ Restaurant -- owned by Durk's manager -- to distribute. We're told a member of the hospital's hospitality staff then brought the meals inside to distribute.

Not only did they drop meals off at the hospital, PHLAVZ also made 100 meals available to healthcare professionals for pickup later Friday night.

Durk -- who grew up in Chicago -- but now lives in Atlanta, tells us, "Everyone back home has been in my thoughts, especially those doing something for the community and all the neighborhood heroes. I thought about all the first responders putting their lives on the line to help out and it inspired me, so I took a jet back to Chicago to show my thanks."

Pauly D has set the Internet ablaze, with a new look that is slick, tight and controversial.

The "Jersey Shore" star made good use of his time in self-quarantine, by making regular appointments with his mirror and carefully crafting a beard/mustache.

For the most part, it's getting good reviews, with exceptions.

Gotta say ... there's a lot of butchery going on, especially with guys who are trying to trim their facial hair and what's above ... and below. But, Pauly's clearly got it down.

Bill Maher is just the best, even from home!!! He had Jay Leno on Friday night on "Real Time with Bill Maher," who took aim at Jussie Smollett and Lori Loughlin, and it was hilarious.

Bill asked Jay how the rich folks are faring in Bev Hills, and Jay was quick to answer. We'd tell you what was said, but the video is way funnier.

And, Jay has an update on Olivia Jade, who could soon be donning a white smock ... for humanity, of course. It's really funny.

Real estate agents in Los Angeles have been forced to get creative when it comes to showing some of the city's most spectacular cribs ... turning to technology to give multi-home tours in less than an hour.

Four agents from The Agency Beverly Hills fired up the Bond Street Partners Instagram Live Friday to tour 4 properties around the city. Each agent was armed with a mask, gloves and even shoe protection while they took viewers through each pad with a mobile tour before passing it on to the next.

David Parnes, James Harris, Alana Mesica and Fred Dapp took viewers through a myriad of options ... from a $48,000,000 home located on the Bird Streets, to a $100,000 per month rental with over 7,000 square feet of living space. In all, those watching saw about $75,000,000 of real estate in an hour.

Dapp tells us the team really had to think outside the box in the last few weeks in order to move properties. He says the digital showings have been a big help.

Ex-NBA star Kermit Washington is begging officials to let him out of prison ASAP, claiming he's at a high risk of catching and dying from COVID-19.

68-year-old Washington -- a former NBA All-Star -- is serving 6 years in prison for running a bogus charity scheme and stealing around $1 MILLION that was supposed to help starving and HIV positive children in Africa.

But, Washington fears his incarceration could turn into a death sentence because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In new court docs obtained by TMZ Sports, Washington says he's at a "high risk of death or serious illness from COVID-19" -- noting the "extreme rate of infection" and the number of deaths of inmates in the nationwide prison system.

Washington says he was scheduled to be transferred to a medium-security prison in mid-April -- but was afraid the mass transfer of inmates would increase his risk of contracting the disease.

Public records show Washington was moved to the new prison, despite his objections.

There's more ... Washington also wants to be moved out of prison altogether and transferred to house arrest, so he can complete his sentence safely at home.

"Only the court can correct this injustice and protect me and my life."

Washington was the 5th overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft. Most people know him as the guy who almost killed Rudy Tomjanovich during a fight in 1977.

Despite the brutal injuries Rudy suffered at the time, he previously told TMZ Sports he "feels sorry" for Kermit and hopes for the best for him.

It's Gov. Brian Kemp's dream come true -- Georgians filing into business establishments all over the state ... despite scientists, and other politicians, warning it could set off a COVID-19 spike.

These photos -- from Atlanta, Savannah and other cities -- are interesting because they show the stark reality ... that social distancing is near impossible in hair and nail salons, tattoo parlors and, to a lesser extent, gyms.

Still, people starved for a fitness fix streamed into BodyPlex Fitness Adventure Friday in Grayson, GA. Folks there tell us it was hardly packed -- just under 100 people so far, when they normally have about 500 daily customers.

A staffer told TMZ, "Everybody is so excited we’re open they’ll do whatever they need to do to get their workout in. They are just happy we’re here."

That also seems to be the case at Three-13 Salon in Marietta where about 100 people came in for all sorts of beauty treatments. They checked everyone's temperature and everyone was required to wear face coverings.

That doesn't seem to be mandatory at all businesses, because customers at a barbershop were NOT wearing face masks, although the barbers did.

Remember, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms told us she's opposed to the reopening of businesses -- because scientific data shows it's too soon -- and she's urging people in her city, at least, to stay home.

Escobar season has returned for 2 Chainz ... the rapper is reopening his Atlanta restaurants for sit-down service, and he says he has a plan for keeping folks safe from COVID-19.

Both of 2 Chainz's joints, Escobar Restaurant and Tapas, are serving dine-in meals starting Monday -- his business partner and co-owner, Snoop Dillard, tells TMZ -- and they're making public safety a top priority.

Escobar restaurants were strictly doing take-out orders due to coronavirus restrictions, but with Georgia's Governor paving the way for businesses to reopen -- in many cases recklessly -- 2 Chainz is getting people back to work.

We're told sales at both locations have been down 95% during the shutdown, and the restaurants were forced to furlough around 80% of its staff.

With dine-in service coming back, Snoop says they're planning to bring back 65% of restaurant staff -- 80 people -- and the hope is to have everyone back at work eventually.

As you know ... a debate is raging over Georgia's plan to reopen its economy. Governor Brian Kemp is giving the green light, but Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is urging people to be responsible and cautious and stay home.

2 Chainz's restaurants are trying to have the best of both worlds, and they think they will be able to host sit-down service safely.

We're told safety precautions at the restaurants include staff having their temperatures checked when they clock in, mandatory gloves for all employees, masks for the cooks and single-use paper menus.

Any staff member showing coronavirus symptoms will be asked to go home and quarantine for 14 days.

We're also told the restaurants are bringing back hookahs, which will be cleaned and sanitized frequently. Most folks bring their own hoses anyways.

And, on the weekends, we're told live DJs will return to both locations ... 2 Chainz and Snoop say the DJs need to make a living as well, but things aren't going into full party mode yet. They even paid a few DJs to come in and spin when it was take-out only -- just to brighten people's days.

2 Chainz and Snoop donated hundreds of meals to medical workers on the frontlines ... and we're told they're planning to give more free meals to workers at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Piedmont Atlanta Hospital.