Coronavirus

Here's proof we're living in the 'Twilight Zone' now -- a construction joint in SoCal won't let people inside while wearing face masks, but on physical contact ... all good by them!

Check out this photo that was taken recently of a store in Simi Valley called Ramsay One Construction and Flooring, which features these giant wooden signs out front that show the owners don't seem to be down with social distancing or PPE of any kind amid coronavirus.

In fact, they only want people doing the opposite of what the CDC says is safe -- namely, no masks allowed, handshakes are okay, and hugs are VERY okay ... according to them. Oh, and of course, they say they're open to the "truth" -- whatever the hell that means.

Also, take note of what they're advertising right there on their window ... it's a shout-out to the Zinger (a high-tech electric wheelchair/scooter), but the phrasing appears to be missing a crucial word. Instead, it sounds like a death sentence, or your money back guaranteed.

Look, this obviously isn't in line with California-mandated protocols for businesses that are open -- and yes, while construction has been deemed essential ... we're sure government officials weren't aiming for this when they gave these types of stores a green light.

One couple took bizarre and incredibly offensive steps to protest California's stay-at-home orders -- deciding to rock Nazi flag face masks while shopping ... only to be met by cops.

The encounter was captured this week by one of the shoppers themselves, Dustin Hart, who posted the clip on BitChute ... a right-wing-catering video sharing platform. It shows him and a woman walking into a Food4Less near San Diego with swastika-emblazoned masks.

He explains the masks are part of a protest they want to show off, which is meant to symbolize -- in their warped minds, anyway -- Governor Gavin Newsom's "fascist" lockdown rules ... which have apparently left Hart and co. pissed off and in the mood to cause a stir.

As they go around the aisles placing items in their cart, one of the grocery store's employees eventually confronts them and asks them to take the swastikas off. Of course, they refuse ... insisting they're not doing anything wrong, and hiding behind the First Amendment. The guy even offers them different masks as an alternative, but they say no.

That's when some sheriff's deputies arrive and try talking some sense into these bozos -- telling the couple they're in a privately owned, family-friendly store ... and that their masks are obviously offensive to people. Hart tries explaining why he's doing it -- again slamming Newsom and the quarantine guidelines -- and even makes a homophobic comment.

He says he's offended by the LGBT flag, but doesn't go calling cops when he sees it being flown in public. The officers aren't hearing it though, and they ask the couple to leave.

Neither Hart nor his companion were arrested -- they simply headed to the register, paid for their stuff and finally got the hell out. What's crazy is that this is the same town where a man was recently seen wearing a KKK-like white hood while grocery shopping too.

The gloves are officially off, because Barack Obama has made his feelings known about the way his successor has handled the coronavirus pandemic, and the former Prez did NOT mince words.

Obama was speaking with members of the Obama Alumni Ass'n, and during the 30-minute call, he was explaining to the group why there needed to be strong leadership to manage the crisis. He was trying to get the former staffers to get active in Joe Biden's bid to replace President Trump.

Obama then launched into his assessment of the way Trump has handled things, saying, "What we're fighting against is these long-term trends in which being selfish, being tribal, being divided, and seeing others as an enemy -- that has become a stronger impulse in American life."

And, then you hear the former Prez in the audio obtained by Yahoo! News ... calling Trump's response to COVID-19 "an absolute chaotic disaster." He said, "It would have been bad even with the best of governments. It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset -- of 'what's in it for me' and 'to heck with everybody else' -- when that mindset is operationalized in our government."

Gregg Sulkin is not letting something like coronavirus torpedo his perfectly-toned physique.

Gregg took in a workout Friday at an L.A. park, and he's clearly figured out a way to stay jacked during self-quarantine. He worked out for about an hour, and then hit up a local store for some water, all the while practicing self-distancing and wearing the obligatory mask.

As for his equipment, Gregg pumped himself up with the help of a kettlebell and resistance bands. He's clearly used to exercising with more equipment, because judging from his muscles, he's a gym rat.

The British actor, who starred in various Disney flicks and MTV's "Faking It," clearly subscribes to the maxim, "Necessity is the mother of invention," because he's still working out like crazy, but without the barbells and weights that are standard fare.

This is kinda shocking, but Carnival Cruise enthusiasts aren't letting the pandemic scare 'em away from boarding ships with hundreds of passengers.

A rep with Cruise Planners, an American Express​ Travel Representative, travel franchise, tells TMZ ... after Carnival announced this week it would resume some cruises in August, its clients immediately began reaching out to book their reservations first and nab the most premium deals.

We're told in the 3 days after Carnival's announcement ... Cruise Planners' Carnival bookings shot up 600 percent compared to the previous 3 days before the news. That makes sense, but more interestingly, it's a 200 percent increase over the same time period in 2019 -- when folks traveled without fear of the novel coronavirus.

The travel company tells us those booking Carnival cruises were "not a bit concerned about traveling at this time" because many stated they are young and healthy, and just looking to have some fun after being cooped up for so long.

Though Carnival's plan is to resume some of its cruises on August 1, it's made it clear there's no guarantee, saying ... "We continue to work with various government agencies, including the CDC, as we introduce new onboard protocols, but there is no assurance of a return on August 1."

UFC fighter Jacare Souza has tested positive for coronavirus and will NOT participate in his scheduled fight at UFC 249 on Saturday, the UFC confirms to TMZ Sports.

The 40-year-old Brazilian was slated to fight Uriah Hall on the undercard of the massive PPV event in Jacksonville, Florida -- but he tested positive during the UFC's thorough testing process and now he's out. We're told he was asymptomatic.

Souza's two cornermen also tested positive.

"UFC's medical team examined Souza and his two cornermen and found them too be currently asymptomatic, or not exhibiting the common symptoms of COVID-19," the UFC said in a statement.

"As per UFC's health and safety protocols, all three men have left the host hotel and will be self-isolating off premises, where UFC's medical team will monitor their conditions remotely and will provide assistance with any necessary treatment."

We spoke with UFC honcho Dana White who tells TMZ Sports, "Our process worked."

White had spelled out the testing process on "TMZ Live" on Friday -- explaining that fighters and their teams were being subjected to multiple tests every day.

We're told the event WILL continue as planned -- none of the other fighters have tested positive for COVID-19.

The UFC has already been in touch with Florida state athletic officials which are allowing the other fights to continue as planned, per ESPN.

Souza's scheduled opponent Uriah Hall tweeted a message to Souza -- saying, "Brother I know it sucks I’m sorry you have to go through this I am beyond devastated for the missed opportunity I wish you nothing but recovery for you and your family."

"We administered 1,200 tests this week, on 300 people," UFC president Dana White told ESPN ... "It's not unexpected one person would test positive."

Roy Horn, one half of the famous Siegfried & Roy magic and entertainment act in Las Vegas, is dead after being infected with the coronavirus ... TMZ has learned.

We just got a statement from Siegfried, who told us, "Today, the world has lost one of the greats of magic, but I have lost my best friend. From the moment we met, I knew Roy and I, together, would change the world. There could be no Siegfried without Roy, and no Roy without Siegfried."

Siegfried goes on ... "Roy was a fighter his whole life, including during these final days. I give my heartfelt appreciation to the team of doctors, nurses and staff at Mountain View Hospital who worked heroically against this insidious virus that ultimately took Roy's life."

Roy died Friday, a little more than a week after testing positive for COVID-19.

Horn and Siegfried Fischbacher were a staple in Sin City for more than a decade, and they were well known for their daring performances with tigers and big cats.

Roy was famously mauled by a 380-pound white tiger, Mantecore, way back in 2003 during a performance at the Mirage Las Vegas. The tiger bit Roy by the neck during the act and dragged him offstage.

Siegfried and Roy claimed then and always maintained it was NOT an attack ... instead, they say Roy was having a ministroke and the tiger actually saved his life by dragging him offstage.

The incident left Roy partially paralyzed, and it basically ended Siegfried and Roy's act as we knew it ... though they later performed live with a tiger once again in 2019 for ABC's '20/20.'

Roy was 75.

Daymond John hates to be the bearer of bad news, but he thinks all signs point to our economic recovery being kinda like watching paint dry -- slow and painful.

The "Shark Tank" star was on "TMZ Live" Friday to talk about the unique economic challenges facing the nation amid the coronavirus crisis. Daymond doesn't mince words, and with record unemployment, he thinks there could be a real estate collapse in our future.

Check out the vid ... Daymond says what makes this economic crisis different than the Great Recession of 2008 is back then we weren't dealing with a virus that's claimed more than 75,000 American lives. He adds, it took a good 4 to 5 years to bounce back from '08.