Coronavirus

Times are tough, and it's got hairstylists and barbers in California risking their careers to make some desperately needed cash right now ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the situation tell us ... many professionally licensed folks in the hair biz are secretly taking clients despite the state's extended stay-at-home order, which does not yet allow beauty salons to open back up.

We're told some businesses are allowing their stylists or barbers to take appointments from regular customers in the shops -- but just making it appear like the place is closed to passersby, like a speakeasy during Prohibition.

Our sources say the decision to get back to work on the DL is based on businesses and workers simply needing to support themselves and their families ... which is obviously understandable.

We're told many are in dire straits financially, and the federal government's stimulus money didn't go far enough to help -- cost of living is very high in Cali, after all.

And, though Governor Gavin Newsom has said he hopes salons will be able to reopen soon, many feel the goalpost keeps getting moved ... and they can't wait any longer.

The problem is ... the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology clearly caught wind of the illicit salons and sent an email to all licensees ... threatening to take severe disciplinary action if they're busted disobeying state orders and putting public health at risk.

In the Board's words ... "This will not be taken lightly."

Yet, our sources say stylists are willing and able to find clients who are also eager and happy to get their hair done after months of letting it go ... and risk exposure to COVID-19 for a fresh 'do.

Patrick Ewing says he has tested positive for COVID-19 ... and he's sharing his diagnosis in hopes of convincing people the "virus is serious and should not be taken lightly."

The New York Knicks legend and Georgetown University men's basketball coach announced his diagnosis Friday afternoon, and GU says he is under care and in isolation at a hospital near the school's campus in Washington D.C.

Patrick says, "I want to share that I have tested positive for COVID-19. This virus is serious and should not be taken lightly. I want to encourage everyone to stay safe and take care of yourselves and your loved ones."

The NBA Hall of Famer adds ... "I want to thank the healthcare workers and everyone on the front lines. I'll be fine and we will all get through this."

Make room in the studio Offset and Takeoff, Quavo has a brand new producer -- a lucky woman who won the rapper's All In Challenge sweepstakes, and then got a big surprise.

The Migos rapper shocked the hell outta one of his biggest fans when he hopped into a video conference call to let Nashay Smith know it's almost time to hit the studio and make a hit track, then hit the racetrack to whip a Lamborghini!!!

She won the Huncho Day Experience ... and couldn't be more excited. She told Quavo she's been a fan since Day 1 and he's ready to show her the ropes in the studio and behind the wheel.

Michael Strahan also surprised his sweepstakes winner, Cyndi Helton, checking in from his awesome man cave, where they will hang out during an action-packed day in New York City.

The 'GMA' anchor and NFL Hall of Famer is gonna whisk Cyndi around the Big Apple in a brand new tailored outfit, with stops at 'GMA' and ''The $100,000 Pyramid,'' plus a ride home in his fancy car for an intimate lunch in the man cave. Oh, and Cyndi also gets a role in one of Michael's upcoming projects!

The mastermind behind the All In Challenge, Philadelphia 76ers partner Michael Rubin, shocked the winner of his sweepstakes, Charles Beasley, on a video call with Erin Andrews ... and Michael says he's about to live out his sports dreams.

Michael's right, Charles is one lucky dude ... his once-in-ten-lifetimes experience includes tickets, travel and lodging for every sports championship -- World Series, college football, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, Final Four, the Masters, Daytona 500, Olympics, U.S Open tennis and a suite at the freakin' Super Bowl!!!

Keep in mind, these winners didn't throw down $800,000 -- like Tom Brady's super fan -- to win their amazing prizes. Folks can drop as little as $10 to enter for AIC sweepstakes prizes from celebs like Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Kim Kardashian, Tiger Woods and a bunch more.

President Trump's Press Secretary said out loud today ... she senses White House correspondents don't much believe in God, for daring to ask her why the President is defying some governors who do not want churches open this weekend because of the pandemic.

Friday's White House briefing was a s*** show. Trump wants all churches open this weekend, despite the orders from some governors who want them shut because the virus is still out of control in their states.

A reporter dared to ask Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany if Trump was asking people to defy their governors. She dog-whistled for sure -- urging people to follow Trump's direction and go to church -- but would never squarely say her boss wanted people to defy the governors. Fact is, that's exactly what she's saying.

And, then it got real ... you gotta watch the video. When pressed, she mused that it was interesting these reporters wanted houses of worship locked up like a drum, suggesting they were all a bunch of heretics. At least one church-going reporter became indignant.

In case you forgot ... there was a church service not too long ago, where 2 people had the virus, and it spread to 30 people in the congregation.

BTW ... Trump is flip-flopping more than a 50-pound tuna that was just reeled in. A few weeks ago he said everything was up to the governors. Now he's saying defy the governors.

With a little bit of elbow grease and ingenuity, this grandpa has figured out how to help his grandson cope with quarantine boredom ... a homemade, backyard roller coaster!!!

This guy's gotta be a contender for Gramps Of The Year ... building his grandkid a super sweet roller coaster with his own bare hands ... and the ride looks smooth as hell.

Grandpa's not just handy, he's also pretty ingenious ... check out the trashcan securing the end of the coaster, and the custom wooden wheels on the kid's plastic toy car.

The rest of the building materials are pretty simple -- wood and cinder blocks. But, you definitely have to be a master craftsman to pull it off.

NBA Superstar Russell Westbrook did his part to make sure some of LA's bravest were well fed -- but he didn't just serve up an average-Joe kinda meal -- he hit a Hollywood hotspot.

Westbrook surprised healthcare workers at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital Thursday night with Italian dinners from The Nice Guy. We're told Russ and his buddy Milo Frank of The h.wood Group passed out 50 sealed containers of Spaghetti Bolognese -- and in true L.A. style -- there were even gluten-free and vegan options.

Westbrook plays for the Houston Rockets, but is a native to So. Cal so MLK Jr. Hospital makes a lot of sense. The meals were thanks in part to Postmates.

As for the dinner selection, The Nice Guy plays host to some of Hollywood's biggest stars from The Kardashians and Jenners to Justin Bieber, Drake and even Westbrook's former teammate Kevin Durant.

WHOA!!!

The auction for Robert Kraft's Super Bowl LI ring is over -- and the final bid was OVER A MILLION BUCKS!!

$1,025,000 to be exact!!

As we previously reported, the New England Patriots owner offered up the ring to help raise money for COVID-19 relief as part of Michael Rubin's All In Challenge.

And, remember, this ring was from the legendary 28-3 Super Bowl comeback against the Atlanta Falcons in 2017 ... the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history!

As far as the jewelry itself -- it's one of the biggest championship rings ever created ... weighing 5.1 carats and featuring 10-karat white gold and nearly 300 diamonds.

So far, the winning bidder has not been identified -- but obviously, it's someone with a LOT of money to spend!

In addition to the ring, Kraft says he'll hand-deliver it to the auction's highest bidder in his personal trophy room ... and says if the winner is out of state, he'll send the team jet to pick them up!

That's not all ... RK says the trip will come with a personal tour of the Pats facilities -- and maybe even a few meals with the 78-year-old!!

Emile Hirsch is focusing on a new career as a musician, using his time in isolation to make music, and when it's safe ... he even wants to do it live!!!

The "Into The Wild" star was moving and grooving when he talked to us from his makeshift in-home studio ... playing a rough cut of his upcoming release, "Plugged In," and explaining how he's making music from the confines of his own pad.

Emile put a mini boombox on his shoulder and took us through his process -- how the track went from a voice memo recording to a full-blown song. All done at home ... 'cause that's just how music production works in the age of COVID-19.

It's pretty funny, Emile slipped on a pair of shades and danced through his kitchen ... y'know, where he found that dead rat earlier in quarantine!!!

Emile, who released a debut album last year, thinks he'll be good enough to perform live by the time concerts are a thing again ... but in the meantime, he figures he needs some more lessons.

Hey, he's got plenty of time to hone his new craft.

Cynthia Bailey and fiancé, Mike Hill, are getting a taste of married life before walking down the aisle ... and it's all thanks to quarantine.

The 'RHOA' star and FOX Sports host joined us Thursday on "TMZ Live" and told us life together in isolation can be draining and also rewarding. Sounds a lot like marriage, and keep in mind, this is their first time really living under one roof ... normally, he's in L.A. while she's in ATL.

Cynthia and Mike agree ... the endless days cooped up together do wear on them, like most couples -- but don't get it twisted. Mike says he's happy Cynthia is his cellmate for quarantine prison, and adds ... the conjugal visits are a major plus!!!

Cynthia says they're still on track to get married in October, and they've got their fingers crossed a second wave of COVID-19 doesn't force them to postpone. As she explains, the wedding date is pretty significant.

There could be more bumps in the road though ... Cynthia tells us why there are still some questions with wedding logistics.

LeBron James is already back to work with his Lakers teammates ... holding small, private workouts in secure spots in L.A. ... and enforcing strict safety protocols to keep everyone safe from COVID.

Of course, the Lakers facility reopened this past Saturday ... but players aren't able to train together on the court at the same time.

The King has found a way to assemble some of his men to keep the chemistry alive ... securing a closed-off, private court to train with 1-2 teammates at a time, according to Shams Charania.

"All the safety measures have been taken," Shams says. "In these private workouts, everyone has been tested, everyone involved has practiced social distancing."

"Everyone involved has taken the necessary steps to make sure that they're following all the guidelines."

Bron's teammate, Danny Green, gave details on what it's like being at the Lakers facility on the "Load Management" podcast ... saying everyone gets swabbed before they enter the door, has phones, keys, wallets and more sanitized upon arrival ... and have to exchange their shoes with flip flops.

As for training ... teammates are put on schedules to make sure they never cross paths ... and only have an allotted amount of time to practice on the court.

The good news? California Governor Gavin Newsom says there could be pro sports back in the state as early as the first week of June.

Sounds like LeBron and Co. will be ready.

Nurse Mike Schultz is now a walking billboard for how COVID-19 can ravage your body, assuming you survive -- the formerly super fit guy is almost unrecognizable after a 6 week battle.

Mike came out the other side 50 lbs. lighter, most of that muscle, based on the side-by-side photo. The shredded dude is him a month before contracting coronavirus, compared to now after getting released from a Massachusetts hospital.

The 43-year-old nurse from San Francisco battled coronavirus-induced pneumonia which he says dropped him down to 140 pounds. Mike says he used to work out 6 to 7 days per week. He was hospitalized on March 16 ... a week after attending an event in Miami ... pre-lockdown restrictions.

Nearly 40 people from that event contracted the virus and 3 died. Within days of arriving in Boston to visit his boyfriend, Schultz's fever hit 103 and he struggled breathing. His lungs were also filling with liquid, so they raced him to the hospital.

When he finally woke up, Schultz told BuzzFeed he was so weak he couldn't hold up his cell phone and his hands were shaking when he typed.

As he starts the road to recovery, one thing's for sure ... Schultz hasn't lost his sense of humor. He said, "I’ll get back to where I was in healthier ways this time….maybe even do cardio."