Celebrity Health

Dr. Anthony Fauci is getting a beefed-up security detail ... because our nation's top infectious-disease expert is now the target of a growing number of threats.

It's pretty crazy ... Dr. Fauci is facing threats to his personal safety and a wave of unwanted communications from fanatic followers, according to the Washington Post, forcing the feds to step up the good doc's security.

Fauci has fast become the face of the nation's response to the coronavirus pandemic, often appearing on TV and taking the podium at President Trump's daily briefings, where he's unafraid to deliver harsh truths about the spread of the virus and the need for Americans to shelter in place.

But, with added fame comes added criticism ... and he's facing tons of backlash from different pockets and corners of the online community.

While Fauci is suddenly getting more security, the Post says the exact nature of the threats against the doctor remains unclear.

As we reported ... Dr. Fauci's face is now plastered on a super-popular donut at a New York bakery ... and now his admirers are reportedly approaching him with requests to sign baseballs and other strange requests.

Dr. Fauci's security detail includes agents from the U.S. Marshals Service, according to the Post, and it's been in place since Tuesday at least.

While Dr. Fauci and President Trump's messages on the virus have often clashed, Trump says everyone loves the doc.

Ric Flair says he's "more than content" with the COVID-19 safety measures the WWE has implemented for WrestleMania 36 -- and trusts Vince McMahon to look out for his daughter's health.

Of course, Mania is set to go down (without fans) this weekend in a virtually empty WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida ... due to the coronavirus pandemic.

And, while at least one WWE superstar has pulled out over health concerns, Ric tells TMZ Sports the wrestling org. is doing everything they can to protect the 'Mania performers, which includes his own superstar daughter, Charlotte Flair.

"I'm more than content that they have put enough safety measure in place." Flair says.

"Keep in mind, they also gave everybody an opportunity to not be part of it. So, anybody that was there, nobody had their arm twisted. It was strictly a voluntary basis."

Flair says the wrestlers are STOKED for WM36 -- explaining, "They worked their whole year, actually some of them work their whole career to be in a high level match in Wrestle Mania."

"Obviously there's gonna be some changes but it's gonna be a great show."

Plus, Nature Boy says he's sick of listening to all of the NFL offseason news dominating the sports media recently ... he's ready for some action already!

"Hey listen, I'm tired of hearing about Tom Brady and that Buccaneers. I'm tired of hearing about Tua, ok?! Let's talking about something that's really taking place!"

Adam Schlesinger -- co-founder of the "Stacy's Mom" band Fountains of Wayne -- is fighting for his life as he battles COVID-19.

Adam's girlfriend tells TMZ ... he's been hospitalized in upstate NY and is currently on a ventilator. She says Adam "has been sedated to facilitate his recovery. He is in critical condition, but his condition is improving slightly and we are cautiously optimistic."

A fan page for the 52-year-old singer's current band, Ivy, claims Adam's been on a ventilator for 2 weeks and is in a medically induced coma. Adam's longtime lawyer, Josh Grier, refuted that ... telling Variety "no one has used the word 'coma' to me."

Adam's GF didn't say it either when we spoke to her.

Adam co-wrote "Stacy's Mom" with Fountains of Wayne lead singer Chris Collingwood. The band dropped the track in 2003 and it peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 -- but the music video, starring Rachel Hunter, etched the song in pop culture.

Florida residents are gunning for all the ammo they can get their hands on with just hours to go before the state's stay-at-home order goes into effect.

We got this pic of the handgun ammo aisle at Academy Sports + Outdoors in West Melbourne, FL. As you can see, anyone looking to load their 9mm, .38 or .45 caliber weapon is S.O.L. -- however, we're told the store still had shotgun shells.

Mind you, this was just one hour after Gov. Ron DeSantis issued the stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The mandate goes into effect at midnight Thursday.

Floridians have been arming up all week -- we're told ammo supplies have been low for days, and as soon as stores restock, they're selling out. According to reports ... more than 10,000 Floridians filed paperwork to get a background check, and gun stores have had long lines.

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez just beat the buzzer ... squeezing in one final gym workout before Florida goes on lockdown, and using their pull to make it happen.

The engaged duo slipped out of a gym Wednesday afternoon in Miami after getting what we imagine to be some very exclusive access. Florida had already ordered most gyms closed -- in fact, the door to this gym even said it was closed.

There was an exception for gyms with a capacity of 10 or less -- so, J Lo and A-Rod likely had a private training session -- but even that has to end Thursday.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced a statewide shelter in place order just a few hours after Alex and Jen wrapped up at the gym. It goes into effect Thursday at midnight.

They did play it safe on the way out ... with their security guards wearing masks and wiping down door handles and other surfaces they might touch.

Southern California still doesn't quite get the need to social distance from one another, because a popular farmers market in Santa Monica was teeming with shoppers who were awfully close together.

These pics were snapped Wednesday AM, as folks mostly on the westside of L.A. scramble for fresh groceries. The person who took the photos tells TMZ ... he was not allowed in because it's members-only, but he saw lots of shoppers very close together.

There have been other problems in the L.A.-area. As we reported, Katherine Schwarzenegger got the Brentwood Farmers Market shut down by Mayor Garcetti -- at least temporarily -- after big crowds gathered over the weekend and clearly were not practicing social distancing.

Ditto the beaches in L.A. County. During the first week of the self-quarantine, the beaches were crammed with people. They have been shut down.

Hiking trails have also been closed because so many people were trying to get exercise at the same time.

Dr. Will Kirby wants his fellow medical pros to quit hoarding crucial supplies, and make the sacrifices needed to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

The celebrity dermatologist joined us Wednesday on "TMZ Live" and sounded the alarm -- hospitals and first responders are in desperate need of face shields, masks and gloves ... items generally known as PPE, personal protective equipment.

Dr. Kirby -- who is a lead Doc at LaserAway -- doesn't mince words, saying any Bev Hills, Hollywood or L.A. cosmetic surgeon refusing to donate their stockpile of PPE is straight-up selfish and cowardly.

He suspects they've been slow to donate because they're hoping to open their doors again in a few weeks. Watch the clip ... he acknowledges the economic risk, but says it's time to band together and sacrifice.

The good doc is putting his PPE where his mouth is ... he's already donated $50,000 worth of PPE to 17 emergency rooms in New York and California.

Joshua Tree is finally joining a long list of parks closing its trails to hikers and bikers ... just days after the area was besieged by quarantine-fleeing Angelenos.

The National Parks Service announced effective immediately the popular park in the Coachella Valley area is closed to ALL visitors until further notice. The park, of course, is completely shutting down in an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

As we first reported ... Joshua Tree National Park was flooded with TONS of out-of-towners a little over a week ago, much to the chagrin of local neighbors. The park initially closed its visitor's center on March 18 and then closed its campgrounds on March 21.

But bored Angelenos couldn't keep their asses home anyway despite a "shelter at home" order by Gov. Gavin Newsom, thus forcing the National Parks Service's hand.

The closure comes a day after coronavirus cases in San Bernardino County hit 125, with four deaths.

Call it a lockdown within the lockdown -- U.S. prisoners will be kept inside their assigned cells for the next 14 days in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons announced Tuesday night its new guideline will go into effect beginning Wednesday ... calling for all inmates in every prison across the nation to be secured in their assigned cells/quarters to decrease the spread of COVID-19.

This is BOP's Phase 5 plan as it desperately tries to combat the outbreak in prisons across America. BOP also says -- to the extent practicable -- inmates will have access to programs and services offered under normal operating procedures, such as mental health treatment and education.

After 14 days, if BOP deems it necessary ... it can choose to extend the lockdown. BOP will also work with U.S. Marshals to "significantly decrease incoming movement" to its prisons.

An 18-wheeler hauling toilet paper across the country crashed and went up in flames on a Texas interstate ... and reams of priceless rolls ended up as roadkill.

The crazy scene unfolded on Interstate 20 early Wednesday morning, when the driver of the tractor-trailer lost control of the rig ... flipping the truck on its side and spilling the precious cargo.

The trailer loaded with commercial TP was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.

The crash created a huge traffic snarl during rush hour -- people are still apparently out on the roads in Dallas -- as crews worked to clear the smoldering wreckage. FYI ... Texas does not have a mandatory stay-at-home order.

One of the doctors featured on the show, "Pandemic," says he may have found a cure for the coronavirus, and the military is now jumping into action to conduct tests.

Dr. Jacob Glanville, who heads up Distributed Bio, explained his antibody therapy. It's a shot that binds, neutralizes and blocks the virus from infecting human cells.

But, there's more ... Dr. Glanville says people who already have the virus could benefit in just 20 minutes, if it actually works.

The doc says the antibodies he used were actually developed back in 2002 to stop the spread of SARS. He says his team has evolved the antibodies in the lab and claims "they very vigorously block and stop [COVID19]."

Dr. Drew says the coronavirus pandemic is creating dangerous sink or swim conditions for drug addicts and alcoholics.

The danger doesn't come from the virus itself, instead, Drew tells us it's the quarantines that have people hooked on booze or substances really going through it right now. He says many are relapsing due to a lack of personal communication and a face-to-face support system they may be used to during normal times.

Dr. Drew says that spells trouble for some, especially those just starting out in their journey to sobriety. He worries that the longer this goes on, the longer they're more at risk to do harm to themselves.

On the flip side, there's another type of addict who can emerge. He says some alcoholics and addicts actually thrive in situations like these, where their adrenaline is pumping and the stakes are high.

It's interesting ... a lot of AA meetings have, in fact, moved to digital platforms -- but Drew says it's really up to the individual in how they manage this separation from people. Funny enough, he also has a take on the fact liquor stores and weed shops are still open.

They're considered essential businesses, and whether there's any merit to it or not ... Drew says there's gotta be supplemental help if you're gonna keep an addict's fix within arm's reach.

Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford have just given up a sweet deal in order to help out a couple that was buying their home ... a couple that desperately wanted to cancel the deal and get their money back ... TMZ has learned.

Rande and Cindy were selling one of the homes they own in Malibu -- not the one they live in, but a nearby property they've had for years. They made a deal with a couple from Europe for $6.5 million ... a really good price.

Thing is ... with the pandemic and travel restrictions to and from Europe, the couple reached out to Rande and Cindy and asked if they could cancel. We're told the famous couple told the buyers they were all in this together, so they canceled the deal and returned the deposit.

It's becoming a big bone of contention surrounding the pandemic ... when can someone cancel a contract due to the virus? This is not an Act of God -- that's limited to natural disasters. If anything applies, it's called force majeure -- an unforeseeable circumstance that prevents someone from fulfilling a contract. For example, it frees people from their contracts if there are extraordinary events beyond the control of the parties, like war, strikes, riots and the plague.

There are a number of businesses that are not allowing people to exercise the force majeure clause to get out of contracts -- airlines, cruise ships, apartments ... people are having trouble.

Celebrity chef Thomas Keller from French Laundry fame is suing his insurance company to get a declaration from a judge that insurance companies must pay for the losses these businesses are suffering under the force majeure clause ... some insurance companies have resisted, arguing the reason things have tanked is because the government decided on a shutdown, and that was voluntary. Obviously, that misses the point that this is life or death. Plus, the plague has been covered by force majeure in the past, and there's really no difference between that and a deadly virus.

As for Rande and Cindy, they are really doing their part in their hometown. Rande's keeping his Malibu restaurant, Cafe Habana, open for takeout and his employees are getting paid.

Going beyond what's legally required ... that's called chipping in and doing the right thing.

Here's some good news we can all use ... Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her trusted trainer are still pumping iron despite the coronavirus shutting down gyms across much of the country. Go Ruth, go!!!

The Supreme Court Justice's personal trainer, Bryant Johnson, says his client continues to work out twice weekly inside her private gym in the Supreme Court building. As for the 'rona ... Johnson says 87-year-old Ginsburg "ain't having it" in regards to stopping. Johnson hasn't shut down at her request, and he told Law360 she's his only client right now.

They are taking the pandemic seriously, though. Johnson says they're wiping down every machine and piece of equipment they use thoroughly, and are also trying to maintain social distance between themselves as well. Sounds like it works.

Johnson says he doesn't really need to hold the notorious RBG's hand when it comes to the routine, adding that as soon as he lays a certain exercise area out ... she already recognizes it and proceeds without him having to be so close to her to explain much of anything.

Some of the exercises she does ... planks, push-ups and others.

Ruthie's famously known for getting her sweat on. Stephen Colbert documented his attempt to keep up with her recently, and it was pretty hilarious ... she was kinda out of his league and in her own world when it comes to fitness.

On another note ... it sounds like she's still working when it comes to SCOTUS biz too. Law360 notes she calls into conference chats via phone with the other robes these days.