Elon Musk's Tesla Employees Making Ventilators Out of Car Parts ... Here's How They Do It!!!

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Elon Musk's Tesla ventilators are a thing of engineering beauty and ingenuity, 'cause he's got his workers making 'em from scratch with stuff they got lying around their factories.

Tesla just posted a tutorial video of sorts, giving folks a sneak-peek at how exactly it's making the 1,000-plus ventilators it's already donated to Los Angeles ... plus more they're apparently cranking out right now. It's fascinating ... they're literally re-purposing car parts.

Elon's brainiac employees give a step-by-step walk-through of the first prototype the team built to donate to hospitals, and from what we can gather ... it's a massive contraption that, indeed, filters oxygen and CO2 in and out of a patient. We'll let the experts explain how.

There's more though ... one guy goes on to explain that Tesla's Model 3 vehicle and all of its internal systems are what power and keep track of these makeshift ventilators, which is crazy! They figured out a way to rewire stuff and make their operating system work for this cause.

With dudes like this in the lab, our chances at beating COVID-19 and treating those affected by it just went through the roof. Well done, fellas ... you're doing us proud.

Jay Leno Roadside Mechanic to the Rescue ... Right Up His Alley Too!!!

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If you're ever stranded along the side of the road in L.A. ... don't be surprised if you see Jay Leno pull up and ask you to pop the hood so he can get a good look at what's up.

That's exactly what happened Sunday to luxury real estate agent Dwayne Henry of Westside Estate Agency, who had a little car trouble off the Sunset Strip ... and was somewhat rescued by none other than the legendary late night talk show host in the flesh.

Dwayne tells TMZ ... he took his 1953 Mercedes-Benz -- a classic car if there ever was one -- out for a spin 'cause of the nice weather and to beat the quarantine blues, and almost immediately ... he knew something wasn't right mechanically. So, naturally, he pulled over.

DH says the issue was so bad, he called a tow truck right away ... but between the time he called and the truck arriving, Jay pulled up with his wife in a Tesla seemingly out of nowhere. Sure enough, Dwayne says Jay walked over and asked to have a peek inside.

Of course, Jay is the owner of SEVERAL classic cars -- including an even older Mercedes-Benz than this one. So, it's no wonder he spotted this whip -- but wild he actually reacted.

Anywho, as Jay was fiddling around in there, the tow truck driver showed and tossed Jay a wrench so he could tinker some more. Eventually, Dwayne tells us Jay had the diagnosis ... a brake issue that was also screwing with his fluid. Unfortunately, we're told he wasn't able to band-aid it on the spot, but hey ... an official car workup from JL ain't too shabby.

And, yes, Dwayne snapped a shot with Jay ... and he tells us it made his day. What a guy!

Tyler Perry $21,000 Tip To Help Struggling ATL Restaurant Workers

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Tyler Perry is an angel, and he proved it once again when he went to a Houston's restaurant in Atlanta Sunday and left a $500 tip for each of the 42 out-of-work servers.

Tyler's a big fan of the chain and has been driving over to the one on Northside Parkway pretty frequently to pick up some delicious grub.

He showed his appreciation in a big way ... with way more than a 20% tip ... $21,000!!!

It's a lifesaver for these out-of-work employees. The federal money for fired workers is supposed to get maybe delayed ... in some cases up to 20 weeks, and that just doesn't cut it.

Tyler is one of the most charitable guys in entertainment. When there's a disaster anywhere in the world, Tyler's the one to fly in supplies. As we reported, Tyler had a plane flown down to the Bahamas after it was devastated by Hurricane Dorian.

With millions of people out of work and things looking like they're only going to get worse this month, the generosity of everyone is about the only thing that's gonna get us through this.

Thank you again, Mr. Perry.

NOLA Couple Front-Porch Wedding ... 1st Dance On Sidewalk After!!!

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A couple in New Orleans just tied the knot with one of the most creative -- and probably sweetest -- ceremonies we've seen in a while ... and it was quarantine friendly!!!

The two lovebirds are Alex Cotant and Darla Edin-Cotant, and they got married Saturday right on their front-porch in a part of town called Mid-City. It was a small ceremony (very small, in fact) because they didn't have very many guests besides their next-door neighbors.

After they said "I do" in front of their doorway -- and in front of a minister pal, who officiated -- Alex and Darla hit the stoop below them and had a little sidewalk reception for the whole block to see, including their first dance ... which was complete with a live music cameo.

The guitarist you see here helping them swoon is local musician Mike Doussan, who tells TMZ ... he got on over there in a heartbeat after a friend told him what was happening. He says he played two songs for them, both originals, and it looks like the bride and groom were digging the tunes -- sneaking in kisses between swaying and boogieing down.

BTW, there's a reason Mike was ready at the drop of a hat ... he tells us he's been doing livestream gigs from his own front-porch lately since every venue around town is closed.

As for the at-home wedding ... it too has become a thing, especially as folks rush to cash in on their marriage licenses -- which will expire within a month or so if they don't pull the trigger. Courthouses are shut down too, so you can't get more anytime soon.

Sure seems like Alex and Darla got their vows in right in the nick of time. Congrats!

Tekashi 6ix9ine Post-Release Already Trolling ... Garcetti Wants Snitches? I'm Here!!!

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Tekashi 6ix9ine is back to his trolling ways since getting out of prison -- his first order of business ... letting L.A.'s Mayor know he's down to rat out quarantine breakers.

The rapper just commented on an IG post by TSR, which captured a photo/headline of Mayor Eric Garcetti telling Los Angelenos he would be willing to offer "rewards" to folks who snitch on businesses and others blatantly breaking the city-wide, stay-at-home order.

Tekashi's official two cents ... "Coming to the rescue." Short and sweet, but it speaks volumes (somewhat hilariously) for a number of reasons.

For starters, this appears to be 6ix9ine's first social media interaction that we've seen from his official account in a long time -- since November 2018, in fact, when he first got locked up on racketeering charges -- so it's noteworthy in that sense. Out of prison, back online.

Also, it's funny Tekashi's commenting on a timely topic -- namely, the coronavirus chaos happening all around us -- while also touching on something he knows all too well ... singing like a canary. Granted he's in NYC, not L.A. ... but it's the thought that counts.

Of course, if Tekashi was on the West Coast ... there'd be plenty of snitching he could do for Garcetti, as people continue to flock to public spaces and disregard social distancing -- like in Hermosa Beach this weekend, where people were out and about along trails there.

If his music career doesn't take off again like he'd planned, maybe the dude's got a career in comedy. He's got us chuckling 😅

College Grad UPS Driver Plays a Diploma-Giver ... During At-Home Ceremony

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SCHOLARLY DISTANCING

A college student who had her diploma ceremony stripped away because of the coronavirus got creative on behalf of his grandmother -- and a UPS driver was happy to help.

The at-home, impromptu graduation ceremony went down last week in Virginia, where the girl says she waited for her diploma to arrive from her school -- James Madison University -- via snail mail, but while waiting ... she got dressed up in her cap and gown.

And, get this ... it was for her granny, who wanted to see her granddaughter graduate and walk. Awwwwww!!!!

Anyway, it's unclear if the UPS driver who eventually showed up to deliver the goods was in on what was happening, but he was a good sport and handed the kid her diploma. It started out from a safe distance, but they eventually did appear to get closer than 6 feet.

At any rate, the makeshift grad celebration isn't all that uncommon right now among college students -- seeing how pretty much all of their spring semesters were scrapped outright amid the pandemic. No more school activities for a while, and that means stuff like this.

Good to see she took matters into her own hands and got creative. Lifts the spirits, don't it?

'Quarantined Bachelor' IG Show Big Viral Hit in SF ... Zoom Dates, Toilet Paper Ceremony!!!

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'Bachelor' Nation, meet your new fix -- a couple dudes in SF started their own quarantine dating show, but they've nixed the roses and replaced it with a way more precious item.

Two former Yelp employees in the Bay Area -- Tyler Cohen and Jimmy Parenteau -- already had a virtual dating show in the works prior to the coronavirus outbreak, but when it hit ... they pivoted and launched "Quarantined Bachelor."

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It's exactly how it sounds ... a single gentleman is chosen as a bachelor, and he's introduced to a bunch of potential suitors via Zoom, who then go on individual dates with the fella and eventually ... get whittled down to a final 3 via elimination. Just like ABC's hit series.

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Tyler and Jimmy told the SF Chronicle the big difference with their show -- besides no physical interaction -- is the rose ceremony ... which ditches the petals and replaces it with paper. Toilet paper, that is!!!

It also goes without saying, the stakes for 'QB' aren't as high ... no proposal, just an eventual in-person date.

The first season of 'Quarantined Bachelor' is actually already wrapped and completely up episode by episode on the show's official IG page. They also found their leading man -- his name is Richard Shall, and he seems like quite a catch.

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Now, keep in mind ... the production value isn't anywhere near what you might be used to on network television, so lower your expectations. That said ... it might become a blueprint for actual 'Bachelor' producers the longer this quarantining goes on.

Coronavirus D.C. Residents Packed in Like Sardines ... Shopping for Crab

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A super-popular weekend spot in the nation's capital was super dangerous Saturday, when crowds of people swarmed into a relatively tight space, squarely violating social distancing rules.

Check out the pic of the Wharf, where lots of locals descend to buy fresh seafood ... especially crab legs and shrimp.

D.C. has a stay-at-home order, but people are allowed to go out and shop.  Problem here ... they're WAY too close together. Notice the sign, warning people to stay 6 feet apart.

Some are wearing masks ... but most aren't.

It's actually pretty incredible because at this point you have to be living under a rock not to understand the need to keep your distance.

The Deputy Mayor shut the market down Saturday night.

As we reported, mayors of various cities have shut these open markets down. TMZ first reported, Katherine Schwarzenegger blew the whistle on shoppers at the Brentwood Farmers Market last weekend, and when she did Mayor Eric Garcetti swiftly shut the market down until safety measures were enacted.

Pastor Kenneth Copeland I'll Blow This Stinkin' Virus Away!!!

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Well, this is frightening ... a Texas pastor is selling a new cure for the virus ... just blow it away.

Check out this video from Televangelist Kenneth Copeland, who sermonized to his congregation Thursday that with a little wind and heat, he could take the wind out of the sails of the deadly virus.

Copeland, who heads up the Copeland Ministries out of Fort Worth, has been in the biz for 52 years, but this sermon has gotta take the cake.

He has promised his congregants that the virus would end soon.

Let's hope Trump doesn't hear about the Pastor's "cure."

Coronavirus Super-Creative, Homemade Masks

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If necessity really is the mother of invention, then lots of folks have stepped up with their own ways of staying relatively safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

Check out our gallery of homemade protective masks or reasonable facsimiles thereof. From party hats to a giant water bottle ... they hopefully do the trick.

As you know, or should know by now, we're all being advised not to wear the professional-grade masks which are in extremely short supply and reserved for frontline health care workers, so the creative ones are welcome by all.

As for how to make a homegrown mask, the CDC recommends it fit snugly but comfortably and secured with ties or ear loops. It should also include multiple layers of fabric and allow for unrestricted breathing. It should also be laundry friendly.

The CDC has recommended wearing face coverings when out in public, but some members of the Coronavirus Task Force are now urging us to stay clear of grocery stores and pharmacies for the next 2 weeks ... which is going to be a rough period for all of us.