You Might Want to Rethink

Kid Rock's Nashville honky tonk says it will NOT shut down over coronavirus ... despite the city's orders ... and Kid's joint ain't alone in taking this defiant stand.

Restaurateur Steve Smith -- who co-owns Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk & Steakhouse -- put out a blistering response Sunday to Nashville Mayor John Cooper's recent directive that all bars in town close up, and restaurants cut their capacity in half.

The move -- which several other cities across the country are starting to implement -- is in direct response to the coronavirus pandemic -- but even so, Smith is saying ... kick rocks to the government.

He says rather matter of factly, "We appreciate the efforts of Mayor Cooper to combat the COVID-19 virus, but unless there's a statewide mandate that directs all bars and restaurants to be closed, the request made by Mayor Cooper is unconstitutional as he is targeting a select group of businesses."

Smith adds, "[A] Tootsie's patron as immediate as last night, mentioned having lived through the polio epidemic and didn't recall such extreme measures being handed down in history." He continues, "In response, Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Rippy's, Honky Tonk Central, Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk & Steakhouse and The Diner will continue to remain open to serve the public until such statewide mandate is issued from the Governor of Tennessee."

Smith's snub of the Mayor comes after a viral video captured the scene this weekend inside a downtown Nashville bar -- the joint was packed with patrons, out and about without a care.

Interestingly enough, Kid Rock himself hasn't spoken on the issue of closing up yet -- even though he co-owns one of the bars threatening to stay open.

Heidi Klum's husband is rolling the dice ... because he decided to venture out into some busy public spaces while awaiting the results of his coronavirus test!!!

Heidi's hubby, Tom Kaulitz, went shopping for groceries Sunday with his brother, Bill Kaulitz, at the super-popular Los Angeles supermarket, Erewhon Market ... this after falling ill and getting tested for the deadly virus.

Tom and Bill wore face masks and gloves during their grocery run ... but masks and gloves aren't a steel curtain.

Heidi says ... "Like many of you, I also have been sick all week and, unfortunately, my husband who returned from his tour a couple of days ago is also feeling ill. To be safe, we are staying apart until we get the results of our coronavirus tests.”

People are clearing out grocery aisle shelves amid the coronavirus pandemic -- but the microscopic enemy's also got folks ready to shoot their way out this problem.

At least two gun stores in the San Fernando Valley -- just outside of L.A. -- had lines coming out the door this weekend, as people flocked to apparently stock up on firearms. The two locations pictured here are Gun World and Guns Direct -- both in Burbank, CA.

It looks like people were actually standing in lines that went down the block and reached surrounding store fronts -- which, of course, begs the obvious question. WHY?!?!?

It could just be the fact they got some pretty good sales going on right now -- a 9 MM SD9VE Smith & Wesson for just $380 ain't half bad -- but the more realistic reason lies in the panic caused by COVID-19. Funny enough, Pete Wentz just talked to us about this on Saturday, and sorta poo-pooed those whose first instincts are to run to their local gun shops.

He said it didn't really make sense for Americans to snap up guns at such a frantic pace, because coronavirus ain't something you can take out with a bullet. That said, Pete also acknowledged that whenever there's public fear of any kind ... 'Murica likes to grip their pistols for some reason.

Dave & Buster's is a place where kids and adults alike love to play -- which, by and large in Cali, has NOT closed its doors up to this point ... but that could change soon.

TMZ spoke to at least 9 different D&B locations up and down California, and they all pretty much told us the same thing ... they haven't closed up shop, but they are seeing way less traffic come through these past couple weeks -- part of which isn't even their own doing.

We're told a lot of these Dave & Buster's have been instructed by their local governments to reduce the number of people they let in the building down to just 100, including employees. That said, it sounds like it's just slow all around in the arcade/bar/restaurant these days.

Still, we're told those who are working shifts have changed their routines a bit. Some locations tell us certain staffers have been designated to just wiping and sterilizing the joint, from individual game stations and tables ... right down to the menus and ketchup packets.

Of course, it appears D&B might be one of several different venues across the state that will be directed to close up shop -- whether it's locally here in Los Angeles or anywhere else. Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday instructed bars and clubs to shut down.

And, when it comes to restaurants, he says they should start scaling back their capacity by at least 50%. Ditto for L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti -- so it looks D&B could be on a hiatus, along with many other bar/restaurant locales.

The funny thing is ... it feels like a lot of residents aren't heeding the directive of health officials, because L.A. was pretty poppin' this weekend. Same for Nashville, too, apparently ... viral video of a massive gathering at a bar there proves some folks aren't taking coronavirus all that seriously.

50 Cent is giving a big middle finger to the coronavirus panic by going to a strip club in a heavily affected area in New York City ... and throwing cash like there's no tomorrow.

The rapper was at Starlet's Gentlemen's club in Woodside, NY Saturday night -- just outside of Jackson Heights, and just across the way from Manhattan -- where he was without a mask or a glove ... but had a whole lot of paper on his lap with dancers all around.

Fitty was more than happy to spread the wealth in what looked to be a decently packed venue -- chucking his $$$ on stage while the strippers got all giddy. Eyewitnesses tell us he got even more excited and loose with his dough when the DJ started playing his own songs.

Clearly, the guy isn't stressing about catching COVID-19 ... even though the city is on the verge of locking down and mandating people stay home and away from public spaces.

Meanwhile, back in Manhattan proper ... it appears tons of people are already staying off the streets out of an abundance of caution, not to mention a massive spike in confirmed cases.

There is a mad dash to get back into the U.S. from various parts of the world, and it's causing pandemonium at the nation's big airports and potentially exposing thousands of people to the coronavirus.

This photo is from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, where a huge crowd is lined up for a passport check. Everyone also had to wait in a separate line to have their temperature checked. The woman who took this photo says she waited 4 1/2 hours before clearing the line.

Trump has restricted entry from 26 European countries, but Americans are allowed to return home. Nevertheless, there has been a mad scramble to come back and it's caused a logjam.

Scientists may be advising social distancing among ourselves, but as far as Machine Gun Kelly's concerned ... sex is very much still on the table and about to see a HUGE surge.

We got MGK Saturday in Studio City and asked what he made of speculation that the COVID-19 pandemic could actually spark another baby boom -- ya know, 'cause everyone's holed up and just chillin'. He says he agrees ... as he puts it, "Everyone's f***ing." Nice!

Then comes an interesting question ... what are the rules of the road for hooking up amid an outbreak like this? Sounds like our camera guy's speaking for himself and other guys out there, but Kelly's advice of going the straight-to-business route applies to both parties.

Long story short ... docs might be saying to avoid mouth-to-mouth, but no one ever said anything about other parts not touching. So in other words, no kissing ... just banging.

Sylvester Stallone's new movie is doing what a lot of other productions and production companies have halted almost immediately ... continuing to film amid the coronavirus.

The movie star was down in Atlanta Saturday, where he was filming on set for his upcoming sci-fi flick, 'Samaritan,' in full costume and makeup. What's crazy about that ... it appears COVID-19 was on the brain of several others working as well, based on their attire.

Check it out ... there's a woman wearing a face mask who was working on Sly's wardrobe. Not just that, but there was a guy in a freakin' hazmat suit doing what we're told was apparent cleaning on set too. Meanwhile, Stallone was out there unprotected.

Sly hasn't been careless about the virus either -- he was just spotted out here in L.A. last weekend wearing latex gloves while doing some shopping. He's well aware of the risks.

It begs the question ... with so many other movies these days halting production out of an abundance of caution, why is Sly's flick moving forward? Especially, when the staffers on the ground are CLEARLY worried and actively taking steps to ward off coronavirus???

The answer remains unclear -- it could be a decision coming down from the head studios producing this movie -- MGM and Balboa Productions (Stallone's company) -- or it could be a decision from some bigwig behind the scenes. Maybe even SS himself ... who knows?

What's even crazier is that Atlanta is no stranger to coronavirus -- there've been at least a few dozen confirmed cases in and around the area. Georgia's governor even declared a public health emergency recently, so it would appear the virus is running rampant there too.

Another curious thing here ... MGM just pulled the plug on the new Bond movie, 'No Time to Die,' because of coronavirus. So why are they moving forward with this?

Whatever the case ... here's hoping Sylvester's taking the necessary precautions. Be safe out there, bud.

Pete Wentz says people running to their local grocery stores for toilet paper and water are not just screwing themselves (and others) ... they're also not thinking ahead.

The Fall Out Boy bassist gave us his take on the chaos surrounding coronavirus lately -- including folks stockpiling crucial supplies and clearing shelves in utter panic -- and he breaks it down like this ... TP and agua ain't the end all be all, long-lasting grub is.

Check out his explanation here, 'cause it's pretty interesting. He tells us folks should be stocking up on canned goods and food that they can munch on in, say, a month from now ... because that's what'll keep people going in the long run. Not, a 6-pack of Charmin Ultra.

He also says the frenzied public are doing nobody any favors by buying up a massive supply of stuff he says people need right now. In short, take what you need and that's it.

One last thing ... we ask Pete about people snapping up guns amid the pandemonium too, and he says it makes sense. Scared people do scary things, apparently.

The coronavirus has triggered the panicked to seek underground shelter and ride out the global pandemic ... but that -- plus the air they breathe -- may cost them MILLIONS.

TMZ spoke with some of the best bunker retailers in the biz, and they tell us business is usually slow this time of year but the coronavirus has business booming.

The folks over at Rising S -- their glitzy shelters range from 50k to a million bucks -- tell TMZ in just the last couple of weeks, they've had around 1,000 inquiries, with a bunch that resulted in sales for their super-custom underground shelters. Specifically, we're told Rising S was asked if their unique safe space can protect them from the ever-spreading coronavirus. The short answer? To a degree.

We're told Rising S -- whose backlog increased exponentially from 2 weeks to 2 months in the wake of the exploding crisis -- can supply, at an extra cost, non-perishable food and medical supplies. And, for those who plunk down a pretty penny, there are free perks -- customers will get a 5-gallon hand sanitizer (made by Rising S), masks, rubber gloves and bleach.

One of the most insane and lucrative purchase orders Rising S has recently received actually came from Japan ... when a customer bought around 1,000 air filtration systems 2 weeks ago for a whopping price tag of $3 million. But, most of Rising S's customers are in the U.S.

Over at Vivos Underground Survival Shelters, reps tell TMZ ... sales at the moment are up over 400%. Much so ... we're told potential customers are visiting Vivos Underground Survival Shelter's site in South Dakota and leasing bunkers.

It’s a grave rush.

It's a little dark, but some people are planning for eternity in the wake of the coronavirus.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery has been barraged by death-obsessed customers apparently panicked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Never seen anything like this before. It’s crazy,” co-founder Yogu Kanthiah told us.

Kanthiah says customers are dropping wads to buy pre-death plots and secure a spot at Hollywood Forever’s bucolic grounds -- where more than 200 celebs are resting in peace.

Arguably, these premortem purchases may be a tad premature. But, maybe not.

“It’s similar to people going to Costco -- they don’t need all the toilet paper and sanitizer, but they’re buying it anyway,” Kanthiah said.

Take heed… if you’re aiming to get interred or cremated at Hollywood Forever near legends like Judy Garland or punk god Johnny Ramone, it will set you back a handsome sum.

For a crypt in this dirt, it costs around $7,000 and balloons to $19,000 for a prime position in the cemetery’s VIP section along the lakeside property, aptly named Garden of Legends.