You Might Want to Rethink

President Trump said it'd be a good idea for hotels to start closing their doors -- including his own -- but the fact is ... Trump Hotels in America are by and large open for business.

45 was asked about how the shutdowns and closures sweeping the nation's businesses might be affecting his own -- the guy lends his name to several different hotels and restaurants globally -- and he said he was getting hurt like everyone else.

It almost seemed like he wasn't sure -- but took some big guesses, eventually deferring to his sons, who are in charge of the Trump empire while DT's in office.

Still, Trump took a hard stance, telling the press Sunday he actually thought it would be a good idea if his hotels closed to deter people from congregating and cut down on the virus potentially spreading. TMZ called around ... and it doesn't sound like that memo's gotten to his own staff quite yet. Fact is ... some U.S.-based Trump Hotels are still taking bookings.

Of the stateside Trump Hotels where folks can rent a room for Sunday night -- according to the front desk clerks:

-- Trump International Hotel Chicago ... Open for business

-- Trump International Hotel Waikiki -- Open for business

-- Trump Int'l D.C. -- Open

-- Trump Int'l Hotel and Tower Vancouver -- Open

-- Trump National Doral Miami -- Open

Trump hotels in Nevada and New York -- Closed

As for international properties, the hotel in Turnberry, Scotland is open. The hotel in Ireland is not.

Mike Huckabee has a solution for the toilet paper shortage being experienced across the country -- wipe up with Mother Nature's own stockpile ... straight from the cornfield!

The former Arkansas governor tweeted out the bizarre advice, saying people should simply turn to the crafty crop for their bathroom needs. He wrote, "Those of us from rural south know how to handle toilet paper shortage."

MH continued, "Eat more corn on the cob! The corn isn't important, but the cobs are free and work great!  (Just don't flush them!) You're welcome!" Now, Mike's no farmer ... and isn't said to have grown up on one either. So, proceed with the homemade toiler paper recommendation at your own risk -- hard to tell if there's any truth or science behind it.

We should also say for those not totally up to speed on their produce terms here, Gov. Huckabee's not talking about using the husk (the outer leafy coating covering the corn itself) ... he's referring to what lies beneath. The cob is what the corn kernels grow on ... the so-called "pole," if you will, that's left behind when an ear of corn is shaved down.

America and junk food are getting back together after years apart ... and it only took a global pandemic to kick start the reunion.

According to a new Bloomberg report, a massive and noticeable trend is starting to emerge in the buying pattern of panicked U.S.-based shoppers these past few weeks ... who've been flocking to their local grocery stores and grabbing the essentials off the shelves en masse.

Long story short ... the country's giving up kale, and they're going back to Oreos. In other words, keeping up with the health kick is over, people. We're going back to what we know.

There's a number of possible reasons for this outlined in the report, but the biggest seems to be basic shelf life and expiration dates. A lot of the junk food shoppers are pivoting to is simply going to last longer than pretty much any of super/health foods they've gravitated towards of late. Plus, a lot of the old-school snacks are sold in bulk, and are easier to grab and go in these scary times. Another explanation ... we're creatures of habit.

The numbers are there to back up the theory too -- sales for companies like General Mills, Tyson Foods, Campbell Soup, Kraft and Heinz are going through the roof of late. The company behind Spam is also blowing up with a 37% spike, and Oreo maker Mondelez Int'l is also peaking.

President Trump is getting chewed out by the deaf community, which feels it's getting screwed out of critical info during his daily coronavirus briefings.

Americans stuck at home are relying on the White House for the latest COVID-19 info, but when the Prez holds court with his cabinet members and Dr. Anthony Fauci, one person's missing ... an ASL interpreter.

Stephanie Cawthon of the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes tells TMZ ... members from the deaf and hearing-impaired have fired off some requests to Trump, including the use of a single ASL interpreter when he's at the podium discussing the pandemic. The National Association of the Deaf also sent a letter to the White House.

She says they've gotten no response, so far, and they're frustrated.

In addition to an ASL interpreter at all public health announcements, we're told the deaf and hearing-impaired want improved closed-captioning and better graphics to relay virus updates.

Previously, the President has sporadically used ASL translators during news conferences and the State of The Union. Deaf and hearing-impaired groups tell us it's way more crucial Trump uses one now because so many American lives hang in the balance.

FYI, some governors and mayors have been using ASL interpreters during their coronavirus news conferences -- notably Cali's Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Purell's hand sanitizer sales have skyrocketed in recent weeks amid the coronavirus pandemic, but it might have to use some of that money for legal fees ... it's been hit with a class action lawsuit alleging its germ-killing claims are BS.

Purell manufacturer, Gojo Industries, was sued last week in Ohio federal court by 4 individuals claiming the Purell packaging flaunts "misleading claims" about the effectiveness of its product.

According to the legal docs ... Purell's front label claims that it "kills 99.99% of illness causing germs" implies that figure is backed by scientific support, but the folks suing say none exists.

Likewise, the suit adds that Purell hand sanitizer claims to help prevent infection and diseases, but there's allegedly "no sound scientific evidence to support the claims."

The lawsuit also mentions a letter sent by the FDA to Gojo in January, which plaintiffs' claim describes Purell as "nothing more than a topical antiseptic," which was not safe and effective in preventing infection.

L.A. is gonna have a ruff time adjusting to new rules if they wanna hike the famed Runyon Canyon ... like not petting other people's dogs to help stave off the spread of the coronavirus.

Hikers are still allowed to hit up the popular trail but they're being urged to follow 4 simple rules to help stem COVID-19 ... and one of the rules explicitly calls for hikers to NOT pet other people's dogs.

As you can see ... hikers are also abiding by perhaps the most important rule, keeping their distance. Hikers seen going up there earlier this week were spotted practicing the rule throughout.

As you know well by now ... California is in a 24-hour lockdown beginning Friday until further notice as cases in the Golden State continue mounting at an alarming rate. The "Safer-at-Home" order calls for the closure of all shopping centers, indoor malls, playgrounds and non-essential business. It also prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people in enclosed spaces.

Residents, however, are allowed to leave their homes to go on walks and get exercise. Good news for hikers, bad news if they're huuuuuge pooch lovers. Call it a sacrifice.

And, the band played on -- FL Gov. Ron DeSantis is digging in his heels, refusing to close beaches to block huge gatherings during the coronavirus outbreak ... despite alarming new CDC info.

You've seen the images of packed beaches in Clearwater, Panama Beach City and other Gulf Coast locations. Clearly, spring break is marching on, undaunted in the Sunshine State ... and many critics are pointing the finger at Gov. DeSantis.

So far, he's only said the state would enforce CDC's suggestion to keep parties under 10 people -- but anyone with eyes can see, cops are having a tough time getting partying kids to toe that line.

Ironically, the Governor's stance flies in the face of some other CDC data -- the fact they're now seeing more and more patients in their 30s, 40s and 50s suffering severe COVID-19 symptoms ... many in critical care.

We don't know if DeSantis ever watched "Jaws," but sure seems like he's a big fan of Vaughn ... the Amityville Mayor who kept the beaches open for 4th of July.

That worked out well.

Evangeline Lilly is going against the grain in a big way ... sending her kids off to gymnastics and having lots of dicey interactions, because she believes the coronavirus scare is not only overblown ... it might even have some sinister tinges to it.

Evangeline just said for her and her fam, it's business as usual. She said, "Just dropped my kids off at gymnastic camp. They all washed their hands before going in. They are playing and laughing."

It gets even more real ... The actress says she's living with her dad who has stage 4 leukemia. She says, "I am also immune compromised at the moment."

And then, there's this mantra ... "Some people value their lives over freedom, some people value freedom over their lives. We all make our choices."

One thing that she doesn't address .... if anyone in her family contracts the virus and interacts with others, they could spread it to people who might be at risk and, as you know, a number of those people are dying.

She says the virus is really just a "respiratory flu" ... despite just about every doctor saying it's more serious than the flu.

She feels the government has taken too much control over our lives and it's getting too close to Martial Law for comfort.

A mom went to great lengths to pull a bathroom prank on her daughter -- it's nothing new, but with the added element of coronavirus ... it's definitely nastier and, if you ask us, downright cruel.

The prank starts off as all good pranks do ... with a mother sitting on the can with the door wide open. She then asks her daughter to come in and hand her the roll of toilet paper -- a hot commodity these days -- and the good girl obliges.

However, the prankster mom rubs some chocolate on her daughter's hand in the exchange and ... you gotta see her reaction.

"Is that poop?!" has now been replaced with "Is that coronavirus?!"

The poor girl immediately starts crying and rushes to the sink to wash it off while the mom cackles in laughter. To be fair, Mom quickly apologizes and fesses up to the prank ... but it seems like some damage was done.

Australia's most prestigious pro rugby league is combating the coronavirus pandemic ... by appointing a special BALL WASHER to keep things clean on the field.

The problem??? The rest of the players are smothering each other!!

It all went down Thursday in Sydney -- where the North Queensland Cowboys took on the  Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.

Officials in Australia have outlawed public gatherings of more than 500 people -- so the National Rugby League (NRL) decided to push forward with games ... with limited people in attendance.

In total, there were 241 people at the stadium (including the players) so the game was allowed to take place.

Still, a disturbing sight to see the players sweating, breathing and bleeding on each other with the global COVID-19 pandemic in full swing.

After the game, the players were seen hugging family members in the stands -- another big NO-NO according to some health experts.

Mama June and Geno Doak are gambling with their health -- maybe more so than usual -- because they're still hanging out in a Florida casino despite the coronavirus pandemic.

June and her BF were hanging out Tuesday at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL -- and folks there tell us the couple seemed to be walking aimlessly around the casino floor. They meant it literally, not metaphorically.

Seems Mama and Geno aren't about to let the outbreak stop their good times from rolling ... South Florida casinos are starting to shut down as officials recommend avoiding crowds, but the Hard Rock is staying open and implementing social distancing measures. As you can see, the casino floor is relatively empty.

Mama and her man have taken a liking to the Hard Rock ... as we reported, they were chowing down on fries inside there just last month. FYI, this is the same resort where Anna Nicole Smith died back in 2007.

Looks like Mama and Geno might be staying on the property now. Witnesses tell us June was wearing a dress over some swimwear, which is interesting because only hotel guests have access to the pool.

Remember, Mama sold her house in Georgia, for way under its value. And, ever since then, she's been living on the move. If a "shelter in place" order comes down, June's place is TBD.

O.J. Simpson is pleading with golf courses nationwide -- PLEASE stay open during the coronavirus scare ... or old dudes across the country are gonna lose their damn minds.

While he continues his search to find the "real killer," O.J. spends a lot of time on the links ... and on Wednesday, he voiced his frustrations with his local course planning to close during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"You don't really get that close to one another on a golf course," O.J. said. "And, I think for some of the older guys that golf as their only exercise, I think it's gonna hurt them if you start closing all the golf courses."

"I'm just saying, and if you do close them, you better open up some insane asylum, get me a bed because I know if I can't play golf for the next month, I'ma go crazy."

The coronavirus has pregnant women turning back the clock -- with increased fears about entering jam-packed hospitals, those about to pop are making alternate plans.

Several stand-alone birthing centers across the country tell TMZ they are seeing a massive influx of inquiring moms-to-be looking to deliver their babies -- either at their facilities or even at home ... just like in the old days.

Birthing center employees and directors in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Tennessee, Seattle, Minnesota and elsewhere say a lot of third-trimester moms-to-be are freaked out about possibly delivering in hospitals that are getting more and more inundated with coronavirus patients.

Fortunately, most of the birthing centers we spoke with say they're adapting their policies to meet the frenzy -- now, they're taking in gals near full-term pregnancy ... but we've been told if someone is days away from their due date, they'll probably be turned away -- as these centers need time to set up and take measures to guarantee a safe birth.

That's not the only solution that's being considered in light of the crisis. The director of Seattle Birth Centers (a city now considered a major coronavirus hot spot) tells us their community is seeing retired midwives come back into the workforce because some folks are opting to push through right at home.

Of course, that usually means no epidural. Ouch ...