“We mean it, man” – THE HOBBLEDEHOY
Covid-19
Shit Trump Says: A press briefing sample
“Trump is a ‘ratings hit,’ The New York Times wrote in a not-complimentary recent story, comparing his audience size to the season finale of The Bachelor. No doubt, the former reality show host loved that juxtaposition. Now his wildly unscripted briefings are the ultimate reality show, and even those hate-watching his daily lies, scorn, and gaslighting are giving him exactly what he craves” – The Boston Globe
UK government officials daily briefing 4/3
UK government officials are delivering their daily briefing on the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country. They will carry on without Prime Minister Boris Johnson who said today he would continue his isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. ‘Although I’m feeling better,’ Johnson said after seven days of isolation, ‘I still have a temperature and so, in accordance with government advice, I must continue my self-isolation until that symptom itself goes.’
Edinburgh festivals cancelled for 2020
Edinburgh’s August festivals have been scrapped for 2020, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent global cultural shutdown. The festivals – which bring hundreds of thousands of artists, performers and audience members to the city every August – have pulled the plug on this year’s events after weeks of speculation over whether or not they would go ahead.
In a statement on their website, the Edinburgh Fringe Society’s Shona McCarthy said: “Today’s decision that the Fringe will not go ahead as planned was not taken lightly. We have spent the past month listening to a broad cross-section of Fringe participants, as well as to government, healthcare professionals, residents and many more; however, in light of present circumstances it was unavoidable. Public health must and always will come first.”
Artists who have already applied to perform at the Fringe will receive a full refund of their registration fee or the option to roll it over for 2021. Ticket-holders who have purchased tickets for 2020 shows, many of which have been on sale for weeks, will be refunded. [ . . . ]
Source: The Skinny