Coronavirus Alaska versus California

Recently, I travelled to Alaska and had an amazing time. However, prior to visiting I had heard many rumors about how red-state-last-frontier Alaska was dealing with the coronavirus differently than blue-state hyper-sensitive California.

In California people have to wear masks to go into stores, restaurants, or to go on fishing boats. Many Californians still wear masks when walking outside and occasionally will still cross the street rather than walking by some one. Less so now since the mask mandate has been lifted, but it still happens. Los Angeles still has an announcement at the airport that when visiting the city you are subject to a 14-day voluntary quarantine.

In Alaska, I was concerned about the need to get a covid test with negative results before visiting. Fortunately, that rule was changed a few weeks before I arrived and vaccinated travelers did not need to be tested. Not only that, a test was only voluntary now. I am not sure who would take a voluntary test at the airport if they didn't have to, but the testing station was still there. I heard rumors that masks weren't need in freedom-loving Alaska. That was not true. At my hotel, everyone wore a mask. At breakfast the next morning in downtown Anchorage, the hostess handed me a mask as soon I stepped through the door. On the trolley tour and glacier cruise, masks were also required. Although walking down the street, no one wore masks. So in many ways, except for the Alaska testing and Los Angeles quarantine, I saw no difference between California and Alaska covid restrictions. However, I did feel a difference. People in Alaska did not seem as concerned. Restaurants were full and once we boarded the tour or cruise, masks came off to drink water and eat and never really went back on and no one seemed to mind.

It would have been more interesting to compare the two states two months ago when the vaccine was just being rolled out and Los Angeles was still in virtual lockdown.

Someone I spoke to from Eastern Washington said his town (except for the schools) had been operating all year as if there was no such thing as the coronavirus. Restaurants were open, no one wore masks, and no one got sick.

The strictest place I have found regarding masks during my trip was on board airplanes.

However, even on the planes I was surprised by how lenient the crews were with masks. I think it is the whole eating/drinking loophole that creates the gray area. I had brought a burger at the airport that I took on the first plane. I pulled my mask down, hunkered down between seats not to be seen taking a bite, and then pulled up my mask to chew. Fortunately, it was a disposable mask because it soon smelled like hamburger and I had to swap it out when I was done.

However, once the drink and snack cart rolled around, people's masks came down to eat and drink. I no longer had to hid in shame to eat. What a relief! That is not to say that people were not wearing masks. Everyone had them. As we neared the end of one flight, I went to the restroom and saw everyone with a mask up. And before take off, I heard flight attendants asking a couple of people to pull their masks over their nose. No fuss. People did what they were supposed to do and the flights went smoothly.

All in all, while Alaska felt more relaxed regarding measures to prevent coronavirus' spread, visibly and at least on the books, I didn't see much of a difference between the two states.

That is the great thing about travel, you see that we aren't really different after all.

Take care and be safe.

Coronavirus - Acting Update

Los Angeles asked the entertainment industry to shutdown for 2 weeks because of the rapid spread of covid-19 sweeping the county. Friday, 318 deaths were reported along with 18,313 new cases in Los Angeles.

Through November, I only knew 1 person personally who had covid-19. Since Thanksgiving, I know 4 more people plus their family members who had become infected. I definitely understand the abundance of caution.

Still, asking yet another industry of thousands of people to stop working is tough. (Salons, gyms, servers, amusement parks, and others have already been forced to stop.) I recently had one job postpone a shoot for a month. Fortunately, I secured another gig to replace it. Yesterday, I saw more jobs posted for background actors to work than I had seen in a month. Still, Hollywood is super cautious. I imagine this is due to all the break outs on sets last December. One job posting said that they were going to pay a background actor to be tested 5 times in the next 9 days and to not work any of the 8 days prior to working a one day shoot. Another posting said that to be eligible, a background actor could not have worked any job in the past 4 weeks.

I am very glad Hollywood is taking precautions as nobody wants to get sick - but it takes a toll on the finances.

If only the coronavirus vaccine rollout was proceeding as smoothly as we had hoped. Only 6 million doses as of Friday have been injected across the country versus the 20 million the government had hoped for by 2020. NPR gave numerous reasons for the slow rollout, but whatever the reason, thousands of Americans are dying across the country daily because they have not been vaccinated.

I can only hope vaccination process speeds up for all our sakes and that Hollywood's more strigent precautions are effective in keeping its employees safe in the meantime.

Take care and be safe. Posts weekly

Coronavirus Hope and Disaster

Hope - according to the New York Times the vaccine has been administered to 1.9 million people in the United States as of Saturday.

Disaster - over 330,000 people in the U.S. have died from covid-19. That is more people than the entire city of Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, or St. Louis. It is reported that Los Angeles now has 0 beds available in its ICU and the city has instituted a 10-day quarantine on any travelers visiting or returning to the city.

Coronavirus bomb exploding or its last gasp before being extinguished.

It is as if the virus knows there is a vaccine and is making a last stand to infect as many people as possible on its way out.

I am very fortunate that no one in my family has been infected with the coronavirus. However, there are four people I know along with their family members that have contracted coronavirus within the last two weeks. That is scary close.

Fortunately, I have no condition or situation that would make me high risk for complications. However, that also means I will be last in line for the vaccine unless actors are classified as essential workers. The USA Today said I should be able to receive the vaccine by summer. That seems like forever with infection rates soaring and people around me getting sick. 

Jim Cramer from Mad Money feels there will be a glut of vaccine stocks by the spring as new vaccine manufacturers get their product approved by the FDA. I hope that he is right. First, I do not want to get covid-19. Second, I fear that many countries, states, and employers may require a person to have proof of having been vaccinated in order to travel, go to work, or go to school.

Currently, in Hollywood, everyone has to be tested before they can work on set. The big studios have set up testing facilities for cast and crew and pay them to get tested. However, some smaller productions are asking actors to show proof of a covid-19 test in order to employ you but require you to get tested on your own - unpaid and unreimbursed. I have missed two job opportunities because of this in 2020. 

Hawaii requires a negative coronavirus test in order to visit the state or be subject to a 10-day quarantine.

I foresee a time in the near future where productions will only hire people if they have been vaccinated allowing production to avoid the expense of testing and at the same time ensuring the safety of their sets. I understand this from a business perspective, but it is frustrating for those who can't get the vaccine.

Fortunately, we are not there with yet with vaccine work screenings. Hopefully, Cramer's prediction of a vaccine glut by Spring will come true and everyone who wants to be vaccinated can be without delay.

Take care, be safe, and I hope everyone has a happy and healthy New Year!

Posts Tuesdays

My Dark Coronavirus Christmas Carol

When I read that a visit from Santa Claus infected 75 people with covid last week, I knew that it was time to share my dark-humored Christmas carol: The 12 Days of Covid. Works best if you sing it rather than just read it.

On the 1st day of covid my true love gave to me, a bat in a Chinese cave

On the 2nd day of covid my true love gave to me, two bottles of bleach

On the 3rd day of covid my true love gave to me, three new tweets

On the 4th day of covid my true love gave to me, four new vaccines 

On the 5th day of covid my true love gave to me, five types of wipes 

On the 6th day of covid my true love gave to me, six stocks a-soaring

On the 7th day of covid my true love gave to me, seven waiters a-swearing

On the 8th day of covid my true love gave to me, eight kids a-zooming

On the 9th day of covid my true love gave to me, nine states closing

On the 10th day of covid my true love gave to me, ten teachers hiding

On the 11th day of covid my true love gave to me, eleven doctors praying

On the 12th day of covid my true love gave to me, twelve nurses crying

Take care and be safe.

Posts weekly

Coronavirus The Fall of The Suit, The Rise of The Sock

The suit's best friend today is the actor. The entertainment industry is one industry that still requires its workers to dress up in suits and ties.  I have gotten by the last two years with my early 2000-era black suit but figured it was time to update my game and add some color. 

So I donned my coronavirus mask and drove to Nordstrom Rack. As I stepped off the escalator to the second floor,  I was surprised by the lack of suits. Prior to Covid, a good chunk of the second floor of the men's section was dedicated to suits, sport coats, and business wear. Today, only a small section in the middle of the store was dedicated to business wear and the once illustrious (and potentially expensive) suits were confined to a small section of the back wall. 

How fashion has changed. 

Lawyers, bankers, corporate office types once needed to own multiple suits that fit well. This goes for men and women. They were the symbol of professionalism, status, and style.

My wife's company said they would be lucky if they returned to the office next year. A lawyer I know has not been in the office for months.

So does anyone need a suit if they are working from home? Even if you have to dress up for a Zoom call, why would you need a suit? A sport coat, shirt, tie, and shorts would suffice. Sport coats are a lot cheaper than suits. And on Zoom, it is hard to tell the difference between a $60 clearance sport coat at Nordstrom Rack and a $1000 suit unless you have an amazing webcam and you are doing a (very unlikely) full body shot.

And shoes? Let's not even talk about how even more inconsequential the need is for multiple pairs of nice dress shoes let alone one pair if you are never in the office.

How are clothing manufacturers staying in business during the coronavirus epidemic?

The answer must be socks.

The evidence lay before me. A section of the store where suits once hung was now an expanded sock selection. Some socks were quite colorful. There were ankle socks, thick socks, Christmas socks, and others with amazing designs. Obviously, if people are staying home and winter is coming, socks will be one of the most important clothing items when a person is on that all important Zoom board meeting.

Perhaps coronavirus was the tool of the socks to overthrow the rule of the suits. 

But fear not, suits, a coronavirus vaccine is on the way, creating a pathway for your return to elite status level. And just remember, actors will always need you to create the fictitious worlds where suits are worn daily.  Seriously, only in Hollywood movies is business casual not the norm in an office.

My search for a suit continues.

Take care and be safe.

Posts weekly (target date Tuesday)

Coronavirus Vaccine's Impact

On 11/9, Pfizer announced that their covid vaccine was found to be 90% effective in a clinical trail of 44,000 test subjects. 

What does this mean?

The stock market soared 1500 points first thing Monday morning.

Royal Caribbean Cruises stock ended up 25% while Zoom dropped 13%.

I think that Pfizer's news is wonderful, especially considering the massive outbreaks happening in Europe and across the U.S. (The U.S. is tallying over 100,00 new cases a day).  Deadline reported that 3 entertainment productions have closed this week due to positive COVID tests and I know of at least 2 last week. One of these my son was going to work on and I was scheduled to work another. We dodge the bullet on those shows.

The world knows that we sorely need a vaccine, hence the stock market jump.

However, the exuberance party was short lived as Tuesday the market ended up only 262 points and it is down today 108 points. 

There are two issues.

The first is time. If Pfizer passes all the recommended safety tests, it could be June before the vaccine is made widely available to the public. That is a long time from now. 8 months. I just realized, tomorrow 11/13/20 is exactly 8 months since Los Angeles went into lockdown mode - Friday the 13th of March. 

Trivia question: who said, "Beware the Ides of March"? (Close enough to the 15th to make it relevant. Answer below.)

Second, who is going to get vaccinated? Many people I speak to are scared of getting a vaccine whether it is for covid or any other disease. Safety is their main issue. Can the government force people to get vaccinated? Can the government or private businesses deny services like access to public school or Disneyland or a cruise ship to unvaccinated individuals?

In the movie Children Of Men, a vaccine to stop a deadly plague made everyone infertile. That is a chilling worst case scenario. Only in movies right?

But if people don't get vaccinated, how long will the economies of the world economy continue to be at risk of future shutdowns? Months, years? I read that New York is looking at closing its schools again. Los Angeles' have never opened. 

For now, all we can do is social distance, wear a mask, and keep washing those hands. We have to for at least for the next 8 months.

Take care and be safe.

Posts Weekly (Aiming for Tuesdays)

Trivia answer: The soothsayer to Julius Cesar in William Shakespeare's play.

Coronavirus How The NFL Is Staying Safe

Football is back! 

With coronavirus cases still at all-time highs in the United States, the NFL has had two weekends of relative coronavirus-free games. That is almost miraculous. No regular season games have been cancelled due to coronavirus outbreaks. Preseason was cancelled which is probably one of the reasons for an unusual number of upsets in week 1. 

Most stadiums did not allow any fans in weeks 1 or 2 of the NFL. One of the few that did, Kansas City, did have an outbreak in a group of 10 fans. However, due to contact tracing and separating fans into 10 person blocks throughout the stadium, the group was easily isolated.  

While surprising, the low numbers were not due to a miracle, but rather human determination and willpower. Sports leagues have proven sports can be played safely. Before the NFL started up again, the UFC had been having fights almost weekly going back to April. A few fights were cancelled due to a fighter or a person in their camp testing positive. No matter how big the fight, the UFC has been diligent about not allowing fights to continue if there is any risk of coronavirus infection.  That stringent approach has kept the UFC fighters, camps, and their families safe.  

The key that has been proven to work is a rigorous testing regimen. In an article on 9/8 from the NFL, it said of 44000 test of 8000 personnel in August, 8 people tested positive. Those 8 were immediately quarantined and no one else was infected. 

According to Pantherswire (the Carolina Panthers' website) no cases of covid had been reported prior to  week 2's games. This is really amazing considering half of the NFL teams and support staff were traveling around the country staying in hotels, taking planes, buses, etc.  

The entertainment industry has reported a few isolated cases, but not many. Why, testing, social distancing, and the use of PPEs.  Every person on set is tested relentlessly. I had to take three covid tests over three days before I was allowed on set this week to film for one day.  

If the major sports leagues and the entertainment industry are whole heartedly buying into widespread testing, wearing PPEs, and social distancing to keep infections at bay, I really don't know why anyone would argue against using these methods in our daily lives. 

Bring on the sports! 

Take care and be safe. 

Posts Tuesday

Coronavirus Medical Advances and $5 Tests

 What a week of news for helping end the coronavirus scourge!

The biggest news is that on 8/26/20 Abbott Laboratory's said they "will ship tens of millions of ($5 15-minute covid-19) tests in September, ramping up to 50 million tests a month at the beginning of October.  No more sitting in a car for an hour to do a cough test near Dodger Stadium then waiting 3-5 business days for a result.  It is still a nasal swab test that has to be provided by a medical professional, but the low cost and rapid result will help clear up the multi-day laboratory bottle neck delay.

 Last week, I had to take multiple coronavirus tests. Two of the three were in mobile trailers. The rapidity of the test means that the test can be administered on a cruise ship dock, Disneyland parking lot, or at customs to ensure passengers, guests, or tourists are coronavirus free before entry. The benefits of this test in allowing the economy to reopen even wider are incalculable.

The second news item was reported on the same day by Motley Fool. Moderna announced that its leading coronavirus vaccine candidate showed no adverse affects on its 20 participants. It is now enrollling 30,000 participants in its phase 3 study. It has 13,000 signed up so far. According to the New York Times there are 9 vaccines in phase 3 trials as of yesterday. This is the last phase before the final approval process.

China and Russia are rumored to have started inoculating people with vaccines after only phase 2 has been completed. That is risky, but at the same time the rest of the world will learn the efficacy of their vaccines in the real world environment. 

 

After all of the bleak coronavirus news lately, it is nice to see some signs of humans effectively dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.

 

Stay safe and take care.

 

Posts Tuesday and Saturday

 

https://abbott.mediaroom.com/2020-08-26-Abbotts-Fast-5-15-Minute-Easy-to-Use-COVID-19-Antigen-Test-Receives-FDA-Emergency-Use-Authorization-Mobile-App-Displays-Test-Results-to-Help-Our-Return-to-Daily-Life-Ramping-Production-to-50-Million-Tests-a-Month

 

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/science/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker.html

Coronavirus The Heat

Coronavirus you are so mean! 

A heat wave has settled over Southern California for over a week and is forecast to last another two. 98 degrees today in South Pasadena. What do people do when it is hot? They go to the movies, the mall, the museum, eat inside a restaurant, basically go anywhere there is air conditioning. Thanks to the coronavirus all of those options are cancelled.

How about a nice hike? You would have to go really high up to find some relief. Last weekend Lake Arrowhead was 88 degrees at 5,174 feet - still a bit warm.  Big Bear was a little more comfortable at 82 degrees, but they were also having scattered thunderstorms. That would make hiking even more uncomfortable. And again, you can't go inside anywhere to escape the rain or heat.

Being in Southern California, we are blessed with golden beaches and the cool Pacific Ocean. Only issue is millions of other Angelenos would probably be headed that way as well - covid be darned. The temperature at Manhattan Beach last weekend was forecasted to be 86 degrees. So unless you were in the water all day, you will be broiling on the sand. And even if you braved the crowds and sun, once there you would still have to eat your lunch or drink your Starbucks outside.

 

Maybe my teenagers who sleep during the heat of the day and stay up during the cooler evenings night have it right. Night surfing anyone?

 

Note - I did go to Manhattan Beach yesterday despite my fears of crowds and heat. I took my boogie board and had a grand time. The weather was a hazy overcast all morning keeping the temperature in the upper 70s and it was not that crowded. Perhaps Angelenos had the same fears I had and stayed home making traffic a breeze. 

Lots of times one's fears are overblown and once you do something you realize its not so bad. 

Another good thing is theoretically the coronavirus dies in the sun. So if you brave the heat outside, almost everything thing you touch will be sanitized.  

 

Fortunately, in California we have a "dry" heat which means we avoid the humidity of the east coast making life more bearable than many other unfortunate souls. My son remarked yesterday, "Dad, remember how when we stepped out of the airport at JFK and our shirts immediately clung to our bodies." 

"Yes, I do," I said and laughed counting my blessings as we sat on the sand watching the waves.

I will take the California heat anytime - but that coronavirus is really trying my patience.

 

Take care and be safe.

 

Posts Tuesday and Saturday

Coronavirus On Set - You're Putting That Q-Tip Where?

The nurse practitioner pulled a ruler-length Q-Tip out of my nose. As she had warned, I would feel some discomfort. Done, I thought blinking away the tears. Then she said now for the other side.  I swallowed and tilted my head back. The show must go on, I thought.

Welcome to the new world of working on set. While the last commercial I shot was during the coronavirus, this one was the first since the official the entertainment unions, studios, and the Governor had come to agreement on shoot procedures during the coronavirus pandemic.

 The previous shoot had hand sanitizer, everyone wore a mask (that they brought from home), someone prepared and handed out food to us, and we kept our distance as best we could.

 

This time, before we could even step on the new set we had to have the lovely nasal-swab covid test. Then we had to read a 10-page document about the new covid-prevention measures; watch four videos on how to put on a mask, gloves, face shield, and how to wash your hands; and sign our lives away. Once we made it to set, they took everyone's temperature and asked us a half dozen questions about how we felt. They also provided us with N-95 masks and a brown paper bag. The bag was to place our mask inside when we were asked to remove them during filming. Then everyone participated in a safety meeting with an emphasis on covid-prevention measures.  A covid monitor routinely walked around the set to make sure everything looked good,  asked if everyone was OK, and offered hand sanitizer.

 

For crafty - i.e. water and snacks - a specific crew member stood there all day handing out whatever people asked for. In the past, people just took what they wanted.

 

For lunch, we were given bagged lunches that were actually pretty good.

 

Needless to say, I felt very safe on set. The crew respected all the restrictions and everyone seemed happy to be there.  

 

I look forward to working on my next set, although this one will require two separate days of covid testing - sorry, nose.

 

Take care and be safe.

 

Posts Tuesday and Saturday

A Coronavirus Vaccine By Mid-August?

Russia just announced it will have a vaccine ready by mid-August, according to CNN.(1)  That news totally stunned me. I go on vacation and come back and Russia has a vaccine?

Creative Commons Images

Last I heard, no vaccines would be ready until the end of the year, if we were lucky. But Russia will have one available in two weeks.

Reading deeper, it turns out that Russia is not following all of the same safety measures that are being applied to the companies in the U.S. and England. For example, for most vaccines, there is a three phase process and various approvals needed before releasing them to the public. This is not only to test a vaccine's effectiveness, but to monitor for dangerous side effects. For example, it may prevent you from catching coronavirus, but what if it makes you sterile. Wait, I think I saw that movie.

Russia's vaccine will complete phase 2 of its testing on August 3. Soon after, August 10, they will start phase 3 at the same time they start vaccinating its front-line workers. CNN said there are rumors that some leading Russian politicians have already received it.

I, like most of the world, am very intrigued and hope it works. To have a vaccine so soon would be great. Even if it is not available to everyone until the end of the year, at least there is hope.

So where are some of the leading world pharmaceutical companies in their testing?  Moderna has started its phase 3 testing Monday injecting 30,000 volunteers with its vaccine. It hopes to have its vaccine ready by the end of the year.  University of Oxford and AstraZeneca's vaccine could have emergency doses in October if all goes well. Pfizer with Biontech and Fosunpharma have also launched phase 3 human trials of 30,000 volunteers in the U.S., Brazil, Argentina, and Germany and hope to have its vaccine ready by December. (2)

Still with all this progress, Science Magazine said polls show only 50% of Americans will get the vaccine if and when it is available. (3) I am surprised. I know there is controversy over how deadly coronavirus is, or even if it is real, but why take the risk of getting sick? I had the flu 5 years ago and it was really scary. I never want to get it again.

Once a vaccine is proven safe I will get it. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.

Be safe and take care.

1. https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/28/europe/russia-coronavirus-vaccine-approval-intl/index.html
2. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/science/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker.html
3. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/06/just-50-americans-plan-get-covid-19-vaccine-here-s-how-win-over-rest

Coronavirus Best and Worst of Road Trip

Seattle

A road trip during coronavirus?! It was awesome. Here are the best and worst situations we experienced on our two-week roadtrip from Los Angeles to Olympic National Park. Let me say, that we felt safe at every hotel we stayed in as they all had coronavirus measures in place. 

Stringent coronavirus checks

Most - Hyatt Place in Emeryville - asked us 3 coronavirus questions before they let us check in and gave us a handout on covid measures at hotel

Least - Bars - once you had a beer in your hand masks came off

Covid breakfast (every place except 1, staff handed you your breakfast items)

Best - Seattle - only place on entire trip with hot breakfast - scrambled eggs and bacon or sausage.

Worst - Redding - lots of cold choices, but we were allowed to grab our own food

People wearing masks

Most - Olympic National Park

Least - Stockton and small towns in Washington

Reliable bathroom opportunities

Most - rest areas along interstate 5

Least - California gas stations (many were "out of order")

Park experience

Best - Mt. St. Helens - very few people there due to coronavirus - I saw pictures from last year and observation decks were packed with people.

Mt. St. Helens

Worst - Cape Flattery - it is located on Indian Reservation and the reservation was still in Phase 1. We were turned back after an hour drive by police since we were not locals.

Dining

Best - Pastini - first sit down meal in 4 months! Seating was outside. All servers wearing masks, tables were wiped down between guests.

Worst - Oyster restaurant in small town - owner not wearing mask

Coronavirus precaution Items I brought

Best - hand sanitizer I placed in doors of car

Worst - wipes - never used them. We were very good about hand sanitizer and never saw a necessity for these.

Other coronavirus observations: many elevators had spots on floor where you were supposed to stand for social distancing purposes; one hotel said most were operating at 40% capacity or less; one gas station in WA gave out gloves so you could pump your gas; traffic was great- everywhere - even going into and out of San Francisco at rush hour on a Monday; and everywhere we went most people wore masks similar to what we see in Southern California - most people do, but there is that tiny minority that refuse.  Only in a couple of  businesses we found mask wearing lax and we abruptly left.

Being on the road filled us with a sense of freedom that we had not experienced in the last four months. I am ready for another one.

Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park

Coronavirus The World of Masks

Masks - the new "must have" in fashion. Almost everyone wears one now and almost every store and designer sells them. 

Whether it is Kim Kardashian at $8 a mask under her Skims line to the person down the street selling them on Etsy for $4 each to Supreme with their $120 mask.

People are hungry for masks. I remember a friend suggested that I buy a sewing machine and start selling masks online when the coronavirus hit. I laughed it off. I am not laughing now.

I bought a pair from Vons, my sister from the Disney store, and my mom a mask from Australia. People are even giving masks as presents. On Mother's Day, my wife was given a mask from the chic retailer Johnny Was. 

Some masks have adjustable straps, some have wires over the nose, some are cotton, some neoprene, some have coffee filters, the variations seem endless.

Then I heard about a trikini - a mask that matches your bikini. Serious check it out (photo from article):

https://www.nbcdfw.com/entertainment/the-scene/meet-the-trikini-a-bikini-with-a-matching-face-mask/2374743/

Tiziana Scamuzzo/Elexia Beachwear

Most state and local governments require you to wear them, like California, and probably your boss too. Dr. Fauci told the Wall Street Journal the other day, "People keep talking about a second wave, we're still in the first wave."

In Hollywood, everyone on set will have to wear a mask until cameras are rolling at which point only those on screen can remove their masks. 

It seems like masks will be a high demand fashion accessory for quite awhile. And it appears suppliers big and small are meeting the demand.

Now if only the paper towel manufactures could do the same.

Which brings me to the next question. How many masks should a person have? I have four, plus two bandanas and another face covering. My wife has 1, plus two face coverings. My mom 7.

If only I had purchased that sewing machine…

I remember my boys years ago pointing out a woman who walked around our neighborhood wearing  a face shield and mask. How strange, I thought. Now I know she was just ahead of her time.

I hope that everyone is doing well and is enjoying their stylish masks.

Take care.

Posts Tuesday and Saturday

Coronavirus Top 10 Accomplishments

Today is the 3-month anniversary of the Los Angeles coronavirus shutdown and I realized that I had accomplished many goals and improved my life in many ways during this time.

1. Improved My Health - dropped 4 pounds during the coronavirus by walking daily as well as using the free Nike Training Club app and Barry's Instagram lessons. Still haven't lost the inches though.
2. Reconnected with Wife - as she said to a coworker, our daily walks and talks are like we are dating again. Prior to the quarantine, we rarely saw each other due to work, church, and school commitments.
3.  Painted Bathroom - something I had wanted to do for years. Who knew it would take me 5 days, but I did it! 
4.  Improved Cooking - I have always loved to cook, but rarely had time due to work and always being on the go in my personal life. Most amazing dessert I made - strawberry pie. Most interesting learning experience deconstructing a turkey and turning it into 3 different recipes.
5.  Grew a Coronavirus Beard - I had never grown my beard out for 6 weeks. It came in full and my wife and mother lamented when I shaved it off. I needed to as I was booked for an acting job and I was beardless in my headshot photo. 
6.  Decluttered My Bedroom - things were stacked in corners and on dressers. It is now a room of peace and tranquility (except for the barking dog next door) where I meditate three times a week.
7.  Explored Neighborhood - The walks with my wife for the last 3 months have allowed us to explore ours and surrounding neighborhoods finding amazing stores, restaurants, gardens, homes, and even a hidden staircase. 
8.  Completed Level 4 of the Presentation Mastery Pathway for Toastmasters. Toastmasters is a group dedicated to public speaking and I am now one level away from completing the pathway.
9. Created Porch Garden - the couple of plants on the porch became a garden with aloe vera, scallions, bell peppers, sage and host of other plants.
10. A Talent Manager reached out to me to see if we would be a good fit for each other. It wasn't, but I felt that having someone express an interest in representing me based upon my look and my work was a big accomplishment. 

 What is on your list?

Coronavirus Lights, Camera, Action!

I worked on my first commercial yesterday since the coronavirus shutdown on Friday, May 13th.

California and L.A. County approved TV and Film production to resume on June 12.

Along with the approval came a host of new safety guidelines. According to the Hollywood Reporter this includes regular testing, symptom monitoring, staggered meal times, hand sanitizer, masks, and other measures.

On set yesterday, the crew and cast size were small. Three crew and one cast member (me), in one location and the same crew and three cast members in the second location. Everyone wore masks. The cast only removed their masks right before filming. Hand sanitizer was readily available and food was served on individual plates handed out by the cook wearing gloves and mask. It was very exciting as we were all ready to take that first step into production in the current coronavirus era.

An fellow actor asked if I had to sign a coronavirus waiver as a rumor had been circling that cast and crew would have to sign one in order to work. The UFC made all of its fighters and anyone who has worked their events over the last month sign one. I did not have to.

New essential acting tools.

While I was very happy to work Friday, I have read a number of reports that crew and cast sizes will be reduced for the foreseeable future. Stands filled with spectators like in Ford vs. Ferrari, mob scenes like in Penny Dreadful, concerts, high school pep rallies, protests, speeches, all of these types of scenes will not be filmed for a while or if they are, very differently. There is discussion about using CGI to create people in the background, more tiling, and reusing people for the same shot just using different camera angles or changing wardrobe.

Changes are a part of life. Being prepared is the key.

I am thankful that I was fortunate enough to work on the first day TV and film productions resumed. I hope that it is a sign of good things to come.

I hope that things are looking up wherever you may be.

Take care.

Posts Tuesday and Saturday

Coronavirus Fishing, Protests, and Curfews

"Curfew in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.," my cell phone buzzed with the message. Time 5:15 p.m., Sunday night.

A long way to reach this prize.

My fishing trip would leave from Ventura at 6 am Monday morning, meaning I would need to leave at 4 am - during the curfew.

Let the adventure begin.

After my Cabo San Lucas fishing trip was cancelled due to the travel ban between Mexico and the U.S., I was happy to see last week that California sportfishing was reopening June 1st.

Even better, my two teenage sons had agreed to join me.

I booked 3 tickets last week for the first day of fishing , understanding that all passengers would need to wear masks, the boat would be booked at half capacity, and social distancing would be enforced.

Then things got more interesting - protests and rioting began.

I was not too concerned about making our trip as we would be driving two blocks from my house on to the freeway at 4 a.m. to Ventura and figured there was little risk of getting caught in a confrontation with police or protestors.

Then the curfew message hit my phone. 

I tried to cancel with the sportfishing company, but they said, "There are no refunds because we are in Ventura County and there is no curfew here."

What to do? Lose the money? Lose the opportunity to get my teenage vampires out of the house and see the sun for the first time in weeks?

I told the boys if I can find a hotel in Ventura County, be ready to leave within 45 minutes. The boys were more amped up over something other than a video game in quite awhile. 

I found a Marriott in Oxnard (Ventura County) that was taking reservations and was able to use my points for the reservation. (I love mileage programs.)

The race to beat the curfew was on.

At 6:05 pm we were in the car and on the freeway, clothes, fishing poles, tackleboxes, and snacks packed.

Then we hit the protest.

Waze alerted me that the freeway was at a standstill  in Thousand Oaks. As we got closer to the little red line, symbols of police cars dotted the Waze map. I looked to see what businesses were just off the 101 Freeway on Moorpark - The Oaks shopping center. Crap. We found a protest. Not only that, Waze rerouted us off the freeway.

Oh my goodness, how many times has something gone wrong in a movie because travelers were rerouted off the freeway.  Sure enough, Waze us drive the city streets right past the mall, protestors, and police officers. Fortunately, it was a peaceful protest.  Cars honked in support and we were soon past and 20 minutes later arrived at our hotel.

In the 6-story hotel, only a half dozen lights were on in the windows. It appeared there were very few occupants. At check in, there was a barrier at the front desk to enforce social distancing. The front desk asked me to put my drivers license and credit car on the desk and step back. She stepped forward, checked us in, put our room key on the desk and stepped back. We stepped forward took the key and went to our room.  The new normal for checking in?

Of course in an empty hotel, a couple was placed in a room right next to ours.  To make matters worse our rooms shared an interior door for when large groups share rooms. I was not concerned about the coronavirus seeping through the cracks of the door, but I could hear every word the couple spoke. When my son asked if they were watching a porno next door I'd had enough, smiled, and said no. The front desk accommodated my request to change rooms.

Talk about an educational trip for my sons.

On the boat, a deckhand started off the trip with a speech that everyone needed to wear a face covering, keep their distance, and you could only be in the galley if you were eating. They would be strict because they did not want officials to suspend fishing again.

People abided by the rules for the majority of the trip. At the end of the long day (11 hours), most people kept their masks on, but people did sit next to each other on the way back due to the limited seating and really high seas rocking the boat. It was like, sit down or flip over the side of the boat.

Better have a seat - big waves!

More excitement for the boys.

When we got into my car, I read a text from my mom saying the curfew started at 5 pm. It was 5:30 pm. I figured that unless law enforcement locked down all of the freeways into Los Angeles, I would be able to make it home.

There was no traffic and we made it home in record time.

An amazing adventure.  Thank goodness I didn't take that Miami road trip last week. Who knows which state I would be stranded in today.

Things happen for a reason.

Be safe and take care.

Posts Tuesday and Saturday

Coronavirus: A Deserted Hollywood?

No Spiderman. No Batman. Not even Jack Sparrow stood on the corner of Hollywood and Highland.

Hollywood Boulevard was practically a ghost town. I say practically because the Goldman was there talking to a homeless man sitting on the curb and a man playing the guitar stood in front of the Chinese Theater.

I drove the length of the famous Boulevard with its theaters, hotels, souvenir stores, and fast food joints in only 5 minutes. Almost every business was shuttered.

Emptiness. I saw no more than a dozen people along the street, not counting the half dozen homeless not in their tents.

I was saddened for the shuttered businesses, but I was happy to see that Angelenos were taking the virus seriously abiding by the stay-at-home orders.

From here I drove up to Lake Hollywood Park to grab a picture of the Hollywood sign for today's blog. I saw cars parked along the road. I saw yellow tape closing off the park. I saw a city electric sign telling people to maintain a safe distance.

I saw four people here: one young woman leaving her car with a dog, a young couple walking to an overlook, and one guy dressed in neoprene pants and long sleeve neoprene shirt and what looked like num-chuks in his hand speed walking up the hill.

I didn't know where the rest of the people from the cars had gone. I took my photo of the sign and as I returned to my car, the woman with the dog asked me - invading my 6 foot personal space, "Is it closed?"

"Is what closed?" I asked leaning way back.

"The hiking trail."

"I have no idea."

She gave me a quizzical look, then proceeded walking up the hill, then disappeared down a trail that I had not seen. Now I knew where the people from the cars had gone.

It turns out Hollywood's attractions weren't completely deserted.

I didn't linger. I got in my car and headed home

Take care everyone - and please remember the 6-foot rule.

Blog posts: Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Coronavirus: A Time of Reflection and Growth

"What will you accomplish once this crisis is over?"

A Barrys' fitness instructor, a meditation expert, and a voice over coach each ended their online live stream sessions with a similar question.

Now that most of us are restricted to our households for work and play, this is an excellent time to reflect upon what you want to accomplish and how you will get there mentally, physically, and spiritually.

When I heard the question the first time, I realized what an opportunity this was to plan my future. That question also expanded my mind from looking at the here and now - looking at the walls of my house, planning food runs, and staring at my cellphone - to envisioning what exciting things the future held.

My first thought was seeing my friends on a sunny set and securing my first SAG voucher.

The meditation expert's next question was, "What is your ultimate goal?"

My thoughts morphed into getting a speaking part. Then it was to be a regular on a show, finally ending with an Oscar in hand. Not the one I held at the Warner Brothers Museum a month ago, but my very own.

She followed up with, "How will you feel once you obtain your ultimate goal? Feel that right now and walk through your day with that feeling."

That was truly an amazing feeling. When you have a goal, then you can make a plan. When you have a plan, then you can move forward, out of the mental confines of your living room.

What will you do once the coronavirus crisis ends? What do you want to make happen? What will you accomplish?

Start preparing today.

Take care and be safe.

Post schedule: Monday, Thursday, Saturday

Connecting Socially During Coronavirus

"I will go with you, Dad," said my teenage son.

You know your teenagers have cabin fever when they volunteer to go to the grocery store with you.

Having to work from home, and the kids having to be at home, have really brought us together. There is more cooking together, watching TV together and being forced to talk to each other more.

But what about those who live alone my single friend pointed out. How do we get that person-to-person interaction that we all so desperately need. Humans are social animals after all.

I have been speaking to more family members and friends by phone, text, and on social media since the coronavirus hit.   We even downloaded one of our favorite board games, Ticket To Ride, to play online with family members across the US. I have been taking livestream exercise classes and seminars. Backstage, an actor's job listing website, has been great at live-streaming educational content for actors of all types.

But it those interactions are not the same as in-person interactions.

My friend and another single family member had volunteered to go to work in their offices with skeleton crews rather than work from home to meet their social needs. Last Friday their offices were shut as it was not essential for them to be in the office.

I suddenly understood why "young" people were flooding the beaches and hiking trails and still mingling as the media frowned upon them. Many of these people don't have roommates or family members living with them for in-person social interactions.

A senior called in to NPR today to ask the guest doctor, "If there are three seniors who are friends and each has been isolated from other people for 14 days and showed no signs of being sick, can we get together and socialize?"

He said it is up to each of you to balance the risk and reward of that interaction.

Not an easy decision. I am sure it was not the answer she was hoping for.

With these thoughts in mind, I had a long conversation my mother about how I could bring her groceries and visit with her. She had self-isolated herself since the 11th because her age put her in the high risk category of a complication if she caught the coronavirus. We laid out a plan to minimize our contact.

My son and I left her groceries on the doorstep and then retreated to her driveway. We then proceeded to have a great conversation with my mother staying 10 feet away from each other. The other day we saw a circle of 5 neighbors all strategically placed at least 6 feet apart, with one couple talking to them from the other side of the street.

We are living in very interesting and trying times.

There are many ways to connect socially. We now have to be more creative and thoughtful about those interactions and remember that everyone's social situation is different.

How do you connect?

Take care and be safe.