Harry and Meghan urge ’empathy and kindness’ against virus

From finding ways to help others cope to sheltering in place to cancelling events, here’s a look at some of the ways the entertainment industry is reacting to the spread of the coronavirus, which most people recover from but can cause severe illness in the elderly and those with preexisting medical conditions.

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HARRY AND MEGHAN POST HOPEFUL MESSAGE

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, are urging people to show “empathy and kindness” in the face of the pandemic.

The couple took to Instagram on Wednesday to post a statement

“This moment is as true a testament there is to the human spirit. We often speak of compassion. All of our lives are in some way affected by this, uniting each of us globally,” they said.

“How we approach each other and our communities with empathy and kindness is indisputably important right now.”

Harry and Meghan told followers they’ll be sharing trustful news and informing the public of safe and healthy practices.

Starting at the end of this month, the Sussexes will no longer use their royal titles and pursue a new life of financial freedom in North America.

GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL SKIPS 2020

One of Britain’s biggest summer music events, the Glastonbury Festival, has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Organizers say the festival, due to take place June 24-28, would be postponed until 2021.

Glastonbury organizers Michael Eavis and Emily Eavis said there would “inevitably be severe financial implications” for staff, suppliers, charities supported by Glastonbury and more. But they said there was no choice but to call off the festival in light of government advice for people to avoid contact with others.

Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, the Pet Shop Boys and Paul McCartney were among the acts announced for the 50th anniversary edition of the music extravaganza.

The festival takes over Worthy Farm in southwest England every June. The 135,000 tickets for this year’s event sold within an hour of going on sale.

BONNAROO ALSO RESCHEDULED

The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival will be rescheduled to take place Sept. 24-27 “out of an abundance of caution and for the health and safety of all Bonnaroovians, artists, staff and our community.”

The festival in a statement said all current tickets and onsite accommodations will be honoured for the new weekend. Fans with off-site accommodations and shuttles purchased through the festival will be contacted directly with updates.

The festival normally takes place in June in Manchester, Tennessee, and this year had attracted Lizzo, Vampire Weekend, Miley Cyrus, Lana Del Rey and Tool

BRITAIN’S SOAPS SUSPEND PRODUCTION

Britain’s beloved soap operas are falling victim to the new coronavirus.

The BBC says it is suspending production on shows including the prime-time soap “EastEnders” and medical dramas “Casualty,” “Doctors” and “Holby City.”

The broadcaster said it would show two episodes of “EastEnders” a week instead of the usual four, to make the stock of already-recorded shows last longer.

Broadcast since 1985, “EastEnders” follows the lives of characters in a fictional working-class London neighbourhood.

The producers of Britain’s most-watched soap, “Coronation Street,” have not yet announced whether they will suspend production.

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The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

The Associated Press