Coronavirus pandemic, Easter, 'Saturday Night Live' returns: 5 things to know this weekend
Easter, Passover look different during the coronavirus pandemic
Christians will not be flocking to their churches on Sunday to celebrate Easter, the defining event in the story of Christianity, but many will tune in to virtual services held online. Passover continues through April 16 and during the first two nights of the Jewish holiday families held virtual seders on Zoom, commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. Here are some ways to make the best of the holidays this year:
- Invent a new Easter tradition or meet the Easter Bunny on Zoom.
- How to mark Passover in quarantine and host a virtual seder.
- Take the kids on a virtual egg hunt at this aquarium.
- Send gifts that don't require shipping.
- Watch together as Andrea Bocelli has solo show at the Duomo in Milan and Kayne West joins Joel Olsteen's Easter broadcast.
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'SNL' is back, now with social distancing
"Saturday Night Live" is back with a new show this weekend, although it won't be coming to you from Studio 8H. "SNL" has announced it will produce an original episode remotely, airing Saturday on NBC (11:30 p.m. EDT/PDT). Details are slim about what exactly that will entail. The series could face some weekend viewing competition from the star-studded "Saturday Night Seder," featuring Henry Winkler, Idina Menzel, Andy Cohen and Billy Eichner as they celebrate the fourth night of Passover with music and comedy. It will air Saturday at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST on SaturdayNightSeder.com and Tasty's YouTube page.
Coronavirus: Trump to meet with airline executives over federal aid
President Donald Trump is expected to meet with U.S. airline leaders this weekend to decide how federal stimulus funds would be delivered to the beleaguered industry. Airlines were among the top recipients of aid in the $2-trillion package that Trump signed last month. Half of the $50 billion earmarked for airlines is intended as direct, immediate aid. Much of the aid is required to be used to pay employees, many of whom have been furloughed due to the significant drop in passenger traffic caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Trump didn't go into details about the talks, pledging only that "it is going to be a very acceptable package."
- How stimulus bill works: US airlines must keep flying if they accept coronavirus relief
- Flying empty planes: Some airlines balk at proposed rules under federal stimulus package
Dangerous weather is on tap for South as tornado season heats up
This weekend tracks the beginning of the tornado season and forecasters are predicting a dangerous two or three days across a large swath of the South, with the likelihood of several severe thunderstorms, twisters and flooding from central Texas to Virginia. The gathering storm will begin in Texas, with severe storms and heavy rain there Saturday night. Parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and even Georgia could see that storm system. On Sunday, the Deep South moves front and center, with tornadoes, widespread damaging winds and large hail possible from Houston to Raleigh, North Carolina.
Bring out the trick shots: ESPN to televise HORSE competition
Basketball-starved fans can look forward to some live-action beginning Sunday when the NBA and WNBA put on a HORSE competition. The backyard staple in which players try to match each other's trick shots will feature eight current and former players connected remotely, with ESPN broadcasting the opening games on Sunday at 7 ET. The remaining rounds will be Thursday. The field includes current NBA players Trae Young, Chris Paul, Mike Conley and Zach LaVine, former stars Paul Pierce and Chauncey Billups, current WNBA player Allie Quigley, and former WNBA player Tamika Catchings.
