Due to concerns over the Coronavirus, major events have been canceled, disappointing millions of participants and viewers. From Coachella to the 2020 Olympics, growing fears over the widespread virus has led to postponed or canceled events. 

Some events are still occurring virtually, like The Burning Man festival, which occurs in Nevada. Instead, Burning Man Project CEO Marian Goodell announced it will be held virtually in 2020; however, the logistics are still being worked out. 

Festivals are going virtual as well as talk shows. 

“I am glad to see that shows are improvising and creating content for people who are bored at home. I have noticed that shows like “The Late Show” and “ The Ellen Show” are done from home, and it is really interesting to see how the TV show hosts’ home lives are so different,” Carlye C. ‘22 said. 

Another live show, usually broadcasted to millions, is the 74th Annual Tony Awards. The prominent broadway awards show, originally scheduled to be aired on June 7 on CBS from Radio City Music Hall in New York, is now being postponed to a later date. The organizers of the event announced the show’s new date will be announced when Broadway plans to reopen. 

“As long as we do our part and stay inside now, we will all be able to join together in these big crowds again and celebrate everything we love, “ Caroline C. ‘22 said. 

The Tony Awards is not the only award show being postponed. The IHeartRadio Music Awards, slated to take place on March 29 in Los Angeles, has been indefinitely postponed, and ticket holders have been issued refunds. 

Awards shows and festivals have been postponed, but after weeks of uncertainty amid the coronavirus pandemic, the International Olympic Committee and local organizers of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo also announced the Games will be postponed. It was decided that it will be moved to July 23, 2021. 

“We have never seen mass event cancellations like this in America; although many events as of right now are just postponed. The World Wars saw the closures of international sporting events and awards festivities, including the Olympics and World Cup which were put on hold,” AP American History teacher Dan Harris said. 

Other annual events, such as the Boston Marathon and Kentucky Derby were also postponed to dates later in the year. The Boston Marathon was originally scheduled for April 20, and the event has been moved to Sept. 14. The Kentucky Derby, featuring the most renowned show horses, will now occur on Sept. 5. 

Although event committees have been battling the Coronavirus pandemic, sports organizations have also faced uproar. The National Hockey League, or NHL,  postponed the rest of their season. Also, the remainder of the National Basketball Association’s season was suspended after two players on the Utah Jazz, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, tested positive for the coronavirus. A second teammate later also tested positive, according to CBS Sports. 

“Covid-19 has impacted everything that would need to have groups in close proximity. Hugs and high-fives are shamed out of existence as of now. Handshakes may never return. These seem like trivial gestures, but they are noticeable when absent. Strange to say the least,” Harris said.