https://www.indiewire.com/2020/03/movie-theaters-are-closed-but-their-value-isnt-lost-to-us-yet-analysis-1202219204/

It's crazy how much I miss going to the movies, even though I saw one in theaters as recently as the beginning of this month. It's like knowing I can't go makes it that much worse.

But if Trump really does suggest lifting restrictions in, say, the next couple of weeks, as it seems he might, it's going to be incredibly interesting to see what the theaters and studios do, especially if some states are more lax than others. It won't yet be anywhere near "safe," as many experts attest, and I'm sure there will be guidelines in place as well (no crowds over X amount of people, etc). But if theaters are technically able to re-open by mid-late April or so (given they can rehire, train, stock concessions, etc in that amount of time), will people go? Enough for theaters to pay the bills? Will there even be new movies to watch?

A lot of us seemed to be getting used to the idea that we'd be under some level of quarantine through at least May, with theaters closed through then as well. That, and studios obviously postponed a huge chunk of the first half of summer releases, with more cancellations seemingly inevitable. But if we really do take this caution-be-damned approach to get the economy going again sooner rather than later (which I'm not necessary against, but not quite for either) and reopen everything relatively soon, what happens? As much as I miss going to the movies, as of now, I can't imagine sitting in a theater with even 25 other people until there's a FAR lower chance that I'm going to catch the virus. And when will that be? Mid-summer? Fall? 2021? I even think about the bar at my local theater, that we sometimes hit before or after a movie, and I can't even imagine drinking from a glass the bartender just handed me. I feel like I'm going to be ultra paranoid in public for months, and I have no idea how that mindset is going to affect my movie-going habits for the foreseeable future, or what our options will even be.

This whole thing will never not be surreal.

We've got younger boys (4&7) and movies were a big part of family fun. But I agree, I'm not stepping into a theater anytime soon, no matter the precautions. I want an ICEE and movie theater popcorn so bad, but I'll wait until this thing is truly over.

So not to make this into a political thread, but these last two posts are perfect examples of why the idea that we can just go back to normal with a strong economy in the midst of a pandemic is nothing but a pipe dream. Regardless of what certain national leaders say, the US is not reopening for business anytime soon. I'm quite sure that the scenes out of NYC hosopitals and morgues over the coming 2 weeks will help ram that home.

I fee bad for movies, and I feel bad for a lot of businesses, but now is the time for us to step up and help them survive this through a safety net because I can't imagine anyone is going to go sit in a theater right now regardless of presidential statements.

I would literally go today if they let me