Coronavirus or COVID-19 has already left a tremendous impact on our world in the short amount of time it has been alive. Busy interstates have become silent, schools have been cancelled for weeks, and social distancing has become the new normal for the foreseeable future. Every industry is suffering in some way from this horrific virus but some are hurting more than others. The consumer-driven entertainment industry which includes dining, film, and shopping is looking to face many difficulties in the coming weeks as Americans are self-isolating.

As people across the country are beginning to stay home, restaurants, stores, and Hollywood are beginning to struggle. Most restaurants in The Woodlands are offering takeout or curbside services to customers with special offers. All stores are shifting services to online only and encouraging people to shop online with sales. Movie theaters have shut down and TV shows have halted production. The world as it seems has become unrecognizable. 

Restaurants across The Woodlands have all closed their dining rooms and are only allowing takeout, curbside, or 3rd party delivery until further notice. This has caused hardships for many businesses around the country as they struggle to have customers order food for takeout, especially up-scale restaurants. To avoid this problem, many local restaurants are having promotions or selling family meal packs daily to customers including Black Walnut, La Cocina de Roberto, Torchy’s Tacos, and Snooze A.M. Eatery. 

Just like restaurants, retail stores are struggling to maintain business while the country is social distancing. Stores like Gap, JCPenney, Kohl’s, and Macy’s have had to furlough the majority of their workers until this crisis is over. Stores at The Woodlands Mall and Market Street have closed until April 30th but all stores are allowing customers to shop away online. Many stores are also offering spring sales and free shipping in the meantime including American Eagle, Garage, Nike, Nordstrom, and Urban Outfitters. 

Since COVID-19 has been present in society, Hollywood has shut down the production of TV shows and new movies until the pandemic is gone. This means that this fall there might be a shortage of new content on our screens as Grey’s Anatomy, Riverdale, The Flash, and The Walking Dead have all stopped production until later this summer. Spring reality TV shows have stopped filming as well or have been canceled. Talk shows like The Late Late Show with James Corden and Ellen have suspended their shows until further notice but other live shows such as Jimmy Fallon and Live with Kelly and Ryan have gotten creative by producing their shows from home each day. Since movie theaters have closed down, movies that were in theaters before the Coronavirus have been released for viewers to rent at home for $20. Some of these movies include I Still Believe, Just Mercy, and The Invisible Man. 

Until the Coronavirus is gone, the entertainment industry will remain affected dramatically. For now, people must support their local restaurants and businesses to help them stay profitable throughout this crisis. They can also still enjoy new releases even if they are not able to watch it from a movie theater. Soon life will be back to normal and everyone will get to enjoy the simple things like eating out, shopping, and watching movies at a theater again.