Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1251534
sagaftra.org | Spring 2020 | SAG-AFTRA 40 C O V I D - 1 9 COVID-19 I n a few short weeks, the world turned upside down. Empty streets, offices and store shelves silently proclaim the anxiety we all feel. Since the coronavirus became part of daily life, our vocabulary has included phrases such as "social distancing," "PPE" and "flatten the curve." It all began in late 2019, when a novel coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China, and four days later the disease claimed its first life. It wasn't long before it moved beyond China's border, officially arriving on U.S. shores in January. The impact of the virus on the media industry was being felt as early as February. As an outbreak took hold in Italy, Paramount Pictures announced it was delaying shooting for the latest Mission Impossible film, which was to have shot in Venice. It was a prescient warning of what would eventually happen to productions of all kinds in the United States and around the world. SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White met with elected leadership and key staff to discuss safety planning and create a Business Continuity Team of senior staff to expand contingency plans and scenarios, assuring the business of the union could continue with little disruption. By March 3, messages were delivered to members and staff about President Gabrielle Carteris is providing regular updates to members during the pandemic.