Approximately 120,000 Crew Members in the Entertainment Industry Are Out of Work Due to the Recent Pandemic

The whole world seems to be hit hard right now with the limitations that are being set by the Coronavirus and those who are hoping to slow down its spread. I know many people who have been told to take their work home, and others who work in hospitals and doctors’ offices, as well as civil servants and law enforcement who have to just continue business as usual, and then there are retailers who have closed their doors, but are promising to continue to pay their employees during the shutdown. But the toughest situation must be the people who have lost their jobs for the time being and don’t know when they will be able to get them back.

According to a report from Variety, approximately 120,000 below-the-line entertainment industry jobs have been lost for the time being. That’s 80% of the 150,000 members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. In a plea from the IATSE, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees union, the employees state that because of the job losses, it is “critical that our industry be included in pending federal relief package.”

I can’t imagine being in the position right now of no job and not having any idea when I would be able to go back to work. Especially living in California. These poor people aren’t going to be getting by on unemployment benefits alone. Hopefully, life will resume soon, and in the meantime, I hope they are provided with some financial relief.