How stars are helping us cope with coronavirus, from Patton Oswalt’s stand-up to Amy Adams reading books to kids online – USA TODAY

As stars are practicing social distancing due to coronavirus concerns, they’re also sharing what they’re doing to cope and help others during this new way of life.

Comedian Patton Oswalt took a page from Italians’ books. A video of people in Italy, which is second only to China in number of COVID-19 cases, who were singing out their windows while on lockdown went viral last week.

Instead of showing off his vocal skills, the comedian decided to give some stand-up a try.

“Watching the videos from Italy inspired me. Entertainers must offer hope & humor to their neighbors in this time of quarantine,” he captioned a funny video of himself cracking jokes to a sidewalk of one person. In the distance, two more people are seen looking on.

“Alright, folks, thanks for staying in tonight,” he says in the clip. “I hope you guys are isolating and securing in place. This COVID-19, I tell ya. You know, I didn’t see COVID-1 through 18, so I don’t really know what this is all about…”

In partnership with Save the Children and No Kid Hungry, celebrities Amy Adams and Jennifer Garner created an Instagram to help raise money for kids affected by school closures by reading books to them.

“Welcome to @SAVEWITHSTORIES—a spot to watch your favorite celebrities read your favorite children’s books,” they explained in a post Monday. “If you can manage a one time gift of $10, please text SAVE to 20222. If another amount would work better for you, please visit our website—link in bio. There is no maximum and there is no minimum—together we will rise and together we can help.”

“Modern Family” star Jesse Tyler Ferguson is also turning to books as a way to cope during this time.

“I’m gonna get some reading done on my time off. Please recommend me some good books,” he wrote on Twitter.

After the Metropolitan Opera shut down because of the pandemic, Joyce DiDonato and Piotr Beczala, who were scheduled to star in Massenet’s “Werther,” made sure the show went on, albeit in an unusual format and venue — from the living room of DiDonato’s New York City apartment.

The American mezzo-soprano and Polish tenor performed excerpts for nearly 90 minutes Sunday that were streamed live on DiDonato’s Facebook and Instagram pages. They were accompanied by Met assistant conductor Howard Watkins at the piano and principal harp Emmanuel Ceysson.

English singer Yungblud streamed a live show on YouTube after his upcoming appearances at shows and festivals such as Coachella were postponed. 

Contributing: The Associated Press

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