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Corona concert with world stars

The Rolling Stones have agreed, as has singer Billie Eilish: Numerous world stars are giving a virtual benefit concert tonight. They want to thank the helpers in the corona pandemic. There is also a German band.

The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and numerous other world stars are taking part in a benefit show lasting several hours to collect donations for the fight against the corona virus. He hardly believed it when the Stones announced their participation in the "One World: Together at Home" streaming and television event, co-organizer Hugh Evans told AFP. Other musical guests include Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Pharrell Williams and Elton John. The German band Milky Chance also appears.

"Comfort and Help"

Evans leads the Global Citizen activist movement. In cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US singer Lady Gaga, she put the unusual event together. The concept comes from Chris Martin. The Coldplay star gave a mini-concert on Instagram last month as part of Global Citizen Live's "Together, At Home" series.

Lady Gaga and the head of Global Citizen want to comfort and help with the concert. "We are so grateful to all of the health workers who are at the forefront of the corona virus around the world," said the singer.

Even actors among the guests

The special broadcast "One World - Together At Home" starts with a six-hour live stream with appearances by international stars and stories about people who are working against the corona virus. Guests include actors Don Cheadle, Samuel L. Jackson and their colleague Sarah Jessica Parker, and US soccer world champion Megan Rapinoe. 

The performances of the music stars then follow at 2:00 a.m. (CEST). The show is broadcast by numerous TV stations worldwide and as a live stream on Youtube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Free for viewers

With the virtual special show, Global Citizen claims to "create a moment of global unity in the fight against Covid-19". According to Evans, it should support health workers in their fight against Corona. The New Yorker hopes that "from now on we will be forever grateful for the work of doctors, nurses, teachers, and grocers - and all those who are the backbone of our communities." Lady Gaga emphasizes that the organizers of the streaming event will not appeal to viewers willing to donate. "Leave your wallets and credit cards in the bag when it starts. Just sit back and watch the show," she says.

$ 35 million donation to WHO

Because the donations are already there. Global Citizen previously called on governments and major donors to support WHO's work in the crisis. The organization said it had raised $ 35 million in donations to WHO.

The money goes to a solidarity fund of the World Health Organization. For the purchase of protective equipment and tests, for example. US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that US payments to WHO would stop. He accused the Geneva-based UN organization "Mismanagement" in the corona crisis and one-sidedness in favor of China. Trump's move had met with harsh criticism worldwide.

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In the "Today Show" Oliver Welke exposes madness about the personality cult of the corona virologists

They dominate the German news landscape, hold regular press conferences, inform the population in their own podcasts and also advise the federal government on the corona pandemic. A real cult of people has meanwhile developed around Germany's leading virologists Christian Drosten, Hendrik Streeck and Alexander Kekulé.

In the past thirty days, Germans have searched online more often for Christian Drosten than for Helene Fischer, Heidi Klum or Jens Spahn. However, the Corona expert at the Berlin Charité never longed for the hype around him - on the contrary. In late March, Drosten had considered withdrawing from the public after receiving hate mail.

But he still fulfills the public's desire for information and clarification, was still a guest on Maybrit Illner's ZDF talk on Thursday evening, and his appearance certainly contributed to the record quota of 4.12 million and 20 percent market share.

"Today Show" makes fun of the hype surrounding Drosten, Streeck and Kekulé

The ongoing hype surrounding Germany's leading corona researcher was also found on Friday for Oliver Welke and his "Today Show" team. "We media are only in love with our virologists. Some are Team Drosten, others Team Kekulé, others love Mr. Streeck because he sounds so positive," Welke teased.

The enthusiasm for the trio of virologists is taking on absurd proportions. The satirist faded in a section from the "Morgenmagazin" of his own home and farm station ZDF. There, the photos of the three scientists with kitschy "Dallas" music were made to float into the picture in a one-player manner, as in the Telenovela manner. A very idiosyncratic presentation for a public service broadcast.

Welke quipped that it was "very strange" that Christian Drosten was so unhappy with his portrayal in the media. And further: "I don't understand it at all. The 'SZ' recently spoke of his, I quote, 'sensual lips'." Wilting further:

"Probably the first doctor's novel will follow soon: 'Dr. Corona - smear from passion'!"

In the current situation, the virologists are just the new pop stars, Welke summarized. And the marketing machinery would never have an end. Would you like an example? The "Today Show" already took care of merchandise.

In single satire show presented the alternative to the now worthless Panini scrapbook for canceled football championship before: The "Pandemini scrapbook with the best photos of the coolest virologists Including sharp images of Christian Drosten [...] J.. Ow am Kiosk - unless it's closed. "

In conclusion, Oliver Welke made it clear again: "By the way: the virologists can of course not do anything for all the media hype."

.watson