As Maryland works to clamp down on public gatherings in a rush to limit the spread of coronavirus, some moviegoers are turning to smaller-capacity theaters to enjoy the big screen under the state’s new crowd limit.
With at least 31 cases as of Sunday morning, the Maryland Department of Health is asking the public to avoid crowds and practice social distancing to slow the virus’ spread. On Friday, Gov. Larry Hogan banned gatherings of more than 250 people at a time.
But outside the Regal 12 at Laurel Town Centre, whose capacity per showing doesn’t breach the rule, moviegoers on Saturday were determined on pushing forward with life as usual in a national crisis.
鈥淚鈥檓 not afraid of the world, you know? You live your life and you go on. You stop getting panicked,鈥� said William of Riverdale. He was checking to see which films were showing that evening.
Minutes later, another person walked up to check the showtimes. He introduced himself as Cobby, pronounced just like the late Kobe Bryant. 鈥淣ow we have coronavirus. It鈥檚 been a great 2020, right?鈥�
But Cobby said there would be lessons learned from it all: 鈥淭hat鈥檚 going to be the biggest thing. It鈥檚 going to bring awareness and, hopefully, make a lot more people pay attention to how they wash their hands and just be more clean. That鈥檚 what I think.”
Unfortunately, there was no luck on Cobby’s movie of choice.
鈥淚 wanted to see ‘The Photograph’, but they only got one showing of that. It was at 1 o鈥檆lock. That鈥檚 terrible,鈥� he said.
Michele was part of a trio that went to see the animated film ‘Onward’.
鈥淲e鈥檙e living,鈥� Michele said with a laugh.
鈥淚f it鈥檚 our time to go, it鈥檚 our time to go. I鈥檓 not going to sit there and be at home because I鈥檓 scared of some little virus. It is a big threat, but at the same time, we could be at home and the roof collapses, and we’re dead off of that. So you never know, when it鈥檚 your time, it鈥檚 your time.鈥�
Simone, who works at a big box retailer, has seen a huge spike in customer flow due to the coronavirus.
鈥淚t鈥檚 all about perspective,鈥� Simone said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been through a lot of medical issues where I should鈥檝e died but I didn鈥檛. So I feel that if corona鈥檚 going to take me, so be it.鈥�
鈥淢ovies are the least of my worries,鈥� Simone noted, with a laugh.
Editor’s Note: The individuals interviewed for this story declined to give their last names out of concern for privacy.
