Apple to stream, donate to huge COV-19 virtual benefit gig

Apple continues to put money where it matters, with Apple CEO Tim Cook promising a $10 million donation to the Global Citizen/World Health Organization special event called ‘One World: Together At Home’.

Lady Gaga meets Tim Cook

Announcing the global broadcast during the WHO’s press briefing on Monday, Lady Gaga confirmed that $35 million has already been raised over the past seven days to support the WHO’s efforts.

“It is so important to think globally and support the World Health Organization to curb the pandemic and prevent future outbreaks,” she said. “We want to highlight the gravity of this historical, unprecedented, and cultural movement.”

Lady Gaga and Jimmy Fallon call Tim Cook and secure a $10 million donation for the @WHO pic.twitter.com/AFqMvnzrAC

— Gaga Daily (@gagadaily) April 7, 2020

The show, which seems likely to become the Live Aid for the coronavirus generation, will bring together a range of entertainers and hopes to raise funds for the struggle against COVID-19.

It will also highlight stories from the world’s health care heroes.

The real (human) wealth creators

Hugh Evans, co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen said:

“I hope that we, as a shared humanity, emerge from this moment forever grateful for the work of doctors, nurses, teachers, grocery store workers, and all of those who are the backbone of our communities.

“Global health is at the very core of the Global Citizen mission. We must ensure that the world’s poorest and most marginalized people have access to resources to cope with and tackle this health crisis.”

Apple will also stream the event. It will be broadcast live on Saturday, April 18, at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET and on Sunday April 19 in the UK. It’s expected to appear internationally.

What to expect?

The event will feature appearances and musical performances from the following artists so far confirmed:

• Alanis Morissette,
• Andrea Bocelli,
• Billie Eilish,
• Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day,
• Burna Boy,
• Chris Martin,
• David Beckham,
• Eddie Vedder,
• Elton John,
• FINNEAS,
• Idris
• Sabrina Elba,
• J Balvin,
• John Legend,
• Kacey Musgraves,
• Keith Urban,
• Kerry Washington,
• Lady Gaga,
• Lang Lang,
• Lizzo,
• Maluma,
• Paul McCartney,
• Priyanka Chopra Jonas,
• Shah Rukh Khan,
• Stevie Wonder.

The WHO’s Solidarity Response Fund has already achieved huge impact around the world.

As of the latest details provided by the WHO last week, it has shipped personal protective equipment (PPE) to 75 countries, including more than 800,000 surgical masks, 54,000 N95 face masks, 873,000 gloves, 85,000 gowns, 15,000 goggles, and 24,000 face shields.

It has also sent 1.5 million diagnostic kits to 126 countries, and set up multilingual online courses that have reached 176,000 responders so far.

The One World: Together At Home commitments from supporters and corporate sponsors will go to the WHO’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, to support and equip frontline health care workers around the world, and to local NGOs that provide food, shelter, and health care to those who need it most.

Please take care, everybody.

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