David Coverdale on People Who Don’t Follow COVID-19 Measures

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

May 28th, 2020 9:56 AM

David Coverdale has been playing it safe when it comes to the various advised measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, but he doesn’t understand why some are seemingly going about their lives as usual.

Coverdale said in an interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, “I see some people taking the protocols seriously and others just completely ignoring it. As if they’re immune to the worst biblical challenge we’ve had for millennia. It’s breathtaking to me. I don’t know whether it’s arrogance or the imagination that they’re immune for whatever reason.”

He adds, “At my age, I have to be really careful. I can’t get my health issues dealt with because the hospitals are dealing with life-threatening virus victims. We’ll get through this. The reason we’ve survived hundreds of thousands of years is because we adapt. We have to – we’ve been given no choice. But this is a hell of a thing to adapt to.”

Coverdale was originally slated to hit the road this summer with Whitesnake on their tour with Sammy Hagar and The Circle. However, even before the coronavirus pandemic put all touring on hold, Whitesnake was forced to cancel tour dates due to Coverdale needing surgery to address a bilateral inguinal hernia.

In a statement, Coverdale said, “Once again it breaks my heart to be the bearer of even more sad news affecting Whitesnake’s touring schedule for this increasingly challenging year, 2020. All tours, Europe, UK and US, are being canceled owing to health issues, related specifically to a bilateral inguinal hernia requiring me to have surgery. At this time, I can only offer you & my amazing musicians in Whitesnake and our crew my love and my sincere apologies and also my regrets to my friends in Foreigner, Europe and Sammy Hagar for this unforeseen personal health issue, which I will have addressed at the first possible opportunity. Until then, I send my love to you and yours and hopefully, we will meet again along the road.”

No Moshing/Crowd Surfing and 7 Other Changes Likely to be Made at Concerts During COVID-19

• No Moshing/Crowd Surfing.

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  Per the Event Safty Alliance's (ESA) 'Reopening Guide for Event Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic,' "Patrons cannot all stand at the front of the stage like they are accustomed; moshing and crowd surfing are violations of social distancing per se and must be absolutely prohibited during this pandemic."

• No Merch Tables/Stands.

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  Instead of buying an artist's t-shirt at a merch stand/booth, it's recommended that "...items for sale can be posted on a web site or event app that allows for mobile ordering and on-site pickup." If there is a merch table/booth present, "Mark merchandise sales lines on floor, with barricade, or rope and stanchion, patrolled by guest services workers to provide information and enforce social distancing." It's also recommended there be no trying on of merch and to have contactless payment.

• Socially-Distanced Smoking Areas.

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  It's recommended that "... even hallways and smoking areas where patrons congregate will have to be monitored to enforce health policies."
• Restrooms will likely have strict person limits.

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  Per the ESA's guide, "Workers should limit occupancy of restrooms to ensure social distancing. Unless portable restroom facilities are added, this will likely result in patrons waiting outside the restroom doors. The area where they are waiting will require monitoring to preserve (a) appropriate space between patrons and (b) an easily discernible line to avoid conflict about where the line begins. 

• Any changes a venue makes needs to be very visible to the public.

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  If a venue makes any changes to policies related to how they handle health and safety issues, they are advised to make them as clear as possible and list them basically everywhere including on their website, social media channels, various ticket purchasing sites, emails/push notifications, their mobile app and signage in their venue. In other words: Get ready for A LOT of updates.

• If there’s an intermission, people won’t be dismissed all at once.

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  Per the ESA's guide, "Intermission presents the same social distancing challenges as ingress [entering a venue] and egress [exiting a venue], with the distinction that some patrons will remain seated. For everyone who chooses to get up, they will have to be led out from back to front, and patrons will not be allowed to congregate inside or outside restrooms or near lobby concession stands. Even with fewer people attending events during the early phase of reopening, intermission may have to be longer than before to allow time for socially distanced patron movement. Given these issues, including how to let some people out of a row while others remain seated, the path of least resistance may simply be shorter shows with no intermission."
• Getting a drink will be even more of a process.

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  In addition to there being a recommended worker for just ringing up drink orders, "At a self-service restaurant or concession stand, the number of counter staff should be limited consistent with social distancing. Workers should place food and beverages on the table, counter, or other surface rather than handing purchases directly to patrons...Bartenders should model safe behavior by wearing a face covering and gloves when they are behind the bar...Patrons should hold their own identification for bartender inspection. If a worker must handle a patron’s ID, the worker should then dispose of their gloves and wash their hands before resuming service."

• Musicians on stage may have to abide by social distancing rules.

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  Per the ESA's guide, "The authoritative guidance requiring not less than six feet (two meters) of social distance may have to be expanded for singers and musical instrument players. Musicians often breathe deeply and expel aerosols further than people engaged in non-physical activities. Their performance space, including on stage and in orchestra pits, should be arranged to maximize social distancing while allowing at least some of them to perform together."  

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Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

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David Coverdale