<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Edible Arrangments</span></p><p class="caption">Edible Arrangements is trying to build up its snack business with smoothies and "donuts" that are actually chocolate-covered fruit.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/edible-arrangements">Edible Arrangements'</a> new CEO, Mike Rotondo, wants snacks, like smoothies and chocolate-covered fruit, to make up at least 25% of the gift-basket chain's sales. </strong></li><li><strong>Rotondo says Edible Arrangements has battled "wannabees" who have cut into the chain's business selling fruit baskets as gifts. </strong></li><li><strong>Now, Edible Arrangements is pushing new store designs and marketing to convince customers that it is actually a snack chain in addition to a place to order gifts. </strong></li></ul><p>Edible Arrangements is sick of being seen as only a gift for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, or birthdays - and the months of slower sales that come with that restriction.</p><p>Now, the company has a new solution: convince customers that they should stop by stores to get snacks all year round. </p><p>In July, Edible Arrangements announced it had hired a new CEO, Jamba Juice veteran Mike Rotondo. Rotondo told Business Insider in an interview that his goal at the company was to turn around the 1,200-location chain by selling more to-go snacks, such as chocolate-covered strawberries, smoothies, and fruit salads. </p><p>"We want this to be 25%-plus part of their business," Rotondo said. "It's really something that differentiates us."</p><p>Edible Arrangements has been offering to-go snacks for more than a year already. It's something that few customers realize, which creates some problems for franchisees trying to boost sales.</p><p>"I can't tell you how many people can't tell you that we have that kind of a store-front presence," Rotondo said.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Edible Arrangements</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Edible Arrangements stores are typically located in strip malls and near shopping centers, Rotondo said. The issue is that people don't tend to think of Edible Arrangements as somewhere they would stop to shop in-store, so their eyes slide right past it. </p><p>"We're right there, but it's one of those things, if you're not looking for us for that, we're just part of the scenery," Rotondo said. </p><p>However, Rotondo acknowledges that some locations aren't really snack-business-ready. Edible Arrangements has built its business on gift-basket orders since it was founded in 1999, meaning many locations are optimized for the to-go business.</p><p>That means a number of shops with weaker sales numbers could end up closing up as leases expire if they aren't in locations that are ideal to drive foot traffic, Rotondo said. He added that franchisees would likely have the option to reopen locations in places with more foot traffic if that were the case. </p><p>Edible Arrangements' attempts to boost sales by simply selling more gift baskets has been complicated in recent years by a growing number of other fruit-basket sellers, whom Rotondo calls "wannabees."</p><p>The company has the uncomfortable honor of becoming so well-known that it serves as a stand-in for all similar chains. Earlier this year, the company <a href="http://www.latimes.com/food/sns-dailymeal-1888165-eat-edible-arrangements-google-lawsuit-022018-20180220-story.html">filed a lawsuit against Google</a> in an attempt to stop rivals 1-800-Flowers and Shari's Berries from running ads on searches for the term "Edible Arrangements." </p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/slgc/5357832737/">slgckgc/flickr</a></span></p><p class="caption">More traditional Edible Arrangements' fare.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Rotondo believes that boosting the snack business can not only increase sales, but also help build customer loyalty towards Edible Arrangements over other gift-centric chains. </p><p>However, others are skeptical. Prior to Rotondo's hiring, two franchisees (one current and one former) who spoke with Business Insider on the condition of anonymity said that past efforts to grow snack sales had been disappointing and only succeeded in draining franchisees' funds. </p><p>"Why would you want to compete with grocery stores?" franchise expert Joel Libava said on Tuesday, calling the idea "goofy."  </p><p>Rotondo says that his biggest challenge as CEO is getting franchisees on board with changes. So far, he says, people are supporting the idea to add to-go snacks. The chain is going to put in more work to test products and make sure there is a return on investment, as well as develop products that won't require a major investment from franchisees.</p><p>New store designs are being tested, and new locations are being built in areas with more foot traffic. </p><p>"We don't need hundreds of transactions or thousands of transaction for these treats," Rotondo said, just "a few more transactions, a few more visits a day." </p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trying-moes-ghostujang-spicy-salsa-ghost-peppers-gochujang-taste-test-2018-6">How Moe's makes their spiciest salsa with ghost peppers</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

Edible Arrangements is sick of only being a Mother's Day gift. Now, its new CEO wants to convince shoppers it's a smoothie-and-snack chain.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I spent a weekend in <keyword id="2390" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Las-Vegas">Las Vegas</keyword> and the city's precautions made me feel pretty safe. </li><li>The city had plenty of signs reminding visitors to keep their distance from one another and wear masks.</li><li>Pool parties and massive concerts weren't happening, but many <keyword id="241497" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Vegas">Vegas</keyword> shows and mainstays were still open. </li><li>Most of the people I saw were wearing masks and I also noticed staff members frequently cleaning chips and slot machines.</li></ul><p>I'm no stranger to Las Vegas, Nevada.</p><p>I've been to Sin City during its popular Electric Daisy Carnival when hotels are in such high demand that rooms cost over $600 a night. I've also <a href="https://www.insider.com/photos-tour-private-island-you-can-rent-with-friends-florida-2020-10">visited</a> in January when the colder desert temperatures leave the Strip pretty empty. </p><p>But this was my first time in Vegas during a global pandemic. </p><p>During my trip, I wanted to see if the city's <a href="https://www.onlineunitedstatescasinos.com/news/las-vegas-casinos-welcomes-guests-back-67189/">"Roadmap to Recovery"</a> plan and <a href="https://www.caesars.com/health-and-safety">new safety protocols</a> were being followed. I was also curious how much of Las Vegas was open, especially since it usually relies on indoor entertainment. </p><p>Read on to see what my weekend in Las Vegas was like. </p><h2>The hotels seemed crowded, but there were a lot of safety measures in place</h2><p>When we arrived in the parking garage of the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino on a Friday night, it was packed.</p><p>The lot was already almost completely full at 10 p.m. and we had to wind our way up to the top floor to find a spot.</p><div type="image" title="Flamingo Parking Lot" height="2919" width="3893" msid="79556018" hostid="261"></div><p>I noticed some of the hotels on the Strip were still offering valet service, but I was more comfortable with parking my own car.</p><p>There were a lot of people outside of the hotel, too. </p><div type="image" title="Outside The Flamingo " height="2268" width="3023" msid="79556019" hostid="261"></div><p>Upon <a href="https://www.insider.com/staying-at-the-standard-hotel-london-tour">entering the hotel's lobby</a>, it was clear that this was not the Vegas that I was used to visiting, but that was totally OK with me. I know all of the safety measures in place are designed to protect the city's visitors and residents. </p><p>As soon as I stepped into the hotel, I saw hand-sanitizer dispensers and spacing markers on the floor everywhere I looked. </p><div type="image" title="Masks in Flamingo Store" height="2858" width="3811" msid="79556023" hostid="261"></div><p>The most prominent, center display at the hotel's gift shop was a selection of brightly colored masks, instead of the usual clubbing clothes and swimsuit displays. </p><h2><strong>The check-in process was also different from what I'm used to</strong></h2><p>This was my third time staying at the Flamingo, but it was my first time visiting since these stricter health and safety precautions have been implemented.</p><p>Before we checked in we waited in a line to have our temperatures checked in a large machine that reminded me of airport security.</p><div type="image" title="Temperature Check" height="4032" width="3024" msid="79556028" hostid="261"></div><p>There were more stickers on the floor to remind people to stay 6 feet away from each other while they waited in line.</p><p>Usually, upon arrival, we check in with a person at a desk who takes our credit card and checks our IDs by hand, but this time it was all done through a machine.</p><div type="image" title="hotel check in" height="4032" width="3024" msid="79556030" hostid="261"></div><p>The machine asked us if we wanted housekeeping services during our stay. We opted out. </p><p>After dropping off our bags, we headed to The Cosmopolitan to get cocktails, which meant walking through the Strip.</p><div type="image" title="View from hotel" height="3024" width="4032" msid="79556031" hostid="261"></div><p>Fortunately, the <a href="https://www.insider.com/most-beautiful-views-in-america-each-state-2018-5">impressive views of the city</a> had not changed. </p><h2>The Strip was pretty busy, and there were social-distancing markers at popular attractions</h2><div type="image" title="Strip Traffic " height="2173" width="2898" msid="79556043" hostid="261"></div><p>The Strip was pretty crowded, which wasn't too surprising considering Las Vegas has always been the most bustling after the sun goes down.</p><p>On the way to get cocktails at The Cosmo, we stopped to watch the fountain show at The Bellagio, which is a Las Vegas staple. </p><p>The "Fountains of Bellagio" runs every 30 minutes or every 15 minutes depending on the time - so there's no shortage of opportunities to catch the show. </p><div type="image" title="Socially Distant Bellagio Show" height="2274" width="3024" msid="79556053" hostid="261"></div><p>This year, there were markers on the ground for people to stand on so they could watch the fountains while staying a safe distance apart.</p><p>I was impressed by how people weren't crowding the railing like they usually can during these shows. </p><h2>At the bars and restaurants we visited, it seemed clear that if you didn't follow the rules you'd be asked to leave </h2><p>I'm <a href="https://www.insider.com/signs-you-should-avoid-eating-in-a-restaurant-during-pandemic-2020-9">not a fan of eating indoors right now,</a> but it was challenging to find food on the Strip. Since desert temperatures can be high and the area is crowded, outdoor dining is limited.  Plus there aren't any grocery stores on the Strip where we could just grab a salad to-go. </p><p>Fortunately, I think the places we visited seemed to be adhering to the <a href="https://www.lvcva.com/covid-19-updates/">current indoor-dining safety guidelines fairly well. </a></p><p><em>Editor's Note: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-dining-restaurant-may-heighten-risk-cdc-2020-9">Experts say</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/restaurants-and-gyms-were-spring-covid-19-hotspots-cellphone-data-2020-11">research has shown</a> that indoor dining is still one of the most unsafe activities to do right now, especially in a place like Nevada, <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/nevada/articles/2020-11-19/nevada-reports-record-high-2-416-covid-19-cases-amid-surge">which is currently experiencing record-high cases and hospitalizations.</a></em></p><p>Upon arriving at The Cosmopolitan, we underwent a security check and temperature check. There were signs everywhere reminding people to wear their masks unless they were actively eating, drinking, or smoking.</p><div type="image" title="Cosmo QR Code Menu " height="2268" width="3023" msid="79556057" hostid="261"></div><p>At the Chandelier Bar, we were seated at a table in the lounge but told not to remove our masks until we were served our drinks. There were contactless QR code menus to use for ordering.</p><p>Everyone around us seemed to be respecting the safety protocols at the lounge because it seemed clear you would be asked to leave if you didn't.</p><p>Some eateries we passed had made a point to put masks on their mascots. Most of these places had markers on the floor, too, to help customers space out. </p><div type="image" title="Saginaw’s Delicatessen   He_s wearing a mask" height="2755" width="3673" msid="79556058" hostid="261"></div><p>After drinks, we headed to dinner at <a href="https://www.venetian.com/restaurants/canonita.html">Cañonita</a> at The Venetian, which offered contactless services including QR code menus and mobile-pay options.</p><p>Before we were seated, we did another health screening and had our temperatures checked. The tables seemed to be spaced out pretty well. </p><h2><strong>The next morning, we saw crowded pockets as we walked down the Strip, and I'd say 85% of people were wearing masks</strong></h2><p>One of my favorite activities to do when I'm in Las Vegas is just to walk down the Strip and people watch.</p><p>There were crowded pockets as we walked down the sidewalk - but it was nowhere near as congested as when I've visited around this time of year in the past. Since it was daytime, the area was even quieter. </p><div type="image" title="Lady Liberty with Mask" height="2208" width="2943" msid="79556059" hostid="261"></div><p>Las Vegas is also well-known for is its fabulous pools (and pool parties). Some of the resort's pools were closed for the season but others remained open with strict capacity limits.</p><div type="image" title="Pool_s Closed" height="2274" width="3024" msid="79556060" hostid="261"></div><p>None of these resorts seemed to currently be hosting parties, and it was weird to see the pools so empty on such a warm day.</p><p>Eventually, we headed to the casinos. </p><h2>In one casino, I saw workers spraying slot machines with disinfectant and cleaning the chips with towels and sanitizer </h2><div type="image" title="Gaming Social Distancing" height="2134" width="2838" msid="79556061" hostid="261"></div><p>According to the reopening plan, casinos are currently supposed to adhere to <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/08/11/901295371/las-vegas-casinos-are-open-at-50-capacity-what-about-las-vegas-hospitals">50%</a> maximum-capacity requirements. Face masks are mandatory.</p><p>The casinos weren't quite as crowded as I've seen them in the past, but they were still pretty full - especially at night.</p><div type="image" title="Cleaning the Slots" height="2069" width="2759" msid="79556106" hostid="261"></div><p>I saw casino workers constantly spraying down and sanitizing slot machines, which were mostly spaced out. </p><p>It was nice to see the machines physically being cleaned instead of just reading signs about the casino's disinfecting policies. </p><p><em>Editor's Note: Surface transmission was <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/07/scourge-hygiene-theater/614599/">thought to be a major driver of virus spread early in the pandemic</a>, but it's since become clear that <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="covid-19">COVID-19</keyword> is not primarily spread by <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/s0522-cdc-updates-covid-transmission.html">touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching your mouth or nose. </a></em></p><div type="image" title="Hand Sanitizer" height="2874" width="3832" msid="79556107" hostid="261"></div><p>Some machines had bright-red stickers on them reminding people not to stand close to another person.</p><p>I even saw dealers sanitizing the chips between games. It made me wonder if this is what casinos should've been doing all along - you can never be too careful.</p><div type="image" title="Slot Machine Distancing" height="2274" width="3024" msid="79556115" hostid="261"></div><p>At one point, while gambling in Paris Las Vegas, the roulette technician told me to "get back," because there was a four-person limit at our table. Since my partner was gambling and I was not, I could not stand within 6 feet of the table.</p><p>The rule had slipped my mind - multiple signs in the area said "Spectators are not allowed under social distancing guidelines" - and it was comforting to have it enforced, even if it meant I couldn't watch the game. </p><p>At the race and sportsbooks zones, chairs and tables in the viewing areas were also adjusted to allow for appropriate social distancing. Again, there were hand-sanitizer dispensers everywhere. </p><p>If you didn't have a mask on you because you forgot it in your room or in the car, the security desks at the casinos were giving them out. </p><div type="image" title="Cover your nose!" height="4032" width="3024" msid="79556126" hostid="261"></div><p>I also appreciated how the signs inside the casinos were telling people that their masks must cover their mouth<em> and </em>nose. </p><p>Even the restrooms were different - the one I stopped in at The Venetian had what appeared to be plexiglass dividers between each sink. I was pretty impressed.</p><div type="image" title="Bathroom Plexiglass" height="3024" width="4032" msid="79556135" hostid="261"></div><h2>Even Caesar and Mr. Las Vegas were wearing masks </h2><p>One of the details I appreciated is that Vegas has clearly put a lot of effort into how the eternal "locals" are all proudly sporting their masks.</p><div type="image" title="Masked up Caesar" height="2274" width="3024" msid="79556140" hostid="261"></div><p>From Caesar standing tall outside of his palace to Lady Liberty towering near The New York-New York - these iconic Vegas landmarks seemed to scream, "Wear your masks!" </p><div type="image" title="Masked up Mr. Las Vegas " height="2172" width="2896" msid="79556142" hostid="261"></div><p>Even Mr. Las Vegas himself is everywhere on this poster, reminding people to mask up or ship out (but in a classy way).</p><h2>The shopping displays throughout Vegas were uplifting and filled with masks </h2><div type="image" title="Inspiration" height="4032" width="3024" msid="79556143" hostid="261"></div><p>Indoor shopping was open at a limited capacity, and masks were mandatory.</p><p>The entrance had QR codes that you could scan to check updated store hours <a href="https://www.insider.com/social-life-differences-living-in-uk-compared-to-us">and see what's open. </a></p><div type="image" title="Shopping QR code" height="2274" width="3024" msid="79556144" hostid="261"></div><p>I was impressed with how many of the shopping displays promoted a message of safety and positivity. I also noticed a lot of window displays were filled with masks. </p><div type="image" title="Lots of Masks for Sale" height="2274" width="3024" msid="79556145" hostid="261"></div><p>Most mannequins were wearing masks and some of the signs in the windows even had encouraging messages, like "You're Doing Great."</p><div type="image" title="Creative Miracle Mile Shop Social Distancing" height="1826" width="2435" msid="79556146" hostid="261"></div><h2>Throughout my trip, I saw displays advertising indoor shows, which had been put on hold or modified </h2><p>Some buildings had signs up for popular shows that are currently on hold, like Cirque du Soleil's "The Beatles LOVE," which <a href="https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9335282/cirque-du-soleil-closes-its-las-vegas-shows-because-of-coronavirus#:~:text=The%20canceled%20shows%20include%20%22The,of%20the%20new%20coronavirus%20outbreak.">suspended production in March due to COVID-19 concerns.</a></p><div type="image" title="Volcano at The Mirage" height="2368" width="3158" msid="79556147" hostid="261"></div><p>But plenty of other shows were back and running with new social-distance guidelines. </p><p>Most of the shows being advertised had <a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/absinthe-will-continue-to-play-as-sisolak-tightens-covid-limits-2188780/">limited</a> capacity and, in some cases, performances were happening in larger theaters to accommodate social distancing.</p><p><a href="https://lasvegassun.com/news/2020/oct/20/mgm-shows-return-copperfield-carrot-top-/">Many of the returning comedy and magic shows</a> had just begun running again in November after being put on hold earlier this year amid the ongoing pandemic. </p><p>Usually, live concerts are one of my favorite parts of Vegas and it was noticeably missing. </p><p>Concerts are understandably a no-go at the moment, but I couldn't help but feel like there was nothing to do in Vegas at night - I'm used to seeing a DJ come onstage at 1 a.m. </p><h2>A lot of popular activities were still open, and the downtown area was pretty crowded, too </h2><p>The High Roller, the Strip's enormous Ferris wheel is back up and running, as is the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck Excursion at Paris. The Gondola rides at The Venetian seemed to be in full swing.</p><div type="image" title="Masks Required for Entry " height="2274" width="3024" msid="79556148" hostid="261"></div><p>I also stopped by downtown Las Vegas, which seemed to be going strong. My guess is that a lot of people came here to try to avoid the crowds of the Strip.</p><p>There were a number of fairly new restaurants and hotels in the area, including the massive <a href="https://www.circalasvegas.com/">Circa Resort and Casino</a> that opened to the public in October.</p><div type="image" title="Stadium Swim" height="2408" width="3211" msid="79556149" hostid="261"></div><p>The 21 and up resort was huge and had a casino, pool amphitheater, and massive seating complex where you can participate in competitive betting.</p><p>In more normal times, I could see <a href="https://www.insider.com/cool-fun-facts-and-secrets-about-disney-world-water-parks">this pool</a> amphitheater being totally packed with visitors. Currently, though, it was empty. </p><div type="image" title="Circa Resort _ Casino " height="3024" width="4032" msid="79556150" hostid="261"></div><p>The downtown area also had a <a href="https://vegasexperience.com/">Fremont Street Experience</a>, a pedestrian mall and attraction that's partially outdoors but covered by an LED ceiling<strong>.</strong></p><div type="image" title="Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas " height="2898" width="3864" msid="79556151" hostid="261"></div><p>There was security patrolling through on bikes to make sure everyone was wearing masks and ample signage about social distancing.</p><p><strong><div type="image" title="Signage at The Fremont " height="2274" width="3024" msid="79556154" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><h2>I felt completely safe during my trip, but I know it will take a long time for Vegas to fully recover </h2><div type="image" title="Mornings are Quiet" height="2271" width="3024" msid="79556155" hostid="261"></div><p>In 2019, Vegas had <a href="https://assets.simpleviewcms.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1/clients/lasvegas/2019_Vegas_FAQs_690d31c4-a86d-4965-9071-db5345329e5f.pdf">42.5 million visitors</a>. Since the city reopened in June, it's seen a <a href="https://assets.simpleviewcms.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1/clients/lasvegas/ES_Sep_2020_5ad1f5b2-46af-43f1-9704-721772029bd9.pdf">51% decrease in visitors from last year.</a> </p><p>But even though there were fewer visitors and some activities were off-limits, the city was far from a ghost town. </p><p>Plenty of people were gambling, walking around the Strip, and dining in Vegas mainstays - the big difference is that hand sanitizer, safety-related signs, and masks were everywhere. </p><p>It seemed clear to me that the city is working really hard to promote and create a safe environment for guests. But, of course, no system is perfect. It's going to take a long time for Sin City to fully recover, especially without opportunities to host huge conventions, big parties, and massive concerts.</p><p>Above all, Las Vegas is still very much Las Vegas -it just feels a bit different right now.</p><p><strong>Read More:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-its-like-to-fly-business-class-during-covid-2020">I flew business class for 9 hours, and it made me wish I saved my money and bought an economy ticket</a></p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-make-flight-attendants-like-you-2020-1">Flight attendants reveal 14 things they wish all passengers would start doing</a></p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/most-popular-flower-spot-to-see-in-london-tour-covent-garden-market">I visited London's world-famous flower market, and it's an Instagrammer's dream</a></p>

I visited Las Vegas during the pandemic and was shocked how much it still felt like the Sin City I remember

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Getty / Drew Angerer</span></p><p class="caption">Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter.</p></div><p></p></div></div>A website that monitored public figures' Twitter profiles for deleted tweets has been shut down by the social network.</p><p>Post Ghost, <a href="https://www.producthunt.com/tech/postghost">which only launched on July 6</a>, acted as a kind of watchdog, tracking when certain users deleted their old posts and them publicising them.</p><p>It's similar to Politwoops - an explicitly political service that monitors the Twitter feeds of politicians around the world, flagging up tweet deletions.</p><p>But while Twitter is happy to let Politwoops run, the same is not true of Post Ghost.</p><p><a href="http://postghost.com/Home/Shutdown/">In a blog post, the service has shared an email</a> it says it received from Twitter on the day it launched on ProductHunt, accusing it of violating the social network's Developer Agreement, which prohibits the monitoring and displaying of deleted tweets, and demanding that the service is shut down.</p><p>Post Ghost has complied, and is no longer available. But it has also shared an open letter on its website attacking Twitter's decision, framing itself as a companion to Politwoops and arguing that " Political speech ... is not an activity limited to politicians."</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Post Ghost</span></p><p class="caption">The legal letter from Twitter that Post Ghost received.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p><a href="http://postghost.com/Home/Shutdown/">Here's Post Ghost's defence of</a> how it chooses the users it chose to highlight the deleted tweets from, and why it does it (emphasis ours):</p><p style="padding-left: 30px;">Of course, not every Twitter user should have their deleted tweets recorded - most people use Twitter as a personal account, and we firmly agree with Twitter's commitment to their privacy. However, Twitter maintains a list of public figures called verified users - about 0.05% of their user base - for whom Twitter acts as an outsized, instantaneous megaphone to reach vast numbers of followers. PostGhost only reports on half of this small subset - verified users with tens of thousands of followers, or more. <strong>We believe that for such prominent verified Twitter users, the public has a right to see their public Twitter history, whether or not they grow to regret the statements they've made</strong>.</p><p style="padding-left: 30px;">...</p><p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>When a public figure makes a public statement in the real world</strong>, be it in print, in person, or on their own website, writers, bloggers and <strong>individuals have the right to reprint and discuss that statement at will, even if the speaker wishes he or she could take it back</strong>. As Twitter becomes the default worldwide platform for online speech, losing that right is a loss for public discourse as a whole.</p><p>In short: Prominent public figures' comments and statements have always been subjected to retroactive scrutiny. Twitter, by removing that possibility, is weakening public debate.</p><p>As a private company, Twitter doesn't have any legal obligations to uphold free speech or maintain certain standards of "public discourse" - much like a shopping mall can eject protesters, even if the protesters aren't breaking any laws.</p><p>But Post Ghost argues that the social network should nonetheless try to uphold more nebulous concepts of accountability, given its prominence in the contemporary political debate. <a href="https://blog.twitter.com/2015/holding-public-officials-accountable-with-twitter-and-politwoops">It points to a previous statement by CEO Jack Dorsey</a>, who said that "we have a responsibility to continue to empower organizations that bring more transparency to public dialogue."</p><p>That said, Arjan el Fassed, director of Open State Foundation, which manages some Politwoops accounts, cautioned against drawing direct parallels between Post Ghost and Politwoops.</p><p>"There is a big difference" between the two services, he told Business Insider. "Politwoops only publishes deleted tweets by politicians and public officials. These are people who hold legislative, administrative, or judicial positions, whether appointed or elected. PostGhost just took the list of verified accounts but these accounts are not limited to just public officials or even public figures."</p><p>Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p><p>Post Ghost will no doubt be hoping that this furore plays out similarly to what previously happened to Politwoops. The politician-tracking service had existed for some time before being banned abruptly in August 2015 for violating Twitter's terms of service. <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/twitter-politwoops-coming-back-2015-12">Dorsey then reversed this decision in December 2015</a>, with the service starting to come back online in January 2016.</p><p>However, Politwoops still exists in a weird legal limbo. It unambiguously violates <a href="https://dev.twitter.com/overview/terms/agreement-and-policy">Twitter's terms of service</a> - just like Post Ghost does. It only exists because of the good grace of Twitter's leadership.</p><p>This uncertain status means other services may continue to get threatening legal letters, even if they fulfill similar - and equally valuable - purposes.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/smartphone-addiction-brain-science-2016-6">There's a scientific reason we're addicted to checking our phones</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="8xdGNvMjE6dwGnz6ucI9uXnFMMqNocLw" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

Twitter has banned a watchdog that kept track of celebrities' deleted tweets

<p class="source"><span>Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">Workers from a disinfection service company sanitize a branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony where a woman known as "Patient 31" attended a service in Daegu</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>The number of coronavirus patients in South Korea has jumped to 104 as of Thursday, and one person has died, as two large clusters of cases have been exposed.</li><li>A 61-year-old woman, who is a member of the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, is believed to be a "super-spreader" that may have infected at least 43 people. </li><li>A branch of the controversial Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple is viewed by many as a cult or fringe religious sect, though church leaders deny the accusations of being the "main culprit" in South Korea's coronavirus outbreak.</li><li>Fifteen people have also been diagnosed at a hospital in Cheongdo County, where a 63-year-old longtime patient marked South Korea's first coronavirus death. However, what's particularly worrisome is that cases have emerged among people who have been in a locked psychiatric ward.</li><li>Calling this an "unprecedented crisis," Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin has urged churchgoers to stay indoors, while shutting down kindergartens, malls, restaurants, and other public spaces.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p>A South Korean city has gone on the offensive after two clusters of coronavirus cases, which have been traced to doomsday cult church and a hospital nearly tripled the number of patients in the country.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.cdc.go.kr/board/board.es?mid=a30402000000&amp;bid=0030&amp;act=view&amp;list_no=366264&amp;tag=&amp;nPage=1">Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a> (KCDC) said on Thursday that 53 additional patients have tested positive for COVID-19. The day before, 20 new cases had been reported. There are now 104 coronavirus patients and one fatality in South Korea. </p><p>This uptick mostly comes from 43 members of the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, a fringe religious faction in the city of Daegu, and 15 people at a hospital in Cheongdo County. The country's first coronavirus death also occurred at this hospital, according to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/coronavirus-china-live-updates/2020/02/20/3159df72-535c-11ea-b119-4faabac6674f_story.html">The Washington Post</a>.</p><p>The church at the center of this outbreak is part of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which was established in 1984 by Lee Man-hee and counts about 200,000 South Koreans among its ranks. Lee claims to have taken on the mantle of Jesus Christ and purports to have the ability to save 144,000 people on Judgment Day by taking them to heaven with him, the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/20/south-korean-city-daegu-lockdown-coronavirus-outbreak-cases-soar-at-church-cult-cluster">Guardian</a> said.</p><p>"Most believers accept this large cluster of cases occurring at the church as a test of their belief," Park Hyung-tak, who leads the Korea Christian Heresy Research Institute, told the <a href="https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3051629/coronavirus-super-spreader-south-korean-church-cult">South China Morning Post</a> about the group that views itself as "chosen" and "favored by God."</p><h2><strong>Patient 31 triggers a 'super-spreader' event</strong></h2><p>A 61-year-old churchgoer was diagnosed with the coronavirus on Tuesday, prompting health officials to ask the church's thousand other followers to put themselves in quarantine.  So far, South Koreans who tested positive for the illness had either traveled to mainland China or been in contact with someone who had. It remains unknown how the woman, who has been dubbed Patient 31, contracted COVID-19, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-southkorea-cases/south-korea-coronavirus-cases-surge-majority-linked-to-daegu-church-idUSKBN20E04F">Reuters</a> reported.</p><p>However, since the number of coronavirus patients has jumped since she became ill, with many coming from the "same Korean cult," this is being considered as a "super-spreader" event, the KCDC said to the South China Morning Post in a press release.</p><p>Followers have been asked "to stay at home isolated from their families," Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin said, while Jung Eun-kyeong, director of the KCDC, urged people who visited both the church and the hospital report any symptoms to officials. </p><h2><strong>Shincheonji say it's been wrongly accused - both as a "cult" and the "main culprit" of this outbreak</strong></h2><p>The church has shut its facilities across South Korea and encouraged churchgoers to partake in online prayer sessions in response to the outbreak, the South China Morning Post said.</p><p>It also released a statement on Thursday, decrying the barrage of criticism and defended itself against being cast as "the main culprit of coronavirus transmissions," blaming those who have deemed it a "cult" for the wrongful accusations, the Washington Post said.</p><p>Pastor Shin Hyun-uk, an anti-Temple campaigner, is not mollified. He is worried that more cases may be linked to the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, because of its so-called "study rooms" where believers are taught the church's evangelical ways.</p><p>"Their so-called 'harvesters' go to other Christian churches, take part in prayer sessions there and engage in other activities in order to woo away ordinary believers," he told the South China Morning Post. "I doubt whether the church would come clean about the movements of its believers who were with the 31st patient and cooperate with authorities in tracing contacts for fear that it would reveal their secret evangelistic activities. This is really a worrisome situation."</p><h2><strong>Churchgoers were asked to 'remove face masks while attending prayer sessions'</strong></h2><p>The South Korean newspaper NoCut News was able to interview a church believer, who shared that Patient 31 was in close proximity with other churchgoers during prayer services on February 9 and 16, both of which are being investigated by authorities.</p><p>There is an 8-story Daegu building that houses the temple. In it, married women convene on the fourth floor, married men on the seventh, and unwed men and women gather on the eighth floor, the unnamed source told NoCut News, which was reported by the South China Morning Post.</p><p>At these prayers sessions, churchgoers sit close enough to each other that they can "rub their shoulders," while praising God "at the top of their [voices] for about 30 minutes, and listening to sermons for another hour. Afterward, people converse in small groups while married women organize potluck parties.</p><p>People who donned face masks as a precaution against the coronavirus "were told to remove [them] while attending prayer sessions," the follower told NoCut News.</p><p>Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony said in its statement to the South China Morning Post that its leaders have been urging believers since the end of January to stay home if they had traveled internationally or were feeling unwell. The KCDC is looking into a possible connection between the church and the hospital because officials say the 31st patient went to the hospital in early February.</p><p>A 63-year-old man, who had been bedridden at the Cheongdo hospital for over two decades, died of coronavirus, Yonhap said. But people in a locked psychiatric ward have also contracted COVID-19, the South China Morning Post said, prompting all the hospital's patients and staff members to undergo testing. </p><h2>Life comes to a halt in Daegu, transforming it into a ghost town</h2><p>Daegu residents have been asked to stay home as officials brace for more cases, Kwon said, stressing, "We are in an unprecedented crisis."</p><p>South Korea's Vice Health Minister Kim Kang-lip echoed the sentiment, saying "local transmission of the coronavirus" is already underway in multiple parts of the country, creating a "very grave" situation, Reuters reported.</p><p>To try and control the spread of the coronavirus, extreme precautionary measures are being enforced at Kwon's orders. Streets in the usually busy city, which has an estimated population of 2.5 million people, have lost their hustle and bustle as kindergartens and public libraries have been closed, and shopping malls, restaurants, and movie theaters lie deserted, Yonhap reported. </p><p>Schools have taken the unprecedented step of delaying the start of their spring semester, which usually kicks off in March. And a concert in which BTS and other K-pop stars were expected to perform at Daegu Stadium has been postponed from March 8, but it's unclear when the show will be rescheduled.</p><p>South Korea's Defence Ministry has forbidden troops stationed in Daegu from welcoming guests and leaving their barracks. Similar restrictions are in place at a US military base in the city.  </p><p>"Daegu lockdown" and "Daegu church" were among the top searches on Naver, a popular South Korean internet portal, with people discussing whether the city should be placed on lockdown and shut off from the rest of the country - similar to what Chinese officials did with Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak. A KCDC official told Reuters that such a measure is not yet on the table.</p><p>But people took to social media to document the deserted city.</p><p>"It's like someone dropped a bomb in the middle of the city. It looks like a zombie apocalypse," Kim Geun-woo told Reuters. "Even Dongseong-ro Street - the most crowded centre of the city - is empty."</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-quarantines-south-korea-vietnam-more-die-outside-china-2020-2">South Korea and Vietnam are asking millions to stay home to avoid coronavirus as more people get infected and die outside of China</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/diamond-princess-sail-again-april-coronavirus-outbreak-2020-2">More than half of all coronavirus cases outside China are from the Diamond Princess, but the cruise ship is already planning to set sail again in April</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wuhan-coronavirus-hospital-at-half-capacity-despite-rapid-construction-2020-2?r=US&amp;IR=T">The 1,600-bed Wuhan coronavirus hospital that China panic-built in a few days is less than half full 11 days after it opened</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wuhan-coronavirus-research-studies-published-2020-1?r=US&amp;IR=T">Research suggests 80% of coronavirus cases are mild, but the epidemic could 'rebound.'</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-virus-everything-we-know-deadly-2019-ncov-wuhan-spread-2020-1?r=US&amp;IR=T">Here's everything we know about the coronavirus outbreak.</a></li></ul>            <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-groundhogs-predict-weather-origin-history-groundhog-day">How groundhogs became the animal that predicted the weather</a></h3>

South Korea is bracing for a spike in coronavirus cases after a 'super-spreader' event occurred at a church 'cult'

<keyword id="6354553" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="real-estate">Real Estate</keyword> sector has been stagnant and unregulated for years now. Rising prices of property, delayed construction, no clarity on Foreign Direct Investment and REITS, ghost buyers are some of problems crippling the growth of the sector. But with the various ambitious projects announced by the new Modi Government there’s a silver lining. As per recent government data, economic growth reached 7.4% in the second quarter of the current financial year, riding on a spike in manufacturing and a pickup in investment. <br /><br />

	<strong>Where it stands?</strong>
<br /> Globally positioning India as an investment destination and improving India’s diplomatic and trade relation, Narendra Modi’s foreign stints have helped India attract more <keyword id="44528" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="FDI">FDI</keyword>. From the nations he visited during the financial year 2014-15, India received FDI of USD 19.78 billion. Moreover, FDI in India increased by 27% in 2014-15 to USD 30.93 billion, said Anuj Puri, Chairman and country head at JLL India in his blog. <br /><br /> But a recent <keyword id="6355001" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="FICCI">FICCI</keyword> survey of the year 2015 (Impact of FDI reforms in the Indian real estate sector) shows how disoriented the sector still is. Though there has been overall growth in FDI in the sector, FDI in construction development sector has declined over the past few years. The following table shows that. <br /><br />

	
<br /><br />

	<strong>Overall sentiment happy</strong>
<br /><br /> Still revival hopes are high! The real impact of latest FDI liberalisation measures on foreign <keyword id="6362476" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="investments">investments</keyword> in Indian real estate will be reflected over a period of time, the industry feels, as per the survey. <br /><br />

	1.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Industry is happy and satisfied with current FDI reforms in construction development sector 
<br /><br />

	Majority are happy with the recent steps of the Central Government and are satisfied with the policy development. 
<br /><br />

	2.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Increased confidence and optimism in industry towards future flow of FDI in real estate 
<br /><br /> Industry has shown high level of confidence and optimism towards future flow of <keyword id="136566" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="foreign-capital">foreign capital</keyword> into realty sector. They feel that FDI reform measures will certainly increase flow of FDI into realty sector in coming months. <br /><br />

	3.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Commercial &amp; Retail and Residential real estate will gain significantly from the liberalisation of FDI in the sector
<br /><br />

	4.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>100% FDI under automatic route in completed projects
<br /><br />

	100% FDI under automatic route in completed projects for operation and management of townships, malls/shopping complexes and business centres is a significant step taken by the Government, the industry feels.
<br /><br />

	<strong>What more should be done in the upcoming <keyword id="2783177" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Budget-2016">budget 2016</keyword>?</strong>
<br /><br />

	1.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Quick implementation of the Real Estate Regulatory Bill (RERA) to enable the <keyword id="46631" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Realty-market">realty market</keyword> to attract FDI <br /><br />

	2.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Government of India should bring more clarity over the entry and exit norms and processes to be followed by investors. 
<br /><br />

	3.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Both Centre and State must work together to ensure removal of bottlenecks for faster implementation of reform measures for foreign investments in real estate. 
<br /><br />

	4.<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Government of India could also consider a reduced lock-in-period applicable for FDI investments from 3 years currently to 1-2 years to further enhance investor interests. 
<br /><br />

	The real estate industry is maturing. There is a wedge between demand and supply of housing. However, with increased market transparency, this demand/supply mismatch can offer immense opportunities for developers and investors alike. But a well regulated and consolidated industry is not a near future dream.<br />
	<br />
	(Image credits: FICCI, indiatimes)
<br /><br />

Budget 2016: Impact of FDI in real estate sector and future expectations

<p class="p1"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Screenshot/YouTube</span></p><p class="caption">Apple's eWorld let users roam through a virtual town square</p></div><p></p></div></div>Back in 1994, the Internet was still a vast, uncharted territory.</p><p class="p1">So the notion of creating a safe, familiar-looking space for early cyber surfers must not have seemed too outlandish for the Apple executives who came up with the plan.</p><p class="p1">But the short-lived online service that Apple rolled out that year, dubbed eWorld, failed miserably and the digital buildings that Apple erected now stand as online ruins that offer intriguing memories of a long-lost era.</p><p class="p1">Apple created eWorld in the vein of other "walled garden" online services of the time such as AOL, CompuServe and Prodigy. Instead  of using a browser to navigate the web, these services provided a special, curated online experience that provided users with hand-picked content, chatrooms and email. Apple even licensed technology from AOL to make eWorld.</p><p class="p1">But Apple put its own touch on eWorld, and built the equivalent of an graphical, electronic city with various buildings that users could virtually visit.</p><h2 class="p1">City of the future or ghost town?</h2><p class="p1"><span class="s1">As <a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/2202091/remembering-eworld-apples-forgotten-online-service.html?utm_content=buffer8d0ff&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_campaign=buffer">an article in Macworld </a><a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/2202091/remembering-eworld-apples-forgotten-online-service.html">explained</a>, "</span><span class="s2">Each building in the city represented a different topical focus for the service, containing articles, chat rooms, discussion boards, and file downloads centered around various theme. For example, clicking on the Business and Finance Plaza building opened up a new window that presented the user with articles from Inc. magazine, business-themed discussion boards, and stock quotes. Other buildings focused on games and entertainment, shopping, learning (with encyclopedia access), and Apple product support."</span></p><p class="p1"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>screenshot/YouTube</span></p><p class="caption">The eWorld welcome screen</p></div><p></p></div></div>The price of admission was $8.95 per month, which included two hours of evening or weekend use, with each additional hour costing $4.95. By today's standards, that seems oddly expensive, but in the days of dial-up online services this was a pretty common pricing model.</p><p class="p1">Apple also took pains to ensure that the eWorld experience was a sanitized one, as <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/02/science/personal-computers-safe-friendly-small-neighborhood.html">the New York Times wrote in an article at the time</a>:</p><p class="p1">"Eworld appears to deserve its reputation as a kinder, gentler on-line community, one where women and children can feel safe on the virtual streets and where newcomers are almost always greeted pleasantly, not with the abuse and insults common on other services. The service has the cyberspace equivalent of constables on duty around the clock. Boors, bullies and sexual predators are bounced quickly. Users are not permitted to be completely anonymous."</p><p class="p1">But one problem with Apple's virtual town square was that it often felt more like a ghost town. "eWorld <span class="s1">is like a new mall with construction barricades everywhere and few stores open," said <a href="http://www.ew.com/article/1994/08/26/eworld-compuserve-aol-which-best">an article by Entertainment Weekly at the time.</a></span></p><p class="p1">Part of the problem was that Apple never put much marketing muscle behind eWorld, which was only available for Mac users and for users of the Newton handheld device (a promised Windows version never materialized).</p><p class="p1">And it was released during a time <a href="http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1996/Apple-Expects-to-Lose-$700-Million-in-Current-Quarter/id-56b5cdec7c9ff371a719be0486d949bd">when Apple was struggling financially</a>. A year after eWorld's launch, Apple CEO Michael Spindler was out, replaced by Gil Amelio, who began to cut products that were underperforming or not core to the business.</p><h2 class="p1">Midnight execution</h2><p class="p1">When Apple shut down eWorld at 12:01 am on March 31, 1996, it had roughly 150,000 users, compared to AOL's 5 million.</p><p class="p1">Of course the biggest challenge facing eWorld (and eventually AOL) was simply the fact that centralized online services were being overtaken by the open Web.  As public websites began to proliferate and consumers discovered the Web browser, there was little interest in paying for centralized online services.</p><p class="p1"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>screenshot/YouTube</span></p><p class="caption">Users accessed eWorld with a dial-up modem</p></div><p></p></div></div>The end of eWorld came swiftly for its users, many of whose anguished last cries can still be found online. One user lamented <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20030222190900/http://www.vanvr.com/eworld/wwwboard/wwwboard.html">on a special online forum for for eWorld refugees</a> that "our little planet got destroyed."</p><p class="p1">"From the fateful day in June of 1994 when it opened, I logged on daily, signed up a zillion friends, obviously not enough…" the user said.</p><p class="p1">Another wrote more hyperbolically:</p><p class="p1">"It was as though my life support was switched off suddenly! No more can I enter that friendly place where I always felt welcomed and could have a good laugh with people I hardly knew. It was a cold and sudden death a falsh and then silence, as though an Atom Bomb had gone off and it was the end of civilization as we know it. [sic]"</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/steve-jobs-man-in-the-machine-movie-clip-2015-9">This exclusive clip from the new Steve Jobs documentary paints a bleak picture of the Apple founder</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="N3ajNkdzq7d-HHC9Iyc4aHNJJiSgyAB1" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

Apple built an 'electronic city' online 21 years ago that still stands out as one of its most puzzling flops

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I drove two hours to one of the few open <keyword id="1591284" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="movie-theaters">movie theaters</keyword> in California back in September to watch Christopher Nolan's <keyword id="6356021" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="movie">movie</keyword>, "<keyword id="1794015" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="tenet">Tenet</keyword>."</li><li>I barely told anyone I was going to watch a movie in a theater out of fear of being judged.</li><li>I wasn't alone. I was one of eight people in a movie theater at the first showing of the day.</li><li>I wore gloves and a mask, closed-toed shoes, and sweatpants to watch the film. I did not eat or drink.</li><li>I also brought Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, and a change of clothes — including shoes — with me out an abundance of caution. </li><li>Though I felt relatively safe, I wouldn't have done this for any other movie.</li></ul><p>I have a tradition when it comes to <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/christopher-nolan">Christopher Nolan</a> <a href="https://www.insider.com/christopher-nolan-movies-ranked-worst-best">movies</a>. I like seeing them opening night on the largest movie theater screen I can find because Nolan films his movies <a href="https://www.imax.com/news/warner-bros-pictures%E2%80%99-and-christopher-nolan%E2%80%99s-tenet-open-imax%C2%AE-70mm">with IMAX cameras.</a></p><p>I watched <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/interstellar-review-2014-11">2014's "Interstellar" in theaters</a> and knew how much I benefited from seeing it up on the big screen. The experience of watching Matthew McConaughey venture into the silence of space wouldn't be the same on a TV or a tablet, I'm sure. </p><p>So when "Tenet" was finally <a href="https://www.insider.com/tenet-new-release-date-is-labor-day-weekend-2020-7">announced for a September 3 release in the US</a>, I was bit crushed. My go-to theater for Nolan movies is the 80-foot-tall IMAX screen inside of New York City's AMC Lincoln Square. It's <a href="http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/7222">the largest one in the US</a> and one of the <a href="https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=c1104e1269914c51836efb8126276a15">few true IMAX screens left in the country</a>. </p><p>That wasn't going to happen. Especially since I had relocated to Los Angeles at the end of 2019 to cover movies and theme parks for Insider.</p><p>When the state's lockdown occurred mid-March amid the coronavirus pandemic, I put the idea of seeing "Tenet" out of my mind. (It didn't stop me from doing a few Google searches to see how far a drive was to the closest theater in Las Vegas, but the rational side of my brain won.) </p><p>Then a few days ahead of the film's release on September 1, AMC and Regal <a href="https://variety.com/2020/film/news/amc-regal-california-movie-theaters-san-diego-1234756304/">announced they were opening theaters in San Diego, California</a> — a two-hour drive from me. </p><p>As the days passed after "Tenet's" release, I had this unrelenting, nagging feeling in my chest that wouldn't subside. A close friend told me that they saw the film — in a virtually empty movie theater in a state with far less COVID-19 cases — and they loved it.</p><p>I decided to see the movie. </p><p>I wasn't planning on telling anyone I saw "Tenet" aside from my friend and a few family members. I didn't want to urge anyone to head to theaters if they weren't going to take similar precautions. I also didn't want others to question my judgment or to judge me for acting, what may be seen as, selfishly. I knew it was an immensely controversial decision.</p><p>But even if people aren't going to the movies, I imagined some may want to know what it's like to head to a theater during this time. For that reason, I'm sharing my experience. So here's how it went.</p><h2><strong>It took an entire month to plan out my journey to see 'Tenet' at a movie theatre two hours away.  </strong></h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="tenet robert pattinson john david washington" height="1505" width="2007" msid="79283272" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>Up until I decided to take a two-hour drive to see "Tenet," I had stayed in my apartment only going out for groceries, runs, and some solitary hikes. </p><p>After a month's consideration, I took a drive down to San Diego. I always wanted to go back there at some point when I wasn't covering Comic-Con. It was one of the few places on the West Coast I was remotely familiar with and thought I would feel safe enough to travel alone. </p><p>One of the only reasons I felt remotely comfortable stepping into a public area is because one of my best friends is a nurse, who has been treating COVID-19 patients in an ICU since March. My friend's advice to me when venturing outdoors has always been simple: Be smart, wear your mask, and wash your hands. Take a shower when you get home. You should be fine.</p><p>And I was. </p><p>My colleague, Jason Guerrasio, put together a handy guide of <a href="https://www.insider.com/every-imax-theater-tenet-is-playing-in-the-us-2020-9">every IMAX theater in the country playing "Tenet."</a> That helped me narrow my theater location down to three Regal theaters all relatively close to one another. The closest one was about an hour and 40 minute drive to Escondido. The farthest? Up to two hours and 14 minutes outside of San Diego in El Cajon's Parkway Plaza shopping mall. Distance really didn't matter to me. The amount of people at each showing did.</p><p>I spent over a week checking and rechecking how crowded each theater was at multiple screening times and days. I wanted to find an optimum time when the least amount of people would be present. It seemed like my best bet was an obscure weekday morning when most people would be at work or school. </p><p>I wound up selecting the first showing on the morning of September 11 at the Regal in El Cajon. It had the least amount of seats blocked out. If I could help it, I didn't want to share a row with strangers or be in the vicinity of others.</p><h2>To protect myself, I wore a mask and gloves. I also brought h<strong>and sanitizer and a change of clothes.</strong></h2><div type="image" title="movie theater necessities.JPG" height="2503" width="2887" msid="79283275" hostid="261"></div>The night before my trip, I packed a purse full of Clorox wipes, gloves, a change of clothes, and hand sanitizer. My cloth mask, which I planned to wear while watching the entire movie, was already laid out on a counter.<p>On that warm September morning, I wore a shirt with long sleeves, sweatpants, and sneakers. I didn't want any of my bare skin touching an armrest, chair, or railing. Though it was hot outside, I figured the theater would be relatively cool if the air conditioning was on.</p><p>When I arrived at the theater before 11 a.m., I made sure I had access to my mobile ticket and put on my blue gloves before getting out of the car. I've been using mobile theater tickets for awhile now, so when I arrived at the theater, the Regal employee did the routine scan of the QR code on my phone and directed me to the second-floor theater.</p><p>It had been more than six months since I had stepped inside a theater. Not much looked different except for a few visible hand sanitizer machines.</p><p>Usually, the theater is my home away from home. Before March, I'd visit a theater about once a week to catch a new film to cover. Even when I wasn't reviewing, I usually returned at least once more during the week to watch something else. Returning to a theater, even one I had never stepped foot in before, was a bit emotional. </p><h2>Returning to the movie theater made me appreciate it that much more.</h2><div type="image" title="tenet mobile ticket.PNG" height="1333" width="828" msid="79283277" hostid="261"></div>I skipped the concession stand and escalator. Instead, I opted to walk slowly up two flights of stairs to fully appreciate the times in a theater I'd take for granted, rushing out of a screening to catch a train home or to meet a review embargo that lifted early the next day. I never imagined there would be a time when I couldn't go to theaters to escape reality for a few hours. I stared at the high-vaulted ceilings and giant movie marquee overhead. It was a bit emotional to be somewhere that didn't look like the monotonous surroundings of my apartment I've come to memorize.<p>When I arrived in my theater, a few people were already seated. Most of them were older men or older couples. By the time the movie was set to begin, the eight of us were all fairly spread out. </p><p>I chose an end seat in row L. Normally, I'd sit squarely in the center of the theater, but I wanted to minimize my chance of someone sitting on either side of me, a few seats apart or not. If I was uncomfortable at any moment, I didn't want to have to climb over anyone. I wanted to be able to dash down the theater stairs.</p><p>When I arrived at my seat, I took out the Clorox container and wiped down the arm rests on my seat and the one next to me. I reluctantly put my purse in the seat next to me to serve as a physical buffer. I was in survival mode and the thought of anyone else coming into the theater to possibly try and sit next to me was not an option. </p><h2><strong>Although I was a bit on edge, I felt relatively safe inside the movie theater.</strong></h2><div type="image" title="regal cinemas theater california" height="2570" width="3657" msid="79283278" hostid="261"></div>As the trailers played, I was filled with what I can only describe as the nervous excitement you'll have when you're embarking on a roller coaster. It was a mix of concern and anxious excitement.<p>I forgot I had previously seen the first six minutes of the film in front of "Birds of Prey" in February. That familiar scene helped me relax and get immersed in Nolan's world. When you're watching one of his films, it's tough to think about anything else as you're trying to follow the movie and figure out what's going on.</p><p>Did I ever forget I had a mask on? No, not really. But as my anxiety wore off, the more invested I became in the film. </p><p>After it was over, I stayed through part of the credits allowing everyone else to leave first. I was in no rush and I was curious to see how the theater would be cleaned. An employee walked in with, what looked like, a UV light to use on seats. </p><p>Still, I didn't want to sit in the clothes I had on for much longer. I made a beeline for the bathroom right across from my theater, entered the largest stall, and hung up my purse. </p><p>I changed out of my sweatpants, sneakers, and clothes into more lightweight shorts, a shirt, and sandals. I removed my gloves carefully, tossed them out, and used my sanitizer before leaving. All of the used clothes went into my bag and I left. </p><h2><strong>The movie theater looked like it had been frozen in time. </strong></h2><div type="image" title="regal movie theater posters.JPG" height="2250" width="3000" msid="79283282" hostid="261"></div><p>The weirdest thing about going to a movie theater wasn't that it was a ghost town or that I was wearing a mask. It was that the theater felt like it was perpetually stuck in March. </p><p>Every movie trailer playing in front of "Tenet" was old with its original release date. </p><p>Older trailers for "The Personal History of David Copperfield," "Black Widow," "The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run," and a film called "<a href="https://www.etonline.com/kristen-wiig-and-annie-mumolo-reunite-in-first-look-at-barb-star-go-to-vista-del-mar-exclusive">Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar</a>" played ahead of my screening. </p><p>They weren't even trailers that would have been attached to "Tenet's" original July release date. "Black Widow" and "Spongebob" were originally supposed to come out in May and August 2020, respectively, before getting delayed until 2021.</p><p>It didn't stop there. The outside of the theater was lined with movie posters for "Ghostbusters," "Top Gun: Maverick," and "Wonder Woman: 1984," promising their original summer 2020 releases, which had come and gone. It felt like I was in a zombie movie where the world ended in March. </p><h2><strong>Was the movie worth risking my life for? The short answer is yes, but it doesn't mean you should do it too.</strong></h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="tenet" height="1276" width="2546" msid="79283286" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>I don't know how many people have had honest conversations about <a href="https://www.insider.com/living-alone-pandemic-misery-roommates-2020-5">what it's like to live alone for months on end during the pandemic</a>. While I'm lucky to have a great network of family and friends who check in on me, there are only so many Zooms, texts, and Facetime calls you can receive until you're alone with your own thoughts again, trying to pass the time reading, painting, cooking, and playing video games.</p><p>My small solo road trip felt like a grand adventure and was needed to help keep me sane during a time where the <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-09-10/los-angeles-had-its-worst-smog-in-26-years-during-heat-wave">air quality index level was so high</a> that it wasn't safe to go outdoors in my immediate area <a href="https://www.insider.com/west-coast-hazardous-air-quality-worst-on-earth-wildfire-smoke-2020-9">because of the West coast wildfires</a>.</p><p>In that respect, it was worth it for the sake of my mental health. But as a movie, "Tenet" is not one you need to run out and see in theaters. As a Nolan stan, it let me down a little bit. Maybe I've just gotten used to <a href="https://www.theringer.com/2017/7/18/16078380/christopher-nolan-week-plot-twist-memento-prestige-7a47354826c">Nolan's twists</a>, but I was able to predict how some of the film was going to shake out, including one big surprise later in the movie and something small most probably won't notice until a second watch <a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/tenet-that-ending-explained-and-all-your-questions-answered/">regarding a backpack</a>. </p><p>Overall, the movie itself was enjoyable — a complicated car chase in the middle of the film is a major highlight — but it felt like it wanted to be a lot smarter than it really was. While it's worth another watch at some point (as all Nolan films are), I don't place it above "Dunkirk," "Interstellar," "The Dark Knight," "Memento," or "Inception."</p><p>And although I never really felt like my health was in jeopardy, I don't see myself returning to a theater anytime soon, especially as <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/12/world/covid-19-coronavirus-updates">cases continue to rise again.</a> Nor would I suggest anyone else go for the time being.</p><p>Although I had my own thrill, it seems unnecessary in the current climate.</p>

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