BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The World Health Organization, Global Citizen, and some of the world's top entertainers are bringing people together this weekend, lifting spirits in a way that encourages people to stay home during the coronavirus lockdown, while raising money for the global effort to battle the virus.
"The One World At Home Together" event on Saturday 8 p.m. ET is expected to be watched by millions of people in isolation across the world. It's being described as "a love letter" to the world's healthcare workers battling on the frontlines of the pandemic.
Curated in collaboration with Lady Gaga, the star-studded event will feature musical artists like Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, John Legend, Alanis Morissette, Eddie Veder, and Keith Urban.
The show will be hosted by late night hosts Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Stephen Colbert. Characters from Sesame Street will also be on hand. So will actors like Samuel L. Jackson and Jameela Jamil, athletes like David Beckham and Megan Rapinoe, and comedians like Amy Poehler, Ellen Degeneres, and Jack Black.
"As well as driving combined action to support the WHO’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, the broadcast will highlight stories from the world’s health care heroes, as well as messages of gratitude and appreciation from those who they’ve treated," said WHO and Global Citizen in a statement.
The global live-cast follows the launch of the Together At Home campaign and virtual concert series last month, in support of the WHO’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, powered by the UN Foundation. The special has already raised $35 million in support of the global fight against COVID-19.
"It is so important to think globally and support the World Health Organization to curb the pandemic and prevent future outbreaks," Lady Gaga said. "We want to highlight the gravity of this historical, unprecedented, and cultural movement."
The event comes three days after President Trump halted U.S. funding to the World Health Organization, and it comes the same week as much of the country entered the predicted surge-period of the pandemic.
According to the event website, the campaign is calling on individuals around the world to "take urgent action to ask world leaders and corporations to step up in supporting the global COVID-19 response with sufficient resources."
“We may have to be apart physically for a while, but we can still come together virtually to enjoy great music,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO. "The One World: Together At Home concert represents a powerful show of solidarity against a common threat.”
WBZ NewsRadio's Shari Small (@ShariSmallNews) reports:
The special will be broadcast live on Saturday, April 18, at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on ABC, NBC, ViacomCBS Networks, and iHeartMedia, as well as Bell Media networks and platforms in Canada.
Internationally, BBC One will run the program on Sunday, April 19, with additional international broadcasters including beIN Media Group, MultiChoice Group, and RTE.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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