Welcome to Fine tuning with Drew Taylor, your one-stop shop when it comes to

animation news and commentary. I'm Drew's co-host, entertainment writer Jim Hill,

and he and I are recording the show on Thursday, April 2nd.

And, okay, look folks.

Are you okay, Jim?

Are you okay?

Yes, I'm in perfect health if you're asking.

But, no, just look, the COVID bad news train continues to roll on,

literally in what, within the hour before Drew and I began recording this

episode the Walt Disney Company released a statement do you want to read the

geosome? Oh, sure. Okay. Okay. The COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating impact on our world with untold suffering and loss and has required all of us to make sacrifices.

Over the last few weeks, mandatory decrees from government officials have shut down a majority

of our businesses.

Disney employees have received full pay and benefits during this time, and we've committed to paying them through April 18th

for a total of five additional weeks of compensation.

However, with no clear indication of when we can restart our businesses, we're forced to make the difficult decision to take the next step and furlow employees whose jobs aren't necessary at this time.

The furlow process will begin on April 19th, and all impacted workers will remain

Disney employees through the duration of the furlough period. They will receive

full health care benefits plus the cost of employee and company premiums will

be paid by Disney and those enrolled in Disney

Aspire will have continued access to the education program.

Additionally, employees with available paid time-off can elect to use some or all of

...