Whoopi Goldberg joins ‘The View’ from home as social distancing on TV becomes new normal

Whoopi Goldberg joined “The View” from home on Wednesday in an effort to exhibit social distancing, with the 64-year-old moderator saying she is “taking extra precaution” after a battle with double pneumonia last year.

“I went to the doctor yesterday just to make sure and he gives me the all clear to go to work,” Goldberg explained. “And I’m getting ready to do it and then I start hearing these inconsistent messages from everyone … from [New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D)] who’s saying, ‘We’re going to be in place for now. New York is going to get locked down.’”

“And then you had Governor [Andrew] Cuomo (D) say, ‘That’s not going to happen.’ And I just felt like if I was going to really try to figure out where it was ok to come in and my brain said, ‘You now what? Until they can figure out what they’re doing, I should not go in.’ So that’s why I’m here,” she added.

Social distancing on live broadcast and cable news programs has become the new normal this week, particularly on morning programs that run the longest and invariably offer the most hosts and guests.

Fox News kicked off the effort by separating its multiple hosts on shows starting on Monday, including “Outnumbered,” “The Five” and “Fox & Friends.”

MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” also has separated its hosts, with Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski and Willie Giest appearing in from different studios.

CNN’s “New Day” appeared noticeably different to viewers on Wednesday, with co-anchors Alisyn Camerota and John Berman sitting well apart on opposite sides of its news desk in its Manhattan studios.

NBC’s “Today” show also had Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and Craig Melvin joining from home. Guthrie indicated she wasn’t feeling 100 percent healthy, while Roker and Melvin started working from home starting Tuesday after a third-hour “Today” show staffer tested positive for coronavirus.

CBS’s Stephen Colbert has been performing “The Late Show” from his bathtub and backyard this week.

If you’re curious what the LATE SHOW would be like with a bathtub but without guest, an audience, or band- that makes two of us. See you at 11:35 on CBS pic.twitter.com/0YC2rAXWT7

— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) March 17, 2020

Last night, I hosted the Late Show from my bathtub. Tonight from my fire pit. Watch me go from soaked to seared tonight at 11:35 on CBS. pic.twitter.com/lwKVBHRYH4

— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) March 18, 2020

Earlier this week, President Trump announced new federal guidelines regarding social distancing. Officials recommended that for the next 15 days Americans avoid gatherings of more than 10 people; abstain from eating in bars, restaurants and food courts; avoid discretionary travel; work from home; and incorporate home schooling if possible.

New York City, known as the media capital of the country, closed schools to 1.1 million students Tuesday. Broadway theaters have also shut down, as have the city’s bars and restaurants to ensure social distancing during the outbreak.

Overall, there are 2,382 confirmed coronavirus cases in New York state, including 1,339 in New York City.

The president also confirmed on Wednesday that two hospital ships — the USS Comfort and USS Mercy — will soon be deployed.

The Comfort will be headed to New York, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY).

The U.S death toll crossed 100 on Tuesday as cases continue to surge with more testing becoming available.