Agricultural technology company Rantizo is set to use its drone spraying technology to help fight COVID-19 in large-scale venues this spring.

Rantizo, based in Iowa City, Iowa, is in discussions to use its drone spraying platform to help sanitize open areas and seating for spectator events that have been shuttered as a result of COVID-19. The company is set to roll out its SaaS (sanitization as a service) this week, to spray stadiums as a one-time service, or to spray repeatedly between games or events, depending on venue needs once restrictions lift and sports/events spectators begin again utilizing large open-air venues.

Users would be charged an initial setup fee as well as a per unit price determined by area or number of seats.

Rantizo CEO Michael Ott said, “To sanitize stadiums at this magnitude, traditionally would require dozens of workers and hours or days. That simply isn’t practical right now. With our drone sprayers, we can get into the stadiums, spray the seats quickly, efficiently, and accurately, with minimal exposure or need for human effort. Once we map out the field, it’s really easy to repeat. So many people rely on sports for an unquantifiable number of reasons. I think now, more than ever, they would represent a state of normalcy that we are all desperately searching for. When situations arise like these…unprecedented times, innovation is key to overcoming them. I’m very pleased that the Rantizo platform is a means for doing that and that we are able to help protect our communities and hopefully help facilitate some normalcy in the near future.”

“We had a MLB organization reach out to us a few weeks back looking to use our drone sprayers as a way to sanitize their stadium,” Rantizo Director of Sales, David Pieper explained. “From there, we reached out to a few local organizations who confirmed the need and interest as well. We completed some initial autonomous testing with them just last week and it went very well.”

Phil Vassar isn’t letting the COVID-19 pandemic get in the way of his connection with fans, and he’s decided to celebrate his annual fan club party this year virtually. Vassar is hosting his first-ever virtual fan club party using new technology from Single Music on May 9 at 7 p.m. CST, with the event benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Tickets are available with any size donation to Second Harvest, and can be purchased here.

This year marks the 20^th fan club party hosted by the multi-platinum singer-songwriter and just like his fan club parties in the past, fans will have a chance to ask Vassar questions and see him perform fan favorites including “Carlene,” “Just Another Day in Paradise,” “Bye Bye” and more.

“Since we could not get together in person this year, I thought a virtual fan club party was the next best thing! I’m thrilled to still be able to connect with my fans and have some fun singing and chatting, “ said Vassar.

Single Music’s player allows fans to watch from their mobile phones, computers, and cast/share the stream to their TVs over Apple TV or Chromecast for an even better viewing and listening experience. The concert is streamed in a branded environment very similar to the look and feel of a live Phil Vassar concert. Viewers can chat with other fans, view merchandise, and buy music during the show just like they would normally do at an in-person concert.

Fans can also watch Vassar perform live on Fox Nation and streamed on Fox News Digital and all Fox News social media platforms Friday, May 8 at 8 p.m. ET for a virtual concert series.

Nashville restaurants can begin reopening to diners on May 11, as part of Phase 1 of Nashville Mayor John Cooper‘s phased reopening plan for the city. Cooper made the announcement during his daily coronavirus task force briefing on Thursday (May 7).

“The goal is to get as gently back to work while managing the presence of the disease in our community,” Mayor Cooper said. “In setting a new policy response to a new disease, we don’t have all the answers. We are learning and adjusting. There will be difficult choices ahead. The next phase will be harder in many ways as we must continue effective and forced social distancing while restarting the economy.”

On Monday (May 11), bars that serve food and restaurants, as well as retail stores and commercial businesses can reopen at 50% capacity. This marks the first time Nashville restaurants have been open since March 20. However, live music is not allowed in restaurants and bars during Phase 1. Other businesses such as entertainment venues, bars that do not serve food, gyms and salons are to remain closed.

According to Cooper’s previously-announced “Roadmap for Reopening Nashville,” if Nashville sees a significant and sustained increase in the number of active cases during Phase 1, stricter social distancing measures and policies will be put in place again.

The Roadmap includes the following policies for Phase 1:

Retail and other commercial businesses may open with physical distancing maintained and at ½ capacity, cleaning of carts, explicit expectations for frequent hand hygiene and wearing of cloth masks by employees and patrons.

• Screen daily all employees with temperature and respiratory symptom checks. Employees with temperatures of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit must leave the premises immediately.
• Post information about health precautions for patrons, employees and staff (such as maintaining an appropriate physical distance while lining up for checkout). Automate doors, reduce the number of people using elevators, provide hand sanitizer to the extent possible.
• Advise employees with any symptoms of illness to be tested and to stay home until they receive test results. Establish policies that make it possible for employees to isolate and quarantine.
• Restaurants and bars serving food from a menu may open at ½ capacity maintaining strict physical distancing.
• Screen daily all employees for respiratory symptoms and with temperature checks. Employees with temperatures of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit must leave the premises immediately.

• Post information about health precautions for patrons, employees and staff (such as maintaining a distance while lining up for checkout). Automate doors, reduce the number of people using elevators, provide hand sanitizer to the extent possible.
• Advise employees with any symptoms of illness to be tested and to stay home until they receive test results. Create policies that make it possible for employees to isolate and quarantine.
• Physical distancing must be maintained in kitchens and dining rooms.
• Bar areas must remain closed.
• Live music shall not be permitted.
• Self-service food and shared condiments are not permitted.
• Require that restaurants clean all surfaces after single use by patron.
• Recommend use of disposable menus.
• Employees required to wear cloth masks.
• Take-out alcohol sales will remain. Can serve alcohol at tables.

During this period, other social distancing measures should remain in place:

• Except when performing essential services, those over age 65 and those with high risk factors should remain safer at home.
• Work from home should continue whenever possible.
• Cloth masks should be worn in public