The Conners boss felt it was "an obligation to our viewers" to have a coronavirus storyline

Variety

“It just seemed natural that we would be in the middle of this and do it,” said showrunner Bruce Helford. “I know there probably aren’t a lot of shows that will be reflecting what’s going on, but we felt an obligation to our viewers to stay relevant and to show [a family] that knows what it’s like.” Helford said when they learned that their Season 3 premiere date would be two weeks before election day, the producers “rushed into production” an episode that deals with “the polarization in America and what’s going on before the election." Helford added the show is taking coronavirus precautions so seriously it is excluding live audiences for the foreseeable future. Producers are mulling having an audience watch the show off-site to capture their laughter. ALSO: Watch the first promo for Season 3.