COVID Update, May 21, 2020: Turning the Tide

All across the country, lockdowns are easing, the pressure is letting up, and people are starting to look toward the future. It's a still a little confusing out there -- to mask or not to mask -- but confidence is growing as the numbers continue to drop. It's a very different picture in other parts of the world -- including India, and parts of Asia and South America. But we can do this, even if it takes a few state lotteries here and there. There's more to do -- especially the vaccination of young people -- but if nobody lets up in the battle against the coronavirus, the end may very well be in sight.

The latest:

It's official: COVID is on the run in the US: tinyurl.com/2czsjrt2.

The CDC drops the mask mandate and cities, and states scramble to keep up: tinyurl.com/a73j9m8x. The relaxed mandate leaves many unsure how to proceed: tinyurl.com/3ztfybhe.

Customers at Costco, Trader Joe's, and Walmart are no longer required to wear masks: tinyurl.com/35wpkhy4.

The European Union will start accepting vaccinated travelers: tinyurl.com/uj3bpkfj.

The World Health Organization urges wealthy nations to postpone vaccinating children to free up doses for poorer nations: tinyurl.com/uxe7baef. The Biden Administration will send 20 million doses of vaccine abroad: tinyurl.com/cd3rvdjk.

Interestingly, 75% of young people aged 18 - 29 think vaccination should be required as a prerequisite for returning to campus or work: tinyurl.com/j9ffsk.

A new COVID resurgence in Asia leads to the reimposition of many restrictions: tinyurl.com/bzf48k2v.

New unemployment claims come in this week at 444,000, slightly lower than expected and a record low for the pandemic: tinyurl.com/uzdd5h57.

Mobile COVID vaccination clinics are hitting the road to the heartland: tinyurl.com/afk2h6e2.

Food for thought:

More than 700 epidemiologists weigh on what it will take to end the pandemic. Hint: Vaccination -- especially of children -- is key:tinyurl.com/3rtnz7mf .

Ventilation and air filtration systems can help fight the coronavirus, but they aren't as easy as they look: tinyurl.com/hr77axpr.

Around the country:

In California:

The state will keep its mask mandate until June 15: tinyurl.com/x566mtvj.

Carnival Cruise Lines brings hundreds of its ships to San Diego so crew members can be vaccinated: tinyurl.com/ad7dansw.

In Florida:

Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios Orlando all drop their mask mandates: tinyurl.com/5edmcjzw. Disney's decision gets mixed reviews from the parks' guests: tinyurl.com/yvcy2vm4.

The South Beach Wine and Food Festival returns with COVID protocols in place: tinyurl.com/5n2xjt96.

In Illinois:

The Pitchfork Music Festival returns to Chicago with a lineup that includes Erykah Badu, Phoebe Bridgers, and St. Vincent: tinyurl.com/2tp3bbnh.

Governor Pritzker says that the vaccinated no longer need to wear masks: tinyurl.com/v8cnmzk.

Chicago's Navy Pier will reopen this summer: tinyurl.com/arv36dn7.

It's official: Lollapalooza kicks off July 29: tinyurl.com/xn5rj37y. The lineup includes Foo Fighters; Post Malone; Tyler, the Creator; and Miley Cyrus: tinyurl.com/5w6b6mna.

In Maryland:

Like New York (see below), Governor Hogan launches a vaccination lottery prize tinyurl.com/t2jhuske.

In Massachusetts:

The state will drop all remaining COVID-19 restrictions, eliminating the mask mandate for the vaccinated: tinyurl.com/z59pszry.

In New York:

Governor Cuomo adopts the CDC guidelines, says the vaccinated can go maskless: tinyurl.com/9hy45x4w.

The Broadway League, with an eye on reopening in September, evaluates possible safety protocols: tinyurl.com/3enf57yh.

Manhattan Theatre Club gets in on Broadway's September 14 reopening date with a production of the solo show Lackawanna Blues: tinyurl.com/askvx7rv.

Radio City Music Hall will reopen, without masks required, on June 19 for the closing night of the Tribeca Film Festival: tinyurl.com/r5hs4xkb.

Governor Cuomo gets in on the vaccination lottery scheme pioneered by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine: tinyurl.com/2kj8stzc.

The New York City Marathon will return in November tinyurl.com/2drhhzzw.

In Ohio:

The vaccination rate jumps after Governor DeWine introduces the state's lottery plan: tinyurl.com/wa56w8z7.

Around the world:

In Argentina:

New infections rise from 5,000 a day in March to 35,000 a day currently: tinyurl.com/8a5t3t52.

In Brazil:

Why is COVID killing so many children? tinyurl.com/2rsbs2hr.

In France:

The Sanofi/GSK vaccine, which is looking good in trials, could add another weapon to subdue the pandemic: tinyurl.com/44xx4y6d.

In India:

The country reports a record 4,329 deaths in one day, but new cases are beginning to drop: tinyurl.com/e2r6wyzw.

In Italy:

The country preps for what it hopes will be a big tourist season: tinyurl.com/3azxneye.

In Japan:

As the country struggles, and fails, to contain the epidemic, should the Olympics take place? tinyurl.com/ybc38587.

In the Netherlands:

A couple of COVID infections complicate the Eurovision Song Contest, causing the cancelation of two live performances: tinyurl.com/uf2xsfkz.

In Singapore:

Following a rise in new COVID cases, the city/state's travel bubble with Hong Kong has been postponed: tinyurl.com/jcyamd79.

In Taiwan:

The country races to contain its worst COVID-19 outbreak yet: tinyurl.com/h9aper78.

In Venezuela:

At the current rate of vaccination, it will take a decade to get the job done: tinyurl.com/jawn2kbs.

In the UK:

The Glastonbury Festival returns with a two-day event in September, dates to be announced: tinyurl.com/7dypmwdu.

An official report suggests that attending live events without masks or social distancing is as safe as dining out or shopping: tinyurl.com/m4c2nmtm.

Education:

New webinar from TC Furlong: Antenna Theory for Wireless Systems with James Stoffo, May 25 at 3pm; register at: tinyurl.com/kzbjxmpu.

Episode 45 of the 4Wall Sunday Roundtable features some of the top design educators in the country. The discussion will focus on how they adapted to teaching during the pandemic, what inspired them to become teachers, and why they are passionate about what they do. Their students, along with many others, will take part in the National Design Portfolio Review and Design Week. Special guests this week include Stephen Strawbridge, Claudia Stephens, Narelle Sissons, Victor En Yu Tan, Katie Danner, and Christopher Barreca. The episode can be streamed live on May 23 at 6pm EDT on 4Wall's Facebook and YouTube, will remain available afterward. The hosts are Drew Quinones and Jeff Croiter. Entertainment:

From Boston Symphony Orchestra, Thursday, May 27, at noon ET, available through June 26: Filmed at Symphony Hall in July 1976 as part of GBH's Evening at Pops series, the archival stream Exquisite Ella includes Ella Fitzgerald singing tunes by Gershwin, Porter, and Ellington, accompanied by conductor Arthur Fiedler and the Pops, who also perform an opening medley from the Broadway musical Guys and Dolls: WWW.BSO.ORG/NOW.

From Carnegie Hall: On May 21 at noon ET through May 28 at noon, Herbert von Karajan conducts the Berliner Philharmoniker at the Berlin Philharmonie in Beethoven's Symphony No. 5. The concert was recorded in 1972: carnegiehall.org.

From Jazz at Lincoln Center: Freedom, Justice and Hope, featuring the JLC Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and social justice advocate Bryan Stevenson. It premieres May 12 at 7:30pm ET and runs through May 26. Tickets $20. It's a program of works by emerging composers Josh Evans and Endea Owens: tinyurl.com/sc66mpvk.

Georgie: My Adventures with George Rose, written by and starring Ed Dixon (and directed by Eric Schaeffer will stream on demand for eight weeks beginning Monday, May 24. Tickets are $25 and are available at tinyurl.com/2ydm6xnw.

Manhattan Theatre Club, in association with The Huntington, presents the virtual premiere of The Niceties, written by Eleanor Burgess and directed by Kimberly Senior. The presentation reunites the original stars Lisa Banes and Jordan Boatman, and has been reimagined for the virtual stage since its original production in MTC's 2018-2019 Season at The Studio at Stage II. It streams May 27 through June 13: tinyurl.com/kkxn4d8w.

From the Mint Theater Company: The Fatal Weakness, by George Kelly and directed with Jesse Marchese, with a cast that includes Cynthia Darlow, Kristin Griffith, Sean Patrick Hopkins, Patricia Kilgarriff, and Victoria Mack. Scenery is by Vicki R. Davis, costumes by Andrea Varga, lighting by Christian DeAngelis, music and sound by Jane Shaw, and properties by Joshua Yocom. Griffith earned a Drama Desk nomination for her performance. This video of the company's production is available at www.minttheater.org.

Weekend playlist:

Ramin Karimloo in the official video for "Coming Home:" tinyurl.com/35tj43jp.

Julie Andrews, as Cinderella, sings "In My Own Little Corner:" tinyurl.com/78b266s.

Liz Callaway and Christy Altomare partner on "Journey to the Past," from Anastasia: tinyurl.com/342429t8.

Mykal Kilgore offers a medley of "Every Little Step" and "Creepin':" tinyurl.com/ps6vckvm.

The incomparable Carol Channing with her signature song, "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend:" tinyurl.com/2y4uz9c2.

That's all for the week. Have a great weekend. Stay safe. Vaccinate. -DB

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