COVID-19 Update, April 2, 2020: Gaining Ground/Losing Ground

It often seems as if the pandemic is traveling in two directions at once. On one hand, vaccines are rolling out at a record rate, the economy is showing strong signs of bouncing back, and signs of life are everywhere -- this week with the return of baseball season. The existing vaccines are looking more and more effective. But infection rates are rising in many locations, as states drop mask mandates and allow businesses to reopen with only a fraction of the population fully inoculated. Things are certain to improve, and soon -- but, quite possibly, only after an unnecessary period of extended pain. The next two months will tell the tale.

The latest:

Rochelle Walensky, head of the CDC, expresses alarm about rising COVID-19 infections even as the pace of vaccinations keeps speeding up: tinyurl.com/4rcpbynu. President Biden chimes in, urging Americans to keep wearing masks: https://tinyurl.com/jzsb3kpb. Setting the stage for another national surge, states are reopening before the population is fully vaccinated: tinyurl.com/2zxm9f2z. COVID-19 was the third biggest cause of death in the US in 2020, behind cancer and heart disease: tinyurl.com/p84bbuk2.

Speeding up the process, President Biden says that 90% of Americans will be eligible for vaccine by April 19 and no American will be more than five miles away from a vaccination station: tinyurl.com/kf8j7paf.

Pfizer reports that its vaccine is 100% effective in young people aged 12 to 15: tinyurl.com/786bp3b4. Research shows that the Pfizer vaccine remains effective after six months; it's also effective against the South African variant: tinyurl.com/nrha4wzk. Another study shows that one shot of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine is 80% effective in preventing COVID in healthcare workers: tinyurl.com/2jfzxrwm.

The CDC says that anyone fully vaccinated can travel with little risk: tinyurl.com/chyutxc.

The Biden Administration and private companies are developing a plan for vaccine passports: tinyurl.com/2s798zvj.

Because of human error, 15 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are rendered useless: tinyurl.com/jnhc8nrv.

The CDC extends the national ban on evictions through June 30: tinyurl.com/ak27d5d.

Twenty-four countries call for a world pandemic treaty: tinyurl.com/2x62h694.

Private payrolls grew by 517,000 in March, the fastest pace by September but slightly under expectations: tinyurl.com/msw54sfj. Still, weekly jobless claims come in at 719,000, a worryingly high figure: tinyurl.com/43spkp89.Then again, the US added 916,000 jobs in March, the best number since last summer: tinyurl.com/ra5w7hy7.

You won't be surprised to hear: Box office receipts for live performance in the US dropped 86% in 2020: tinyurl.com/n26mtfbk.

Godzilla vs. Kong will play more theatres than any since the pandemic began, making it a test case to see if fans are ready to return to cinemas: tinyurl.com/3z3uftrk.

Food for thought:

Has the pandemic fundamentally transformed the workplace? tinyurl.com/vhnnc6wm.

Scientists say the search for new vaccines for coronavirus variants must be ongoing: tinyurl.com/hbwnvnz8.

Around the country:

In Alaska:

Sarah Palin tests positive for the coronavirus, urges everyone to take it seriously: tinyurl.com/waka2uhs.

In Alabama:

In the state with one of the worst vaccination rates, the race is on to get jabs to the neediest: tinyurl.com/8z65pz7w.

In California

San Diego Comic-Con plans its next edition for Thanksgiving weekend: tinyurl.com/9py9935k.

Sony Entertainment Pictures staff will return to the lot in June: tinyurl.com/26nx4u68.

Cinemas in Los Angeles move to 50% capacity: tinyurl.com/dtwbyt8m.

Universal Studios Hollywood reopens on April 16 -- but, for the moment, only to California residents: tinyurl.com/9s6yx74c.

In the District of Columbia:

The Nationals' season opener, against the Mets, is postponed when several members of the DC team are exposed to the coronavirus: https://tinyurl.com/4u3vx2wv.

In Florida:

On April 1, the state records nearly 6,800 new infections, the highest daily number in a month: tinyurl.com/cmf74ahu.

Starting April 5, 16- and 17-year-olds will also be eligible for vaccination: tinyurl.com/6svhdkm.

Governor DeSantis is pushing the CDC to allow the return of cruising: tinyurl.com/3zz9wb92.

Walt Disney World adds a new contactless option for entering the park: tinyurl.com/48y2kjam.

Governor DeSantis declares vaccination passes "completely unacceptable," says businesses will not be allowed to screen customers: tinyurl.com/yj62a2za.

Researchers note that many of the coronavirus variants showing up in the state share the same mutation: tinyurl.com/48dtcax6.

In Georgia:

Starting May 1, Delta Airlines will again start selling middle seats on its planes: tinyurl.com/4yhbz6mj.

Governor Brian Kemp quarantines himself after being exposed to the coronavirus: tinyurl.com/49rbrb4n.

In Illinois:

Chicago faces a 50% surge in new infections in a single week: tinyurl.com/443dcf5v. Mayor Lori Lightfoot puts the city's full reopening on hold: tinyurl.com/4vr85szb.

As baseball season begins, a look at the safety protocols in Wrigley Park: tinyurl.com/dxz5wckz.

In Massachusetts:

Despite a big vaccination push, new COVID-19 infections are rising: tinyurl.com/cmc5e9tf.

Cape Cod is starting to look like a potential hot spot: tinyurl.com/29run5kc.

The Broadway in Boston series of touring shows will recommence in November: tinyurl.com/6u5um9fc.

Lenox-based Shakespeare & Co. will present a live, in-person season this summer on its new outdoor stage: tinyurl.com/y99ec5ww.

In Maryland:

Baltimore Center Stage puts two productions on hold after two company members test positive for the coronavirus: tinyurl.com/2dwdujvn.

In Michigan:

A new surge of COVID-19 cases prevails, despite vaccination efforts: tinyurl.com/ymx33vpj.

In New Jersey:

A surge in variants drives the state to the highest infection rate in the nation: tinyurl.com/6w28wdbx.

In Nevada:

Vegas businesses -- such as The Venetian -- eye the use of vaccine passports: tinyurl.com/43rzjmtz.

In New York:

Anyone over 16 will be eligible for vaccine starting April 6: tinyurl.com/ywzpsf4h.

Starting today, New York City's theatres, music venues, and comedy clubs can reopen at 33% of capacity, with a cap of 100 audience members indoors and 200 outdoors; at the moment, there are few takers: tinyurl.com/czndb7pe.

The arts festival Bard Summerscape will return with indoor and outdoor performances for limited-size audiences: tinyurl.com/zrfpycrz.

The Tribeca Film Festival will return June 9 - 20 as an in-person event: tinyurl.com/eh3yh2bb.

New York rolls out the Excelsior Pass, to facilitate admission to arts and sports events: tinyurl.com/2h44ec9v.

The Broadway musical Diana, which was in previews when lockdown began, has a new opening date of December 16: tinyurl.com/5cwrcnb6.

Some Broadway producers are taking their insurers to courts, claiming that they have been denied rightful payouts: https://tinyurl.com/yxv73wxn.

In Pennsylvania:

Philadelphia's Kimmel Center announces a full season for 2021 -- 2022: tinyurl.com/2zp89kex.

Bristol Riverside Theatre will bring back staff, welcome audiences for outdoor performances in June: tinyurl.com/nd4pfh3p.

Around the world:

In Brazil:

Things go from bad to worse, as the country now accounts for one-quarter of the world's daily deaths: tinyurl.com/7asu2sy9. The country is fast becoming a pariah in Latin America: tinyurl.com/62tm7cue.

In Canada:

Still worried about side effects, the government pauses giving the AstraZeneca vaccine to Canadians under the age of 55: tinyurl.com/4pna3yxm.

Meanwhile, Ontario goes back under a month-long lockdown: tinyurl.com/s486kubk.

After canceling its production of Gypsy, the Shaw Festival postpones previews of its next show, Charley's Aunt: tinyurl.com/4jz3hph3.

In Chile:

Facing a new surge despite a successful vaccine rollout so far, the county imposes a new lockdown: tinyurl.com/w8dktkkc.

In France:

It's lockdown #3 as the country struggles with another wave of the coronavirus; let's hope this time is the charm: tinyurl.com/fsctbpn8.

The Paris Opera forges on, creating new productions and streaming them: tinyurl.com/4dp83h23.

In Germany:

The government restricts the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine to people over 60: tinyurl.com/4nudvs4p.

In Mexico:

The government revises its COVID-19 death toll and it jumps by 60%: tinyurl.com/cj6dhbpk.

In Russia:

The rare -- perhaps the only -- live production in Europe, a revival of the musical Chess reaches 150 performances: tinyurl.com/467x8ffr.

In Spain:

The pandemic threatens the existence of the country's flamenco bars: tinyurl.com/azfeaex5.

A concert in Barcelona will allow an audience of 5,000 following same-day COVID testing: tinyurl.com/w89h3hep.

With a fourth wave looming, the government issues an outdoor mask mandate, upsetting the tourist industry: tinyurl.com/79hj9ps7.

In the UK:

On March 28, London records zero COVID deaths for the first time in six months: tinyurl.com/5xf96mwv.

The country takes the first steps toward easing lockdown: tinyurl.com/nm8srpv4.

In Venezuela:

Opposition leader Juan Gaidó tests positive for the coronavirus:tinyurl.com/58x67x9k.

The country, which already had enough problems, struggles with a resurgent coronavirus: tinyurl.com/ksfhsy96.

Education:

New webinar from Martin: Mapping Techniques for Great Outdoor Lighting Image Projection w/ Marcus Persson and Robert Svensson, April 8 at 10am CT; register at tinyurl.com/tw6m5225.

Entertainment:

American Ballet Theatre is streaming through April 18 a program of works by choreographer Alexei Ratmansky; tickets at tinyurl.com/ka4bfvph.

From Boston Symphony Orchestra, April 8, at noon: Originally recorded on October 25, 1978, then-BSO music director Seiji Ozawa conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra in excerpts from Acts II and III of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake; available for viewing through May 8 at www.bso.org/now.

Metropolitan Playhouse presents a new free livestreamed reading, with talkback to follow: The Girl, by Edward Peple. It's available April 3 at 8pm through April 7 at 10pm. Running time is one hour: MetropolitanPlayhouse.org/watchgirl.

The York Theatre presents the limited virtual reprise of Ute Lemper: Rendezvous with Marlene. When Marlene Dietrich phoned a young singer out of the blue, the icon stayed on the line for an unforgettable three hours. Thirty years later Broadway and West End star Ute Lemper reveals all. It streams beginning April 8 at 7pm through midnight April 10. All times are EST. Tickets are $20 ($15 for York members: tinyurl.com/3c2pxcw8.

Vineyard Theatre, Goodspeed Musicals, Irish Repertory Theatre in association with Jeff Berger present John Cullum: An Accidental Star, premiering April 8 and streaming on demand through April 22. Two live watch party events will take place April 8 at 7pm EDT and April 17 at 2pm EDT. The 80-minute evening of stories and songs spanning Cullum's career is told and sung by the 91-year-old two-time Tony Award winner. Directed and filmed earlier this year by Lonny Price, it features a book by David Thompson, music supervision by Georgia Stitt, and music direction by Julie McBride. Tickets at: tinyurl.com/2jycpm3w.

Weekend playlist:

Kristin Chenoweth scales the heights of "Glitter and Be Gay," from Candide; cameo appearance by Patti LuPone: tinyurl.com/95nhp6ac.

Two Broadway stars, two generations: La Chanze and her daughter Celia Rose Gooding team up for "Maybe" from Next to Normal: tinyurl.com/4dh5pyfz.

Cyndi Lauper delivers what may be her greatest hit, "Time After Time:" tinyurl.com/z5mxzv9s.

Andy Mientus offers a modern pop version of "Some Enchanted Evening:" tinyurl.com/2rkmj39n.

Oscar nominee Leslie Odom, Jr. Presents "Go Crazy:" tinyurl.com/ua2cnhtk.

That's all for this week. Happy Easter/Passover. Stay safe. Vaccinate. - DB

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