COVID-19 Update: August 3, 2020: The Comeback

Despite faint rays of hope, the pandemic rages through the US and elsewhere. Here, the government seems paralyzed as hopes are pinned on the development of the vaccine in the foreseeable future. Congressional negotiations for new stimulus bill remain in deadlock. This is not a happy Monday.

The latest:

As the coronavirus spreads unabated through the country, health experts call for a reset in national policy: wapo.st/2DqBxkP.

Dr. Deborah Birx warns that the pandemic has entered a new phase, saying, "It is extraordinarily widespread;" wapo.st/2BSeEGx.

Testimony -- by Dr. Anthony S. Fauci and others -- before a house panel underscores the country's apparent inability to contain COVID-19: bit.ly/318Sdpj.

Enforcing mask mandates is harder than it looks: nyti.ms/2EHhrDF.

Forget the second wave; the world can't get past the first one: wapo.st/33ff5Gc.

For some reason, the Trump Administration is turning over the distribution of the vaccine -- when it happens -- to the Pentagon: bit.ly/3gktAfv.

According to a new study, one-third of American restaurants are facing permanent closure: bit.ly/39P4HX5.

New research indicates that COVID-19 can result in sustained damage to the heart: bit.ly/33u5dZx.

Scientists turn to a century-old treatment for diphtheria to treat COVID-19: bit.ly/33hLETQ.

The pandemic has crushed the global tourist trade: bit.ly/3jY1j0y.

As the pandemic cuts demand, the oil industry experiences one of its worst quarters ever: bit.ly/2XjZ51X.

Food for thought:

Why is the president not taking action to save the economy? Even his supporters are baffled: nyti.ms/39MKJMt. Is he cutting corners to produce a vaccine in time for the election? nyti.ms/3kem3BB. Paralyzed by limited communications and misinformation from the federal government, states wonder how they will implement a vaccine: wapo.st/31sOzH5.

How the president constantly promises a health-care system overhaul that never arrives: wapo.st/30pIifP. Two weeks ago, he promised a new health care plan -- in two weeks. Where is it? wapo.st/3i3QY1g.

Around the country:

In Arkansas:

The state's COVID-19 deaths were up 63% in July; hospitalizations rose 84%: bit.ly/2EztbYE.

The state's schools are already dealing with infected students: bit.ly/3hXOpxK.

Tyson Foods plans to expanded coronavirus testing at its plants: bit.ly/30iB2Ct.

In California:

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state passes 500,000: bit.ly/33hLETQ.

With 214 dead, the state smashes the daily record for the fifth time in a month: lat.ms/30ktgrO.

San Francisco was one of the first cities to flatten the curve; now the coronavirus is back: wapo.st/3k6xzie.

Librarians use their unique skills to join the contact tracing effort: bit.ly/2PiPCmU.

With 12 people living in a three-bedroom Silicon Valley house, the coronavirus is a constant presence: nyti.ms/33iGBTq.

In Florida:

On Friday, the state adds 9,642 new cases and 179 deaths: hrld.us/3fm90u5. But on Monday, it reports only 4,752 infections -- a significant drop -- 73 deaths: bit.ly/3foiy7Y.

The state reports a record number of deaths in the past: bit.ly/2Xlc2su.

Hospital stays in the state are starting to decline, a possible sign of progress: hrld.us/3glF5Dt.

Universal Orlando Resort, hobbled by the pandemic, lays off staff: bit.ly/3jXFgam.

A couple in the Florida Keys are arrested for breaking quarantine, having testing positive for COVID-19: bit.ly/2D1bukB.

In Georgia:

Hundreds of young people and counselors are infected at a summer camp: nyti.ms/2PidFTi.

In the Gwinnett County School District, 260 employees have been exposed to, or have tested positive for COVID-19: cnn.it/30oemkc.

The Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta will open to accept COVID-19 patients: bit.ly/2D8n2SQ.

In Illinois:

The state records 1,941 new cases in one day and reports that 11 counties are at the "warning level" for a COVID-19 resurgence: bit.ly/3hYAZ4M.

An outbreak of cases is traced to a private prom, attended by 270, in Will County: abc7.ws/2PeGAaL.

Northlight Theatre's building is put on hold thanks to the pandemic: bit.ly/33jdY8v.

In Indiana:

Schools open in Greenfield and immediately a student tests positive: nyti.ms/3fiiExB.

Two days into the school year, a junior/senior high school shuts down, because of coronavirus: bit.ly/30oAnzt.

On Saturday, the state reported 989 new infections: bit.ly/3gn9UaV.

In Michigan:

A state senator who opposed the governor's pandemic safety measures tests positive: bit.ly/2BRFFKa.

In Missouri:

More St. Louis Cardinals test positive, imperiling the Major League Baseball season: wapo.st/33whrRp.

The state reports the lowest number of cases since a two-week surge began: bit.ly/3gnQliI.

In New Jersey:

Airbnb suspends a number of listings, to stop large house parties that spread the coronavirus: bit.ly/3k2fuBT.

The state's daily infection numbers enter dangerous territory: bit.ly/3hXX7vS.

In New York:

The mayor of New York City says infections must remain under 3% for schools to reopen in September: bit.ly/316vQkh.

An illegal party boat excursion, with 170 guests, leads to arrests: bit.ly/3gnORVS.

Broadway community members launch Mask Up Curtain Up social media campaign: tinyurl.com/yy389q5s.

Around the world:

In Canada:

The country's border patrol battles Americans trying to sneak in via boats: n.pr/2Xn7RMC.

In Germany:

Thousands of protestors take to the streets in Berlin, insisting that the pandemic is over: bit.ly/319wVrr.

In Hong Kong:

The government postpones the upcoming election, citing the pandemic: cnb.cx/2DlF2ZQ. Despite the fact that the president floated the same idea a day before, the White House condemns the move: wapo.st/2XipAVl.

In India:

The country now has the fifth-highest number of deaths from COVID-19: bit.ly/318cP0H.

In Iran:

The country is drastically underreporting the number of infections and deaths: bbc.in/2BUtOLr.

In Israel:

COVID-19 patients recover from respiratory failure thanks to a new treatment, RLF-100: reut.rs/2ECm7dN.

In Italy:

The country was one of the worst places to be in the pandemic; now it is one of the best: nyti.ms/2ExTr5E.

In New Zealand:

"They didn't close the deal;" the country looks on in horror as Australia battles a resurgence of COVID-19: bit.ly/318zkTm.

Entertainment:

Kristoffer Diaz directs a reading of his play The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, a Pulitzer finalist about a decade ago; the performance is August 15 at 7:00pm and tickets are $5: tinyurl.com/y6jcy4lh.

Here's the latest list of upcoming opera and ballet streams: bit.ly/39YZEDy.

For your pleasure:

The opening number of the musical Company, starring the cast of the new Broadway revival: bit.ly/2BODnvv.

That's all for today. Stay safe. Write to Congress. -- DB

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Previous LSA COVID-19 Updates: plasa.me/lsacovid19resources.