COVID-19 Update: June 26, 2020: Reaping the Whirlwind

Thanks to a patchwork approach by state and local authorities, with no real national oversight, the pandemic is now raging in many places at rates not seen in months. Confirmed new cases of COVID-19 in the US reaches a new high of 40,000: tinyurl.com/yat3ncjx.

More and more, those infected are under 40: tinyurl.com/y7264kaf.

In the middle of the pandemic, the president asks the Supreme Court to invalidate Obamacare: tinyurl.com/y7chz8p9.

The president insists the economy is roaring back and the effects of COVID-19 constitute "an artificial problem:" tinyurl.com/y95sbqkt.

The reason that federal testing centers are closing is that the funding came with a cut-off date that won't be changed: tinyurl.com/y9fg5fr9.

Public health officials are up in arms over the government's handling of the pandemic: tinyurl.com/yakc4qow.

Bill Gates says that US isn't doing nearly enough to fight the coronavirus: tinyurl.com/yd3prjgp.

Candidate Joe Biden says he would use federal power to enforce the wearing of masks: tinyurl.com/y89e4dfy.

The Federal Reserve puts new restrictions on the banking industry out of fear that the pandemic might cause some to hit minimum capital levels: tinyurl.com/y8vjy55r.

Food for thought:

How the decentralized approach to the pandemic has brought us to this place: tinyurl.com/y8ng79v2.

Around the country:

In Arizona:

As infections spike, the governor begs citizens to stay at home or wear masks: tinyurl.com/y7l97nfe.

"We have failed on so many levels:" How the state lost control of the pandemic: tinyurl.com/y9fg5fr9.

In California:

The release of Christopher Nolan's Tenet -- arguably the summer's most anticipated film -- has been delayed again: tinyurl.com/ydy34wud.

In Florida:

The state records nearly 9,000 more cases in a day, a new record: tinyurl.com/yakqmaau.

Health experts warn that immediate action is needed to stop the explosive spread of the coronavirus across the state: tinyurl.com/y8hxs8y2.

The state bans consumption of alcohol in bars: tinyurl.com/y7akx6z3.

Actors' Equity calls on Walt Disney World to delay reopening: tinyurl.com/y72qnx8u.

In Maryland:

Baltimore Center Stage announces a shortened season, starting in January 2021: tinyurl.com/y7myhutm.

In New York:

Two Broadway productions curtailed by the city's lockdown -- American Buffalo and The Minutes -- reschedule for spring 2020: tinyurl.com/yc5t4sg2.

In Texas:

New infections continue unabated in Dallas and Tarrant Counties: tinyurl.com/ycasr9rf.

The governor recloses bars, cuts restaurant attendance: tinyurl.com/y77cm5wb.

A family birthday party leads to 18 new infections: tinyurl.com/yco8yz2v.

Forget those empty middle seats: American Airlines will fly full planes starting July 1: tinyurl.com/y7pkwat5.

Around the world:

In Australia:

The government unveils $250 million in support for the arts sector, "including $90m in government-backed concessional loans to fund new productions that will create jobs during the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic:" tinyurl.com/yahz38nh.

In Germany:

The government's reopening plans run into a new outbreak of infections: tinyurl.com/ya47dgmo.

In Sweden:

Confidence is falling in the government's handling of the pandemic: tinyurl.com/ya655wcq.

In the UK:

The culture secretary announces a five-stage plan for reopening theatres, but no government financial assistance: tinyurl.com/yae63g78.

Crowds flock to Dorset beaches despite pleas to stay away: tinyurl.com/ycznq6gr.

The organizer of the Glastonbury Festival says it could be curtains unless the event goes on next summer: tinyurl.com/ybm7dmab.

Mobilizing:

Check out Go Live Together, a new initiative to help the events industry: tinyurl.com/ybchzfj4.

Company news:

Frank Montero, of ROE Visual, talks about how the company is doing at the moment: tinyurl.com/ycjjse5v.

Entertainment:

Richard Nelson's latest Apple Family play will begin streaming on July 1. Donations to The Actors Fund are cheerfully accepted: tinyurl.com/ycq6xw7d.

The 2020 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular: A Boston Pops Salute to Our Heroes, will be broadcast on Bloomberg Television, Bloomberg Radio, and the city's WHDH TV, July 4 beginning at 8:00pm ET. Performances from previous programs include Tony winner Brian Stokes Mitchell singing "America the Beautiful" and Ragtime's "Wheels of a Dream"; Tony winner Leslie Odom Jr. singing "Sarah" from The Civil War and "Without You" from Rent; Rita Moreno narrating excerpts from Ellis Island: The Dream of America; America's Got Talent semifinalist Amanda Mena singing Pink's "What About US" and the National Anthem with the US Navy Sea Chanters; singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge performing "I Wanna Come Over;" Amanda Gorman offering "Believer's Hymn for the Republic"; Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens performing "Pretty Little Girl" and "She's Got You"; folk singer-songwriter Arlo Guthrie and The Texas Tenors joining forces on "This Land Is Your Land;" Queen Latifah singing "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy;" singer-songwriter Andy Grammer performing "Give Love;" and The US Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus joining the Pops for "The Stars and Stripes Forever."

For your pleasure:

Billy Porter and the cast of Pose urge you to "Love Yourself:" tinyurl.com/ybwaksah.

That's all for today. Have a good weekend. Stay safe. -- DB.

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