COVID-19 Update, July 16, 2020: Reality Bites

There's good news on the vaccine front. The president seems to be backing down from attacking Dr. Anthony Fauci. A stimulus bill is in the works. The reality is, however that we still have a long way to go before normality -- or something like it -- returns.

The latest:

As the resurgent pandemic causes more lockdowns and closures, the economy is on the edge of a recessionary spiral: nyti.ms/38ZOuOm.

Weekly jobless claims are more than one million for the 17th straight week: cnb.cx/2WsJPiL.

The US, Canada, and the UK accuse of Russian hackers, attached to the country's intelligence service, of trying to steal vaccine information: bit.ly/32sbcNI.

Here's what's likely to be in the new stimulus bill and what the political parties are still arguing about: tinyurl.com/ybz3fatq.

Food for thought:

Your vaccine FAQS answered by Angela Rasmussen, a virologist from Columbia Public Health, and Anna P. Durbin, a faculty member at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: bit.ly/2B5Z1uT.

A practical plan for speeding up the currently lagging coronavirus testing process: wapo.st/3jc5NR1.

How the Disney - Actors' Equity dispute threatens Orlando's theatre scene: tinyurl.com/y8vzorkg.

How Latino communities, filled with essential workers, have been ravaged by COVID-19: bit.ly/3h6WfEQ.

Around the country:

In Alabama:

The governor mandates the wearing of masks: bit.ly/3h6Ti7n. The state had two record days in a row of COVID-19 related deaths: bit.ly/2ZxPk1u.

In Arizona:

The state reports 3,259 new cases and 58 deaths: bit.ly/2ZxSm5W.

In Arkansas:

Walmart will require all shoppers in its stores to wear masks: wapo.st/32lLHO9.

In California:

The state reports 11,126 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily number since the pandemic began: bit.ly/3fBPbQa.

YouTube star Jake Paul is criticized for throwing a giant party at his mansion in Calabasas: wapo.st/32nAufQ.

The Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, held in January, has been canceled: bit.ly/2CBjMyR.

In the District of Columbia:

Arena Stage announces a new season, to start in January: bit.ly/32o6WyM.

In Florida:

The state reports 13,695 new coronavirus cases and a record 156 deaths: bit.ly/2DPlZaB.

First-time unemployment claims surge to 129,408: bit.ly/3eB8B6o.

The state may be skewing its COVID-19 data by underreporting positive tests: bit.ly/3h6TcMU.

The governor says the state will stop sending COVID-19 tests to facilities that are too slow to respond: bit.ly/3eCsJoV.

Miami Beach fights the coronavirus with more cops and a ban on vacation rentals: hrld.us/394I5RZ.

HCA hospitals in Central Florida are temporarily halting elective surgeries: bit.ly/3h3UYOX.

Despite the rising numbers, the state's education commissioner sticks by the requirement for five-day-a-week, in-person instruction: bit.ly/3j8TMM0.

The Republican National Convention will be scaled back, with smaller crowds and outdoor presentations: hrld.us/2DFOE1B.

In Georgia:

Ignoring science, the governor bars cities and counties from mandating the wearing of masks: wapo.st/2Oyd5QK. The state's latest daily figures are 3,871 new cases and 37 additional deaths: bit.ly/2ChUrdw.

In Illinois:

Chicago's Lincoln Hall reopens for musical performs, but most fans prefer to attend from a digital distance: bit.ly/2Oyh7sC.

In New Jersey:

Paper Mill Playhouse will remain dark until January: tinyurl.com/yb9jq2pk.

In New York:

Broadway beats the drum for continued government relief: tinyurl.com/y755rpcv.

The Broadway-bound musical KPOP forges ahead, with video auditions: tinyurl.com/ydhwtor2.

In Ohio:

News from Cincinnati: "Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati today issued a joint announcement that they will delay the start of their 2020-21 seasons due to the complex challenges around continuing live performances. All three theatres plan to kick off their revised seasons this winter with a smaller slate of rearranged, rescheduled, or new shows."

In Oklahoma:

The governor tests positive for the coronavirus; he still doesn't believe in masks. Note also that the state "reported a record case increase for the second day in a row on Wednesday, with 1,075 new cases, bringing its total to 22,813:" bit.ly/3fDNba8.

In Pennsylvania:

In Philadelphia, large-scale events are off until February: tinyurl.com/y87yyuhg.

Around the world:

In China:

The country's cinemas begin reopening this weekend in "low-risk regions:" tinyurl.com/y7pqnpv7.

In Japan:

A new, socially distanced production of Mamma Mia! opens: bit.ly/3fCzQ1N.

In the UK:

A Live Nation-sponsored drive-in tour of the musical Six has been canceled due to coronavirus concerns: tinyurl.com/y7te4lt8.

But London's Regent's Park Open Air Theatre will present a concert version of Jesus Christ Superstar: tinyurl.com/y8xk7ulq.

A Scottish architect proposes a safer theatre of the future: tinyurl.com/ya4qc5ym.

Entertainment:

Broadway Bares, the annual fundraiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, will take place online on August 1: tinyurl.com/y7hgf2nx.

For your pleasure:

The classical crossover group Ida Girls presents a medley from Les Misérables: bit.ly/2ClY02a.

That's all for today. Stay safe -- DB

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