COVID-19 Update, August 12, 2020: Crickets on Capitol Hill

As the excitement over the choice Kamala Harris as the Democratic vice-presidential pick highjacks the news cycle, millions of Americans have run out of government relief and negotiations on a new bill remain stalled. And, at the moment, there's no sign of a breakthrough. The president, feeling that he has done his bit, has moved on. If something doesn't happen by Friday, it will be likely be postponed until September. Meanwhile, there's plenty happening elsewhere in the world, some of it good.

The latest:

A report from the quieted halls of Congress: nyti.ms/3gXkuG8.

Here's a list of the issues holding up a bill: bit.ly/3fQOT7x.

Here are two quick actions to take now: bit.ly/2DWPgQN.

Even the governor of Florida supports the stimulus bill; in fact, he says the state needs it: politi.co/3kAbCZ4. And in a rare display of discord, he dismisses the president's executive order on enhanced unemployment as "not an option" for the state: hrld.us/33SOzCY.

Let this sink in: The number of COVID-19 cases worldwide went from 10 million to 20 million in six weeks: bit.ly/3kElKA4.

The pandemic, and the government's response to it, have made the US the weak link in the global economy: bit.ly/2XUukRE.

Meanwhile:

The fate of any vaccine may rest in the hands of the FDA commissioner: wapo.st/30Pxqbn.

A coalition of labor unions and climate activists call on the government to use the Defense Production Act to manufacture much-needed PPE gear; they're prepared to sue for it: bit.ly/2Cp6dD0.

Research shows that not all masks are created equal: wapo.st/30NANPW.

A new database, by The Guardian and Kaiser Health News, tracks the 922 frontline healthcare workers who have died from COVID-19. By the time you click on, the number may by higher: bit.ly/30OTJxD.

A study shows that young people who vape are more than five times likely to contract COVID-19: bit.ly/2XTNJln.

A growing number of voters oppose reopening schools this fall: politi.co/2XTuyIE.

The Big Ten and Pac 12 are the first major sports conferences to postpone the fall season: nyti.ms/3gRRVd2.

Confirmed: The coronavirus does indeed transmit through aerosols in the air: nyti.ms/2FbVHQo.

Fears rise of a "vaccine manhood contest" between Trump and Putin, leading to the release of unproven vaccines: nyti.ms/31M6acR.

Around the country:

In Florida:

The daily case rate is trending up again, with 8,109 new infections and 212 deaths: bit.ly/3gLDN4Z.

Proof that the notion of COVID-19 is only a disease of the elderly is a lie: nyti.ms/2DCiVPu.

In Georgia:

Cherokee County schools opened for the year. A week later, 1,100 students are in quarantine: nbcnews.to/3gRi9fL.

The state sets a record for daily number of deaths: bit.ly/2FlJVmR.

In Illinois:

A GOP effort to block penalties for ignoring the state's mask mandate fails: bit.ly/3ah9PTU.

In Kentucky:

Fury over Congressional inaction is fueling protests against Senator Mitch McConnell: wapo.st/3izO7O6.

In Massachusetts:

A backstage look at the Actors' Equity-approved, socially distanced production of Godspell in the Berkshires: tinyurl.com/y4wh3wuq.

In Nevada:

The state health department is reporting an increasing number of visitors who test positive for the coronavirus, while still in the state or after returning home: bit.ly/2XRJI0M.

The governor signs a bill providing worker protections from and offering limited liability against lawsuits related to the coronavirus: bit.ly/33UsJ22.

In New York:

Retail and restaurant chains start to abandon Manhattan: nyti.ms/31NKZXR.

In Texas:

The state passes the 500,000 case mark, as new infections continue to rise: bit.ly/3iDkXh5.

The number of tests plummets as experts worry about kids going back to school: bit.ly/3ahw0t6.

Around the world:

In the UK:

The country's GDP contracted by a jaw-dropping 20.4% in the second quarter: cnb.cx/30QKeOC.

The #WeMakeEvents day of action includes this roadie parade in Manchester: bit.ly/3ag9VeG.

Red Alert: The BBC covers the day of action, with plenty of striking photos: bbc.in/3gS9Sbg.

Part I of Light & Sound International's coverage of the day of action, written before the main events: bit.ly/2FlFJ6B.

And here's the LSi recap: bit.ly/3gSy2lV.

The London Evening Standard weighs in on the events: bit.ly/2XRJOpu.

The dean of British theatre critics pens a letter to the minister for digital, culture, media, and sport, blasting the government's handling of the culture sector as clueless and ineffective: bit.ly/2XTZMzr.

The country's theatre festivals adapt for the summer of COVID-19: tinyurl.com/y2urel2g.

Losses:

Singer Trini Lopez, 83: nbcnews.to/3kGjTuo.

For your entertainment:

Here's the latest lineup of programming from Jazz at Lincoln Center: bit.ly/3aiWpqq.

For your pleasure:

From choreographer Tony Charmoli, who passed away this week, "The Shadow of Your Smile:" bit.ly/3gTYnAb.

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

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