COVID-19 Update, August 13, 2020: Curtains?

There's no word from either side in the Congressional stimulus bill negotiations, but the president is pronouncing it dead, for reasons that are, shall we say, highly personal. Meanwhile, the number of US deaths is probably higher by 25% than reported, the Federal Reserve says that reopening businesses have damaged the economy, and the head of the CDC has grave fears for the fall months.

The latest:

Truth or posturing? The president says the new stimulus bill is dead: bit.ly/2DUDyWJ. One reason is his refusal to allocate money for the post office. bit.ly/3fY51UG.

The head of the CDC warns that unless COVID-19 restrictions are adhered to, we are looking at the worst autumn ever for public health in this country: cnn.it/2DVUgoG.

A Federal Reserve official says the decision to reopen businesses before the coronavirus was under control has damaged the economy: bit.ly/30TpRjZ.

The official number of COVID-19 deaths in the US is 166,000, but it is really 200,00 or more: tinyurl.com/yxmkccqk.

Meanwhile:

The number of COVID-19 cases among children doubles in four weeks: https://bit.ly/3ampqBB. Chloroquine, part of the president's favorite miracle cure, is linked to serious psychiatric side effects: bit.ly/33XsDGz.

As if they don't have enough problems, millions of healthcare workers can be denied paid sick leave, thanks to a Labor Department ruling: wapo.st/2XTC0mY.

Is an apparent drop in new infections related to a concurrent drop in testing? cnb.cx/30QD6Su.

In addition to vaccines, there's also a race to develop a drug that delivers antibodies without having to train the body to make them: bit.ly/33SD52h.

Zoos across the country, their income dried up by the pandemic, are facing the possibility of closing: bit.ly/3fVEjw7.

For reasons of safety, theatre companies experiment with promenade presentations: tinyurl.com/y5kn6zy7.

Following the lead of the Big Ten and Pac-12, the Big East conference is canceling its fall season: tinyurl.com/y2qeqxyb.

"We are the guinea pigs;" film production restarts with many restrictions in place: nyti.ms/3fONhes. How the pandemic will transform the look and feel of film and television: wapo.st/3iISSFb.

Food for thought:

How many community outbreaks of COVID-19 have been tied to bar and restaurant openings: nyti.ms/2DOLj0K.

How contact tracing is keeping the death rate low in Native American land: nyti.ms/3iHIyNl.

Beware of masks with vents or one-way valves: wapo.st/3gSNWgc.

Around the country:

In California:

The state's second wave of infections leads to a near-doubling of weekly deaths: bit.ly/2XZwXBt.

Metallica to film a concert for showing at drive-in theatres: fxn.ws/2E24HHa.

Facebook says the pandemic has compromised its ability to remove harmful material: bit.ly/33TTuDC.

Cruise lines cancel 49 port calls to San Diego: bit.ly/2PLv5Ia.

In Florida:

The sheriff of Marion County forbids his deputies to wear protective masks: bit.ly/33SwswV.

In Miami, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, battered by the pandemic, turns to the public for help: hrld.us/3akR8Pn.

On-site testing clears the way for the return of Actors' Equity performers to Disney World: tinyurl.com/y4rme84y.

In Illinois:

The governor says Chicago faces a "make or break" moment as new infections rise: bit.ly/2PRONlz.

In Kansas:

The AMC cinema chain, fighting back from a near-death experience, will charge 15 cents a ticket on its reopening day: bit.ly/2PQdkYk.

In New York:

Actors Equity signs off on a plan to film the forthcoming Broadway musical Diana for Netflix: tinyurl.com/y4rwjq7t.

Around the world:

In Bolivia:

The country keeps up with its surging death rate via a mobile crematorium: bit.ly/2DVYnkC.

In France:

The prime minister warns that the COVID-19 infection rate is headed in the wrong direction: bit.ly/31SHaRg.

In India:

More than half of Mumbai's slums may have had COVID-19: cnn.it/2XZzjjL.

In the UK:

That outdoor production of Jesus Christ Superstar expands its audiences via the use of video screens: bit.ly/2PR1soE.

Andrew Lloyd Webber volunteers for the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine trial: bit.ly/33XT3Iq.

Mobilization:

The #ArtsHero campaign urges Congress to release $43.85 in relief for the country's arts sector: tinyurl.com/y2w9we8f.

Company news:

Martin Audio on its involvement in the #WeMakeEvents campaign: bit.ly/3atSnvK.

Entertainment:

Patti LuPone, Jason Alexander, Santino Fontana, and Michael McKean star in a reading of a new play, Judgment Day. The reading will premiere August 22 at 7:30pm and be available (with a donation of $35 or more) through August 25. Proceeds will go to the regional theatre and The Actors Fund: bit.ly/2CtYweQ.

For your pleasure:

Broadway performer Kelli Barrett, paying tribute to the suffragist movement, offers Halsey's "Castle:" bit.ly/2PVOhml.

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

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