COVID-19 Update, August 20, 2020: Red Alert

It's getting tougher out there. People, deprived of enhanced unemployment, are having to choose between food and paying the rent. We hear that negotiations continue in Congress, but a solution is, at best, weeks away. We've urged you to write to Congress, and you have responded in impressive numbers. Now more action may be necessary, as the #WeMakeEvents movement lands on our shore, with plans for a Red Alert.

The latest:

The #WeMakeEvents movement comes to the US, with ambitious plans to highlight the industry's plight and push for passing of the RESTART Act: bit.ly/3j05GHi.

Many Americans struggle to get by without government relief: bit.ly/3gk8dKp.

A new study suggests that children play a big role in spreading the coronavirus: wapo.st/2Yitu17.

The FDA's emergency authorization of blood plasma, taken from COVID-19 survivors, as a treatment is put on hold: nyti.ms/3haYjMy.

Dr. Anthony Fauci has surgery to remove polyp from a vocal cord: cbsn.ws/3aGoIQ1.

More cruise ships are avoiding US waters -- and CDC scrutiny: hrld.us/2Yh7qUo.

How theatre designers are staying busy during the pandemic: tinyurl.com/y2z44tk3.

Food for thought:

Assessing your own personal risk tolerance in a changing COVID-19 situation: nyti.ms/3gg7wli.

How the pandemic has altered the way consumer use gig companies; among other things, it's bad news for Uber and Lyft: bit.ly/34hbtE8.

How air bubbles revealed crucial information about the lung damage caused by COVID-19: bit.ly/2EntRjG.

Around the country:

In Alabama:

The state's public colleges and university's reopen with a custom-design testing-and-tech plan: nyti.ms/32gAdtM.

In California:

The mayor of Los Angeles, shuts off utility service to a Hollywood Hills home that has hosted large parties: cnn.it/2FIBHFp.

In Florida:

The state passes the 10,000-death mark: bit.ly/2QbKp0M.

Nearly 600 Miami-Dade Public Schools employees have tested positive for the coronavirus since March: hrld.us/3j36KKx.

South Florida hospitals once again return to elective surgeries, easing some of the financial strain of the pandemic: hrld.us/2YkmnoL.

In Illinois:

In a sign of the times, the professional services firm Sikich will allow employees to work at home permanently: bit.ly/3iZU5YF.

The FDA approves the University of Illinois' saliva COVID-19 test: bit.ly/3iR8ZAu.

In Louisiana:

The state's top election official wants to require a positive COVID-19 test for a voter to obtain an absentee ballot: bit.ly/3j1Eeci.

In New York:

The teacher's union threatens to strike if the city doesn't meet certain safety standards: bit.ly/2EaADtv.

In a new blow to the industry, the state rules that bars can't sell tickets for music events: bit.ly/3292JNH.

NBC plans an October special to revitalize the Broadway industry: pge.sx/3hiMNyE.

In South Dakota:

In news that will surprise no one, fears rise for a super spreader event following the motorcycle rally at Sturgis: cnn.it/34jhkZt.

Around the world:

In Croatia:

Parts of the country are added to Germany's quarantine list: bit.ly/3hsTvT7.

In Greece:

The country cracks down on the Mykonos party scene: yhoo.it/31jhqPf.

In Iran:

The country surpasses 20,000 COVID-19 deaths: bit.ly/2CO2Rts.

In New Zealand:

The military is deployed to guard the country's quarantine hotels: bit.ly/34p2JvA.

Politicians aren't amused by President Trump's comments about a "big surge," which amounts to nine new cases: bit.ly/3j4m2Pf.

In Portugal:

The country is added to the UK's safe travel list: bit.ly/34dlfXY.

In Russia:

The Mariinsky Ballet makes a triumphant return to the stage -- until 30 company members contract COVID-19: tinyurl.com/y4d5g83v.

The country barrels ahead with its Sputnik V vaccine, testing it on 40,000; data on its effectiveness is not available: cnb.cx/2Q8A71l.

In the UK:

The number of permanent furloughs at the Cameron Mackintosh organization rises to 850: tinyurl.com/y5rztz78.

In Venezuela:

In the country's draconian approach the pandemic, those infected with COVID-19 are branded "bioterrorists:" nyti.ms/3l32BYH.

For your entertainment:

Starting tonight, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre streams Jawole Willa Jo Zollar's Shelter: bit.ly/31cg1d6.

New dates are set for the streaming of Three Kings, starring Andrew Scott: bit.ly/2Qac16z.

For your pleasure:

Jelani Alladin, Bradley Gibson, and Alton Fitzgerald White, in "Go the Distance," from Hercules: bit.ly/31fJEds.

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

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