COVID-19 Update: August 25, 2020: Warp Speed or Out of Control?

The White House's pedal-to-the-metal approach to delivering a COVID-19 vaccine looks increasingly risky. Meanwhile, the coronavirus spreads into the Midwest and Americans everywhere, without a new stimulus bill, are feeling the pinch. Be sure to check out Michael Strickland's appear at CNBC Squawk Box; at last, this industry's story is beginning to reach a broader audience.

The latest:

Experts say the president, secretary of health, and FDA commissioner have all seriously misrepresented the efficacy of survivor plasma as a COVID-19 treatment: tinyurl.com/y2mjvc8z. The rush to authorize plasma treatment undermines scientific efforts to understand its benefits: tinyurl.com/yxeyem4p. The FDA head apologizes for overstating the benefits of plasma treatment: tinyurl.com/y3o49vgp.

AstraZeneca denies that the White House is pressuring it to fast-track its vaccine: tinyurl.com/yyp56uuf. Dr. Anthony Fauci says that rushing a vaccine could lead to disaster: tinyurl.com/y2n9rbpf. And, Democrats are looking at the chief advisor to Operation Warp Speed and his ties to the pharmaceutical industry: tinyurl.com/y4cflawz.

New COVID-19 cases are dropping nationally, but not in the heartland: tinyurl.com/y6th76hu.

Without stimulus, poverty is spreading nationwide: tinyurl.com/y4gx2kmg. And, eviction is a looming possibility for millions: tinyurl.com/y3rr66wb.

Meanwhile:

Health officials across the country are moving toward stronger enforcement of mask mandates: tinyurl.com/y655ucwm.

Singer Van Morrison, denouncing the "pseudoscience" of social distancing, demands a return to concerts with full-capacity audiences. His fans are not onboard: tinyurl.com/yy4qqhpd.

In potentially game-changing news, Michael T. Strickland, of Bandit Lites, takes the story of the industry's plight national, appearing on CNBC Squawk Box: tinyurl.com/y54d2cyb.

Food for thought:

Why a vaccine that stops COVID-19 may not be enough: tinyurl.com/y5r5qyqm.

Why COVID-19 cases are decreasing. (Hint: It has something to do with masks): tinyurl.com/yxwnpevj.

Everything you need to know about testing for travel: tinyurl.com/yxbf39mk.

Around the country:

In Alabama:

The University of Alabama now has more than 500 confirmed cases of COVID-19: tinyurl.com/y3cto7bq.

In California:

The ambitious Emmy Awards ceremony plans to consist of 140 live feeds coming into the Staples Center: tinyurl.com/y6c89chg.

In Florida:

A judge strikes down the state's school reopening order: tinyurl.com/yxrmob6m.

The Miami Dolphins will allow up to 12,000 socially distanced fans in its September 20 game against Buffalo: tinyurl.com/y5cyby4e.

SeaWorld Orlando and the Aquatica water park will return to seven-days-a-week schedules: tinyurl.com/y4zdgwdg.

In Maryland:

The Baltimore Ravens will do without fans, at least for the first part of the season: tinyurl.com/yxq8yhsw.

In Massachusetts:

An international conference of Biogen leaders in Boston probably led to the spread of 20,000 COVID-19 cases in four counties: tinyurl.com/y4hzw46v.

In New York:

Optional COVID-19 tests are coming to New York City's airports: tinyurl.com/yx9dc6jl.

Which shows are eligible at this year's Tony Awards? tinyurl.com/y662lgr2.

In Ohio:

A conservative wing of the state House of Representatives tries to impeach the governor for sticking to social distancing rules: tinyurl.com/y4sps5sq.

In South Dakota:

Health officials track the spread of the coronavirus from the Sturgis motorcycle rally: tinyurl.com/y6men77y.

In Texas:

The EPA has given emergency approval for a cleanser that kills the coronavirus on surfaces for up to ten days, and the state is letting companies, including American Airlines, use it: tinyurl.com/y5bw5f2a.

Around the world:

In Brazil:

In the Amazon, a sharp drop in new COVID-19 cases raises new questions about herd immunity: tinyurl.com/yxn58mwm.

In Canada:

The live events industry mobilizes to save itself: tinyurl.com/y33j9wrj.

In Jamaica:

Legendary runner Usain Bolt tests positive for the coronavirus: tinyurl.com/y52fu5rs.

A surge in cases causes the prime minister to suspend his re-election campaign: tinyurl.com/y6n9dhvd.

Education:

New webinars from JBL: "Speaker Cable and Power Cable Basics: Connections, Cable & Repair with Fedj (Jeff) Sylvanus," September 10, at 12:00pm CT; register at tinyurl.com/y5fq6nzj. "FOH Engineers Using VTX at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville w/ Les Banks, Kevin McGinty, and Mark Thomas," September 15 at 1:00pm, CT; register at tinyurl.com/y39sus2c. "System Engineer Skills for the Mix Engineer Part 2 with Cookie Hoff and Pooch Van Druten," September 16 at 1:00pm CT; register at rb.gy/yupgap.

New webinars from Martin by Harman: "Touring Large Scale Productions: Challenges, Preparations, and Solutions with Dr. Dinesh Yadav," August 26, at 11:00am CT; register at tinyurl.com/y6hbf58z. "Assembling Your Dream Team: Lighting Collaboration on Broadway with Bradley King and Nick Solyom," August 27, at 11:00am; register at tinyurl.com/y54qps6z. "Wearing Multiple Hats in the Lighting Industry with Tony Caporale," September 1, at 11:00am CT; register at tinyurl.com/yxk6ldf5.

For your entertainment:

This Friday, Héctor Armienta, founder and artistic director of Opera Cultura; Shadi Ghaheri, stage director and 2019 Director-Designer Prize winner; and Susan Marineau, trustee of The Santa Fe Opera, and OPERA America come together for conversation, a game of "Guess that Opera," and a special performance. It happens at 4:30pm ET, at youtube.com/operaamerica.

It's Verdi Week at the Metropolitan Opera: tinyurl.com/y6xeyahw.

For your pleasure:

Mauricio Martínez and Ana Villafañe offer "Here We Are/Don't Wanna Lose You," in tribute to Gloria Estefan: tinyurl.com/y3defyao.

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

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