COVID-19 Update, August 26, 2020: It Ain't Over

A new government response to the pandemic emerges: Pretend it is over, that the disease is well in hand, and the prosperity is just around the corner. It's a gamble to be sure, but it appears to be where the president is laying all his chips.

The latest:

In a revealing moment, the president's top economic adviser, speaking at the Republican National Convention, refers to the pandemic as a thing of the past: tinyurl.com/yymzswzp.

The White House trade adviser clings to his belief in the efficacy of survivor plasma treatment: tinyurl.com/y6jbfubk. The FDA's approval of plasma treatment may undermine a study that would determine its real effectiveness: tinyurl.com/yxfvrbl7.

Causing consternation among health experts, the CDC now says that people without COVID-19 symptoms don't need to be tested, even if they have been recently exposed; no word about the large number of asymptomatic carriers: tinyurl.com/y6jtsym7.

Meanwhile:

Doctors ramp up to test for the flu this autumn, to distinguish flu cases from those of COVID-19: tinyurl.com/y6lvupdz.

A new study shows that obesity increases one's risk of COVID-19 infection by nearly 50%, with vaccines possibly less effective in such cases: tinyurl.com/y4focnek.

US islands in both the Caribbean and Pacific emerge as the new coronavirus hot spots: tinyurl.com/y52wvysd.

The NFL, getting ready for a new season, faces the dilemma of a large number of false positives from player testing: tinyurl.com/y35xtzts.

The US Chamber of Commerce turns to Congress for protection against liability from workers and clients who contract COVID-19: tinyurl.com/y692ee5u.

News you can use: For the duration of the pandemic, KFC suspends the "finger-lickin' good" slogan: tinyurl.com/yy39k3a2.

Around the country:

In California:

A drive-in parking lot production of The Waste Land has been nixed because of a surge in COVID-19 cases in the area: tinyurl.com/yylytvr2.

In Connecticut:

Top theatres issue a call for government relief: tinyurl.com/y6ahmnp9.

In Florida:

The University of Miami puts a dorm in quarantine after 156 COVID-19 cases are diagnosed: tinyurl.com/y2j6spq6.

Florida Gulf Coast University suspends two fraternities for hosting large parties that violate social distancing restrictions: tinyurl.com/yxhl2p3c.

Indoor dining returns to Miami-Dade on August 31: tinyurl.com/y55tozcj.

In Illinois:

The mayor of Chicago cracks down on Airbnb party houses: tinyurl.com/yxzzws97.

Chicago Shakespeare makes modest plans for its new season: tinyurl.com/y29c96km.

In New York:

The transportation workers union calls for $100 fines for passengers who don't wear masks: tinyurl.com/yyoulotf.

Jujamcyn Theatres sues its insurer over its COVID-19 coverage: tinyurl.com/y6czwtwf.

Actors' Equity okays three indoor theatre productions: tinyurl.com/y3282cba.

A memorial for actor Nick Cordero will be held online on September 6 at 7:00pm ET: tinyurl.com/y3malpal.

Your questions about the online Tony Awards answered, more or less: tinyurl.com/yyq3x495.

In Texas:

American Airlines will cut 19,000 jobs when federal aid expires in October: tinyurl.com/y2swxefl.

In Utah:

Resident assistants at the University of Utah threaten to strike over the school's handling of the pandemic: tinyurl.com/y3th9s9h.

Around the world:

In Brazil:

The president's son tests positive for COVID-19, the fourth member of the family to do so: tinyurl.com/y6c7c8kf.

In China:

Prolight + Sound Guangzhou takes place, successfully: tinyurl.com/yy7luosy.

In Germany:

Passengers on all Lufthansa-owned airlines will be required to wear a mask, or carry a negative COVID-19 test results and a doctor's note: tinyurl.com/y3393yl8.

In Iran:

The surge in cases continues, with 21,000 dead: tinyurl.com/yyvwf77j.

In Japan:

A new study suggests that masks made of non-woven material are most effective in fending off the coronavirus: tinyurl.com/y4nrs3z9.

For your entertainment:

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra presents Lush Life: Celebrating Billy Strayhorn: tinyurl.com/y4o5ztfh.

For your pleasure:

The great Lillias White offering her unique take on "Don't Rain on My Parade:" tinyurl.com/yxzq36de.

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

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