COVID-19 Update, September 4, 2020: The Labor Day Challenge

As the nation's attention is focused on another inexplicable death (this one in Rochester), the president's illegal advice about voting twice, and reports of his crudely dismissive comments about fallen soldiers, new revelations emerge about the ravages of the pandemic and signs of hope. But as we head into the third major holiday weekend since lockdown began, fears rise for another spike in COVID-19 cases.

The latest:

Dr. Anthony Fauci says that, heading into the Labor Day weekend, the number of COVID-19 cases in the US remains "unacceptably high:" tinyurl.com/yxlgsjq2. He also warns the seven states currently experiencing upticks in COVID-19 cases to be especially vigilant over the holiday weekend. He's talking about North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Arkansas, Missouri, Indiana, and Illinois: tinyurl.com/y3aytu34. Epidemiologists warn about another spike in cases this weekend, like those that occurred after Memorial Day and Independence Day: tinyurl.com/y2nzvj7c. Health experts advise Californians to go slow this weekend: tinyurl.com/y3tnsalu.

The co-chief of Operation Warp Speed casts cold water on the prospect of a vaccine being ready by Election Day: tinyurl.com/y6qpa77v. Dr. Fauci asserts that science, not politics will drive the release of any COVID-19 vaccines: tinyurl.com/y5yyfmu6. And officials in California, New York, and Washington vow not to distribute any vaccine that hasn't been sufficiently vetted: tinyurl.com/yyu89kue. Despite the White House's avid pursuit of a vaccine, health experts say the US is not prepared to roll one out quickly and expeditiously: tinyurl.com/y5yls59b.

The party's over for college students as schools crack down on COVID-19 rules flouters: tinyurl.com/y6mz8gbv. Dr. Fauci says that testing and quarantine spaces are the keys to keeping colleges and universities open: tinyurl.com/y57ug697. The pandemic is driving students away from Latin American universities: tinyurl.com/y6r6wdxs.

Steven Mnuchin and Nancy Pelosi agree on a stopgap spending bill to keep the government open; left out is any COVID-19 relief: tinyurl.com/y38mw7hn.

And, hunger spreads across the country: tinyurl.com/y5qg4brn.

Meanwhile:

Major hospitals struggle with the issue of plasma treatment: tinyurl.com/y58ebd5o.

A University of Chicago study links low levels of Vitamin D with increased COVID-19 risk: tinyurl.com/y4ksgs97.

Older Americans struggle with pandemic-caused isolation: tinyurl.com/y5bo8pu9.

Amtrak, hit hard by the pandemic, will furlough 2,000 workers: tinyurl.com/yywt26hp.

A new series starring Javier Bardem is the latest of several to be felled by the pandemic: tinyurl.com/y2s7m8nm.

The US created 1.37 million jobs in August, with unemployment at 8.4%: tinyurl.com/y4t5dnbr.

A new model predicts 410,000 deaths in the US by January 1 if mask use wanes: tinyurl.com/yxqhqs5a.

Thirty Midwestern arts groups get COVID-19 relief grants: tinyurl.com/y6a6z5gj.

Food for thought:

Don't forget your flu shot: tinyurl.com/yxh58e22.

Around the country:

In California:

An AstraZeneca drug trial looks for more at-risk candidates: tinyurl.com/yxbd7d4w.

San Diego's live theatres form an alliance to weather the current crises: tinyurl.com/yxe7aaat.

Two theatres in Contra Costa County, strapped for cash, lay off their artistic directors: tinyurl.com/yxwyf8ss.

In Florida:

Unsurprising, but a big blow to Orlando's economy: The IAAPA Expo 2020 has been canceled: tinyurl.com/yyxfzx77.

The governor expresses impatience with social distancing rules: tinyurl.com/y63fqrap. Florida's pandemic totals are 640,211 cases and 11,750 deaths: tinyurl.com/y2j598kh.

Citing privacy rules, the state tells local health officials not to release data about new COVID-19 cases in public schools: tinyurl.com/y2frcyl2.

The coronavirus is quietly ravaging South Florida's Haitian-American communities: tinyurl.com/y5pu6svj.

Ignoring the NIH, some South Florida doctors are treating COVID-19 with an anti-parasitic drug: tinyurl.com/y65hcmd5.

In Georgia:

The number of new COVID-19 cases skyrockets on campus at University of Georgia: tinyurl.com/y6szw9jx.

In Indiana:

Indiana University looks to enroll candidates in the AstraZeneca vaccine trial: tinyurl.com/y4hr47ba.

The coronavirus is tearing through the university's fraternity and sorority houses: tinyurl.com/yxvla8y9.

In Michigan:

The auto industry will need two years to recover from the pandemic, experts say: tinyurl.com/y6m8ocbt.

In Nebraska:

Tyson Foods announces plans to open on-site medical centers at its meat plants: tinyurl.com/y3hxblcg.

In New York:

Trump to New York: Drop Dead; FEMA pulls funding for disinfecting New York City' schools and subways: tinyurl.com/y4g8qh63.

New York City's school reopening plan hinges on testing 10,000 students and teachers for COVID-19 each month: tinyurl.com/yy2tlr4s.

Without rent relief, 60% of New York City's independent theatres may close for good: tinyurl.com/y5x2oxhx.

Casinos and malls in the state can open at 50% of capacity next week: tinyurl.com/y2cymujq.

In South Dakota:

As if that motorcycle rally didn't cause enough trouble, the state fair is moving ahead, as the governor dismisses an "elite class of so-called experts:" tinyurl.com/y4m529cq.

In Texas:

American Airlines cuts 80,000 flights in its October schedule: tinyurl.com/yy4r2tnq.

Around the world:

In Japan:

The organizers of the Tokyo Olympics say the games can go on, with or without a vaccine: tinyurl.com/yyym6xa8.

In Russia:

The Sputnik vaccine looks encouraging, according to the medical journal The Lancet: tinyurl.com/y5po5l9n.

In South Korea:

The country struggles with a second wave of infections: tinyurl.com/y6butl96.

In the UK:

Shooting on the new film The Batman is halted when star Robert Pattinson tests positive for COVID-19: tinyurl.com/y63glxyy.

For your entertainment:

Musical theatre leading lady Margo Seibert releases a new music video, "Influence," animated by Daiqi Cui, a student at the School of Visual Arts in New York City: tinyurl.com/y55h9uc2.

That's all for today. Have a good holiday weekend. And stay safe. -- DB

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