COVID-19 Update, September 22: Sixty-Seven 9/11s

The US now has 200,000 dead from COVID-19, which is odd, since the president thinks the nation's infection rate is miniscule. (See the story below for the meaning of today's grim title.) Meanwhile, Dr. Fauci exposes the president's vaccine assurances as baseless, the Pentagon spends its PPE money on dress uniforms, the CDC can't make up its mind about how the coronavirus is transmitted, and the NIH discovers a mole in its ranks. If Attorney General Barr really cared about sedition, the NIH case would be a good place to start.

The latest:

As predicted, the US passes the 200,000 mark in COVID-19 deaths: tinyurl.com/y4ulbtkl. Putting that in context, it is equivalent to a 9/11, every day, for 67 days: tinyurl.com/y5lsem59.

Dwelling in his own reality, as usual, the president asserts that the US infection rate is "among the lowest in the world," adding that the virus has "virtually" no effect on young people: tinyurl.com/yxhlobbk.

Dr. Anthony Fauci deflates the president's claims that a vaccine is imminent, noting that no one has seen data from any trial: tinyurl.com/y445coup.

Your government at work: A National Institutes of Health public affairs official departs his job after it is discovered that he regularly and pseudonymously attacks his employer and Dr. Fauci on the website RedState: tinyurl.com/y2zalfnf.

Your government at work, Part II: The shortage of N95 masks continues, putting medical workers at risk: tinyurl.com/yyqo3n3o. This may because a $1 billion fund given to the Pentagon to build up the nation's store of personal protection equipment has mostly been spent on jet engine parts, body armor, and dress uniforms: tinyurl.com/y2ydbuye.

Having withdrawn its guidance that the coronavirus is transmitted through the air, the CDC says it was all a mistake: tinyurl.com/yy6j5qfw.

The CDC also says that as many as 11,000 may have been exposed to COVID-19 on airplanes: tinyurl.com/y5m4u2oh. Assessing the risk of flying isn't an exact science: tinyurl.com/y5lu6mkw.

Meanwhile:

In news that will surprise no one, government and business debt soared during the second quarter, when lockdown began: tinyurl.com/y473r99d.

The NFL levies $1 million in fines against three teams that played without masks: tinyurl.com/y4lqgkyg.

Food for thought:

Does wearing glasses protect you from the coronavirus? Well, it's a theory: tinyurl.com/yy6seuoy.

Nicholas Edwards, who played Jesus in that much-discussed socially distanced production of Godspell, reflects on the experience: tinyurl.com/yxt672hb.

Around the country:

In California:

A done deal: Hollywood unions and major studios agree on COVID-19 protocols, paving the way for restart of production: tinyurl.com/yy7x6a5b.

In Florida:

The state posts the lowest number of daily COVID-19 infections since June: tinyurl.com/y5o7s28u. Infections plateau in Orange County, achieving what officials say is a manageable level: tinyurl.com/y242mbjc.

Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines submit their new health and safety protocols to the CDC: tinyurl.com/yyfkbtm6.

The state's college towns are playing a big part in the rising instances of COVID-19 among young people: tinyurl.com/yxvwbhjq.

The III Points music festival in Miami announces its return, April 30 - May 1: tinyurl.com/yxv6ulqm.

In Illinois:

The state sets a new record for most people tested in one day: tinyurl.com/y5bs69a3.

In Massachusetts:

A Sudbury high school delays reopening upon discovery of a social gathering for more than 50 students: tinyurl.com/yxsfkcm7.

In Nebraska:

Omaha's Orpheum Theatre will return to presenting Broadway national tours in May: tinyurl.com/y58a8ffb.

In New York:

The governor extends the state's ban on commercial evictions: tinyurl.com/yynpn9tq.

In Tennessee:

A TV station reports that officials suppressed the number of COVID-19 cases linked to bars and restaurants because it is so low. The story is debunked. Fox and Friends apologizes. Tucker Carlson fans the flames: tinyurl.com/y3ykt3uz.

In Texas:

The death of a 28-year-old doctor illustrates the sacrifices made by so many healthcare workers: tinyurl.com/y2eukznt.

Around the world:

In Japan:

A supercomputer's calculations say that face shields are ineffective in containing the coronavirus: tinyurl.com/y6pzyno7.

In the UK:

In a blow to attempts at restarting the entertainment industry, Boris Johnson announces new restrictions, warning that they could last six months: tinyurl.com/y4yps4ll. More details about the restrictions here: tinyurl.com/yxhlobbk.

Mobilization:

#WeMakeEvents supports actions around the globe: tinyurl.com/y5o3t7bp.

Education:

New webinars from JBL: "More Than Just Monitor Mixing! with Eddie Caipo," September 23 at 1:00pm CT; register at: tinyurl.com/yy7pmx4d. "Deconstructing Brandi Carlile's FOH Mix with Sean Quackenbush," September 29 at 2:00pm CT; register at: tinyurl.com/yy9mx25y.

Top TV executives talk about production in pandemic in the latest episode of Variety's "Rebooting the Industry" series. It is free to attend, but you need to register. Get more information at: tinyurl.com/y2qa368h.

For your entertainment:

Baruch Performing Arts Center and Opera Omaha present the virtual, directed-for-video premiere of dwb (driving while black) from October 23, 2020 at 9:00am ET through October 29, 2020 at 9:00pm ET. Tickets are pay-what-you-can and can be purchased via the BPAC portal at tinyurl.com/y5rxsp7c. There will also be a post-screening live talk, with details to come. A previously recorded excerpt of dwb (driving while black) can be viewed at youtu.be/F9oKCQzVVPM.

A concert starring cabaret favorite Karen Mason will stream on October 15 - 17: tinyurl.com/y6szz5q3.

Miranda: A Steam Punk VR Experience, a fully immersive VR opera featuring live motion-capture performance, will debut this week. Produced by LUMA Festival, Tri-Cities Opera, Enhance VR, and Opera Omaha, Miranda reimagines world-class theatre for the digital age and amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Performances are September 24, 25, and 26, at 6:30pm, 7:45pm, and 9pm: tinyurl.com/y6579t5b.

For your pleasure:

Judy Kuhn, accompanied by Seth Rudetsky, presents "Someone Else's Story," which she introduced in the Broadway production of Chess: tinyurl.com/y5tpyjm3.

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

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