COVID-19 Update: October 15, 2020: The Third Peak

It's not getting better, Fewer people are dying from COVID-19, but cases continue to rise, and in many localities, hospitals are filling up. Europe is under siege. But the White House insists otherwise, as an election looms. And the stimulus bill is in its usual state of yes/no/maybe. Hang on it tight: It's going to be a wild few months.

The latest:

COVID-19 infections in the US are heading toward a third peak: tinyurl.com/y5ynmyos. US hospitalizations reach a seven-week high: tinyurl.com/y468kxao. The president insists that the pandemic is receding and it is time to get back to work: tinyurl.com/y4jybwv6. The president uses his youngest son's COVID-19 infection into an argument for reopening schools: tinyurl.com/y3lyvu3f.

Europe under siege: The continent faces a new wave of infections. Paris calls for curfew at 9:00pm: tinyurl.com/y33fws6h.

Even as the Trump Administration issued rosy projections about the pandemic, it was warning private investors that there was big trouble ahead: tinyurl.com/y38qtg2k.

According to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, the on-again, off-again stimulus bill is off, at least until after Election Day: tinyurl.com/y6nd47mt. But the president tells Mnuchin to increase the government's offer, telling him to "come home with the bacon:" tinyurl.com/yyczspb9.

Vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris suspends travel until Monday after two staffers test positive for COVID-19: tinyurl.com/yxbmweg9.

Senator Elizabeth Warren tears into Disney for laying off 28,000 workers: tinyurl.com/y5g6dcmu.

The young and healthy may have to wait until 2022 for a vaccine, says the World Health Organization: tinyurl.com/yyvjaas5.

Food for thought:

For arts workers, the healthcare safety net has been shredded: tinyurl.com/y3w6zoba.

Around the country:

In Alabama:

The University of Alabama football coach and athletic director both test positive for COVID-19: tinyurl.com/yxlogt86.

In Arizona:

Arizona Theatre Company announces a new season, beginning in January: tinyurl.com/y4fpr6n4.

In Florida:

The state has been dramatically underrepresenting its COVID-19 positivity rate, in order to get businesses and schools reopened: tinyurl.com/y2lhktc3. Even so, it records 3,356 new infections yesterday: tinyurl.com/y238ckl6.

This week's Florida Gators game is postponed because of a COVID-19 outbreak: tinyurl.com/y5hgxsgm.

The school that shut down yesterday following four COVID-19 diagnoses reopens today: tinyurl.com/yyqrga3l. Eleven more Miami-Dade school staffers are diagnosed: tinyurl.com/yxtoybhm.

In Indiana:

The state department of health commissioner tests positive for COVID-19: tinyurl.com/y69opyta.

In Massachusetts:

Rather than deal with social distancing restrictions, some Boston restaurants are choosing to hibernate for the winter: tinyurl.com/yy5zwkc.

In Minnesota:

The state reports the highest one-day death toll since June: tinyurl.com/yxp7gsq2.

In Nevada:

US diplomats and security officials warned the state not to use Chinese COVID-19 testing kits donated by the United Arar Emirates, citing safety concerns: tinyurl.com/yyr4t4v8.

In New Hampshire:

Little Shop of Horrors at Weathervane Playhouse -- the first Equity-approved indoor production since lockdown began, safely completes its run: tinyurl.com/y5udh7ze.

In New York:

Governor Cuomo issues an order withholding funding from schools that flout coronavirus restrictions: tinyurl.com/y2rvxorp.

The Global Cinema Federation urges Governor Cuomo to allow cinemas to reopen on a county-by-county basis: tinyurl.com/y4vpsgfh.

The promoters of a non-socially distanced Chainsmokers concert in the Hamptons are facing a fine of $20,000: tinyurl.com/yxbozsmy.

David Byrne's American Utopia plots a Broadway return in mid-September: tinyurl.com/y4pupnk9.

A sweet-16 party at a Long Island inn leaves 34 infected with COVID-19, with 270 forced into quarantine: tinyurl.com/y5sxyroj.

In Texas:

Parts of the Gateway Church in Southlake are shut down after multiple staff members test positive for COVID-19: tinyurl.com/y5tn59fz.

Some live music venues in Dallas are reopening: tinyurl.com/yyeymy8p.

Around the world:

In Canada:

The Shaw Festival, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, announces its reduced 2021 season. "This is an expression of faith," says artistic director Tim Carroll: tinyurl.com/yxefvexu.

In the UK:

London goes on high alert with tightened restrictions; the health minister says the coronavirus is "spreading exponentially:" tinyurl.com/y2369prw.

For your entertainment:

The original cast of two-time Tony winner Joe DiPietro's Conscience will come together again for a live reading of the play with George Street Playhouse to stream October 27 - 30. Due to the shutdown of theaters throughout the state in March, the world premiere of the production was canceled just days after it opened. The play about Senators Margaret Chase Smith and Joe McCarthy, stars Harriet Harris. A donation of $25 is suggested; donations of $5 and above are appreciated. Digital tickets are available through www.GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org.

Untitled Theater Company No. 61 will be releasing its first ever audio drama podcast, The Resistible Rise of J. R. Brinkley, hosted by Dan Butler and starring Tony Torn. It's the true story of J. R. Brinkley, a quack doctor from the 1920s who became rich from his cure for impotence: surgically implanting goat testicles. He then started his own radio station and became a major early advocate for country music, starting the careers of such stars as The Carter Family and Gene Autry. When the newly formed American Medical Association took away his license, he switched gears and went into politics, running a highly successful campaign for governor of Kansas. The release on Monday, October 26 will also include a live Zoom listening party at 7:00pm, for those who want to attend. Details can be found on www.untitledtheater.com.

For your pleasure:

Dame Judi Dench offers "Send in the Clowns," by Stephen Sondheim: tinyurl.com/yyczspb9.

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

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