COVID-19 Update, October 16, 2020: Marking Time

Despite any rosy scenarios, you might hear about, here are the facts: New COVID-19 infections are rising sharply in the US. Europe is struggling against a powerful second wave. And the US government cannot pull it together to provide relief even as millions more Americans fall into poverty. You could call it fiddling while Rome burns, and there's no indication that anything else will happen until Election Day.

The latest:

The US tops 60,000 COVID-19 cases in one day for the first time since mid-August: tinyurl.com/y4brhjn3.

In today's edition of stimulus tsuris, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appear to be close to a deal, which is opposed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and many members of the GOP: tinyurl.com/y57xqk59. McConnell throws cold water on the bigger stimulus bill: tinyurl.com/y2jufkzw. Meanwhile, six million Americans have fallen into poverty since the pandemic began: tinyurl.com/yy735zkz. Weekly unemployment claims reach 898,000 rather worse than expected; this is the worst number since mid-August: tinyurl.com/y4p6tw7y.

The White House installs two political operatives at CDC in an attempt at controlling the tone of information: tinyurl.com/yxwb3f92.

Around the country:

In California:

The Walt Disney Company issues a strongly worded reply to Senator Elizabeth Warren's criticism of its layoffs: tinyurl.com/y5ah73ty.

In Florida:

New cases continue to rise, hitting 3,349 in today's report: tinyurl.com/y3vq8pbw.

Even as cases are spiking up, Miami's immigration courthouse will reopen on Monday: tinyurl.com/y2jqdjbe.

Miami-Dade public schools have now confirmed 30 COVID-19 cases since reopening: tinyurl.com/y49yfds2.

In Illinois:

The state sees the single biggest one-day surge in new cases since the pandemic began; the positivity rate is up sharply, too: tinyurl.com/y6ar3bb4.

In Massachusetts:

The Boston Symphony Orchestra cancels its winter/spring season and Boston Pops holiday shows: tinyurl.com/y2qduxfz.

In New Jersey:

Former Governor Chris Christie, out of the hospital, says he should have worn a mask: tinyurl.com/yyq72att.

In New York:

New York City's Hasidic community fights back, sometimes violently, against coronavirus restrictions: tinyurl.com/yyj54ub2.

The National Independent Venues Association continues to push for the Save Our Stages Act: tinyurl.com/y5s554n2.

Around the world:

In France:

The government opts for measured steps to stop the second wave of infections: tinyurl.com/y6p5fkyw.

In the UK:

The Comeback, a new comedy, has booked a West End theatre for December: tinyurl.com/y5hyt2pp. A West End Musical Christmas Live also has a brief December booking: tinyurl.com/y6hkpbyo. And the Lynn Ahrens - Alan Menken A Christmas Carol will also run in December: tinyurl.com/y2xdtzgq.

Education:

"A Career in Control with Anne Valentino." On the event of her retirement, Anne Valentino's 30 years of service with ETC and countless contributions to the professional lighting control market will be celebrated in a special Study Hall event. Steve Terry and Dennis Varian will talk to Anne about her long career at ETC and the tremendous influence she has had on moving lighting control technology forward in the past several decades. How did the Obsession and Eos family of consoles come to be? Many other topics will be discussed. It takes place October 20 at 12:00pm ET. Register at tinyurl.com/yxjoc25a. You can also catch up with it later on ETC's Study Hall YouTube channel: tinyurl.com/y3w7fekd.

For your entertainment:

Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, starring two-time Tony Award winner Brian Dennehy and directed by Goodman Theatre Artistic Director and Tony Award winner Robert Falls. The event will be available for viewing beginning on Wednesday, October 21 at 8:00pm ET through October 25 only at www.Playbill.com. It's a fundraiser for the Actors Fund. For more information, visit www.actorsfund.org/DeathofaSalesman. Donations to The Actors Fund are encouraged at www.actorsfund.org/Salesman to support everyone in entertainment and the performing arts via The Actors Fund's COVID-19 relief efforts.

Stephen Hough is the featured soloist in a livestreamed performance of Brahms's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mark Wigglesworth. The livestreamed program also includes Haydn's Symphony No. 99. It takes place October 21 at 2:30 ET. Tickets at tinyurl.com/yya59bfl.

For your pleasure:

The One Voice Children's Choir presents its take on Maroon 5's "Memories:" tinyurl.com/y3hr82sj.

That's all for today. Have a good weekend. Stay safe. And vote. -- DB

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