COVID-19 Update, October 22, 2020: Riding the Wave of Events

There's a lot happening, on many different fronts, with no clear standout issue, unless you count the worrying, if predicted, rise in new COVID-19 cases both in the US and worldwide. As the election comes ever closer, expect more bursts of good/bad news with little in the way of clarity.

The latest:

Hospitals across the US are starting to buckle under the strain of new COVID-19 cases: tinyurl.com/y2rkdgfb.

Regulators deciding the fates of upcoming vaccines turn to outside scientists to see if their standards are stringent enough: tinyurl.com/y52tqwes. Anti-vaxxers are floating a new civil liberties argument to convince others: tinyurl.com/y4498emb.

The federal government tries out a new app for travelers that verifies a negative COVID-19 test result: tinyurl.com/y35ydks2.

The president accuses Nancy Pelosi and Charles Schumer of blocking a stimulus bill -- the same one that Mitch McConnell wants nothing to do with: tinyurl.com/y4azavbk. Some Republicans are questioning McConnell's hard line against stimulus: tinyurl.com/y5xqse3s. Schumer introduces the Heroes Small Business Lifeline Act: tinyurl.com/y2u3795g.

The CDC redefines the meaning of "close contact" with an individual with COVID-19: tinyurl.com/yyb3d8kg.

If you're still wiping down your groceries, you may not need to: tinyurl.com/yyrrdync.

As Big Ten football comes back, the cities that house it aren't entirely happy about it: tinyurl.com/y5zs4ktx.

Women aged 50 to 60 are at the greatest risk of getting "long COVID," the disease plus long-lasting health problems: tinyurl.com/y3jhzqky.

Around the country:

In Alaska:

New COVID-19 clusters emerge around the state: tinyurl.com/y35uglsy.

In California:

The state's theme parks, led by Disney, push back against restrictions that prevent them from reopening now: tinyurl.com/y6548vms.

The demise of the short-bites streaming service Quibi hits the production industry already reeling from the pandemic: tinyurl.com/y2u3795g.

In Florida:

The state reports a staggeringly high one-day total of 5,558 COVID-19 cases: tinyurl.com/y5x6ejk8.

Is the state's department of health's order to investigate all COVID-19 deaths a new sign of rigor or an attempt at downplaying the numbers? tinyurl.com/y4emky65.

The PGA Merchandise Show, which draws 40,000, cancels: tinyurl.com/y67zxfdd.

At a Miami-Dade school board meeting, parents plead for clarity on COVID-19 rules: tinyurl.com/y63mqf2u.

Hilton Grand Vacations in Orlando permanently lays off 1,600 employees: tinyurl.com/y2rxyccz.

A judge's ruling means that Carnival can restart cruising on December 1: tinyurl.com/y58mvvx7.

Miami's main art museum will reopen: tinyurl.com/yxuelrln.

In Illinois:

The state reports its highest daily death count since June: tinyurl.com/y2b6qrq6.

Lyric Opera of Chicago cancels the remainder of its 2020 - 2021 season: tinyurl.com/yygvn9g8.

In Massachusetts:

Following a spike in COVID-19 cases Boston public schools shift to all-remote learning: tinyurl.com/y632jx73.

In New Jersey:

Governor Phil Murphy and his wife go into quarantine: tinyurl.com/y6sqwacm.

Around the world:

In Belgium:

The country's deputy prime minister is in intensive care with the coronavirus: tinyurl.com/y5zxjz57.

In the Czech Republic:

Fearing the collapse of its health system, the country goes under lockdown a second time: tinyurl.com/yxccawfn.

In Germany:

The country reports a startling rise of more than 11,200 cases in 24 hours: tinyurl.com/yxazh7um.

The country's health minister tests positive for COVID-19: tinyurl.com/y56t7xl4.

In Italy:

Pope Francis may have endorsed same-sex civil unions, but why doesn't he wear a mask? tinyurl.com/y64vk5x6.

In Spain:

The country is the first in Western Europe to reach one million COVID-19 cases: tinyurl.com/y5zfa6rn.

In Sri Lanka:

Trying to get a surge in COVID-19 cases under control, the main fish market is closed and a curfew imposed: tinyurl.com/y5z9oxlr.

For your pleasure:

Farewell to the great Marge Champion, dancer, choreographer, and muse. Here she is in one of her films. Everything I Have is Yours: tinyurl.com/y27mctkc.

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

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

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