Thursday, July 2nd, 2020

States pause reopening plans, impose mask requirements as virus surges Texans are now required to wear masks in public to help stem the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced on Thursday. The mandate, required in any county with more than 20 cases of COVID-19, comes as confirmed cases surge in the state. Texas reported more than 8,000 new cases on Wednesday alone. The move is a reversal for Abbott — he previously blocked local governments from mandating masks. Meanwhile, Nashville, Tennessee, announced it would move back into Phase 2 of its reopening plan. In North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper (D) vetoed legislation to reopen gyms and amusement parks. Several states and organizations are rolling back plans to loosen coronavirus restrictions as cases spike. The U.S. recorded 52,788 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, a new single-day high. Source: The Washington Post

Government watchdog says unemployment won’t recover until 2030 America’s unemployment rate won’t reach its pre-pandemic low for at least a decade, the Congressional Budget Office predicted in a report released Thursday. Unemployment was at a 50-year low of 3.5 percent before the coronavirus hit, and the CBO projects a tough road for the U.S. to get back to that point. It’s projecting a 7.6 percent unemployment rate at the end of 2021, 6.9 percent at the end of 2022, and a 4.4 percent unemployment rate by the end of 2030. Still, the CBO noted there’s “an unusually high degree of uncertainty” when it comes to predicting America’s economic future after an unprecedented shutdown. Thursday’s jobs report saw the U.S. unemployment rate lower to 11.1 percent in June, but it could rise again as COVID-19 grows in more states. Source: CNN

In a Europe-wide operation, police penetrate EncroChat, a top-secret communications system used by criminals to sell drugs and plan attacks. (BBC)

British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, former girlfriend of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, is arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on suspicion of grooming victims of Epstein. She has also been charged with assisting Epstein’s abuse of minors by helping to recruit and groom victims known to be underage. (BBC)

David Clark resigns as New Zealand’s Minister of Health after security mistakes at quarantine facilities just days after the country had been declared free of COVID-19. Clark also received strong criticism for personally breaching lockdown rules twice. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had refused calls to sack the minister. (Reuters)

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announces there will be $100 fines for people and businesses that do not wear masks. (The Hill)

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issues an executive order mandating citizens wear facemasks in public and at their workplace. (AP via United States News & World Report)

Texas Governor Greg Abbott orders citizens must wear face coverings when in public. This follows yesterday’s reported state record daily high of more than 8,000 virus cases. Those who do not comply will receive an initial warning; those who refuse will face a fine of up to $250. (BBC)

275 elephants are confirmed dead in the Okavango Delta due to an unknown cause. Both poaching and anthrax have been ruled out by authorities. (CBS)

 

 

Wednesday,  July 2nd, 2020

Removal of Confederate monuments and memorials, List of monuments and memorials removed during the George Floyd protests

The monument of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson is removed from Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. (ABC News)

The End