Friday, July 17th, 2020

Moderna is expected to start a late stage clinical trial at 87 study locations in the United States for its COVID-19 vaccine on July 27. (Reuters)

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announces that New York is expected to move into phase four of its reopening plan. However, indoor public spaces will remain closed. (MarketWatch)

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announces that masks will be made mandatory in public spaces. The order is expected to go into effect on July 20. (The Hill)

Miami-Dade County is expected to give people who violate COVID-19 guidelines a $100 fine. (NBC Miami)

The Centers for Disease Control extends the United States ban on cruise ships to September 30, citing ongoing COVID-19 cruise ship outbreaks. (ABC News)

Spain reports their highest COVID-19 infection count since May 10, with 580 cases. These cases have increased in the regions of Aragon and Catalonia. (The New York Times)

Reuters reports that the occupation of geisha in Tokyo is threatened by the pandemic, with awkward working conditions and the absence of new apprentices. (Reuters)

Brazil surpasses two million cases. The death toll reaches 76,000. (AP)

Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi says his country is “looking seriously at banning Facebook in the country” after “many people complained how it is used to hurt people”, being himself a target of “defamation”. (RNZ)

U.S., U.K., and Canada accuse Russia of attempting to steal coronavirus research Government officials from the U.S., U.K., and Canada accused Russia on Thursday of attempting to steal coronavirus vaccine research. Russian hackers associated with Russia’s intelligence services have allegedly used malware to target health organizations, seeking information on COVID-19 vaccine development. The perpetrators are part of a hacking group known as Cozy Bear, officials said, noting the group has also been accused of attacks on other government organizations in recent years. “It is completely unacceptable that the Russian intelligence services are targeting those working to combat the coronavirus pandemic,” British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement. Russia denied it is behind the attacks. Source: NBC News

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp sues Atlanta mayor over mask requirements Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) on Thursday sued Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the Atlanta City Council in an attempt to block a face mask recommendation. On Wednesday, Kemp banned cities and counties from enforcing mask mandates. Last week, with the number of coronavirus cases rising, Bottoms reverted the city back to its Phase 1 reopening guidelines — residents are being encouraged to stay home, and told they should wear face masks if out in public. Restaurants are also being asked to close their dining rooms, and it’s recommended non-essential city facilities shutter. In a statement Thursday, Kemp said the lawsuit “is on behalf of the Atlanta business owners and their hardworking employees who are struggling to survive during these difficult times.” Bottoms tweeted in response, “A better use of taxpayer money would be to expand testing and contact tracing.” Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Florida reports record-breaking 156 coronavirus deaths in a single day Florida reported its highest-ever single-day death toll on Thursday, with 156 people reported dead from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. The numbers have Miami, recently called the “new epicenter of the pandemic,” considering mandatory lockdowns, but Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has been hesitant to push statewide restrictions like mask mandates. Thursday marked the second broken record in Florida this week, with 132 people reported dead on Tuesday. The state’s death toll is 4,677. A total of 13,965 people tested positive for COVID-19 over the past day, putting Florida’s total case numbers at 315,775. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said he was planning to meet with business leaders to weigh “the possibility of a future lockdown” if these numbers don’t improve soon, raising concerns about hospitals and ICU beds filling up. Source: Miami Herald

 

 

The End