Start planning for there not being a vaccine.

 

Monday, July 20th, 2020

 

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries successfully launches Hope, a United Arab Emirates space probe to Mars, from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. It is the first mission to Mars from the Arab world. (The Independent)

Hong Kong recorded its highest one-day increase in cases since the pandemic began, with 108 new cases which contains 83 local transmission cases and 25 imported cases. (BBC)

Chief Executive Carrie Lam announces new measures including plans to make it compulsory to wear masks inside any public indoor venue and a new order for non-essential civil servants to work for home. (France 24)

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announces that five United States Navy teams would be deployed to hospitals in Harlingen, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Rio Grande City. (Texas Tribune)

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler renews calls for federal troops to leave the city, accusing them of using abusive tactics against protesters. (BBC)

 

WHO reports record global coronavirus infections over 24-hour period  The World Health Organization on Saturday reported a new record in daily global coronavirus cases for the second consecutive day, tallying 259,848 infections in a 24-hour period that also saw 7,360 new deaths. Since the pandemic began late last year, The Associated Press reports, more than 600,000 people across the world have died from the virus. The United States, India, Brazil, and South Africa reported the biggest increases Saturday. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 74,000 new infections Saturday, with Missouri and North Carolina setting new daily highs. Arizona saw its highest number of daily coronavirus deaths, at 147, though NPR notes the figure was reportedly in part the result of a review of death certificates. Source:  Reuters

Oregon AG files lawsuit alleging federal agencies violated protesters’ civil rights  Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum filed a lawsuit Friday night alleging several federal agencies violated Portland protesters’ civil rights by arresting them without probable cause. The legal action comes amid a series of demonstrations against police brutality in Portland this week that continued through Saturday evening. The lawsuit claims agents from the Department of Homeland Security injured and threatened protesters, and it also seeks to require officers to identify themselves and their agency before making an arrest, as well as explain the reason behind any arrest. Previously, U.S. Attorney Billy Williams in Portland requested the DHS inspector general investigate reports that agents arrested people without probable cause. Source: USA Today

 

 

Sunday,  July 19th, 2020

New York records 743 hospitalizations, its lowest since March 18. (CBS News)

Around 85 infants in Nueces County test positive for coronavirus. (The Hill)

Protesters gather near the home of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. (CNN)

Three Black Lives Matter protesters are charged in Toronto for pouring pink paint on the statues of John A. Macdonald at Queen’s Park and Egerton Ryerson at Ryerson University. (CBC News)

Israelis protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his handling of COVID-19 and corruption. (Reuters)

President Hassan Rouhani says that the health ministry estimated as many as 25 million Iranians have been infected by the virus and that 30 to 35 million will be infected in the coming months as he urges the public to take the virus seriously. (AP)

Several protesters in Portland, Oregon, are arrested. Authorities said protesters allegedly blocked exits of government buildings and launched fireworks. Saturday morning’s arrests came after the US Attorney for Oregon on Friday requested an investigation into masked, camouflaged federal authorities who have recently arrested Portland protesters. (CNN)

 

The End

Saturday,  July 18th, 2020

https://www.theweek.com/articles/925913/7-scathing-cartoons-about-push-reopen-schools

https://www.theweek.com/articles/925884/time-dread

 

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announces he will donate a quarter of his US$4,806 monthly salary to help health services fight the virus. He also encouraged other public officials to follow his move. (Reuters)

India surpasses one million cases, as the death count reaches 25,000. (BBC)

Tokyo reported a record daily increase in COVID-19 cases, with 293 new cases. (Voice of America)

Manhattan Beach announces that they will fine people who don’t wear masks. (Los Angeles Times)

Officials in Miami announces that they will impose a curfew at South Beach as Florida tops 10,000 cases. (CBS News)

Military medics are deployed to hospitals in Texas and California as cases surge. (The Chicago Tribune)

Protesters attempt to remove a statue of Christopher Columbus at Grant Park, prompting a standoff between police. (Newsweek)

Major League Baseball announces five more players have tested positive for COVID-19. (ESPN)

The Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League is expected to change its name. (ESPN)

New York City enters final reopening phase as California, Florida cases surge  New York City, once the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, will move to its final phase of reopening on Monday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced Friday. Malls, gyms, and cultural institutions will remain closed, as will indoor dining. Meanwhile things are going the other direction in Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas, though the latter two states’ governors said they will not shut down businesses again. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said Friday most schools will not reopen in the state. Florida recorded 128 new deaths from COVID-19 in the past day on Friday afternoon, its fourth day of death tolls over 100. And in Texas, FEMA sent in extra body bags and refrigerated trucks to prepare for a surging death toll. Source:  Miami Herald

Kate Brown, governor of Oregon, criticizes President Donald Trump and acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf amid reports of federal agents detaining protesters in Portland, Oregon, the most populous city in the state. Wolf tweeted the previous day that the forces were sent to the city due to it being “under siege for 47 straight days by a violent mob.” (The Hill)

The National Football League announces 72 of its players have tested positive for COVID-19. (Bleacher Report)

The End 

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