COVID-19 Update: July 14, 2020: Shutdown: the Sequel

Despite the White House's assertions to the contrary, the pandemic continues unchecked, sending large parts of the country back in the direction of lockdown. Those that don't are faced with overcrowded hospitals and stressed medical workers. Meanwhile, municipalities must decide what to do about reopening schools. Today's key fact: Fifty percent of new coronavirus cases around the world -- fifty percent -- yesterday came from two countries: The US and Brazil. There appears to be some movement on the vaccine front; it can't come soon enough.

The latest:

New coronavirus cases rise by one million over only five days; 50% of them come the US and Brazil: cnn.it/2C0aVHb.

Approximately 5.4 million Americans lost their health insurance between February and March: nyti.ms/3gVGQqW.

Quest Diagnostics is now reporting a turnaround time of seven days for coronavirus test results: bit.ly/2OqvP4Q.

The tortured relationship between the president and Dr. Anthony Fauci continues: nyti.ms/3ftT7Cz. Meanwhile, a member of the White House Economic Task Force is circulating a memo that calls Dr. Fauci "Dr. Wrong:" bit.ly/3gZEvve.

US health officials and drug manufacturers expect to start making vaccines by summer's end: cnb.cx/2OnOrm3.

The race is on to make enough small glass vials to distribute vaccine around the world: wapo.st/3gVoQNm.

Food for thought:

Variety on the beleaguered state of the live events industry: bit.ly/2C25veR. Also: Things are looking bleak for the nation's cinemas: bit.ly/303Np3W.

The challenge of getting the flu vaccine disseminated during the coronavirus pandemic: bit.ly/2OrTiSU.

How years of research into HIV supports the search for a COVID-19 vaccine: wapo.st/2AYzHH9.

How did Broadway handle the influenza pandemic in 1918? tinyurl.com/yd42tpjk.

An emergency room physician, noting the deaths of so many colleagues, says, thanks for the cheering, but wear a mask: wapo.st/2WkqeRL.

Around the country:

In California:

The governor once again closes indoor restaurants, cinemas, and bars statewide: cnb.cx/2ZpSa8W.

Los Angeles and San Diego County schools will remain closed for the fall; online learning will continue: n.pr/3gXRzB5.

The Orange County board of education votes to reopen schools without masks or social distancing: lat.ms/2B30diE.

In Florida:

The state reports 9,194 new coronavirus infections and sets a record for deaths, with 132 in single day, total deaths reach 4,400: bit.ly/2WiQVq4.

Senator Marco Rubio doesn't believe that open restaurants are driving the state's surge in new infections: bit.ly/2C3vbaW.

In Illinois:

The Chicago Marathon, scheduled for October, has been canceled: bit.ly/3gZx3jO.

In New York:

The governor says the state's schools can reopen, if certain conditions are met: bit.ly/2Wk8kyD.

In Ohio:

A Port Clinton man filled social media with posts insisting that COVID-19 was overhyped. Then he got sick: tinyurl.com/yd28ta4e.

In Texas:

The Houston Chronicle publishes a stand-alone 43-page obituary section; that adds up to about 900 dead: bit.ly/3ftU1ir.

San Antonio's hospitals are "under severe stress," says the mayor, as cases continue to climb: bit.ly/3exaUaB.

A New York Times reporter returns home to Texas to cover the spread of COVID-19, only to find that his family is part of the story: nyti.ms/3fu2Mcq.

Around the world:

In Canada:

The touring organization Broadway Across Canada says its new season will begin in January: tinyurl.com/yd4vdpfb.

In Hong Kong:

Hong Kong Disneyland will shutter again, following a resurgence of the coronavirus: bit.ly/32j4D02.

In Israel:

A surge in coronavirus cases is causing citizens to push back at the government: bit.ly/32h4xpB.

In Russia:

A coronavirus vaccine may be distributed as early as next month: tinyurl.com/yd8vjtwc.

Mobilization:

An urgent message from IATSE about contacting Congress to preserve unemployment benefits: bit.ly/38VclhV.

Training:

New webinars from JBL: "Career Paths in Audio Mixing with Leslie Ann Jones and Michelle Sabolchick Pettinato," July 21 at 11:00am CDT; register at bit.ly/3eviWRv. "System Engineer Skills for the Mix Engineer with Cookie Hoff and Pooch Van Druten," July 29 at 1:00pm CDT; register at bit.ly/32ggsny.

New webinars from Martin by Harman: "From Idea to Output -- The Development Process of a Moving Light with Brad Schiller," August 4 at 11:00am CDT; register at bit.ly/30dIGN2. "Transitioning from Touring to Corporate with Matt Mills," August 11 at 11:00am CDT; register at bit.ly/38Zk6Um.

New webinars from Studer: "Studer VISTA 1 Class from Hungary Part 1 with Mihály András and Dávid RIKK," July 21 at 11:00am CDT; register at bit.ly/3j55veo. "Studer VISTA 1 Class from Hungary Part 2 with Mihály András and Dávid Rikk," July 23 at 11:00am CDT: bit.ly/30a9cXF.

Entertainment:

The Muny Summer Variety Hour Live! will feature footage from past productions presented by the St. Louis institution; it launches July 20 at 9:15pm ET: bit.ly/3esCKoD.

New offerings from Tanglewood include duo pianists Lucas and Arthur Jussen performing Mozart, Schubert, Ravel, and Hanna Kulenty; Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians in recital, performing Gabriela Lena Frank, Ravel, and Loefferl; and Pinchas Zukerman, Amanda Forsyth, and Bryan Wagorn performing Kodály, Glière, Fauré, Paradis, and Beethoven. Details at www.bso.org/Home.

Off Broadway's Transport Group will stream the musical Broadbend, Arkansas July 20 through August 16 at transportgroup.org/, free of charge and with registration at transportgroup.org/broadbend-streaming. In lieu of a ticket fee, Transport Group encourages contributions be made to Black Theatre Network, an organization comprised of artists, educators, scholars, students, and theatre lovers who are dedicated to the exploration and preservation of the theatrical visions of the African Diaspora. The production was seen last season.

For your pleasure:

Bernadette Peters offers Stephen Sondheim's "Not a Day Goes By:" tinyurl.com/yd7vyyl6.

That's all for today. Happy Bastille Day. Stay safe. -- DB

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