COVID-19 Update, July 23, 2020: Groundhog Day

Today's title is a reference to a comment made by a frustrated public health administrator (see link below) but it could stand in for the entire pandemic in the US: Each day, cases go up, equipment runs low, the economy falters, and leaders vacillate. Pray for an effective vaccine.

The latest:

New unemployment claims reach a higher-than-expected 1.4 million: cnb.cx/2ZTs7Hm.

"It's like Groundhog Day," says one public health administrator as labs across the country once again run out key supplies: nyti.ms/2WRpJii.

A new study shows that anywhere from two to 13 times as many people have been infected with the coronavirus; these asymptomatic cases are probably responsible for COVID-19's spread: bit.ly/2ZT9HGN.

The GOP eyes reducing enhanced unemployment from $600 a week to $100 a week: cnb.cx/2WSp9RE.

Whatever else is in the stimulus bill, the president's proposed payroll tax cut won't be: wapo.st/39lc48c.

Can you get COVID-19 twice? Probably not: nyti.ms/3eYgVgS.

The president wants schools to reopen in the fall, but only one in ten American agree: bit.ly/32JD8wR.

Around the country:

In Arkansas:

Goodbye, Black Friday? Walmart rethinks its plans for the holiday shopping season: bit.ly/30K31K6.

In California:

The state reports 12,807 new cases, a record: abc30.tv/2OPmN1l.

One reason the state is on the verge of shutdown can be found in Huntington Beach, where masks are disregarded: bit.ly/3jvGARv.

Two state universities plan to start the fall semester with online classes: bit.ly/2WP58LG.

In Florida:

The state adds 10,249 new cases and a record 173 deaths: bit.ly/2ON0Y2B.

The lag time for coronavirus test gets worse in South Florida: tinyurl.com/y3oh43r2.

Hospitals in the southern part of the state scramble to shore up staff and equipment: hrld.us/30JCwEE.

The governor sees encouraging signs in terms of caseload: bit.ly/3hAcpqN.

The governor also backpedals, giving local school boards a say in deciding whether to reopen for first-person learning: hrld.us/2OPUQGK.

In Kansas:

With Tenet off the release schedule, AMC cinemas delay reopening, to mid-to-late August: bit.ly/32NyQof.

In New York:

IATSE releases its safety measures for reopened theatres; the story contains a link, allowing you to download the document: bit.ly/2D50Mc7.

Lightfair adds new safety protocols for its return to New York in May 2021: bit.ly/30AQPvg.

Around the world:

In Brazil:

The president remains in isolation, having tested positive for the coronavirus for a third time: bit.ly/30IwhRp.

Meanwhile, the country reports 68,000 new cases in a day: bit.ly/30Fm9Jd.

In Canada:

The Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, has issued the following statement: "Based on the Province of Ontario's framework for reopening businesses and the further extension of the State of Emergency, it is clear that the Shaw Festival (www.shawfest.com/) is not able to proceed with the season as scheduled. As a result, The Shaw must cancel all performances and public events through September 15. The further delay has forced the Festival to cancel most of the 2020 productions. All 2020 performances of Gypsy, The Devil's Disciple, Sherlock Holmes and The Raven's Curse, Prince Caspian, The Playboy of the Western World, Assassins, Desire Under the Elms, Trouble in Mind, and Me and My Girl are cancelled. Performances of Charley's Aunt, Flush, and A Christmas Carol after September 16 have not yet been cancelled in the hopes that The Shaw can safely welcome audiences into reduced-capacity theatres. The Festival will announce details of protocols and safety measures in the coming weeks, in conjunction with guidance from Public Health and the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake."

In the UK:

A bipartisan report by members of Parliament offers scathing criticism of the government's lack of support for the arts sector in the pandemic, makes many recommendations that industry members will welcome: tinyurl.com/y3dhvx79.

A new musical will open in London, with socially distanced audiences and daily rapid-response testing for everyone in the company: tinyurl.com/y63scenq.

Training:

Just Add Power, a provider of video-over-IP distribution, announced that the company is now offering webinars on demand via registration through its website. For dealers with questions on Just Add Power and its products, the personalized webinars allow them to conveniently get answers, on their schedule. To schedule a webinar, dealers can visit www.justaddpower.com/webinar-registration.html, select the date and time they'd like to meet with Just Add Power, and click on "confirm." After adding any guests and making note of the questions they have, the request is sent to Just Add Power. Once the company receives the request, a team member will contact the dealer with a link for the online meeting.

Entertainment:

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Judy Collins hosts a Live with Carnegie Hall episode on Thursday, July 30 at 2:00pm EDT joined by special guests, Shawn Colvin, Alan Cumming, Steve Earle, and Jimmy Webb for a discussion and performance of both original songs as well works by Stephen Sondheim. It's on Carnegie Hall's webpage, as well as the Hall's www.Facebook.com/carnegiehall and www.youtube.com/carnegiehall pages. A schedule of upcoming episodes and archived programs available for on-demand viewing can be found on www.carnegiehall.org/live and www.carnegiehall.org/learn.

For your pleasure:

The great Annie Ross, who left us yesterday, offers her signature tune, "Twisted." That's Count Basie at the piano and Tony Bennett looking on: bit.ly/3fZv2nu.

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

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