COVID-19 Update: July 31, 2020: Take Action Now, Part II

It's time to act again. As you know, negotiations are stalled on the new COVID-19 relief bill and the clock has run out on current unemployment benefits. Congress has adjourned for a long weekend, and there is considerable infighting on the GOP side of the aisle. It is vitally important that you reach out to your senators and congresspersons. As Michael Strickland, of Bandit Lites, has repeatedly noted, numbers count and they lead to real results: The more our legislators hear from us, the more likely they are to craft bills that will meet our specific needs with relief that will last through the end of the year. Go to bit.ly/3fi2eFq and find a template, created by the staff of NAMM, for writing Congress. (Note: Contact your elected representatives only.) You can personalize it any way you want. The link also includes information about accessing your legislators. This is a time-sensitive request, so do it ASAP. Again, the link is bit.ly/3fi2eFq.

The latest:

Throwing a curveball, the president signals his willingness to cut a stimulus deal that leaves out liability protection for employers. This is something of a slap to the GOP; is it real? wapo.st/2DrL4ba.

The US strikes a deal with French pharmaceutical company Sanofi and its British partner GSK on development of a vaccine: wapo.st/3flvw65.

New research indicates children may carry the coronavirus at very high levels: nyti.ms/3jS1j26.

A study, taken from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, offers new insights into aerosol transmission: nyti.ms/30epHmI.

Food for thought:

Why a vaccine might not be a cure-all: bit.ly/3ghxDcp.

Why contact tracing is failing in many states: nyti.ms/39IA7hG.

Around the country:

In California:

As the pandemic waxes, testing efforts wane: bit.ly/39IO27r.

A San Diego gym that stayed open in defiance of public health orders is now the site of a COVID-19 outbreak: bit.ly/3184s5c.

Actor Bryan Cranston reveals the details of his recent COVID-19 infection: tinyurl.com/yxo3mcqp.

In Florida:

The daily toll: 9,007 new infections and 257 deaths; the latter is another record: bit.ly/2EwxnZa.

As if the state didn't have enough problems, there's hurricane headed its way: bit.ly/30dYFvW.

The governor extends a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until September 1: bit.ly/2BPNYGy.

The number of Miami Marlins testing positive is now 19: hrld.us/2PeMzwm.

Norwegian Cruise Lines cancels all cruises until November: hrld.us/2Xei8uu.

In a good sign, hospital stays in Central Florida are declining: bit.ly/3ghwa5T.

In Hawaii:

The state records 124 new cases, a daily high: bit.ly/2P9KGkx.

In Maryland:

The state reports 1,000 news cases for the third time this week: bit.ly/2Pf7U8R.

In Massachusetts:

The Boston Symphony Orchestra cancels its fall concert season: wbur.fm/3jWI8nS.

Barrington Stage Company moves its Equity-approved production of Harry Clarke outdoors: bit.ly/2BKJoJu.

In Mississippi:

The state posts 1,775 new infections and 28 deaths, a daily record: bit.ly/33hxP7Z.

Seventy-one of the states 82 counties are now coronavirus red zones: bit.ly/33aWIlO.

In Missouri:

The state posts 2,000 cases, a new daily record: bit.ly/39I1SqC.

Two members of the St. Louis Cardinals test positive for the coronavirus: bit.ly/39R1feA.

In New York:

Broadway workers, facing months of unemployment, scramble for jobs and review their options: bit.ly/30dEGNV.

The city's taxi fleet, already hit hard by Uber, Lyft, and predatory lending, is on the ropes, thanks to the pandemic: bit.ly/33gd38K.

In Ohio:

The state posts 1,733 new cases, a daily record: bit.ly/3jXHZka.

Around the world:

In Brazil: The president says he has "mold" in his lungs as his wife tests positive for the coronavirus: cnn.it/30ecFpn.

In Greece:

The country's theatre industry is on the brink of collapse: tinyurl.com/y6pyao68.

In Saudi Arabia:

The hajj in the age of the pandemic is quite a different thing: bit.ly/3jROR2m.

In the UK:

Professionals from across the global concert touring industry have joined forces to form the PSA Tour Production Group (PSA TPG), in order to provide a unified response to the impact of COVID-19 on live music events: bit.ly/339xhRH.

Ambassador Theatre Group lays off 1,200: tinyurl.com/y4u43fk4.

Entertainment:

Ed Harris, Jane Krakowski, and Amy Madigan will star in a reading of Beth Henley's The Jacksonian on August 27; it's a benefit for the New Group: bit.ly/3hUHZ2C.

For your pleasure:

Quentin Garzón and Adam Jacobs, of the new West End musical Prince of Egypt, offer "Make It Right:" bit.ly/2XcE6y8.

That's all for today. Have a good weekend. Stay safe. Write to Congress. -- DB

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