COVID-19 Update, September 29, 2020: The One Million Mark

Today's title points to the latest and grimmest milestone of the pandemic, one made even harder to accept by plentiful evidence of a bungled national response, which has done nothing but erode the faith of the public in crucial institutions. Seven months in, we lack a plan. A simple plan, a complex plan, any kind of plan.

The latest:

There are now one million people dead worldwide from COVID-19: tinyurl.com/y2ud5rl6.

The endless political wrangling over the CDC has damaged is credibility when we need it most: tinyurl.com/y32sjjlc. In the latest example, government officials make the CDC play down the risks of sending kids back to school: tinyurl.com/y4zfhm3p. According to a new poll, barely two in 10 Americans would take a first-generation vaccine if the president said it was safe: tinyurl.com/y6oca3wh.

The pandemic is driving a rise in opioid-related deaths in 40 states: tinyurl.com/y5wqeu3q.

The World Health Organization rolls out a plan to distribute rapid COVID-19 tests to poorer countries: tinyurl.com/y2of26up.

Actors' Equity supports a new Senate bill that would provide 100% COBRA health insurance subsidies to workers who have lost coverage during the pandemic: tinyurl.com/yylcj2kt.

Actors' Equity also condemns the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, noting that the Senate can't bring itself to pass a relief bill, but it sure can rush to approve a conservative judge: tinyurl.com/yynhlo4e. Speaking of which, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi makes a new offer: tinyurl.com/y2g2ugzk.

Professional sports teams look to reinvent tailgating more safely for a post-pandemic world: tinyurl.com/y4uakwtb. The Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings shut down temporarily following new clusters of COVID-19 infections: tinyurl.com/y3nkuc97.

Now entering testing is a nasal spray that could halt the coronavirus: tinyurl.com/y4vowaob.

Food for thought:

Here's some hard factual reporting that makes clear the president's notion of a vaccine by Election Day is little more than a pipe dream: tinyurl.com/yxgntws8. Indeed, health experiments estimate that 85 - 90% of the US population is still vulnerable to infection: tinyurl.com/y4am52sy.

Could the pandemic turn Broadway and road houses into acquisition targets? tinyurl.com/y3m9sxoz.

A new study suggests the worst COVID-19 cases happen to patients with genetic defects of compromised immune systems: tinyurl.com/y5lstjr7.

Around the country:

In California:

The governor sees signs of a new surge in infections in the state: tinyurl.com/yxb3yl22.

In Florida:

Officials in the Florida Keys don't understand the governor's order easing restrictions on bars and restaurants: tinyurl.com/yyau78rl. A similar confusion prevails in Miami: tinyurl.com/yyz9ypnr. Even as restrictions are eased, officials in Orange Country are tracking super-spreader events: tinyurl.com/y3w5c4uz.

There won't be any Broadway tours in Orlando until at least April: tinyurl.com/y2of26up.

Carnival tests its new cruise ship, currently scheduled to set sail on February 6: tinyurl.com/yy7jcb2k.

In Illinois:

Chicago's mayor eases restrictions on restaurants, bars, and fitness class sizes: tinyurl.com/yysk3qh9.

In Massachusetts:

After a successful summer, new COVID-19 infections are rising in the state: tinyurl.com/y53e5b7r.

In New York:

New COVID-19 clusters arise in certain areas: tinyurl.com/y262rfg4. The mayor announces fines for those not wearing masks in the affected neighborhoods: tinyurl.com/y6lrw2zu.

As Saturday Night Live returns to Studio 8H, new audience safety protocols are put in place: tinyurl.com/y34x98.

In Wisconsin:

The Milwaukee Rep reaches an agreement with Actors' Equity to start up live performances in December: tinyurl.com/y32la9ha.

Around the world:

In Canada:

Ontario faces a second wave of infections: tinyurl.com/y3yv8rfj.

The Shaw Festival cancels the rest of its 2020 season: tinyurl.com/y35pk3vh.

In Greece:

An attempt at getting cruising going again is halted when 12 crew members test positive: tinyurl.com/y6l7vyoe.

In Italy:

The fashion house Moschino stages the ultimate socially distanced show for Fashion Week, using puppets: tinyurl.com/y5k2ec5e.

In the Netherlands:

Restrictions are tightened as new COVID-19 infections are on the rise: tinyurl.com/y58nvt7y.

In the UK:

Even Boris Johnson can't explain the country's new social restrictions: tinyurl.com/yxemrhuq.

The reopening of The Mousetrap in the West End is postponed: tinyurl.com/y2y26jy9.

Theatre artistic directors weigh in on a terrible year: tinyurl.com/y6o962qv.

Mobilization:

#WeMakeEvents goes global with a new day of action on September 30: tinyurl.com/y54t5kjm.

Education:

From Martin by Harman: "Ideas and Inspiration an Exploration of Creativity with lighting designer Abigail Rosen Holmes," October 13 at 1:00pm, CT; register at tinyurl.com/yxuclfdd.

For your entertainment:

Encore BSO Recitals, presented by Boston Symphony Orchestra, releases at noon Thursday, October 1 -- and is available through Saturday, October 31, features works by Mozart, Schubert, and Daniel Bernard Roumain: www.bso.org.

It's Mozart Week at the Metropolitan Opera streaming service: tinyurl.com/y23ra9ps.

For your pleasure:

Musician's from the Royal Opera House offer Vivaldi's "Concerto for Two Violins:" tinyurl.com/y64nq9s8.

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

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