COVID-19 Update, October 20, 2020: Losing Ground

No major developments today, but around the country -- and the world -- the signs are apparent that the coronavirus is coming roaring back. Now, more than ever, a national policy is needed -- along with a stimulus bill to pay for vaccine distribution. As of today, things are headed in the wrong direction, and there's no plan to deal with that fact.

The latest:

In the absence of a stimulus package -- although hope springs eternal -- billions are lacking for vaccine distribution: tinyurl.com/y52advud.

Independent bookstores struggle to survive in the pandemic: tinyurl.com/yyom77qh.

Food for thought:

Despite what you may have heard, and even as members of the government push the idea of herd immunity, science has yet to discover what COVID-19 immunity means and how long it lasts: tinyurl.com/yyt4swnj.

Around the country:

In California:

A feared surge in new COVID-19 cases hasn't happened, but the governor urges staying the course: tinyurl.com/y2k29kor.

In Connecticut:

Connecticut Flagship Producing Theatres welcome funding assistance from the state: tinyurl.com/y6tlmv9z.

In Florida:

In Orlando, an outdoor theatre is erected downtown, to host a six-month festival: tinyurl.com/y44owbhc.

Strapped for cash and facing debt payments, PortMiami wants to slash rent payments for ships: tinyurl.com/y5k67ksz.

The state adds another 3,662 COVID-19 cases: tinyurl.com/y62rhsea.

In Illinois:

The southern part of the state is put under tighter restrictions: tinyurl.com/y66brn6p.

In Kansas:

A nursing home outbreak kills ten: tinyurl.com/yy5rfgrd.

The AMC Theatres chain warns that it may have to declare bankruptcy if it can't increase its liquidity: tinyurl.com/yyb3neaa.

In Montana:

When local officials don't enforce the state's mask mandate; small businesses get caught in the middle: tinyurl.com/y24kzdjs. The state is currently at the highest number of active COVID-19 infections since the pandemic began: tinyurl.com/y2harb4y.

In New Jersey:

New COVID-19 cases spike sharply, raising fears of "lurch backward:" tinyurl.com/y3lxgz59.

In New York:

In addition to Orthodox Jews, Roman Catholics are angry with the governor for restrictions on religious services: tinyurl.com/y2hyvl7p.

In Ohio:

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park delays its mainstage season until fall 2021: tinyurl.com/y2unexbo. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company follows suit: tinyurl.com/y6m5hoak.

In South Dakota:

The speaker of the state's House of Representatives is seriously ill with COVID-19: tinyurl.com/y245tdul.

In Utah:

The University of Utah hospital is at overcapacity as the state breaks records for new COVID-19 infections: tinyurl.com/yxten3v4.

Around the world:

In Argentina:

The country passes one million COIVD-19 cases. Colombia, Mexico, and Peru aren't far behind: tinyurl.com/yxmkzxft.

In Ireland:

The country goes under a "soft" lockdown, with some exceptions built in: tinyurl.com/y2fbqtnu.

In Poland:

The National Stadium is converted into a COVID-19 field hospital: tinyurl.com/yxqpcy8x.

In Slovenia:

The government issues tight restrictions following a sharp rise in COVID-19 infections: tinyurl.com/y3jaks6z.

In the UK:

Scientists take the risky step of testing vaccines by infecting humans with the coronavirus: tinyurl.com/y489crln.

Education:

From JBL: "Doing a Throw and Go Soundcheck with Mike Sutherland." November 19 at 1:00pm CT; register at tinyurl.com/y628poat. "The Basics of Installation Audio with Jonathan Isaacs," December 3 at 11:00am CT; register at tinyurl.com/y52rms5f.

From Martin by Harman: "Sitting in The Co-Pilot's Chair (The Lighting Programmer and their Relationship with the Lighting Designer) with Rob Halliday," October 21 at 11:00am CT; register at: tinyurl.com/y5c5v33d.

For your entertainment:

From Boston Symphony Orchestra: Encore BSO Recitals new stream features a horn-centric program of Schumann, Dukas, and Mozart, and two compositions by BSO associate principal horn Richard Sebring, his "Awaken! A New Day!" for Alphorns and -- music written in the wake of the killing of George Floyd -- "Listen, to the Cry of Your Fellow Man" with former TMC Fellow and harpist Charles Overton. Available for viewing at www.bso.org beginning Thursday, October 22 at noon through November 19; the Encore BSO Recitals series is offered as a nine-concert series for a donation of $25.

For your pleasure:

Broadway's Keala Settle offers "Being Alive," by Stephen Sondheim: tinyurl.com/y5uq257t.

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

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