COVID-19 Update, November 19, 2020: The Quarter Million

There are now 250,000 people dead in the US from COVID-19. More in fact. Let that sink in. The consequences of these losses are far-reaching. In addition to the grief they cause, they tear at the social fabric. There's more good vaccine news today, but more must be done in the near-term to stave off disaster.

The latest:

The number of COVID-19 deaths in the US has now passed 250,000: tinyurl.com/y274q5sg. And still people ignore the risks, refusing to take simple safety measures: tinyurl.com/y2meqwz6.

"Overwhelmed hospitals are converting chapels, cafeterias, waiting rooms, hallways, even a parking garage into patient treatment areas. Staff members are desperately calling around to other medical centers in search of open beds. Fatigue and frustration are setting in among front-line workers:" tinyurl.com/y438fx6k.

Testing sites are overwhelmed as people trying to get clearance for Thanksgiving family gatherings: tinyurl.com/y6kcqwcc. The CDC urges people not to travel for Thanksgiving: tinyurl.com/y5rpfjsy.

COVID-19 deaths are creating a teacher shortage: tinyurl.com/y3k5yugd.

The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is also showing a strong response especially in older adults who are most at risk for COVID-19: tinyurl.com/y5m82f4x.

New unemployment claims hit 740,000, slightly worse than expected: tinyurl.com/y3d9qvfn.

The relationship between Scott Atlas and other White House health staff breaks down, leaving both sides working at cross purposes: tinyurl.com/y3p9raqk.

Millions of Americans now have phone access to free, anonymous coronavirus exposure notifications: tinyurl.com/y3nj99l4.

Governors are faced with a deluge of suits from conservatives who disagree with social restrictions: tinyurl.com/y2butjq3.

In a potentially seismic change to the film industry, Wonder Woman 1984 will be released in theatres and on HBO MAX on the same day: tinyurl.com/y4x3pmoa.

Panic buying is back, although this time retailers say they're up to the challenge: tinyurl.com/y4n9zcmx.

Around the country:

In California:

The governor gets called out for setting a bad example, dining out unmasked: tinyurl.com/y42h3f78.

In the District of Columbia:

The Kennedy Center cancels its season through April 25; the KC Honors are still on, but in a different format: tinyurl.com/y54xxkqy.

In Florida:

The state reports 7,925 new cases; more than 900,000 have been infected so far: tinyurl.com/y6n6l9j4.

In an indication of how widespread the coronavirus has become in Miami-Dade, out of 898 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past week. 471 were admitted for other reasons: tinyurl.com/yyjwhfs8.

Five mayors from Broward and Miami-Dade Counties ask the governor for a statewide mask mandate and more freedom to impose social restrictions: tinyurl.com/y5zpuq88.

Miami teachers and school board members demand better and more effective COVID-19 protocols: tinyurl.com/yxb4zp4q.

In Illinois:

On the same day the state records another 8,922 new cases it also passes 11,000 deaths: tinyurl.com/y6d6b3gy.

The new surge hits retailers with new restrictions as the holiday shopping season begins: tinyurl.com/y2pnsa5r.

In Kansas:

The state reports 5,853 new cases; the governor imposes as statewide mask mandate: tinyurl.com/y2tg345t.

In Massachusetts:

The state announces a plan for rapid COVID-19 testing in schools: tinyurl.com/y5rpymqe.

In Nevada:

The Las Vegas Raiders' Clelin Ferrell tests positive, sidelining him from Sunday's game: tinyurl.com/y2tal63h.

In New York:

New York City schools will close for in-person learning, thanks to a spike in COVID-19 cases: tinyurl.com/yyvlh9oh.

Food for thought:

College students are being urged to take COVID-19 tests before heading home for the holidays, but given the detectability time lag following infection, they still pose a risk to their loved ones: tinyurl.com/yx9v65en.

Mobilization:

The group Be an #Arts Hero amasses 16,000 signatures on an open letter urging Congress to provide relief for individual arts workers and arts organizations: tinyurl.com/y53p2xsp.

For your pleasure:

The unlikely team of Patti LuPone and Yo-Yo Ma team up for "Unexpressed," by John Bucchino: tinyurl.com/y49l5oqv.

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

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