Everything You Need To Know About Phase 3 Of Reopening NYC
https://gothamist.com/news/everything-you-need-know-about-phase-3-reopening-nyc
You may have questions about what will reopen in Phase 3, well it will be “Dog runs, Tattoo parlors, Spas, including massage parlors, Personal care salons (hair salons reopened in Phase 2, but Phase 3 will see the reopening of nail salons, tanning salons), The Parks Department is reopening basketball, handball, tennis, bocce and volleyball courts and Regular rush hour service will resume on the Staten Island Ferry.”
Back to school? Any NYC family can opt for full-time remote learning this fall
https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2020/7/2/21311569/nyc-opt-for-full-time-remote-learning
With so much uncertainty with the COVID cases increasing a lot of families are wondering if schools will reopen. Well, “New York City families will be able to keep their children home this fall and opt for a full remote school schedule regardless of medical need, education department officials.”
Despite Governor Ducey's closure order, some Arizona gyms and fitness centers remain open
“Despite an executive order to close for at least the next month, a handful of gyms, boutique fitness centers, and clubs in Arizona remained open.”
Restaurant dining rooms, wineries, card rooms to close for at least three weeks in 19 California counties
With the increase in COVID cases, “Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday ordered tougher restrictions on indoor activities for most of the state, marking a major step backward in the reopening and an attempt to slow an alarming rise of the coronavirus in 19 counties.”
Valley wineries ordered to close indoor operations, while Governor's winery remains open
Due to the increase in COVID cases, “Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered certain businesses across 19 counties in California to scale down their operations”... in response to the growing daily number of novel coronavirus cases (COVID-19) in recent weeks. Those counties included Fresno, Kern, Kings, Merced and Tulare in the Central Valley.” However, the governor's winery stayed open despite all the closure.
Up to 300 Million People May Be Infected by Covid-19, Stanford Guru John Ioannidis Says
“Leading epidemiologist Dr. John Ioannidis of Stanford University estimates that about 150-300 million or more people have already been infected by COVID-19 around the world, far more than the 10 million documented cases.” This shows that there are people who may not show symptoms but have passed it on to individuals who do end up getting the symptoms that are deadly.
Some US states return to previous restrictions to slow surge of coronavirus cases
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/29/health/us-coronavirus-monday/index.html
“At least 16 states have paused or rolled back their reopening plans as the United States sees a surge in coronavirus cases across the country.” This surge can potentially impact the economy of those states and affect the monthly jobs report.
McDonald’s is halting its U.S. reopening plans as coronavirus cases spike
With so many states imposing restrictions, companies such as “McDonald’s is pausing its U.S. reopening plans for 21 days as coronavirus cases spike across the country.”
At least 21 states pause reopening or take new steps to limit the spread of COVID-19
“Governors and other state leaders grappled with plans to reopen their economies – or slow them down again – after a Fourth of July weekend where celebrations ignoring social distancing guidelines led the news. Among measures on the table: shutting down high-capacity businesses such as bars and gyms, halting elective surgeries and requiring people to wear masks.” States are taking the necessary precautions in limiting the spread of COVID-19.
DeSantis: Florida 'not going back' on coronavirus reopening, despite new case surge
“Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that the state will not reimpose sweeping shutdowns amid rising coronavirus infections, saying that going back to lockdowns would cripple the economy without saving lives.” States such as Florida will need to make decisions in handling the spread of COVID while also making sure that they can restart their economies.
Coronavirus infections tumble after lockdown relaxed (UK)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/07/01/coronavirus-infections-tumble-lockdown-relaxed/
“Significant drop in cases raises questions over need for local lockdowns, with rate of infection already falling in Leicester.”
Young Americans Are Partying Hard and Spreading Covid-19 Quickly
Most young adults seem to ignore social distancing and that is causing Covid-19 to quickly spread. “At the start of the pandemic, young people were told to stay at home as an act of selflessness: Do it for dad. For grandma. For your neighbor. Then states started reopening and, almost instantly, photos began circulating of packed clubs and crowded restaurants. There were massive street protests over police brutality and racial injustice. Case counts soared to record levels.”
Why Covid herd immunity could be ‘twice as high as first thought’
According to, “two new scientific studies have offered some much-needed hope in the battle against Covid-19, by suggesting that immunity to the disease may be much higher than previously thought.” This shows that with herd immunity people will be immune to COVID-19. Indeed, “public immunity could be as much as twice that found in antibody tests, meaning infection hotspots such as London could be further along the path to herd immunity than thought”, says The Telegraph.
Coronavirus: Immunity may be more widespread than tests suggest
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-53248660
According to a recent study “People testing negative for coronavirus antibodies may still have some immunity.” “For every person testing positive for antibodies, two were found to have specific T-cells which identify and destroy infected cells.” People will become more immune to the coronavirus than expected from the testing.
COVID-19 patients can lose smell for weeks: Should 'smell tests' be part of screening?
https://www.today.com/health/coronavirus-smell-t185821
According to a study that, “ senses return within a month for most people, some can struggle with the unsettling changes for longer.” The loss of smell or taste has emerged as a common symptom in patients with mild cases of COVID-19.
Oxford epidemiologist pushes herd immunity
“Sunetra Gupta, professor of theoretical epidemiology in the Department of Zoology at the University of Oxford, says Australia is adopting a “selfish’’ and “self-congratulatory’’ approach which is misguided and will have negative long-term consequences and urged the country to look at the latest evidence to decide its tactics…. She said if the Australian government changed its approach and let the virus — which 80 to 90 per cent of the population will only get asymptomatically — spread naturally, with intense protections for those most vulnerable, it would in the long term help protect all of Australians from future viral threats and also avoid the most damaging short-term economic impacts for the underprivileged.”
Cases and Deaths
Source: CovidTracking.com
COVID % of Weekly U.S. Deaths
Source: CDC Provisional Death Data
COVID Fatalities update in AZ
Source: Arizona DHS
Texas COVID cases Peak
People viewpoints on wearing masks
Source: Morning Consult
Projected vs. Actual Death from COVID 19 in Sweden
All-cause fatality in Sweden over time
US COVID Deaths and Cases
Coronavirus: Czechs hold 'farewell party' for pandemic
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53244688
Even though the pandemic is not under control, the Czech Republic managed to control it. “A party has been held to give the coronavirus a "symbolic farewell".
However, the “World Health Organization (WHO) warned this week that the pandemic was not even close to being over.”
Tokyo Disney parks reopen after 4-month closure due to coronavirus
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/tokyo-disneyland-reopening-coronavirus-intl-hnk/index.html
“All of Disney's Asia parks have now officially reopened, with Tokyo Disney Resort welcoming visitors to its two theme parks from July 1.”
As Delhi becomes India's coronavirus capital, its hospitals are struggling to cope
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/25/india/delhi-hospital-crisis-coronavirus-hnk-intl/index.html
Delhi is the worst hit in coronavirus cases, “Delhi surpassed Mumbai's Covid-19 tally -- becoming India's worst-hit city.” It has so far recorded 70,390 cases of the virus and 2,365 deaths. The hospitals are struggling to deal with the number of cases.
China suspends imports from two additional meat plants in Brazil amid coronavirus fears
Due to the increase in coronavirus cases in Brazil, “China has halted imports from two pork plants in Brazil as it cracks down on meat shipments amid renewed fears over COVID-19.”
Only 9% of Brazil's COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic, study shows
“Less than 10% of people infected with the novel coronavirus in Brazil were asymptomatic and the majority of those who tested positive for the COVID-19 respiratory disease had mild symptoms, a survey of almost 90,000 people from all regions.”
Brazil restricts foreigners entry due to COVID-19
“Brazil’s government will restrict the entrance of foreigners to the country for 30 days due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.”
'Sending the population to the slaughterhouse': Restaurants and bars open in Rio, as experts warn worst is yet to come
https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/02/americas/brazil-coronavirus-restaurants-rio-intl/index.html
“Like many cities in Brazil, under pressure from growing unemployment and a tanking economy, Rio de Janeiro is relaxing restrictions -- despite warnings from experts that the city has so far failed to bring Covid-19 under control.”
Australian city ordered into lockdown again as coronavirus cases surge
https://www.foxnews.com/world/australia-melbourne-lockdown-coronavirus-surge
Due to coronavirus, Melbourne was ordered into a lockdown. “Residents of the city and several surrounding towns must stay in their homes for six weeks, except for essential reasons such as work, exercise, food shopping and health care.”
As Coronavirus Surges in U.S., Some Countries Have Just About Halted It
“Aside from restrictions covering large gatherings, Estonia has now lifted almost all the measures it put in place to suppress transmission of the virus since declaring a nationwide emergency in early March, said Maris Jesse, Estonia’s deputy secretary-general for health. Estonians like to joke that, in common with their equally taciturn neighbors in Finland, they are looking forward to the day when they no longer need to observe a two-meter distance from each other in public places.”
The Fullest Look Yet at the Racial Inequity of Coronavirus
Coronavirus has disproportionately impacted Black and Latino people due to inequities in the health system and the bias that exists. “Black and Latino people have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus in a widespread manner that spans the country, throughout hundreds of counties in urban, suburban and rural areas, and across all age groups.”
Coronavirus could cause 35,000 extra UK cancer deaths, experts warn
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-53300784
The coronavirus pandemic causes people to delay getting the necessary screenings. “Delays to cancer diagnosis and treatment due to coronavirus could cause thousands of excess deaths in the UK within a year, research suggests.”
Dr. Atlas: New coronavirus cases should not be the focus -- it should be hospitalizations, deaths
https://www.foxnews.com/media/scott-atlas-new-coronavirus-cases-hospitalizations-deaths-focus
With the increase in coronavirus, many people experience mild symptoms and the focus should be on the hospitalizations and deaths. “The newer hotspots of Florida and Texas, the median age of those infected has varied from under 30 to about 40 -- and those flareups mean little, so long as those hardier folks recover as they would from any other virus or disease.”
Here’s why the unemployment rate is so important
“The unemployment rate isn’t as good a measure of hardship as it generally is due to additional financial relief many are receiving. But that aid expires after July.”
Is the Media Creating Division on COVID-19 Health Practices?
https://news.gallup.com/poll/312749/media-creating-division-covid-health-practices.aspx
“A partisan gap in attitudes and self-reported behaviors has existed since March and is growing larger. A significant contributor to this widening gap seems to be Americans' news media diet (determined by the top news sources people use) -- lending support to the thesis that public health issues have become the newest extension of an ongoing culture war waged daily by partisan news outlets.”
Officials in Texas' big cities say their public testing sites are being strained. Austin has begun to limit who can be tested.
https://www.texastribune.org/2020/06/29/coronavirus-testing-austin-dallas-houston/
Texas has limited resources in terms of testing, in which “Austin won't give tests to people who are asymptomatic. Dallas and Houston officials said their facilities reached capacity in the middle of the day.”
The Science of Mask-Wearing Hasn’t Changed. So Why Have Our Expectations?
“Yes, the CDC now recommends cloth face coverings, the surgeon general starred in a video showing how to make them, and many businesses, and even cities, require them.”
This New Coronavirus Wave Isn’t Like the Old Wave
“Arizona, Florida and Texas aren’t facing the same conditions as New York did in its Covid-19 outbreak.”
The Mask Debate Isn’t Just About Saving Face. Adults Who Wear Them and Those Who Don’t Explain Why.
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends it. President Donald Trump has refused to wear one in public. Some Republican lawmakers have mocked them, while nearly all Democratic lawmakers and a growing number of GOP officials are encouraging their constituents to don one. Every other day, a new report goes viral showing maskless patrons visibly upset after being denied access or services at certain businesses that mandate their use.” Due to differences in viewpoints there are groups of people who are for and against wearing masks.
COVID test positivity is not a meaningful statistic because not all negatives are reported
“The percentage of positive tests has been used throughout the pandemic as a measurement of community spread, with most public health authorities agreeing that it is best to keep that rate below 10% (with 5% being even better).”
Fauci omits context, feeds alarm with warning of 100,000 coronavirus infections a day
“Estimates by other U.S. public health authorities and academic researchers indicate we may have already far surpassed 100,000 new infections per day, the vast majority of them mild and/or asymptomatic.”
Is the Media Creating Division on COVID-19 Health Practices?
https://news.gallup.com/poll/312749/media-creating-division-covid-health-practices.aspx
“Most Americans continue to embrace practices to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Yet, a partisan gap in attitudes and self-reported behaviors has existed since March and is growing larger. A significant contributor to this widening gap seems to be Americans' news media diet (determined by the top news sources people use) -- lending support to the thesis that public health issues have become the newest extension of an ongoing culture war waged daily by partisan news outlets.”