Monday, April 6th, 2020
Challenging Week, COVID-19 in Animals & Quibi Launches
All the news you need in less than 10 min:
This episode is brought to you by www.Blinkist.com/news
Story Summaries
All the news stories mentioned in today's episode are listed with links below, so you can spend as much -- or as little -- time as you want perusing the latest happenings...
COVID-19 Latest Headlines
The U.S. Surgeon General told Americans to brace for a tough week ahead. He and other top public health officials say they expect U.S. coronavirus deaths to spike in six to nine days. As of early Monday morning, the death toll surpassed 9,600. Dr. Jerome Adams said the epidemic won’t just be localized. The entire country will be affected. Still, he said the public can help save lives through stay-at-home measures and social distancing. Also, the CDC now recommends all Americans wear a cloth covering over their noses and mouths in public. The decision to change that guidance came after research found many infected people don’t have symptoms. Dr. Anthony Fauci says 25-50% of cases could be asymptomatic.
U.S. Case Count: Johns Hopkins, WaPo
Tough 2 Weeks Warning: AP, ABC News, Politico
CDC Recommends Face Coverings: CDC, NPR, CNBC
How-To Make a Face Covering: YouTube
Preparation & Shortages
New York City is still the U.S. epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic. The Pentagon is now sending more than 1,000 military personnel to help NYC. They’ll be working at a convention center that was converted into a field hospital with 2,500 beds. Defense Sec. Mark Esper says eight other field hospitals have opened across the U.S. and 22 more are scheduled to open in coming weeks. There is also a rush to get ventilators to places where they’re most needed. Ventilators arrived in New York City from the state of Oregon, the federal government and China.
Hot Spots Preparation: USA Today, Al Jazeera
Ventilator Shortage: Vox, Forbes
Tiger at U.S. Zoo Gets COVID-19
A tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first known U.S. coronavirus case in an animal. Zoo officials say “Nadia” and five other tigers and lions showed symptoms. All of them are expected to recover. When it comes to home pets, the American Veterinary Medical Association has been recommending anyone with COVID-19 limit contact with their animals. The World Health Organization says even though it may be possible for animals to get it from humans, humans likely can’t get it from their pets.
Read More: Wildlife Conservation Society, Axios, ABC News
Europe Fights COVID-19
Italy’s daily death toll was lower on Sunday than it had been in two weeks. That said, it’s still high. The country has recorded close to 16,000 deaths. Italy’s month-long, nationwide lockdown was supposed to end today, but it won't. The Italian Prime Minister said he’s waiting until public health officials give the all-clear to lift restrictions.
In the UK, the outbreak is still getting worse, and now, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was hospitalized with COVID-19. His office called it a precaution, not an emergency. Also, in a rare, televised address, Queen Elizabeth II spoke to the country, encouraging social distancing. Right now, the 93-year-old appears to be in good health.
Italy Turning Point: The Guardian, ABC News
Boris Johnson Hospitalized: AP, Al Jazeera, The Guardian
Queen Elizabeth Public Address: BBC, Axios
Controversial Firing
President Trump fired an intelligence community inspector general, Michael Atkinson. Last year, Atkinson forwarded a whistleblower complaint to Congress. That move led to an investigation, impeachment and eventually a Senate trial, where Trump was acquitted. President Trump admitted the reason for the firing by saying Atkinson “took a fake report and he brought it to Congress.” Atkinson insists he handled the report properly, following the legal requirements of his job.
Read more: AP, NYT, Washington Post, Politico
2020 Basketball Hall of Fame
Three of the best basketball players of all time are being honored. The 2020 basketball Hall of Fame class was announced over the weekend. It includes retired players Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, as well as Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash earlier this year.
Read More: CBS Sports, ESPN, USA Today
Quibi Launches
The highly-anticipated streaming network Quibi launched today. The name comes from 'quick bites.' All the shows and movies can be watched in segments of no more than 10 minutes. Their programming reportedly falls into three categories: movies split up into chapters, unscripted reality shows and so-called 'daily essentials.' Quibi is only available through an app for smartphones and tablets. If you sign up this month, you can try Quibi free for 90 days. After that, it will cost $5/month with ads or $8/month ad-free.
Read More: Quibi, The Verge, Cnet
Tiger King, Disney Releases
The Tiger King craze may not be over yet. On Twitter, one of the show’s stars revealed there is one more episode in the works. He says it should be released next week, but Netflix hasn’t confirmed or denied.
Also, Disney picked release dates for some of its biggest movies of the year. Mulan, which was supposed to hit theaters last month, will now be released on July 24th. Black Widow will now open November 6th. The film Artemis Fowl will skip the theaters altogether and go straight to Disney+ this summer.
New Tiger King Episode: NBC News, Fox News, Variety
Disney Release Dates: The Verge, Press Release
Pandemic is Making Earth Shake Less
Earth is shaking less during the COVID-19 pandemic. Usually, transportation and human traffic creates seismic noise. That’s actually a subtle vibration of the planet’s crust. Now, since so much of the world has come to a standstill, the seismic noise has gone quiet. Seismologists have already recorded drops in Los Angeles, London and Belgium.
Read More: CNN, CBS News
Monday Monday: How to Use your Stimulus Funds
Millions of Americans are supposed to start receiving stimulus payments this month. Most adults will get a one-time payment, up to $1,200. Yahoo Money says there are smart ways to spend the cash. Of course, if the money is needed to pay your bills, do that; but if you can still maintain your expenses, set the cash aside as a rainy day fund. Other ideas: pay your taxes, pay down debt, or consider donating it.
Read More: Yahoo Money, CNET