Monday, April 20th, 2020
Testing Roadblocks, Stay-at-Home Protests & New Wedding Rules
All the news you need in less than 10 min:
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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 reviewing the latest happenings...
Easing Lockdowns, Testing Needed
The number of COVID-19 deaths topped 40,000 in the U.S., but the spread of the virus appears to be slowing in some states. Still, easing social distancing restrictions won’t be easy. The head of the World Health Organization warned countries if they ease their lockdowns, they need to be ready to respond to the second round of COVID-19 cases. That means, they need to detect, isolate and care for every case. Vice President Pence insists the U.S. has enough testing to start reopening, but Democratic and Republican governors say they don’t have enough supplies. More swabs are likely to be on the market soon though. President Trump says he’ll use the Defense Production Act to order a company to make more swabs. It could mean labs will get at least 10 million swabs a month.
Cases & Death Toll: Johns Hopkins
W.H.O. on Easing Lockdowns: UN, Bloomberg
Testing Debate: COVID Tracking, NY Times, Politico
Testing Swabs: CNN, The Hill
Stay-at-Home Protests
Thousands of protesters rallied over the weekend, demanding an end to stay-at-home orders. Many of them were upset about the economic impact, saying they can’t afford to live under restrictions much longer. However, that’s not how most Americans feel. Two recent polls found about 60% of U.S. voters worry about the country reopening too quickly. In some states though, the process has already started. Parks reopen in Texas today and beaches reopened in Florida over the weekend.
Protests Against Restrictions: NY Times, Reuters
States Starting to Reopen: USA Today, FOX News
Money Needed for Small Businesses
Small business owners are furious to learn more publicly traded corporations and chain restaurants received government assistance. Meanwhile, the program meant for small businesses ran out of money. So far, the Trump administration hasn’t commented on how big businesses may have been able to claim the money. Still, another bill is in the works to replenish the fund. The measure would also include funding for hospitals and more COVID-19 testing kits. President Trump says a compromise could be announced today.
Small Businesses Denied PPP: WSJ, FOX Business, CNN
Next Relief Bill Progress: AP, WaPo
Canada Mass Shooting
The world is mourning the deaths of at least 16 people who were killed in a mass shooting in Canada over the weekend. The gunman, dressed as a police officer, went on a 12-hour shooting rampage in several parts of Nova Scotia. He is now dead. At this point, there’s no apparent motive or link between the shooter and his victims.
Tragedy Remembrance
People are taking the time to remember America’s deadliest homegrown terror attack. Yesterday marked 25 years since 168 people were killed in the Oklahoma City bombing. Hundreds more were hurt. Most events commemorating the attack were canceled, but local TV stations broadcast an hour-long remembrance video.
We are also remembering the Deepwater Horizon explosion, which happened 10 years ago today. On April 20, 2010, a drilling rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. It caused a leak that wasn’t fixed for five months. Eventually, it became the largest oil spill in U.S. history.
Canada Mass Shooting: BBC, Reuters
25 Years Since OKC Bombing: NY Times, Oklahoman
Biden Wins Wyoming
Former Vice President Joe Biden won the Wyoming Democratic caucuses. He secured about 72% of the vote. The other 28% went to U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, even though he dropped out nearly two weeks ago. Some people may have voted for him before he suspended his campaign, though, since Wyoming held voting by mail-in ballots only.
Read More: CNN, WSJ
Honoring Fallen Athletes
At this weekend’s draft, the WNBA took the time to honor three teenagers who died in a helicopter crash alongside NBA legend Kobe Bryant. His daughter, Gigi Bryant, as well as Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester, were on their school’s basketball team together and dreamed of playing for the WNBA. So they were all named honorary draft picks. Then, the WNBA introduced the “Kobe and Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award.” Each year, it will honor advocates and influencers who raise awareness of the game. The WNBA was virtual this year due to the outbreak.
WNBA Honorary Draft Picks: ESPN, NBC News, LA Times
Kobe and Gigi Advocacy Award: WNBA, Yahoo Sports
Big Companies Fighting COVID-19
There’s a new tracking tool from the founders of Instagram. Rt.live shows how quickly, or slowly, the virus is spreading within each state. It tracks how many people a sick person ends up infecting, depending on population and restrictions.
Also, Google is making it easier for people to find testing locations. Now, anytime someone searches “COVID-19,” a testing lab pops up on the left side of the screen.
Rite Aid is adding new drive-thru testing sites today. They’re opening in Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey and New York. People won’t need a doctor’s note, but they’ll be required to sign up in advance. For people who qualify, the test will be free.
Instagram Founders COVID Tracker: Rt Live, TechCrunch, The Verge
Googling Testing Centers: Engadget, The Verge
Rite Aid New Testing Sites: USA Today, CNN, Press Release
Wedding Plans Revamped
New York’s governor signed an executive order letting clerks officiate weddings over video conferences. New Yorkers can also now get their marriage licenses remotely. A lot of couples have been out of luck since the coronavirus pandemic forced non-essential offices, like marriage bureaus, to close.
Also, Busch beer is giving away a year of free beer to 250 engaged couples impacted by the pandemic. Read below for the giveaway requirements and rules.
New York Relaxes Wedding Rules: Engadget, CBS News, NY Gov
Free Busch Beer Wedding Gift: CNN, Twitter, Busch
Netflix Free Documentaries
Netflix is letting people watch some of its acclaimed documentaries for free. It put ten of them up on YouTube. The company says it’s doing it mainly to help out teachers, who might want to use educational movies in their lesson plans. Netflix even has free teaching materials on the website that go with the docs, and it plans to hold Q&A sessions with the people behind them.
Read More: The Verge, Press Release
Monday Monday - Payment Problems
The IRS reportedly sent about 80 million people their relief payments last week. Now, some Americans are complaining they haven’t received theirs, even though they thought they’d be among the first to get them. The Washington Post says there are a few reasons that could be the case:
1. The IRS might not have your direct deposit info, in which case, you’d get a paper check in the mail instead. Those start going out today.
2. Your bank is taking a little longer to process it.
3. The IRS may have deposited your money into the wrong account. The IRS says it’s working to sort that issue out now.
Read More: Check Status with IRS, Forbes, Washington Post, CNBC