Tuesday, May 12th, 2020
Fauci Testimony, Trump Touts Testing & Virtual Pet Adoptions
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 to read the latest happenings...
Health Experts to Testify
America’s top health officials are set to testify on Capitol Hill today. The Senate’s main health committee will hear from leaders of the FDA and CDC, as well as the nation’s testing coordinator, and the top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci. They’ll all be testifying via video conference since three of the four are self-isolating right now. Dr. Fauci told The New York Times he plans to issue a warning about the risks of reopening the country too quickly. It comes as President Trump has been pressing more states to reopen via Twitter.
Read More: NY Times, STAT News, Axios, CBS News
Reopening States & New Hot Spots
Three regions of upstate New York got the go-ahead to partially reopen with restrictions. In New York City, however, things will stay mostly shut down until next month at the earliest. Meanwhile, new hot spots are reportedly emerging in the middle of the country. NBC News got hold of a new, unreleased report from the White House coronavirus task force. It listed 10 places where COVID-19 cases have surged by 72% or greater in 7 days. The biggest spike was in Central City, Kentucky. Other hot spots include Nashville, Tennessee; Des Moines, Iowa; and Amarillo, Texas.
Lifting Restrictions: WSJ, NY Times, Twitter
COVID-19 Rates in Heartland: NBC News
Trump on Testing
The White House revealed a new plan to help states test more people. The federal government plans to provide more swabs and other materials. It will dedicate $11 billion from the ‘Cares Act’ to support testing plans. President Trump’s testing czar also said: “everyone who needs a test can get a test.” That’s reportedly true only if “needs a test” means you either have symptoms or have had contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Read More: NY Times, Politico
White House Mask Rules
There are new requirements at the White House. A memo reportedly told staffers to wear masks at all times while working in the West Wing, unless they’re sitting at their desks. The directive does not apply to President Trump or Vice President Pence. The reason the White House is adding this requirement now is that members of Trump’s inner circle have tested positive for COVID-19, including a White House valet and the Vice President’s press secretary.
Read More: ABC News, WaPo
SCOTUS Takes on Trump Tax Returns
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments related to President Trump’s financial records. Justices need to decide if the president’s tax returns and business data will ever see the light of day. No law says a president has to release tax returns. The issue here is Trump ignored subpoenas to hand them over. The first came from House Democrats, another from Manhattan’s District Attorney. Trump’s lawyers argue, in both cases, Trump has a right to refuse.
Read More: CNN, WSJ
Nebraska Primary Today
The Nebraska primary is today, making it the nation’s first in-person election in more than a month. The state is taking precautions though. Poll workers will get gloves, N95 face masks, and face shields. Voting booths will be cleaned between each use. Mail-in ballots are still an option and three-quarters of voters reportedly requested them, so lines at polling places are expected to be shorter than usual.
Read More: AP, Omaha World-Herald, WOWT
Tesla Defies Orders, Reopens
Electric carmaker, Tesla, is defying lockdown orders to reopen its California factory. Tesla brought its employees back to work yesterday, even though it never got the okay from local health officials. The company already filed a lawsuit against Alameda County, where the Fremont factory is located.
Read More: WaPo, The Verge, Reuters
Airline Passenger Fever Checks
Frontier is the first airline to say passengers will get temperature checks, starting June 1. The budget airline will use contact-free thermometers. Anyone with a temperature above 100.4 won’t be allowed to fly. Meanwhile, the trade group representing other major airlines said it would support fever checks for passengers and employees. However, it would rather the TSA take the lead, not the airlines.
Read More: WaPo, Frontier, Reuters, Bloomberg
Twitter to Label Disputed Tweets
Twitter is trying to do more to slow the spread of misinformation. It’s now putting labels and warnings on tweets with misleading claims about the new coronavirus. Some tweets will have a simple label underneath that links to verified COVID-19 information. Others will be covered entirely with a warning that says the tweet contradicts public health experts. You can still see it if you want to, once you click past the warning. Then, there are others Twitter will remove, like ones that claim to have a bogus COVID-19 cure.
Read More: AP, Engadget, Twitter
Emojis Most-Often Used Now
Certain emoji are getting a lot more popular during the coronavirus pandemic. Emojipedia found the prayer hands emoji was used 25% more in April, compared to last summer. A lot of people use it to give thanks to frontline workers, send prayers, or express gratitude. Emojipedia also found people are using fewer positive or smiley emoji and an increase in the not-so-positive ones. Still, the laughing emoji remained on the top of the list, as it has for the last couple of years.
Read More: CNN, Emojipedia
Meet, Adopt Dogs Via Zoom
Dog food brand, Pedigree, is making it easy to adopt a dog and social distance at the same time. It’s setting up Zoom calls for people to virtually meet shelter dogs and adopt them if they choose. Pedigree will even cover adoption costs. It’s partnering with the Nashville Humane Society this week for the Zoom meet-and-greets. In the future, Pedigree says it will work with other shelters too.
Read More: Mashable, Digital Trends, Pedigree
Talk to Me Tuesday: Reusing Masks
Q: Is it safe to use a disposable medical mask once, put it aside for 2-3 weeks, then reuse it?
A: Virologist Paula Cannon says that’s a good idea since the virus dies over time. She says studies have shown sunlight helps the process, so placing it outside may be especially effective. Epidemiologist Malia Jones agreed, although she also wanted to remind everyone that face masks are not a substitute for other basic health practices. It’s important to wash your hands, and stay home when you’re sick.
Read More: CDC, Today