Tuesday, May 19th, 2020
Promising Vaccine Offers Hope, Trump Taking Unproven Drug & Record Bid for MJ’s Sneakers
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...
Promising Vaccine Results
One COVID-19 vaccine candidate is showing promising results. So far, researchers tested it on 45 people and found the vaccine is safe, so the patients were able to tolerate it without severe side-effects. Phase 1 went well enough that it got approved to move onto phase 2. That’s expected to begin soon with about 600 patients. This is the first American-made vaccine to make it this far. The NIH is leading the research on this vaccine from Moderna. The drugmaker says if the next trial phases are successful, a vaccine could be available by early 2021. This news helped the biggest rebound on Wall Street in 6 weeks.
Read More: NBC News, Stat, WaPo, Forbes, Moderna
Stock Market Surge: Axios, AP
Trump Taking Hydroxychloroquine
President Trump told reporters he’s been taking Hydroxychloroquine as a way to prevent COVID-19. However, the drug has not been approved for that purpose. The FDA warns against taking it outside a hospital or clinical trial since it could cause heart problems. President Trump asked the White House doctor if he could take it, and got approval. He says he’s still in good health and continues to test negative for COVID-19.
Read More: ABC News, WSJ, AP, WH Physician Letter, FDA
W.H.O. Annual Meeting
The World Health Assembly started on Monday amid controversy. China announced it would donate $2 billion over the next two years to support coronavirus response efforts. However, some American officials reportedly believe China is trying to avoid scrutiny. President Trump says the U.S. is thinking about permanently cutting off funding for the World Health Organization. He says the organization is being controlled by China. Meanwhile, the W.H.O. agreed to an independent review of its pandemic response.
Read More: WSJ, Reuters, Axios, NY Times
Comparing COVID-19 to Flu
A new study found the new coronavirus kills, on average, 20 times more people than the seasonal flu, even when the flu is at its peak. The report was drafted by doctors from Harvard and Emory Universities, comparing weekly death tolls. As of this morning, more than 90,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. since February.
Read More: Newsweek, JAMA
Case Count, Death Toll: Johns Hopkins
Mental Health Messages
It’s Mental Health Awareness month here in the U.S. and Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK. Yesterday, Prince William, Duchess Kate, and a handful of other celebrities took to the radio. They urged people who are feeling overwhelmed to reach out for help. Meanwhile, Instagram is launching well-being guides. Also, a new wellness section is about to be available on Instagram’s “Explore” tab.
Celebs Mental Health Minute: USA Today, Vanity Fair
Instagram’s New Wellness Tool: ABC News, Engadget, Instagram
Disney Exec Joins Tik Tok
A businessman who helped Disney get into the streaming world is leaving to become the CEO of Tik Tok. That executive, Kevin Mayer, is seemingly leaving at the right time since the short-form video app is booming. Still, U.S. lawmakers have been wary of the app and worry about surveillance, since it’s owned by a Chinese company. So, Tik Tok could reportedly benefit from appointing an American CEO from a family-friendly brand like Disney.
Read More: CNN, Engadget, AP
Uber Laying Off More Employees
Uber is having to make another round of job cuts. It slashed another 3,000 jobs, just a couple weeks after laying off 3,700 employees. The rideshare company has had a tough time making money during the pandemic. The Wall Street Journal reports rides were down 80% in April, compared to a year earlier.
Read More: Engadget, WSJ
J.C. Penney Future
J.C. Penney filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy Friday. It says it will permanently close nearly 250 stores over the next 2 years. Still, there could be a future for the company online. Amazon is reportedly in talks to buy J.C. Penny. Women’s Wear Daily says Amazon has a team visiting J.C. Penney headquarters this week, but so far, neither company has made a formal announcement.
30 Percent of Stores Closing: USA Today, CNN
Amazon/J.C. Penney Talks: FOX Business, WWD
NFL Reopening Training Facilities
Some NFL teams will start to reopen their training facilities today. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has given all 32 teams the go-ahead, but with stipulations. For example, only 75 people are allowed inside at a time. Coaches and most players are still banned. They will only be open to rehabbing players.
Read More: AP, ESPN
Bull Riding to Return with Fans
Bull riding might be the first professional sport to allow fans in the stands. It will let people into a July event in South Dakota. To try to keep them safe, the PBR will hand out face coverings, space seats 4-6 feet apart, and limit the flow of crowds in and out of the arena.
Read More: Yahoo Sports, Reuters, PBR
Air Jordans Auction
A pair of Michael Jordan’s game-worn shoes sold for more than half a million dollars, making them the most expensive sneakers to ever sell at auction. The NBA legend wore the Nike Air Jordans in his rookie season. They were only expected to go for about $150,000, but they ended up going for $560,000, blowing the previous record out of the water.
Read More: CNN, Reuters, Sotheby’s
Krispy Kreme Free Donuts for Grads
Krispy Kreme is giving high school and college graduates free donuts today. New grads just have to show up in their cap and gown, or other “class of 2020” swag, to get a dozen donuts on the house. However, they could also just show a student ID to prove they’re a senior. Congrats to the class of 2020!
Read More: Thrillist, Krispy Kreme