Wednesday, June 17th, 2020
“Perfect Storm” for Virus, Seattle’s CHOP Zone & Aliens Might Exist
All the news you need in 10 min:
This episode is brought to you by www.Skillshare.com/newsworthy.
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 reading about the latest happenings…
6 States New Coronavirus Records
New COVID-19 infections are hitting record highs in Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Texas. Several governors have been linking the number of new cases to more testing. However, more people are also being hospitalized, which would not be tied to more testing. The state that’s tested the most people per-capita in recent weeks is New York, where both infections and hospitalizations are declining.
Read More: Reuters, USA Today, CNN
Trump Tulsa Rally Concerns
There’s new concern President Trump’s campaign rally in Oklahoma will spark a new surge in infections. New cases in that state rose 68% yesterday. Oklahoma’s Health Commissioner says anyone who plans to attend this weekend’s event should get tested beforehand, isolate afterward, then get tested again. The executive director of Tulsa’s health department went further, begging the Trump campaign to cancel the event or move it outdoors. Trump, however, said he won’t be shamed into canceling.
Read More: NY Times, Politico, Oklahoma Guidance, Tweet
Trump Executive Order
President Trump signed an executive order on law enforcement reform. It works to reward local police departments that boost training and encourages social workers to join officers on calls involving mental health and homelessness. It also has U.S. Attorney General William Barr creating a national database to track officer misconduct. Civil rights groups and top Democrats say his plan falls short of what’s needed to address systemic racism and brutality. President Trump says he’s also willing to work with Congress on additional measures.
Read More: AP, Reuters, Axios, WSJ, WaPo
Police Reform Bills in Congress
Both House Democrats and Senate Republicans are moving forward with police reform proposals. In the House, the plan would include banning police chokeholds and making it easier for victims of police violence to sue officers. The House could vote on the bill as soon as next week. In the Senate, Republicans plan to formally introduce a similar measure today. However, that one doesn’t include making it easier to sue police.
Read More: AP, Axios, Politico
Seattle CHOP Zone
Protesters have taken over several blocks in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle for more than a week now. They set up what’s now known as CHOP, which stands for Capitol Hill Occupied Protest. It’s meant to show people governing and policing themselves without law enforcement. Officers decided to evacuate a nearby police station last week and haven’t returned. Some protesters say they won’t leave until their demands are met. Those include defunding the Seattle Police Department by at least 50% and reinvesting that money into community programs.
Read More: WaPo, AP, FOX News, Seattle PI
Trump Administration Sues John Bolton
The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit to try to stop a tell-all book from being released. The memoir from former National Security Adviser John Bolton was supposed to come out in six days, but this lawsuit stops that from happening. It claims Bolton’s book contains “classified information” that could compromise national security if it’s published before a government review is complete. However, the publisher accuses the White House of using national security as an excuse to censor anything unflattering to the president.
Read More: CNN, USA Today, CBS News
Steroid Improves Survival for COVID-19 Patients
Researchers may have uncovered a breakthrough that could improve the COVID-19 survival rate. They say a drug that’s already widely used and affordable can make a world of difference. It’s a steroid called dexamethasone. A major study from Oxford University in the UK found it reduced deaths by a third in some of the sickest coronavirus patients. However, this is only preliminary data. It still needs to be peer-reviewed.
Read More: AP, Reuters, Stat
Amazon Uses Tech to Enforce Social Distancing
Amazon is using artificial intelligence to make sure workers are keeping their distance. It set up sophisticated cameras and monitors in fulfillment centers. When employees are at least six feet apart, the monitors display a green circle around them. If they’re too close, that circle turns red. Elsewhere, Amazon is testing a wearable clip that beeps and flashes when people get within 6 feet of each other. All this comes after recent criticism for its warehouse working conditions during the pandemic.
Read More: Engadget, Business Insider, CNBC, Reuters
Retail Sales Rebound
Retail sales jumped a record 18% between April and May as coronavirus lockdowns lifted across the country. Half of the increase comes from spending on cars, restaurants and bars. There was also a significant uptick in people buying clothing and furniture. Still, spending is not back to pre-pandemic levels. Spending is down 6% from a year ago.
Read More: NY Times, Axios, WSJ
30+ Alien Civilizations Possible
A new study shows there could be at least 36 alien civilizations in the Milky Way Galaxy. They say these are complex life forms that are intelligent and able to communicate. Researchers reportedly used Earth as a model to determine how life might form in other parts of the galaxy. Though that, they were able to determine dozens of planets could support life. Still, scientists say, if they actually exist, don't expect to interact with them anytime soon. The civilizations are likely 17,000 light-years apart.
Read More: Fox News, CNN, Axios
Work Wednesday: Small Businesses Optimistic
Small businesses are optimistic about an economic comeback. Nearly 75% expect business to return to usual within six months of the country fully reopening. The data came from a recent study by an organization called the Connected Commerce Council. It surveyed more than 500 small businesses from sectors like foodservice and retail. It found they were able to adapt to coronavirus restrictions by switching to online sales and by using Instagram and YouTube for marketing.
Read More: Fox News, Business Insider