Here in Minnesota, things are opening up, but a bit haphazardly. My wife’s office has no plans to reopen until at least Labor Day in September. I’ve seen several restaurants set up temporary outdoor seating under canopies in parking lots but a coffee house near me still asks people to pull up in a car and blink their lights so a barista can come outside to take their order. The gym where I did workouts prior to the coronapocalypse opened a few days ago but hasn’t been able to lure me back. I looked through the window there and saw only 3 people exercising, at a time of day when there used to be at least 40 in there. Apparently, I’m not the only one who’s uneasy about returning. For now at least, I’m getting my exercise from yard work, lifting weights at home, and walks in the neighborhood:
Coronavirus News and Analysis:
Version A of story: Coronavirus: Dexamethasone proves first life-saving drug
Version B of story: Show me the data: U.S. doctors skeptical of reported COVID breakthrough
Coronavirus outbreaks at 60 U.S. plants raise specter of more food shortages
In addition to the human tragedy, the outbreaks also expose the vulnerability of America’s food supply. The meat industry was already plunged into crisis with plant shutdowns that sparked grocery store shortages. Even as that situation eases, more shortfalls of individual food items and ingredients are likely in the months ahead unless the virus’ spread is slowed at food-processing plants, said Kevin Kenny, chief operating officer of Decernis, an expert in global food safety and supply chains.
CEO asks employees to lie on timecards or risk job losses — violating labour laws
Second stimulus check: Will another round happen and when?
Millions of job losses are at risk of becoming permanent
The hope is the waves of stimulus doled out by governments and central banks should eventually buoy economies and spark a revival in hiring. Furloughed or redundant workers would then return to their employers.
The risk though is that the pandemic is inflicting a “reallocation shock” in which firms and even entire sectors suffer lasting damage. Lost jobs don’t come back and unemployment stays elevated. That would force workers to retrain or relocate, both of which are hard, and governments to do more than just try to spend their way out of trouble.
What is the true death toll of the pandemic?
A review of preliminary mortality data from 27 countries shows that in many places the number of overall deaths during the pandemic has been higher than normal, even when accounting for the virus.
These so-called "excess deaths", the number of deaths above the average, suggest the human impact of the pandemic far exceeds the official figures reported by governments around the world.
Some will be unrecorded Covid-19 victims, but others may be the result of the strain on healthcare systems and a variety of other factors.
China locks down 10 more neighborhoods, fires officials amid coronavirus resurgence
Not specifically about coronavirus, but Could Donald Trump’s War Against Huawei Trigger a Real War With China?
Norway suspends virus-tracing app due to privacy concerns
Mike Pence Lies About Oklahoma’s COVID-19 Numbers Ahead of Trump Rally
The Darwin Awards have a non-rigorous application process: Aubrey Huff Says He Would Rather Die From Coronavirus Than Wear a Mask
