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1. Coronavirus
Day after day, the United States is outdoing itself in coronavirus cases and deaths. Thursday brought 77,225 new cases, dwarfing the nationwide case record of a single day on Tuesday. At least 943 people were also reported dead. Florida alone reported 156 new coronavirus-related deaths, the most in a 24-hour period. Hospitalizations are also on the rise: Miami’s mayor says the city’s hospitals have reached 95% of capacity. In Texas and Arizona, morgues are filling up in the worst affected areas, and authorities are bringing in refrigerators and refrigerated trailers to store the bodies. Yes, it is bleak, and the international community is taking notice. Mark Lowcock, the top United Nations official in charge of the humanitarian assistant, warned that the failure of rich nations to contain and react to the pandemic could allow the virus to plague less developed nations and exacerbate the effects of the crisis in global health for tens of millions of people. Currently, more than 13.8 million people have contracted the virus worldwide, causing at least 590,000 deaths.
2. Election 2020
Both the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention will look very different now that the coronavirus is back in force. Democratic officials have advised members of Congress not to plan to travel to the party convention this summer. DNC leaders have already called on states parties and convention delegates to participate remotely, allowing nearly two weeks of virtual voting before the convention. The Republican National Committee has reviewed plans for the party convention in Jacksonville, reducing the number of people and speeches. This includes Trump’s planned big speech on the last day, which will now feature restricted attendance. Meanwhile, Republican leaders are trying to convince Trump to suspend his attacks on mail ballots for fear that he may shut down Republican voters if they have to go to the polls in person in November.
3. Iran
The United States has “various” intelligence indications that Iran has put parts of its air defense system on “high alert” in recent days, meaning that the country’s ground-to-air missiles will now be ready to fire at targets that they are considered a threat. The change in status follows several unexplained explosions at key facilities linked to the country’s military and nuclear programs. The United States had concluded that the recent increase in security is beyond uncertainty as to whether there is an unknown threat to the regime. One theory among the international community is that Israel may be behind some of the explosions. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz did not exactly rule out the possibility while discussing the incidents two weeks ago.
4. Encouragement
Buckle up for a Congressional sprint to a new coronavirus relief package. Although, given how little Democrats and Republicans agree on the next steps, it may be more like a roller derby. Senate Republicans are slated to launch their plan next week, which is likely to be rejected by Democrats who want a broader and more comprehensive plan (remember, House Democrats approved that huge $ 3 trillion measure in May, that never got anywhere.) Some of the topics to be discussed are Aid to Small Businesses, Education Financing, State and Local Financing, Corporate Responsibility and Unemployment Protections. However, both sides only have a few weeks before the current unemployment improvements run out. An August recess is also looming, but House Democrats have made it clear they will forgo the recess to reach an agreement.
5. Washington football
The Washington Redskins have opened an internal investigation after 15 former employees and two journalists who covered the team accused the team’s employees of sexual harassment and verbal abuse. The allegations were first published in a Washington Post article. Some of the team’s employees implicated in the article were recently fired or left their posts. Owner Dan Snyder and former team president Bruce Allen were not directly involved, but Snyder was criticized for fostering a team culture in which such abuse could take place. The team has been in the limelight for the past few weeks as it faced pressure to change its name, which has come under fire for its racist overtones.
BREAKFAST NAVIGATION
It is World Emoji Day. How are we using them to talk about the coronavirus?
White Castle is testing a hamburger grilling robot called Flippy
And Flippy is … much taller and more intimidating than her cute name might suggest.
One Direction celebrates its tenth anniversary with a special gift for fans
No, it’s not a reunion tour, so save your most heartbreaking shrieks.
Alex Trebek gave an update on his health and says he feels “great”
This is absolutely the good news we needed to see today.
KFC to sell plant-based fried chicken in some lucky regions
Get ready for KFPBC (Kentucky Fried Plant-Based Chicken, yes we know the nickname needs work).
TODAY’S NUMBER
10 million
That’s the number of subscribers Netflix added in the second quarter of 2020, breaking its own expectations.
TODAY’S QUOTE
“I know there’s a discussion here in the state about whether or not the governor can make you wear a mask. I’m not in that fight. But I’m here to tell you, put it on.”
Majority Leader Senator Mitch McConnell, telling the state of Kentucky that regardless of whether or not state governor Andy Beshear has the authority to require the use of masks, people should wear them because it is, in his words, “the best way we can all be responsible before ourselves. ” and sensitive to the health of others. “
TODAY’S TIME
Check your local forecast here >>>
AND FINALLY
Hey, look at the glissandos!
We brought the week in with a cat video and, damn it, we’ll be dating one too. (Click here to see.)
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