Published on: November 10, 2020
• In the United States, we've now had 10,422,026 confirmed cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, resulting in 244,449 deaths and 6,552,764 reported recoveries.
Globally, there have been 51,325,746 confirmed coronavirus cases, with 1,270,624 fatalities and 36,133,981 reported recoveries. (Source.)
• The Wall Street Journal notes that "the U.S. reported more than 100,000 coronavirus cases for the seventh straight day … Hospitalizations have shot up nearly 25% since the beginning of the month … Daily caseloads hit record levels in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Colorado, New Mexico and Maine."
A reminder. Months ago, Dr. Anthony Fauci said that for the country to know it was moving in the right direction on the pandemic, we'd need to be down to 10,000 new cases a day.
If we keep moving in the wrong direction, it is going to have enormous impact on retailers, employees and customers, who once again will have to consider the notion of "essential."
• Axios reports that US Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson tested positive for Covid-19, as has David Bossie, one of President Trump's outside advisers.
The announcement comes just days after it was reported that Mark Meadows, President Trump's chief of staff, tested positive for Covid-19.
• President-elect Joe Biden yesterday announced a 13-member Covid-19 task force that will advise the incoming administration on pandemic-related policy initiatives.
The task force will be chaired by former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Dr. David Kessler, former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy and Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith of the Yale University School of Medicine.
Other members include: Dr. Luciana Borio, a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations … Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, chair of the Department of Bioethics at the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health … Dr. Celine Gounder, clinical assistant professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine … Dr. Julie Morita, former health commissioner for the City of Chicago … Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota … Loyce Pace, executive director and president of Global Health Council … Dr. Robert Rodriguez, an expert on the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of frontline workers … Dr. Eric Goosby, an expert on infectious diseases … Atul Gawande, a professor of surgery and health policy at Harvard … and vaccine expert Dr. Rick Bright.
• The Wall Street Journal reports that "New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy again tightened restrictions on restaurants and bars as cases of Covid-19 rose and hospitalizations hit their highest levels since early June.
"Bars and restaurants must end indoor service by 10 p.m. beginning Thursday, under the new rules. Bar side seating will also be prohibited, as the state has received reports of spread among bartenders and patrons seated at bars, Mr. Murphy said. Outdoor service at bars and restaurants can remain open past 10 p.m., he said.
"Interstate competitions and tournaments for all indoor sports will also be prohibited, including for high school sports, Mr. Murphy said. Health officials have confirmed infections linked to youth hockey activities, he said."
• KTTC-TV News reports that as Minnesota sees a burgeoning number of coronavirus cases - 6,000 on Sunday alone, the most the state has seen in one day - it is serving as a reminder of "how popular store items like toilet paper, disinfectants, and hand sanitizers were sold out at the beginning of the pandemic in spring."
Dawn Buzynski, Hy-Vee Strategic Communications Director, tells the station that "our distribution centers began stockpiling supplies in the fall with an anticipation of a potential spike. So some stores are beginning to limit certain products … so that we can sustain and make sure we have all products for all of our customers and provide the best service for our customers. And to eliminate any potential hoarding."
• Hy-Vee also announced that it "has expanded COVID-19 testing to 12 additional Hy-Vee drive-thru pharmacy locations throughout its eight-state region and has expanded testing hours at select locations … Testing is now available at 165 Hy-Vee drive-thru pharmacy locations. Each pharmacy location can accommodate up to 12 patients per hour."
• Fox Business that United has decided that it can once again sell food and alcohol in economy class on some of its flights.
The story says that "United reportedly developed a contactless digital payment system for flyers to purchase snacks and drinks through a partnership with Cleveland Clinic. Hungry travelers who wish to buy food items must input their credit card information in United’s mobile app or website to avoid contact with flight attendants."
• The Wall Street Journal reports that in France, teachers' unions have called for a nationwide strike, "protesting over inadequate protection against Covid-19 … Teachers in France say it is impossible for schools to enforce social distancing among pupils even after sanitation rules were tightened earlier this month. Classes are too big, and schools lack staff and equipment such as individual tables, they say."
Meanwhile, in Italy, "the government is rolling out tough restrictions as a growing number of hospitals north and south of the peninsula struggle to cope with the influx of Covid-19 patients.
"Parts of the country, including the region of Lombardy, have been under lockdown since Friday.
"More regions seen as high risk will be subject to stricter rules starting Wednesday. In those regions, which include Tuscany, bars and restaurants will have to shut and high schools will revert to remote lessons. Travel in, out and within those regions will be barred."
