June 4, 2020
Brazil recorded a record 1,349 new coronavirus deaths on Wednesday, and 28,633 additional confirmed cases, and has emerged as the world’s worst hotspot as it looks to loosen quarantine restrictions. Other Latin American nations Peru, Ecuador, Chile, and Panama are also grappling with massive Covid-19 caseloads
Following complaints from business groups, the Senate approved fixes to the Paycheck Protection Program including giving small businesses up to 24 weeks (from 8 weeks) to spend the money and relaxing the requirement that 75% of the loan go toward payroll, lowering the threshold to 60%. The bill next goes to President Trump for his signature
Nearly 1.9 million people applied for US unemployment benefits last week, the ninth straight decline since applications spiked in mid-March, a sign that the gradual reopening of businesses has slowed the loss of jobs. The total number of people who are now receiving jobless aid rose only slightly to 21.5 million, suggesting that rehiring is offsetting some of the ongoing layoffs
With states reopening and people going back to work, demand for antibody tests has skyrocketed and companies are popping up and charging exorbitant prices. The FDA is trying to monitor this situation and warned that even the best tests cannot yet answer the crucial question of whether antibodies confer immunity from future infections
New research on the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine has found it “worthless at preventing Covid-19”
The Covid-19 pandemic has dramatically altered the way Americans work and care for children and women are carrying an unequal share of the burden — women are more likely to have lost a job and more likely to care for children at home. A recent report showed that even among married couples, women currently provide 70% of the child care during work hours. And as child care and babysitting options have decreased, women say that they are having to give up jobs or work part-time to manage their responsibilities at home. They are also competing for a reduced pool of jobs during a recession which adds to the employment challenges
An autopsy report said that George Floyd tested positive for Covid-19 after his death and likely had the virus weeks before, however, there is no indication that this played a role in his death, and that he was likely asymptomatic, according to the medical examiner who conducted the private autopsy for Mr. Floyd’s family
Using tear gas or pepper spray to subdue protesters will only help spread the coronavirus in the middle of a pandemic, infectious disease experts warn, urging law enforcement to abandon the practice for public health reasons. More than 1,000 people including infectious disease and public health experts signed a petition asking local and state governments to stop using tear gas, smoke, and other respiratory irritants that increase the risk for coronavirus transmission by inducing coughing and cause people who are wearing masks to take them off, rub their eyes, nose, and mouth
The CDC said that flu vaccines and social distancing will be important defenses against coronavirus in the upcoming months, especially if a second wave hits when flu season is underway. Only about 47% of Americans normally get the flu shot
Covid-19 has already taken a disproportionate toll on black Californians and as crowds fill the streets to protest the police killing of George Floyd, many are worried that people of color will bear the brunt of new infections. However, protesters of all races are saying that staying home is not a choice they will make
The Southern California chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics said that the damage done by keeping children out of school might outweigh the risks of Covid-19 transmission. The group also expressed concern that guidelines for schools re-opening in LA County are not realistic or even developmentally appropriate for children
LA County reported 1,469 positive cases and 44 deaths. Totals are 59,650 cases / 2,531 deaths. City Breakouts (Cases/Deaths): City of LA 27,673/1,230; Long Beach 2,118/92; Carson 453/25; El Segundo 37/0; Gardena 298/25; Hawthorne 429/16; Hermosa Beach 35/2; Inglewood 657/55; Lawndale 134/5; Lomita 53/6; Manhattan Beach 80/3; PV Estates 43/1; Rancho PV 96/11; Redondo Beach 146/7; Rolling Hills 2/0; Rolling Hills Estates 14/0; Torrance 410/46
Compiled by Charlene Nishimura
Media Sources: Los Angeles Times; New York Times; Washington Post; Wall Street Journal; Forbes Magazine; Business Insider; USA Today; CBS News; CNN; KTLA; OZY; ABC World News Tonight; Spectrum News 1; The Hill.com; WebMD; AP, Politico, Newsweek, Reuters, televised briefings from the White House, Governor Newsom, LA County Health Department, Mayor Garcetti; City of Torrance press releases; Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce press releases
