George Floyd protests on the Burnside Bridge in Portland, Oregon on Tuesday, 2 June 2020.
Passages in bold in the body of the texts below are usually my emphasis, though not always. This is an ongoing project, and I update the site frequently during the day. Because I try to stay focused on what has actually happened, I usually let the news ‘settle’ for a day or so before posting. I hope readers will peruse the articles in full for a better understanding of the issues and their context; our democracy and our future depend on citizens who can distinguish between facts and falsehoods and who are engaged in the political process.
For independent global news, visit Democracy Now!
Friday, 26 June 2020, Day 1,253:
Some Global Coronavirus Updates for Friday, 26 June 2020: U.S. Hits Another Record for New Coronavirus Cases. More than 45,000 new cases in the United States were reported on Friday, the third consecutive day with a record total. The New York Times, Friday, 26 June 2020:
- The U.S. reports another record number of cases, as hard-hit states retreat from reopening.
- As Fauci pleads for more caution, the E.U. aims to bar U.S. travelers.
- Florida reports more than 8,900 new daily cases and bans drinking in bars.
- China says it has tamed an outbreak in Beijing, at least for now.
- California’s governor tells counties to consider pausing their reopenings, but doesn’t commit to rolling them back.
- Norway partially reopened some gyms as an experiment. Here’s what happened.
- Online learning in U.S. schools is here to stay for some students this fall.
Many other significant developments are included in this article.
Some Business Coronavirus Updates for Friday, 26 June 2020: Stocks Slide as Texas Rolls Back Reopening, The New York Times, Friday, 26 June 2020:
- Stocks fall as economic fears resurface on Texas closures.
- Philanthropy rises in the pandemic as donors heed the call for help.
- Consumer spending surged in May as businesses began reopening.
- Bain Capital will take control of Virgin Australia.
- Unilever, the consumer products giant, joins a Facebook advertising boycott.
Other significant developments are included in this article.
Florida confirms nearly 9,000 coronavirus cases in a single day, a new record, Miami Herald, Ben Conarck and Daniel Chang, Friday, 26 June 2020: “A record week of surging coronavirus numbers was only heightened on Friday, as state health officials confirmed 8,942 cases, nearly doubling the previous record of cases reported in a single day, two days earlier. Florida’s Department of Health on Friday morning confirmed the cases, bringing the state total to 122,960. The state also announced at least 39 new deaths, bringing the total of COVID-19 deaths north of 3,360.” See also, Texas and Florida governors order bars closed and impose new restrictions as cases surge. The actions by the close allies of Trump came as the White House downplayed the spikes as ‘hot spots.’ Politico, Caitlin Oprysko, Friday, 26 June 2020: “A pair of GOP governors on Friday moved to impose new mitigation measures in their states amid record numbers of new coronavirus infections, with both Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordering bars closed and Texas placing new restrictions on other businesses the governor said were linked to the virus’s resurgence. Texas and Florida are among around a dozen other states that have hit the brakes on reopening their economies amid a resurgence of the virus across the South and West affecting more than half of the states in the country. They’re the first that have had to reinstate restrictions as case soar. That both governors — who are close allies of President Donald Trump and were criticized for resisting calls to lock down their states in the pandemic’s early days — have not only pressed pause on reopening but reimposed some restrictions, speaks to the severity of the outbreaks in two of the most populous states in the country.”
Continue reading Week 180, Friday, 26 June – Thursday, 2 July 2020 (Days 1,253-1,259)
