Cramm for 4/6/20
THE HIGHLIGHTS
Here’s your daily coronavirus update.
THE HAPPENINGS.
The US is gearing up for the peak. See: the US Surgeon General - Jerome Adams - said this will be the “hardest, saddest” week for Americans in the coronavirus pandemic. This came as the US reported about 25,500 new cases and at least 1,147 new deaths. Plus as this Bronx Zoo tiger apparently tested positive for COVID-19 - leading the USDA to warn those infected with the virus to stay away from animals until they get more info.
THE HAPPENINGS PT 2.
The rest of the world’s not doing much better. South Sudan reported its first coronavirus case - while Haitiand Ethiopia announced their first deaths. And in the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was hospitalizeddue to COVID-19. Cue this message of hope from Queen Elizabeth II. Meanwhile, India shut down its railways for the first time in 167 years as COVID-19 cases there keep rising.
THE HAPPENINGS PT 3.
It’s not all bad news. Case in point: Germany reported its fourth daily drop in the number of new infections. And in South Korea, the number of new cases fell to their lowest in six weeks. Italy, Spain, and France can relate. All three countries reported declines in daily death tolls.
SO…?
For much of the world, the pandemic keeps intensifying. TBD, TBD, TBD.
THE ACTION
TERROR: Recently, a man entered a store in southeast France and pulled out a knife, stabbing the owners and a customer. He then moved on to other stores before being arrested. In total, two people were killed and five were wounded. So far, three people have been arrested in connection with the attack, including the suspect, who is reportedly a Sudanese refugee in his 30s who lived in the area. Now, it looks like France is launching an investigation into “murder linked to a terrorist enterprise.” In other news, over the weekend, 9 rebels and 3 Indian soldiers were killed in gun battles in Kashmir - aka the highly-disputed region between India and Pakistan.
WORLD: ICYMI, lately, lots of 5G towers have been intentionally burned in the UK. Because, conspiracy theories. The (totally false) conspiracies say 5G radiation causes a long list of illnesses - including coronavirus - in humans. We’ll repeat: this is literally “biologically impossible.” Now, it looks like a group of tech firms are (virtually) getting together to chat about how to push back against these conspiracy theories. Meanwhile, the Taliban’s got some words for the US. Quick refresher: not too long ago, the two nodded their heads to a peace deal that’d have the US pulling troops out of Afghanistan and the Taliban kicking out terror groups. Problem, since the Taliban’s pointing fingers at the US for violating the deal. Stay tuned.
POLITICS: The other day, it came out that Attorney General William Barr ordered federal prisons to amp up their efforts to release “vulnerable” inmates. Hint: already, at least three prison complexes have faced major coronavirus outbreaks - raising concerns that the virus could infect countless prisoners. Now, it looks like Barr’s advocating for “home confinement” for certain elderly prisoners and prisoners with pre-existing health conditions. In other news, all eyes are on Wisconsin. Reminder: most states have delayed primary elections until this summer...except Wisconsin, which is set to head to the polls tomorrow. A judge diiiiid extend the state’s absentee ballot deadline - but now, the RNC and Wisconsin Republicans are asking the Supreme Court to pretty please axe this decision. Tension, high.
WHAT TO KNOW
“60:” the age of this San Antonio Zoo elephant. No big deal.
SAY WHAT?
“He’s kind of like a backup dancer” - Emily Blunt on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s role in ‘Mary Poppins.’ A spoonful of sugar helps the insult go down.
STAY CONNECTED
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