But countries are still divided in their response to the crisis.
A fragmented approach is not the way to beat the virus, Ghebreyesus says: “‘Together’ is the solution unless we want to give the advantage to the enemy, to the virus, that has taken the world hostage, and this has to stop.”
YOU ASKED. WE ANSWERED
Q: What derailed America’s great summer reopening?
A: Countries such as South Korea, Germany and Taiwan succeeded in slowing the spread of the virus with steps that included moving quickly to monitor those quarantined and conducting widespread testing and tracing. But the US hasn’t had a coordinated national strategy — and it shows.
Now most of the country is living with the consequences of reopening too soon. And the tremendous sacrifices made by millions of Americans — who lost their jobs, missed out on school, and avoided seeing loved ones for months on end — feel as though they were for nothing.
WHAT’S IMPORTANT TODAY
A snapshot of the crisis in America
It’s a snapshot of just how bad the situation has become in America. The surge in infections is being spurred by states in the South and West that lifted lockdowns during the spring, as the initial outbreak of the virus was still widening. Florida, Arizona, Texas and California now account for about 50% of all new cases.
Black nurses battle twin pandemics in Britain
The pressures of the pandemic have exacerbated existing racial inequalities in Britain’s healthcare system, leaving Black nurses vulnerable to harassment and discrimination.
In response to their testimonies, NHS England said, “Covid-19 has shone a spotlight on stark health inequalities in our country.”
The latest Covid-19 science
ON OUR RADAR
- Bolivia’s interim president has become the third Latin American leader to test positive for Covid-19, after Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández.
- Kazakhstan has denied a Chinese government report that the country is grappling with an “unknown pneumonia” outbreak more deadly than Covid-19.
- Hong Kong is suspending all schools in the city following a surge in locally transmitted cases.
- Australia will slash the number of its citizens and permanent residents allowed to return home from overseas each week, in an effort to stem new Covid-19 cases.
- Seven incarcerated people have died in a coronavirus outbreak at a California prison. They’re among hundreds who have died from Covid-19 in jails across the US.
- The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is not issuing new guidelines on reopening schools, despite comments to the contrary made by Vice President Mike Pence.
- Neo-Nazis and far-right groups are encouraging their followers to “deliberately infect” Jews and Muslims with coronavirus, a UK government counterterrorism agency has warned.
TOP TIPS
Don’t go to the bar. Seriously. That’s the message from two of America’s top health experts, who warn that crowding at bars and pubs — where people are not social distancing nor wearing masks — poses an unnecessary risk.
“People lined up two and three deep at a bar in an indoor place with air conditioners circulating … people don’t have their masks on, and that’s a real vulnerable area, are the bars,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said during a pre-recorded interview with SiriusXM Doctor Radio airing on Friday.
Desperate for a drink with friends? Depending on local guidelines, you’re better off meeting up outside, where there’s better air circulation and more space to social distance.
TODAY’S PODCAST
“I think I can speak for corporate America: We’re all frustrated with the politicization of safeguarding the health and well-being of our employees as well as our customers.” — Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian
