INFORMS Open Forum

Good evening,

Please find today's Daily COVID-19 Update for June 19th below and attached. Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Thank you,

Jeff Cohen

June 19, 2020

INFORMS Members in the News

• Businesses Can't Afford To Ignore Long-Term Psychological Impact Of Coronavirus (Forbes)

Management Science

• Three questions every university must ask as they plan to reopen (The Hill)

Member: Sheldon Jacobson

• Casino regulators tighten mask rules as coronavirus cases spike in Las Vegas (CNBC)

Member: Julie Swann

• Experts say Nevada still in 'first wave' of coronavirus cases (Pahrump Valley Times)

Member: Julie Swann

U.S. Federal Policy Update

• The White House published a readout on President Trump's remarks during a roundtable discussion with governors on the reopening of America's small businesses during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
• Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza announced that the SBA would launch a Lender Match tool specifically dedicated to assist small businesses and non-profits with loan opportunities under the Paycheck Protection Program. Upon announcing the tool, Administrator Carranza stated that the "SBA is focused on assisting eligible borrowers in underserved and disadvantaged communities and connecting them with forgivable PPP loans, especially before the June 30^th application deadline."
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an updated forecast that the U.S. coronavirus death toll would reach between 129,000 and 145,000 by July 11^th. 
• White House Press Secretary confirmed that the White House Coronavirus Task Force still "meets regularly" and works together "constantly to review data." She stated that they're "in a more regular routine," and she will provide "the updates as the news merits."
• The Trump administration has officially moved control of the Strategic National Stockpile – the federal reserve of emergency medical supplies and personal protective equipment – from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to federal health officials at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Global Response

• World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautioned during a news briefing this morning that "the world is in a new and dangerous phase," as "the virus is still spreading fast, it is still deadly, and most people are still susceptible." 
• The British lowered its coronavirus threat level from level four to level three, with British Health Secretary Matt Hancock stating that the downgrade was "a big moment for the country." Their threat system has five levels. 
• The Chinese National Biotec Group announced that it is unlikely that the country will have a vaccine ready until at least 2021, adding that they "hope to launch more international cooperations and conduct a multi-center phase 3 clinical study."

State Update 

• Ohio Governor Mike DeWine responded to the rise in coronavirus cases, stating that the government is anticipating "increases in cases at different times in probably different parts of the state" – adding that it "is something [they] clearly need to respond to."
• New York Governor Andrew Cuomo gave his final daily briefing today, during which he announced that New York City would be able to enter phase 2 of their reopening plan. 
• Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that in addition to reopening indoor dining and retail, the city would also reopen camps, swimming pools, and worship services with limited capacities.
• Mayors all over Arizona and Texas have announced that they will impose a mask requirement – including over 20 cities in Arizona and several big cities in Texas. These decisions came after Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey stated that local officials had the authority to make their own mandates on facial coverings for their residents, due to their drastic increases in cases.
• Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced that they would enter the second phase of reopening, which will allow indoor dining and close-contact services to resume.
• Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced that he would seek a waiver to suspend mandated standardized testing for 2020-2021, because the "current high-stakes testing regime is excessive."

 

Economic Update (as of close of the markets)

• The three indices closed the day with varied results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.80% and the S&P 500 by 0.56%, while the Nasdaq Composite rose by 0.03%.

Latest Impact Data 

• In the United States: Over 2,294,824 cases and 121,384 deaths in 50 states, 4 territories, and Washington, D.C.
• Worldwide: Over 8,739,787 and 461,624 deaths in at least 204 countries and territories.

 

In the News                

• Debate rages over new lifeline for small business as loan program ends (Politico)
• Arizona, Texas, Florida again report record-high COVID-19 cases (The Hill)
• 'It really does feel like the U.S. has given up': Experts in other nations alarmed by U.S. numbers (Washington Post)
• How the Coronavirus Will Reshape World Trade (Wall Street Journal)
• Federal Reserve officials signal rising caution on U.S. economic recovery amid virus spread (Reuters)

------------------------------
Jeffrey M. Cohen, MBA
Director, Public Affairs & Marketing
INFORMS
jeff.cohen@informs.org
------------------------------