INFORMS Open Forum

5-18 Daily COVID-19 Update

  • 1.  5-18 Daily COVID-19 Update

    Posted 05-18-2020 20:49
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    Good evening,

    Please find today's Daily COVID-19 Update for May 18th below and attached. Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

    Thank you,

    Jeff Cohen


    INFORMS Members in the News

    Member: Julie Swann

    Member: Sheldon Jacobson

    Member: Pinar Keskinocak

    Member: Julie Swann

    Member: David Simchi-Levi

      

    U.S. Federal Policy Update

    • The bipartisan Congressional Oversight Commission published its initial report on the $500 billion stabilization fund for distressed sectors of the economy created by the CARES Act. 
    • Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar spoke at today's WHO World Health Assembly, where he emphasized the WHO's poor response to the pandemic. He stated that "there was  a failure by this organization to obtain the information the world needed and that failure cost many lives."
    • Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell stated that U.S. economic recovery "could stretch through the end of next year," and hinted that the return to normal economic activity is likely contingent on the development of a vaccine.

     

    Global Response

    • Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke at the aforementioned World Health Assembly – the WHO's annual summit meeting. He committed China to creating a "global humanitarian response depot and hub in China to ensure the operation of anti-epidemic supply chains."
    • The Italian government eased restrictions on shops and restaurants, allowing for customers to enter as long as they adhere to strict social distancing protocols. 
    • El Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele announced that the country's state of emergency – which was set to expire yesterday – is going to be extended for another couple of weeks. 
    • The Japanese economy has reportedly fallen into a recession, according to government statistics released this morning indicating that the country's economy contracted by 3.4% in the first quarter of 2020.

     

    State Update 

    • California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that more of California will be allowed to open on a limited basis – with approximately 53 of the state's 58 counties being eligible to begin their reopening processes.
    • Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order allowing businesses and restaurants to reopen at reduced capacities, effective this Friday.
    • Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced that the first phase of its planned reopening would commence this Wednesday, May 20th – with some restaurants, offices, and retail establishments being permitted to reopen while still adhering to social distancing rules.  
    • Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo announced that the state's beaches, parks, and places of worship are beginning to reopen. 
    • New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that another region of the state would be able to commence their phased reopening, joining the five other regions that were allowed to last week. 
    • West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced that bars will be allowed to reopen on May 26th, with casinos set to reopen shortly after on June 5th. 
    • New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy outline the plan for reopening the state's economy, which will occur in three stages. However, he did not indicate specific dates for when these stages would commence.
    • Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that the state would be moving into phase 2 of their statewide reopening plan, allowing daycare centers to reopen immediately. Bars and restaurants will be permitted to reopen at limited capacities on Friday, while professional sports can resume on May 31st.  

     

    Economic Update (as of close of the markets)

    • U.S. stocks were on the rise today, with all three indices reporting substantial gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped by 3.9%, the S&P 500 by 3.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite by 2.4%. 

    Latest Impact Data 

    • In the United States: Over 1,545,211 cases and 91,751 deaths in 50 states, 4 territories, and Washington, D.C.
    • Worldwide: Over 4,872,494 million cases and 319,226 deaths in at least 204 countries and territories.

     

    In the News                



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