Good evening,
Please find today's Daily COVID-19 Update for June 4th below and attached. Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.
Thank you,
Jeff Cohen
INFORMS Members in the News
Member: David Simchi-Levi
Member: Tinglong Dai
U.S. Federal Policy Update
- The White House published an Executive Order directing federal agencies to "take all reasonable measures to speed infrastructure investments and speed other actions in addition to such investments that will strengthen the economy and return Americans to work, while providing appropriate protection for public health and safety, natural resources, and the environment."
- 1.9 million employment claims were filed in the U.S. last week – which is the lowest this number has been since the coronavirus started spreading widely in March. This brings the total number to 42.6 million Americans having filed for unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic thus far.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield appeared before the House Appropriations Committee this morning in a hearing discussing COVID-19 response. During the hearing, Director Redfield stated that if the second wave of coronavirus hits the U.S. in the fall and winter, the CDC is "really hoping that the American public will see that the flu vaccine is one major way they can help this nation get through the season."
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci stated that he was "hesitant to make any broad statements about whether it is or is not safe for kids to come back to school," but cautioned that "to make an extrapolation that you shouldn't open schools is a bit of a reach."
Global Response
- United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the UK government's virtual Global Vaccine Summit raised $8.8 billion for vaccine research and development efforts. At the summit, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that "a COVID-19 vaccine must be seen as a global public good," and the world needs "global solidarity to ensure that every person everywhere has access" to a vaccine once it's developed.
- The Lebanese government extended their countrywide coronavirus restrictions from June 8th to July 5th.
- Starting June 15th, the British government will mandate that all citizens wear face coverings while utilizing public transportation.
- The German government approved a 130 billion euro stimulus package this evening – which offered subsidies for families, electric car rebates, and value-added tax cuts.
- Jordanian Prime Minister Omar Razzaz announced that the country would move forward with their reopening process – allowing most of their economic sectors to reopen.
- Norweigan Prime Minister Erna Solberg criticized President Trump's move to withdraw from the World Health Organizations – stating that the decision is "the wrong answer," and she hopes "that [they] can get the U.S. back."
State Update
- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced that the city's bars and restaurants would be allowed to resume their in-person services – permitting indoor restaurants to serve up to 25% capacity.
- New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the city is still on track to begin phase one of its reopening process this upcoming Monday.
- Casinos in Las Vegas began reopening today, after having been closed for the past 78 days.
Economic Update (as of close of the markets)
- U.S. stocks had a volatile day, with indices closing with various minor changes.. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained by 0.05%, while the S&P 500 fell by 0.3% and the Nasdaq Composite by 0.6%.
Latest Impact Data
- In the United States: Over 1,923,629 cases and 110,171 deaths in 50 states, 4 territories, and Washington, D.C.
- Worldwide: Over 6,688,655 and 392,123 deaths in at least 204 countries and territories.
In the News
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Jeffrey M. Cohen, MBA
Director, Public Affairs & Marketing
INFORMS
jeff.cohen@informs.org------------------------------