INFORMS Open Forum

3-23 COVID-19 Daily Update

  • 1.  3-23 COVID-19 Daily Update

    Posted 03-23-2020 17:53
      |   view attached

    Good Evening,

    Please find below and attached today's daily COVID-19 Update for March 23rd. Please let me know if you have any questions.

    Thanks,

    Jeff

    INFORMS Members In The News

     

    U.S. Federal Policy Updates

    • Despite working through the weekend, lawmakers were unable to come to a consensus on a $2 trillion economic stimulus package (CARES Act) for the second day in a row today. Today's procedural vote was blocked again by Democrats – failing to garner the 60 votes required to move forward the legislation for a final vote. Democrats have maintained that the legislation is focused more on corporations than on workers, while Republicans have emphasized the urgency of the situation and the large economic assistance offered in the legislation. It remains to be seen what will happen with the legislation, as lawmakers have remained resolute that a deal on the package must be reached as soon as possible.
    • In response to the ongoing partisan tensions with respect to the third stimulus package, House Democrats announced their plan to release their own version of a package – the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act (Pelosi press release).
    • The Trump administration has stated repeatedly that they are planning on a 15-day period for the current social distancing recommendations in place. Vice President Mike Pence stated today that "at the end of this 15 days, we're going to get with our health experts," and "evaluate ways in which we might be able to adjust that guidance for the American people." Meanwhile President Trump tweeted over the weekend that the administration "cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself," hinting that 15 days could strike the appropriate balance between taking care of both health concerns and economic concerns.
    • Another case of coronavirus has emerged in Congress, with Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) announcing that he tested positive for the virus. Furthermore, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has stated that her husband has tested positive as well.

     

    Global Response

    • United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued an appeal on Monday for "an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world," stating that "it is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together" on the coronavirus pandemic.
    • Angel Gurría, the Secretary General of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) published an op-ed on the worldwide economic impact of the pandemic. He cautions in the piece that "compounding a global health crisis with a major economic and financial crisis will put large strains on our societies."
    • India's Civil Aviation Ministry announced that the country will suspend all domestic flights beginning at midnight tonight.
    • Japan announced that visitors from the United States will now be required to be in self-quarantine for a period of 14 days upon arriving to the country. This will be in effect starting this Thursday, and will last through the end of the month of April.
    • New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today that the country is planning to move to a high alert level by Wednesday, which would close all nonessential businesses and implement stay-at-home measures.
    • The United Arab Emirates announced early this morning that all incoming and outbound flights would be cancelled for a period of two weeks starting on Wednesday. Additionally, all shopping centers and malls will be closed, while restaurants will only remain operational for delivery or takeout orders.

     

    State Updates

    • Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced today that citizens of the state would be required to stay home and that all nonessential businesses must close, effective as of 12:01 AM tomorrow. The measure will stay in place for three weeks.
    • Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb announced today that all residents must stay inside, with the only exceptions being for essential supplies or for healthcare-related necessities. This will begin on Wednesday, and will be effective until April 7th.
    • Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced today that all public and private schools in the state would be required to close through the rest of the academic year.
    • Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued an executive order today that residents have to stay home "to the maximum extent possible," with the only exceptions being for essential activities.
    • Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a stay-at home order on Sunday, which will go into effect tonight at 11:59 PM.
    • Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced a stay-at-home order as well on Sunday, which will be enforced state-wide until April 12th. Governor Edwards highlighted in his address that the state has the fastest growth rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the world.
    • Maryland Governor Larry Hogan directed all nonessential businesses to be closed, starting at 5 PM this evening.
    • Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is poised to issue an order mandating that travelers from New York and New Jersey must be self-quarantined for a period of 14 days upon flying into the state.
    • Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced a similar stay-at-home measure, with local enforcement protocols. This measure will take effect at noon tomorrow, and will last until April 7th.  
    • Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo announced today that their presidential primary will be pushed to June 2nd.

     

    Economic Impact (as of close of the markets)

    • This morning, the Federal Reserve issued a statement detailing the major expansion of programs they would be pursuing to attempt to stabilize the U.S. economy amid the volatility spurred by the pandemic. The Fed also stated that "aggressive efforts must be taken across the public and private sectors to limit the losses to jobs and incomes and to promote a swift recovery once the disruptions abate."
    • However, despite these actions, stocks fell again on Monday – largely due to uncertainty surrounding congressional action on a stimulus package. The Dow Jones Industrial Average had losses of approximately 3.1%, the S&P 500 of approximately 3.0%, and the Nasdaq Composite of approximately 0.3%.

    Latest Numbers

    • In the United States: Over 39,819 cases and 458 deaths in 50 states, 3 territories, and Washington, D.C.
    • Worldwide: Over 356,100 cases and 15,489 deaths in at least 163 countries.

     
    Other News (3/23/20) 



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