News Roundup 08/30/20
The King is dead
Actor Chadwick Boseman, best known as King T'Challa or the Black Panther, died on Friday at 43. Boseman had been battling colon cancer since 2016. Boseman's cancer progressed from stage 3 to stage four, and he died at home with his family by his side. His Marvel movies' role was one of hope, pride, and empowerment for the African-American community. Rest in power, King T'Challa.
Source: NY Times
Source: NBC News
FDA expands use of Remdesivir to all hospitalized patients
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has broadened the scope of the use of the drug Remdesivir to include all hospitalized patients. The drug was used only on severe patients with low blood oxygen levels or those needing ventilators. In a randomized clinical trial, the drug reduced the recovery time to 10 days on those subjects who received the dose instead of 15 days for those subjects on the placebo group. The results of the clinical trial remain of uncertain clinical importance. At this time, the FDA believes that the benefits outweigh the known and potential risks of use.
Source: FDA
California will begin issuing $300 weekly unemployment benefits
The California Employment Development Department has announced that it will begin issuing $300 in supplement unemployment payments. The payments will be retroactive to August 1st and available to those unemployed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The state applied and received approval to use $4.5 billion of funds from the FEMA program. Congress continues on a deadlocked on the extension of the federal unemployment benefits. House Democrats approved the $600 extension in May, but Senate Republicans oppose the bill because they believe the amount is too high.
Source: Business Insider
California launches new tool to track your Ballot
The state of California launches a new ballot tracking tool. The tool was launched by the Secretary of state and is available for all 58 California counties. Voters will be able to sign up and receive alerts on when ballots were mailed and delivered. Alerts will also notify voters when their Ballot gets counter and if there were any issues. Voters are encouraged to send their ballots early to ensure the vote is counted on time.
Source: SOS
California issues new guidance for second reopening
Governor Newsome released new color-coded guidance for reopening the economy once more. Hair salons, barbers, retail and malls can resume indoor operations on Monday at a 25% capacity. The four tear metrics are focused on two specific metrics: case rates and the percentage of positive tests. Both Riverside and San Bernardino counties remain at the purple stage, along with the other 36 counties that make up 87% of the state's population. The purple level is considered widespread, with more than 7 cases per 100k and more than 8% positivity on tests.
Source: County of Riverside
Source: San Bernardino County