What A Day

The Trump administration officially started the process of withdrawing from the World Health Organization. “Operation Warp Speed,” the government’s program to fast-track Covid-19 vaccine development, signed its largest deal so far, allocating $1.6 billion to the pharmaceutical company Novavax. Plus, an update on testing issues in hotspots across the country.

Brazilian President and prominent virus skeptic Jair Bolsanaro has Covid-19. In Israel, the health minister stepped down because officials weren’t heeding her advice. 

And in headlines: the Movement For Black Lives proposes legislation to transform the criminal justice system, Russia and China discourage marmot hunting, and Mike Pompeo wants the teens to get off TikTok.

Emergency unemployment benefits included in the CARES Act are set to expire at the end of the month. With that deadline looming, and the health crisis raging, we look at what the next potential aid package might include.

Some colleges and universities have announced their back-to-Zoom plans for classes in the fall. The faculty at Georgia Tech are currently pushing back against a plan to resume in-person classes, while Harvard will make all classes remote while charging full-price for tuition, and hosting some freshmen on campus.

And in headlines: the Dakota Access Pipeline must be shut down during review, Uber eats Postmates, and Amy Cooper could be charged in New York.

Scientists worldwide want the World Health Organization to take a stronger stance on airborne transmission of COVID-19. In the US, records were set last week for the highest number of daily cases, with hotspots that led some governors to halt re-openings or begin re-closings. 

Trump gave some hall-of-fame dumb speeches this week, stoking division by focusing on “cancel culture”, then adding to the confusion around coronavirus by downplaying the disease’s severity. 

And in headlines: new opinions to come from SCOTUS, sports teams consider name changes, and some fish eggs that don’t give a duck.

Democrats in the Senate blocked a Republican police reform bill yesterday, and Democrats in the House are expected to bring their police reform bill to the floor today. In Colorado, millions are calling for a new investigation into the death of Elijah McClain, who was killed in police custody last year. 

The country hit its single-day high in new confirmed coronavirus cases yesterday. A new trend is emerging of local jurisdictions making their own calls in the absence of state and federal leadership. 

And in headlines: early results from Tuesday’s primaries, GNC goes bankrupt, and Roundup pays out 10 billion to settle cancer suits.

An estimated 25,000 cases of COVID-19 are tied to U.S. meatpacking plants, where employees work in close quarters and enclosed spaces. We speak with a Smithfield Foods employee out of South Dakota about what it's been like at her facility. 

Dr. Fauci says the US is experiencing a “disturbing surge” of infections after states reopened too quickly. But he’s cautiously optimistic about a vaccine, suggesting that one could be available as soon as the end of this year. 

And in headlines: federal prosecutors will testify against Bill Barr, Seattle’s CHAZ to be dismantled, and celebrities continue to say sorry for doing blackface.