Decay

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Thursday US COVID News

“Coronavirus updates: U.S. tops 116,000 cases, another record, as health officials worry people are ‘giving up’” Washington Post

This comes only 3 days “after Americans went to the polls to elect a president, though the virus wasn't on most voters' minds: ONLY 1 in 6 voters cited the pandemic as most important to their vote.” USA Today

“Here are some significant developments:
• A poll worker in Missouri tested positive for the coronavirus, ignored instructions to self-isolate, worked on Election Day and has now died, according to officials in St. Charles County.

• An apartment company owned in part by White House senior adviser Jared Kushner has filed to evict hundreds of families during the pandemic.

• Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell said Thursday that the recent rise in coronavirus cases in the United States and around the world is “particularly concerning” and could put a damper on the ongoing economic recovery.

• An Associated Press analysis found that 93 percent of U.S. counties with the highest number of new coronavirus cases per capita voted to reelect President Trump.” Washington Post

Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine told NPR that he wished President Donald Trump had a "more happy relationship with masks." USA Today

“Voters in Missouri elected Mike Parson as governor. He has been serving in that role since being promoted from lieutenant governor in 2018. It is not expected the state’s approach to the novel coronavirus to change much with Parson as governor.” KSHB News “Missouri Gov. "Mike Parson got COVID-19 after refusing mask mandate, and so did 1,800 state employees. When questioned whether a statewide mandate would make a difference, Parson answered, ‘You don't need government to tell you to wear a dang mask.’” ABC News

For how people in Missouri think and act, note the story above about the Missouri Poll worker who knew she had COVID but worked on election day.

“Coronavirus Patients Are Quickly Filling Up Kansas City Area Intensive Care Units, New Data Show. New coronavirus cases and hospitalizations are continuing to reach new highs in both Kansas and Missouri and increasing at a faster rate than at any point during the pandemic.” KCUR News

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Although it seems like things can’t get much worse with the pandemic, it can.

Meanwhile, the United States still doesn’t have presidential election results. Who wins may affect the future direction of the COVID-19 in 2021. There certainly is a difference in opinion between the two candidates as to how the pandemic should be handled (or not handled).