Hogsett, wife in quarantine after potential COVID-19 contact
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and his wife, Steph, had close contact with a person last weekend who subsequently tested positive for COVID-19, according to the mayor’s office.
COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths continue to mount in Indiana
The Indiana State Department of Health on Wednesday reported 6,059 new COVID-19 cases, the 15th straight day that it has reported more than 5,000 new cases.
Wiping down groceries? Experts say keep risk in perspective
Experts say the national fixation on scrubbing sparked by the pandemic can sometimes be overkill.
Consumer spending up only slightly as virus maintains grip
U.S. consumers increased their spending by a sluggish 0.5% last month, the weakest rise since April, when the pandemic first erupted.
National, Indiana jobless claims up for second straight week as virus worsens
In Indiana, 20,454 people filed initial unemployment claims in the week ended Nov. 21, up from an adjusted number of 15,422 the previous week. Prior to the pandemic, the state was typically seeing fewer than 3,000 claims per week.
Dow closes above 30,000 for first time, S&P 500 jumps to record
Trading volumes have been elevated in what is normally a calm week. More than 12 billion shares changed hands on Monday, up 75% from the Monday before last year’s holiday.
Indiana lawmaker quitting weeks after winning reelection
State Rep. Christy Stutzman said she needed to devote more time to her family’s business after the family and business partners earlier this year bought the former Amish Acres tourist attraction that they renamed The Barns at Nappanee.
Amazon’s $3,000 signing bonuses irk workers who got $10 coupons
Amazon’s willingness to risk dissension in the ranks reflects a dawning reality: Many Americans are reluctant to reenter the workforce, despite a national unemployment rate of 6.9%, double the pre-pandemic level.
Indiana reports new highs for COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations
Indiana on Tuesday reported 5,702 additional COVID-19 cases, the 14th straight day that it has reported more than 5,000 new cases.
Guitar Center declares bankruptcy, seeks to restructure
Guitar Center, based Westlake Village, California, has about 300 stores across the United States, including two in the Indianapolis area. It also has local warehouse operations.
Marion County parents question school closures, urge county to reconsider
A coalition of parents is pushing back on Marion County’s recent public health order that will close schools to in-person instruction for about eight weeks, especially when bars and restaurants are allowed to remain open.
Consumers maintain insatiable demand for disinfecting products
Clorox Co. has added 10 additional third-party manufacturers and is running its own facilities 24 hours a day to make disinfecting wipes as fast as possible. But it’s not fast enough.
Retail trade group foresees solid holiday sales despite pandemic
The National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, expects holiday sales to actually exceed growth seen in prior seasons, even amid all the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.
Amid pandemic, Ascension St. Vincent parent shows dramatic swing from red ink to black
Despite the change in fortunes, Ascension signaled that it is not yet out of the woods, noting that “consumer confidence and healthcare hesitation as a result of COVID-19 continue to affect Ascension markets, to varying degrees.”
Hamilton County to enact color-coded pandemic limitations this week
The Hamilton County Health Department on Monday issued a pandemic-related public health order that in some cases goes beyond the most recent statewide restrictions.
Indiana reaches another high in COVID-19 hospitalizations
Indiana on Monday issued its weekly COVID-19 data for schools. The state said more than 1,755 schools have reported one or more cases, 220 schools have reported zero cases and 391 schools have provided no data.
Third major COVID-19 vaccine shown to be effective, cheaper
AstraZeneca is the third major drug company to report late-stage results for a potential COVID-19 vaccine as the world anxiously waits for scientific breakthroughs that will bring an end to a pandemic.
Retailers brace as virus bears down on consumers, economy
The acceleration of coronavirus cases is causing an existential crisis for America’s retailers and spooking their customers just as the critically important holiday shopping season nears.
Business owners upbeat about vaccine, wary as virus spreads
Promising news about a coronavirus vaccine has small business owners feeling more upbeat. They also realize many hurdles remain as the pandemic shows no signs of abating heading into the winter.
Many Americans flying for holiday despite CDC pleas
More than 2 million people were screened at U.S. airports on Friday and Saturday, according to the Transportation Security Administration. Friday was only the second time since mid-March that daily airport screenings topped 1 million.
Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC Resources for Businesses and Employers OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 Indiana State Department of Health Indy Chamber Rapid Response Hub Small Business Administration The SBA is making low-interest loans for working capital available to Indiana small businesses. Indiana Unemployment Information Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Dashboard Critical Industries Hotline(for business and industry only)
877-820-0890
[email protected] State’s virus-related executive orders State plan to reopen Indiana