Indiana reports two-week low in new COVID-19 cases, testing
The Indiana State Department of Health on Monday reported 561 new COVID-19 cases. It’s the first time in two weeks that the state hasn’t reported at least 600 new daily cases.
Health Care & Insurance
Articles
Some big companies that got PPP yet to rehire workers
The companies say that they can’t rehire many people because they can’t fully reopen properties. But their decisions to withhold the money from payroll have left employees to rely on government unemployment checks.
Orders for big-ticket manufactured goods jump 7.3%
The Commerce Department said Monday that the June gain in durable goods orders, which was better than expected, followed an even bigger 15.1% increase in May.
Target joins Walmart in closing on Thanksgiving, ending Black Friday kickoff
The move, announced Monday, come as retailers are rethinking Black Friday in-store bargain shopping as they try to curb the spread of the coronavirus, which has seen a resurgence in a slew of states.
Virus vaccine put to final test in thousands of volunteers
The world’s biggest COVID-19 vaccine study got underway Monday with the first of 30,000 planned volunteers helping to test shots created by the U.S. government—one of several candidates in the global vaccine race.
Trade, technology, security at risk in rising U.S.-China feud
If talks on ending the dispute fail, the world could face downward pressure on trade at a time when the global economy is already reeling from the pandemic.
Survey: Business economists sketch more hopeful outlook
The economic outlook of U.S. business economists has improved over the past three months, though their sunnier view may be jeopardized by the resurgence of the coronavirus.
Treasury secretary: Virus aid package soon, $1,200 checks by August
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said extending an expiring unemployment benefit—but reducing it substantially—was a top priority.
Indiana reports 860 new COVID-19 cases; total testing tops 700K mark
The state has reported more than 700 new COVID-19 cases daily for six straight days and more than 600 cases daily for the past 13 days.
FDA says at least 75 brands of hand sanitizers may be toxic
The FDA also advises Americans to be wary of products that claim to be “FDA-approved,” as none exist, or say they provide protection for “up to 24 hours.”
Indiana reports 934 more COVID-19 cases, 11 more deaths
The overall COVID-19 testing-positivity rate remained at 8.9% Saturday after the state reported 11,570 new tests. Daily testing in Indiana has topped 8,000 for 12 straight days.
With no new law to curb drug costs, Trump tries own changes
President Trump signed four executive orders Friday. One was about importation. The others would direct drugmaker rebates straight to patients, provide insulin and EpiPens at steep discounts, and use lower international prices to pay for some Medicare drugs.
Unemployment system issues complicate negotiations over $1T stimulus
With days to go before enhanced jobless benefits expire, the White House and Senate Republicans are struggling to design a way to scale back the program without overwhelming state unemployment agencies and imperiling aid to more than 20 million Americans.
U.S. prison populations down 8% amid coronavirus outbreak
A nationwide analysis by The Marshall Project and The Associated Press says Indiana’s prison population dropped 4% from March to June, to 25,876.
Governor’s mask order carries no penalties for non-compliance, reveals end date
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s executive order, signed Friday, does not include penalties for violations. The state attorney general said this week that the governor does not have legal authority to enforce a mask mandate.
Indiana reports second straight daily high in COVID-19 cases
The surge in cases came on the same day Indiana reported 12,515 new tests. That’s the second-highest number of tests reported in a daily state health department report since the beginning of the pandemic.
Survey: Many Americans believe temporary job losses will be permanent
In April, 78% of those in households with a job loss thought the losses would be temporary. Now, 47% think that lost job is definitely or probably not coming back, according to the poll.
City plans to continue statewide tourism campaign despite rollback in reopening
Visit Indy said about $75,000 of the $1 million budgeted for the “You’ve Earned It” advertising campaign has so far been spent, generating about $400,000 in visitor spending.
As AMC postpones reopening, movie theaters implore studios: Release blockbusters
Movie houses say that despite far from ideal circumstances, it’s time for new movies. Four months of near-zero revenue has brought the $50 billion annual business to its knees.
UPDATE: Marion County to enact new restrictions after surge in COVID-19 cases
Among other restrictions, the new guidelines, which start Friday, prevent in-class instruction at schools until at least Aug. 5 and close bars and nightclubs until at least Aug. 12.