New York to require face coverings in busy public places
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said state residents will be required to wear face coverings when they are out and coming in close contact with other people.
The new mandate will require a mask or face covering on busy streets, public transit or any situation where people cannot maintain six feet of social distancing.
The mandate takes effect Friday. Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urged a cautious and deliberative approach to reviving the economy.
Stimulus checks to bear Trump’s name in unprecedented move
President Donald Trump’s name will be printed on the stimulus checks the Internal Revenue Service will be sending to tens of millions of Americans around the country. The Treasury Department confirmed the decision in a statement Wednesday. It marks the first time a president’s name has appeared on any IRS payments, either refund checks or other stimulus checks that have been mailed during past economic crises.
Two administration officials with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press that “President Donald J. Trump” will appear on the left side in the memo section of the paper checks. Treasury says it expects the first checks “to be in the mail early next week.”
Coronavirus relief checks won’t have to be repaid, feds say
The U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service, which are working to deliver the money to people, confirmed to The Associated Press that households will not have to pay back the money in next year’s tax filing.
“This is not an advance and there is absolutely no obligation to pay it back,” Treasury spokeswoman Patricia McLaughlin said in an email.
The confusion on social media appears to have stemmed from language in the economic rescue bill that refers to the checks as an “advance refund” because the money is being given out in the 2020 tax year, before Americans have even filed their tax returns for the year.
The 2020 tax form has not been printed but the relief checks will not have any bearing on your income deductions next year, said Eric Smith, a spokesman for the IRS.
Rachael Ray tapes show from home, makes $4M virus donation
Rachael Ray had big plans for the quarantine break at her home in upstate New York. She envisioned “a Renaissance time,” rereading the classics, resuming her Danish lessons and getting back into painting. But, instead, the popular talk show host tells The Associated Press that she’s never been busier.
She’s taping the show two days a week from her home. Her husband is now the cameraman, cocktail maker and musical guest. Meanwhile, her organizations are donating $4 million to several charities including food banks and animal rescue efforts. And her 85-year-old mother asks for a daily report on Ray’s charitable efforts.
N. Carolina lawsuit cites virus to stop touch-screen voting
The threat of hand-to-hand contamination from the new coronavirus while voting entered arguments in a lawsuit seeking to stop the use of touch-screen ballot-marking machines in North Carolina. Lawyers for North Carolina voters and the state NAACP largely cited constitutional concerns Wednesday in their lawsuit demanding the machines from Election Systems & Software be barred from future elections.
The plaintiffs also say the touch-screen machines are inherently hazardous to use during the COVID-19 crisis because screens are smudged with fingers and hands. The litigation comes as states figure how to conduct high-stakes elections this fall should the new coronavirus persist.
Millions vote in South Korea despite virus
Millions of South Korean voters are wearing masks and maintaining social distancing as they vote in parliamentary elections and there is high turnout despite the spreading coronavirus. The government resisted calls to postpone the elections billed as a midterm referendum on President Moon Jae-in.
He enters the final two years of his single five-year term grappling with the public health crisis that is unleashing massive economic shock. Exit polls showed strong support for Moon and his liberal party, reflecting the public’s approval of an aggressive test-and-quarantine program credited with lowering fatality rates.
Elsewhere Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines reported that each has surpassed 5,000 coronavirus cases.
Justice Dept watchdog reviewing prisons for virus safety
The Justice Department’s inspector general will conduct inspections of Bureau of Prisons facilities after hundreds of federal inmates tested positive for the virus. The review announced Wednesday is to ensure the Bureau of Prisons is following best practices to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.
Nearly 450 federal inmates and close to 250 staff members have tested positive for coronavirus. Fifteen inmates have died at federal prison across the U.S. since late March. Attorney General William Barr recently sent some of his closest advisers to federal prisons identified as coronavirus hotspots, including FCC Oakdale in Louisiana, where six inmates have died
Tech companies step up fight against bad coronavirus info
Facebook, Google and other platforms are taking unprecedented steps to protect public health as potentially dangerous coronavirus misinformation spreads around the world. The companies are removing bad health advice and other falsehoods promoted by politicians and others while directing users to credible information from sources like the World Health Organization.
In a possible first, Facebook removed a post by Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro that touted unproven viral benefits of a malaria drug, while Twitter nixed an associated video. The battle is far from over, as ads for bogus products and posts promoting false cures or treatments crop up daily.
At 106, British woman is oldest known virus survivor
At 106, Connie Titchen feels lucky. The former department store sales assistant is Britain’s oldest known survivor of COVID-19.
Titchen was applauded by staff Tuesday at Birmingham’s City Hospital, leaving after three weeks as a patient.
In a statement released by the hospital, Titchen says “I feel very lucky that I’ve fought off this virus. I can’t wait to see my family.”
Granddaughter Alex Jones says Titchen “has had a really active life” and remains independent. She says her grandmother still cooked for herself but also enjoyed a trip to McDonald’s every now and then.
“I haven’t told her they are closed,” she added.
The British government said Wednesday that 12,868 people have died in U.K. hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus, up 761 from the day before. The figure doesn’t include deaths in nursing homes and other settings.
Police: You must wear pants while checking mailbox
Police in Taneytown, Maryland are reminding residents to wear pants when checking their mailbox.
In a Facebook post, police said “please remember to put pants on before leaving the house to check your mailbox.”
Police also stated “You know who you are. This is your final warning.”
The Chicago Blackhawks have canceled their fan convention due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The annual event was scheduled for July 24-26 at the Hilton Chicago. It gives fans autograph opportunities as well as an audience with management, coaches and players.
The team says refunds for convention passes and hotel rooms will be processed automatically.
Speedway Motorsports, owner and operator of eight tracks that host NASCAR’s top Cup Series, has laid off 180 employees and furloughed 100 as part of a company restructuring during the sports shutdown.
Speedway Motorsports owns the Atlanta, Bristol, Charlotte, Kentucky, Las Vegas, New Hampshire, Sonoma and Texas tracks. The coronavirus pandemic caused NASCAR to suspend the season just four events into a 36-race schedule. To date, Speedway Motorsports has had its races at Atlanta, Texas and Bristol postponed.
Tracks receive a significant financial payout from NASCAR’s television contract, but that revenue has stopped without racing.
Both NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports are hoping to restart the season May 24 with the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
What You Can Do to Keep Yourself and Your Family Healthy
· Take everyday preventive actions to stay healthy.
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
· Stay home when you are sick.
· Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.