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More than 2 million people applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week, a sign that companies are still slashing jobs in the face of a deep recession caused by the new coronavirus.
About 41 million people have now applied for aid since the virus outbreak, though not all of them are still unemployed. Around 21 million people are currently receiving unemployment benefits, according to the Labor Department’s report.
The updated unemployment report Thursday came less than 24 hours after the number of coronavirus deaths in the United States reached a monumental milestone Wednesday.
In just three months, at least 101,400 Americans have now lost their lives to the virus, Johns Hopkins University reported Thursday afternoon.
President Donald Trump remained silent as the country passed the 100,000 mark Wednesday afternoon, waiting until Thursday to offer his condolences on the “very sad milestone” through a tweet:
“To all of the families & friends of those who have passed, I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy & love for everything that these great people stood for & represent. God be with you!”
Earlier this month, the Trump administration privately increased its projections, according to an internal document obtained by The New York Times. The Trump team predicted the daily death toll would reach about 3,000 people per day on June 1 — a 70 percent increase from the current number of about 1,750.
A study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington estimated nearly 135,000 deaths in the United States by the beginning of August.
The actual number of cases and deaths, though, will largely depend on public response to the virus. For example, the Institute made its revisions as states started to reopen, writing that the adjustments reflected “rising mobility in most U.S. states as well as the easing of social distancing measures.”
41 Million Have Lost Jobs, But Layoffs Slow
Another 2.1 million people applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week, even as more businesses reopen and rehire some laid-off employees.
The national jobless rate was 14.7 percent in April, the highest since the Great Depression, and many economists expect it will near 20 percent in May.
States are gradually restarting their economies by letting some businesses — from gyms, retail shops and restaurants to hair and nail salons — reopen with some restrictions. Some of these employers, including automakers, have recalled a portion of their laid-off employees, causing the number of people receiving unemployment benefits to fall.
First-time applications for unemployment aid, although still high by historical standards, have now fallen for eight straight weeks. Additionally, 1.2 million Americans applied last week under a new program for self-employed and gig workers, who are eligible for jobless aid for the first time.
Disney, SeaWorld Announce Plans To Reopen In FL
SeaWorld and Walt Disney World will reopen in Orlando, Florida, in June and July after months of inactivity because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to plans an Orange County task force approved Wednesday.
The proposals must still be approved by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The plan would see SeaWorld open to the public on June 11. Disney would reopen in phases, first with the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11, followed by Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15.
“We are developing a series of ‘know before you go’ communication vehicles, and our objective is to reinforce our health and safety messages to guests before they arrive on our property,” Disney’s senior vice president of operations, Jim McPhee, told the Florida task force.
McPhee also said the parks would open with limited capacity, but he didn’t specify the number.
Governors Offer States As Alternative RNC Convention Site
After Trump threatened in a tweet to pull the Republican National Convention from Charlotte, North Carolina, two GOP governors are offering up their states as an alternative.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp sent an open plea to Trump on Tuesday to consider his state as an alternate site for the quadrennial convention, which is set to gather more than 2,500 delegates and thousands more guests, press and security officials.
Kemp’s offer was followed by one from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who told reporters at a Miami news conference that he “would love” to have the GOP or even the Democratic convention.
A day earlier, Trump accused North Carolina’s Democratic governor of being in a “shutdown mood” that could prevent a fully attended event.
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Trump Threatens To Pull RNC From North Carolina
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Across America Drive-By Parade Honors 2020 Graduates
Neighbors drove by with well-wishes for graduates who missed the end of their senior year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
LI Man Hoarded N95 Masks: Authorities
He bought more than $200,000 worth of N95 masks and sold them at inflated prices amid the coronavirus crisis, officials say.
Be Like NASCAR, Submit Plan: NC Governor
Trump escalated threats Tuesday, saying he would pull the GOP convention from Charlotte without a promise for unrestricted convention.
Miami Beach Unveils Program To Quell Fears
Miami Beach has announced a public health campaign aimed at restoring public confidence in eating out and visiting small businesses.
High School Students Feeding Those Impacted By Coronavirus
The Ridge High School Red Cross Club hosts food drives every week at St. Bernard’s Episcopal Church for people in Bernardsville.
Cuomo Rings NYSE Bell To Celebrate Reopening
Gov. Andrew Cuomo rang the New York Stock Exchange bell at 9:30 a.m. to celebrate its reopening Tuesday.
Bottle Of Whiskey Sold For $40K To Pay Restaurant Staff
Datz Restaurant sold a rare bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Whiskey for $40,000 to pay its restaurant workers during the coronavirus crisis.
Coronavirus And The Military: The Dangers Of Complacency
The coronavirus pandemic places the military in a different scenario than it has faced in at least 200 years, a retired Navy admiral says.
Virtual Head Shave Raises $22K For Cancer
Students from Shabonee School in Northbrook, Illinois, shaved their heads to assist the St. Baldrick’s childhood cancer cure foundation during the coronavirus pandemic.
NoVA Leaders Address Possible Reopening
Leaders say the region has met four of six criteria for the first phase of reopening. The potential reopening date for Northern Virginia, the city of Richmond and Accomack County is Friday; the rest of Virginia moved into phase one May 15.
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