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June 17, 2020 - Brief Issue 62

The Coronavirus Daily Brief is a daily news and analysis roundup edited by New America’s International Security Program and Arizona State University.

Top Headlines

Large Clinical Trial Finds Steroid Can Significantly Reduce COVID-19 Mortality for Patients on Ventilators (Health & Science)

New Record Highs of Coronavirus Cases Across Nine U.S. States Reported; VP Mike Pence Denies “Second Wave” Coming (Health & Science)

One Multi-Country Study Shows Children Half as Likely to Be Infected by Coronavirus, While U.K. Study Finds No Notable Difference in Infection Rates Among Different Age Groups (Health & Science)

Accelerated Research on Antibodies Yields Promising Candidates for Coronavirus Treatments in Five New Studies in Science (Health & Science)

Toilet Flushes May Send Sars-Cov-2 Particles Into Air, Spreading Virus in Public Bathrooms (Health & Science)

Coronavirus Cases Steadily Rise in U.S. Prisons (Health & Science)

New Study Estimates “More Than One-Fifth of the World’s Population May Be at Increased Risk of Severe COVID-19 If Infected” (Health & Science)

Global Emissions Surge Back Amid Reopenings (Around the World)

“Extremely Grave” Situation Prompts Beijing to Raise Alert Level, Cancel 60% of Flights (Around the World)

World Health Organization: Pandemic Still Accelerating in Americas (Around the World)

Canada, U.S., Mexico Extend Border Closure Until July 21; Mexico Bans Seasonal Workers from Traveling to Canada (Around the World)

In Canada, Children Will Return to School in “Bubbles” (Around the World)

CureVac is Second Company to Begin Human Trials in Germany (Around the World)

Coronavirus Spreads Across Africa (Around the World)

Australia's Borders Likely to Remain Closed until 2021 (Around the World)

Four Members of U.S. Congress Benefitted from Small Business Loans, Two Voted Against Bill on Loan Transparency (U.S. Government & Politics)

U.S. Congress Launches Probe into Nursing Homes (U.S. Government & Politics)

U.S. Retail Sales Increased 18% in May (U.S. Economy)

Hilton to Cut 22% Of Corporate Workforce (U.S. Economy)

New York City Playgrounds Closed Until July, Local Officials Cut Chains Off Locked Playgrounds (U.S. Society)

Coronavirus Economy Particularly Tough for Transgender People, Especially Those of Color (U.S. Society)

Health & Science

As of Wednesday morning, there have been 2,137,731 coronavirus cases in the United States, and 116,963 people have died (Johns Hopkins). Around 583,503 people have recovered, and the United States has conducted 24,449,307 tests. Worldwide, there have been 8,176,296 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 443,765 deaths. At least 3,956,537 people have recovered from the virus.

Large Clinical Trial Finds Steroid Can Significantly Reduce COVID-19 Mortality for Patients on Ventilators

According to new research from the United Kingdom, an inexpensive steroid called dexamethasone is the first drug “shown to reduce deaths from the coronavirus… In the trial, it cut deaths by about one-third in patients who were on ventilators because of coronavirus infection,” reports Nature. This randomized, controlled clinical trial is the “world’s biggest” for coronavirus treatment research and is investigating several treatments, with 2,104 participants who were treated with dexamethasone compared to 4,321 people who received other coronavirus treatments. Dexamethasone was particularly helpful for individuals on ventilators, showing a reduction in mortality by 35 percent. For those receiving oxygen therapy, the mortality rate by COVID-19 reduced by 20 percent. There was no perceivable benefit for patients who were neither receiving oxygen therapy nor using a ventilator (STAT, Nature). The steroid was provided in either pill or intravenous form, and was taken for 28 days (AP). The widespread study was thought up by Oxford researchers Horby and Martin Landray who worked with the United Kingdom health system “to start a study of multiple inexpensive potential Covid-19 therapies” known as RECOVERY (STAT). The results of the study on the steroid have not yet been published or peer reviewed. University of Oxford lead study researcher Peter Horby said of the findings, “This is an extremely welcome result” adding, “The survival benefit is clear and large in those patients who are sick enough to require oxygen treatment, so dexamethasone should now become standard of care in these patients. Dexamethasone is inexpensive, on the shelf, and can be used immediately to save lives worldwide” (AP). According to analysis by STAT, there are two types of therapies for the coronavirus: one that helps to “shorten the length of infection,” which is where remdesivir comes in; the other is for life-saving needs, such as this new finding with dexamethasone. Other research on dexamethasone has shown those who suffer from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), treatment with the steroid can “reduce duration of mechanical ventilation and overall mortality” (Lancet).

New Record Highs of Coronavirus Cases Across Nine U.S. States Reported; VP Mike Pence Denies “Second Wave” Coming

According to a report by the Washington Post, on Tuesday, nine states have “reported either new single-day highs or set a record for seven-day new coronavirus averages” as over 115,000 Americans have died since the pandemic began. These states include Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, and Texas. On Tuesday, Vice President Mike Pence said that concerns over a second wave of the coronavirus were “overblown,” even though the United States has more than 2,126,000 coronavirus cases and climbing. Pence also penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal to explain his view there will be no “second wave.” However, as we’ve noted in previous briefs, scientists say we still haven’t emerged from the first wave and the second wave is surely coming. University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation head Chris Murray, “We start to see a powerful increase that will be driven by seasonality starting in early September and these numbers will intensify through till February” adding, "So seasonality will be a very big driver of the second wave.” According to counts by Newsweek, Arkansas and Oklahoma hit their highest number of cases over the weekend, and California saw a new spike in cases on Sunday, marking its second highest day at 3,660. Texas hit its highest rate of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, which jumped by 200 from Monday to 2,518. Florida recorded its highest number of cases on Saturday at 2,581 and on Sunday another 2,016. Arizona is “seeing an infection rate three times that of New York…at 60.5 for the past 72 hours.” Arizona’s highest day of new cases was on June 8 at 1,456. North Carolina and Alabama each reported spikes in cases over the weekend, with 785 and 1,075 respectively. As we’ve noted in Monday’s brief, the New York Times reported that since the weekend counts of coronavirus were announced, “Most of the 10 hardest-hit states that have seen rising case levels started reopening on or before May 8,” and “Many states that were slowest to reopen have seen a different trajectory, at least so far. Most of the 10 states hit hard over all in the pandemic — but currently seeing decreasing daily cases of the virus — began reopening in mid-May or later.”

One Multi-Country Study Shows Children Half as Likely to Be Infected by Coronavirus, While U.K. Study Finds No Notable Difference in Infection Rates Among Different Age Groups

A new study published in Nature Medicine on Tuesday found that “children and teenagers are only half as likely to get infected with the coronavirus as adults age 20 and older, and they usually don’t develop clinical symptoms of COVID-19,” reports the Washington Post. The researchers evaluated data from Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. The researchers also found that “clinical symptoms manifest in 21% of infections in 10- to 19-year-olds, rising to 69% of infections in people aged over 70 years” based on mathematical models they developed (Nature). In an email to the Washington Post, Columbia University epidemiologist Jeffrey Shaman says of the findings, “While the evidence is mixed, children clearly have some role and can be infected. I think that opening schools and daycare facilities is very risky.” What Shaman is referencing is the “large variations among countries in the apparent susceptibility to infection across different age groups,” reports the Post. Other studies have found similar trends between likelihood of illness in children versus older adults, indicating children could rapidly spread the coronavirus in a community environment, such as a school, but other studies have revealed divergent information. Indeed, findings from a recent study in the United Kingdom indicated, “It is not possible to say with confidence that there is any difference in the proportion of individuals in different age groups testing positive for COVID-19” (Office of National Statistics). Lead author of the Nature article Nicholas Davies said of the varying data available, “It just emphasizes that more research would help to clarify this question” of coronavirus infections in different age groups (WaPo).

A study from Germany that we highlighted in a previous brief showed that while children have milder coronavirus symptoms once infected, their levels of SARS-CoV-2 are the same as adults. The study, which was not yet peer-reviewed, “screened nearly 60,000 patients for Covid-19, of whom nearly 4,000 tested positive,” and included patients from one year old to 100 years old. When the data was bucketed into age groups, the team found that the levels of infection were similar across all ages (Guardian). Another study highlighted in an earlier brief, published in Science, studied coronavirus cases in China and found that “children were about a third as susceptible to coronavirus infection as adults were. But when schools were open…children had about three times as many contacts as adults, and three times as many opportunities to become infected…” The study’s authors found that keeping schools closed may “reduce the surge by 40 to 60 percent” (NYT).

Accelerated Research on Antibodies Yields Promising Candidates for Coronavirus Treatments in Five New Studies in Science; Clinical Trials Are Ongoing or Will Be Next Step for Some

Indicating the depth and speed of research on antibody therapies to the coronavirus, Science published five studies on Monday on antibodies that show strong ability to neutralize the coronavirus in the lab. Two of the studies showed the research behind Regeneron’s antibody cocktail, now in clinical trials, while others identified promising new candidates for treatment and yielded information that can help guide vaccine design.

Researchers from Regeneron, University of Maryland, and the National Centre for Infectious Diseases in Singapore describe the effort that led to Regeneron’s antibody cocktail, now in clinical trials launched last week (University of Maryland). Their goal was “to identify highly potent individual antibodies that could be paired in a therapeutic antibody cocktail” with the aim of increasing the potency against the virus while decreasing the likelihood of the “viral escape,” which occurs when viral mutants, which can spontaneously arise, are able to escape or evade the treatment—a problem that might emerge “in response to pressure from a single antibody treatment,” write the authors (Science, Regeneron). In a separate study, a Regeneron team investigated viral escape from four antibodies that potently neutralize the coronavirus by targeting the spike protein. The team found that their antibodies were effective against coronavirus variants circulating in the human population. In laboratory tests, they found new spike variants appeared after the virus was exposed to individual antibodies and to combinations of antibodies that targeted overlapping regions of the spike protein; however, the coronavirus did not generate spike variants after treatment with an antibody cocktail that targeted non-overlapping regions of the spike protein—a situation which would require the “unlikely occurrence of two simultaneous mutations.” The team members said their data “strongly support the notion that cocktail therapy may provide a powerful way to minimize mutational escape by SARS-CoV-2; in particular, our studies point to the potential value of antibody cocktails in which two antibodies were chosen so as to bind to distinct and non-overlapping regions of the viral target” (Science).

A team of 30 scientists led by Scripps Research, in collaboration with IAVI and the University of California (UC) San Diego School of Medicine, isolated and screened more than 1,800 antibodies from the blood of recovered COVID-19 patients and identified several “with outstanding potency” or “superantibodies” that could neutralize the coronavirus in test cells; one of them could also protect against infection in hamsters (Science). One of the antibodies also neutralizes SARS-CoV, the virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), as well as SARS-CoV-2, indicating the ability to neutralize a broader range of variants. "It has been a tremendous collaborative effort, and we're now focused on making large quantities of these promising antibodies for clinical trials," says co-lead author Dr. Thomas Rogers, an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at Scripps Research, and assistant professor of medicine at UC San Diego (Scripps).

Another team led by the University of Amsterdam isolated antibodies from the blood of three recovering COVID-19 patients, including some that potently inhibited coronavirus infection even in low concentrations (Science). “Although direct comparisons are difficult,” write the authors, “the neutralization potency” of these antibodies is higher than the potencies of “the most advanced HIV-1 and Ebola mAbs [antibodies] under clinical evaluation” as well as palivizumab, an approved antibody treatment for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a virus that infects young children.

Using a sample from a SARS patient, a study by U.S. biotech firm Adimab and a diverse set of research institutions identified 200 antibodies that not only bound to SARS-CoV (the coronavirus that causes SARS) but also to SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus which causes COVID-19. Several of these antibodies potently neutralize not only SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 but also the bat SARS-like virus WIV, which make them promising candidates not only as a potential treatment for COVID-19 but possibly for other coronaviruses and can help provide a target in designing a vaccine against coronaviruses more broadly (Science). 

Taken together, the antibodies in these studies represent new directions for further research, animal studies, clinical trials, and, potentially, effective ways to treat and prevent COVID-19. Bonus read: A Visual Guide to the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus (Scientific American).

Toilet Flushes May Send Sars-Cov-2 Particles Into Air, Spreading Virus in Public Bathrooms 

Recent findings in a study published in Physics of Fluids on Tuesday found that “flushing a toilet can generate a cloud of aerosol droplets that rises nearly three feet. Those droplets may linger in the air long enough to be inhaled by a shared toilet’s next user, or land on surfaces in the bathroom,” reports the New York Times. According to University of Nebraska Medical Center professor of pathology and microbiology Joshua L. Santarpia, “The aerosols generated by toilets are something that we’ve kind of known about for a while, but many people have taken for granted” adding, “This study adds a lot of the evidence that everyone needs in order to take better action.” This new research further supports published findings on JAMA that “Toilet bowl and sink samples [from patients with SARS-CoV-2] were positive, suggesting that viral shedding in stool could be a potential route of transmission” (JAMA, JAMA). As the New York Times notes, computer simulations show that toilet flushes can push out “about 6,000 tiny droplets and even tinier aerosol particles,” indicating that SARS-CoV-2 infectious droplets can be dispersed after a toilet is flushed (NYT). What isn’t yet known is if those with more severe cases of the virus or disease “shed more virus” than those who are asymptomatic or have a milder case. Co-author of the new study Ji-Xiang Wang says of how to best put the findings into safer practices, “Close the lid first and then trigger the flushing process.” People should continue to wash their hands and avoid removing masks while in public bathrooms. Bonus Read: “Explainer: The coronavirus risks of everyday activities as economies reopen” (Reuters).

Coronavirus Cases Steadily Rise in U.S. Prisons

As we’ve noted in several briefs, the concern of the quick spreading of SARS-CoV-2 in community living conditions is dire, particularly in long-term care facilities and correctional facilities. A new report by the New York Times notes that “the number of prison inmates known to be infected has doubled during the past month to more than 68,000. Prison deaths tied to the coronavirus have also risen, by 73 percent since mid-May.” And now, the five largest locations of coronavirus cases are in correctional facilities in Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and California. Across correctional facilities, different approaches have been taken for testing, separating inmates, and even discharging non-violent offenders near parole in order to manage the overall spread; however, overcrowded facilities and communal living make it nearly impossible to quickly quell the spread of this highly infectious virus. The Times notes that inmates have said the prison administrators have not done enough to protect them from the virus, and have gone so far as to implement hunger strikes or riots in desperation. According to a 77-year-old inmate in California, Fred Roehler, the threat of the coronavirus is “like a sword hanging over my head” adding, “Any officer can bring it in.” Roehler suffers from chronic inflammatory lung disease in addition to other respiratory complications, making him particularly susceptible to contracting the virus. Testing across prisons has been very low, according to states’ publicly available data. California has tested less than seven percent of its inmates in many of its crowded prisons (California has 114,000 inmates statewide), and New York has only tested three percent of 40,000 inmates (1,200 people). Illinois, Mississippi, and Alabama have each tested fewer than 2.5 percent of inmates. According to the Times database on prison testing, “Prisons that have conducted mass testing have found that about one in seven tests of inmates have come back positive…The vast majority of inmates who have tested positive have been asymptomatic.” According to former chief medical officer for the New York City prison system, now affiliated with Community Oriented Correctional Health Services, Dr. Homer Venters, “We have really no true idea of how bad the problem is because most places are not yet testing the way they should” adding, I think a lot of times some of the operational challenges of either not having adequate quarantine policies or adequate medical isolation policies are so vexing that places simply decide that they can just throw up their hands.”

New Study Estimates “More Than One-Fifth of the World’s Population May Be at Increased Risk of Severe COVID-19 If Infected”

A new Lancet study published on Monday has found that 1.7 billion people worldwide “have at least one underlying condition that puts them at increased risk of severe COVID-19 if infected.” This includes less than or equal to five percent of those under 20 years old or greater than 66 percent of those aged 70 years or older. Further, the study estimates, “349 million people are at high risk of severe COVID-19 and would require hospital admission if infected” and those with “chronic kidney disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic respiratory disease” are at increased risk. As the New York Times notes, the Lancet study did not evaluate poverty and obesity levels, nor did it take into account “healthy older individuals without underlying health conditions.” The researchers used 11 categories of underlying health conditions from the World Health Organization to other international agencies in the United States and the United Kingdom. Data was extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study, which is a global epidemiological survey last updated in 2017, reports the Times. Out of the nearly 200 countries included, the researchers found that “more than one-fifth of the world’s population may be at increased risk of more severe disease.” While some researchers believe the new study helps to better pinpoint pre-existing conditions that make individuals more susceptible to contracting coronavirus and having it progress to COVID-19, others think the findings are exaggerated. University of Chicago epidemiologist Aditya Khanna says of the findings that different countries with different contexts will have different infection rates and different likelihoods of patients progressing to COVID-19. Bonus Read: “How Exactly Do You Catch Covid-19? There Is a Growing Consensus” (WSJ).

Bonus Reads: “Most Coronavirus Tests Cost About $100. Why Did One Cost $2,315?” (NYT) and “This kind of mask can actually spread the coronavirus. Here’s how to fix it” (LA Times).

Around the World

Global Emissions Surge Back Amid Reopenings

After a decline during the spring when many countries all over the world were in lockdown, global greenhouse gas emissions are rebounding sharply, according to scientists (NYT). With lockdowns easing, traffic is returning to roads, workers are reopening factories, and air traffic is resuming, emissions have returned to just 5 percent below the 2019 average. That is after daily fossil fuel emissions had been roughly 17 percent lower than they were in 2019, according to a study published in May in Nature Climate Change. Now, in an update to that study, the authors say that the drop in emissions was always expected to be temporary and that countries need to take concerted action to clean up their energy systems as they rebuild their economies. 

Asia

“Extremely Grave” Situation Prompts Beijing to Raise Alert Level, Cancel 60% of Flights

On Wednesday, the Chinese capital raised its alert level and cancelled 60 percent of commercial flights in and out of the city due to a new coronavirus outbreak (AP). The threat level was raised from 3 to 2—the highest being level 1—which has led to classes being cancelled, reopenings being suspended, and social distancing requirements increasing. China had relaxed many of its coronavirus restrictions in March after the Communist Party declared victory of the virus. But now the virus prevention and control situation in Beijing was described as “extremely grave” at a meeting of Beijing’s Communist Party Standing Committee led by the city’s top official, Party Secretary Cai Qi. Cai told participants that “this has truly run an alarm bell for us.” The latest outbreak continued to spread on Tuesday, with at least 106 new infections since last Thursday (CNN).

Americas 

World Health Organization: Pandemic Still Accelerating in Americas

The number of infections in the Americas is approaching the 4 million mark with almost 204,000 deaths as the pandemic continues to accelerate, said World Health Organization (WHO) regional director Carissa Etienne on Tuesday (Reuters). Etienne said in a virtual briefing that the pandemic has affected the region’s migrants particularly hard and she urged testing between the U.S.-Mexico border to be ramped up due to unconfirmed reports of an increasing number of people with the virus traveling from the U.S. to Mexico. The regional wing of the WHO sent teams to enhance surveillance and testing in Haiti’s border with the Dominican Republic as there have been accounts of cross-border transmission there. Chile has also seen cases rise in the last two weeks. Brazil continues to be a major concern for the health body as coronavirus-related deaths are still surging as President Jair Bolsonaro encourages economic activity to resume. Bonus read: “Brazil ignored the warnings. Now, while other countries fret over a second coronavirus wave, it can’t get past its first” (WaPo).

Canada, U.S., Mexico Extend Border Closure Until July 21; Mexico Bans Seasonal Workers from Traveling to Canada

The U.S., Canada, and Mexico have agreed to extend the current border closures barring non-essential travel through July 21. “This is a decision that will protect people on both sides of the border as we continue to fight COVID-19,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday (AP). The acting U.S. secretary of homeland security, Chad Wolf, confirmed in a statement that the department will continue to limit non-essential travel and Mexico’s Foreign Ministry also tweeted that the agreement had been extended. Further, Mexico has forbidden temporary workers to travel to Canada to work in the agricultural sector and said it will review Canadian health policies and procedures before allowing the workers to travel. "This is a temporary pause in order to determine the circumstances surrounding the safety conditions on farms," a Mexican government official told CNN. Usually, more than 60,000 migrant workers travel to Canada each year, but this year hundreds of Mexican workers have been infected with COVID-19 weeks after completing a mandatory 14-day quarantine in Canada and two have died. Communal housing on farms and cramped working conditions could contribute to the spread of the virus, according to the health unit in Windsor-Essex, Ontario, where one of the deaths occurred. 

In Canada, Children Will Return to School in “Bubbles”

In Quebec, elementary and younger high school students will return to school in the fall but be divided into smaller subgroups or “bubbles” and will not switch classes, Quebec Education Minister Jean-François Roberge said (Reuters). The tactic is meant to curb the spread of infection and reduce contact between students. Many elementary schools in the province reopened in May but primary students in Montreal and high school students remain at home. Most other Canadian provinces have decided to keep schools closed until the start of the next school year in the fall. Quebec accounts for about one quarter of Canada’s population but has had 55 percent of coronavirus cases and almost two-thirds of the country’s total deaths. 

Europe

CureVac is Second Company to Begin Human Trials in Germany

Biotech firm CureVac is set to become the second coronavirus vaccine developer to begin human trials of an experimental vaccine in Germany, according to a Reuters report. The clinical trial is expected to be announced on Wednesday and the news comes after the German government unveiled a deal to take 23 percent stake in the company in exchange for a cash injection of €300 million ($338.5 million) (AP). The first clinical trial program to be approved in Germany was launched by the company BioNTech in April. 

Africa 

Coronavirus Spreads Across Africa

Although most African countries were able to stave off initial outbreaks by closing borders and banning public gatherings, the extra time it bought them was not enough to bolster weak health care systems and now, cases are exploding across the continent as countries lift their restrictions to restart their economies (NYT). As the New York Times reports: “The World Health Organization said last week that confirmed cases in Africa had doubled in 18 days to reach 200,000; the first 100,000 took 98 days.” Now, because of border closures and price increases along with restrictions on exports imposed during the pandemic, African nations are facing a shortage of medical supplies right as their caseloads increase. The lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) is also resulting in many health care professionals becoming infected. In Nigeria, doctors announced a nationwide strike starting on Monday over the lack of PPE and hazard pay for treating COVID-19 patients. 

Australia and New Zealand

Australia's Borders Likely to Remain Closed until 2021

Australia will likely keep its borders closed through the start of 2021, Tourism and Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said on Wednesday. “It’s sadly very unlikely that our health crisis is likely to facilitate an opening to international travel this year,” Birmingham told the Australian Financial Review. Birmingham noted that the country’s success in containing the virus could be linked to its tight border restrictions, and said that without a vaccine that was the best possible way for combating any further spread. He has expressed optimism about a “travel bubble” with New Zealand, which would allow people to travel between the two countries exclusively but has not been created yet. He also said that the existing travel ban would be modified to allow international students to return with a mandatory quarantine period. Two Australian universities, The University of Canberra and The Australian National University, are planning to hire a plane to fly in about 350 of foreign students in July so they can complete quarantine before returning to classes (Reuters). 

U.S. Government & Politics

Four Members of U.S. Congress Benefitted from Small Business Loans, Two Voted Against Bill on Loan Transparency

Four members of the U.S. Congress have reportedly benefited from the emergency small business loan programs. The loan program helped the lawmakers by disbursing loans that were given out to businesses that are run by their families or that employ their spouse in senior management positions. The lawmakers that are known to have benefited from the loan program include Texas Rep. Roger Williams (R), Missouri Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R), Nevada Rep. Susie Lee (D), and Florida Rep Debbie Mucarsel Powell (D). The full number of lawmakers that were benefited by the program is unknown, and there are allegedly more lawmakers who took advantage of the program, according to aides and lawmakers. The two GOP members of Congress who benefited from the loan program also blocked a bill pushing for more transparency of the program, including a list of participating businesses. Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips (D) discussed the bill advocating for transparency of loan program, stating, “This is the largest distributor of taxpayer money in human history, and we need to ensure taxpayers know where it’s going,” adding, “[the bill] was not written to expose members of Congress, because frankly I expected members of Congress to be forthright and transparent to begin with” (Politico). 

U.S. Congress Launches Probe into Nursing Homes

The U.S. House of Representatives committee that provides oversight to the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic is launching a probe into the largest for-profit nursing homes. The investigation will look at the structure, executive pay, and preparedness for the pandemic at Genesis HealthCare, Life Care Centers of America, Ensign Group, SavaSeniorCare, and Consulate Health Care. These large nursing home companies account for over 850 eldercare facilities with more than 80,000 residents in 40 states. As we have covered in numerous previous briefs, nursing homes have been particularly affected by the pandemic. More than 40 percent (50,000) of the U.S. coronavirus death toll has been attributed to nursing homes. House Majority Whip James Clyburn, chair of the oversight committee, sent letters to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) stating, “As workers have fallen sick with the coronavirus or stayed home to self-quarantine, to care for children, or for other reasons, staffing shortages have worsened. More than 2,000 nursing homes recently reported staffing shortages to CMS” (Politico).

New York City Officials Struggle to Help Small Businesses; Emphasize Need for Federal Support Given Scale

The pandemic has hit New York City’s small businesses hard. Many businesses have missed months of rent payments and are unsure that they will recover even as the economy begins to reopen. The closure of small businesses threatens to upend some of New York City’s most prominent commercial strips and a sector that employs more than three million people. Many businesses are unsure how to pay off their debts and make a recovery to ensure their survival. City officials say that help for small businesses depends on the Trump administration and federal government. Many businesses are in jeopardy of going out of business, and a recent survey found that 64 percent of ground-floor retail tenants failed to pay rent in May, which could affect their balance sheets and operations down the line. Jonnel Doris, the commissioner of the New York City’s Department of Small Business Services, discussed help for small businesses: “The scale of this crisis simply requires the resources of the federal government.” The city created an agency to help connect businesses with funding from the private and philanthropic sector, but the amount it has connected businesses to so far is $65 million, in comparison to a needed $1.5 to $2 billion in support (Politico).

Trump Administration Claims Vaccine Will be Free to Some Americans

On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced that it would ensure any coronavirus vaccine would be provided free to Americans who cannot afford it (CNBC, Hill, STAT, VOA). A senior administration official speaking to reporters on background said, for the “vulnerable, who cannot afford the vaccine and desires the vaccine, we will provide it for free.” The official said the administration would work with insurers to do so.

U.S. Economy

U.S. Retail Sales Increased 18% in May

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, retail sales—which include purchases at stores, restaurants, and online—increased nearly 18 percent in May. The increase in sales comes as states across the nation begin to reopen, and U.S. shoppers feel more confident spending. The increase in retail sales is the largest since 1992, the date when recording began. However, retail spending is still below where it was before the pandemic, and down six percent compared to the same time last year. Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners, discussed the surge in sales, stating, “The U.S. consumer’s back big time, and she’s spending” (WSJ). Stocks increased with news on consumer spending with the S&P 500 rising two percent, the Dow Jones increasing two percent, and the Nasdaq composite increasing two percent (WSJ).                                                                                                                   

Hilton to Cut 22% Of Corporate Workforce

On Tuesday, Hilton announced that it is planning to cut 22 percent of its corporate workforce worldwide or nearly 2,100 employees. Experts have deemed this cut as one of the most significant in the travel industry. As we covered in earlier briefs, the travel industry has been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, especially hotels. In early April, occupancy levels at hotels across the U.S. were less than 30 percent. CEO of Hilton, Christopher Nassetta, discussed the job cuts, saying, “Never in Hilton’s 101-year history has our industry faced a global crisis that brings travel to a virtual standstill.” Hyatt and Marriott, other large hotel chains, have announced similar moves offering both furloughs and job cuts to current employees (WSJ). 

U.S. Consumer Spending Habits Change Amid the Pandemic

With less money spent at restaurants, bars, shopping, and travel, Americans are redirecting their spending to home improvement and other options to stay entertained amid the pandemic. According to Mastercard, sales at home improvement stores surged 32 percent, and sales at furniture stores were up six percent, compared to the same time last year. Further, with travel put on hold for the summer, new options to spend the time are being pursued. David Schmitt, vice president of Buster’s Marine Service, a boat dealer in New York, discussed the spending change to the Wall Street Journal, stating, “I’ve got people I went to high school with who I haven’t spoken to in 20 years, asking how they can get a boat” (WSJ).

U.S. Society

New York City Playgrounds Closed Until July, Local Officials Cut Chains Off Locked Playgrounds

On Tuesday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that City playgrounds would remain closed until phase 2 of the reopening plan in July. However, three local lawmakers on Tuesday cut the chains on two closed playgrounds in Brooklyn. The chains were cut off right before de Blasio made his announcement, and de Blasio discussed the cutting of the chains, stating, “People are not allowed to open up a playground that’s not yet available to the public” (NY Post, NY Daily News). The issue has been particularly heated in orthodox Jewish neighborhoods, where families are large and living in small apartments, an issue raised by community leaders (ABC).

Coronavirus Economy Particularly Tough for Transgender People, Especially Those of Color

Prior to the pandemic, transgender people were already facing particularly tough economic and societal conditions, but they have also been particularly hard hit by the pandemic and its societal and economic impacts (NYT). Prior to the pandemic, transgender people of color were already six times more likely than the general population to be unemployed and five times as likely to make less than $24,000 a year, according to Rebecca Rolfe, executive director of the San Francisco LGBT Center. For many, they found income through sex work, often facing employment discrimination more broadly. As a result, many lacked access to the ability to conduct work while social distancing and lacked health insurance. The national Trans Lifeline has reported a 4 to 5 times increase in calls about discrimination and unemployment and a 300% increase in calls about health care and domestic violence. “What the Covid-19 moment is showing us is that the inequality that existed before the crisis is only heightened and magnified during the crisis,” commented, Sammie Ablaza Wills, a 25-year-old living in the Bay Area who identifies as non-binary.

 Readers can send in tips, critiques, questions, and suggestions to coronavirusbrief@newamerica.org.

The Brief is edited by Peter Bergen and co-edited by Melissa Salyk-Virk, Emily Schneider, David Sterman, and Narisara Murray, with Brenden McMullen.

Read previous briefs here: https://www.newamerica.org/international-security/blog/new-america-coronavirus-daily-brief/

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