The COVID Report

On Today's Episode... The World Health Organization states that there is no evidence to support the claim that the potency of COVID-19 is decreasing. Protests going on in multiple cities across the country may cause a spike in COVID-19 cases. A new study finds that asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 may not be infectious to others.

On Today's Episode... Spain introduces a permanent universal basic income plan to relieve economy after the COVID-19 pandemic. President Trump announces the termination of the United States' relationship with the World Health Organization. China claims that the Wuhan market that was originally known as Ground Zero is actually a super-spreader site.

On Today's Episode... New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signs executive order allowing business owners to ban customers who do not abide by mask wearing policies. Japanese researchers find that COVID-19 spreads almost 20 times greater in closed environments opposed to open ones. Researchers across the globe discover that about 10% of cases of COVID-19 were responsible for 80% of new infections.

On Today's Episode... The EU government has banned the use of Hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19. Only one state, Illinois, has met all five of the CDC's requirements to reopen their state. A Spanish Flu historian has rated the US response to COVID-19 as a 3.5 out of 10.

On Today's Episode... Kentucky reports 913 more pneumonia deaths than normal, indicating the underreporting of COVID-19 related deaths. Hospitilizations increase in multiple US states as they begin to ease COVID-19 related restrictions. Italian virologists find strain of COVID-19 that is much weaker in some patients.

On Today's Episode... AI projection shows that COVID-19 spread is drastically reduced when 80% of the population wears masks. Despite social distancing, multiple parks and beaches across the US experience large crowds. More than 1 in 4 of Americans surveyed believe conspiracy related to Bill Gates and the Coronavirus.

On Today's Episode... Carnegie Mellon researchers find that more than half of all tweets about reopening America may have came from internet bots. New York City starts $1 million dollar plan to disinfect its subways and busses using ultraviolet light. Reports show that young adults are also at risk for the development of an inflammatory syndrome related to COVID-19.

On Today's Episode... Multiple CDC officials come forward to claim that the White House is restricting COVID-19 public health efforts. CDC Korea study shows that COVID-19 patients who test positive but have recovered are not infectious. Multiple colleges announce plans to alter school schedules for the Fall 2020 semester in anticipation of a winter wave of the virus.

On Today's Episode... A rural church in Arkansas holds service causing 38% of attendees to contract COVID-19. The Navajo Nation surpasses New York and New Jersey as the region with the greatest per-capita infection rate. Texas announces plan to reopen bars despite highest one day increase in Coronavirus cases.

On Today's Episode... Study shows that use of surgical masks by both infected and healthy individuals can reduce the spread of COVID-19 by 75%. Estimates from 30 major US cities project that 200,000+ lives were saved due to stay-home orders. Cell phone data from lockdown protesters in various states shows that a surge in Coronavirus cases is likely coming.

On Today's Episode... Uber requires that both drivers and riders wear masks at all times in order to prevent COVID-19 spread. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funds an at-home Coronavirus testing program to help understand the spread of the virus throughout the Seattle community. The CDC plans to warn doctors to look out for an inflammatory syndrome being observed in some children that could be related to COVID-19.

On Today's Episode... Wuhan announces plan to test all 11 million residents after increasing worries about a second wave of COVID-19. Twitter tells employees that they will allow employees to work from home forever, even after the end of the pandemic. Dr. Fauci testifies before congress to warn about the issues that may arise if states open economies too early.

On Today's Episode... Years of low funding from the government has stifled COVID-19 treatment research. New Zealand proceeds with plans to reopen country after experiencing a milder fight against the COVID-19 virus. Fears of a second wave of COVID-19 rise in China after the discovery of a previously untraced outbreak of the virus emerges.

On Today's Episode... Google plans to keep remote work until at least October, with plans to potentially continue into 2021. Remdesivir manufacturer says that there are only enough doses available to treat 200,000 patients. Mark Cuban hired a team of covert shoppers to evaluate the reopening of Dallas businesses and found that 96% were not compliant with health protocols.

On Today's Episode... Luxembourg plans to offer free monthly COVID-19 testing through 17 drive-through centers across the country. A new study shows that the COVID-19 virus seems to die fairly quickly when exposed to direct sunlight and humidity. A new survey shows that a majority of Americans are more worried about the increasing case count of the Coronavirus opposed to a damaged economy.

On Today's Episode... Researchers report that states reopening are not following White House guidelines for contact tracing and diagnostics. A survey shows that millions of Americans would refuse a COVID-19 vaccine if offered. Oxford University alters projections, predicting that a vaccine could be available as early as September.

On Today's Episode... Austria experiences 90% decrease in COVID-19 cases after implementing face mask requirement in early April. France discovers undiagnosed case of COVID-19 from pneumonia patient on December 27th. Scientists find an antibody that prevents the coronavirus from infecting new cells.

On Today's Episode... Blood-screening company Quotient has developed a COVID-19 antibody test capable of producing results in just 35 minutes with 99.7% accuracy. College graduates are facing one of the most difficult job markets in US history, with more than 30 million applying for unemployment benefits. A survey of Americans shows that 54% would like to continue remote work even after the pandemic ends.

On Today's Episode... A bipartisan group introduces a $46.5 billion COVID-19 relief plan including hiring contact tracers, opening hotels to self-isolators, and providing paid sick leave for employees. A Northern Japanese island experiences a second wave of the Coronavirus after reopening prematurely. Ohio extends stay-at-home order until May 29th at least but opens retail businesses starting May 12th.

On Today's Episode... A study of Chinese COVID-19 patients showed that all patients produced antibodies in response to the disease. Texas reports 1700+ new cases after announcing plans to not renew their stay-at-home orders. Dr. Anthony Fauci suggests that there may be widespread access to a COVID-19 vaccine as early as January 2021.

On Today's Episode... Costco mandates that all customers wear masks when entering their warehouses starting on May 4th. Dr. Anthony Fauci suggests that trials for Remdesivir may be promising after showing improvements in recovery times. A Vitamin D insufficiency may be found to increase the risk of severe symptoms of COVID-19, a new study shows.

On Today's Episode... Dr. Anthony Fauci of the NIH warns of major drawbacks if US states open too soon. 40 people who participated in Wisconsin primary elections have tested positive for COVID-19. Researchers in Hong Kong develop an antiviral spray that can protect surfaces against COVID-19 and other diseases for up to 90 days.

On Today's Episode... Dr. Deborah Birx of the United States White House Coronavirus Task Force predicts that COVID-19 will not be under control by Memorial Day. A study shows that the Southern United States will likely half a greater fatality rate from the pandemic due to a lack of ICU beds and poorer health. Half of people surveyed in New York City report knowing someone who has passed away from the COVID-19 virus.

On Today's Episode... Many cleaning product manufacturers release public statements condemning President Trump's comments suggesting the ingestion or injection of disinfectants to stop COVID-19. Italy experiences its first day with more recoveries than new reported cases. Many countries support the launch of a new WHO initiative for COVID-19; the United States is notably absent.

On Today's Episode... Dr. Anthony Fauci predicts that COVID-19 will still be around come Autumn. Governor Gavin Newsom of California orders for the re-examination of all autopsies since December to test for signs of COVID-19. The US unemployment claims number hits 26 million, erasing all gains made since 2008.

On Today's Episode... Georgia announces plan to reopen economy despite warnings from public health officials that this would set everyone back. Beijing shuts down gyms again in fear of a second wave of COVID-19 in China. An autopsy of an individual in Santa Clara shows that they died of COVID-19 on February 6th, over three weeks before the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed.

On Today's Episode... A government document shows that the death count in the United States may exceed 300,000 if restrictions are lifted too soon. A study from the Veterans Affairs hospitals shows that Hydroxychloroquine may actually increase death rate, with no benefits to fighting COVID-19. The Attorney General, William Barr, threatens to pursue legal action against governors who extend lockdowns.

On Today's Episode... Kentucky experiences largest increase in COVID-19 cases due to a series of protests at the State Capitol in Frankfort. Dr. Anthony Fauci of the NIH denounces protests being conducted in multiple states, warning that defiance of lockdown orders could backfire on states. New York reports the least daily deaths since two weeks ago, indicating the plateau of COVID-19 in the region.

On Today's Episode... 66% of Americans in a new poll worry that their states may open up activity too soon, potentially causing a spike in novel coronavirus cases. Germany has reduced their R0 virus reproduction rate to only 0.7 from 3-4 earlier in March. Experts say that many of those suffering the most from COVID-19 in the US may be from rural areas where there are no Stay-at-Home orders.

On Today's Report... Amazon suspends over 6,000 sellers and almost 50,000 listings in anti-gouging measures of staple items in demand during the pandemic. An article published by two epidemiologists suggests that the US may have avoided almost 90% of deaths if they used social distancing just two weeks earlier. The Gates Foundation has agreed to donate $150 million more than their original $100 million donation to COVID-19 relief.

On Today's Episode... Over 600,000 people sign a petition to give essential employees at the United States Postal Service hazard pay. In an executive order, New York Governor Cuomo mandates that people wear masks in public where social distancing is not possible. A study in France reaffirms previous studies that hydroxychloroquine may not have a substantial impact on the treatment of COVID-19.

On Today's Episode... Postal Workers for USPS complain that their employers would not inform them if their colleagues test positive for COVID-19. The World Health Organization reaffirms that we have not reached the global peak of the pandemic yet. Amazon fired two employees who complained about unsatisfactory sanitary conditions for employees at warehouses.

On Today's Episode... Antibody testing for COVID-19 starts trials in California. Despite developments in testing capabilities across the United States, New York City officials warn that they may run out of testing swabs for COVID-19 diagnosis. The World Health Organization reports that not all patients who recover from the novel coronavirus carry the antibodies to fight a second instance of the infection.

On Today's Episode... The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a through contact tracing throughout the United States to return to normalcy. Dr. Anthony Fauci suggests that if a second wave of COVID-19 comes, those who have already recovered from the disease will likely be immune, even suggesting that the government has considered providing immunity cards to the recovered patients. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis considers reopening schools despite nationwide lockdown.

On Today's Episode... Public Health Officials believe that elections in Wisconsin held on Tuesday may contribute to a spike in COVID-19 cases in the area. Bill Gates suggests that schools will be back in session in the fall but the US will take time to recover economically. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signs executive order allowing only one person per household to conduct essential business.

On Today's Episode... Dr. Anthony Fauci of the NIH suggests that the original projections for deaths in the US may be high and also recommends that even after the crisis is over, people should refrain from shaking hands. Reports from the Pentagon have also shown that the Trump Administration was informed about COVID-19 as early as late November. Senator Bernie Sanders has dropped out of the 2020 presidential race, leaving Biden the presumptive nominee after a Wisconsin Primary was held despite a statewide stay-at-home order.

On Today's Episode... In an interview with Fox News, Bill Gates commends the work of Taiwan to contain the spread of COVID-19, suggesting that other countries follow their lead. After being admitted to intensive care yesterday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is reportedly in stable condition and not a ventilator. A bill entitled "The Heroes Fund" proposed by Senate Democrats would provide essential workers with up to $25,000 in hazard pay.

On Today's Episode... Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announces opening of beaches despite issuing a stay-at-home order last Thursday. Prominent political figures call for the resignation of the Director of the World Health Organization for his lack of criticism to China's initial response to COVID-19. The United Nations Biodiversity chief calls for a worldwide ban on wet markets, including markets where the Coronavirus was suspected of originating from.

On Today's Episode... in response to President Trump invoking the Defense Production Act, 3M mobilizes its factories to produce N95 respirators. However, they refuse the request to stop exports of medical equipment to Canada and Latin America. Less than half of Americans believe they will be able to return to their daily routines by June. Bill Gates has funded the manufacturing of 7 different vaccines in response to the novel Coronavirus.

On Today's Episode... Public Health officials warn that the COVID-19 virus could be spread through talking and breathing alone. As many COVID-19 hotspots form in the United States, New Orleans reports a death rate 7 times higher than New York City, in part due to a greater obesity rate. Amazon bans the selling of surgical and N95 masks to consumers, only allowing health care providers and government organizations to purchase the protective equipment.

On Today's Episode... Despite being 5th in the amount of cases of COVID-19 in the United States, Florida refuses to issue a Stay at Home order, making them the only state with over 5000 cases to not do so. COVID-19 has become the third largest cause of death in the United States, behind cancer and heart disease. A survey of American workers shows that around 50% of all Americans may not be able to afford a 1 month quarantine order without significant external financial stimulus. 

On Today's Episode... A study by The Yale University School of Medicine showed that COVID-19 could spread from patients even after they stop showing symptoms for up to 1 week in many cases. Employers including Walmart have begun to institute screening measures for employees, testing their temperatures before being allowed to work on shifts. In response to paid leave concerns and poor sanitary conditions, employees at Instacart, Amazon, and Whole Foods have staged various strikes and walkouts in protest.

On Today's Episode... Dr. Deborah Birx, White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, predicts that there may be 200,000 deaths in the US even if all protective measures are implemented perfectly. The FDA has approved a method of cleaning N95 masks with a special application of Hydrogen Peroxide in order to be reused. The International Monetary Fund has officially declared a global recession that could be worse than 2008-2009.

On Today's Episode... Bill Gates follows up on previous warnings regarding a pandemic like the Coronavirus and suggests that it may be a matter of months until we can return to normalcy. Today, the United States became the country with the most cases of COVID-19 worldwide, surpassing Italy and China and surpassing 100,000 cases. Congressman Thomas Massie (R) of Kentucky comes under fire from both political parties after calling a recorded vote on the latest stimulus package for COVID-19.

On Today's Episode... United States unemployment claims rise to almost 3 million despite projections of only 1.5 million, shattering previous records during the Great Recession and Great Depression. As cases of COVID-19 in the United States rise, health experts project that they will likely surpass Italy and eventually China in number of cases unless significant action is taken. The Who issues a warning stating that the first window to contain the virus has long passed and that countries must take drastic, immediate action to prevent further spread of the disease.

On Today's Episode... Companies including Nintendo, Ford, and General Motors pledge to convert production lines to produce medical equipment to be provided to hospitals nationwide. Public health experts criticize some individuals' practices of social distancing, stating that simply being six-feet or more apart from each other is not enough to prevent the spread of the virus. The United States Postal Service also faces the risk of shutting down in the coming months due to the increasing demand put on their supply chain, the lack of funding for this volume of shipments, and the increasing number of cases among USPS staff.

On Today's Episode... The COVID Report is joined by Kavya Koneru to discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on high schoolers and college students as they prepare to start their careers. From the cancellation of various college visit opportunities and scholarships to changes in the college sports recruiting scene, we explore the complex issues concerning the student population that continues to cope with the damage done by the pandemic.

On Today's Episode... The Surgeon General of the United States issues a warning, saying that “This week, it’s going to get bad”. A Biotech company called Aytu Bioscience has developed an FDA approved Coronavirus test that can produce results within 10 minutes of testing. As many schools have converted the remainder of their school year to consist of online classes, class divides have caused the disparity between the wealthy and the poor to widen.

On Today's Episode... California institutes a shelter at home order across the entire state, requiring that residents stay in their homes except for essential travel. 4 Senators were found to have sold many of their stock holdings after a briefing about the COVID-19 outbreak, with many now calling for their immediate resignations. With New York being one of the largest Coronavirus hotspots in the United States, Governor Andrew Cuomo has banned all non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for the time being.

On Today's Episode... The US State Department is planning to raise the travel advisory to Level 4: DO NOT TRAVEL. The United States is also experiencing a massive shortage of facemasks, causing the CDC to recommend many unsafe “last resort” options for medical workers. As hospital space is running dry with the influx of those testing positive for COVID-19, some organizations have offered to convert their facilities to hospitals to hold those infected with the Coronavirus.