Daily Briefing – 163
Cuomo: Orders Clamp Down in NYC Hot Spots.
In a briefing from his NYC Office Governor Cuomo said that hotspots could result in more widespread infections. In order to stop the spread from the hotspots the State is using testing, data analysis, and enforcement mechanisms. He added that local governments have not done enough to enforce laws and rules that prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Beginning today in NYC:
- Schools in Brooklyn and Queens with clusters will be closed.
- For religious institutions to remain open, communities must agree to enforce mask, capacity, and social distancing protocols.
- The New York State Department of Health and State Police will oversee enforcement activities beginning at midnight in hotspot clusters with local personnel supplements.
- Non-essential businesses, public spaces, and schools in hotspot areas should close; however, the State will first review public health data to determine which establishments in the impacted areas will close.
- New York currently has the lowest statewide positivity rate in the nation if hotspots are excluded.
Cuomo Issues Executive Order 202.67 Continuing Temporary Suspension and Modification of Laws Relating to the Disaster Emergency
The Executive Order extends through November 3, 2020 the suspensions and modifications of law and any directives, unless they are superseded by a subsequent order, contained in Executive Orders 202 and up. Executive order 202 was issued March 7, 2020.
Michigan Supreme Court Rules Against Governor’s Emergency Powers
Michigan’s Supreme Court ruled Friday that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer lacks the authority to extend or declare states of emergency in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Democratic governor issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in March and expanded it via another executive order in April. The Republican-controlled legislature passed a resolution to extend the state of emergency, but only until April 30. Whitmer has since issued several more orders related to the pandemic.
Gov. Whitmer on Monday asked the state Supreme Court to hold off the effective date of the ruling until Oct. 30.
Monday Economic Report – Consumer Ups and Downs, Plus a Whole Lot More
Personal consumption expenditures rose 1.0% in August, increasing (but slowing) for the fourth straight month. The saving rate fell to 14.1% but remained well above the 7.5% average in 2019, suggesting that consumers remain cautious in their spending despite progress in the economy.
Meanwhile, personal income decreased 2.7% in August, the biggest monthly decline since May. The data reflect declining transfer payments, with unemployment insurance falling from $1.32 trillion in July to $633.5 billion in August. Total wages and salaries rose 1.3% in August.
Monday Economic Report 2020-1005
BLS: Manufacturers Added 66,000 Jobs in September
Manufacturers added 66,000 workers in September, rising for the fifth straight month but with employment still down by 647,000 since February. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 661,000 in September, somewhat below consensus estimates despite increasing for the fifth consecutive month.
WHO Sounds Alarm Over Mental Health Effects of Pandemic
The ongoing pandemic is increasing the number of people who need assistance dealing with mental health issues while also limiting mental health care in 93% of countries, the World Health Organization says. WHO Emergencies Director Dr. Mike Ryan estimates that approximately 10% of the world’s population has been infected with coronavirus at this point, and is urging the global community to develop a “comprehensive strategy to fight this disease.”
Interos Report Illustrates Severity of COVID-19 Impact on Global Supply Chains
More than 90% of companies expect the disruption of global supply chains caused by the pandemic will have long-lasting effects on their businesses. Nearly every one of the 450-senior decision-makers in the United States who took the survey (98%) said their organization’s supply chain was disrupted. Their organizations grappled with shortages, demand reduction, price swings, and another upheaval in their supply chains due to the pandemic. More than 90% are concerned that future waves of infections will have similar consequences.
To reduce risk and protect against future shocks, businesses are planning to retool their supply chains, the survey finds. Among the steps they are considering is moving manufacturing to the United States.
Read more at Material Handling and Logistics
CDC Acknowledges Covid-19 Can Spread via Tiny Air Particles
In its latest revisions to the guidelines Monday, the CDC acknowledged a role for the tiny airborne particles, though the latest wording says they aren’t the main way the virus spreads.
The virus is primarily transmitted via respiratory droplets by people in close contact, including those who are physically near, or within about 6 feet of, each other, the CDC said. The agency also recognized, however, that some infections can be spread by exposure to the virus in small droplets and particles that can linger in the air for minutes to hours.
Read more at the WSJ
