Tuesday, August 4, 2020

And another day of disinformation, tests, travel restrictions, questions, reversals, mysteries, scathing letters, explosions, obstacles, cuts, a crisis, releases, retractions, and infections comes to a close:

“The opportunity-hoarding elite told us we were imagining the permanence of our plight and sold us survival as an aspiration.” -- Sarah Kendzior

Deaths

US: 160,290 (+1361)

World: 704,365 (+7177)

Cases

US: 4,918,420 (+56,246)

World: 18,701,672 (+258,188)

Countdown: 91 days.

Trump on Covid death toll: 'It is what it is'. "Well, what's your definition of control?" Trump replied, adding: "I think it's under control. “How? A thousand Americans are dying a day," Swan said. "They are dying. That's true. And you -- it is what it is," Trump said emphatically. "But that doesn't mean we aren't doing everything we can. It's under control as much as you can control it." — The gaslighting of America. 

House Oversight panel requests testimony from postmaster general over mail delays. The House Oversight and Reform Committee is requesting the postmaster general appear before the Democrat-led panel to discuss changes to the U.S. Postal Service that have caused delays in mail delivery, an issue taking on heightened importance as states expand vote-by-mail for the November election.

Bogus information, hate and conspiracy theories have animated American politics forever, but social media has supercharged the paranoia. At recent congressional hearings, Facebook was accused of happily cashing in on that disinformation.

Jonathan Swan reveals the simple secret to exposing Trump's lies: basic follow-up questions.

Pastor who urged people not to "cower in fear" tests positive for coronavirus. — Obviously all that praying worked. 

Trump nursing home plan limits supply of free COVID-19 tests. The Trump administration’s plan to provide every nursing home with a fast COVID-19 testing machine comes with an asterisk: The government won’t supply enough test kits to check staff and residents beyond an initial couple of rounds.

Oregon considering potential travel restrictions to slow spread of COVID-19.

Questions being raised after Kodak’s stock has a big moment. Kodak’s depressed stock price surged last week before the company announced its plans to work with President Donald Trump’s administration in exchange for a $765 million loan. That prompted Sen. Elizabeth Warren to send a Monday letter asking the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate whether insider trading laws have been broken.

In apparent reversal, Trump encourages Floridians to vote by mail.

The Biggest Trump Financial Mystery? Where He Came Up With the Cash for His Scottish Resorts. Donald Trump dumped $400 million into his clubs in Aberdeen and Turnberry. Now, lawmakers in Edinburgh want to investigate him for money laundering.

MSNBC producer pens scathing exit letter: Ratings model 'blocks diversity of thought and content'. Producer Ariana Pekary recently resigned from MSNBC with an open letter accusing the news network of predicating its editorial process on ratings and alleging that its model "blocks diversity of thought and content because the networks have incentive to amplify fringe voices and events."

Massive warehouse explosion rocks Beirut, causing thousands of injuries and widespread damage. A "colossal" explosion that rocked the port area of Lebanon's capital Tuesday, killing dozens of people and injuring thousands more, happened at a warehouse where tons of ammonium nitrate were being stored, the prime minister said.

Beirut explosion: World reacts to deadly blast in Lebanon capital. Leaders across the globe offer support as Lebanese officials warn the number of dead and wounded is expected to rise.

Breonna Taylor killing: Prosecution may face obstacles.

Census Cuts All Counting Efforts Short By A Month.

A crisis is looming for U.S. colleges — and not just because of the pandemic.

Disney to release ‘Mulan’ on streaming service, for a price. “Mulan” is no longer headed for a major theatrical release. The Walt Disney Co. said Tuesday that it will debut its live-action blockbuster on its subscription streaming service, Disney+, on Sept. 4. But this is no “Hamilton”: Customers will have to pay an additional $29.99 on top of the cost of the monthly subscription to rent “Mulan.”

Scientists retract claim of finding tiniest dinosaur. The “tiny, weird bird-like dinosaur” was not a dinosaur or a bird after all, according to a retraction of the research published in a prestigious journal. A spectacular fossil skull preserved in a drop of amber is not from a tiny flying dinosaur but probably the remains of an ancient lizard, according to a retraction of the original research published in March.

A common and serious bacterial infection in women called bacterial vaginosis may be linked to microbes in the male penis, a new study has found.

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Stay safe and stay sane. Good night.