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Breaking News
Corona Virus Pandemic

 
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Covid-19 breaking news from April 2020
The facts and only the facts, without editorialization or opinion. You decide what to believe.

April Roundup

May 11, 2020 - New York City Mayor William DeBlasio stated that New York City may open up in June, 2020

May 11, 2020 - New York Governor Cuomo stated that several upstate districts will partially return to normal business activities this week. Businesses will still be required to observe social distancing rules and mask wearing rules, while indoors.

May 8, 2020 - The United States Labor Department have determined that the United States lost 20,500,000 jobs in April. This amounts to a 14.5% unemployment rate. Other sources claim that the unemployment rate is significantly higher with some saying 25.5% unemployment rate. It should be noted that James Bullard, the chairman of the St. Louis Federal Reserve stated in a memo in late March, 2020, that the unemployment rate may exceed 30% if the lockdown extended to the end of August, 2020.

April 21, 2020 - President Donald Trump says that his immigration restrictions will also apply for 60 days to green card applicants.

April 21, 2020 - President Donald Trump is demanding that Harvard University pay back corona virus aid. Harvard University has over 40 billion dollars endowment in reserve.

April 21, 2020 - Oil prices continued to fall to its lowest price since 2002. The American shale oil industry is at a complete standstill.

April 20, 2020 - President Donald Trump states that he will issue an order to suspend immigration.

April 20, 2020 The Governors of South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee have announced that most businesses will be permitted to open either now or by April 30.

April 20, 2020 - Oil prices crash. A 55 gallon barrel of "West Texas Crude" crashed to negative numbers today, to an astounding minus $39 per barrel, that is that the producers were paying the buyers to take the oil. The reason for this is that all of the storage facilities are filled to capacity and because of the lock down, oil consumption has dropped dramatically. This price drop is clearly temporary since now the wells have stopped pumping and thus output has dropped. In certain cases, such as the Alaska pipeline, it is extremely difficult and costly to stop oil flow for a variety of technical reasons.

April 16, 2020 - The $349 billion dollar Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses, distributed by the Small Business Administration (SBA), has run out of money and their application website now states "NOTICE: Lapse in Appropriations. The SBA is currently unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program based on available protections". In the few days that the money was available, the SBA made 1,660,000 loans. According to the SBA, there are 30,200,000 small businesses in the country, thus about one in twenty small businesses received these loans. There is some controversy since a publicly traded company with over 5,000 employees received a loan and another major company received a loan, only to file for bankruptcy that was apparently pre-planned.

April 16, 2020 - Protests by thousands of protesters have converged on the state houses of Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Michigan and other states demanding that businesses and other activities be resumed. Many constitutional guarantees are mentioned including freedom of religion, freedom to assemble, the pursuit of happiness and others. Many protesters do not believe in the severity of the Corona Virus and compare it with the yearly flu.

April 15, 2020 - New York Governor Andrew Cuomo extends PAUSE till May 15, 2020.

April 15, 2020 - New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issues an executive order stating that all people must wear masks or face coverings, if they might be closer than six feet from one another in public or if they go into a supermarket.

April 14, 2020 - President Donald Trump stopped funding the controversial United Nations World Health Organization (WHO). Up to this point, the United States had funded approximately 50% of the WHO's annual budget.

March 30, 2020 - A report from the Federal Reserve of St. Louis district said in a recent analysis that the US will lose 47 million jobs, resulting in an unemployment rate of 32.1%. During the Great Depression of 1929 to 1936, the highest unemployment rate was 24.9%. The original projections by James Bullard, the chairman of the St. Louis Federal Reserve was an unemployment rate of 30%.

Some people originally stated that all would be back to normal by August, with some optimistically saying as early as April 15th

March 25, 2020 - Congress passes a 2 Trillion dollar economic stimulus package that includes a one time payment to every citizen who earns less than $95,000 per year. A working couple earning less than $190,000 will get $2400 and a further $500 per child. The initial payment is based on a persons 2018 tax return or their 2019 return, if it has been filed. However the final determination will be the 2020 tax return so that in theory, if the person earns above the threshold in 2020, the money will have to be returned. The exact procedure has not be announced as of today. A variety of emergency loans for businesses and banks has been also been authorized. One such loan, that may not have to be repaid is a $10,000 Small Business Agency SBA loan, but there is a cap as to the total amount available.

March 24, 2020 - Mayor Bill DeBlasio plans to release non violent prisoners from jail to prevent the rapid spread of Corona Virus in prison. District Attorneys from most New York City Borough's object to this plan stating that crime will rise.

March 23, 2020 - The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has extended the April 15 tax filing deadline to July 15, 2020.

March 20, 2020 - New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order known as "Pause" which is a ten point program. Key points include:

  • 100% closure of non essential businesses statewide, effective at 8PM on Sunday. Exceptions made for essential service such as groceries and health care.

  • "Matilda's Law, named after his mother, provides protections for those who are 70 and older, people with compromised immune systems and those with underlying illnesses.

  • Orders a 90 day moratorium on any residential or commercial evictions

The ten point executive order includes:
Effective at 8PM on Sunday, March 22, all non-essential businesses statewide will be closed

  1. Non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason (e.g. parties, celebrations or other social events) are canceled or postponed at this time

  2. Any concentration of individuals outside their home must be limited to workers providing essential services and social distancing should be practiced
  3. When in public individuals must practice social distancing of at least six feet from others;Businesses and entities that provide other essential services must implement rules that help facilitate social distancing of at least six feet
  4. Individuals should limit outdoor recreational activities to non-contact and avoid activities where they come in close contact with other people
  5. Individuals should limit use of public transportation to when absolutely necessary and should limit potential exposure by spacing out at least six feet from other riders
  6. Sick individuals should not leave their home unless to receive medical care and only after a telehealth visit to determine if leaving the home is in the best interest of their health
  7. Young people should also practice social distancing and avoid contact with vulnerable populations
  8. Use precautionary sanitizer practices such as using isopropyl alcohol wipes.

"Matilda's Law" includes the following rules for vulnerable populations:

  1. Remain indoors

  2. Can go outside for solitary exercise;Pre-screen all visitors and aides by taking their temperature and seeing if person is exhibiting other flu-like symptoms
  3. Do not visit households with multiple people;Wear a mask when in the company of others
  4. To the greatest extent possible, everyone in the presence of vulnerable people should wear a mask
  5. Always stay at least six feet away from individuals
  6. Do not take public transportation unless urgent and absolutely necessary.

March 18, 2020 - Macy's announced that it is laying off the majority of its123,000 employees.

March 15, 2020 - There is a belief that after the economic shutdown is over, the economy and life will snap back to normal. There is considerable question to this, as there is a fear that those who have their jobs suspended, will not be able to pay their accumulated rent, mortgage payments and other accumulating bills, even after they return to work after the shutdown. There is the further issue that restaurants, and companies may not be able to catch up with their own accumulating rents, mortgages, loans and other bills and may have to layoff or fire employees or close their businesses entirely, if the shutdown continues over a period of time.

March 12, 2020 - President Donald Trump suspends all travel to Europe. This order is soon extended to the rest of the world.

 

 

 

 

 
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Frank X. Didik with NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio and first lady Chirlane McCray, at Gracy Mansion.

For the latest updates, and links, please go to the main page of www.News1.net Thank you.

NYC heat wave
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Thousands of New Yorkers are leaving
A new job apprenticeships website
New Federal hiring guidelines
NYPD shows extreme professionalism and restraint Read more
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Protests erupt in NYC read more
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History of Corona Virus read more
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Corona Shut-down read more
Congress aproves of2 trillion read more
Protestors object to shutdown read more
Photographs of empty New York Citymore
Federal reserve on Covid-19 read more

Prior News

OP-ED

Corona Paycheck program read more
Remote salary protection read more
Internet censorship read more
People should be responsible for themselves and carry their own weight in society read more


Subway Safety-Subway Gate Every year hundreds of people are killed or severely injured when they fall onto the tracks of trains and subways. The prevention is cost efficient and greatly reduces liability ... read more ...

Greatly reduce train noise A significant amount of train noise is caused by the train wheels rolling over the expansion joint of the tracks. This vibration creates noise, vibrations, an less pleasant ride and also reduces the life cycle of the train. The solution is relatively simple and cost effective..read more ...

Corona Virus: What I have observed regarding the Corona Virus can be read here. Further, my photographs of empty New York City, can be viewed here.

Pentup Demand caused by Covid-19 lockdown? Unlikely. People are used to staying home, have developed new habits, and after being out of work, will probably want to save money.

Hysterical Fears pushed in the media and other sources: What ever happened to Y2K, the Ozone hole, nuclear winter, missile gap, read more

Restaurants and Bars will spring back? Very unlikely. People go to these places not only to eat and drink but primarily to socialize. If people are social distanced, why go out?

Corona Virus "Experts"? Who is to say who is an expert when the entire virus is a new event and nobody has any real understanding what is going on. This is like the transition period of Eastern Europe from 1989 to 1992, when so many "leading experts" came from nowhere and gave the public their speculation with truly disastrous results, causing massive inflation and economic failure in countries who followed their "advice".

Question If you can live for a thousand years, but have to live in a 12x12 foot (3x3 meter) room without ever leaving, would you do it? I prefer to live life to its fullest and accept the risks. Everything in life entails a certain risk.

Forced vaccinations? But Why? read more

Do more people die because of the Corona Virus or because of the lockdown? read more

Is Covid-19 as widespread as suggested? read more

Liberal Governments verses Conservative Governments read more

Career first and family later? read more

 


Frank X. Didik aboard "The Futurist", anchored in a New York Harbor.

Thoughts on science, business and society today
By Frank X. Didik - News1.net editor.

What if and what can or might be.


The 1956 Firebird was to be self driving.
Self Driving Cars? If you have an accident with a self driving car, who is at fault? The car manufacturer, the owner of the car or the occupant "driver" of the car? I have enjoyed owning and driving some of the most interesting cars made and have always enjoyed the freedom of driving without impediments or restrictions. Nevertheless, if self driving cars can help reduce accidents and enhance society, I am for them. Besides the technical aspects, there are many other issues that must be worked out. My concerns regarding self driving cars including liability, safety, morality and effectiveness. ...read more ...

 


Bicycles? What ever happened to jet packs, flying cars and advanced technology that in the past, was predicted that we would be using by today? Why are bicycles being pushed by cities world wide?...read more ...

Question: If people who are protesting are paid to protest, is it really a protest?

Question: If a humanitarian organization is paid for their services, are they really a humanitarian organization?

Question: If a charity receives most or all of its money from the government, is it really a charity considering that the tax payer is paying for their services?

Cell Phone Etiquette
Advice for the modern person - December 9, 2016 read more

Time to Rethink Bike Lanes
Advice for bicyle based cities
 - August 3, 2016 read more

On Education
Rethinking school and our education system

Should everyone attend college or university? ... read more ...

Can a college or a university really teach a person to be a businessman or an artist or good in any particular field? ... read more ...

How come all college undergraduate degree's require four years? Should some degrees require only one year while others perhaps six years? ... read more ...

What courses should and should not be taught at college or university? Can college or a university teach a person how to be a good business person, or how to be creative? ... read more ...

Reason, Logic and intellect is not reliable. The late Christopher Hitchens often stated that we should rely on our logic, reason and intellect to determine the truth. Many people who pride themselves as educated, intelligent and progressive believe the same. As reasonable as this seems, Galileo proved over 400 years ago that our logic, reason and intellect is unreliable and that only direct experimental data, should be relied upon. Galileo had dropped two balls of the same material, but different masses, from the Leaning Tower of Pisa to demonstrate that they would hit the ground at the same time, rather than the heavier ball hitting the ground first, as almost everyone, including Aristotle, 2000 years ago, had assumed. Our logic, reason and intellect is not reliable and should only be viewed as speculation. Only direct experimentation and obtaining the same results, over and over again should be relied upon.

 

What about? ..

Old Computer Formats and the longevity of our digitally stored knowledge. Are we entering into a "pre-history" era? How can we preserve our computer written records, books, photographs, video and knowledge? We must have an international agreement and an organization, perhaps under auspices of the United Nations, dedicated to preserving our global digital records so that future generations can access the information and knowledge that we store on computer readable formats.

If you wanted to, would you be able to read a:

    3 1/2" or 5 1/4" or 8" floppy?
    cd-rom or a dvd?
    12" optical disk?
    9 track tape?
    IBM punch card?
    Paper punch tape?

If you can not read these one or two generation old formats today, how will society be able to read these documents in 200 years from now? In a few years, our latest computer formats and storage devices, such as USB drives, will also be obsolete. I have deep concerns about the longevity of our knowledge and of computer records, ...read more ...

What if the decay rate of elements varies rather than being a constant? Imagine, if this is the case, it would mean that all archeological dating is in question. How old are artifacts? When in fact did the dinosaurs really die out? Further, consider that ... read more ...

What is the speed of gravity? If it is instantaneous, then what if gravity can be modulated? Today most scientists, assume that the speed of gravity is the same as the speed of light, but what if the speed of gravity is instantaneous? Further, if gravity can be modulated, it might allow for instantaneous universal communication. Thus it might be possible to communicate with space craft instantly, rather than waiting for minutes for transmissions to reach the craft or earth. Perhaps computer chips can be made to operate vastly faster. And this is just the beginning since ...read more ...

On Business

Investing in Startups. Good idea or bad? Is investing in a Startup, that has never proven itself in the market place, a good idea or a waste of money (and talent)? Historically, investors invested in companies that were swamped with orders and making money, but needed additional money to ... read more ...

Most efficient brain-storming method and how to make morning office meetings more productive and interesting ... read more ...

Superior advertising results

Producing the very best and most effective TV commercials The single purpose of a television commercial is to sell the product or service. The fact that an advertisement might be interesting, funny, informative or well produced is secondary to the main purpose, which is to sell the product or service. One should never leave the creation of the television commercial to the television producer or the video editor. ... read more ...

Building the most effective business websites Never let a "web designer" develop the website for you. A web designer should be produce the website under the supervision of an on line marketing master, usually working with ... read more ...

 


There is an alternative to population control. Restricting and discouraging the formation of families in order to stabilize or reduce population infringes on the freedom and rights of every human. There is another much better approach...read more ...

Questioning the results of modern science. For the last 100 years, we have been experiencing the collapse of real science. Theories, speculation and fantasy is the norm today. By definition, the scientific method is the ability to test and re-test and always get the same results, over and over. If an idea or a theory can not be tested, the idea must be viewed as speculation and not considered true, till that idea is proven without a doubt. Scientific theory has moved to areas that are beyond our present capability of testing and gradually a number of unproven theories have become accepted as fact without any real proof. Further, new theories have been developed based on old theories. Thus we have a situation where science today is largely based on theory upon theory. If something can not be proven, it falls into the realm of philosophy rather than science. This has led to...read more ...


What if time varies along with all things, rather than being a constant? Consider that...read more ...

Can the speed of light vary, even if traveling under the same conditions, or in other words, is the speed of light really a constant? According to Einstein's theory of relativity, the speed of light is a constant but ...read more ...

Science and media hype: Any sudden "revolutionary" scientific discovery, even if such discovery is written about in every newspaper and scientific journal, should be greeted with skepticism. Such a discovery should only be accepted after the bulk of scientists have have had a chance to review the discovery and confirm that it is in fact correct. Such things that come to mind include cold fusion, the so called "God Particle" and even the recent stated discovery of a "gravitational wave". All too often such media hype has come and gone without any real discovery or fundamental change. ..read more ...

What percentage of information, contained in science books is accurate and true? Are we in a post science period? Many science books today present ...read more ...

It is time to retest scientific properties. Verify results. I suggest that the properties of all materials be re-tested using modern technology and certify the results. Melting and boiling points, conductivity, hardness, and all physical properties of materials should be re-tested ...read more ...

Honesty and integrity in scientific research is essential in order to advance our knowledge base. When a scientist has worked for years to prove a particular theory and finds out that their work hasbeen in vain, it is difficult to admit that their original assumptions were wrong. Still it is vitally important ..read more ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

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