News Room

Surges of new infections in Florida, California, Texas, Arizona and other Southern states are prompting some governors to threaten shutting down their states again. Images of people crowded into restaurants and sunbathing on beaches not wearing face masks is disquieting to many. Will such behavior bring about a tsunami of hospitalizations and deaths like what New York experienced in April?

On this week's episode, we examine the economic blow of students leaving college towns and the health risks associated with their planned return.  

Few of the coronavirus’ many inconveniences tax Americans like the line. Food banks in Vermont and Arizona have miles-long queues of cars. At testing sites in Florida, motorists show up with full gas tanks to keep air conditioning pumping all day. Travel to Europe is off, with America waiting behind other nations to re-enter someday. Even the electronic realm is tied up: Amid 11% unemployment, people applying for benefits report frozen computer screens and abrupt phone disconnections. Sometimes, the reward waiting at the end is simply a chance to try again tomorrow.

As the United States marked a subdued Independence Day last weekend, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to surge in many places, prompting governors of several states to implement or reinstate strict protocols meant to combat it.

First New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut enacted policies requiring 14-day quarantines for travelers from certain states currently experiencing COVID-19 infection spikes. Now, Chicago has jumped onto the travel restriction bandwagon, requiring travelers from COVID-19 hot spot states to self-quarantine for up to 14 days. What will this accomplish? Unfortunately, nothing constructive, with several harmful consequences.