IndyCar series canceling all races before Month of May in Indy
There were four events on the series’ 2020 schedule before action was set to return to Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Children’s Museum, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra close temporarily over virus
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis are joining hundreds of other orchestras, performing arts groups and cultural institutions across the country by suspending operations temporarily during the coronavirus outbreak. However, some local cultural institutions remain open.
Coronavirus forcing small businesses to rethink strategies
At some small businesses, the spread of the coronavirus is forcing owners to change the fundamental ways they work.
Coronavirus concerns start to impact primary election season
In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in Indiana, the primary election season may look different than normal as candidates cancel in-person events and organizers of public forums and debates opt for no audiences.
Hackers pounce as coronavirus spread triggers work-at-home movement
Cybersecurity experts warn that cybercriminals are moving in to target people not used to working from home and companies without work-at-home policies or cyber-safety nets.
Thousands of Hoosiers ask about COVID-19 testing, but most get turned away
Thousands of people are calling hospitals and state health offices with concerns, but as of Thursday evening, only 64 Hoosiers had been tested—or about 0.00009% of the Indiana population. The tests have resulted in 12 positive cases.
As central banks intervene to calm markets, few see solution
On Thursday, the Fed unveiled a massive short-term lending program to try to help smooth trading in U.S. Treasuries. Many economists now expect the Fed to slash its benchmark interest rate by a full percentage point, to nearly zero, at its policy meeting next week.
The mighty bull market falls victim to a tiny virus
The bull officially ran from March 9, 2009, until Feb. 19, 2020, when it began the 26.7% dive that as of Thursday has taken it into bear market territory.
Lilly teams with Canadian biotech in race to find treatment for COVID-19
The Indianapolis-based drugmaker said it will combine its capability for quickly developing antibodies with AbCellera’s “rapid pandemic response platform,” with the goal of getting a treatment into clinics for human testing within four months.
Virus testing is a ‘failing,’ leaving cases uncounted, experts say
Large-scale testing is a critical part of tracking the spread of infectious diseases and allocating resources for treatment. The lack of comprehensive figures means U.S. health providers could quickly be overwhelmed by undetected cases.
Concert promoter Live Nation, Broadway, Hollywood shutting down over virus
The entertainment industry prepared Thursday for an unprecedented shutdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus, canceling upcoming concerts, movies, suspending all Broadway performances and eliminating live audiences from television shows until it’s safe to welcome crowds back.
UPDATE: Public schools in Marion, Hamilton counties closing
Mayor Joe Hogsett said that left unchecked, the coronavirus “has the potential to wreak untold damage on our families and the very social safety net that protects our most vulnerable residents.”
Gov. Holcomb bans gatherings of 250 or more, makes it easier for schools to close
“This is a time when we must do all we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19, protect our most vulnerable populations and reduce their potential to acquire or spread this virus,” Holcomb said in a statement. “While some actions are drastic, now, not later, is the time to act.”
No March Madness: NCAA calls off basketball tournaments, other sports championships
The decision comes one day after the Indianapolis-based NCAA said it would not allow fans to attend games in hopes of stopping the potential spread of the virus.
Dow suffers biggest percentage drop in 33 years
The Dow industrials plunged more than 2,300 points, or 10%—the latest in a series of steep drops that have wiped out most of the big run-up on Wall Street since President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Firefighters postpone massive Indy convention due to COVID-19
The convention for firefighters and other rescue personnel was scheduled to run April 19-25. It typically has an economic impact of nearly $35 million for the city.
Zionsville, Lebanon shut down schools through at least April 6
Meanwhile in Boone County, both Zionsville and Whitestown are closing town facilities through April 6 beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Major League Baseball delays opening by at least 2 weeks
The league also suspended the rest of its spring training schedule, after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis strongly recommended to local authorities and organizers that they limit all mass gatherings.
Indy Eleven’s league suspends games for at least 30 days
The United Soccer League said it was “temporarily suspending” its season over COVID-19 concerns, following the lead of the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League and Major League Soccer. The Eleven will miss at least five games.
IHSAA to limit spectators at basketball, gymnastics events
The Indiana High School Athletic Association on Thursday afternoon announced that the remaining games in its boys basketball state tournament will continue, but with limited spectators in attendance as it copes with the growing virus outbreak.
Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC Resources for Businesses and Employers OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 Indiana State Department of Health Indy Chamber Rapid Response Hub Small Business Administration The SBA is making low-interest loans for working capital available to Indiana small businesses. Indiana Unemployment Information Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Dashboard Critical Industries Hotline(for business and industry only)
877-820-0890
covidresponse@iedc.in.gov State’s virus-related executive orders State plan to reopen Indiana