Federal Reserve, Treasury urge Congress to approve more virus relief
On Tuesday, a bipartisan group of senators introduced a aid bill totaling around $908 billion, raising hopes that the legislative impasse might be broken.
Some 2-week coronavirus quarantines can be cut to 10 or 7 days, CDC says
The move reflects the agency’s recognition that the two-week quarantine rule is onerous for many people and that most of the public health benefit from quarantining people exposed to the virus can be gained with a more flexible approach.
Indiana reports 6,655 new COVID-19 cases, 91 more deaths
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 fell slightly, from an all-time high Monday of 3,460 to 3,441 on Tuesday.
Indianapolis Boat Sport and Travel Show called off after 66-year run
Anderson-based Renfro Productions Inc., which produces and manages the show and several related events, said it would bring back the events in 2022.
United Kingdom authorizes Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for emergency use
British media have reported that hospitals in England have been told to get ready to start doing vaccinations for medical workers as early as next week.
Black Friday, Cyber Monday sales disappoint amid uncertain economic recovery
Fewer Americans shopped during Black Friday weekend, and those who did spent less than they did a year ago. It’s the latest example of how the pandemic has upended consumer habits and created new challenges for retailers.
More than half of PPP funds went to larger businesses, new data show
According to data on the government’s Paycheck Protection Program, about 600 mostly larger companies, including dozens of national chains, received the maximum amount allowed under the program of $10 million.
Indiana governor ends quarantine after COVID-19 exposure
Meanwhile, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and his wife are scheduled to remain in quarantine until Friday after having close contact with an infected person.
Holcomb extends state’s public health emergency until end of year
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s action Tuesday was his ninth 30-day extension of the statewide public health emergency he first issued in early March on the day of Indiana’s first coronavirus infection was confirmed.
U.S. panel to decide who should get the first COVID-19 shots
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices was scheduled to vote on a proposal that would give priority to health care workers and nursing home patients.
Bipartisan group of senators prepares $908B stimulus plan
Several centrist lawmakers in the Senate held a news conference Tuesday morning to push their proposal as a template for legislation that could pass Congress as the economy faces increasing strain from a winter surge in coronavirus cases.
Indiana’s daily COVID-19 report contains new highs for deaths, hospitalizations
November turned out to be a record-setter for the pandemic, with increases in cases, deaths and tested individuals setting monthly highs.
Study: Students falling behind in math during pandemic
Overall, NWEA’s fall assessments showed elementary and middle school students have fallen measurably behind in math, while most appear to be progressing at a normal pace in reading since schools were forced to abruptly close in March and work online.
European regulator could approve COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 29
European regulators could approve a coronavirus vaccine developed by drugmakers Pfizer and BioNTech within four weeks, the EU’s drug agency said Tuesday, a time frame that might mean the shot is rolled out first in the United States and Britain.
City sets Wednesday deadline for pandemic rental assistance applications
The program, which opened in July to help tenants avoid eviction during the pandemic, has provided more than $26 million in federal money to more than 12,000 households.
Fed leader Powell says pace of economic improvement has moderated
In remarks released Monday, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said that the increase in new COVID-19 cases both in the United States and abroad was “concerning and could prove challenging for the next few months.
Stocks slip, but S&P 500 still logs best month since April
The turbocharger for the market’s move higher has been a huge dose of hope as pharmaceutical companies come closer to delivering vaccines to a world beaten down by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Report: Unemployment statistics during pandemic inflated by backlogs, fraud
The Government Accountability Office, the nonpartisan auditing agency that works for Congress, was unsparing about the problems with unemployment statistics, as part of a lengthy report that looked at the country’s response to the coronavirus.
Statewide pandemic numbers hit new heights in November
In every significant statistical category, November has been a record-setter for the COVID-19 pandemic in Indiana, with cases, deaths and hospitalizations far exceeding even the early months of the coronavirus outbreak.
Holiday air travel surges despite dire health warnings
Nearly 1.2 million people passed through U.S. airports Sunday, the greatest number since the pandemic gripped the country in March, despite pleas from health experts for Americans to stay home over Thanksgiving.
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