Wiping down groceries? Experts say keep risk in perspective
Experts say the national fixation on scrubbing sparked by the pandemic can sometimes be overkill.
Public Health
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National, Indiana jobless claims up for second straight week as virus worsens
In Indiana, 20,454 people filed initial unemployment claims in the week ended Nov. 21, up from an adjusted number of 15,422 the previous week. Prior to the pandemic, the state was typically seeing fewer than 3,000 claims per week.
Indiana lawmaker quitting weeks after winning reelection
State Rep. Christy Stutzman said she needed to devote more time to her family’s business after the family and business partners earlier this year bought the former Amish Acres tourist attraction that they renamed The Barns at Nappanee.
Amazon’s $3,000 signing bonuses irk workers who got $10 coupons
Amazon’s willingness to risk dissension in the ranks reflects a dawning reality: Many Americans are reluctant to reenter the workforce, despite a national unemployment rate of 6.9%, double the pre-pandemic level.
Indiana reports new highs for COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations
Indiana on Tuesday reported 5,702 additional COVID-19 cases, the 14th straight day that it has reported more than 5,000 new cases.
Guitar Center declares bankruptcy, seeks to restructure
Guitar Center, based Westlake Village, California, has about 300 stores across the United States, including two in the Indianapolis area. It also has local warehouse operations.
Marion County parents question school closures, urge county to reconsider
A coalition of parents is pushing back on Marion County’s recent public health order that will close schools to in-person instruction for about eight weeks, especially when bars and restaurants are allowed to remain open.
Consumers maintain insatiable demand for disinfecting products
Clorox Co. has added 10 additional third-party manufacturers and is running its own facilities 24 hours a day to make disinfecting wipes as fast as possible. But it’s not fast enough.
Retail trade group foresees solid holiday sales despite pandemic
The National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, expects holiday sales to actually exceed growth seen in prior seasons, even amid all the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.
Hamilton County to enact color-coded pandemic limitations this week
The Hamilton County Health Department on Monday issued a pandemic-related public health order that in some cases goes beyond the most recent statewide restrictions.
Indiana reaches another high in COVID-19 hospitalizations
Indiana on Monday issued its weekly COVID-19 data for schools. The state said more than 1,755 schools have reported one or more cases, 220 schools have reported zero cases and 391 schools have provided no data.
Third major COVID-19 vaccine shown to be effective, cheaper
AstraZeneca is the third major drug company to report late-stage results for a potential COVID-19 vaccine as the world anxiously waits for scientific breakthroughs that will bring an end to a pandemic.
Retailers brace as virus bears down on consumers, economy
The acceleration of coronavirus cases is causing an existential crisis for America’s retailers and spooking their customers just as the critically important holiday shopping season nears.
Business owners upbeat about vaccine, wary as virus spreads
Promising news about a coronavirus vaccine has small business owners feeling more upbeat. They also realize many hurdles remain as the pandemic shows no signs of abating heading into the winter.
Many Americans flying for holiday despite CDC pleas
More than 2 million people were screened at U.S. airports on Friday and Saturday, according to the Transportation Security Administration. Friday was only the second time since mid-March that daily airport screenings topped 1 million.
Indiana’s death toll from COVID-19 surpasses 5,000
The Indiana State Department of Health on Sunday reported 6,255 new COVID-19 cases, the 12th straight day that the state has reported more than 5,000 new cases.
Experimental drug given to Trump to treat COVID-19 wins FDA clearance
It is the second drug of this type—called a monoclonal antibody—to be cleared for COVID-19. The FDA authorized Eli Lilly and Co.’s drug on Nov. 9.
Indiana reports 6,983 more COVID-19 cases, new high in hospitalizations
The state on Saturday reported 40 new COVID-19 deaths, raising the cumulative total during the pandemic to 4,992.
Black Friday 2020: Expect shorter lines, simpler layouts, piles of pajamas
The pandemic has reshaped the most important shopping season of the year, forcing retailers to rethink inventory, store layouts and when, even how, they offer their deepest discounts.
Mnuchin denies trying to hinder incoming administration
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said a decision to end several emergency loan programs being run by the Federal Reserve was based on the fact that the programs were not being heavily utilized.