Covid-19 deaths in the United States topped 1,000 for four days straight this past week, according to The Washington Post. More than 1,400 Covid deaths were reported Wednesday, the biggest number in more than two months.
California reported 174 deaths on Tuesday, a single-day record that lasted only until Wednesday, when 189 deaths were reported in the state, according to the Los Angeles Times. As of Suday, california reorted511,125 cases abd 9,395 fatalities from the Coronavirus. Florida set single-day mortality records three days in a row, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, when 253 virus-related deaths were reported.
Pasadena City officials announced 13 new local cases of the Coronavirus on Thursday and one additional fatality as the city’s case count continued to move towards 2,000. So far there have been 1,973 cases and 109 deaths in Pasadena as of Sunday, August2nd. Meanwhile cases at Huntington Hospital appear to be on the decline. The numbers were announced about an hour after Los Angeles County’s health officers said today investigators are looking into reports of area religious institutions continuing to hold indoor services despite coronavirus restrictions barring such gatherings, and he said violation notices will be issued to offenders.
LA County has reported more than 192,000 cases and 4,692 deaths. 
Also: Coronavirus cases in the U.S. have hit the 4.5 million mark, and the country has suffered more than 152,000 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. Globally, at least 17.3 million people have been infected and more than 673,000 have died.
Bad place: The New York Times spoke to 20 public health experts across a range of disciplines about the current state of the epidemic in the U.S. Their outlook was bleak: “We are in a worse place than we were in March,” said Dr. Leana S. Wen, a former Baltimore health commissioner. “Back then we had one epicenter,” New York and New Jersey. “Now we have lots.”
Donald G. McNeil Jr. writes that defiance and dread have been replaced by sadness and exhaustion. “We’re all incredibly depressed and in shock at how out of control the virus is in the U.S.,” said Dr. Michele Barry, the director of the Center for Innovation in Global Health at Stanford University.
The Phase Four coronavirus legislative package was introduced in the Senate. The US Chamber prepared a side-by-side analysis of this legislation with the House-passed HEROES Act, as well as the U.S. Chamber’s priorities. You can view that analysis here. Additionally, they have prepared a detailed state-by-state analysis of the impact of each bill’s unemployment insurance proposal. That analysis can be found here. As of Sunday, negotiations were continuing without a resolution.
ICYMI: U.S. Chamber and MetLife Poll Shows Small Businesses Recovery Losing Steam Amid ‘Second Wave’ Concerns: The U.S. Chamber and MetLife released the monthly Small Business Coronavirus Impact Poll—which surveys how small businesses nationwide are adapting their operations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic while preparing amid concerns of a potential resurgence. Among other insights, the most recent poll finds that:
- 86% of small businesses report that they are either fully or partially reopened;
- 65% of small businesses are concerned about having to close their business, or stay closed, if there is a second wave of COVID-19
- 48% of small businesses say it could be anywhere from three months to a year before they anticipate rehiring most of their employees;
- 64% of PPP loan recipients are concerned about meeting the criteria necessary to receive loan forgiveness;
- Services and retail slightly more likely to remain closed. By sector, slightly fewer services and retail businesses are open (82% each) compared to manufacturing (87%) and professional services firms (92%).
- Businesses remain concerned about the impact of a second wave of coronavirus. 65% of businesses are concerned about having to close their business, or stay closed, if there is a second wave of COVID-19.
- Majority of small businesses report actively preparing for resurgence of coronavirus. The most common preparatory actions include purchasing additional supplies to prevent shortages, updating their website and/or social media profile, and increasing e-commerce or digital payment options;
- PPP loan recipients concerned about loan forgiveness. One in five (19%) respondents report applying for, and receiving, a PPP loan. Among loan recipients, nearly two-thirds (64%) are concerned about meeting the criteria necessary to receive loan forgiveness.
- Those who laid off employees see months before they can rehire. Small businesses are more likely to report having fewer employees (21%) than more (11%) when compared to before the pandemic began. Among those with less employees, 48% say it could be anywhere from three months to a year before they anticipate rehiring most of their employees.
- Long-term hiring expectations on the rise. However, more small businesses expect to increase staff in the next year compared to last quarter (30% now, versus 23% in May).
- More plan to increase investment next year. 35% of small businesses report plans to increase investments in the upcoming year, up eight percentage points from late May. This is nearly double the number that report plans to reduce investments (18%).
- Competition on the rise. Nearly one in three (31%) small businesses report facing more competition from smaller or local companies compared to six months ago—a 10 point increase from late May.
You can view the full report by clicking here.
LOCALLY:
Pasadena business that are open are required to post safe operating posters at their establishment. To download the COVID-19 signage for businesses to post within their establishments, click here.
Pasadena has an expedited permit process for businesses that can open for outdoor service. Here is a link to the expedited permit portals: City of Pasadena Planning Department Rapid Reopening Permit Application Portal
Here are other resources:
Helpful Links Regarding COVID-19:
- City of Pasadena Novel Coronavirus page
- City of Pasadena COVID-19 Information for Businesses
- City of Pasadena Planning Department Rapid Reopening Permit Application Portal
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Information Page & Business Toolkit
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Novel Coronavirus page
- Center for Disease Control Guidelines for Workplace, Home & School
The LA Regional COVID-19 Recovery Fund will deploy $3 million in grants available at $5,000 or $15,000 to micro-entrepreneurs, small businesses, and 501(c)(3) non-profits. There are 6 total rounds, with finalists notified after each round. Round 3 is now open through August 7, 2020. Click Here to Learn More + Apply
United Latinx Fund Deadline to Apply: August 28, 2020, ULF's Community Grants Program provides unrestricted funding for a one year, small-grant between $5000 and $15,000 to grassroots 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations committed to creating a Los Angeles where Latinx thrive. Funded programs must align with at least one of ULF's priority areas: Jobs and Housing. The priority areas are broadly interpreted to accommodate a diverse array of applicants, programs and strategies working to improve job readiness, increase the number of living wage jobs and make housing more available to Latinx throughout Los Angeles County. Successful applicants engage Latinx in their organization's governance and programming, have an established record of building partnerships and leveraging resources. Click Here To Apply