Coronavirus news, worldwide

This 2 August 2020 video says about itself:

Is the world facing a second wave of COVID-19? | Inside Story

Just a few weeks ago, many governments thought they had the coronavirus under control.

The number of cases was falling and the curve of infections flattening.

Governments started lifting restrictions and reopening their economies.

Some were even praised for their successes and many people resumed their daily lives.

But that optimism hasn’t lasted. A sudden record number of infections is being reported in many countries.

Some call it a resurgence, others a comeback.

And scientists are debating how to identify and define what a ‘second wave‘ is.

The World Health Organization says the virus is unfolding in one big wave with no evidence it is impacted by changes in seasons.

And it predicts the pandemic is likely to go on for a long time.

Can lockdowns work this time?

And what will the fallout be?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra

The July days of the COVID-19 pandemic wreak havoc on the US. By Benjamin Mateus, 3 August 2020. The month of July saw over 2 million cases of COVID-19 and rising fatality rates in the Sun Belt states, and the pandemic is shifting to the Midwest.

At least 20 percent of US meatpackers may have contracted coronavirus. By Cordell Gascoigne, 3 August 2020. Over 50,000 food and agricultural workers have contracted COVID-19 in the United States, according to numbers compiled by the Food & Environment Reporting Network (FERN).

Honda orders office workers at Marysville, Ohio plant to man assembly lines as COVID-19 spreads. By Jessica Goldstein, 3 August 2020. As the pandemic ravages the workforce, management has pressed some office staff to work inside the plant.

Drive to reopen US schools continues despite mounting evidence of deadly consequences. By Evan Blake, 3 August 2020. More scientific research shows the immense dangers to the health and lives of teachers, students and parents by reopening schools while the pandemic continues out of control.

Baltimore’s Mercy Medical Center intensive care unit head physician dies of COVID-19. By Dominic Gustavo, 3 August 2020. Health care workers have been placed on the front lines of the pandemic as safety precautions such as social distancing have been lifted.

Major League Baseball season on brink of collapse as COVID-19 continues to spread. By Alan Gilman, 3 August 2020. New positive cases have continued to emerge since the first outbreak in the Miami Marlins, causing postponement of 20 percent of last weekend’s games.

Scottish government prepares to reopen schools as new COVID-19 spikes emerge. By Steve James, 3 August 2020. The government intends to re-open all primary and secondary schools by August 18, despite COVID-19 outbreaks in call centres, distribution centres, pubs and care homes.

Israeli bus drivers’ strike over COVID-19 safety concerns. By Jean Shaoul, 30 July 2020.

COVID-19 “state of disaster” imposed across Australian state of Victoria. By Patrick O’Connor, 3 August 2020. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton characterised the sweeping measures as “shock and awe.”