At noon today (4/28), the number of coronavirus cases worldwide has exceeded 3 million with over 213 thousand deaths. In the U.S., the amount of confirmed cases exceeds 1 million with over 57 thousand deaths. In Colorado, a total of 13,879 cases with 706 deaths.
Even though the number of coronavirus cases worldwide are increasing, several countries such as Australia, New Zealand and South Korea are among the few which have contained the coronavirus outbreak for now. They are re-opening many businesses with specific limitations. Their success has boosted investor confidence and it’s showing in the strength of their currencies. Some countries are seeing a peak and some are even reducing the amount of cases and deaths.
China, the largest trading partner of both countries, has restarted production as reported cases slow to single-digit levels, with no new deaths for more than a week.
The coronavirus has killed more people in the United States than the seasonal flu in recent years, except for the 2017-2018 season per the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). The virus now exceeds the total number of Americans killed in the 1950-53 Korean War at 36,516. Coronavirus deaths total just below the 58,220 Americans killed during the Vietnam War that ended in 1975. Coronavirus deaths in the United States fall far short of the Spanish flu, which began in 1918 and killed 675,000 Americans, according to the CDC.
Many states’ stay-at-home orders have stopped the economy with over 26.5 million Americans seeking unemployment benefits over the last five weeks.
President Trump has opened an investigation into China’s part in the coronavirus crisis. He feels China could have done more to stop the virus or at least warn the world of this killer virus! With the U.S. leading in the amount of coronavirus deaths, it’s rumored China should pay restitution to the world for starting and covering up the coronavirus crisis. He also has recommended some states open up their business communities to start the economy again!
Last Sunday, the 60 Minutes TV program revealed that a Canadian software company, Blue Dot, has been tracing the coronavirus pandemic since last December. Blue dot discovered the origination of the virus began back to a caged animal market in Wuhan, China and traced the virus throughout the world using collected data from China and other sources. With the many airline flights from Wuhan, it was a matter of time before the virus spread to other parts of the world practically overnight. Both tourists and businesses spread the virus unknowingly, which make it difficult at first to know who or when it began. However, thanks to Blue Dot and the medical community, many countries were able to anticipate the destruction caused by the virus. Even though the governments didn’t react fast enough, the virus spread like wildfire, especially in Italy, Spain, United States, and Iran.
Meanwhile, there are protests and riots in several countries and the United States by the people wanting to go back to work or wanting change in their governments. In Illinois, a state lawmaker has sued the governor for exceeding his authority on exceeding the ‘Stay at Home’ order through May. Small businesses are filing lawsuits against the California Governor over forced shutdowns of small businesses that violate civil liberties and have a long-term economic impact. Interestingly, thousands of California residents are defying the governor’s ‘Stay at Home’ orders and flocking to the beaches without practicing any social distancing. The governor has warned he will issue penalties.
Please Stay Home, Be Safe, and Stay Healthy! Be sure to wear a mask as suggested by the Colorado governor in public places!