Life Finds A Way

Protests & Coronavirus Updates

Global cases rose to nearly 9.34 million yesterday (up ~165k from yesterday), with almost 478,800 deaths (up ~5.5k). The number of confirmed U.S. cases rose above 2.42 million (up ~30k), with 123,463 confirmed deaths (up ~854).

• England will lift numerous restrictions starting July 4. Among other things, the move allows pubs and restaurants to reopen.
• The FDA warned against the use of nine different hand sanitizers due to the presence of methanol - a toxic substance that can be lethal if consumed in large doses.
• Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo signed an executive order on Tuesday to remove the word “plantations” from all state documents and symbols.
• The Louisville police chief officially fired one of three officers involved in the March killing of Breonna Taylor while serving a no-knock warrant.
• Federal authorities and NASCAR on Tuesday said the noose found in Bubba Wallace’s garage was in fact a garage door pull that had been there since 2019.

Bill Cosby Allowed To Appeal Conviction

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in favor of allowing Bill Cosby to appeal his sexual assault convictions on Tuesday. The court will hear arguments on whether other women besides the victim should have been allowed to testify at his trial, and will examine Cosby’s claim that he had an immunity deal with the former prosecutor in the case.

More: Cosby has served two years of a 3 to 10 year sentence after being convicted in 2018 of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman back in 2004.

Judge Upholds Hospital Price-Transparency Rule

A U.S. District Court judge upheld a Trump administration rule that would require hospitals to publicize rates for all services they negotiate with insurance companies. The ruling went against the American Hospital Association (AHA), who sued to try and block the administration’s pre-disclosure requirement.

Protests & The Coronavirus Effect

• The Nasdaq set a new record high on Tuesday (+0.7%, Dow +0.5%, S&P +0.4%), though overnight trading futures were trending down across the board.
• Bankrupt retailer J.C. Penney announced the impending closure of 13 more stores. Here’s a map of where they are.
• Luggage startup Away has closed a funding round of $30 to $40 million, per Axios.
• Twitter flagged a tweet from President Trump concerning a potential D.C. “autonomous zone” on Tuesday. The company added a label telling users the post violated the company’s rules for abusive behavior. View the tweet in question here.

Capital For Climate Change

Amazon announced a $2 billion venture capital fund that will back companies developing “sustainable and decarbonizing technologies” on Tuesday. The fund is part of Amazon’s Climate Pledge - the company’s commitment to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement by 2040, a decade ahead of the climate accord’s goal.

Upcoming Upgrades

Mercedes-Benz announced a partnership with Nvidia to develop the car company’s next generation of in-vehicle computing systems. Nvidia’s technology will be responsible for providing remote updates and enhancing automated driving capabilities. Vehicles with such technology will be available starting in 2024.

Tell Me A Story

At 7:30 p.m. each evening, seven-year-old Bryan Rumfelt of Brooklyn, NY, video chats with his grandmother to read her a story. Bryan - who loves to read - has missed their daily routine since his school closed in March.

With his grandmother's encouragement, Bryan started the Facebook group Bryan's Book Corner, where he posts videos of himself reading picture books such as "The Pigeon Needs a Bath" and "Dragons Love Tacos." The young storyteller takes suggestions from his audience – composed of children and grandparents alike – and concludes his videos by telling his listeners how much he loves them.

Tiger Queen

Nancy Connors of Pawtucket, RI, lived through World War II, yet she has never seen the people on her street look as sad as they have during the pandemic. Determined to go out and spread cheer - but hindered by a handicap - the 86-year-old has spent every cent of her $1,200 stimulus check on an effort to bring smiles to her neighbors' faces.

Over the past two weeks, Nancy has created a "zoo" made out of dozens of stuffed animals on her front lawn. With another Amazon shipment of faux furs on the way, the octogenarian enjoys sitting on her front porch, waving to passerby as they delight in seeing her growing collection.

Save The Date: An Update

Last month, we brought you the story of Robert Conlin, an Illinois man who held romantic dinners for his pregnant wife from outside her hospital room window. Robert’s wife, Shona, entered the hospital when her water broke just 20 weeks into her pregnancy. The baby survived, but Robert was not allowed to visit his wife due to concerns about the virus.

On Saturday, almost 70 days after Shona’s arrival at the hospital, Robert was allowed to be by his wife’s side as their son, Forest, was born. Although he is premature and must spend time in the NICU, baby Forest arrived just in time for Robert to celebrate his first Father’s Day.