COVID-19 Weekly Digest (December 23, 2020)
Because we know you’re busy, we’re keeping this issue extra short.
Just in time for Christmas, Jupiter and Saturn appear in close alignment this week, forming what some have called a ‘Christmas Star.’ The last time this happened was in the spring of 1226 when Notre Dame cathedral was under construction. Their closest connection was on the Winter’s Solstice when they looked like a double planet. Want to see some good photos of this special holiday treat? Look here!
A look back at 2020 in charts
Everyone will agree that 2020 was a year unlike any other. This article from Vox includes 20 charts that illustrate exactly how unlike any other year 2020 has been. Here are some of the highlights from those charts: The U.S. continues to lead the world in COVID-19 cases. More dogs and cats were adopted from shelters. The COVID-19 vaccine was developed in record time, especially compared to diseases like Ebola and chickenpox. Unemployment reached its highest level in generations. Greenhouse gases dropped significantly.
We send you our best wishes for a safe and joyous holiday season, and we look forward to working with you in the New Year!
CARES ACT UPDATES
Another stimulus bill – Finally! Maybe.
Over the weekend, Congress finally reached an agreement that was voted on Monday, December 21. Here are the key provisions:
Direct payment checks of up to $600 per adult and child
Another round of more than $284 billion for Paycheck Protection Program loans
$15 billion to help live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions
$300 per week for enhanced unemployment insurance benefits
$25 billion for rental assistance and an extension of the moratorium on evictions
$82 billion for education providers like schools and colleges, including aid to help reopen classrooms safely
$10 billion to help with childcare assistance
$13 billion in increased Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and child nutrition benefits
$7 billion to bolster broadband access to help Americans connect remotely during the pandemic
Funding totaling in the billions of dollars to support coronavirus vaccine distribution, testing and contract tracing efforts and health care workers
A tax credit to support employers offering paid sick leave
There is, however, a slight problem. While the Senate and the House passed the bill, President Trump is threatening to not sign the package until the stimulus checks are raised to $2,000 and certain other provisions he doesn’t like are taken out. It is anyone’s guess how this might play out by Christmas.
While we wanted to report that stimulus payments might be coming as soon as next Monday, per Secretary of the Treasury, Steven Mnuchin, now we might not see anything until early 2021. President-elect Joe Biden has pledged support for further financial support to small businesses and individuals when he takes office in January.
We sincerely hope that you and your family are well and remain well. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are all in this together!
