Axios PM: Winter from hell — Zoom Halloween — Chicago bridges up to stop looting

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Presented By Morgan Stanley

Axios PM

By Mike Allen ·Aug 10, 2020

Good afternoon: Today's newsletter — edited by Justin Green — is 488 words, a 2-minute read.

1 big thing: The winter from hell

Photo: Stan Grossfeld/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

The hope and promise of May is gone, replaced by the realization that America is in for another miserable year of COVID-19.

Why it matters: Another winter — and another flu season — is on the way as the U.S. engages in a whack-a-mole strategy that slows down the virus in one region, but sees it flaring up in another.

"Unless Americans use the dwindling weeks between now and the onset of 'indoor weather' to tamp down transmission in the country, this winter could be Dickensianly bleak," public health experts told STAT's Helen Branswell.
"I think November, December, January, February are going to be tough months in this country without a vaccine," said Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota.

The stark results:

Our schools are increasingly desperate, and parents too. Online education isn't the same for adults, let alone elementary students.
To cap it all off, our entertainment options are running dry. Studios haven't been filming and there are dimming prospects for fall college sports.

The big picture: No other rich nation has anything close to our level of sustained outbreak, so no other rich nation will have anything close to our level of misery in the 2020-21 school year.

Europe is reporting a new outbreak, as have nations in Asia.
But they have repeatedly done what we haven't since the weather warmed up — successfully put the screws on community spread.

The bottom line: This may be the most miserable school year ever for many people, and a groundswell event that could forever alter the life trajectory for many of America's kids.

2. Pics du jour

Police officers inspect a damaged Best Buy. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images

Above: Chicago stores faced vandalism and looting last night. Police superintendent David Brown said the event was a coordinated response after an officer shot a suspect on Sunday evening.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot called the incident "brazen and extensive" and not a "protected First Amendment expression."
Go deeper.

Below: Bridges into Chicago were raised to limit access after last night.

Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images

A message from Morgan Stanley

New bonds finance social equality

For the first time, foundations are issuing bonds to fund nonprofits that address inequality—at a time when their support and resources are needed more than ever.

3. Catch up quick

🎤President Trump said he'll deliver his GOP acceptance speech at either the Gettysburg battlefield in Pennsylvania or at the White House. Go deeper.
Lebanon's prime minister and cabinet have resigned amid massive protests in the aftermath of a deadly explosion in Beirut that killed more than 160 people, injured 6,000 and left roughly 250,000 homeless. Go deeper.
McDonald's sued its former CEO Steve Easterbrook, seeking to recoup tens of millions in severance benefits while alleging he took part in and concealed undisclosed relationships with company employees. Go deeper.
The House of Representatives won't hold floor votes until Sept. 14, though members will remain on 24-hour notice to return to Washington in case a deal on coronavirus stimulus is reached. Go deeper.

4. 1 future thing

Halloween masks at Fantasy Costumes in Chicago. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images

Add Zoom Halloweens to the list of upcoming déjà vu.

Why it matters: "Halloween is 'the holiday that comes second after Christmas as far as spending goes,'" Richmond University professor Tom Arnold told the L.A. Times.

What's next: "As for the tradition of knocking on doors in the neighborhood to collect trick-or-treat goodies, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said it will issue guidelines in early fall, but for now families should "be prepared to offer alternative ways of celebrating that minimize contact with non-household members."

A message from Morgan Stanley

Access & Opportunity podcast with Carla Harris

This season we explore the funding landscape through eye-opening conversations with women VCs and the multicultural entrepreneurs who are in their portfolios.

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