What We're Reading: Stimulus Talks Stall; Kodak Loan on Hold; COVID-19 Unaffected by Seasonal Change

Stimulus Talks Stall Over Federal Funding

According to The Hill, federal money for state and local governments has emerged as a major obstacle in negotiations between the White House and congressional Democrats over the next relief package to address ramifications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Prior to the collapse of talks last week, both sides were hundreds of billions apart in how much support states should receive, if any, with Democrats wanting $915 billion and Republicans offering only $150 billion, the same amount included in the CARES Act from late March.

Kodak’s $765M Government Loan on Hold

After granting a $765 million loan to Eastman Kodak Company 2 weeks ago to speed production of drugs in short supply and those critical to treat COVID-19, the US International Development Finance Corporation said the loan is now on hold due to pending probes into allegations of wrongdoing. Reported by Bloomberg, controversy surrounded the initial loan as corporate disclosures showed that Kodak board members had purchased additional shares before the announcement, with other analysts questioning whether the company could handle that level of large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing.

WHO Says COVID-19 Unaffected by Seasonal Change

Although a growing narrative has indicated that COVID-19 transmission would be stifled by the heat and humidity of summer, experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) said yesterday that the virus does not appear to wane with the passing of the seasons. Reported by The Hill, COVID-19 cases in states with traditionally very hot summers, including Texas and Arizona, have been on the rise regardless of the weather conditions. These rising case trends have also been observed in states with different climates, such as Hawaii and Illinois.