Today in things you probably didn’t want to hear about going badly: COVID-19 and the USPS

Happening in the World: According to the World Health Organization, it is possible that ten percent of the world’s population has, at one time or another, contracted the novel coronavirus. Though approximately 35 million people have had confirmed cases, the WHO estimates that the true number is near 800 million (BBC).

Happening in the US: As the presidential election draws near, the rate of on-time delivery for priority mail has decreased by nearly five percent in the last two weeks. Election mail, including ballots, are treated as first class-mail by the USPS, a national service that has faced significant operational hardship this year (CNN).

Happening in NYC: Governor Andrew Cuomo has spoken out against Mayor Bill de Blasio’s recent announcement that New York would close nonessential business in several Brooklyn and Queens COVID-19 hotspots. In his statement, Cuomo said that the affected areas are imprecisely defined and that the problem does not lie in the operation of these businesses so much as nearby schools and houses of worship. In spite of this statement, the mayor has maintained that closures in the nine affected zip codes are set to roll out later this week (New York Times).

Happening in Our Community: The Columbia Journalism School and the Center for Public Integrity are hosting a panel discussion called “Building emotional resilience in the age of disasters and COVID-19” on Wednesday, October 7, from 5pm to 6:30pm. The panel will explore approaches to a feared impending mental health crisis caused by extreme weather conditions and the global pandemic. You can register here.

Lame Limerick of the Week: The Superior Grocer

it feels like each day is my birthday

at seventy-second and Broadway 

as I pick out my loot

my joy’s absolute

knowing I can afford it; thanks TJ

WHO Flag Via Wikimedia Commons