Today’s coronavirus update: Texas salon owner freed; Greece welcomes guests
A Dallas hair salon owner jailed for opening her shop in violation of the state’s coronavirus rules was ordered freed on Thursday.
Shelley Luther was released from her seven-day sentence following Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order retroactively eliminating jail time for breaching the restrictions.
She’s hardly the only store owner around the US intent on reopening despite lockdowns. Take this Michigan barber, who says he plans to keep working despite a looming $1,000 fine.
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Here’s what else we learned today:
New York crisis:
- The Big Apple will limit the number of people allowed in some city parks to ensure social distancing, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday.
- What will New York look like once it reopens? Dining out might include gloves, masks and lots of space.
- The city lost two of its icons to the virus — legendary boxing trainer and bar keeper Jimmy Glenn, and Michael Halkias, the owner of Brooklyn’s storied Grand Prospect Hall.
- Here’s our hero of the day: Juan Manon is a New York City gravedigger going above and beyond.
Research continues:
- New research shows that the Big Apple’s outbreak fueled infections around the United States — as thousand of people traveled in and out of the city in late February and early March.
- Scientists have detected the coronavirus in the semen of some men — opening up the possibility the disease could be spread sexually.
- A poll found that more than one-third of Americans may not get a coronavirus vaccine if one becomes available.
Out of work:
- The number of workers sidelined by crisis has ballooned to 33 million in less than two months, the feds said today.
- Luxury retail giant Neiman Marcus filed for bankruptcy, blaming the coronavirus for spoiling its turnaround and forcing it into a restructuring.
Global pandemic:
- Sweden has a higher death rate than the US after controversially refusing lockdown measures to ward off the outbreak.
- Meanwhile, Greece has declared a tentative victory — with the country’s prime minister even announcing plans to slowly open up to tourists on July 1.
China under fire:
- Multiple reports say Chinese officials pressured European leaders to make positive statements about China in order to get shipments of medical supplies to fight the pandemic.
- Deteriorating relations between Beijing and Washington over China’s handling of the outbreak could put a trade deal in jeopardy.
Meanwhile…
- Hoping to escape the city with a summer rental? Good luck. Experts say the super rich are pricing out the middle class by eschewing St. Tropez and Ibiza for domestic getaways.
- And elusive street artist Banksy surprised a UK hospital with a new piece of art to salute medical staff on the front lines of the pandemic.