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By most accounts, the U.S. has failed spectacularly at managing the coronavirus pandemic. American-made tests were first defective, then largely unavailable; misinformation about the virus was broadcast in politicized White House briefings; and lockdowns weren’t enforced quickly enough, all of which likely worsened the spread of a disease that’s already killed 120,000 Americans. Now, with restrictions lifted earlier than advised and infection rates predictably spiking, calamities suffered in the northeast and northwest are re-emerging inland. And come fall, it may get even worse. Federal officials led by Dr. Anthony Fauci warn that this year’s flu season could overburden the health care system. —David E. Rovella

Bloomberg is mapping the pandemic globally and across America. For the latest news, sign up for our Covid-19 podcast and daily newsletter.

Here are today’s top stories

The number of new Covid-19 cases around the globe is accelerating, fueled by a surge in Latin America. Germany’s infection rate rose for a third day, lifted by local outbreaks, including one in a slaughterhouse. However, Beijing reported only nine new infections, a sign that a recent outbreak may be under control. Infections and deaths reported by Russian officials also flattened. The overall global surge, though, is putting a world economic recovery in greater jeopardy.

Saudi Arabia said it will allow the Hajj to go forward this year for a limited number of Muslims already in the kingdom, the first time since its modern founding that the country has so limited the annual pilgrimage.

U.S. states run by Republican governors who previously downplayed the virus and were first to lift lockdowns are now suffering the onslaught. Florida’s new infections rose to another high, and in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott proclaimed the contagion’s rapid spread in his state “unacceptable.” Texas has 113,000 cases and 2,200 dead. Florida has 100,000 cases and 3,200 dead. Both showed a more than 7% daily increase in infection rates.

When people wondered in March who would make up the buying power lost when companies stopped doing stock buybacks, “small-time day traders” wasn’t the answer that came to mind. But that’s what’s happening.

Following a poorly attended rally in Tulsa, which experts warned would lead to more Covid-19 deaths, and polls showing him lagging former Vice President Joe Biden, President Donald Trump decided to attack mail-in balloting planned by states seeking to protect voters. He cited non-existent problems and made unsubstantiated claims about a method of voting around since the Civil War. Trump has previously said that making it easier for more Americans to vote will make it difficult for Republicans to win. 

Senate Republicans led by Kentucky’s Mitch McConnell are aiming to “take the teeth” out of House legislation aimed at curtailing U.S. police killings of, and brutality against, unarmed Americans, a Democratic sponsor of the bill said. The House bill bans racial and religious profiling, chokeholds and no-knock warrants; mandates the use of dashboard and body cameras; and requires more reporting of use-of-force and disciplinary data. In New York, where police chokeholds are now a felony, an employee of the New York City Police Department, an agency already under fire for its widespread violent assaults on peaceful protestors, put a Black man in an apparent chokehold Sunday, sending him to the hospital.

With global warming intensifying (coronavirus speed-bump notwithstanding), some climate deniers have come around to acknowledging how it’s causing rising seas, raging wildfires, devastating droughts and monstrous storms. Still, some are betting there will be a quick fix. One of those is the mass planting of carbon dioxide breathing trees. Well, it turns out that may not work as hoped.

What you’ll need to know tomorrow

What you’ll want to read in Bloomberg CityLab

How the Pandemic Is Changing U.S. Cities

If one thing is certain, it’s that our definition of normal has changed. After months staying at home, cities are reopening—some with masks and social distance, others with still growing numbers of infection. It’s unclear what cities will look like in a year or more, but in many areas, the landscape is already starting to shift.

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