SWC’s Fast Five
More cities are reopening — this week, we are sharing news regarding reopenings, from traders returning to the New York Stock Exchange to crowded Memorial Day festivities.
So, here’s this week’s Fast Five:
1 New York Stock Exchange trading floor opens after two months
After a two-month closure due to COVID-19 concerns, traders have returned to the New York Stock Exchange. The Tuesday opening, combined with an almost 530 point surge in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, are “clear signals that we’re moving in the right direction” according to Jonathan Corpina, senior managing partner at Meridian Equity Partners.
2 South America becomes new virus epicenter
As North America, Europe and Asia begin to reopen their economies and roll back stay-at-home orders, South America sees its highest increase in COVID-19 cases since the outbreak began. Brazil now trails the United States as the country with the second largest number of confirmed cases, while Peru and Chile hold the world’s highest infection rates per capita.
3 J.K. Rowling releases new book
If you are a fan of J.K. Rowling’s work (or if you are at home with bored children) we have good news for you. Rowling recently released her newest book, The Ickabog, free on her website. Each weekday until July 10, Rowling will publish a new section of the book to the site. Children are encouraged to follow along and submit their own illustrations, which Rowling will incorporate into the hard copy of the book, expected to be released in the fall.
4 Thousands gather to celebrate Memorial Day with many disregarding social distancing guidelines
As Americans look to return to pre-coronavirus life, thousands around the country flocked to beaches, pools and parties to celebrate Memorial Day, often sans face masks or physical distancing despite health officials warning that COVID-19 still poses a risk. Amid relaxing restrictions, 18 states are still experiencing increases in the number of daily cases.
5 Viral videos portray race relations in America
On Monday, George Floyd was killed when a police officer pinned him to the ground by the neck, while Christian Cooper was accused of threatening a woman’s life when he asked her to leash her dog in a public park as per the law. The events, captured on video, have gone viral, sparking “a debate about America’s enduring legacy of racism” and dozens of protests.
