Coronavirus update: National coin shortage hits retailers, laundromats, tooth fairy. Get the latest.
The national coin shortage has been an unusual side effect of the pandemic. Among its victims? Retailers, laundromats and even the tooth fairy.
The Federal Reserve announced in June that the supply system for coins had been severely disrupted by the pandemic. While there are still enough coins out there, they aren’t circulating as freely because many businesses have been closed and consumers aren’t out spending as usual.
The U.S. Mint and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have urged Americans to use coins or turn them in to banks to help for now. As the economy recovers and businesses reopen, the coin supply is expected to normalize.
In the meantime, people have have been forced to find workarounds.
Here’s an update on all developments. Scroll or swipe further for in-depth coverage.
- The World Health Organization says the planet is nowhere near the amount of coronavirus immunity needed to induce herd immunity, where enough of the population would have antibodies to stop the spread.
- Mike Lindell, the CEO of MyPillow and an enthusiastic Trump supporter, told CNN he took part in a July meeting with President Trump to discuss oleandrin as a potential treatment for coronavirus.
- Americans established trusted supply lines as the virus surged in new regions of the U.S. over the past few months and millions did so at Walmart, where online sales nearly doubled in the fiscal second quarter.
- Construction of new U.S. homes surged 22.6% last month as homebuilders bounced back from a lull induced by the coronavirus pandemic.
- SalivaDirect, a test that does not require specialized supplies and can deliver results in less than three hours, could be available to the public in a matter of weeks.
- South Africa, which had one of the world’s strictest anti-coronavirus lockdowns for five months, relaxed its restrictions Tuesday, permitting the sales of alcohol and cigarettes.
- North Carolina’s flagship university canceled in-person classes for undergraduates just a week into the fall semester Monday as college campuses around the U.S. scramble to deal with coronavirus clusters linked in some cases to student housing, off-campus parties and packed bars.
- Indoor gyms in New York can reopen as soon as next week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday, if they meet public health requirements including inspections, mandatory mask wearing, a 33% occupancy limit and 6 feet between gym-goers.
- Canada’s finance minister announced his resignation Monday amid reports of differences with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over government spending to protect the economy during the coronavrius pandemic.
- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has gained a national following through his management of the coronavirus pandemic, is writing a book that looks back on his experiences.
For more summaries and full reports, please select from the articles below. Scroll further for the latest numbers tracking the virus’ spread.
—
