‘This damn virus’

A COVID-19 expert says the virus could get much worse in a few months. Hate crime charges are being considered in the Ahmaud Arbery case. And a comedic legend has died.

It’s another less-than-cheerful Short List from me, Ashley, with help from my colleagues Alex, Emily and Patty. I’m thankful to them for the assist, and to you for the read. Let’s talk news.

But first, it’s been a rocky road for this ice “scream” shop: An ice cream store reopened and the owner says the scene turned chaotic. Can y’all please make like ice cream and chill? 🍦

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COVID-19 expert: ‘This damn virus’ is going to infect ‘everybody it possibly can’

A high-profile infectious disease researcher warns that the coronavirus is in the early stages of attacking the world, making it difficult to relax stay-at-home orders without putting most Americans at risk. COVID-19 expert Dr. Michael Osterholm said the initial wave of outbreaks in cities such as New York City, where 1 in 5 people have been infected, represent a fraction of the illness and death yet to come. “This damn virus is going to keep going until it infects everybody it possibly can,” Osterholm told the USA TODAY Editorial Board on Monday. There were more than 80,000 deaths and more than 1.3 million confirmed novel coronavirus cases in the U.S. on Monday, according to John Hopkins. Worldwide, the virus has killed more than 284,000 people.

• Cemetery workers scramble to bury the dead during pandemic: “It’s just too much for us.” 
• As reopening begins, Americans concerns about COVID-19 may be easing, a new poll found.
• Men may be more vulnerable to the coronavirus than women. A new study could help explain why.

‘I adored this man’: RIP, Jerry Stiller

“Serenity now.” Hollywood is mourning the death of veteran actor and comedian Jerry Stiller, best known for his roles as George Costanza’s father on “Seinfeld” and Leah Remini’s father on “The King of Queens.” The actor’s son, Ben Stiller, confirmed that his father had “passed away from natural causes.” He was 92. Jason Alexander, Stiller’s onscreen son in “Seinfeld,” paid tribute to the actor following news of his death. ” He made me laugh when I was a child and every day I was with him,” Alexander tweeted. “Yeah, I adored this man.” Read more touching tributes here.

We’ve paid tribute to many greats who died recently: Richard Penniman aka Little Richard, Grammy-winning R&B singer Betty Wright, and Roy Horn, half of the Las Vegas stage duo Siegfried & Roy.

What everyone’s talking about​​​​​​​

• Paul L. Vasquez, whose awestruck reaction upon seeing a double rainbow propelled him to internet stardom, has died. 
• More kids are falling ill to a mysterious Kawasaki-like disease as officials test for coronavirus.
• Office co-workers may not always be the life of the party at weddings, but the cast of “The Office” created the virtual wedding one couple will never forget.
• The average household spends $5,102 a month. Here’s the average breakdown.
• A photo of a packed United Airlines flight hints at the challenges around social distancing and air travel.  

Stimulus checks, cash payments, what’s next?

Are more stimulus checks on the way? TBD. How about a payroll tax cut? We’ll find out soon. President Donald Trump and congressional leaders agree that more action is needed to combat the effects of the coronavirus – especially given the U.S. lost 20.5 million jobs in April. But what that action looks like remains unclear. Some Republicans are in favor of waiting see how the current $2 trillion relief bill pans out (including those $1,200 stimulus checks – have you got yours yet?). But House Democrats may still march forward on another massive package that is expected to exceed $2 trillion, with a vote possible as early as this week. What can Democrats and Republicans agree on? They aren’t into the possibility of a payroll tax cut, which the president has mandated that Congress consider.

• Unemployment rate: Five reasons why you shouldn’t freak out about 20.5M job losses. 
• How big are the stimulus packages? Four coronavirus stimulus packages. $2.4 trillion in funding. See what that means to the national debt.

Real quick 

• ‘A very special moment’: Shanghai Disneyland reopened after the coronavirus shutdown. Here’s how it went. 
• As Trump encourages the country to resume economic activity amid the coronavirus outbreak, Americans’ concerns that a family member could contract the illness have eased compared to a month ago, a new poll shows. 
• Dr. Anthony Fauci: NFL season could be “feasible” by fall.
• New images make Jupiter a huge jack-o’-lantern, reveal secrets about Great Red Spot.
• Bernie Sanders says it’s “very unlikely” that he will run for president again.

Arbery case: Federal officials consider possible hate crime charges

The Department of Justice is weighing the possibility of federal hate crime charges in the case of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old man killed while out for a run in Georgia. The department is also considering looking into the handling of the case. Arbery, whose story has sent a flurry of shock around the nation, was shot and killed in February. Two men, a father and son, were arrested two months later on murder and aggravated assault charges, but not until after the incident had gained wide attention and criticism on social media.

• Why it took more than two months for murder charges and arrests in the death of Arbery.

A break from the news

• Amazon Alexa keeps records of what you say – here’s how to delete them.
• Need a vacation? If you want 20% off your late-summer stay at the Marriott, now’s your chance.
• Bored in the house? Here are 100 things to do.

This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network.

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