“Test counts inflated, death tolls deflated, metrics shifted.”

“You don’t want to wear a mask fine, but you don’t have a right to go into that store if that store owner doesn’t want you to.” — NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Ford is testing new software for its Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles that heats the vehicle's interior to 133 degrees for 15 minutes to kill COVID-19. Ideally, this happens when nobody is inside the car. The new disinfecting technique–not unlike a kitchen oven's "self cleaning" feature–is based on research conducted with the Ohio State University Department of Microbiology. From a Ford statement:

Once activated, the vehicle’s powertrain and climate control systems work together automatically to elevate passenger compartment temperatures. The software warms up the engine to an elevated level, and both heat and fan settings operate on high. The software automatically monitors interior temperatures until the entire passenger compartment hits the optimal level, then that temperature is maintained for 15 minutes[...]

“Our studies with Ford Motor Company indicate that exposing coronaviruses to temperatures of 56 degrees Celsius, or 132.8 degrees Fahrenheit, for 15 minutes reduces the viral concentration by greater than 99 percent on interior surfaces and materials used inside Police Interceptor Utility vehicles,” said Jeff Jahnes and Jesse Kwiek, laboratory supervisors at The Ohio State University department of microbiology.

Law enforcement will have multiple ways to monitor progress. Hazard lights and taillights will flash in a pre-set pattern to notify when the process has begun, then will change at the end to signal completion. The vehicle’s instrument cluster will also indicate progress. A cool-down process brings the temperature down from its highest points.

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I don't know who made this, but it's pretty great. Read the rest

Earlier this month, New Yorkers were challenged by their governor's office to create a public service announcement to "help communicate why it is so important to wear a mask to stop the spread of coronavirus." Over 600 submissions were received and were voted on by more than 200,000 people. The winning ad, Bunny Lake Films' "We Love NY" captures just the right vibe: it's positive, inclusive, and very "New York."

Gothamist reports:

While the "We Love NY" PSA by Bunny Lake Films (from directors Celine Danhier and Aliya Naumoff) received the most votes and became the official winner, the state will actually run two ads. "You Can Still Smile" by Blue Slate Films/Natalia Bougadellis came in second, just around 500 votes behind first place.

See a few more of the PSAs here. Read the rest

Apple says it is planning to reopen more than 100 US retail stores this week, and that because the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, most locations will only offer curbside or storefront service. Read the rest

The cruelty is the point. Read the rest

White House adviser Kevin Hassett said the quiet part out loud just now: “Our human capital stock is ready to go back to work.” Read the rest

The World Health Organization said on Monday that parts of the world where coronavirus infection rates are declining may face an “immediate second peak” if they prematurely loosen restrictions to slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Read the rest

Kremlin sent 45 Aventa-M ventilators to the United States after Trump and Putin call

My pal Shalaco sent me this video he made with the following message:

As a photographer I lost 100% of my income due to the Covid-19 crisis. I applied to every form of financial support out there and recently had a lot of success. I want to share what I've learned with the community with these tips for applying for financial resources for photographers, creatives, or really anyone.

The amount of epic resource lists out there can be overwhelming, this video focuses on walking people through the process.

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"The glove remover is a simple device that reduces the risk of contamination when changing protective gloves while increasing efficiency and convenience."

The website has a link to the 3D model so you can print your own (if you have a 3D printer or access to one). Read the rest

ProPublica reports the administration of Donald Trump has given coronavirus bailout funds to two different elite private jet companies which were owned or founded by individuals who donated to the Trump campaign. Read the rest

What do we have here? Why, it's the 73rd Communique of the CPSUZOeD (May 2020), a rare video release from Soviet Unterzoegersdorf, with an important message about the coronavirus pandemic. Read the rest

People who came to Frankline Ndifor's church in hopes that he would make them immune to Covid-19 by the touch of his hands should be worried. The popular pastor died this week of the disease and likely spread the virus to those who sought his miracle blessing. Instead of taking action to prevent the spread of the disease, however, hundreds of his followers gathered around the house containing his corpse, awaiting his resurrection. Police used tear gas to encourage them to leave.

Image: YouTube Read the rest

Russia: 'US attacks are untenable'

A senior Russian official expressed support for the World Health Organization and Russia's ally China in an interview published Tuesday. Read the rest

• The Lancet says Trump's letter contains 'factually incorrect' details. Read the rest