Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Jun 24, 2020

The American Pyrotechnics Association says there’s been a bigger-than-usual increase in fireworks being set off this year. Usually, of course, there’s more and more fireworks being set off in the weeks before the Fourth of July, but this year it’s apparently started earlier than usual. Some cities, of course, say it’s a public safety issue, but the APA says they believe it’s in response to the pandemic because "people are like 'we just want to do something.’” What they do say is to be careful —last year there were roughly 10,000 injuries attributed to fireworks, less than the 20,000 injuries caused by grilling, or the 15,000 caused by air conditioners according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Dr Anthony Fauci says the next few days will be crucial to stem new cases of the coronavirus, which are climbing rapidly across several states. At least 120-thousand Americans have died from the coronavirus - more than any other nation, and Fauci says "The next couple of weeks are going to be critical to address those surges that we're seeing in Texas, Florida, Arizona, and other states."

The good news --Fauci sez he is "cautiously optimistic" a vaccine may be ready by the end of 2020.

Fast food news: Starbucks says they’re adding an Impossible Breakfast Sandwich to their menu. The 430-calorie, plant-based sandwich will be on the menu for “a limited time” this summer, with the sausage patty, cage-free fried egg and aged cheddar cheese on artisanal ciabatta bread.

See ya: The folks at Segway —that scooter which was supposed to take over America for commuters in big cities— have shut down production as of July 15th. Although it became a common sight for security guards at shopping malls, it did not make the transition to mass production —or mass transit, instead becoming a way to take tourists around big cities. Oh, well.