The coronavirus outbreak in the United States appears to be slowing down, or at least plateauing, in some hard hit states like California, Florida and Texas. However, slowing of the infection's spread does not equal containment, and the nation seems to be far away from completely eradicating the virus from the population. Coronavirus task force health officials like Dr. Deborah Birx and Dr. Anthony Fauci have warned in recent days that the community spread within the nation's boarders is severe, with the virus affecting both urban and rural communities. Because the virus is so widespread, total containment of the outbreak is most likely out of reach for at least the short-to-medium-term of the virus' first wave.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in Washington are still in disagreement with major components within the Senate's HEALS act, or the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools act. Lawmakers across the aisle have been in disagreement over issues like the extension of enhanced federal unemployment, funding for the Postal Service, and aid for Americans facing evictions. The biggest impasse, however, is the $600 per week added unemployment insurance for millions of out-of-work Americans that expired on July 31. Democrats would like the benefits to extend until at least 2021 to help unemployed workers maintain important expenses and keep the economy moving....