Daily Business Report-May 14, 2020
Photo courtesy of Illumina
Illumina, UK agencies partner on $34.4 million
sequencing study of COVID-19 patients
San Diego-based Illumina and several UK agencies have committed $34.4 million to obtain whole-genome sequences of 35,000 patients affected by COVID-19.
The companies are partnering to study how genes affect a patient’s response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The consortium will sequence up to 20,000 genomes from patients currently or previously in intensive care due to the coronavirus and up to 15,000 patients who had mild or moderate symptoms. Illumina will perform all the sequencing at its Cambridge, UK labs.
UK Research and Innovation, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the National Institute for Health Research are funding the study along with Genomics England. Illumina is providing an undisclosed in-kind contribution.
This new study is the latest effort between longtime partners Illumina and Genomics England. Illumina became a key partner for the 100,000 Genomes Project in 2014 and in January the organizations announced a deal for Illumina to sequence 300,000 patients to support diagnosis and inform treatment.
Officials involved with the study expressed hope that whole-genome sequencing might also help in the search for COVID-19 treatments. “By discovering why some people are predisposed to developing life-threatening symptoms, the consortium will be able to identify treatments which have the best chance of success in clinical trials, and potentially identify people at extreme risk if they develop COVID-19,” said Kenneth Baillie, a clinical research fellow at the University of Edinburgh.
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News outlets sue SBA for information
on small business loans program
A handful of the country’s most prominent news publications are suing the Small Business Administration (SBA) after it refused to release which businesses were receiving money through the $660 billion Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
The Washington Post, The New York Times, Bloomberg, ProPublica and Dow Jones — which publishes The Wall Street Journal — are all part of the group suing the government agency. The suit comes after the publications initially requested the information through the Freedom of Information Act, a common tool used by news organizations to get information from the government.
Since its roll out, the program has been plagued with issues, including large publicly traded companies receiving loans.
Notable companies such as Shake Shack, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and the Los Angeles Lakers have returned the PPP funds they received. But those businesses weren’t directly named by the SBA.
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Northrop Grumman and Navy begin flight testing
MQ-8C Fire Scout with AN/ZPY-8 radar
Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy recently began flight testing of the MQ-8C Fire Scout UAS equipped with the Leonardo AN/ZPY-8 radar.
The Fire Scout’s first flight with the radar took place on Feb. 27 at Webster Outlying Field. Before that flight, several weeks of ground tests were conducted. As the entities consider mission expansion opportunities for the UAS, testing will continue to progress.
“The AN/ZPY-8 radar significantly increases Fire Scout’s detection and tracking of targets. The ability to simultaneously employ multiple modes supports U.S. Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance requirements,” said Melissa Packwood, program manager for tactical autonomous systems at Northrop Grumman. “This increased capability enables Fire Scout to extend ranges to meet emerging requirements.”
Thus far, Northrop Grumman has delivered 32 of 38 MQ-8Cs to the Navy. All of the UAS will be equipped with the AN/ZPY-8 radar.
Having achieved initial operational capability in June 2019, the MQ-8C is scheduled for its first deployment next year.
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COVID-19 and the San Diego Economy
By Alan Nevin
The impact of COVID-19 on our economy is unmistakable. Is it like 1929? I think not. Is it very serious? Absolutely. But, to accurately gauge the severity of the situation, we need to look at the national economy, first and foremost.
From the time of The Great Depression, we have gradually moved from a production economy to a service economy. In 1929, 39 percent of all non-farm jobs were in manufacturing. In 2019, it was 9 percent.
Thus, the current drop we are seeing in manufacturing jobs (due to reduced demand and an inability to obtain parts from other countries, especially China), will hurt the economy, but not destroy it, as it did in 1929.
Clearly, manufacturing is not something that can function outside of a factory environment. However, the majority of our professional jobs can be conducted at home on our computers and by phone. While our offices are currently empty, business continues as usual telephonically and electronically.
The big question on everyone’s mind right now: Will there be a recession? My answer is yes, but it will not be severe. Nothing like 2008-2009.
By federal definition, recession is two consecutive quarters with no increase in gross domestic product (GDP). By that standard, we will have a recession. However, there is a difference between a recession and a worldwide financial meltdown.
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Researchers tracing how COVID-19
spreads, mutates in the environment
A multi-disciplinary team of experts in virology and computer modeling has quickly assembled at San Diego State University to learn more about how the new coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads in the environment and how its trajectory can be better predicted.
It is well-known that COVID-19 does not survive on surfaces that are frequently cleaned and sanitized, but what about surfaces in high traffic areas that are not routinely cleaned, such as gas station pumps, park benches and ATMs?
Recognizing the urgency and need for this research, the National Science Foundation has awarded SDSU’s viral ecologist Forest Rohwerand his SDSU collaborator, Naveen Vaidya, a mathematician with simulation modeling expertise, a Rapid Response Research grant of $200,000. That is the maximum amount awarded under this program, and is designated to fast-track COVID-19 research.
The exploratory research Rohwer is leading serves two goals: It would help inform the California Department of Public Health and other public agencies about how the virus is spreading, and it could enable Rohwer’s team to determine if there are environmental reservoirs where the virus thrives, which is now a big question.
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SDSU fall courses to be mostly virtual
In an all campus message on May 12, San Diego State University President Adela de la Torre announced that the university would offer the majority of fall 2020 courses via virtual means, following updated guidance and direction from the California State University system and respecting existing and projected public health orders.
“After thorough and careful assessment and feedback from faculty and staff who have shared their expertise, and following this directive from the CSU, our campus community will launch SDSU Flex,” de la Torre said.
The SDSU Flex model will offer maximum opportunities for students to remain fully engaged with their faculty, staff members, peers and SDSU alumni — no matter their physical location, de la Torre said.
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Viejas Casino Resort and Sycuan Casino Resort
to reopen under strict health guidelines
Viejas casino has been closed for about two months in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, but officials said that because California officials are poised to relax some of the stay-home orders and other measures, they are preparing to reopen on May 18.
“While Viejas has always maintained the highest level of cleanliness and safety, we have taken advantage of the recent closure to inspect, clean and sanitize every inch of the property,” the casino said in a news release. “From floor to ceiling, no stone has been left unturned.”
Viejas will install signs reminding guests of safety protocols, social distancing guidelines and safety practices, officials said. All guests and employees will be subject to a non-contact temperature scan before entering casino.
And everyone in the casino, employees and guests, will be required to wear masks, officials said. Additional hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed throughout the resort.
Viejas Casino will close from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. for deep cleaning
Sycuan Casino Resort
Sycuan Casino Resort said it will be reopening its property on Wednesday, May 20 at noon, under strict prevention guidelines put in place by health and government agencies in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Like Viejas Casino, all Sycuan guests and employees will be required to wear masks.
Reopening will be in phases, with select gaming machines, restaurants and other amenities remaining closed in the initial phase. Time between phases is unknown and will depend on the successful execution of each phase.
During phase one, food and beverage venues will have limited hours of operation with select venues open to include Double-Down Grill, House of Fortune, Rank & File and Hangry’s Sunset Deli and Pizza. Food service will be available for to-go orders and sit-down dining service will be limited to allow for physical distancing between guests.
Every other slot machine will be turned off for a safer distance between players and table games will be limited to a max of three players per table. All gaming areas, slot machines and table games will be cleaned frequently. Bingo and poker will remain closed in the initial phase and will reopen at a later date that is still unknown.
Hotel service and guest amenities will be limited with valet, room service, Spa Ritual and Retreat Pool & Cabanas remaining closed in the initial phase. High-contact areas including elevators, escalators, door handles and lobby areas will be cleaned and maintained often.
Sycuan recently announced an extensive and aggressive health and sanitation program that includes several new initiatives such as the use of a self-cleaning antimicrobial coating throughout the property, thermal cameras at entrances for temperature detection, physical distancing practices including floor decals, additional cleaning protocols, plexiglass shields, personal protective equipment (PPE), comprehensive team member training, safety and hygiene signage and several other procedures throughout the property to ensure a safe environment.
Cody J. Martinez, chairman of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, said there are plans to re-evaluate and make adjustments in the coming weeks and months to slowly open the remaining venues and amenities when it is safe to do so.
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A Thank You to Top Attorney Candidates
SD METRO would like to give thanks to those attorneys who also were nominated for our Top Attorneys list this month:
