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The Supreme Court of Texas has struck down a plan that would allow voters at risk for contracting coronavirus to vote absentee this year. In its ruling, the court declared that a “lack of immunity to COVID-19 is not itself a 'physical condition' that renders a voter eligible to vote by mail.” Coming in the same week that the country reached the 100,000 mark for COVID-19 deaths, the decision is out of touch with reality. On the bright side, in an act of cross-partisan unity, the state of Wisconsin approved a measure that would ensure all its registered voters are mailed absentee ballot requests ahead of the general election. Even better, the measure is fully funded by a congressional elections assistance grant. Free and fair elections are the last bastion of democracy, and our governing institutions are being tested in real time on their commitment to country over party. —Mindy Finn
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1. US reaches 100,000 coronavirus deaths
As if that's not sobering enough, it's probably an underestimate. A growing pool of global death statistics indicates that few countries are accurately capturing fatalities from COVID-19—and in some, the shortfall is significant. In the U.S., Russia, the UK, the Netherlands, and many other countries, the number of deaths recorded from all causes has jumped since March, far exceeding those attributed to the novel coronavirus. The deaths above average are more than likely linked to the virus as well, and those numbers are not being captured. —The Wall Street Journal
More: Trump's refusal to wear a mask is helping politicize a crucial tool for fighting virus (The Boston Globe)
2. 'Stop killing black people'
That was the message of protesters across the U.S. outraged by the death of George Floyd. Demonstrators in Floyd's native city of Minneapolis, Memphis, and Los Angeles called for the arrest of the white police officer who knelt on Floyd's neck for several minutes before he died at a hospital earlier this week. However, some protests turned destructive, and an attorney for Floyd's family, Ben Crump, urged protesters not to act out in violence.
- — In Minneapolis, fires were sparked around the city, and videos of looters inside stores spread on social media. "We don't need that. We need people focused on getting justice," Crump said.
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- — In Memphis, a silent demonstration to protest the death of Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, quickly turned into verbal confrontations with Memphis police and counter-protesters, as they mocked Arbery's slaying saying, "Go out for a jog."
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- — While protesters took to the streets, police chiefs from coast to coast expressed their outrage with Floyd's death as well. "Do not defend the undefendable, attempt to justify the unjustifiable, or excuse the inexcusable," Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina said on Twitter. "George Floyd should be alive today." —USA Today
More: DOJ says inquiry a 'top priority' after thousands protest (The Guardian)
6. Singer: New virus, old disease
"It is clear that eradicating anti-Semitism is not just a question of law and order. It is also a battle for hearts and minds. The most needed cure, in the long term, is education. Nobody is born to hate. Where it is learned, it must be un-learned. I have never seen anti-Semitism as only a problem for the Jewish people. Racism and hatred of 'the other' and of minorities is, tragically, universal.
As we look increasingly to the post-COVID-19 world, there is a real opportunity to shift the way we behave. It is a rare chance to steer the world in a different, more positive direction. We have seen during the last few months, that the world really does share the same destiny. Consequently, the fight against anti-Semitism is everybody's fight. For the sake of humanity, Jews and non-Jews alike must unite and take the necessary steps to remove the scourge of anti-Semitism." —Newsweek
Ed. Note: Robert Singer is the chair and CEO of Spero Impact Solutions, chair of SASA Setton, chair of Alumot Or, and senior adviser to the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement.
More: Anti-Semitism in the US is at an all-time high. Lawmakers hope to change that (Newsweek)
7. Vote-by-mail hits a snag in Texas
The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that a lack of immunity to the coronavirus was not a valid "disability" and therefore not a valid reason for all Texas voters to request a mail-in ballot. The court did say, however, that voters should assess their own health and determine if they meet the state's definition of having a disability.
- — "We agree, of course, that a voter can take into consideration aspects of his health and his health history that are physical conditions in deciding whether, under the circumstances, to apply to vote by mail because of disability," the court stated.
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- — The Texas Supreme Court also denied Attorney General Ken Paxton's request to stop local election officials from sending mail-in ballots to those who request them, even if the officials believe the voters are requesting the mail-in ballots over coronavirus fears.
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- — Texas law states that to qualify to receive a mail-in ballot, Texas voters need to be 65 years or older, have a disability or an illness, will be outside of their county during an election period, or are confined in jail. —The Texas Tribune
More: Wisconsin election officials agree to mail absentee ballot request forms to most voters (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
9. Convicted killer runs for re-election in Suriname
File this one under "It could always be worse." In January, Suriname's president, Desi Bouterse, was sentenced by a military court to 20 years in prison for murders he committed during the 1982 political purge that cemented his grip on the small South American nation. Appealing the ruling and avoiding prison through presidential immunity, he is instead running for re-election.
- — For Bouterse, his conviction was just the latest chapter in a four-decade battle to maintain power. Amid an economic crisis and a pandemic, Suriname's voters will decide on Monday whether he will spend his twilight years ruling the country or serving time.
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- — Bouterse has built his recent popularity by adapting the populist and nationalist stances of allies in nearby Venezuela to Suriname’s diverse society, made up of descendants of enslaved Africans, Indian and Indonesian indentured laborers, Chinese merchants, and Indigenous people.
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- — "He's a survivor, above all else," said Hans Ramsoedh, a Netherlands-based Surinamese historian. "He has no beliefs, no ideological vision, apart from desire to remain in power." Whether he can survive a murder conviction remains to be seen. —The New York Times
Racism is alive in America. Major story. We are horrified when we hear about 100,000 deaths due to COVID-19. Why not this? —Kate S., Illinois
This president doesn't lie; he spouts "alternative facts." Those are much more convenient since they can change day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute, each contradicting the next. I wonder what his world would be like without Twitter. —David M., Colorado
I actually do think social media platforms should be liable for what their users post, at least for repeated misuse. —Dillon K., Utah/Idaho
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