The Ups and Downs: Facing an increasing crisis with the coronavirus, the governor of Texas yesterday ordered nearly everyone in the state to wear masks while nearly five million jobs were added to the national economy in June, demonstrating that the coronavirus pandemic and its economic fallout is going several directions at once.

  At least six states yesterday reported single-day records for new cases; Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Montana, South Carolina and Tennessee. Only a dozen states have kept new cases flat or declining, with the Northeast in the lead.

  In making his mask order, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott backed off a previous statement that, “We want to make sure individual liberty is not infringed upon by government, and hence government cannot require individuals to wear masks.”

  It’s the states that have treated the virus and safety measures as a matter of individual liberty that are now having the biggest problem.

  This morning, the 14-day rate of infection in the US is up 90 percent and 128,740 Americans have died of the virus, 678 in the last 24 hours.

  The Washington Post editorial board notes that, “Now, as much of the country wisely cancels or scales back Fourth of July celebrations to protect people’s health, Mr. Trump is plowing full steam ahead with not just one — but two — massive events.” Those would be at the Washington Mall and Mt. Rushmore.

  Herman Cain, the pizza magnate and former Republican presidential candidate is in a hospital with the coronavirus after attending  President Trump’s campaign rally in Tulsa.

  Back to jobs, while the White House was crowing about the jobs report, tens of millions of Americans are still out of work because of the pandemic. The unemployment rate fell to 11.1 percent, down from a peak of 14.7. The Congressional Budget Office predicts unemployment will be high through 2021.

Crime Blotter: Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend and alleged procurer of teenage girls for the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, has been arrested in New Hampshire and charged under a federal indictment.

  The indictment says the 58-year-old Maxwell  “enticed and groomed multiple minor girls to engage in sex acts with Jeffrey Epstein.” The indictment says Maxwell would get girls comfortable with nudity and sometimes was present during the sex acts with Epstein. Maxwell’s official role was as girlfriend and property manager for Epstein.

  Facing charges that could have sent him to prison for the rest of his life, Epstein hanged himself in a Manhattan jail cell last August.

  Maxwell went underground when Epstein was arrested. She was arrested in Bradford, New Hampshire, a rural town northeast of Boston, where she was living in a million-dollar home bought anonymously through a corporation. She is reported to have hid in a bathroom when the feds came knocking. 

The Bulletin Board: Both political parties in Congress are considering more aid to spur the economy, but reports say President Trump isn’t into it. — In an attempt to recognize racism, the NFL plans to play “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before every Week 1 game; “Lift ev’ry voice and sing, ‘Til earth and heaven ring.” — The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has fallen to a record low of 3.07% this past week, according to Freddie Mac. That’s the lowest level in nearly 50 years. — At least 162 bodies have been recovered after a landslide at a jade mine in Myanmar.

The Obit Page: Hugh Downs, who was once one of the stalwarts who occupied the anchor chair when network news had just three channels, has died at age 99.

  He was a gentle and friendly on-air presence.

  Downs once held the record for the most hours on air, more than 10,000.  In his earlier years he had been a sidekick to Jack Paar on NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” and then a host of NBC’s morning “Today.” 

  He was once host of the television gameshow, “Concentration.”

  Downs finished his career with as co-host with Barbara Walters on the ABC newsmagazine “20/20,” signing off in 1999.  — Byron Bernstein, a popular online gamer on Twitch known as “Reckful,” who was one of the highest ranking “World of Warcraft” players, died a suicide at age 31.  

Presidential: Last night President Trump tweeted MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! and “LAW & ORDER!” Just thought you should know he’s on the job.

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