WILL A coronavirus virus be ready for distribution by Nov. 3? (Shutterstock).

President Donald Trump’s suggestion that a coronavirus vaccine might be ready by Election Day, Nov. 3, hit some skepticism (Wednesday) at a Senate hearing, according to the New York Times.

“Certainly, to try to predict whether it happens on a particular week before or after a particular date in early November is well beyond anything that any scientist right now could tell you and be confident they know what they are saying,” said Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

A group of drug companies have pledged to not release a vaccine until it was fully tested and safe. One pharmaceutical company has already suspended a clinical trial after a patient took ill.

Dr. Collins did say that he thought a safe and effective vaccine would be available in late 2020, “but even that is a guess.”

Biden wants “Made In America” plan

As a weapon to boost employment in the United States, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden proposed a “Made in America” tax to discourage companies from outsourcing labor to other nations.

He was speaking in Michigan, according to the Associated Press, where the unemployment rate is at 8.7 percent. “This is a recession created by Donald Trump’s negligence and he is unfit for this job as a consequence,” said Biden, “Our economy is down 4.7 millions jobs since [President Trump] took office.”

Biden’s proposal is to impose a 30 percent tax rate on companies that outsource American jobs and then sell good and services back to the U.S.

In the news: Wait … they will get treats

Los Angeles County has cancelled a proposed ban on a variety of traditional Halloween events, including door-to-door trick-or-treating, carnivals, “haunted houses” and more. Instead, the county is encouraging online parties, and dinner at outdoor eateries. The county has more COVID-19 cases than any other in the nation.  •  A new book by Bob Woodward, “Rage,” states that President Donald Trump knew of the threat posed by the coronavirus but “played it down” in order to avoid creating a “panic.” • The three major stock market indexes rose on Wednesday. The Dow Jones average was up by 439.58 points, the S&P 00 up 67.12 and Nasdaq by 293.87. • Worldwide COVID-19 deaths passed 900,000, fueled by surges in India. The U.S is still the world global leader in cases (over 6.3 million) and deaths  (over 190,000). However, new cases in the U.S. have declined 13 percent over the past two weeks and new deaths are down 25 percent.

OC corona report still very red

Wednesday’s numbers on the coronavirus continued to show progress, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency. New cases are at 194, with nine new deaths. Cases now hospitalized are at 234, with 62 in intensive case units.

In The Tribune’s coverage area, Garden Grove now has 2,746 cases with 73 deaths, followed by Huntington Beach with 2,274 (69), Westminster with 949 cases (24) and Stanton with 517 (12).

The forecast: Smoke, sun and heat

With the wildfires still scorching millions of acres in California, smoke and ash are part of the weather picture, although the blazes are not – yet – in Orange County. In West Orange County, tonight’s overnight low should be around 64. On Thursday, the forecast is for lots of sun and a high of 88, dropping to 86 on Friday, with overnight lows in the mid-60s. The weekend should bring more sun with highs in the 83-84 range during the day, and mid-60s at night.

Clippers and Dodgers post victories

Here’s our list of games involving area pro sports teams. Times are Pacific. Results will be posted when available. Our “Sports Final” will be available Thursday morning.

• Dodgers 6, Arizona Diamondbacks 4.  A pair of RBI singles in the 10th inning gave LA its win in Arizona. Homers by Mookie Betts and Enrique Hernandez also contributed to the Dodger effort. Clayton Kershaw made the start, working five innings and giving up four hits and three earned runs. The win went to Jake McGee (3-1), who worked one inning and struck out two. The Dodgers are now 32-12 and remain atop the NL West.
• Texas Rangers 7, Angels 3.  A five-run explosion in the bottom of the fifth propelled the Rangers to their second consecutive win over the Angels Wednesday night. Isiah Kiner-Falefa went 4-for-4 for the home team, which is now 15-27. The Angels, who led 2-0 early. Matt Thaiss homered and Andrelton Simmons had two hits for the Halos. Julio Teheran (03-) got the loss, giving up six hits and five runs in 4.2 innings. Angels are now 17-27 and remain fourth in the AL West.
• Clippers 96,  Denver Nuggets 85.  Led by Kawhi Leonard’s 30 points, the Clips took a 3-1 advantage in the Western Conference semifinals. LA jumped out to a 14-point first quarter lead and beat back efforts by Denver to close the gap. Leonard also grabbed 11 rebounds and had nine assists. The fifth and possibly final game of the series will be on Saturday.