SHOPPERS thronged this Target store in 2009, but 2020’s coronavirus pandemic has led to a much reduced customer base (Wikipedia).

The historically profitable “Black Friday” has turned into a “bleak Friday” as coronavirus pandemic fears and restrictions have turned the usual flood of shoppers on the day after Thanksgiving into more of a trickle, according to United Press International.

Because they sold a variety of goods including food, Target and Walmart have weathered the public health crisis fairly well, but many other chains, including JC Penney and Macy’s have struggled.

Some of the loss from in-person shopping may be balanced by online commerce. According to the Associated Press, electronic consumer buying set a new one-day record of $5.1 billion, a 21.5 percent increase over 2019. The most popular items were Lego sets, Barbie toys and kid scooters. For adults, HP laptops and Apple watches were in the greatest demand. Overall, Adobe Analytics estimates a 39 percent spike for the weekend.

The News: Another court loss for Trump

A federal appeals court on Friday rejected a motion by President Donald Trump’s campaign to challenge election results in Pennsylvania. The three-member panel – all of which had been appointed by Republican presidents – found that the president’s “campaign claims have no merit,” according to the Associated Press

• In Los Angeles County a new “stay-at-home” order was issued Friday. It’s a three-week edict that goes into effect on Monday as the county is averaging 4,500 new cases daily. Retail businesses can stay open with limited capacity, beaches and parks will remain open. Restaurants will continue to be open only for takeout, pickup and delivery only, according to the county department of public health.

The Weather: Gone with the wind, mostly

After Thursday’s gusty windstorm, today’s 5 to 10 mile an hour breezes feel sort of mild. However, those windy conditions will persist in the West Orange County area through the weekend with daytime highs in the mid-70s with sunny skies, according to the National Weather Service. Overnight lows will be in the mid-40s. Along the coast, daytime highs will generally be cooler, in the mid-to-high 60s, with nighttime lows similar in the inland areas of the OC.

Sports: Trojans defeated by COVID-19?

The USC football team (3-0) was supposed to face Colorado (2-0) in a contest for first place in the Pacific 12’s South Division, but that game has been cancelled because the Cardinal and Gold – as of Friday – couldn’t guarantee it had enough players at each specific “position group.” The outcome will be the game considered to be “no contest,” but the loss of a game could weaken the Trojans’ already long-shot bid for the College Football Playoffs. Also, the effect of the coronavirus losses could make USC’s next game against Washington State doubtful as well

• The game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, postponed to Sunday because of coronavirus cases in the latter team, has been rescheduled for Tuesday. The Steelers are 10-0 and the Ravens 6-4.