COVID-19 Issues Tracker & Top-Tier Coverage
NEWS UPDATES Sunday April 19, 2020 Notable Updates U.S. News • According to national COVID-19 trackers, there are currently over 728,000 cases of coronavirus confirmed by lab tests in all 50 states with over 34,000 deaths reported. Notable new cases include: o As beaches in Jacksonville reopened this weekend, Florida reports its highest single day coronavirus cases at 1,400 o The coronavirus has claimed nearly 13,000 lives in New York City, but the daily death toll is declining • According to the White House task force Saturday briefing evening: o Trump says that there are a number of signs that the coronavirus has passed its peak in the U.S o He says that the U.S has a far lower mortality rate than Western Europe, except for Germany o Trump still touts that China’s coronavirus numbers are highly inaccurate, and that they have far more cases and deaths than they are reporting o Trump says that Texas and Vermont will allow certain businesses to open starting tomorrow while still requiring social distancing. Montana will begin lifting restrictions on Friday. Ohio, North Dakota and Idaho have announced that non-essential businesses will begin to reopen May 1 o So far, $350 billion has been processed through the small business protection program to aid 1.6 billion businesses, helping to preserve 30 million jobs across the U.S o Trump says that there has been more testing per capita in hotspots like New York, Massachusetts and Louisiana than in Italy, Spain, Germany, France, The U.K., and Singapore o Trump says he will donate 1,000 ventilators to Mexico and other countries who are in scarce supply • The U.S is struggling to determine when to reopen their economy on a state by state basis • A Seattle model shows that the first four states that could reopen are Hawaii, Montana, Vermont and West Virginia • Illinois Governor Pritzker secretly spent $1.7 million on medical supplies from China, because he thought Trump would seize the cargo for the federal stockpile • Many Governors like Andrew Cuomo of New York fire back at Trump saying they lack enough coronavirus testing in order to reopen their state • With most of America still under stay-at-home orders and the extension of retail store closures, Amazon is capitalizing on online shopping • Microsoft is launching a ‘plasmabot’ to try to encourage people who have recovered from the coronavirus to donate their plasma • The WHO and Global Citizen kicked off ‘One World: Together at Home’ last night where many musical artists performed during the six-hour televised event
International News • According to global COVID-19 trackers and official counts, there are at least 2.3 million cases confirmed globally in over 177 countries with at least 156,000 deaths. Notable new cases include: o Spain reported its lowest coronavirus deaths in nearly a month, with a four-day consecutive decline o The Netherlands reported 83 coronavirus deaths, the lowest death toll since March 26 o Turkey now has the highest number of coronavirus cases in the Middle East with 82,300, surpassing Iran • Italy sees a sharp decline in coronavirus hospitalizations, giving them hope that the lockdown starting March10 has flattened the curve • Canada and the U.S will continue to keep their border closed to non-essential travel for another 30 days • Germany is broadening its antibody testing, attempting to test their entire population in the coming months • South Korea, who had the largest number of coronavirus cases outside of China earlier this year, now reports single digit cases in their country • New coronavirus hotspot emerges in the city of Suifenhe on the China Russian border, creating tension between two allies
Business • The Hill, USDA under pressure as food safety concerns grow • The Washington Post, See how covid-19 is reshaping the electric rhythms of New York City • NBC News, Some small-business owners got $0, while lenders got billions in fees • ABC News, When to ease lockdowns? Nations offer wide mix of solutions • CNN, Boeing won't be returning to 'normal' anytime soon • The Washington Post, Record government and corporate debt risks ‘tipping point’ after pandemic passes • Market Watch, Seattle model projects that first four U.S. states could reopen on May 4 • CNN, Trump wants movie theaters to open soon. That's more complicated than you'd think • Forbes, Trump’s Mar-A-Lago Club Furloughs 153 Workers Amid Coronavirus Shutdown • The Washington Post, Mnuchin, congressional leaders near deal on virus aid that includes major small businesses boost • CNBC, As coronavirus restrictions drag on, Americans shift online spending from stockpiling to entertainment • CNN, Walmart employees will be required to wear face coverings from next week • Forbes, Less Than Half Of Los Angeles County Residents Report Having Jobs, Survey Finds • The Washington Post, #FloridaMorons trends after people flock to reopened Florida beaches • CNBC, How the coronavirus and retail closures are accelerating the rise of Amazon • CNN, Rite Aid expands Covid-19 self-swab, drive-thru testing with seven new locations • Forbes, The Big Stock Market Problem: The Small Caps Aren’t Keeping Up • CNBC, Microsoft is launching a ‘plasmabot’ to encourage people who recovered from the virus to donate their plasma as a possible treatment • USA Today, Five ways Amazon and Google smart speakers can keep you company during coronavirus crisis • The Los Angeles Times, Big banks botched coronavirus stimulus small business loans • CNN, Stocks are soaring on a potential coronavirus treatment. But it's not a silver bullet • Fox News, Stimulus intended to help coronavirus-ravaged small businesses instead rewarding hedge funds, brokerages • CNN, Walmart just hired 150,000 workers. It's hiring 50,000 more as coronavirus continues • Forbes, Illinois Gov. Pritzker Secretly Bought Medical Supplies From China. And The White House Is Not Happy. • CNBC, Coronavirus has dealerships moving to online sales — and car buying may never be the same • Buzzfeed News, The NLRB Is Looking Into Claims That Amazon Violated Employees' Rights During The Coronavirus Pandemic • MSN, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos says more coronavirus testing needed to 'help get economy back up and running' • Business Insider, 7 tactics experts say retailers will use to manage excess inventory and attempt to stay afloat during the coronavirus • CNN, Tiger King + coronavirus = Huge win for Netflix's stock • Forbes, ‘One World: Together At Home’ Concert: Stars Support COVID-19 Coronavirus Efforts • CNBC, Big Tech’s goodwill tour won’t carry weight in antitrust probes, experts say • Market Watch, When are stimulus checks being sent out? How to track your $1,200 payment with a new IRS tool • Business Insider, Private equity firms are scrambling to save portfolio companies by calling in money from investors and re-writing 'worst case scenarios'
Health • The Washington Post, Dozens of coronavirus antibody tests on the market were never vetted by the FDA, leading to accuracy concerns • The New York Times, Is the Virus on My Clothes? My Shoes? My Hair? My Newspaper? • CNN, 3D printing enthusiasts are working from home to help hospitals fight coronavirus • The Hill,French researchers: High temperatures ineffective against coronavirus • CNN, Delays in vaccinations, delays in care: How fear of Covid-19 is affecting children's health • Forbes, Coronavirus: How CDC Lab Contamination, And A Failure To Cooperate Globally, Led To Catastrophe • The Washington Post, First, the coronavirus pandemic took their jobs. Then, it wiped out their health insurance. • CNN, Recovered coronavirus patients are testing positive again. Can you get reinfected? • NBC News, Dr. Oz's hydroxychloroquine advocacy seduces Trump as coronavirus wellness woo surges • The Washington Post, He left his family to save strangers. He’s unsure if he’ll make it back. • Forbes, What Does Coronavirus Look Like? CDC Releases Images From First American COVID- 19 Patient • Market Watch, These experimental drugs may help keep COVID-19 patients off ventilators • CNN, Unemployed Americans have a new full-time job: Filing for jobless benefits
Food • Buzzfeed: Gorgeous Photos Show How Farms Are Helping People During The Covid-19 Crisis • Quartz: Food delivery during Covid-19 is reawakening the US to local food • The Hill: USDA under pressure as food safety concerns grow • The New York Times: The Food Chain’s Weakest Link: Slaughterhouses
International • CNN, Johnson missed 5 key coronavirus meetings, but UK government defends his leadership • Bloomberg, U.K. Deaths Drop; Sweden Says Its Strategy Working: Virus Update • The Hill, Italy sees sharp decline in ICU patients amid coronavirus lockdown • The Washington Post, Coronavirus outbreaks at Mexico’s hospitals raise alarm, protests • ABC News, Italy’s daily coronavirus death toll lowest in nearly a month • Bloomberg, Virus Easing Allows Germany to Re-Open as Spain Deaths Slow • The New York Times, Germany Starts Broad Antibody Testing to Assess Spread of Coronavirus; Israel Relaxes Restrictions • MSN, Spain's coronavirus death toll slows, with lowest increase in about a month • BBC, Coronavirus: Japan doctors warn of health system 'break down' as cases surge • The New York Post, 179 recovered coronavirus patients in South Korea tested positive again • Aljazeera, South Korea's new coronavirus cases fall to single digits • The New York Times, How Can It Happen Here? The Shocking Deaths in Canada’s Long-Term Care Homes • Aljazeera, Turkey's coronavirus cases highest in Middle East: Live updates • The New York Times, 10 African Countries Have No Ventilators. That’s Only Part of the Problem. • Newsweek, CHINA'S NEW COVID-19 HOTSPOT ON RUSSIAN BORDER RAISES TENSIONS BETWEEN TWO ALLIES • ABC News, Ventilator from old car parts? Afghan girls pursue prototype • CNN, The Mafia is poised to exploit coronavirus, and not just in Italy • CNN, Costa Deliziosa cruise heads to Spain, Italy to disembark after trip that began pre- pandemic
Travel • USA Today, Coronavirus travel upside: More airlines banish the dreaded middle seat • Forbes, Six Numbers That Show How Hard The Travel Industry Is Being Hit By The Coronavirus Shutdown • Time, Canada and U.S. to Continue Border Restrictions for Another 30 Days
Sports • CNN, A sports junkie adjusts to life without any sport • The New York Post, Retired players being hurt by baseball’s coronavirus hiatus • NPR, Popular Blog SB Nation Furloughs Writers With Few Sports to Cover During Pandemic • The New York Times, Competitive Marble Racing Finds Fans in a World Missing Sports • ESPN, Coronavirus: Danish club plans drive-in football after lockdown • CBS, Coronavirus: Japan's plans to start baseball season put on hold until at least June • The New York Post, How a perilous 2020 MLB season might change by the day • CBS, NBA, WNBA launch team logo facemasks, donate proceeds to coronavirus hunger relief • Yahoo!, Don't worry, NFL. The WNBA just showed you how a virtual draft is done. • The New York Post, Six ways coronavirus shutdown will alter 2020 NFL Draft • Fox News, NFL games likely despite coronavirus, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank says
Politics • ABC News, More testing needed before states implement Trump's reopening guidance, experts say • CNN, Trump and governors are on a collision course over coronavirus testing • The New York Times, Trump Has Begun His Corona Campaign. We Don’t Have to Play Along. • The Hill, Pence dodges when pressed by Fox's Chris Wallace on Trump 'liberate' tweets • ABC News, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warns Trump may put US in 'further danger' during coronavirus crisis • The Hill, Trump defends testing capabilities, blasts critics during WH briefing • Reuters, Trump warns China could face consequences for virus outbreak • Fox News, Speaker Pelosi rips Trump as ‘weak leader,’ tells ‘Fox News Sunday’ he’s failed on coronavirus response • Yahoo!, How Trump let the U.S. fall behind the curve on coronavirus threat • Business Insider, Donald Trump is leaving states high and dry, and it's a sign his coronavirus response is getting worse • NPR, In COVID Briefings, Trump Again Relies On Both Shock And Strategic Retreat • The Washington Post, Reminder: Don’t get on Andrew Cuomo’s bad side • Politico, 'I have never been so mad about a phone call in my life' • The New York Post, Trump blasts governors for ‘unreasonable’ coronavirus lockdowns • The New York Times, A Key G.O.P. Strategy: Blame China. But Trump Goes Off Message. • The Washington Post, Trump and Fox went all-in on a coronavirus silver bullet. But maybe the wrong one. • USA News & World Report, Trump Challenges China, Iran Reporting on the Coronavirus • Fox News, Lady Gaga calls WHO chief 'superstar,' praises media -- as Trump looks to defund agency • CNN, Fact check: Trump's Saturday coronavirus briefing was littered with false claims, old and new • Vox, Nearly two-thirds of Americans think Trump acted too slowly to fight coronavirus • The New York Times, Trump Is Asking Us to Play Russian Roulette With Our Lives • NBC News, Trump and Gov. Cuomo clash over coronavirus response after president tells him to stop 'complaining' • Business Insider, Trump said China may have started the coronavirus deliberately, as top advisers claim attacking Beijing may be the best way for the president to save his job • The New York Post, Why coronavirus will not cost Trump reelection: Goodwin • The Los Angeles Times, Coronavirus Restrictions: Trump defends protestors • Market Watch, New York Gov. Cuomo hits back at Trump after president posts critical tweets during Cuomo’s coronavirus briefing • The Washington Post, Small protests erupt Saturday over some state actions to combat coronavirus • Forbes, Trump On Adviser Comparing Lockdown Protesters To Rosa Parks: 'Strong Statement' • Politico, How one Dem governor stays off Trump’s enemies list
GENERAL INFORMATION • 4/1/20: Reports emerge that China may have underreported the COVID-19 death toll and the severity of the outbreak • 4/2/20: Unemployment filing hits a record-breaking number in the U.S. • 4/3/20: New York sees biggest single-day death toll • 4/6/20: Japan announces a State of Emergency • 4/7/20: China reported its first day without COVID-19-related deaths • 4/14/20: The U.S. halts funding to the WHO • 4/14/20: The U.S. recorded its highest single day death toll 2,405 after several days of a downward trend • 4/16/20: The U.S. rolls out a 3-phase plan to reopen the country
Relevant Links: • WHO press briefings Monday/Wednesday/Friday (LINK) • White House Task Force briefing (11:30 AM ET, Twitter) • CDC COVID-19 travel advisories (LINK) • CDC report on situation in the U.S. (LINK) and Cases in the U.S. (LINK) • FDA updates related to COVID-19 (LINK) • Tips to prevent spread (CDC, WHO) • News outlets with LIVE running updates on COVID-19 (NYT, WSJ, CNN, BBC, The Guardian) • Outbreak Trackers: (NYT U.S., NYT World, Foreign Policy, Information is Beautiful) • Event Cancellation Tracker (AdAge, NYT) • Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) COVID-19 resource center (LINK) • A Guide to State Coronavirus Lockdowns (WSJ)
###