Coronavirus aka apocalypse
Here's the biggest news you missed this weekend
Updated 11:38 pm EDT Mar.
15, 2020
Businesses are closing across the country. Spain is following Italy's lead and instituting a nationwide lockdown. And the time may be nearing for Americans to "hunker down."
More than 3,700 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the United States, with a death toll of over 60. Globally, almost 170,000 cases and more than 6,500 deaths have been reported, according to Johns Hopkins.
As coronavirus continues to spread, here's the biggest news you missed this weekend:
In the United States...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued on Sunday issued new guidance recommending against gatherings of 50 or more people "for the next eight weeks," saying those who have already planned events with that many people should cancel or postpone. A top official on the coronavirus response team said he doesn't believe a 14-day nationwide shutdown would be overreacting. And many Americans are heeding this warning, even if it isn't government imposed, by stocking up and social distancing in an attempt to flatten the curve. Retailers across the nation are trimming store hours to focus on deep cleanings and restock store shelves. Some are temporarily closing locations, too. The Federal Reserve cut short-term interest rates to zero, renewed its crisis-era bond purchases to lower long-term rates and encouraged more bank loans to households and businesses.
Is a treatment near? Researchers are suggesting strategies to help patients suffering from the virus. One treatment, using antibodies from recovered COVID-19 patients, could be just weeks away.
In closures...
Nearly half of the nation’s schoolchildren will be home this week.
New York City ordered all nightclubs, theaters and concert venues to close by Tuesday. Restaurants and bars in the city will also be limited to serving only takeout and delivery customers, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered home isolation for people age 65 and over.
The governors in five states - California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio and Washington - mandated the closings of bars, restaurants and wineries.
In travel...
Chaos shrouded major airports this weekend as U.S. travelers raced home from Europe amid new restrictions banning Europeans from flying to the United States for 30 days. All U.S. travelers are required to be screened upon arrival at 13 U.S. airports, resulting in snaking lines and hours-long waits.
Passengers on the Grand Princess cruise ship under federal coronavirus quarantine say they are lacking food, medical attention and are being housed in unsanitary conditions. And a British cruise ship is in limbo off the coast of the Bahamas, with one passenger and four crew members who have tested positive for coronavirus. There are 682 passengers on board, the majority of them British nationals. None are Americans.
Across the globe...
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez ordered a national lockdown that allows people to leave their homes only to buy food and medicine, commute to work, go to hospitals and banks, or take trips related to the care of the young and the elderly. All schools and universities were closed, along with restaurants, bars, hotels and other non-essential retail businesses. Italy, already facing a similar lockdown, reported 368 more coronavirus deaths, a new one-day record. Nationwide the total death toll is more than 1,800 - second only to China. And France is shuttering major tourist attractions, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, cafes and restaurants.
A White House doctor says President Donald Trump tested negative for coronavirus. What about other world leaders?
A barrage of rockets hit a base housing U.S. and other coalition troops north of Baghdad, Iraqi security officials said Saturday, just days after a similar attack killed three servicemen, including two Americans.
Originally Published 5:01 pm EDT Mar. 15, 2020
**Updated 11:38 pm EDT Mar. 15, 2020**
