1 Coronavirus Aid Pack Passes The Senate, Trump Signs It
With the backdrop of President Trump declaring himself a “wartime president,” the Senate easily approved a bipartisan coronavirus relief bill that was recently passed by the House last night. The vote was 90-8. He signed it into law soon after. The sweeping measure includes free coronavirus testing, paid sick leave for workers who need it, a boost in unemployment benefits and food assistance. House Democrats said the goal of their bill was to put "families first." Majority Leader Mitch McConnell noted that the Senate will accelerate work on a massive economic stimulus package. That package proposes $500-billion in checks to millions of Americans, with the first checks to come April 6th if approved by Congress. The rest of that stimulus package reportedly includes a $50-billion to aid the hard-hit airline industry, $150 billion for other distressed sectors of the economy, and the creation of a small business interruption loan program.
2 Wuhan Hasn't Had A Coronavirus Case In 24 Hours
There's new hope in the coronavirus fight. The city where it all began hasn't had a case in the past 24 hours. The disease first officially appeared in Wuhan, China in December. It quickly became an emergency with more than 80-thousand people infected and three-thousand-plus deaths. But it's slowed significantly recently. In fact, Beijing has claimed almost-victory over the virus. Still, the news is not good in Italy, where they’ve have their deadliest day yet. The country has record an increase of 475 deaths over the course of 24 hours. Overall, the number of confirmed cases has risen by more than four thousand, bringing the total to just over 35-thousand. The overall death toll is nearly three thousand in the country.
3 Widespread Damage Following 5.7 Magnitude Earthquake in Utah
An earthquake? In Utah? Yup. A local state of emergency has been declared in a northern Utah town following the 5.7-magnitude earthquake yesterday morning. Magna Mayor Pro-Tempore Trish Hull says the quake has caused extensive damage to buildings and displaced several residents, but the good news? Everyone is otherwise fine – with no serious injuries or deaths reported The earthquake's epicenter was located just outside of the city. But the fear for locals isn’t over. The USGS reports that nearly 60 aftershocks have rattled the Salt Lake Valley since the first quake, including a 4.6-magnitude aftershock. No deaths have been reported from the disaster. Still, locals are bracing for what’s to come as much as they’re reeling from what they’ve already experienced. “The big one was really nuts,” says Stephanie Draper. “But these just keep going.”