1 Coronavirus: Several Countries Impose Travel Restrictions, Trump Is Negative
Countries around the world have begun to restrict travel and are seeing business closures as a way to limit the spread of coronavirus. Besides the travel restrictions from Europe announced here by President Trump, other countries such as New Zealand are requiring some international visitors to self quarantine for 14-days upon their arrival. Speaking of arrivals, the mad dash to return to the United States was complicated for thousands as travelers found themselves crammed into massive lines waiting to be tested. Frustration for those people aside, the rest of us are about to have serious cramps in our social lives as the CDC has issued further guidance, recommending against gatherings of 50 or more people for the "next eight weeks." In discussing those guidelines yesterday at a press briefing with members of the Coronavirus Task Force, Trump also offered some news of his own: that he has been tested, and he is negative. Where does the United States stand with COVID-19? At last check, there are nearly four-thousand cases across the United States – with 69 patients succumbing to the illness (the majority being elderly/nursing home patients in Washington State). Globally, the numbers stand at nearly 100-thousand people infected by the virus – with just over 65-hundred dead. On the plus side, nearly 80-thousand have recovered. Washington State still has the highest number of cases, with 769. The second highest patient count is New York, where 746 positives have been confirmed. There is only one state in the country without a single case: West Virginia.
2 Schools Closed In 28 States Over COVID-19, States Direct Major Business Closures
As the world continues bracing for the full impact of the coronavirus, millions of parents are bracing for their kids to be home for at least a couple of weeks...and perhaps the rest of the year. So far, at least 28 states have taken the rare step of closing schools to try and slow the spread of coronavirus. Arizona is the latest to make the announcement and like most, expects to only extend spring break by a week or two. But the CDC says eight weeks might make the best impact. Several big cities are also closing including the nation's two biggest districts – New York City and Los Angeles. Colleges all over have shut down as well and switched to online classes. Beyond schools, however, a number of states are starting to shutter businesses – leaving many wondering how they’ll ever recover. So far, governors in five states have made the decision that restaurants can remain open during the coronavirus pandemic, but only to make food. Patrons will not be allowed to dine in. They’re also directing that bars, clubs and movie theaters to close.
3 Dem Debate: Biden Pledges To Pick Woman As Running Mate
Without an audience to stoke any zingers fires, former VP Joe Biden and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders faced off last night. While much of what was debated was expected – one piece of news wasn’t: that Biden is pledging to name a woman as his running mate, if he wins the Democratic nomination. During the latest Democratic debate in Washington, DC, Sanders also suggested that he will too, "in all likelihood." But Biden was firm – and he also said he would nominate the first African American woman to the U.S. Supreme Court. Here’s a rundown of some other highlights: Biden and Sanders spent a lot of time talking about the growing coronavirus crisis. Biden said it should be treated like a war. Sanders argued that President Trump should stop talking about the crisis as the misinformation he shares is damaging and “confusing” to Americans. Sanders accused Trump of repeatedly promoting unfactual information about the coronavirus. Sanders called the crisis unprecedented and stressed that the U.S. must not worry about the cost of dealing with it. Biden said the growing coronavirus crisis is "bigger than any one of us." The former VP also said the military could be brought in to quickly establish makeshift hospitals. Sanders argued that the crisis is highlighting the dysfunctionality of the U.S. healthcare system. He made a strong pitch for his Medicare-for-All proposal. Biden pointed out that Sanders still has not put a pricetag on Medicare-for-All. Biden said Obamacare should be repaired and improved. Biden and Sanders also sparred over foreign policy. Biden criticized Sanders for agreeing with ideas from some authoritarian regimes, saying "praising an authoritarian country makes our allies wonder what is going on." Sanders tried to turn it around on Biden by criticizing Biden's support for the war in Iraq...but refused to step back from previous comments that sometimes, dictators “have good ideas.” For his part, Biden acknowledged that his Iraq vote was a mistake. Biden also noted that he was very involved in getting 150-thousand troops out of Iraq after he became vice president. The two men agreed that the world must act quickly to combat global climate change. Sanders stressed that dramatic, bold action is required and said Biden's proposals don't go far enough. Biden insisted that he has been "ahead of the curve" on climate change for years. Meantime, Biden said he would not deport any undocumented immigrants unless they have committed a felony in the U.S. Sanders argued that ICE raids must come to an end because no federal agent should ever "grab little babies from the arms of their mothers."