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Coronavirus Live Updates: Trump Invokes Law to Increase Medical Supplies, Including Masks Coronavirus Live Updates: Trump Invokes Law to Increase Medical Supplies, Including Masks
(32 minutes later)
新冠病毒疫情最新消息新冠病毒疫情最新消息
President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act on Wednesday, giving the administration expanded powers to direct factories to produce face masks, gowns, gloves and other medical supplies needed to fight the virus. President Trump moved Wednesday to send military hospital ships to areas hard-hit by the coronavirus and to invoke a law allowing the federal government to order American industry to produce critically-needed medical equipment.
He also said that FEMA was activated at Level 1, the highest level, across the United States. The actions follow the Trump administration’s slow initial response to the global crisis that left the United States facing shortages of tests, hospital beds and equipment.
In a briefing on Wednesday, Mr. Trump said he was set to sign the act within hours, “just in case we need it.” The president said at a White House briefing that he would invoke the Defense Production Act, a Korean War-era law that authorizes presidents to take extraordinary action to force American industry to ramp up production of equipment needed for national security “just in case we need it.”
A federal government plan to combat the coronavirus, which was shared with the New York Times on Tuesday, warned that shortages of medical supplies like protective gear and pharmaceuticals could occur, “impacting health care, emergency services, and other elements of critical infrastructure.” Hospitals around the country have been warning of critical shortages of supplies. While the law is typically thought of applying to military equipment, the administration could use it to force factories to ramp up production of desperately-needed medical supplies like ventilators, respirators and other protective gear for health care workers.
Members of Congress have been calling for the move for several weeks. But some business leaders have argued against invoking the act, saying that factories stand ready to help the government, and that the move could impose red tape on companies precisely when they need flexibility to respond dramatically and quickly to production challenges. “It can do a lot of good things if we need it,” Mr. Trump said of the act.
Two military hospital ships, called the USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy, were dispatched to New York City and to a location on the West Coast, officials said. The Comfort, essentially a floating hospital, has 1,000 beds, with 80 of those dedicated to intensive care. The briefing came as stocks plunged again, triggering another automatic 15-minuted halt in trading after the S & P fell about 7 percent. Ford Motor and General Motors said on Wednesday that they would temporarily close their plants in the United States, as automakers came under intense pressure to protect workers from the spreading coronavirus. The Trump administration is pushing for a broader $1 trillion stimulus bill, half of which would go toward two rounds of direct payments to Americans in April and May, according to a summary obtained by The New York Times.
The Pentagon had been preparing for the deployment of the Comfort and at least one other ship in the Navy’s hospital fleet to provide relief to overwhelmed hospital systems. The president said he had dispatched two military ships to help with the crisis — one to New York, the other to the West Coast. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York said he was told that the Comfort, an 894-foot hospital ship that has been deployed to assist after natural disasters, including to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria in 2017, was being sent to New York harbor. Pentagon officials said it was possible that the Comfort could absorb non-coronavirus patients, potentially freeing up hospital beds in Manhattan for infectious cases.
“We’ve already given orders to the Navy,” Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told reporters on Tuesday, “to lean forward in terms of getting them ready to deploy.” “It has operating rooms,” Mr. Cuomo said at a briefing in New York, where 2,382 people have tested positive so far, an increase of more than 800 since Tuesday, as the rate of testing has begun to pick up after a slow start. Mr. Cuomo said that he was told the ship “was going to be dispatched immediately.”
Mr. Esper said that the United States military had issued restrictions on international and domestic travel to all Department of Defense employees. At the White House, Mr. Trump continued to refer to the novel coronavirus as “the Chinese virus,” and brushed aside criticisms that the term was racist, or could fuel bias attacks against Asian-Americans. “It’s not racist at all,” he insisted.
The president said that airlines would be first in line among existing industries clamoring to receive a bailout package as economic fallout from the coronavirus continues. The president also said that the Federal Emergency Management Agency had been activated at the highest level,which activates broader staffing and emergency support, and that he had directed the Department of Housing and Urban Development to put a temporary moratorium on evictions as the outbreak upends the economy.
“I mean, airlines would be number one, if you look at what’s going on,” Mr. Trump said. “They go from having the best year they’ve ever had to having no passengers because of what we’ve had to do.”
Mr. Trump also said that the Department of Housing and Urban Development would be providing “immediate relief to renters and homeowners” by suspending all foreclosures and evictions until the end of April.
Vice President Mike Pence said that tests are increasing “by the thousands” every day. He reiterated the administration’s stance that “people without symptoms should not get tested.”Vice President Mike Pence said that tests are increasing “by the thousands” every day. He reiterated the administration’s stance that “people without symptoms should not get tested.”
Mr. Trump also said that a self-swab test for Covid-19 was being developed, and said that human testing had begun on a coronavirus vaccine. “We’re making very very big progress,” he said. Invoking the Defense Production Act could help the United States try to make up for lost time.
Seema Verma, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, urged Americans to “seriously consider” guidelines on delaying elective medical and dental procedures. “The shared sacrifice is essential to help those on the front lines.” A federal plan to combat the coronavirus, which was shared with The New York Times, warned that shortages of medical supplies like protective gear and pharmaceuticals could occur, “impacting health care, emergency services, and other elements of critical infrastructure.” Hospitals around the country are warning of critical shortages of supplies.
Dodging a question about how relatively few Americans have been able to be tested — a persistent line of criticism of the administration’s coronavirus response — the president stepped aside and ushered Dr. Deborah Birx, who is coordinating the administration’s coronavirus response, to the lectern. Members of Congress have been calling for the president to invoke the act for weeks, but some business leaders have argued against it, saying that factories already stand ready to help the government, and that the move could impose red tape on companies precisely when they need flexibility to respond dramatically and quickly to production challenges.
Dr. Birx said that the delay in test kits required the government to fold private sector-produced tests into the response efforts, and said the test capacity would “dramatically increase” in the coming days. Seema Verma, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, urged Americans to “seriously consider” guidelines on delaying elective medical and dental procedures. “The shared sacrifice is essential to help those on the front lines,” she said.
“To every American out there: It will be five to six days of tests running every 24 to 48 hours” Dr. Birx said, addressing the existing testing backlog. “So our curves will not be stable until sometime next week.” Dr. Deborah Birx, who is coordinating the administration’s coronavirus response, said public health experts were alarmed by European data showing that millennial-age people may have a “disproportional number of infections” compared with older groups of people.
Asked whether professional athletes and wealthy Americans could access the tests more quickly than others, Mr. Trump said “I wouldn’t say so,” but added, “perhaps that’s the story of life.” Dr. Birx spoke directly to millennials, encouraging them to heed the government’s guidelines to avoid large groups of people. She added that new data about Covid-19 had caused experts to take a closer look at how long the virus can live on surfaces, from metal to cardboard.
Dr. Birx said public health experts were alarmed by European data showing that millennial-age people may have a “disproportional number of infections” compared with older groups of people. Mr. Trump also confirmed on Wednesday that his administration will use legal authority granted to the U.S. surgeon general to immediately return migrants who cross the southwest border illegally without giving them due process. He said an announcement on the new border rule would come “probably today.” The rule is likely to be met with legal challenges.
Dr. Birx spoke directly to millennials and encouraged them to heed the government’s guidelines to avoid large groups of people. She added that new data about Covid-19 had caused experts to take a closer look at how long the virus can live on surfaces, from metal to cardboard.
Asked if he was using a racist term and prompting discrimination against Chinese Americans by calling the coronavirus a “Chinese virus,” Mr. Trump said it wasn’t.
“It’s not racist at all, no, not at all,” he said. “It comes from China. That’s why. It comes from China.”
Mr. Trump, asked about reports that Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury Secretary, has issued estimates that the United States could reach 20 percent unemployment throughout the outbreak, said that the administration was not seriously considering that number.
Responding to reports that the administration had asked for a relief package that could provide $1,000 checks to Americans, he said the amount was “to be determined,” but added, “everybody wants to go big.”
Mr. Trump referred to himself as “a war-time president.”
“We had the best economy we ever had, and one day you have to close it down to defeat this enemy,” he said.
The White House is asking Congress to allocate $500 billion for two separate waves of direct payments to American taxpayers in the coming weeks and another $300 billion to help small businesses continue to meet payroll, according to a Treasury Department proposal circulating on Capitol Hill and among lobbyists.The White House is asking Congress to allocate $500 billion for two separate waves of direct payments to American taxpayers in the coming weeks and another $300 billion to help small businesses continue to meet payroll, according to a Treasury Department proposal circulating on Capitol Hill and among lobbyists.
The outline, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times, calls for a total of $1 trillion in spending for those programs, which would also include $50 billion for secured loans for the airline industry, and another $150 billion for secured loans or loan guarantees for other parts of the economy hard hit by the unfolding financial crisis.The outline, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times, calls for a total of $1 trillion in spending for those programs, which would also include $50 billion for secured loans for the airline industry, and another $150 billion for secured loans or loan guarantees for other parts of the economy hard hit by the unfolding financial crisis.
It would allow for the use of the Exchange Stabilization Fund, an emergency reserve account that is usually used for intervening in currency markets, to cover those costs, and also temporarily allow it to guarantee money market mutual funds. Lawmakers were moving swiftly on Wednesday to try to incorporate the proposal and others from senators into legislation that could be put up for a vote in the coming days. But the details remained far from complete.It would allow for the use of the Exchange Stabilization Fund, an emergency reserve account that is usually used for intervening in currency markets, to cover those costs, and also temporarily allow it to guarantee money market mutual funds. Lawmakers were moving swiftly on Wednesday to try to incorporate the proposal and others from senators into legislation that could be put up for a vote in the coming days. But the details remained far from complete.
The Treasury Department proposal calls for the authority to send two $250 billion rounds of checks directly to American taxpayers, the first on April 6 and the second May 18. Payments would be fixed, and their size dependent on income and family size, the summary said.The Treasury Department proposal calls for the authority to send two $250 billion rounds of checks directly to American taxpayers, the first on April 6 and the second May 18. Payments would be fixed, and their size dependent on income and family size, the summary said.
The proposed program to increase loans to small businesses would allow any employer with 500 employees or fewer to receive loans equaling six weeks of their payroll up to $1,540 per employee under the condition that companies must keep paying their employees for eight weeks after receiving the loan.The proposed program to increase loans to small businesses would allow any employer with 500 employees or fewer to receive loans equaling six weeks of their payroll up to $1,540 per employee under the condition that companies must keep paying their employees for eight weeks after receiving the loan.
Mr. Mnuchin broadly outlined the White House’s proposal to Republican senators on Wednesday, but the document shared with congressional offices and others added significant new detail, some of which is likely to be revised by Republican and Democratic lawmakers.Mr. Mnuchin broadly outlined the White House’s proposal to Republican senators on Wednesday, but the document shared with congressional offices and others added significant new detail, some of which is likely to be revised by Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
The Senate on Wednesday also plans to take up the coronavirus relief package approved by the House last week, which would provide paid leave, enhanced unemployment benefits, free coronavirus testing and food and health care aid.The Senate on Wednesday also plans to take up the coronavirus relief package approved by the House last week, which would provide paid leave, enhanced unemployment benefits, free coronavirus testing and food and health care aid.
While some conservatives said they were unhappy with the bill, Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, counseled his members on Tuesday to “gag and vote for it anyway.”While some conservatives said they were unhappy with the bill, Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, counseled his members on Tuesday to “gag and vote for it anyway.”
“This is a time for urgent bipartisan action, and in this case, I do not believe we should let perfection be the enemy of something that will help even a subset of workers,” Mr. McConnell said on the Senate floor Wednesday morning, adding that he would vote for the legislation. “This is a time for urgent bipartisan action, and in this case, I do not believe we should let perfection be the enemy of something that will help even a subset of workers,” Mr. McConnell said on the Senate floor Wednesday morning, adding that he would vote for the legislation
Financial markets reeled again on Wednesday, as the coronavirus continued its relentless spread, governments ramped up efforts to contain it and investors continued to wait for lawmakers in Washington to take action on proposals to bolster the American economy.Financial markets reeled again on Wednesday, as the coronavirus continued its relentless spread, governments ramped up efforts to contain it and investors continued to wait for lawmakers in Washington to take action on proposals to bolster the American economy.
The S&P 500 fell more than 7 percent, a drop that triggers so-called circuit breaker and results a 15-minute pause in trading.The S&P 500 fell more than 7 percent, a drop that triggers so-called circuit breaker and results a 15-minute pause in trading.
Stocks bounced back slightly once trading resumed. It could be temporarily halted again if stocks fall 13 percent before the final half-hour of trading. If shares plunge more than 20 percent, trading will end for the rest of the day.Stocks bounced back slightly once trading resumed. It could be temporarily halted again if stocks fall 13 percent before the final half-hour of trading. If shares plunge more than 20 percent, trading will end for the rest of the day.
Wednesday’s selling reflected another swing in sentiment on Wall Street. Stocks jumped on Tuesday as the White House called for urgent action to pump $1 trillion into the economy. But the calls so far haven’t been met with tangible action in the Senate. Mr. Mnuchin met with Republican lawmakers on Tuesday and warned them that the unemployment rate in the United States could approach 20 percent without the intervention of robust economic stimulus measures.Wednesday’s selling reflected another swing in sentiment on Wall Street. Stocks jumped on Tuesday as the White House called for urgent action to pump $1 trillion into the economy. But the calls so far haven’t been met with tangible action in the Senate. Mr. Mnuchin met with Republican lawmakers on Tuesday and warned them that the unemployment rate in the United States could approach 20 percent without the intervention of robust economic stimulus measures.
The Trump administration’s $1 trillion proposal includes two rounds of direct payments to Americans, one in April and one in May, at a total cost of $500 billion, according to a summary obtained by The New York Times on Wednesday.The Trump administration’s $1 trillion proposal includes two rounds of direct payments to Americans, one in April and one in May, at a total cost of $500 billion, according to a summary obtained by The New York Times on Wednesday.
The renewed selling showed how fragile any gains have become as the virus continues to spread. Analysts continue to downgrade their expectations for the global economy and corporate profits as measures to contain the virus become more extreme.The renewed selling showed how fragile any gains have become as the virus continues to spread. Analysts continue to downgrade their expectations for the global economy and corporate profits as measures to contain the virus become more extreme.
Wednesday’s turmoil was evident in other markets as well. The British pound fell to its lowest level in 35 years against the American dollar, and oil prices tumbled.Wednesday’s turmoil was evident in other markets as well. The British pound fell to its lowest level in 35 years against the American dollar, and oil prices tumbled.
Nearly nine million people in Northern California were under orders to “shelter in place” or stay home as much as possible on Wednesday, an ambitious and restrictive effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The directives — which still allow people to leave the house for fresh air — left nearly all residents in the Bay Area holed up at home, and residents in the Sacramento nearby were urged to do the same.
The 8.6 million residents of New York City could potentially face the same restrictions later this week, Mayor Bill de Blasio has said. “I don’t take this lightly at all,” he said.
The virus on Wednesday continued to touch on all aspects of American life, from transportation to immigration.
Gov. Wanda Vázquez of Puerto Rico asked the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to suspend international and domestic travel to the island for two weeks to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Across the United States, naturalization ceremonies, asylum interviews, and other visa processing were paused on Wednesday until at least April 1. And President Trump announced that the border with Canada was being closed to all but essential traffic.
Even natural disasters, like a 5.7 magnitude earthquake in Utah that interrupted the state’s coronavirus hotline, and water main breaks, which left residents unable to wash their hands in Georgia, were made worse by the ongoing pandemic.
But even as life more or less ground to a halt in many states, immigration enforcement was still underway. ICE agents over the past week have continued to make arrests in some of the regions hardest hit by the virus, including California and New York. On Wednesday, a line of at least 60 people wrapped around an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Miramar, Fla., in a county that has seen Florida’s highest number of Covid-19 cases.
As the coronavirus sweeps across the United States, immigrants may be among the least able to self-isolate and seek the medical care that is essential to protecting their health and slowing the spread of the disease. They work at jobs that often do not offer paid sick leave, nor the luxury of being able to self-quarantine in the event that they are exposed to the virus.
An ICE spokesman said that immigration arrests were continuing. The agency was “prioritizing individuals who threaten our national security and public safety,” he said.
In a further attempt to slow the spread of the virus in America, where it has now claimed more than 100 lives, Mr. Trump announced on Wednesday that the border with Canada was being closed to all but essential traffic.In a further attempt to slow the spread of the virus in America, where it has now claimed more than 100 lives, Mr. Trump announced on Wednesday that the border with Canada was being closed to all but essential traffic.
Canada had already closed its borders to most foreigners — but not Americans — in an attempt to keep the virus at bay.Canada had already closed its borders to most foreigners — but not Americans — in an attempt to keep the virus at bay.
The move on Wednesday would allow trade to continue, but would restrict flights and border crossings for things like vacations.The move on Wednesday would allow trade to continue, but would restrict flights and border crossings for things like vacations.
Mr. Trump had warned in recent days that closing the northern border was on the table.Mr. Trump had warned in recent days that closing the northern border was on the table.
In a news conference this week, he discouraged discretionary travel and said that, “we have very strong emergency powers when it comes to something like this, both on the southern and the northern borders.”In a news conference this week, he discouraged discretionary travel and said that, “we have very strong emergency powers when it comes to something like this, both on the southern and the northern borders.”
On Tuesday, Mr. Trump said that trade would not be impacted should the borders close. “We just signed our deal — the U.S.M.C.A. — and the relationship is very strong,” he told reporters at the White House.On Tuesday, Mr. Trump said that trade would not be impacted should the borders close. “We just signed our deal — the U.S.M.C.A. — and the relationship is very strong,” he told reporters at the White House.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada said that the agreement to close the border had followed several days of talks including a conversation with President Trump on Wednesday morning.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada said that the agreement to close the border had followed several days of talks including a conversation with President Trump on Wednesday morning.
He said that the measure would ban travel for “recreation and tourism” but would continue to allow the crossing of trucks and trains carrying goods like food, fuel and parts for manufacturers.He said that the measure would ban travel for “recreation and tourism” but would continue to allow the crossing of trucks and trains carrying goods like food, fuel and parts for manufacturers.
“Our governments recognize that it is critical we ensure supply chains,” Mr. Trudeau told a news conference. Canadians and Americans who commute daily to each other’s countries, a category that includes many health care workers, will be allowed to continue to cross, Mr. Trudeau added.“Our governments recognize that it is critical we ensure supply chains,” Mr. Trudeau told a news conference. Canadians and Americans who commute daily to each other’s countries, a category that includes many health care workers, will be allowed to continue to cross, Mr. Trudeau added.
The Trump administration has also looked to tighten the southern border and plans to turn back all asylum seekers and other foreigners attempting to enter the United States from Mexico illegally.The Trump administration has also looked to tighten the southern border and plans to turn back all asylum seekers and other foreigners attempting to enter the United States from Mexico illegally.
Officials said ports of entry would remain open to American citizens, green-card holders and foreigners with proper documentation. But under the new rule, border patrol agents would immediately return to Mexico — without any detainment and without any due process — anyone who attempted to cross the southern border illegally.Officials said ports of entry would remain open to American citizens, green-card holders and foreigners with proper documentation. But under the new rule, border patrol agents would immediately return to Mexico — without any detainment and without any due process — anyone who attempted to cross the southern border illegally.
Nations around the world waged a two-front war on Wednesday: fighting the spread of the virus through ever tightening restrictions on people’s movements and trying to stabilize economies severely damaged by those efforts.
The White House is seeking more than one trillion dollars to blunt the financial fallout from the sudden and drastic changes to daily life caused by the coronavirus.
Germany has promised $600 billion to help businesses and individuals. British leaders said they would throw more than $420 billion at the crisis. The European Union promised hundreds of billions to support member states. Leaders in France, Spain, Italy and dozens of other nations have pledged to spend whatever is needed to meet the moment.
To put that in context — and to give a sense of the scale of the current crisis — the United States appropriated about $200 billion in today’s money for the Marshall Plan to help rebuild Europe after World War II.
But even as governments and central banks around the world promised to use all the fiscal and monetary policy instruments in their arsenal to prevent an economic collapse, the ripple effects of closing borders, locking down entire nations and telling people to stay in their homes continued to swell.
On Wednesday morning, Mr. Trump announced on Twitter that the border with Canada was being closed to all but essential traffic. Despite the ever-tightening restrictions, the virus continued its global rampage. More than 200,000 people have now been infected and at least 8,200 killed — more than half outside China.
Wall Street, rocked by wild swings, was off to a rough start on Wednesday after global markets fell sharply.
Around the world, cities expressed growing concern about funding for vital services after revenue disappeared virtually overnight.
New York’s governor announced a statewide requirement that no business can have more than 50 percent of their work force report to work outside the home. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said that Mr. Trump will dispatch a 1,000-bed hospital ship to New York.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs New York City’s subways and two commuter railroads, said it desperately needed $4 billion from the federal government.
With new infections continuing to rise in the city, Mayor Bill de Blasio said 8.6 million residents could be told to “shelter in place” within the next 48 hours. However, Mr. Cuomo pushed back against that idea.
The term “shelter in place” has previously been associated with hurricanes and snowstorms — events of limited duration where people could be confident that, after a period of hardship, life would generally get back to normal.
But “social distancing” is the new normal for the foreseeable future, increasingly enforced by law.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, where restrictions were expanded late Tuesday to include more than eight million people, downtown streets were deserted, but there were many reports of people still going to parks and socializing.
In Italy, where the death toll climbed to more than 2,500, the lockdown has been much more stringent, with people only venturing out for essential supplies. France and Spain have also tightened restrictions on nationwide lockdowns, adding hefty fines for anybody who violates the rules.
The American commander in Afghanistan is stopping most U.S. and allied troops from entering and leaving the country for the next month, American and European officials said. The planning reflects growing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus there in recent days.The American commander in Afghanistan is stopping most U.S. and allied troops from entering and leaving the country for the next month, American and European officials said. The planning reflects growing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus there in recent days.
The decision of the commander, Gen. Austin S. Miller, may complicate the drawdown of troops ordered by President Trump after the United States recently signed a peace agreement with the Taliban.The decision of the commander, Gen. Austin S. Miller, may complicate the drawdown of troops ordered by President Trump after the United States recently signed a peace agreement with the Taliban.
There are roughly 12,000 American troops in Afghanistan. Under the agreement signed by the Taliban and American diplomats last month, that number is set to decrease to 8,600 within the next 100 or so days. NATO and coalition forces, with roughly 8,700 troops in the country, were set to draw down a commensurate amount.There are roughly 12,000 American troops in Afghanistan. Under the agreement signed by the Taliban and American diplomats last month, that number is set to decrease to 8,600 within the next 100 or so days. NATO and coalition forces, with roughly 8,700 troops in the country, were set to draw down a commensurate amount.
As the United States braces for an onslaught of coronavirus cases, hospitals and governments are confronting a grim reality: There are not nearly enough lifesaving ventilator machines to go around, and there is no way to solve the problem before the disease reaches full throttle.As the United States braces for an onslaught of coronavirus cases, hospitals and governments are confronting a grim reality: There are not nearly enough lifesaving ventilator machines to go around, and there is no way to solve the problem before the disease reaches full throttle.
Desperate hospitals say they can find nowhere to buy the medical devices, which help patients breathe and can be the difference between life and death for those facing the most dire respiratory effects of the coronavirus.Desperate hospitals say they can find nowhere to buy the medical devices, which help patients breathe and can be the difference between life and death for those facing the most dire respiratory effects of the coronavirus.
American and European manufacturers say they cannot speed up production enough to meet soaring demand, at least not anytime soon.American and European manufacturers say they cannot speed up production enough to meet soaring demand, at least not anytime soon.
The United States has been slow to develop a national strategy for accelerating the production of ventilators. That appears to reflect in part the federal government’s sluggish reaction to the coronavirus, with President Trump and others initially playing down the threat. This week, Mr. Trump urged governors to find ways to procure new ventilators. “Try getting it yourselves,” he said.The United States has been slow to develop a national strategy for accelerating the production of ventilators. That appears to reflect in part the federal government’s sluggish reaction to the coronavirus, with President Trump and others initially playing down the threat. This week, Mr. Trump urged governors to find ways to procure new ventilators. “Try getting it yourselves,” he said.
That will be hard and in some cases impossible.That will be hard and in some cases impossible.
“The reality is there is absolutely not enough,” said Andreas Wieland, the chief executive of Hamilton Medical in Switzerland, one of the world’s largest makers of ventilators. “We see that in Italy, we saw that in China, we see it in France and other countries. We could sell I don’t know how many.”“The reality is there is absolutely not enough,” said Andreas Wieland, the chief executive of Hamilton Medical in Switzerland, one of the world’s largest makers of ventilators. “We see that in Italy, we saw that in China, we see it in France and other countries. We could sell I don’t know how many.”
At least 100 deaths in the United States have now been linked to the coronavirus, according to a New York Times database that is tracking and mapping every known case in the country as more people are tested. On Tuesday evening, West Virginia became the 50th state to report an infection.At least 100 deaths in the United States have now been linked to the coronavirus, according to a New York Times database that is tracking and mapping every known case in the country as more people are tested. On Tuesday evening, West Virginia became the 50th state to report an infection.
The 101 deaths, all announced in the last three weeks, came as the number of known coronavirus cases in the United States soared past 5,600 on Tuesday. Hundreds more are learning they have the illness each day, including more than 800 diagnoses on both Monday and Tuesday, as the nation’s testing capacity has grown significantly and as the virus spreads.The 101 deaths, all announced in the last three weeks, came as the number of known coronavirus cases in the United States soared past 5,600 on Tuesday. Hundreds more are learning they have the illness each day, including more than 800 diagnoses on both Monday and Tuesday, as the nation’s testing capacity has grown significantly and as the virus spreads.
About half the country’s reported deaths have been in Washington State, including at least 30 linked to a long-term care facility in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland. Most of those who have died from the virus have been in their 60s or older, and several have been in their 90s. But other patients who died have been younger, including a corrections worker in New York City in his 50s and a man from the Seattle area in his 40s.About half the country’s reported deaths have been in Washington State, including at least 30 linked to a long-term care facility in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland. Most of those who have died from the virus have been in their 60s or older, and several have been in their 90s. But other patients who died have been younger, including a corrections worker in New York City in his 50s and a man from the Seattle area in his 40s.
Belgium joined the list of European nations to impose strict restrictions on Wednesday, effective at noon, as the virus rampaged across the continent.Belgium joined the list of European nations to impose strict restrictions on Wednesday, effective at noon, as the virus rampaged across the continent.
The president of the German center for disease control and prevention, Prof. Lothar H. Wieler, warned that if people did not follow public health guidance, Germany could have 10 million cases in just a few months.The president of the German center for disease control and prevention, Prof. Lothar H. Wieler, warned that if people did not follow public health guidance, Germany could have 10 million cases in just a few months.
“The epidemic is taking an exponential course,” he told reporters in Berlin on Wednesday.“The epidemic is taking an exponential course,” he told reporters in Berlin on Wednesday.
There are 8,200 cases in Germany, a rise of 1,000 in the last 24 hours.There are 8,200 cases in Germany, a rise of 1,000 in the last 24 hours.
In France, the military started operations to evacuate patients from the hard-hit eastern part the country. In France, the military started operations to evacuate patients from the hard-hit eastern part the country. An air force transport plane left from southern France on Wednesday to evacuate six Covid-19 patients to military hospitals in Marseille and Toulon. A military field hospital is also expected to be deployed near Mulhouse.
An air force transport plane left from southern France on Wednesday morning for Mulhouse, in the eastern Alsace region, to evacuate six Covid-19 patients to military hospitals in Marseille and Toulon.
A military field hospital is also expected to be deployed near Mulhouse.
The French health minister, Olivier Véran, announced on Wednesday that the authorities would shut down open-air markets where people were not complying with distancing guidelines, even though grocery stores and other food purveyors were not affected by the lockdown.The French health minister, Olivier Véran, announced on Wednesday that the authorities would shut down open-air markets where people were not complying with distancing guidelines, even though grocery stores and other food purveyors were not affected by the lockdown.
“Wherever it is impossible to enforce the distance of one meter between two people, we must intervene,” Mr. Véran said.“Wherever it is impossible to enforce the distance of one meter between two people, we must intervene,” Mr. Véran said.
In Belgium, people are allowed to go outside to walk, bike or exercise, but those activities must be done alone or with the people with whom they live. In Belgium, people are allowed to go outside to walk, bike or exercise, but those activities must be done alone or with the people with whom they live. The new rules are similar to those instituted in France, but they are not as strict as those in Italy, where the death toll has climbed to more than 2,500. Nor are Belgians required, as they are in France and Italy, to download and complete “permission forms” to carry with them offering an explanation for why they are not in their homes.
The new rules are similar to those instituted in France, but they are not as strict as those in Italy. Nor are Belgians required, as they are in France and Italy, to download and complete “permission forms” to carry with them offering an explanation for why they are not in their homes. Governments were also scrambling to put together economic relief plans. Germany has promised $600 billion to help businesses and individuals. British leaders said they would throw more than $420 billion at the crisis. The European Union promised hundreds of billions to support member states. Leaders in France, Spain, Italy and dozens of other nations have pledged to spend whatever is needed to meet the moment.
As the number of coronavirus cases increases, the impact is being felt across every facet of American life, including transportation.
After three technicians who work in an air traffic control tower at Midway International Airport in Chicago tested positive for the virus on Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily shut it down, causing scores of flights to be canceled, delayed or diverted.
Public transit agencies in many cities have struggled amid low ridership and health concerns from their employees and customers. New York City’s public transportation system, the largest in North America, is seeking a $4 billion federal bailout after the pandemic set off an extraordinary fall in ridership.
In Detroit, bus service was halted after drivers, fearing for their safety, balked at leaving their garages. The president of the union which represents the drivers said that some had reported to work in the morning and found that buses had not been adequately cleaned.
Uber and Lyft, two of the most popular ride-sharing companies, said on Tuesday that they were suspending pooled trips, in which riders pay a reduced fee by sharing the ride with a passenger headed in the same direction.
Gov. Wanda Vázquez of Puerto Rico asked the Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday for permission to suspend international and domestic travel to the island, which has already gone on lockdown and imposed a curfew.
Hastily reintroduced border checkpoints have prompted chaos across Europe as nations step up entry restrictions and limit movement.Hastily reintroduced border checkpoints have prompted chaos across Europe as nations step up entry restrictions and limit movement.
The European Union announced a decision on Tuesday to implement a 30-day restriction on nonessential travel to its territory, and at least 12 countries have re-erected border checkpoints, stemming the flow of people and goods.The European Union announced a decision on Tuesday to implement a 30-day restriction on nonessential travel to its territory, and at least 12 countries have re-erected border checkpoints, stemming the flow of people and goods.
Romanian and Bulgarian citizens trying to return home from Austria via Hungary were denied entry to Hungary on Tuesday, a day after Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that his country would close its borders to non-Hungarians.Romanian and Bulgarian citizens trying to return home from Austria via Hungary were denied entry to Hungary on Tuesday, a day after Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that his country would close its borders to non-Hungarians.
Some travelers staged a protest on the highway, causing a traffic jam stretching some 13 miles. The authorities later announced that they would allow a one-time passage of Romanians and Bulgarians through Hungary through a “humanitarian corridor.”Some travelers staged a protest on the highway, causing a traffic jam stretching some 13 miles. The authorities later announced that they would allow a one-time passage of Romanians and Bulgarians through Hungary through a “humanitarian corridor.”
Poland, which suspended all international air and rail travel and barred entry on Sunday to everyone except Polish citizens and legal residents, was also scrambling to manage the chaos.Poland, which suspended all international air and rail travel and barred entry on Sunday to everyone except Polish citizens and legal residents, was also scrambling to manage the chaos.
Thousands of travelers on Wednesday were stuck in lines stretching dozens of miles near entry points to Poland, with many forced to wait up to 30 hours without access to food or water. According to officials, the waiting time for thousands of truckers, especially on the Poland-Belarus border, could be even longer, delaying the transport of goods into Poland.Thousands of travelers on Wednesday were stuck in lines stretching dozens of miles near entry points to Poland, with many forced to wait up to 30 hours without access to food or water. According to officials, the waiting time for thousands of truckers, especially on the Poland-Belarus border, could be even longer, delaying the transport of goods into Poland.
Responding to the crisis, the Polish Ministry of the Interior said on Tuesday night that more checkpoints would be opened and that about 1,000 soldiers would be dispatched to help maintain peace at the borders.Responding to the crisis, the Polish Ministry of the Interior said on Tuesday night that more checkpoints would be opened and that about 1,000 soldiers would be dispatched to help maintain peace at the borders.
The regulations around social distancing have forced many friends and family to change the way they communicate and spend time together. It is important to stay connected during these stressful times. Here are some ideas that may help:The regulations around social distancing have forced many friends and family to change the way they communicate and spend time together. It is important to stay connected during these stressful times. Here are some ideas that may help:
Pakistan’s health care system is already on the brink of collapse. The virus may push it over the edge.
The country is at the center of one of the most densely populated regions in the world, South Asia, which has some 1.8 billion people and porous borders.
Around 246 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Pakistan, and many public health experts say they are worried that the true numbers are much higher. In Pakistan, around 246 people have tested positive for the coronavirus Many public health experts say they are worried that the true numbers are much higher; the country is at the center of one of the most densely populated regions in the world, South Asia, which has some 1.8 billion people and porous borders.
As the outbreak hit neighboring Iran, thousands of Pakistanis tried to return home. Some 4,600 were quarantined at Taftan, Pakistan, a town on the border. They spent 14 days in tents, with little running water and barely working toilets.As the outbreak hit neighboring Iran, thousands of Pakistanis tried to return home. Some 4,600 were quarantined at Taftan, Pakistan, a town on the border. They spent 14 days in tents, with little running water and barely working toilets.
Many of those who were released from quarantine returned home and tested positive for the virus. In Sindh Province, the number of infected jumped from 35 to 150 on Sunday, after dozens of people who underwent quarantine in Taftan were confirmed as having contracted the illness. Many of those who were released from quarantine returned home and tested positive. In Sindh Province, the number of infected jumped from 35 to 150 on Sunday, after dozens of people who underwent quarantine in Taftan were confirmed as having contracted the illness.
Many in Pakistan say they are having trouble getting tested. So far, around eight people per million have been tested in the country, compared to about 1,000 per million in Italy.Many in Pakistan say they are having trouble getting tested. So far, around eight people per million have been tested in the country, compared to about 1,000 per million in Italy.
In a televised address on Tuesday night, Prime Minister Imran Khan warned that hospitals were too weak to accept an influx of people seeking testing and asked only the very ill to get screened. In a televised address on Tuesday, Prime Minister Imran Khan warned that hospitals were too weak to accept an influx of people seeking testing and asked only the very ill to get screened.
He urged social distancing but said that the nation’s economy was too weak to handle a complete shutdown.He urged social distancing but said that the nation’s economy was too weak to handle a complete shutdown.
“Pakistan’s situation is not the same as that of the United States or Europe,” Mr. Khan said. “There is poverty in our country, with 25 percent of the people living in extreme poverty.”
Pope Francis encouraged those under the severe restrictions in place across Italy and the broader world to use the “difficult days” to show others that they care, using “small, concrete gestures.”
“A caress for our grandparents, a kiss for our children, for the people we love” are “important, decisive gestures,” Francis said in an interview with the Rome daily La Repubblica on Wednesday. “If we live these days like this, they won’t be wasted.”
The coronavirus is ravaging Italy, with 2,503 deaths reported as of Tuesday and more than 31,000 cases across the country. The health care system as been overwhelmed, and daily life has been brought to a halt, with residents confined to their homes except to buy food, medicine or other necessities.
The pope has continued to conduct Mass, but in a very different setting. On Sunday, he spoke to Catholics from the library of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican at midday, a change from his usual place of delivery, the window of the papal apartment overlooking Saint Peter’s Square, which is closed.
In the newspaper interview, Francis thanked those on the front lines of the epidemic. “They are an example of this concreteness,” he said. And he urged people to reach out to those who had lost loved ones.
Gestures of affection are often “lost in the anonymity of everyday life” and in our dependence on virtual communication, he said. But, he added, actions like “a hot meal, a caress, a hug, a phone call” make “life meaningful.”
On Sunday, the pope went to two Rome churches to pray. “I asked the Lord to stop the epidemic,” he said.
The Taliban, which control large parts of Afghanistan, have started requiring Afghans traveling from Iran, where the coronavirus is running rampant, to prove that they have been screened before being allowed to return to their homes in areas controlled by the insurgent group.The Taliban, which control large parts of Afghanistan, have started requiring Afghans traveling from Iran, where the coronavirus is running rampant, to prove that they have been screened before being allowed to return to their homes in areas controlled by the insurgent group.
Proof of screening is being provided by the Afghan-Japan Communicable Disease Hospital in Kabul, a medical center in the capital that is operated by the Afghan government, which the Taliban considers illegitimate.Proof of screening is being provided by the Afghan-Japan Communicable Disease Hospital in Kabul, a medical center in the capital that is operated by the Afghan government, which the Taliban considers illegitimate.
Thousands of Afghans return daily from Iran via Herat, a city in western Afghanistan, then take buses or taxis to Kabul.Thousands of Afghans return daily from Iran via Herat, a city in western Afghanistan, then take buses or taxis to Kabul.
“Such action is necessary because you know this virus is spreading to several provinces,” a Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said in a phone interview about the screening requirement.“Such action is necessary because you know this virus is spreading to several provinces,” a Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said in a phone interview about the screening requirement.
Mr. Mujahid said Afghans who had returned from Iran “should have their medical examinations so that we are certain they don’t infect others.”Mr. Mujahid said Afghans who had returned from Iran “should have their medical examinations so that we are certain they don’t infect others.”
The Afghan Health Ministry has reported 22 cases of coronavirus. But health officials worry there may be many more infection’s because so few people have been tested.The Afghan Health Ministry has reported 22 cases of coronavirus. But health officials worry there may be many more infection’s because so few people have been tested.
The coronavirus can live for three days on some surfaces, like plastic and steel — though the amount of viable virus decreases sharply over this time — suggests a new study, published on Tuesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. Reporting was contributed by Michael Cooper, Sarah Mervosh, Caitlin Dickerson, Miriam Jordan, Steven Erlanger, Katie Rogers, Ana Swanson, Emily Cochrane, Elisabetta Povoledo, Maria Abi-Habib, Zia ur-Rehman, Marc Santora, Megan Specia, Heather Murphy, Damien Cave, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Ben Casselman, Sapna Maheshwari, David Yaffe-Bellany, Mark Landler, Stephen Castle, Ian Austen, Sarah Cliff, Adam Satariano, Jessica Silver-Greenberg, Nicholas Kulish, Nicholas Fandos, Katie Rogers, Thomas Gibbons-Neff, Julian E. Barnes, Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Michael D. Shear, Mikayla Bouchard and Farnaz Fassihi.
Experts say the risk of consumers getting infected from touching those materials is still low, though they offered additional warnings about how long the virus could survive in the air, which may have important implications for medical workers.
When the virus becomes suspended in droplets smaller than five micrometers — known as aerosols — it can stay suspended for about 30 minutes, before drifting down and settling on surfaces where it can linger for hours, the researchers said. The finding is inconsistent with the World Health Organization’s position that the virus is not transported by air.
The new study also suggests that the virus can survive up to 24 hours on cardboard packages, though it disintegrates over the course of a day — meaning cardboard packages that arrive in the mail would have only low levels of the virus unless the delivery person has coughed or sneezed on it or has handled it with contaminated hands.
Another study, the largest to date of children and the virus, has found that while most develop mild or moderate symptoms, a small percentage — especially babies and preschoolers — can become seriously ill. Children account for the smallest percentage of the tens of thousands of infections identified globally.
And though the health minister of France has urged people ill with the coronavirus to stay away from ibuprofen and aspirin, there was no research to back up the contention.
Reporting was contributed by Steven Erlanger, Katie Rogers, Ana Swanson, Emily Cochrane, Elisabetta Povoledo, Maria Abi-Habib, Zia ur-Rehman, Marc Santora, Megan Specia, Heather Murphy, Damien Cave, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Ben Casselman, Sapna Maheshwari, David Yaffe-Bellany, Mark Landler, Stephen Castle, Ian Austen, Sarah Cliff, Adam Satariano, Jessica Silver-Greenberg, Nicholas Kulish, Nicholas Fandos, Katie Rogers, Thomas Gibbons-Neff, Julian E. Barnes, Mikayla Bouchard and Farnaz Fassihi.