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Coronavirus Live Updates: Southern States Move to Reopen; Trump Insists U.S. Has Adequate Testing Coronavirus Live Updates: Southern States Move to Reopen; Trump Insists U.S. Has Adequate Testing
(about 2 hours later)
South Carolina allowed retail shops ranging from department stores to flea markets to reopen Monday afternoon, shortly after its governor, Henry McMaster, signed an executive order reversing some of the closings he ordered earlier this month.South Carolina allowed retail shops ranging from department stores to flea markets to reopen Monday afternoon, shortly after its governor, Henry McMaster, signed an executive order reversing some of the closings he ordered earlier this month.
On Friday, residents of Georgia will be allowed to return to the gym and get haircuts, pedicures, massages and tattoos, Gov. Brian Kemp said. Next Monday, they can dine in restaurants and go to the movies. Tennessee’s stay-at-home order will expire April 30, allowing most businesses there to reopen on May 1, Gov. Bill Lee said.On Friday, residents of Georgia will be allowed to return to the gym and get haircuts, pedicures, massages and tattoos, Gov. Brian Kemp said. Next Monday, they can dine in restaurants and go to the movies. Tennessee’s stay-at-home order will expire April 30, allowing most businesses there to reopen on May 1, Gov. Bill Lee said.
The moves by three Republican governors of Southern states to let some businesses reopen came as the outbreak continued to spread in parts of the nation, and as some other governors and public health experts have warned in recent days that testing remained inadequate to quickly identify and contain new outbreaks. President Trump, who has made no secret of his desire for businesses to reopen swiftly, outlined nonbinding guidelines last week for states that want to ease the restrictions they imposed to combat the virus.The moves by three Republican governors of Southern states to let some businesses reopen came as the outbreak continued to spread in parts of the nation, and as some other governors and public health experts have warned in recent days that testing remained inadequate to quickly identify and contain new outbreaks. President Trump, who has made no secret of his desire for businesses to reopen swiftly, outlined nonbinding guidelines last week for states that want to ease the restrictions they imposed to combat the virus.
South Carolina moved to let its retail stores reopen Monday at 5 p.m., but said that they must adhere to social distancing requirements, calling for them to operate at 20 percent occupancy or at five customers per 1,000 square feet, whichever is less. It also said that businesses should not allow customers to congregate within six feet of one another. The state planned to reopen public beach access points, piers, docks, and wharves at noon on Tuesday.South Carolina moved to let its retail stores reopen Monday at 5 p.m., but said that they must adhere to social distancing requirements, calling for them to operate at 20 percent occupancy or at five customers per 1,000 square feet, whichever is less. It also said that businesses should not allow customers to congregate within six feet of one another. The state planned to reopen public beach access points, piers, docks, and wharves at noon on Tuesday.
In Georgia, Mr. Kemp said at a news conference on Monday that the state would allow the reopening of gyms, bowling alleys and salons on Friday. “This measure will apply statewide and will be the operational standard in all jurisdictions,” he said. “This means local action cannot be taken that is more or less restrictive.”In Georgia, Mr. Kemp said at a news conference on Monday that the state would allow the reopening of gyms, bowling alleys and salons on Friday. “This measure will apply statewide and will be the operational standard in all jurisdictions,” he said. “This means local action cannot be taken that is more or less restrictive.”
He added that theaters, private social clubs and dine-in restaurants would be allowed to open on April 27, but bars, nightclubs and live performance venues would remain closed.He added that theaters, private social clubs and dine-in restaurants would be allowed to open on April 27, but bars, nightclubs and live performance venues would remain closed.
Mr. Kemp said that he had been frustrated by the testing capacity, but that he also believed that the crisis had leveled off enough to ease the restrictions and help alleviate the economic anguish they have helped create.Mr. Kemp said that he had been frustrated by the testing capacity, but that he also believed that the crisis had leveled off enough to ease the restrictions and help alleviate the economic anguish they have helped create.
He said stores were not reopening for “business as usual,” noting that social distancing rules still must be enforced, and that businesses should check employees’ temperatures and ramp up efforts to sanitize.He said stores were not reopening for “business as usual,” noting that social distancing rules still must be enforced, and that businesses should check employees’ temperatures and ramp up efforts to sanitize.
In Tennessee, Mr. Lee said that some businesses could reopen as soon as next Monday.In Tennessee, Mr. Lee said that some businesses could reopen as soon as next Monday.
“While I am not extending the ‘safer at home’ order past the end of April, we are working directly with our major metropolitan areas to ensure they are in a position to reopen as soon and safely as possible,” he said in a statement. “Social distancing works, and as we open up our economy it will be more important than ever that we keep social distancing as lives and livelihoods depend on it.” President Trump mounted a lengthy defense of the country’s coronavirus testing capacity during his daily briefing on Monday, even as governors in several states scrambled to access testing materials.
Mr. Trump and members of the White House coronavirus task force said they had shared information with state officials about where to find machines to process test samples, and Vice President Mike Pence again said there was “enough testing capacity for every state in America” to make decisions about lifting restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of the virus.
But officials at the briefing — including Mr. Trump, who brandished a thick binder that he said listed about 5,000 testing facilities — emphasized lab capacity over another issue that state officials have underscored recently: an insufficient supply of materials needed to conduct the tests. Pressed about the disconnect, Mr. Trump reacted dismissively to several governors.
“Some states have far more capacity than they actually understand,” he said. “That is a complex subject, but some of the governors did not understand it.” He named Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, a Democrat, and Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland, a Republican.
Mr. Trump also framed the debates around testing in political terms, saying that Democrats who weeks ago pressed the administration to procure ventilators now were asking for testing “because they want to be able to criticize.”
While Mr. Trump and members of his team have boasted about the amount of testing capacity available to process samples, governors have repeatedly appealed for more federal funding and other help — or, in the case of Mr. Hogan, taken matters into their own hands and negotiated with suppliers on their own to obtain test kits.
At the news conference, Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, shared slides illustrating the locations of laboratories and machines where tests could be processed.
The slides were not specific about shortages of key materials needed to run on-site tests, and at the same briefing Admiral Brett P. Giroir, the assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services, who is in charge of the administration’s Covid-19 testing response, said the federal government was encouraging companies to increase production of supplies, including nasal swabs and collection tubes.
“We have focused on every piece of the supply chain that relates to testing,” he said.
On Sunday, multiple governors said on talk shows that a shortage of tests and supplies was among the most significant hurdles to lifting restrictions in their states.
“We have been asked as governors to fight that war without the supplies we need,” Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia, a Democrat, said on CNN.
In Michigan, Gov. Gretchen ​Whitmer, also a Democrat, said the state could perform “double or triple” the number of tests it is doing now “if we had the swabs or reagents.”
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York, a Democrat, also pointed to the lack of chemical reagents. “With the machines we bought, we could actually be doing more if they would give us the reagents,” he said. “That’s the logjam that we are in.”
There are typically about 150,000 diagnostic tests conducted each day, according to the Covid Tracking Project. Researchers at Harvard estimated last week that to ease restrictions, the nation needed to at least triple that pace of testing.
A state prison in Ohio is now the largest reported source of virus infections in the United States, according to a New York Times database, continuing a trend of fast-moving outbreaks behind bars.A state prison in Ohio is now the largest reported source of virus infections in the United States, according to a New York Times database, continuing a trend of fast-moving outbreaks behind bars.
Ohio officials said Sunday that at least 1,828 inmates — almost three-quarters of the prison population — had tested positive at the Marion Correctional Institution, a minimum- and medium-security prison about an hour’s drive north of Columbus. That’s more than the number of known cases at a meatpacking plant in South Dakota and an aircraft carrier docked in Guam.Ohio officials said Sunday that at least 1,828 inmates — almost three-quarters of the prison population — had tested positive at the Marion Correctional Institution, a minimum- and medium-security prison about an hour’s drive north of Columbus. That’s more than the number of known cases at a meatpacking plant in South Dakota and an aircraft carrier docked in Guam.
About one out of five confirmed virus cases in Ohio is now connected with the state’s prison system, according to statewide figures. The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction said that as of Sunday, at least 2,400 inmates in the system had tested positive, and seven had died of either confirmed or suspected Covid-19 infections.About one out of five confirmed virus cases in Ohio is now connected with the state’s prison system, according to statewide figures. The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction said that as of Sunday, at least 2,400 inmates in the system had tested positive, and seven had died of either confirmed or suspected Covid-19 infections.
No deaths have been reported among the prisoners in Marion, but one staff member at the facility has died, and 103 employees have tested positive. The prison announced its first positive case, of an employee, on March 29.No deaths have been reported among the prisoners in Marion, but one staff member at the facility has died, and 103 employees have tested positive. The prison announced its first positive case, of an employee, on March 29.
Despite warnings from health officials and attempts to release some inmates to avoid outbreaks, jails, prisons and detention centers have emerged as major coronavirus spreaders. As of Monday, four of the 10 largest-known sources of infection in the United States were correctional facilities, according to Times tracking data.Despite warnings from health officials and attempts to release some inmates to avoid outbreaks, jails, prisons and detention centers have emerged as major coronavirus spreaders. As of Monday, four of the 10 largest-known sources of infection in the United States were correctional facilities, according to Times tracking data.
And even those numbers are most likely a vast undercount, because some state and local agencies have not released information about cases behind bars, and others, including the federal Bureau of Prisons, are not testing everyone who falls ill. In contrast, the Ohio corrections department said it was testing aggressively inside prisons where the virus has been confirmed, extending tests even to prisoners who were not showing symptoms.And even those numbers are most likely a vast undercount, because some state and local agencies have not released information about cases behind bars, and others, including the federal Bureau of Prisons, are not testing everyone who falls ill. In contrast, the Ohio corrections department said it was testing aggressively inside prisons where the virus has been confirmed, extending tests even to prisoners who were not showing symptoms.
At the Cook County Jail in Chicago, more than 600 cases involving inmates and staff members have been tied to the virus, and four inmates have died. At one point last week, that jail was the top-known source of U.S. infections, but other sources have since surpassed it.
And an outbreak at a correctional facility in Goldsboro, N.C., caused cases to spike in Wayne County. More than half of the inmates at the Neuse Correctional Institution — 458 — have tested positive for the virus, county officials said. There have now been 575 cases in the county and six deaths.
Although there have been encouraging signs that the outbreak is beginning to level off in some places, the threat of the virus is continuing to grow in some states and regions.Although there have been encouraging signs that the outbreak is beginning to level off in some places, the threat of the virus is continuing to grow in some states and regions.
Even in areas where the number of new cases is beginning to flatten, it is doing so at a very high level: New York, which reported its fewest new cases in a month and its lowest one-day death toll in more than two weeks, still reported 4,726 new cases and 478 new deaths on Monday. And the country has added more than 25,000 new cases a day for the past week. Even in areas where the number of new cases is beginning to flatten, it is doing so at a very high level: New York, which reported its fewest new cases in a month and its lowest one-day death toll in more than two weeks, still reported 4,726 new cases and had 478 new deaths on Sunday. And the country has added more than 25,000 new cases a day for the past week.
But in some regions, there are signs that things are getting worse, not better.But in some regions, there are signs that things are getting worse, not better.
Massachusetts has been particularly hard-hit in recent days. It reported 1,705 new cases on Sunday, bringing its total to 38,077, and 146 new deaths, which brought the death toll to 1,706. “We’re right in the middle of the surge now,” Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, said Sunday on “Face the Nation” on CBS. Massachusetts has been particularly hard-hit in recent days. It reported 1,705 new cases on Sunday, bringing its total to 38,077, and 146 new deaths, which brought the death toll to 1,706. “We’re right in the middle of the surge now,” Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, said Sunday.
At the White House briefing on Monday evening, Dr. Deborah L. Birx, the coronavirus response coordinator, noted that “we still have a significant number of cases, both in the Boston area and across Massachusetts and Chicago.”At the White House briefing on Monday evening, Dr. Deborah L. Birx, the coronavirus response coordinator, noted that “we still have a significant number of cases, both in the Boston area and across Massachusetts and Chicago.”
Los Angeles County reported 81 deaths on Saturday, its highest one-day death toll. Los Angeles County reported 81 deaths on Saturday, its highest one-day death toll. Fewer deaths were reported Sunday — 24 — but county officials noted that nearly 1,000 new cases had been identified in the previous 48 hours.
“In this last week, we have doubled the number of deaths that occurred among L.A. County residents,” Barbara Ferrer, the county’s director of public health, said in a statement on Saturday. Fewer deaths were reported Sunday — 24 — but county officials noted that nearly 1,000 new cases had been identified in the previous 48 hours. There have been significant workplace-based clusters in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee and other states, suggesting that the pandemic is just beginning to spread into some communities.
There have been significant workplace-based clusters in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee and other states, suggesting that the pandemic is just beginning to sink into some communities.
Nursing homes and prisons also continue to be hot spots.
The coronavirus may be killing people who are not infected by depriving them of desperately needed treatment, said Dr. Bruce Lowell, an internist in Great Neck, N.Y.The coronavirus may be killing people who are not infected by depriving them of desperately needed treatment, said Dr. Bruce Lowell, an internist in Great Neck, N.Y.
“People are still having heart attacks, people are still having strokes,” he said. “I feel as if there is no awareness of anything other than Covid.”“People are still having heart attacks, people are still having strokes,” he said. “I feel as if there is no awareness of anything other than Covid.”
The virus has sickened hundreds of thousands of Americans, killed tens of thousands of them and forced millions into unemployment. But the pandemic has also shaken every aspect of health care, including cancer, organ transplants and even brain surgery. The virus has sickened hundreds of thousands of Americans, killed tens of thousands of them and forced millions into unemployment. But the pandemic has also shaken every aspect of health care, including cancer treatments, organ transplants and even brain surgery.
Beds, blood, doctors, nurses and ventilators are in short supply; operating rooms are being turned into intensive care units; surgeons have been redeployed to treat people who cannot breathe. Even if there is room for other patients, medical centers hesitate to bring them in unless necessary, for fear of infecting them — or of health workers being infected by them. Patients themselves are afraid to set foot in the hospital even if they are really sick. Beds, blood, doctors, nurses and ventilators are in short supply; operating rooms are being turned into intensive care units; surgeons have been redeployed to treat people who cannot breathe. Even if there is room for other patients, medical centers hesitate to bring them in unless necessary, for fear of infecting them — or of health workers being infected by them.
Early on, as the coronavirus loomed, many hospitals halted elective surgery. Knee replacements, face lifts and most hernias could wait. So could checkups and routine mammograms.Early on, as the coronavirus loomed, many hospitals halted elective surgery. Knee replacements, face lifts and most hernias could wait. So could checkups and routine mammograms.
But some conditions fall into a gray zone of medical risk. While they may not be emergencies, many illnesses could become life threatening or leave patients with permanent disabilities if they are not quickly treated. Doctors and patients alike are confronted with a worrisome future: How long is too long to postpone medical care or treatment? But some conditions fall into a gray zone of medical risk. While they may not be emergencies, many illnesses could become life threatening or leave patients with permanent disabilities if they are not quickly treated.
Nearly one in four cancer patients reported delays in their care because of the pandemic, including access to in-person appointments, imaging, surgery and other services, according to a recent survey by the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network. Nearly one in four cancer patients reported delays in their care, for example, including access to in-person appointments, imaging, surgery and other services, according to a recent survey by the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network.
Patrick Carr, a sociology professor at Rutgers University, died on April 16, after blood rationing prevented him from getting enough transfusions to allow him to receive chemotherapy for a relapse of the blood cancer multiple myeloma. He was 53.
His wife, Maria Kefalas, considers him a forgotten victim of the coronavirus.
“I’m not saying he would have beaten the cancer,” said Ms. Kefalas, a professor of sociology at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. “I’m saying it wouldn’t have been four months, this precipitous decline, fighting for blood, fighting for hospice nurses.”
“People like my husband now are dying not because of Covid,” she said, “but because the health care system just cracked open and swallowed them up.”
Oil prices tumbled on Monday as the economic crisis set off by the pandemic continued to destroy demand for energy and as concerns grew that storage tanks in the United States were near capacity and unable to hold all the unused crude.Oil prices tumbled on Monday as the economic crisis set off by the pandemic continued to destroy demand for energy and as concerns grew that storage tanks in the United States were near capacity and unable to hold all the unused crude.
Oil that is scheduled to be delivered in June fell 12 percent Monday to about $22 a barrel, but at the same time a benchmark to be delivered next month was essentially deemed worthless. Owing largely to a quirk in the way that oil prices are set, the May benchmark actually fell into negative territory, suggesting people who had oil to sell were willing to pay to have it taken off their hands.Oil that is scheduled to be delivered in June fell 12 percent Monday to about $22 a barrel, but at the same time a benchmark to be delivered next month was essentially deemed worthless. Owing largely to a quirk in the way that oil prices are set, the May benchmark actually fell into negative territory, suggesting people who had oil to sell were willing to pay to have it taken off their hands.
The problem is that the United States is running out of places to store its oil, which is already being stockpiled on barges at sea and in any nook and cranny companies can find in their facilities. Traders are now worrying that even this space is running out. Under futures contracts, West Texas Intermediate — the American benchmark for oil prices — is delivered to Cushing, Okla., but investors are worried that there will be no place there to put it.The problem is that the United States is running out of places to store its oil, which is already being stockpiled on barges at sea and in any nook and cranny companies can find in their facilities. Traders are now worrying that even this space is running out. Under futures contracts, West Texas Intermediate — the American benchmark for oil prices — is delivered to Cushing, Okla., but investors are worried that there will be no place there to put it.
Broader worries are also growing that the deal reached on April 12 between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and other producers would not be sufficient to prevent the oil markets from being overwhelmed with a record surplus resulting from collapsing demand because of lockdowns around the world.Broader worries are also growing that the deal reached on April 12 between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and other producers would not be sufficient to prevent the oil markets from being overwhelmed with a record surplus resulting from collapsing demand because of lockdowns around the world.
The numbers explain why investors are worried. Under the terms of the arrangement brokered by Mr. Trump, Saudi Arabia, Russia and other countries will cut 9.7 million barrels a day beginning in May. Analysts forecast that oil consumption in April will fall by about three times that.The numbers explain why investors are worried. Under the terms of the arrangement brokered by Mr. Trump, Saudi Arabia, Russia and other countries will cut 9.7 million barrels a day beginning in May. Analysts forecast that oil consumption in April will fall by about three times that.
Oil companies will either have to turn the taps off or see storage rise to tank-busting levels. David Fyfe, the chief economist at Argus Media, a commodities pricing firm, said he expected tank farms around the globe to fill to the brim by mid-May.Oil companies will either have to turn the taps off or see storage rise to tank-busting levels. David Fyfe, the chief economist at Argus Media, a commodities pricing firm, said he expected tank farms around the globe to fill to the brim by mid-May.
Stocks on Wall Street tumbled on Monday, with the S&P 500 falling about 1.8 percent as shares of energy producers followed the price of crude oil lower. Oil producers were among the worst performing shares in the index. Exxon and Chevron both fell more than 4 percent. United Airlines and American Airlines also fell more than 4 percent, after the former said that it had lost almost $2 billion in the first three months of the year.Stocks on Wall Street tumbled on Monday, with the S&P 500 falling about 1.8 percent as shares of energy producers followed the price of crude oil lower. Oil producers were among the worst performing shares in the index. Exxon and Chevron both fell more than 4 percent. United Airlines and American Airlines also fell more than 4 percent, after the former said that it had lost almost $2 billion in the first three months of the year.
The executive director of the World Health Organization’s emergencies program warned on Monday that even if a vaccine were quickly developed, manufacturing and distributing it could prove extraordinarily difficult. Abortion access narrowed again in Texas on Monday, when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated a lower court’s judgment in favor of abortion clinics. The ruling effectively bans nearly all abortion in Texas, but it remains unclear how long that ban would last as the state begins to lift restrictions on elective procedures.
There is no approved treatment or vaccine against infection from the coronavirus. More than two dozen companies have announced vaccine programs, and at least three candidates are in human trials. Last week, the same appeals court ruled that medication abortion, which involves taking pills early in pregnancy, could proceed in Texas. A spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood said lawyers for the clinics had not decided whether they would go back to the Supreme Court to ask for relief.
Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has warned that a vaccine is at least 18 months away. Other experts say even that timeline is optimistic. At least seven states have included abortions on a list of medical procedures that were not essential and needed to be postponed during the coronavirus pandemic. State officials have argued that their decisions were necessary to preserve medical and protective equipment.
Manufacturers must begin planning to scale up capacities to meet global demand when a successful vaccine is developed, said Dr. Michael Ryan, the executive director of the W.H.O.’s emergencies program. On Friday, the authorities in Texas relaxed some restrictions on elective surgery, and the order requiring the postponement of all nonessential operations is set to expire on Tuesday night.
Billions of people around the globe may eventually need vaccination. Modern vaccines, made with DNA and RNA, require specialized facilities; it is not clear who could make them.
And it will be important that vaccines go where they are most needed, not simply to the countries that can afford them. The W.H.O. is working with government leaders and nonprofits like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to ensure that methods for equitable vaccine distribution will be in place, Dr. Ryan said.
“We’ve worked for over 20 years trying to ensure that products like vaccines are distributed in emergencies on the basis of epidemiological need,” Dr. Ryan said at a news briefing. “We intend to do exactly the same here.”
The organization has a long history of distributing vaccines, including those for meningitis, yellow fever, cholera and polio. Yet mass vaccination campaigns are still logistically difficult and often are met with resistance.
“As a global health architecture, we’re not very good at delivering vaccines in people other than children — in adults,” Dr. Ryan said. “If this is to work, it will require one of the greatest scientific, one of the greatest political, one of the greatest financial, one of the greatest public health operations in a generation.”
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Monday that 478 more people had died in New York, the lowest single-day toll in more than two weeks, bringing the state’s overall death toll from the virus to 14,347. (The state’s tally does not include the more than 3,700 people in New York City who died without being tested and are now presumed to have died of the virus.)Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Monday that 478 more people had died in New York, the lowest single-day toll in more than two weeks, bringing the state’s overall death toll from the virus to 14,347. (The state’s tally does not include the more than 3,700 people in New York City who died without being tested and are now presumed to have died of the virus.)
On Monday, the state started an ambitious effort to test for antibodies among a sample of 3,000 people who had been randomly selected. This and more testing, Mr. Cuomo said, was required to give New York a full picture of the extent of the virus and would help inform decisions about easing restrictions.On Monday, the state started an ambitious effort to test for antibodies among a sample of 3,000 people who had been randomly selected. This and more testing, Mr. Cuomo said, was required to give New York a full picture of the extent of the virus and would help inform decisions about easing restrictions.
Without mentioning the president by name, Mr. Cuomo made another appeal for federal funding to help with the testing needed to guide the gradual lifting of restrictions in certain areas, echoing a plea from Republican and Democratic governors across the country. Mr. Cuomo expressed frustration that the legislation currently under consideration in Washington did not include a funding pipeline to assist states with tests. Mr. Trump said at his briefing on Monday evening that Mr. Cuomo would visit the White House on Tuesday.Without mentioning the president by name, Mr. Cuomo made another appeal for federal funding to help with the testing needed to guide the gradual lifting of restrictions in certain areas, echoing a plea from Republican and Democratic governors across the country. Mr. Cuomo expressed frustration that the legislation currently under consideration in Washington did not include a funding pipeline to assist states with tests. Mr. Trump said at his briefing on Monday evening that Mr. Cuomo would visit the White House on Tuesday.
As for easing some of the measures put in place to stem the spread of the virus, Mr. Cuomo said it would not be immediate, though he acknowledged the nice weather luring out New Yorkers who had been staying in their homes for weeks.As for easing some of the measures put in place to stem the spread of the virus, Mr. Cuomo said it would not be immediate, though he acknowledged the nice weather luring out New Yorkers who had been staying in their homes for weeks.
As more people leave their homes, the infection rate is likely to go up, he said.As more people leave their homes, the infection rate is likely to go up, he said.
“When activity increases, infection rate spreads,” Mr. Cuomo warned on Monday, adding that smart decisions now would lead to good outcomes in two weeks.“When activity increases, infection rate spreads,” Mr. Cuomo warned on Monday, adding that smart decisions now would lead to good outcomes in two weeks.
Gathering at schools, parades and concerts, he said, would be “madness for people.” Gathering at schools, parades and concerts, he said, would be “madness.”
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg on Monday to call for the loosening of stay-at-home orders so people could return to work. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg on Monday to call for the loosening of stay-at-home orders so people could return to work. A protest planned in Annapolis, Md., on Monday drew only a handful of demonstrators.
The rally, like those in other state capitals in recent days, had some of the trappings of the Tea Party protests of a decade ago. This time, there were calls to end “government tyranny,” Trump 2020 flags were flying, and some people embraced conspiracies about vaccines and Bill Gates, the Microsoft founder. In recent days, Mr. Trump has helped foment the protests in various state capitals, attacking Democratic governors and taking up the slogans of protesters who claim to want to “liberate” their states. And he has defended protesters who have rebelled against state restrictions, threatening to undermine the efforts of his own administration’s public health experts.
Republican state lawmakers who addressed the crowd called on Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, to relax the restrictions, arguing that with 1.5 million people newly unemployed in Pennsylvania, the cure was more costly than the disease. At the Pennsylvania rally, there were calls to end “government tyranny,” Trump 2020 flags were flying, and some people embraced conspiracies about vaccines and Bill Gates, the Microsoft founder.
“Our new normal does not mean that we will sacrifice our freedoms for our safety,” State Representative Aaron Bernstine said. “We can have a normal where we aren’t locked in our homes like prisoners.” Facebook said on Monday that it had removed some posts on the social network promoting protests calling for the easing of restrictions, after determining that the posts violated state guidelines on social distancing efforts in California, New Jersey and Nebraska. But it said it would continue to allow others.
A protest planned in Annapolis, Md., on Monday drew only a handful of demonstrators.
In recent days, President Trump has helped foment the protests, attacking Democratic governors and taking up the slogans of protesters who claim to want to “liberate” their states. And he has defended protesters who have rebelled against state restrictions, threatening to undermine the efforts of his own administration’s public health experts.
Facebook said on Monday that it had removed some posts on the social network promoting protests calling for the easing of restrictions, after determining that the posts violated state guidelines on social distancing efforts in California, New Jersey and Nebraska.
“Unless government prohibits the event during this time, we allow it to be organized on Facebook,” said Andy Stone, a Facebook spokesman. “For this same reason, events that defy government’s guidance on social distancing aren’t allowed on Facebook.”“Unless government prohibits the event during this time, we allow it to be organized on Facebook,” said Andy Stone, a Facebook spokesman. “For this same reason, events that defy government’s guidance on social distancing aren’t allowed on Facebook.”
Facebook said it had reached out to state officials to understand the scope of their orders. The company also said it required posts to make calls for social distancing clear when promoting protests in places where such orders are mandatory. While public health experts have said large gatherings like the protest in Pennsylvania are likely to spread the virus, State Senator Doug Mastriano played down those risks. “A quarantine is normally for the sick,” he said, “but what the heck is going on here? I’m not sick.”
Polls suggest that more Americans are concerned about the health dangers of easing the restrictions too quickly than they are about the economic damage they have wrought.Polls suggest that more Americans are concerned about the health dangers of easing the restrictions too quickly than they are about the economic damage they have wrought.
An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll taken last week found that 58 percent of American voters said they were more concerned that relaxing stay-at-home restrictions would lead to more deaths than they were that keeping the restrictions would hurt the economy.An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll taken last week found that 58 percent of American voters said they were more concerned that relaxing stay-at-home restrictions would lead to more deaths than they were that keeping the restrictions would hurt the economy.
The poll, of 900 registered voters, was conducted from April 13 to 15 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.
Some states are taking steps to let businesses reopen. Gov. Bill Lee of Tennessee, a Republican, announced Monday that the stay-at-home order in his state would expire April 30, allowing most businesses there to reopen on May 1.
While public health experts have said large gatherings like the protest in Pennsylvania are likely to spread the virus, State Senator Doug Mastriano played down those risks. “A quarantine is normally for the sick,” he said, “but what the heck is going on here? I’m not sick.”
The speakers on the Capitol steps were separated from the crowd by barricades, behind which protesters were tightly packed, some wearing masks but most without. An organizer of the event, Chris Dorr, a gun-rights activist from Ohio who started a Facebook group last week to bring people out, said he was not worried about people spreading the virus at the event because he thought there was “a good amount of air flow.”
Mr. Wolf on Monday extended the state’s shutdown restrictions through May 8 and announced “small steps” aimed at a gradual economic reopening. At a press briefing he said he had not followed the protest but had a message for participants. “Please, stay safe,” he said. “We want to make sure we do everything we can to keep Pennsylvanians safe. That includes you.”
A dispute over President Trump’s handling of coronavirus testing has emerged as one of the final sticking points standing in the way of an agreement between Congress and the administration to provide $450 billion to replenish a loan program for small businesses and more funding for hospitals.A dispute over President Trump’s handling of coronavirus testing has emerged as one of the final sticking points standing in the way of an agreement between Congress and the administration to provide $450 billion to replenish a loan program for small businesses and more funding for hospitals.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi told House Democrats privately on Monday afternoon that negotiations between the Trump administration and Democrats to reach a final deal could yield an agreement later before the night was out, and Senate leaders scheduled a session for 4 p.m. on Tuesday, signaling optimism that they could resolve the issue and quickly approve the measure without a formal vote that would require senators to return to Washington. Speaker Nancy Pelosi told House Democrats privately on Monday afternoon that negotiations between the Trump administration and Democrats to reach a final deal could yield an agreement later before the night was out. Senate leaders scheduled a session for 4 p.m. on Tuesday, signaling optimism that they could resolve the issue and quickly approve the measure without a formal vote that would require senators to return to Washington.
But negotiators were still haggling over a demand by Democrats that the agreement, which is likely to include $25 billion for testing, include a requirement that the government establish a national testing strategy.But negotiators were still haggling over a demand by Democrats that the agreement, which is likely to include $25 billion for testing, include a requirement that the government establish a national testing strategy.
Democrats have said that a national testing strategy is crucial to combating the further spread of the coronavirus and allowing states to plan for eventual reopening. Republicans, wary of placing the political onus on the administration to devise and carry out such a strategy, have argued that states should set their own plans. Democrats have said that a national testing strategy is crucial to combating the further spread of the coronavirus and allowing states to plan for eventual reopening. Republicans, wary of placing the onus on the administration to devise and carry out such a strategy, have argued that states should set their own plans.
Mr. Trump appeared to reject the Democrats’ proposal on Monday, saying that they were “playing a very dangerous political game” by focusing on testing. “States, not the Federal Government, should be doing the Testing,” the president wrote on Twitter.Mr. Trump appeared to reject the Democrats’ proposal on Monday, saying that they were “playing a very dangerous political game” by focusing on testing. “States, not the Federal Government, should be doing the Testing,” the president wrote on Twitter.
Negotiators were also still debating the terms of the $300 billion in new aid for small businesses under the Paycheck Protection Program, which is designed to allow companies that keep paying their employees to receive forgivable loans underwritten by the federal government.Negotiators were also still debating the terms of the $300 billion in new aid for small businesses under the Paycheck Protection Program, which is designed to allow companies that keep paying their employees to receive forgivable loans underwritten by the federal government.
Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, on Monday accused Democrats of “prolonging their discussions with the administration” and delaying final agreement. “It is past time to get this done for the country,” he said.Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, on Monday accused Democrats of “prolonging their discussions with the administration” and delaying final agreement. “It is past time to get this done for the country,” he said.
Lawmakers appeared to be coalescing around providing $310 billion to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program and reserving $60 billion for smaller financial institutions; adding $60 billion for the Small Business Administration’s disaster relief fund; and devoting an additional $75 billion to hospitals and $25 billion to testing.Lawmakers appeared to be coalescing around providing $310 billion to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program and reserving $60 billion for smaller financial institutions; adding $60 billion for the Small Business Administration’s disaster relief fund; and devoting an additional $75 billion to hospitals and $25 billion to testing.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Mr. McConnell told Republican senators in a conference call Sunday afternoon that they would not include additional aid for state and local governments. President Trump told reporters “that will be in our next negotiation.”
In a separate television appearance on Sunday morning, Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the minority leader, suggested negotiations were going well.
“We’ve made very good progress, and I’m very hopeful we could come to an agreement tonight or early tomorrow morning,” Mr. Schumer said, appearing shortly after Mr. Mnuchin on the CNN show “State of the Union.” Mr. Schumer said the White House was “going along with” some of the Democrats’ requests, “so we feel pretty good.”
Senate leaders are hoping to approve any deal during a procedural session as early as this week in order to avoid having lawmakers back in Washington before their scheduled May 4 return — a maneuver that would require agreement from all 100 senators.Senate leaders are hoping to approve any deal during a procedural session as early as this week in order to avoid having lawmakers back in Washington before their scheduled May 4 return — a maneuver that would require agreement from all 100 senators.
Even as Congress raced to provide more money for businesses and hospitals, the administration was moving to ensure that individuals would receive the aid included in the stimulus law. The Treasury Department was evaluating whether it had the legal authority to stop banks from garnishing stimulus payments that are deposited into bank accounts with negative balances, according to a person familiar with the matter.Even as Congress raced to provide more money for businesses and hospitals, the administration was moving to ensure that individuals would receive the aid included in the stimulus law. The Treasury Department was evaluating whether it had the legal authority to stop banks from garnishing stimulus payments that are deposited into bank accounts with negative balances, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The Trump administration came under fire this month after some banks began withholding economic relief money that was meant to help struggling Americans weather the coronavirus crisis. The Treasury Department started sending stimulus checks by direct deposit to millions of Americans last week.The Trump administration came under fire this month after some banks began withholding economic relief money that was meant to help struggling Americans weather the coronavirus crisis. The Treasury Department started sending stimulus checks by direct deposit to millions of Americans last week.
Banks can legally withhold funds that go into accounts that have negative balances, and no specific provision in the $2.2 trillion relief package prevented them from taking customers’ stimulus money to cover debts. The law does prohibit the garnishing of stimulus money for state or federal debts, except for court-mandated child support.Banks can legally withhold funds that go into accounts that have negative balances, and no specific provision in the $2.2 trillion relief package prevented them from taking customers’ stimulus money to cover debts. The law does prohibit the garnishing of stimulus money for state or federal debts, except for court-mandated child support.
Some banks have halted the policy amid public backlash.Some banks have halted the policy amid public backlash.
President Trump said Sunday night that the administration was preparing to use the Defense Production Act to compel an unspecified U.S. facility to increase production of test swabs by over 20 million per month.
The remarks came during his Sunday evening news conference, after he defended his response to the pandemic amid criticism from governors across the country who have said that there had been an insufficient amount of testing — and a shortage of tests themselves — to justify reopening the economy any time soon.
“We are calling in the Defense Production Act,” Mr. Trump said. He added, “You’ll have so many swabs you won’t know what to do with them.”
He provided no details about what company he was referring to, or when the administration would invoke the act. And his aides did not immediately respond when asked to provide more details.
“We already have millions coming in,” he said. “In all fairness, governors could get them themselves. But we are going to do it. We’ll work with the governors and if they can’t do it we’ll do it.”
Multiple governors had said on talk shows earlier on Sunday that a shortage of tests was among the most significant hurdles to lifting restrictions in their states.
“We are fighting a biological war,” Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “We have been asked as governors to fight that war without the supplies we need.”
Mr. Northam was among the governors who said they needed more swabs and reagents required for the test, and urged federal officials to help them get those supplies.
The governors bristled at claims from the Trump administration that the supply of tests was adequate. On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Vice President Mike Pence said there was “a sufficient capacity of testing across the country today for any state in America,” a claim Mr. Northam, a Democrat, called “delusional.”
In Michigan, Gov. Gretchen ​Whitmer, also a Democrat, said the state could perform “double or triple” the number of tests it is doing now “if we had the swabs or reagents.” ​Gov. Larry Hogan​ of Maryland, a Republican, said that it was “absolutely false” to claim that governors were not acting aggressively enough to pursue as much testing as possible.
“It’s not accurate to say there’s plenty of testing out there, and the governors should just get it done,” Mr. Hogan ​said​ on “State of the Union​. ”​ “That’s just not being straightforward.”
There are currently about 150,000 diagnostic tests conducted each day, according to the Covid Tracking Project. Researchers at Harvard estimated last week that to ease restrictions, the nation needed to at least triple that pace of testing.
Separately, New York will test 3,000 people starting on Monday to see if they have coronavirus antibodies, which would be a signal they have already had the virus.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Sunday that antibody testing would be key in guiding the reopening of the state, because finding the number of people who had developed antibodies to the virus would help authorities understand the full extent of its spread.
“That will tell us for the first time what percent of the population actually has had the coronavirus and is now — at least short term — immune to the virus,” Mr. Cuomo said. “This will be the first true snapshot of what we’re really dealing with.”
Shake Shack said on Sunday that it was returning a $10 million loan from a federal program to help small businesses amid mounting criticism that large chains had been favored over smaller operators in the program’s rollout to the restaurant industry.Shake Shack said on Sunday that it was returning a $10 million loan from a federal program to help small businesses amid mounting criticism that large chains had been favored over smaller operators in the program’s rollout to the restaurant industry.
The $349 billion stimulus effort, which was distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, was exhausted in just two weeks, with many loans favoring larger companies that were better able to navigate the application process. Major chains like Potbelly and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse were able to secure tens of millions of dollars in loans while other owners were left scrambling to survive the deepening financial crisis.The $349 billion stimulus effort, which was distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, was exhausted in just two weeks, with many loans favoring larger companies that were better able to navigate the application process. Major chains like Potbelly and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse were able to secure tens of millions of dollars in loans while other owners were left scrambling to survive the deepening financial crisis.
Shake Shack, with 189 outlets and nearly 8,000 employees in the United States, said that it would return the funds after securing additional capital through an equity transaction on Friday.Shake Shack, with 189 outlets and nearly 8,000 employees in the United States, said that it would return the funds after securing additional capital through an equity transaction on Friday.
The National Restaurant Association on Monday asked congressional leaders to create a recovery fund for the restaurant industry. In a letter, the trade association said that 8 million restaurant employees had been laid off or furloughed and that the industry had lost $30 billion since March, with another $50 billion expected to disappear by the end of April. The National Restaurant Association on Monday asked congressional leaders to create a recovery fund for the industry. In a letter, the trade association said that 8 million restaurant employees had been laid off or furloughed and that the industry had lost $30 billion since March, with another $50 billion expected to disappear by the end of April.
“The restaurant industry has been the hardest hit by the coronavirus mandates — suffering more sales and job losses than any other industry in the country,” the letter said. “For an industry with sales that exceed the agriculture, airline, railroad, ground transportation, and spectator sports industries combined, a restaurant relief and recovery program is desperately needed.” “The restaurant industry has been the hardest hit by the coronavirus mandates — suffering more sales and job losses than any other industry in the country,” the letter said.
The Federal Reserve could soon expand its municipal bond-buying plans after announcing earlier this month its first-ever campaign to bolster the market for state and local debt.The Federal Reserve could soon expand its municipal bond-buying plans after announcing earlier this month its first-ever campaign to bolster the market for state and local debt.
Fed officials said on April 9 that they would use their emergency lending powers to begin purchasing municipal bonds, pledging to buy up to $500 billion from states and the biggest cities and counties. While the central bank has yet to announce a start date, its plans have met with both hope and criticism.Fed officials said on April 9 that they would use their emergency lending powers to begin purchasing municipal bonds, pledging to buy up to $500 billion from states and the biggest cities and counties. While the central bank has yet to announce a start date, its plans have met with both hope and criticism.
New Jersey is already gearing up to tap the program. Some lawmakers — including Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, a Democrat and the minority leader, and Senator Mike Crapo, Republican of Idaho — and analysts have questioned it, saying it does not go far enough.New Jersey is already gearing up to tap the program. Some lawmakers — including Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, a Democrat and the minority leader, and Senator Mike Crapo, Republican of Idaho — and analysts have questioned it, saying it does not go far enough.
The Fed made clear from the outset that it could do more, saying that it would continue to monitor markets and that it would “evaluate whether additional measures are needed to support the flow of credit and liquidity to state and local governments.”The Fed made clear from the outset that it could do more, saying that it would continue to monitor markets and that it would “evaluate whether additional measures are needed to support the flow of credit and liquidity to state and local governments.”
Snapping up municipal debt is a new frontier for the Fed, which has spent decades treating municipal bond-buying as a bright line that should not be crossed. Purchasing state and local debt amounts to bankrolling local political decisions, a move that could open officials up to criticism if the money is poorly deployed.Snapping up municipal debt is a new frontier for the Fed, which has spent decades treating municipal bond-buying as a bright line that should not be crossed. Purchasing state and local debt amounts to bankrolling local political decisions, a move that could open officials up to criticism if the money is poorly deployed.
But as the economy continues its steep downturn, causing growth to plummet in a way unseen since the Great Depression, the Fed chair, Jerome H. Powell, and his colleagues have been breaking all of their own rules — taking a “move fast and save the economy” approach, despite the consequences that might follow.But as the economy continues its steep downturn, causing growth to plummet in a way unseen since the Great Depression, the Fed chair, Jerome H. Powell, and his colleagues have been breaking all of their own rules — taking a “move fast and save the economy” approach, despite the consequences that might follow.
We asked experts to answer questions about places where coronavirus lurks (or doesn’t).We asked experts to answer questions about places where coronavirus lurks (or doesn’t).
Keep up with developments in the coronavirus crisis with our team of international correspondents. Reporting was contributed by Davey Alba, Pam Belluck, Alan Blinder, Jonah Engel Bromwich, Emily Cochrane, Michael Cooper, Scott Dodd, John Eligon, Nicholas Fandos, Jacey Fortin, Trip Gabriel, Christina Goldbaum, Russell Goldman, Denise Grady, Winnie Hu, Neil MacFarquhar, Sarah Mervosh, Austin Ramzy, Alan Rappeport, Stanley Reed, Rick Rojas, Marc Santora, Knvul Sheikh, Jeanna Smialek, Jennifer Steinhauer, Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Eileen Sullivan, Vanessa Swales, Ana Swanson, Sabrina Tavernise, Katie Thomas, Timothy Williams and David Yaffe-Bellany.
Reporting was contributed by Davey Alba, Alan Blinder, Jonah Engel Bromwich, Emily Cochrane, Michael Cooper, Scott Dodd, John Eligon, Nicholas Fandos, Jacey Fortin, Trip Gabriel, Christina Goldbaum, Russell Goldman, Denise Grady, Winnie Hu, Neil MacFarquhar, Sarah Mervosh, Austin Ramzy, Alan Rappeport, Stanley Reed, Rick Rojas, Marc Santora, Knvul Sheikh, Jeanna Smialek, Jennifer Steinhauer, Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Eileen Sullivan, Vanessa Swales, Ana Swanson, Timothy Williams and David Yaffe-Bellany.