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Vaccine, Hydroxychloroquine, W.H.O.: Your Monday Evening Briefing Vaccine, Hydroxychloroquine, W.H.O.: Your Monday Evening Briefing
(32 minutes later)
(Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.)(Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.)
Good evening. Here’s the latest.Good evening. Here’s the latest.
1. The first coronavirus vaccine tested in people appears to be able to stimulate an immune response.1. The first coronavirus vaccine tested in people appears to be able to stimulate an immune response.
The findings are encouraging but do not prove that the vaccine works. Only larger, longer studies can determine whether it can prevent people in the real world from getting sick. But the drugmaker Moderna will begin testing 600 people soon, and thousands more starting in July.The findings are encouraging but do not prove that the vaccine works. Only larger, longer studies can determine whether it can prevent people in the real world from getting sick. But the drugmaker Moderna will begin testing 600 people soon, and thousands more starting in July.
The development — along with the signals from the Federal Reserve chair that the central bank has more firepower to lend to recovery efforts — pushed Wall Street to its best day in about six weeks.The development — along with the signals from the Federal Reserve chair that the central bank has more firepower to lend to recovery efforts — pushed Wall Street to its best day in about six weeks.
Vaccines are seen as the best and perhaps only hope of stopping or even slowing a pandemic that has sickened nearly five million people worldwide, killed 315,000 and locked down entire countries.Vaccines are seen as the best and perhaps only hope of stopping or even slowing a pandemic that has sickened nearly five million people worldwide, killed 315,000 and locked down entire countries.
The Times is providing free access to much of our coronavirus coverage, and our Coronavirus Briefing newsletter — like all of our newsletters — is free. Please consider supporting our journalism with a subscription.The Times is providing free access to much of our coronavirus coverage, and our Coronavirus Briefing newsletter — like all of our newsletters — is free. Please consider supporting our journalism with a subscription.
2. President Trump is taking hydroxychloroquine.2. President Trump is taking hydroxychloroquine.
Mr. Trump said he has been on the antimalarial drug, whose effectiveness against the coronavirus is unproven, for about a week and a half as a preventive measure, adding that he has no symptoms of Covid-19.Mr. Trump said he has been on the antimalarial drug, whose effectiveness against the coronavirus is unproven, for about a week and a half as a preventive measure, adding that he has no symptoms of Covid-19.
“All I can tell you is, so far I seem to be OK,” he said at a meeting with restaurant executives (above), explaining that he takes a daily pill with approval from the White House physician.“All I can tell you is, so far I seem to be OK,” he said at a meeting with restaurant executives (above), explaining that he takes a daily pill with approval from the White House physician.
The outbreak spread to the White House this month, where two members of the staff — one of the president’s personal valets and the spokeswoman for Vice President Mike Pence — tested positive.The outbreak spread to the White House this month, where two members of the staff — one of the president’s personal valets and the spokeswoman for Vice President Mike Pence — tested positive.
3. China vs. the United States over the W.H.O.3. China vs. the United States over the W.H.O.
President Xi Jinping of China, in a pointed challenge to President Trump, offered to provide $2 billion in the fight against the pandemic and called on other nations to increase their contributions to the World Health Organization. Above, Mr. Xi speaking by video link at the W.H.O.’s annual meeting.President Xi Jinping of China, in a pointed challenge to President Trump, offered to provide $2 billion in the fight against the pandemic and called on other nations to increase their contributions to the World Health Organization. Above, Mr. Xi speaking by video link at the W.H.O.’s annual meeting.
At the same meeting, the U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services sharply criticized the organization. “There was a failure by this organization to obtain the information that the world needed, and that failure cost many lives,” Alex Azar said in a prepared video. At the same meeting, the U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services sharply criticized the W.H.O. “There was a failure by this organization to obtain the information that the world needed, and that failure cost many lives,” Alex Azar said in a prepared video.
Mr. Trump has cut U.S. funding to the global health agency, accusing it of promoting disinformation from China about the outbreak. The W.H.O. director general said the agency would review “lessons learned” about its global response.Mr. Trump has cut U.S. funding to the global health agency, accusing it of promoting disinformation from China about the outbreak. The W.H.O. director general said the agency would review “lessons learned” about its global response.
4. More than two-thirds of states have relaxed restrictions in a significant way.4. More than two-thirds of states have relaxed restrictions in a significant way.
Office workers in Texas can now return to work in limited capacities, despite the state’s reporting its deadliest day yet last week — 58 deaths from Wednesday to Thursday — and 1,801 new infections on Saturday.Office workers in Texas can now return to work in limited capacities, despite the state’s reporting its deadliest day yet last week — 58 deaths from Wednesday to Thursday — and 1,801 new infections on Saturday.
And in Michigan, thousands of autoworkers began going back to work, and retail businesses, bars and restaurants with limited seating could reopen in certain regions.And in Michigan, thousands of autoworkers began going back to work, and retail businesses, bars and restaurants with limited seating could reopen in certain regions.
Our interactive graphic (above) is keeping track of reopenings. And a new index created for The Times shows which U.S. counties have high rates of the underlying conditions that increase residents’ risk of becoming severely ill if they are infected with the coronavirus.Our interactive graphic (above) is keeping track of reopenings. And a new index created for The Times shows which U.S. counties have high rates of the underlying conditions that increase residents’ risk of becoming severely ill if they are infected with the coronavirus.
In other developments:In other developments:
German Chancellor Angela Merkel joined with President Emmanuel Macron of France to propose a 500 billion euro ($546 billion) recovery fund for European countries and economic sectors hit hardest by the pandemic.German Chancellor Angela Merkel joined with President Emmanuel Macron of France to propose a 500 billion euro ($546 billion) recovery fund for European countries and economic sectors hit hardest by the pandemic.
Iran is facing a surge in cases after reopening late last month without meeting the benchmarks in testing and contact tracing recommended by experts.Iran is facing a surge in cases after reopening late last month without meeting the benchmarks in testing and contact tracing recommended by experts.
Tens of thousands of people across the U.S. have applied for the job of contact tracer, cold-calling strangers who may have been exposed to the virus. Here’s what the job is like.Tens of thousands of people across the U.S. have applied for the job of contact tracer, cold-calling strangers who may have been exposed to the virus. Here’s what the job is like.
5. Investigating the State Department watchdog’s dismissal.5. Investigating the State Department watchdog’s dismissal.
The inspector general dismissed by President Trump was examining more than just the potential misuse by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of a political appointee to do personal errands for him and his wife.The inspector general dismissed by President Trump was examining more than just the potential misuse by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of a political appointee to do personal errands for him and his wife.
“Another reason” for the firing of Steve Linick, according to the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, may be his investigation of U.S. weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for their war in Yemen. Above, a building destroyed in March by a Saudi airstrike in Sanaa.“Another reason” for the firing of Steve Linick, according to the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, may be his investigation of U.S. weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for their war in Yemen. Above, a building destroyed in March by a Saudi airstrike in Sanaa.
Also in Washington, Attorney General William Barr dismissed Mr. Trump’s attempts to brand the investigation into Russian election interference as a criminal plot engineered by former President Barack Obama. Mr. Barr said he expected no charges against either Mr. Obama or former Vice President Joe Biden.Also in Washington, Attorney General William Barr dismissed Mr. Trump’s attempts to brand the investigation into Russian election interference as a criminal plot engineered by former President Barack Obama. Mr. Barr said he expected no charges against either Mr. Obama or former Vice President Joe Biden.
6. “Running while black” in America.6. “Running while black” in America.
Ahmaud Arbery took his final run in February in an area of southern Georgia marked by historic — though increasingly blurred — racial boundary lines and onto a street where neighbors were vigilant and apparently on edge. He was shot and killed on that run.Ahmaud Arbery took his final run in February in an area of southern Georgia marked by historic — though increasingly blurred — racial boundary lines and onto a street where neighbors were vigilant and apparently on edge. He was shot and killed on that run.
“They’re not used to seeing a lot of black faces around here,” one black resident of Satilla Shores, Ga., said about his neighbors.“They’re not used to seeing a lot of black faces around here,” one black resident of Satilla Shores, Ga., said about his neighbors.
We asked readers about their experiences “running while black.” Some of their comments: “I was verbally assaulted by a white man while on a morning run.” “Every single time I step out my door to run alone, I create a what-if checklist.” “Even in my own neighborhood, I fear.”We asked readers about their experiences “running while black.” Some of their comments: “I was verbally assaulted by a white man while on a morning run.” “Every single time I step out my door to run alone, I create a what-if checklist.” “Even in my own neighborhood, I fear.”
7. Is Ronan Farrow too good to be true?7. Is Ronan Farrow too good to be true?
The New Yorker’s marquee reporter has delivered stunning stories of lasting impact, especially his revelations about powerful men who preyed on young women in Hollywood, television and politics, which won him a Pulitzer Prize.The New Yorker’s marquee reporter has delivered stunning stories of lasting impact, especially his revelations about powerful men who preyed on young women in Hollywood, television and politics, which won him a Pulitzer Prize.
But, writes our media columnist, Ben Smith, “some aspects of his work made me wonder if Mr. Farrow didn’t, at times, fly a little too close to the sun.”But, writes our media columnist, Ben Smith, “some aspects of his work made me wonder if Mr. Farrow didn’t, at times, fly a little too close to the sun.”
Mr. Farrow’s work, he concludes, reveals that in the journalism that has thrived in the age of Donald Trump, the old rules of fairness and open-mindedness don’t always apply.Mr. Farrow’s work, he concludes, reveals that in the journalism that has thrived in the age of Donald Trump, the old rules of fairness and open-mindedness don’t always apply.
8. Why did the frog cross the road?8. Why did the frog cross the road?
On warm, wet spring nights, frogs and salamanders emerge from hibernation and head for vernal pools to mate, but they often end up run over by a car along the way. Scientists say that even moderate traffic at the wrong time can wipe out entire populations in a few years.On warm, wet spring nights, frogs and salamanders emerge from hibernation and head for vernal pools to mate, but they often end up run over by a car along the way. Scientists say that even moderate traffic at the wrong time can wipe out entire populations in a few years.
This year, the migrations in the northeastern U.S. coincide with a drop in vehicular traffic during the pandemic, and scientists are eager to measure the impact of human activity on the amphibians. Above, a spotted salamander.This year, the migrations in the northeastern U.S. coincide with a drop in vehicular traffic during the pandemic, and scientists are eager to measure the impact of human activity on the amphibians. Above, a spotted salamander.
Less welcome is the Argentine black and white tegu, an invasive lizard species from South America that can grow up to four feet long. Wildlife officials say tegus have now migrated from Florida to Georgia, where they are a threat to native creatures.Less welcome is the Argentine black and white tegu, an invasive lizard species from South America that can grow up to four feet long. Wildlife officials say tegus have now migrated from Florida to Georgia, where they are a threat to native creatures.
9. The joy of [blank].9. The joy of [blank].
These are not, on the surface, joyful times. Which is why you deserve some relief.These are not, on the surface, joyful times. Which is why you deserve some relief.
Here are 14 writers on ways they are getting through the pandemic, and even finding joy. including “The Joy of Consuming an Obscene Number of Calories Before Noon, “The Joy of Deleting My Many Mediocre Photos” and “The Joy of Circling the Block.” Here are 14 writers on ways they are getting through the pandemic, and even finding joy. including “The Joy of Consuming an Obscene Number of Calories Before Noon,” “The Joy of Deleting My Many Mediocre Photos” and “The Joy of Circling the Block.”
10. And finally, rooms by the hour. It’s not what you think.10. And finally, rooms by the hour. It’s not what you think.
A daytime, by-the-hour version of Airbnb is offering a reprieve to all of us who are really annoyed with the people we are stuck with at home during the pandemic.A daytime, by-the-hour version of Airbnb is offering a reprieve to all of us who are really annoyed with the people we are stuck with at home during the pandemic.
The company behind the app Globe says it has more than 100,000 people on a wait list for a very-short-term stay at empty apartments (disinfected) in the cities it serves. Some want a quiet place for a video meeting or work phone call.The company behind the app Globe says it has more than 100,000 people on a wait list for a very-short-term stay at empty apartments (disinfected) in the cities it serves. Some want a quiet place for a video meeting or work phone call.
Others just need a chill space. An entrepreneur in Miami Beach spent $75 for an hour and a half to get a break from his roommate/cousin.Others just need a chill space. An entrepreneur in Miami Beach spent $75 for an hour and a half to get a break from his roommate/cousin.
Have an unfettered evening.Have an unfettered evening.
Your Evening Briefing is posted at 6 p.m. Eastern.Your Evening Briefing is posted at 6 p.m. Eastern.
Want to catch up on past briefings? You can browse them here.Want to catch up on past briefings? You can browse them here.
What did you like? What do you want to see here? Let us know at briefing@nytimes.com.What did you like? What do you want to see here? Let us know at briefing@nytimes.com.