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Coronavirus Live Updates: Trump’s Attack on W.H.O. Fueled by Conservative Anger About China Coronavirus Live Updates: Trump’s Attack on W.H.O. Fueled by Conservative Anger About China
(32 minutes later)
President Trump’s public campaign against the World Health Organization — and his order to freeze all money to the group in the middle of a pandemic — is the culmination of mounting anger among his White House advisers, Republican lawmakers and conservative media about the organization’s lavish praise of China’s response to the coronavirus.President Trump’s public campaign against the World Health Organization — and his order to freeze all money to the group in the middle of a pandemic — is the culmination of mounting anger among his White House advisers, Republican lawmakers and conservative media about the organization’s lavish praise of China’s response to the coronavirus.
Mr. Trump’s decision to attack the W.H.O., a unit of the United Nations, comes as he is under intense fire at home for his administration’s failure to respond aggressively to the virus, which as of Wednesday had claimed more than 25,000 lives in the United States and infected at least 600,000 people in all 50 states.Mr. Trump’s decision to attack the W.H.O., a unit of the United Nations, comes as he is under intense fire at home for his administration’s failure to respond aggressively to the virus, which as of Wednesday had claimed more than 25,000 lives in the United States and infected at least 600,000 people in all 50 states.
The head of the organization expressed dismay Wednesday that Mr. Trump was calling to halt its funding as it fights the global pandemic.The head of the organization expressed dismay Wednesday that Mr. Trump was calling to halt its funding as it fights the global pandemic.
“W.H.O. is not only fighting Covid-19,” its director-general, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said. “We’re also working to address polio, measles, malaria, Ebola, H.I.V., tuberculosis, malnutrition, cancer, diabetes, mental health, and many other diseases and conditions.”“W.H.O. is not only fighting Covid-19,” its director-general, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said. “We’re also working to address polio, measles, malaria, Ebola, H.I.V., tuberculosis, malnutrition, cancer, diabetes, mental health, and many other diseases and conditions.”
And the organization was praised by a leading American health official. Dr. Robert R. Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, praised the organization on Wednesday morning, in tones at odds with the president’s harsh criticisms. He told “CBS This Morning” that questions about its pandemic response should be left until “after we get through this.”And the organization was praised by a leading American health official. Dr. Robert R. Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, praised the organization on Wednesday morning, in tones at odds with the president’s harsh criticisms. He told “CBS This Morning” that questions about its pandemic response should be left until “after we get through this.”
The president’s move came amid concerns about the organization’s approach to China. Inside the West Wing, officials said there is near-unanimous agreement among the president’s advisers that the W.H.O. is too heavily influenced by the Chinese government and was too slow to sound the alarm about the virus because they trusted China’s assurances that the virus was under control and did not pose a global threat.The president’s move came amid concerns about the organization’s approach to China. Inside the West Wing, officials said there is near-unanimous agreement among the president’s advisers that the W.H.O. is too heavily influenced by the Chinese government and was too slow to sound the alarm about the virus because they trusted China’s assurances that the virus was under control and did not pose a global threat.
That belief has been amplified by some of the president’s top allies in Congress and the right-wing media, who share deeply held suspicions about the Chinese government and were furious when officials at the W.H.O. said aggressive action by China was crucial to slowing the spread of the virus outside its borders.That belief has been amplified by some of the president’s top allies in Congress and the right-wing media, who share deeply held suspicions about the Chinese government and were furious when officials at the W.H.O. said aggressive action by China was crucial to slowing the spread of the virus outside its borders.
The War Room podcast featuring Steve Bannon, the president’s former chief strategist, and Jason Miller, his former campaign communications director, called for an end to funding for the W.H.O. a week ago, citing what they said was China’s delay in providing truthful information about the virus to the rest of the world.The War Room podcast featuring Steve Bannon, the president’s former chief strategist, and Jason Miller, his former campaign communications director, called for an end to funding for the W.H.O. a week ago, citing what they said was China’s delay in providing truthful information about the virus to the rest of the world.
Since mid-February, the Fox News Channel has published 49 stories about the W.H.O. on its website and the cable network has repeatedly featured Republican lawmakers and conservative pundits railing against the WH.O. for being too deferential to China. Mr. Trump echoed that sentiment on Tuesday, when he announced that he would freeze nearly $500 million in funding for the organization.Since mid-February, the Fox News Channel has published 49 stories about the W.H.O. on its website and the cable network has repeatedly featured Republican lawmakers and conservative pundits railing against the WH.O. for being too deferential to China. Mr. Trump echoed that sentiment on Tuesday, when he announced that he would freeze nearly $500 million in funding for the organization.
In mid-February, a top official at the W.H.O. said that restrictive measures adopted by China had delayed the spread of the virus to other countries, saying: “Right now, the strategic and tactical approach in China is the correct one.”In mid-February, a top official at the W.H.O. said that restrictive measures adopted by China had delayed the spread of the virus to other countries, saying: “Right now, the strategic and tactical approach in China is the correct one.”
“It is very China-centric,” Mr. Trump told reporters during a briefing in the Rose Garden. “I told that to President Xi. I said, ‘The World Health Organization is very China-centric.’ Meaning, whatever it is, China was always right. You can’t do that. You can’t do that. Not right.”“It is very China-centric,” Mr. Trump told reporters during a briefing in the Rose Garden. “I told that to President Xi. I said, ‘The World Health Organization is very China-centric.’ Meaning, whatever it is, China was always right. You can’t do that. You can’t do that. Not right.”
Many of the president’s closest aides, including Peter Navarro, his trade adviser, and key members the National Security Council, have long been suspicious of China. Mr. Trump himself has often offered contradictory messages about the country — repeatedly saying nice things about Xi Jinping, the country’s leaders, even as he wages a fierce, on-again, off-again trade war with China.Many of the president’s closest aides, including Peter Navarro, his trade adviser, and key members the National Security Council, have long been suspicious of China. Mr. Trump himself has often offered contradictory messages about the country — repeatedly saying nice things about Xi Jinping, the country’s leaders, even as he wages a fierce, on-again, off-again trade war with China.
On Jan. 24, about a month after the virus was discovered there, Mr. Trump tweeted: “China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency.”On Jan. 24, about a month after the virus was discovered there, Mr. Trump tweeted: “China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency.”
But White House officials said that even the public health officials dealing with the pandemic are in agreement that the W.H.O. has been too cozy with China’s government during the crisis.But White House officials said that even the public health officials dealing with the pandemic are in agreement that the W.H.O. has been too cozy with China’s government during the crisis.
Last Friday, the president attended a meeting of his coronavirus task force and polled all of the doctors in the room about the W.H.O,. according to an official who attended the meeting. Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said that the W.H.O. has a “China problem” and then others around the room — including Dr. Deborah Birx, who is coordinating the U.S. response, and Dr. Redfield, the director of the C.D.C. — agreed with the statement, the official said Last Friday, the president attended a meeting of his coronavirus task force and polled all of the doctors in the room about the W. H. O, according to an official who attended the meeting. Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said that the W.H.O. has a “China problem” and then others around the room — including Dr. Deborah Birx, who is coordinating the U.S. response, and Dr. Redfield, the director of the C.D.C. — agreed with the statement, the official said
“They explained how the organization is structured and that each region governs itself basically,” said the official, who declined to be identified without clearance to be talking about a private meeting. “It does have some successful areas, but China is clearly a problem and they said it has been for a long time.”“They explained how the organization is structured and that each region governs itself basically,” said the official, who declined to be identified without clearance to be talking about a private meeting. “It does have some successful areas, but China is clearly a problem and they said it has been for a long time.”
But Mr. Redfield said Wednesday morning that the W.H.O. remains “a longstanding partner for C.D.C.,” citing ongoing efforts to fight the Ebola virus in Africa and the cooperation to limit the spread of the coronavirus. He said the United States and the W.H.O. have “worked together to fight health crises around the world. We continue to do that.”But Mr. Redfield said Wednesday morning that the W.H.O. remains “a longstanding partner for C.D.C.,” citing ongoing efforts to fight the Ebola virus in Africa and the cooperation to limit the spread of the coronavirus. He said the United States and the W.H.O. have “worked together to fight health crises around the world. We continue to do that.”
And critics of the president condemned his decision to withdraw funding even as nation’s around the world continue to struggle to fight the spread of the deadly virus.And critics of the president condemned his decision to withdraw funding even as nation’s around the world continue to struggle to fight the spread of the deadly virus.
“The decision to discontinue the United States funding for the World Health Organization at this time of the pandemic is misguided and will hinder global efforts to battle the coronavirus,” the American Nurses Association said in a statement.“The decision to discontinue the United States funding for the World Health Organization at this time of the pandemic is misguided and will hinder global efforts to battle the coronavirus,” the American Nurses Association said in a statement.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said it supports reform of the W.H.O. but added that “cutting the WHO’s funding during the COVID-19 pandemic is not in U.S. interests given the organization’s critical role assisting other countries — particularly in the developing world — in their response.” The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said it supports reform of the W.H.O. but added that “cutting the WHO’s funding during the Covid-19 pandemic is not in U.S. interests given the organization’s critical role assisting other countries — particularly in the developing world — in their response.”
Millions of high school students across the country will be able to take at-home, digital versions of the SAT and ACT, the widely used standardized tests for college admissions, if the coronavirus pandemic forces schools to remain closed in the fall.
The College Board, which administers the SAT, gave few details in an announcement on Wednesday about what the at-home test would look like, or how it would differ from the traditional test — normally taken on paper in a highly secure setting under the watchful eye of proctors.
The organization has already announced that it will administer Advanced Placement tests at home in May because of the virus. The AP tests — a kind of dress rehearsal for the fall — will be truncated to 45 minutes from about three hours, and will be open book. College Board’s counterpart, the ACT, also said Wednesday that it would offer an at-home option.
The proposal for at-home testing is an implicit admission that the pandemic is threatening the industry’s test delivery and business model. Over the last month, a growing number of colleges have announced that they will suspend the requirement for applicants to submit standardized test results, because of the disruption caused by the virus, accelerating a trend that was already taking place.
Standardized tests have been widely criticized for exacerbating economic inequality. Critics say they penalize children from poor families who have less access to practice tests, preparation materials and tutors to help raise their scores — and that at-home options would make it worse.
“It’s different if you’re taking the test in a one-room apartment with 17 relatives in the background,” said Akil Bello, a senior director at FairTest, an organization that opposes the use of standardized tests in college admissions.
The College Board, a nonprofit that brings in more than $1 billion in revenue a year, said in a statement on Wednesday saying that the organization would strive to make the SAT “accessible to all,” acknowledging that “families hit hardest are often those with the fewest resources.” But it did not specify how it planned to address those disparities.
Universities have suffered major financial losses after closing down their campuses to stop the spread of the virus, and many are anticipating a significant enrollment drop in the fall — especially from foreign students, who usually pay full tuition and help keep schools afloat.
Some institutions are projecting $100 million losses for the spring, and many are now bracing for an even bigger financial hit in the fall, when some are planning for the possibility of having to continue remote classes. They anticipate that many students will choose not to return for online learning, or may need to to take a gap year or choose less expensive educational options amid widespread unemployment. A higher education trade group has predicted a 15 percent drop in enrollment nationwide.
Retail sales plunged in March as businesses shuttered from coast to coast and wary shoppers restricted their spending, a drop that was by far the largest in the nearly three decades the government has tracked the data.Retail sales plunged in March as businesses shuttered from coast to coast and wary shoppers restricted their spending, a drop that was by far the largest in the nearly three decades the government has tracked the data.
Total sales, which include retail purchases in stores and online as well as auto and gasoline sales and money spent at bars and restaurants, fell 8.7 percent from the previous month, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.Total sales, which include retail purchases in stores and online as well as auto and gasoline sales and money spent at bars and restaurants, fell 8.7 percent from the previous month, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.
The situation has almost certainly worsened since then. Most states didn’t shut down nonessential businesses until late March or early April.The situation has almost certainly worsened since then. Most states didn’t shut down nonessential businesses until late March or early April.
What happens to retail matters to the broader economy. The sector accounts for more than one in 10 U.S. jobs; only health care employs more. Its stores generate billions of dollars in rent for commercial landlords, ad sales for local media outlets, and sales-tax receipts for state and local governments.What happens to retail matters to the broader economy. The sector accounts for more than one in 10 U.S. jobs; only health care employs more. Its stores generate billions of dollars in rent for commercial landlords, ad sales for local media outlets, and sales-tax receipts for state and local governments.
If retailers survive and can quickly reopen and rehire workers, then the eventual economic recovery could be relatively swift. But the failure of a large share of businesses would lead to prolonged unemployment and a much slower rebound.If retailers survive and can quickly reopen and rehire workers, then the eventual economic recovery could be relatively swift. But the failure of a large share of businesses would lead to prolonged unemployment and a much slower rebound.
But programs meant to support businesses, including government-backed loans and grants to keep businesses afloat, have gotten off to a rocky start.But programs meant to support businesses, including government-backed loans and grants to keep businesses afloat, have gotten off to a rocky start.
“They need lifeboats, and the lifeboats aren’t getting out there fast enough,” said Diane Swonk, chief economist at Grant Thornton. “This is a time when speed matters more than bureaucracy.”“They need lifeboats, and the lifeboats aren’t getting out there fast enough,” said Diane Swonk, chief economist at Grant Thornton. “This is a time when speed matters more than bureaucracy.”
Facing the news about the plunge in retail and a slump in factory output, stocks tumbled on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 dropping more than 2 percent in early trading. Stocks in Europe were also lower, and Asia had a downbeat day. Facing the news about the plunge in retail and a slump in factory output, stocks tumbled on Wednesday, with the S & P 500 dropping more than 2 percent in early trading. Stocks in Europe were also lower, and Asia had a downbeat day.
The retreat came one day after the S&P 500 hit a one-month high. Stocks have been steadily climbing in recent weeks, with the occasional pullback, as investors have begun to focus on the prospect of an eventual rebound from the economic collapse triggered by the pandemic. The retreat came one day after the S & P 500 hit a one-month high. Stocks have been steadily climbing in recent weeks, with the occasional pullback, as investors have begun to focus on the prospect of an eventual rebound from the economic collapse triggered by the pandemic.
But they’ve also been confronted by a number of developments that highlight just how badly the economy is faring right now.But they’ve also been confronted by a number of developments that highlight just how badly the economy is faring right now.
Universities have suffered major financial losses after closing down their campuses to stop the spread of the coronavirus, and many are anticipating a significant enrollment drop in the fall — especially from foreign students, who usually pay full tuition and help keep schools afloat. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York said Wednesday that he would order people to don facial coverings while in public if they were unable to stay six feet away from others.
Even some wealthy universities have already frozen salaries and new hiring, while delaying construction projects and anticipating the need to slash scholarships. The mandate will take effect on Saturday and will apply statewide.
In the wake of the pandemic, lucrative spring sports seasons have been canceled, room and board payments have been refunded, and students at some schools are demanding hefty tuition discounts. Other revenue sources like study abroad programs, campus bookstores and research grants have dried up. “If you’re going to be in public and you cannot maintain social distancing, then have a mask and put the mask on,” said Mr. Cuomo, who held out the ultimate possibility of civil penalties for violations.
Some institutions are projecting $100 million losses for the spring, and many are now bracing for an even bigger financial hit in the fall, when some are planning for the possibility of having to continue remote classes. They anticipate that many students will choose not to return for online learning, or may need to to take a gap year or choose less expensive educational options amid widespread unemployment. A higher education trade group has predicted a 15 percent drop in enrollment nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously recommended — but did not require — that people nationwide don facial coverings. Health officials have urged people to blend masks with social distancing, suggesting that one tactic did not replace the need for the other.
“The combination of fear for health and safety and the economic impact at the same time is one that I haven’t experienced, and I don’t think most university leaders have,” said Kent D. Syverud, the chancellor of Syracuse University. Earlier Wednesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio had said that New York City grocery stores should begin to require customers to wear face coverings in order to enter. But Mr. Cuomo’s action went further, and a spokeswoman for the governor said his order was the “next logical step” building on the mayor’s move.
Mr. Cuomo’s announcement came soon after he said that the virus had killed at least 752 people in New York on Tuesday, swelling the state’s official death toll to at least 11,586.
The virus killed at least 752 people in New York on Tuesday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Wednesday, swelling the state’s official death toll to at least 11,586. The state’s government’s tally does not include the more than 3,700 people in New York City that the city said Tuesday have died during the outbreak without being tested and are now presumed to have died of the virus. The state’s fatality count could change, Mr. Cuomo cautioned, as officials worked with nursing homes and other facilities to tally the number of deaths that can be traced to the pandemic.
The state’s government’s tally does not include the more than 3,700 people in New York City that the city said Tuesday have died during the outbreak without being tested and are now presumed to have died of the virus.
But with intubations and total hospitalizations inching downward, Mr. Cuomo suggested anew that the state’s situation, while perilous, was improving.But with intubations and total hospitalizations inching downward, Mr. Cuomo suggested anew that the state’s situation, while perilous, was improving.
“We’re still in the woods,” the governor said. “The good news is we showed we can change the curve.”“We’re still in the woods,” the governor said. “The good news is we showed we can change the curve.”
The state’s fatality count could change, Mr. Cuomo cautioned, as officials worked with nursing homes and other facilities to tally the number of deaths that can be traced to the pandemic. But with testing capacity still under strain nationwide, Mr. Cuomo pointedly noted that the states could not be expected to develop a coast-to-coast system. But he said New York officials were seeking federal approval for a test that could allow for the screenings of 100,000 people a day.
A key measure in the fight against the virus – the three-day average number of patients in hospitals – decreased for the first time, he Cuomo said. Before Mr. Cuomo’s appearance, Mr. de Blasio said that the outbreak and the shutdown it prompted have cost New York City between $5 billion and $10 billion.
And with testing capacity still under strain nationwide, Mr. Cuomo pointedly noted that the states could not be expected to develop a coast-to-coast system. But he said New York officials were seeking federal approval for a test that could allow for the screenings of 100,000 people a day.
Before Mr. Cuomo’s appearance, Mayor Bill de Blasio said that the outbreak and the shutdown it prompted have cost New York City between $5 billion and $10 billion.
“We’re not going to be able to provide basic services and actually have a normal society if we don’t get help from the federal government,” Mr. de Blasio said on CNN.“We’re not going to be able to provide basic services and actually have a normal society if we don’t get help from the federal government,” Mr. de Blasio said on CNN.
But the mayor also said that New York City will spend $170 million over the next four months to get food to residents affected by the outbreak.But the mayor also said that New York City will spend $170 million over the next four months to get food to residents affected by the outbreak.
“I pledge to you, and I’m very confident making this pledge: We will not allow any New Yorker to go hungry,” Mr. de Blasio said at a news conference. Senate Democrats on Wednesday unveiled a $30 billion plan to vastly ramp up the development, manufacture and distribution of coronavirus testing across the country, saying they would push to include it in the next round of government pandemic relief.
The effort will include purchasing 18 million ready-to-eat meals, signing up entire public housing buildings for home meal delivery and hiring more than 11,000 drivers licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission to deliver meals. Democrats said the national blueprint, which would include free testing and reporting mechanisms for testing and tracing who has Covid-19, would be essential to eventually reopening the country. “Each state can’t have its own separate plan,” Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader, said in a telephone news conference with reporters. “We need a national plan.”
At the president suggestion, his name will appear on the economic stimulus checks that will be mailed to millions of Americans beginning next month, the Treasury Department said on Tuesday. Adding Mr. Trump’s name is a break from protocol, and it will appear on the “memo” section of the check because Mr. Trump is not legally authorized to sign such disbursements. The proposal would require the Trump administration to develop and implement a national strategy to expand the country’s testing capacity and develop tests, and mandate widespread reporting about testing results, including tracking the demographics of people who tested positive.
It comes as the lack of testing capacity has emerged as a signature failure of the Trump administration’s response to the pandemic, and now threatens to hamper efforts underway throughout the country to plan for an eventual reopening of the economy. And it is likely to emerge as yet another flashpoint for debate as Democrats and Republicans negotiate a fourth sweeping aid package to respond to the coronavirus crisis.
Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat of the Senate health committee, said having a cohesive testing strategy would be necessary to “give people the confidence to go back to work.” Without a coordinated national system for providing materials and testing, she said, states were competing with each other for resources.
Under the Democrats’ plan, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be required to provide weekly reports on how many diagnostic tests and testing materials were available nationally, how quickly tests were being processed and where they were being distributed.
Los Angeles, and California generally, has lagged behind many areas of the country in testing its residents for the virus. For weeks, in Los Angeles, testing was limited to only health care workers, the elderly and those with the severest symptoms that required hospitalization.
Now, just as officials across California begin the conversation about gingerly reopening society, Los Angeles is promising that anyone with symptoms can get a test within one day, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Tuesday evening at his daily news conference.
“Anybody who qualifies with symptoms can now get a test,” Mr. Garcetti said.
California’s rate of infection and the number of deaths have been substantially lower than hard hit areas like New York and New Jersey. But testing has been slower: California has carried out about 215,000 tests, compared with about a half a million in New York, according to the Covid-19 Tracking Project.
Ramping up testing across California is a major priority before officials can begin lifting stay-at-home orders, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California said on Monday when he outlined the state’s strategy for relaxing restrictions on public life. Los Angeles has conducted about 63,000 tests, and has expanded the number of walk-in sites around the county in recent days and weeks.
Some of the relief payments authorized as part of a $2 trillion stimulus package have started showing up in Americans’ bank accounts. Here’s a page where you can check on the status of your payment.
Most adults will get $1,200, although some will get less, depending on their income. For every qualifying child age 16 or under, the payment will be an additional $500.
At the president’s suggestion, his name will appear on the checks that will be mailed to millions of Americans beginning next month, the Treasury Department said on Tuesday. Adding Mr. Trump’s name is a break from protocol, and it will appear on the “memo” section of the check because Mr. Trump is not legally authorized to sign such disbursements.
A Treasury official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said adding the president’s name would not delay the disbursements, set to begin the week of May 4 for up to 20 weeks. Some Americans who are set to receive the stimulus funds through direct deposit will not even see the checks.A Treasury official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said adding the president’s name would not delay the disbursements, set to begin the week of May 4 for up to 20 weeks. Some Americans who are set to receive the stimulus funds through direct deposit will not even see the checks.
The addition of the president’s name to the stimulus checks comes at a time when Mr. Trump is trying to assert control of the country’s plan to reopen the economy after being decimated by the virus. Earlier this week, he claimed he had “total” authority on this matter, even though these decisions are made by the states.The addition of the president’s name to the stimulus checks comes at a time when Mr. Trump is trying to assert control of the country’s plan to reopen the economy after being decimated by the virus. Earlier this week, he claimed he had “total” authority on this matter, even though these decisions are made by the states.
Mr. Trump announced a list of advisers with varied backgrounds who he said will counsel him on how and when to reopen the economy, a mix that includes more than 200 prominent business owners and leaders, labor union executives, the president of the United States Tennis Association, and the commissioner of the W.N.B.A. Also on the list was Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder who owns The Washington Post and who is a frequent target of the president’s criticism, Tim Cook of Apple, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase, Sheldon Adelson of Las Vegas Sands and Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots.Mr. Trump announced a list of advisers with varied backgrounds who he said will counsel him on how and when to reopen the economy, a mix that includes more than 200 prominent business owners and leaders, labor union executives, the president of the United States Tennis Association, and the commissioner of the W.N.B.A. Also on the list was Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder who owns The Washington Post and who is a frequent target of the president’s criticism, Tim Cook of Apple, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase, Sheldon Adelson of Las Vegas Sands and Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots.
During his Rose Garden announcement on Tuesday, Mr. Trump was vague about whether everyone on the list had agreed to serve on the task force or were even aware they were on it. At least one person on the list, who asked not to be identified for fear of angering the White House, said that no request had been made to join the list, and that there had been no advance notice of an announcement.During his Rose Garden announcement on Tuesday, Mr. Trump was vague about whether everyone on the list had agreed to serve on the task force or were even aware they were on it. At least one person on the list, who asked not to be identified for fear of angering the White House, said that no request had been made to join the list, and that there had been no advance notice of an announcement.
The relief payments authorized as part of a $2 trillion stimulus package have started showing up in Americans’ bank accounts. Here’s a page where you can check on the status of your payment.
Most adults will get $1,200, although some will get less, depending on their income. For every qualifying child age 16 or under, the payment will be an additional $500.
Payments will arrive most quickly to those who have given their banking information to the government. The Treasury Department opened a free “Get My Payment” mobile app and web portal on Wednesday that allows Americans to submit their banking information in order to receive their economic relief payments via direct deposit and track the status of those payments.
Even before Mr. Trump provoked a fury among governors this week with his claim that he had “total” authority over the decision to restart the economy, state officials were warning that the resumption of business would be a slow, step-by-step process.
And that was as they watched the pandemic’s ballooning costs put an unexpected strain on their finances, forcing states to hurriedly divert funds from elsewhere to fight the outbreak even as the economic shutdown squeezes their main source of revenue: taxes.
States are responsible for most of America’s public health, education and policing services, and a lot of its roadways, mass transit systems and waterworks. Now, sales taxes, the biggest source of revenue for most states, have fallen off a cliff as business activity grinds to a halt and consumers stay home.
Personal income taxes, usually states’ second-biggest revenue source, started falling in March, when millions lost their paychecks and tax withholdings stopped. April usually brings a big slug of income-tax money, but this year the filing deadlines have been postponed until July.
Even if states are able to stretch their finances temporarily, the economic recovery is expected to be slow. That means tax revenues from tourism, oil and gas drilling, conventions and other activities are probably not going to bounce back.
“We can’t spend what we don’t have,” Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo told the New York Legislature this month.
Paris Banks sprayed the seat with Lysol before sliding into the last row on the right. Rochell Brown put out her cigarette, tucked herself behind the steering wheel and slapped the doors shut.Paris Banks sprayed the seat with Lysol before sliding into the last row on the right. Rochell Brown put out her cigarette, tucked herself behind the steering wheel and slapped the doors shut.
It was 8:37 a.m., and the No. 17 bus began chugging westward across Detroit.It was 8:37 a.m., and the No. 17 bus began chugging westward across Detroit.
On stepped the fast-food worker who makes chicken shawarma that’s delivered to doorsteps, the janitor who cleans grocery stores, the warehouse worker pulling together Amazon orders.On stepped the fast-food worker who makes chicken shawarma that’s delivered to doorsteps, the janitor who cleans grocery stores, the warehouse worker pulling together Amazon orders.
By 9:15, every available row on the bus was occupied. Strangers sat shoulder-to-shoulder. The city might be spread across 139 square miles, but one morning last week, there was no way to social distance aboard this 40-foot-long New Flyer bus. Passengers were anxious and annoyed. Resigned, too.By 9:15, every available row on the bus was occupied. Strangers sat shoulder-to-shoulder. The city might be spread across 139 square miles, but one morning last week, there was no way to social distance aboard this 40-foot-long New Flyer bus. Passengers were anxious and annoyed. Resigned, too.
Detroit has become a national hot spot, with more than 7,000 infections and more than 400 deaths. One reason for the rapid spread, experts say, is that the city has a large working-class population that does not have the luxury of living in isolation. Their jobs cannot be performed from a laptop in a living room. They do not have vehicles to safely get them to the grocery store.Detroit has become a national hot spot, with more than 7,000 infections and more than 400 deaths. One reason for the rapid spread, experts say, is that the city has a large working-class population that does not have the luxury of living in isolation. Their jobs cannot be performed from a laptop in a living room. They do not have vehicles to safely get them to the grocery store.
And so they end up on a bus. Just like the No. 17 — a reluctant yet essential gathering place, and also a potential accelerant for a pandemic that has engulfed Detroit. It is a rolling symbol of how the virus is affecting Americans in disparate ways, often based on class and wealth.And so they end up on a bus. Just like the No. 17 — a reluctant yet essential gathering place, and also a potential accelerant for a pandemic that has engulfed Detroit. It is a rolling symbol of how the virus is affecting Americans in disparate ways, often based on class and wealth.
Similar protective measures are taking place across the country.Similar protective measures are taking place across the country.
On Sunday, Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey announced that transit riders older than 3 would need to wear masks on trains and buses or else be denied service. Mr. Murphy also mandated that transit employees wear gloves and masks after one of its conductors died from virus complications.On Sunday, Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey announced that transit riders older than 3 would need to wear masks on trains and buses or else be denied service. Mr. Murphy also mandated that transit employees wear gloves and masks after one of its conductors died from virus complications.
And the transit system serving Eugene, Ore., Lane Transit District, also recently required bus riders to wear masks.And the transit system serving Eugene, Ore., Lane Transit District, also recently required bus riders to wear masks.
Further complicating the matter, scientists agree that while six feet is a sensible and useful minimum distance for people to separate from one another when possible, some say that farther away would be better.Further complicating the matter, scientists agree that while six feet is a sensible and useful minimum distance for people to separate from one another when possible, some say that farther away would be better.
Sneezes, for instance, can launch droplets a lot farther than six feet, according to a recent study, as a Times 3-D simulation shows.Sneezes, for instance, can launch droplets a lot farther than six feet, according to a recent study, as a Times 3-D simulation shows.
Rubber boots hung from a tree of wooden pegs in soggy Central Park after being sterilized with chlorine. Workers observed a one-way flow into and out of what they referred to as “the hot zone” of patient treatment tents. Step by step, they removed their isolation suits in a designated area, as a monitor barked instructions.
“I like to liken it to a checklist that a pilot goes through before he starts the engine,” Dr. Elliott Tenpenny, the unit’s medical director, said on Monday. “You do it exactly the same way every single time.”
The field hospital began treating patients on April 1 for Mount Sinai Health System and is directly across Fifth Avenue from one of its main hospitals. The tents, which are operated by the evangelical Christian relief group Samaritan’s Purse, have the look of an Ebola treatment unit in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where some of its staff have previously been deployed.
The group has set up field hospitals in wartime Iraq, after an earthquake in Ecuador, following a hurricane in the Bahamas, and during a diphtheria outbreak in Bangladesh, among others.
The Central Park tent hospital is the group’s first medical deployment in the United States.
There’s only so much togetherness anyone needs, and after a month of living together, your family most likely has had its share of rocky moments. We have some advice for problems such as navigating your stuck-together relationship and handling cooped-up children.There’s only so much togetherness anyone needs, and after a month of living together, your family most likely has had its share of rocky moments. We have some advice for problems such as navigating your stuck-together relationship and handling cooped-up children.
In a crisis, our most important technology has boiled down to just a few basic items and services.In a crisis, our most important technology has boiled down to just a few basic items and services.
This short list can guide our priorities in tech consumption even after we come out of this uncertain period. It also means that we don’t have to spend so much money to maximize our happiness.This short list can guide our priorities in tech consumption even after we come out of this uncertain period. It also means that we don’t have to spend so much money to maximize our happiness.
Reporting was contributed by Michael Cooper, Alan Blinder, Eileen Sullivan, Jonah Engel Bromwich, Ben Casselman, Sapna Maheshwari, Sheri Fink, John Eligon, Sabrina Tavernise, Michael D. Shear, Anemona Hartocollis, Karen Barrow, Kenneth Chang, James Gorman, Maggie Haberman, Annie Karni, Aimee Ortiz, Marc Santora, Adeel Hassan, Knvul Sheikh and Alan Rappeport. Reporting was contributed by Michael Cooper, Alan Blinder, Eileen Sullivan, Jonah Engel Bromwich, Tim Arango, Ben Casselman, Sapna Maheshwari, Sheri Fink, John Eligon, Sabrina Tavernise, Michael D. Shear, Anemona Hartocollis, Karen Barrow, Kenneth Chang, James Gorman, Maggie Haberman, Annie Karni, Aimee Ortiz, Marc Santora, Adeel Hassan, Knvul Sheikh, Alan Rappeport and Emily Cochrane.