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| Your Wednesday Briefing | Your Wednesday Briefing |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Good morning. | Good morning. |
| We’re covering the temporary suspension of new green cards in the U.S., the threat the coronavirus pandemic poses to the American oil industry, and the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. | We’re covering the temporary suspension of new green cards in the U.S., the threat the coronavirus pandemic poses to the American oil industry, and the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. |
| The president said on Tuesday that he would order a 60-day halt in issuing green cards, but he backed away from plans to suspend guest worker programs after criticism from business groups that feared losing access to foreign labor. | The president said on Tuesday that he would order a 60-day halt in issuing green cards, but he backed away from plans to suspend guest worker programs after criticism from business groups that feared losing access to foreign labor. |
| American citizens seeking to bring their children or spouses to the U.S. would still be allowed to do so, officials said, but the path to living and working in the country legally would be blocked for others. One analysis estimated that the policy could affect as many as 660,000 people. | American citizens seeking to bring their children or spouses to the U.S. would still be allowed to do so, officials said, but the path to living and working in the country legally would be blocked for others. One analysis estimated that the policy could affect as many as 660,000 people. |
| Here are the latest updates from the U.S. and from around the world, as well as maps of the pandemic. | Here are the latest updates from the U.S. and from around the world, as well as maps of the pandemic. |
| We’re also tracking the virus’s growth rate in U.S. metro areas. | We’re also tracking the virus’s growth rate in U.S. metro areas. |
| In other developments: | In other developments: |
| Two people in Santa Clara County, Calif., died of the virus in early and mid-February, officials said, making them the earliest known victims of the pandemic in the U.S. The news could shift the timeline of the virus’s spread to weeks earlier than previously thought. | Two people in Santa Clara County, Calif., died of the virus in early and mid-February, officials said, making them the earliest known victims of the pandemic in the U.S. The news could shift the timeline of the virus’s spread to weeks earlier than previously thought. |
| The Senate approved a $484 billion relief package that would revive a depleted loan program for small businesses and provide funds for hospitals and virus testing. | The Senate approved a $484 billion relief package that would revive a depleted loan program for small businesses and provide funds for hospitals and virus testing. |
| The U.S. oil industry is preparing for a prolonged slump as prices tumble. The price of oil for June delivery fell by about half on Tuesday, to roughly $10 a barrel. | The U.S. oil industry is preparing for a prolonged slump as prices tumble. The price of oil for June delivery fell by about half on Tuesday, to roughly $10 a barrel. |
| New guidelines from the federal agency led by Dr. Anthony Fauci said there is no proven drug for treating coronavirus patients. For weeks, Dr. Fauci has emphasized the lack of scientific evidence to support any potential treatment. | New guidelines from the federal agency led by Dr. Anthony Fauci said there is no proven drug for treating coronavirus patients. For weeks, Dr. Fauci has emphasized the lack of scientific evidence to support any potential treatment. |
| An informal coalition of conservative groups has been working to nurture protests and apply political and legal pressure to overturn stay-at-home orders. Today’s episode of “The Daily” is about the demonstrations. | An informal coalition of conservative groups has been working to nurture protests and apply political and legal pressure to overturn stay-at-home orders. Today’s episode of “The Daily” is about the demonstrations. |
| The Trump International Hotel in Washington is seeking a break on the terms of its lease, and the landlord determining the fate of the request is Mr. Trump’s own administration. | |
| 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. |
| The genetic building block of the coronavirus that was detected in a Seattle-area man who was the country’s first confirmed infection has become a crucial clue for scientists trying to understand how the pathogen gained a foothold in the U.S. | The genetic building block of the coronavirus that was detected in a Seattle-area man who was the country’s first confirmed infection has become a crucial clue for scientists trying to understand how the pathogen gained a foothold in the U.S. |
| A genetically similar version of the virus — directly linked to that first case in Washington — was identified across 14 other states and around the world. | A genetically similar version of the virus — directly linked to that first case in Washington — was identified across 14 other states and around the world. |
| Related: We compared virus-related death rates across the U.S., in which the Northeast accounts for about two-thirds of fatalities. | Related: We compared virus-related death rates across the U.S., in which the Northeast accounts for about two-thirds of fatalities. |
| Another angle: Two new studies using antibody tests to assess how many people have been infected have turned up higher numbers than some experts had expected. | Another angle: Two new studies using antibody tests to assess how many people have been infected have turned up higher numbers than some experts had expected. |
| Alarming messages that popped up last month on cellphones and social media feeds of millions of Americans warned that the Trump administration was about to lock down the entire country. | Alarming messages that popped up last month on cellphones and social media feeds of millions of Americans warned that the Trump administration was about to lock down the entire country. |
| U.S. intelligence agencies have since determined that the warnings were amplified by Chinese operatives, prompting officials to look at new ways in which countries are encouraging the spread of disinformation during the pandemic. | U.S. intelligence agencies have since determined that the warnings were amplified by Chinese operatives, prompting officials to look at new ways in which countries are encouraging the spread of disinformation during the pandemic. |
| American officials said the operatives had adopted some of the techniques mastered by Russia-backed trolls, such as creating fake social media accounts to push messages to receptive Americans, who in turn unwittingly help spread them. | American officials said the operatives had adopted some of the techniques mastered by Russia-backed trolls, such as creating fake social media accounts to push messages to receptive Americans, who in turn unwittingly help spread them. |
| Related: China’s state propaganda machine has highlighted other countries’ mistakes during the pandemic while suppressing domestic problems, fueling anger toward foreigners and domestic critics alike, our columnist writes. | Related: China’s state propaganda machine has highlighted other countries’ mistakes during the pandemic while suppressing domestic problems, fueling anger toward foreigners and domestic critics alike, our columnist writes. |
| Another angle: American warships have sailed into disputed waters in the South China Sea, according to military analysts, as a war of words between the U.S. and China over the pandemic intensifies. | |
| After a devastating fire season in Australia, scientists and disaster officials are working on new fire-prediction technologies that will help firefighters work faster and more safely when the blazes return. | After a devastating fire season in Australia, scientists and disaster officials are working on new fire-prediction technologies that will help firefighters work faster and more safely when the blazes return. |
| But what’s most needed is tackling climate change, says one former fire commissioner: “It’s a bit like going to a gas fire and putting out all the houses and burning cars around it but not turning off the gas.” | But what’s most needed is tackling climate change, says one former fire commissioner: “It’s a bit like going to a gas fire and putting out all the houses and burning cars around it but not turning off the gas.” |
| Report on Russian interference: A Republican-led Senate review unanimously supported the conclusion of the intelligence community that Russia interfered in the 2016 election, undercutting claims by President Trump and his allies that the findings were those of a “deep state” seeking to undermine his victory. | Report on Russian interference: A Republican-led Senate review unanimously supported the conclusion of the intelligence community that Russia interfered in the 2016 election, undercutting claims by President Trump and his allies that the findings were those of a “deep state” seeking to undermine his victory. |
| Snapshot: Above, the golden lion tamarin, which lives only in Brazil. There are about 2,500 tamarins in the wild today, and conservationists are hoping to ensure the monkeys’ survival by expanding the natural habitat. | Snapshot: Above, the golden lion tamarin, which lives only in Brazil. There are about 2,500 tamarins in the wild today, and conservationists are hoping to ensure the monkeys’ survival by expanding the natural habitat. |
| Back with Brady: Rob Gronkowski, the All-Pro tight end who left the N.F.L. after the 2018 season, plans to return to the league to reunite with Tom Brady, his New England Patriots teammate, on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. | Back with Brady: Rob Gronkowski, the All-Pro tight end who left the N.F.L. after the 2018 season, plans to return to the league to reunite with Tom Brady, his New England Patriots teammate, on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. |
| Late-night comedy: Stephen Colbert addressed President Trump’s plan to limit immigration to the U.S.: “Well, I don’t necessarily agree with it, but it is probably the safest thing for the immigrants. Because right now, America is basically a petri dish on the floor of a bus station men’s room.” | Late-night comedy: Stephen Colbert addressed President Trump’s plan to limit immigration to the U.S.: “Well, I don’t necessarily agree with it, but it is probably the safest thing for the immigrants. Because right now, America is basically a petri dish on the floor of a bus station men’s room.” |
| What we’re reading: This remembrance in Rolling Stone. Kevin McKenna, a Business editor, suggests this “wonderful account of the avid concert-going life of my friend Ron Louie,” a designer who helped The Times start its first website in the 1990s. He died of complications from the coronavirus last month. | What we’re reading: This remembrance in Rolling Stone. Kevin McKenna, a Business editor, suggests this “wonderful account of the avid concert-going life of my friend Ron Louie,” a designer who helped The Times start its first website in the 1990s. He died of complications from the coronavirus last month. |
| Cook: Mastering the technique of cooking pasta and sauce together in a single pot will save you time at the stove — and the sink. The ratio of pasta to water is crucial to success. | Cook: Mastering the technique of cooking pasta and sauce together in a single pot will save you time at the stove — and the sink. The ratio of pasta to water is crucial to success. |
| Explore: We have art to discover and Merce Cunningham choreography to learn. And check in on these graphic designers and illustrators to see what they’ve been up to. | Explore: We have art to discover and Merce Cunningham choreography to learn. And check in on these graphic designers and illustrators to see what they’ve been up to. |
| Cope: Here’s how to be a good roommate at this juncture in history, as well as how to get your garden going. And wouldn’t you like to get your kids to treat you the way they treated their teacher, in the days before home schooling? | Cope: Here’s how to be a good roommate at this juncture in history, as well as how to get your garden going. And wouldn’t you like to get your kids to treat you the way they treated their teacher, in the days before home schooling? |
| We have more ideas about what to read, cook, watch and do while staying safe at home. | We have more ideas about what to read, cook, watch and do while staying safe at home. |
| Today is Earth Day, the annual event established to raise awareness about the state of our planet. John Schwartz, a Times reporter who covers climate change, spoke about what Earth Day means five decades later. | Today is Earth Day, the annual event established to raise awareness about the state of our planet. John Schwartz, a Times reporter who covers climate change, spoke about what Earth Day means five decades later. |
| In broad terms, what has changed since 1970? | In broad terms, what has changed since 1970? |
| The air over the U.S. is much cleaner, and so is the water we drink in most parts of the country. We don’t use DDT or asbestos. But other threats have arisen. The biggest of those — the issue that wasn’t really on the radar for most people in 1970 — is climate change. Scientific evidence has grown and scientific consensus has gelled, and so now we recognize that there are threats that are more fundamental, and ultimately more harmful, than we ever knew 50 years ago. | The air over the U.S. is much cleaner, and so is the water we drink in most parts of the country. We don’t use DDT or asbestos. But other threats have arisen. The biggest of those — the issue that wasn’t really on the radar for most people in 1970 — is climate change. Scientific evidence has grown and scientific consensus has gelled, and so now we recognize that there are threats that are more fundamental, and ultimately more harmful, than we ever knew 50 years ago. |
| With the coronavirus crisis dominating our lives, is Earth Day relegated to a second-tier event this year? | With the coronavirus crisis dominating our lives, is Earth Day relegated to a second-tier event this year? |
| It’s anything but second-tier, but it’s virtual. You won’t have millions marching in the streets, but there are activities all around the world. Young climate strikers are speaking out. The modern-day equivalents of the 1970 “teach-ins” are happening online. | It’s anything but second-tier, but it’s virtual. You won’t have millions marching in the streets, but there are activities all around the world. Young climate strikers are speaking out. The modern-day equivalents of the 1970 “teach-ins” are happening online. |
| How can people celebrate Earth Day from home? | How can people celebrate Earth Day from home? |
| We’ve put together a great package of stories that provide a crash course on climate change, help readers pick out books about climate change, introduce the original organizer of Earth Day and more. And there’s so much going on at earthday.org and on the websites of other climate- and environment-oriented groups that there’s something for everyone. | We’ve put together a great package of stories that provide a crash course on climate change, help readers pick out books about climate change, introduce the original organizer of Earth Day and more. And there’s so much going on at earthday.org and on the websites of other climate- and environment-oriented groups that there’s something for everyone. |
| That’s it for this briefing. See you next time. | That’s it for this briefing. See you next time. |
| — Chris | — Chris |
| Thank youTo Ali Slagle for the recipe, and to Theodore Kim and Jahaan Singh for the rest of the break from the news. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com. | Thank youTo Ali Slagle for the recipe, and to Theodore Kim and Jahaan Singh for the rest of the break from the news. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com. |
| P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Today’s episode is about protests against stay-at-home orders.• Here’s today’s Mini Crossword, and a clue: Varieties (five letters). You can find all our puzzles here.• Wirecutter, a Times product review site, has started a three-day email course to help make the transition to working at home a bit easier. | P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Today’s episode is about protests against stay-at-home orders.• Here’s today’s Mini Crossword, and a clue: Varieties (five letters). You can find all our puzzles here.• Wirecutter, a Times product review site, has started a three-day email course to help make the transition to working at home a bit easier. |