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| Coronavirus, E.C.B., Chinese Lab: Your Friday Briefing | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| (Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.) | |
| Good morning. | Good morning. |
| We’re covering Europe’s “unprecedented” downturn, some progress in fighting the virus and a U.S. search for virus links to a Wuhan lab. | We’re covering Europe’s “unprecedented” downturn, some progress in fighting the virus and a U.S. search for virus links to a Wuhan lab. |
| Europe is in the midst of an economic downturn not seen since the end of World War II, and the worst is yet to come, Europe’s top central banker said. | Europe is in the midst of an economic downturn not seen since the end of World War II, and the worst is yet to come, Europe’s top central banker said. |
| “The euro area is facing an economic contraction of a magnitude and speed that are unprecedented in peacetime,” said Christine Lagarde, the president of the European Central Bank. She warned that the eurozone economy could shrink by as much as 12 percent this year. | “The euro area is facing an economic contraction of a magnitude and speed that are unprecedented in peacetime,” said Christine Lagarde, the president of the European Central Bank. She warned that the eurozone economy could shrink by as much as 12 percent this year. |
| Her stark assessment came after officials estimated that economic output in the eurozone fell 3.8 percent in the first three months of the year, the region’s worst performance since the common currency was introduced in 1999. | Her stark assessment came after officials estimated that economic output in the eurozone fell 3.8 percent in the first three months of the year, the region’s worst performance since the common currency was introduced in 1999. |
| The French economy declined by 5.8 percent, Spain’s by 5.2 percent and Italy’s by 4.7 percent, their steepest downturns in the postwar period. Under a new stimulus plan, the E.C.B. will pay banks to lend money. | The French economy declined by 5.8 percent, Spain’s by 5.2 percent and Italy’s by 4.7 percent, their steepest downturns in the postwar period. Under a new stimulus plan, the E.C.B. will pay banks to lend money. |
| The world’s poor: The wave of unemployment brought by virus lockdowns could help send at least half a billion more people into poverty this year in the first global increase since 1998, the World Bank said. | The world’s poor: The wave of unemployment brought by virus lockdowns could help send at least half a billion more people into poverty this year in the first global increase since 1998, the World Bank said. |
| In the U.S.: An additional 3.8 million workers filed for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the six-week total to 30 million, not counting those who were stymied in applying or didn’t even try because the process was too formidable. | In the U.S.: An additional 3.8 million workers filed for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the six-week total to 30 million, not counting those who were stymied in applying or didn’t even try because the process was too formidable. |
| Yet even in the face of crushing economic data, the S&P 500 closed April with its best monthly gain since 1987 — 13 percent. The rally highlights investors’ confidence that business will return to normal sooner than they once thought. Follow our live briefing here. | Yet even in the face of crushing economic data, the S&P 500 closed April with its best monthly gain since 1987 — 13 percent. The rally highlights investors’ confidence that business will return to normal sooner than they once thought. Follow our live briefing here. |
| Some countries are reporting remarkable milestones: no new coronavirus cases. | Some countries are reporting remarkable milestones: no new coronavirus cases. |
| Among them are South Korea, which has reported no new domestic cases since Feb. 29, and Hong Kong, with no new cases for five straight days. Australia and New Zealand are on similar paths. | Among them are South Korea, which has reported no new domestic cases since Feb. 29, and Hong Kong, with no new cases for five straight days. Australia and New Zealand are on similar paths. |
| Even as some countries show progress, Britain is not ready to lift its lockdown, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. He promised to lay out a road map next week of what Britain’s reopening would look like. | Even as some countries show progress, Britain is not ready to lift its lockdown, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. He promised to lay out a road map next week of what Britain’s reopening would look like. |
| In other developments: | In other developments: |
| Russia’s prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin, 54 — who was named just three months ago — tested positive for the virus. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin has been oddly passive during the pandemic, observers say. | Russia’s prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin, 54 — who was named just three months ago — tested positive for the virus. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin has been oddly passive during the pandemic, observers say. |
| National stay-at-home guidelines expired in the U.S., but more than 20 states will keep residents home to curb the coronavirus outbreak. This map shows the status of every state. | National stay-at-home guidelines expired in the U.S., but more than 20 states will keep residents home to curb the coronavirus outbreak. This map shows the status of every state. |
| Here are our latest updates, as well as maps of the pandemic. | Here are our latest updates, as well as maps of the pandemic. |
| 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. |
| Senior Trump administration officials have pushed U.S. spy agencies to hunt for evidence to support a theory that the coronavirus outbreak started in a lab in Wuhan, China. | Senior Trump administration officials have pushed U.S. spy agencies to hunt for evidence to support a theory that the coronavirus outbreak started in a lab in Wuhan, China. |
| The effort comes as President Trump escalates a public campaign to blame China for the pandemic. Some analysts are worried that the pressure from senior officials could distort assessments about the coronavirus. | The effort comes as President Trump escalates a public campaign to blame China for the pandemic. Some analysts are worried that the pressure from senior officials could distort assessments about the coronavirus. |
| Scientists who have studied the genetics of the coronavirus say the overwhelming probability is that it leapt from animal to human in a nonlaboratory setting, as was the case with H.I.V., Ebola and SARS. | Scientists who have studied the genetics of the coronavirus say the overwhelming probability is that it leapt from animal to human in a nonlaboratory setting, as was the case with H.I.V., Ebola and SARS. |
| E.U. virus report: Facing criticism from lawmakers, Josep Borrell, the European Union’s top diplomat, denied that Chinese officials had pressured his team to soften language in a recent report on disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic. | E.U. virus report: Facing criticism from lawmakers, Josep Borrell, the European Union’s top diplomat, denied that Chinese officials had pressured his team to soften language in a recent report on disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic. |
| The report, released late last week, described Chinese and Russian efforts to spread falsehoods about the pandemic. But The Times reported that the language had been toned down amid criticism from China. | The report, released late last week, described Chinese and Russian efforts to spread falsehoods about the pandemic. But The Times reported that the language had been toned down amid criticism from China. |
| After weeks at home, some people are cutting down on screen time and switching to old-timey crafts like flower pressing or drying, above, or natural dyeing of items like cloth napkins and doilies. | After weeks at home, some people are cutting down on screen time and switching to old-timey crafts like flower pressing or drying, above, or natural dyeing of items like cloth napkins and doilies. |
| “The ability to generate activities by yourself for yourself, that is a real asset,” said Anders Ericsson, a professor of psychology at Florida State University. | “The ability to generate activities by yourself for yourself, that is a real asset,” said Anders Ericsson, a professor of psychology at Florida State University. |
| Hezbollah: Germany declared the Lebanese militant group a terrorist organization and banned all activities on its territory. The move, long sought by Israel and the U.S., deals a blow to the group’s ability to operate in Europe. | Hezbollah: Germany declared the Lebanese militant group a terrorist organization and banned all activities on its territory. The move, long sought by Israel and the U.S., deals a blow to the group’s ability to operate in Europe. |
| Sudan: A new law criminalizes female genital cutting, a practice that nine in 10 Sudanese women are said to have endured. | Sudan: A new law criminalizes female genital cutting, a practice that nine in 10 Sudanese women are said to have endured. |
| Israel: The attorney general said that neither the criminal charges Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing nor the terms of the coalition deal he struck with a former rival should disqualify him from forming a new government. | Israel: The attorney general said that neither the criminal charges Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing nor the terms of the coalition deal he struck with a former rival should disqualify him from forming a new government. |
| Tech earnings: Apple said its sales rose in the three months that ended in March despite the pandemic, and it signaled confidence by announcing a big stock buyback. Amazon’s sales also climbed, but profit fell because it cost more to meet the demand. Analysts expect the current quarter to be much uglier. | Tech earnings: Apple said its sales rose in the three months that ended in March despite the pandemic, and it signaled confidence by announcing a big stock buyback. Amazon’s sales also climbed, but profit fell because it cost more to meet the demand. Analysts expect the current quarter to be much uglier. |
| Snapshot: New satellite data is providing the most precise picture yet of where Antarctica’s ice, above, is accumulating most quickly and disappearing at the fastest rate. The resolution is so high that it can detect rifts and other small features of the ice surface, scientists said. | Snapshot: New satellite data is providing the most precise picture yet of where Antarctica’s ice, above, is accumulating most quickly and disappearing at the fastest rate. The resolution is so high that it can detect rifts and other small features of the ice surface, scientists said. |
| Airline passengers: Two major carriers — American and Delta — joined Lufthansa, JetBlue and Frontier in requiring all passengers to wear a face covering in the coming weeks, a policy that will apply to their flight attendants, too. | Airline passengers: Two major carriers — American and Delta — joined Lufthansa, JetBlue and Frontier in requiring all passengers to wear a face covering in the coming weeks, a policy that will apply to their flight attendants, too. |
| Moon shot: NASA picked three designs for spacecraft to take astronauts back to the surface of the moon by 2024, the Trump administration’s goal. | Moon shot: NASA picked three designs for spacecraft to take astronauts back to the surface of the moon by 2024, the Trump administration’s goal. |
| What we’re listening to: “Oh, Hello: the P’dcast,” in which two comedians portray elderly New Yorkers whose many peculiarities include their diction. “These podcasts are bringing a lot of joy into our household,” writes Sam Dolnick, an assistant managing editor. “So good. We are now mispronouncing so many words.” | What we’re listening to: “Oh, Hello: the P’dcast,” in which two comedians portray elderly New Yorkers whose many peculiarities include their diction. “These podcasts are bringing a lot of joy into our household,” writes Sam Dolnick, an assistant managing editor. “So good. We are now mispronouncing so many words.” |
| Cook: The lasagna from the cookbook author Samin Nosrat is made with delicate homemade pasta, rich béchamel and savory tomato sauce. If you’re out of mozzarella, Sam Sifton, our Food editor, has ideas about substitutions in his latest newsletter. | Cook: The lasagna from the cookbook author Samin Nosrat is made with delicate homemade pasta, rich béchamel and savory tomato sauce. If you’re out of mozzarella, Sam Sifton, our Food editor, has ideas about substitutions in his latest newsletter. |
| Watch: The painter Jordan Casteel has her first solo museum show in New York, and provides the voice-over for our video tour. Then get to know Alice Wu, the director who influenced Awkwafina and Ali Wong. Ms. Wu’s new movie on Netflix, “The Half of It,” is a young-adult take on “Cyrano de Bergerac.” | Watch: The painter Jordan Casteel has her first solo museum show in New York, and provides the voice-over for our video tour. Then get to know Alice Wu, the director who influenced Awkwafina and Ali Wong. Ms. Wu’s new movie on Netflix, “The Half of It,” is a young-adult take on “Cyrano de Bergerac.” |
| Cope: What can you accomplish in four seconds? Try a workout. If you’re having a rift with a friend, this may be the time to heal it. And here are some creative ways parents are finding space away from their children. | Cope: What can you accomplish in four seconds? Try a workout. If you’re having a rift with a friend, this may be the time to heal it. And here are some creative ways parents are finding space away from their children. |
| At Home has our full collection of ideas on what to read, cook, watch and do while staying safe at home. | At Home has our full collection of ideas on what to read, cook, watch and do while staying safe at home. |
| The latest In Her Words newsletter focuses on our drinking habits right now. Below is a condensed version. Sign up here to get the newsletter in your inbox. | The latest In Her Words newsletter focuses on our drinking habits right now. Below is a condensed version. Sign up here to get the newsletter in your inbox. |
| Happy hours on Zoom are serving as a break from isolation and a consolation prize for canceled plans. | Happy hours on Zoom are serving as a break from isolation and a consolation prize for canceled plans. |
| “During a crisis, you know, cocktail hour can be almost any hour!” chirped Ina Garten, author of “The Barefoot Contessa” cookbooks, while mixing what appeared to be a bucket-size cosmopolitan in a video posted to Instagram. | “During a crisis, you know, cocktail hour can be almost any hour!” chirped Ina Garten, author of “The Barefoot Contessa” cookbooks, while mixing what appeared to be a bucket-size cosmopolitan in a video posted to Instagram. |
| At a time when boundaries have all but disappeared — home is the office! school time is work time! pajamas are work clothes! — the clink of ice cubes in a glass or the crack of a can may seem like one of the few ways left to distinguish evening from day or weekend from week. | At a time when boundaries have all but disappeared — home is the office! school time is work time! pajamas are work clothes! — the clink of ice cubes in a glass or the crack of a can may seem like one of the few ways left to distinguish evening from day or weekend from week. |
| But as the months in quarantine pile up, what started out as a way to unwind may start to feel like an unexpectedly stubborn habit for some people. Alcohol sales in the U.S. were up 55 percent in the week ended March 21 compared with the year before. | But as the months in quarantine pile up, what started out as a way to unwind may start to feel like an unexpectedly stubborn habit for some people. Alcohol sales in the U.S. were up 55 percent in the week ended March 21 compared with the year before. |
| For those in recovery from alcoholism, the combination of stress and social distancing can make maintaining sobriety all the more challenging. | For those in recovery from alcoholism, the combination of stress and social distancing can make maintaining sobriety all the more challenging. |
| Drinking in moderation is not inherently harmful for most people. The threshold is higher for men — women absorb and metabolize alcohol differently. Nature is sexist like that. | Drinking in moderation is not inherently harmful for most people. The threshold is higher for men — women absorb and metabolize alcohol differently. Nature is sexist like that. |
| There’s a short-term fix doctors prescribe when alcohol or other recreational substances feel as if they’re taking more than they offer: Stop for a little while and see how you feel. | There’s a short-term fix doctors prescribe when alcohol or other recreational substances feel as if they’re taking more than they offer: Stop for a little while and see how you feel. |
| That’s it for this briefing. Be careful what you put on your bookshelf. See you next time. | That’s it for this briefing. Be careful what you put on your bookshelf. See you next time. |
| — Victoria | — Victoria |
| Thank youTo Melissa Clark 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 Melissa Clark 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.” Our latest episode is about Joe Biden’s presidential campaign and the coronavirus pandemic.• Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: Twilight (four letters). You can find all of our puzzles here.• Adam Nossiter, our Paris bureau chief, is moving to Afghanistan to lead our reporting from Kabul. He will be joined by our correspondent Thomas Gibbons-Neff, who has been to Afghanistan repeatedly as a Times reporter and also served there as a Marine. | P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about Joe Biden’s presidential campaign and the coronavirus pandemic.• Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: Twilight (four letters). You can find all of our puzzles here.• Adam Nossiter, our Paris bureau chief, is moving to Afghanistan to lead our reporting from Kabul. He will be joined by our correspondent Thomas Gibbons-Neff, who has been to Afghanistan repeatedly as a Times reporter and also served there as a Marine. |