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Coronavirus Live Updates: More than Half of U.S. States Move to Reopen Businesses Coronavirus Live Updates: More than Half of U.S. States Move to Reopen Businesses
(about 1 hour later)
The straightforward orders that have kept roughly nine out of 10 Americans at home gave way on Friday to a more complicated and sometimes dangerous patchwork of state and local measures that would allow millions of Americans to return to restaurants, movie theaters and malls for the first time in a month or more. The sweeping orders that kept roughly nine out of 10 Americans at home in recent weeks gave way on Friday to a patchwork of state and local measures that would allow millions of people to return to restaurants, movie theaters and malls for the first time in a month or more.
That is, if they have the money and are actually willing to patronize them. But as more states, like Texas, prepared to reopen on Friday, the governors of California and Michigan were contending with challenges to their authority to shutter at least some parts of public life.
Alabama, Maine, Tennessee and Texas are all allowing stay-at-home orders to expire and governors in about half the states in the union have announced plans to gradually ease restrictions in coming days. In Lansing, Mich., hundreds of protesters — many of them armed — gathered at the State Capitol on Thursday to oppose stay-at-home orders, weeks after a larger gathering on April 15, when thousands of demonstrators mobilized by conservative groups created a traffic jam on the streets around the statehouse.
As jobless claims soared yet again this week, with more than 30 million Americans now out of work, all states are under tremendous pressure to reopen their economies. Governors across the country have acknowledged that the lockdowns are simply not sustainable indefinitely. And in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom stepped in on Thursday to shut down the beaches in Orange County, rolling back earlier attempts at giving people there a chance to stroll along the shore while staying a safe distance away from one another.
Nevertheless, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, speaking Thursday evening on CNN, said that while states would reopen at their own discretion, there was danger in acting rashly. Now Mr. Newsom, already the target of litigation for his stay-at-home order, is facing fresh resistance: The Huntington Beach City Council voted Thursday night to sue the state over the beach ban, and the City Council in nearby Newport Beach appeared poised to follow, according to local media reports.
“They know their states, the mayors know their cities, so you want to give them a little wiggle room,” he said. “But my recommendation is, you know, don’t wiggle too much.” President Trump has sometimes voiced support for protests against restrictions — going on Twitter last month to assert that some states should “LIBERATE” residents — and the Justice Department has signaled that it might endorse court challenges pushing back against some rules.
With well over 1,000 people still dying daily and some 20,000 new infections detected every day — and with experts saying that as many as 10 times that figure is going undetected — it remains unclear how to best ease restrictions while limiting the risk of a cascade of infections. In addition to Texas, Alabama, Maine and Tennessee are all allowing stay-at-home orders to expire, and governors in about half of the nation’s states have announced plans to gradually ease restrictions in coming days.
How far should people sit apart in restaurants? Is it safe to open a nail salon, but not a gym? Without widespread testing, how will the authorities know if the easing of restrictions is allowing the virus to catch fire? The governors, broadly unnerved by the federal government’s statistics showing that more than 30 million people in the United States have lost their jobs in recent weeks, have been under tremendous pressure to reopen their economies.
The conflicting messages from the White House, and President Trump’s consistent casting of the crisis in partisan terms have added a political edge to an already complex calculus. Nevertheless, with each day seeing well over 1,000 deaths and some 20,000 new infections detected, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the government’s top expert on infectious diseases, said that while states would reopen at their own discretion, there was danger in acting rashly.
Those divisions were highlighted in alarming fashion on Thursday, when hundreds of protesters — many of them armed — gathered at the State Capitol in Lansing, Mich., to oppose stay-at-home orders. “They know their states, the mayors know their cities, so you want to give them a little wiggle room,” he said on CNN on Thursday evening. “But my recommendation is, you know, don’t wiggle too much.”
The images of protesters with rifles inside the building, as well as a video of hundreds of people outside, were included in top news stories around the world on Friday morning.
The demonstration was reminiscent of a larger gathering in Lansing on April 15, when thousands of protesters mobilized by conservative groups created a traffic jam on the streets around the Capitol.
Those gatherings were spurred on by President Trump and his call on Twitter to “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday announced a national initiative to speed research into how the coronavirus was spreading around the country, bringing together at least 75 public health, academic and commercial institutions studying its genome.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday announced a national initiative to speed research into how the coronavirus was spreading around the country, bringing together at least 75 public health, academic and commercial institutions studying its genome.
As the virus replicates, tiny mutations accumulate in its genetic code. Those differences help scientists trace patterns of transmission and investigate outbreaks. They also provide an understanding of how the virus is evolving, which can affect the accuracy of diagnostic tests and the effectiveness of treatments and vaccines.As the virus replicates, tiny mutations accumulate in its genetic code. Those differences help scientists trace patterns of transmission and investigate outbreaks. They also provide an understanding of how the virus is evolving, which can affect the accuracy of diagnostic tests and the effectiveness of treatments and vaccines.
Historically, laboratories studying the genomes of pathogens released only general information about them, often in academic journals. Patient privacy laws in some states also limited the details they could provide. But that began to change in recent years with food-borne illnesses, as officials realized that publicly sharing gene sequences allowed scientists to find links with greater speed and react to save lives.Historically, laboratories studying the genomes of pathogens released only general information about them, often in academic journals. Patient privacy laws in some states also limited the details they could provide. But that began to change in recent years with food-borne illnesses, as officials realized that publicly sharing gene sequences allowed scientists to find links with greater speed and react to save lives.
Sequences themselves mean little without context. The consortium aims to standardize what information should accompany each sequence, such as where and when a sample was taken, which are critically important details to make use of the data. The hope is that sharing the results will help researchers design vaccines and therapies.Sequences themselves mean little without context. The consortium aims to standardize what information should accompany each sequence, such as where and when a sample was taken, which are critically important details to make use of the data. The hope is that sharing the results will help researchers design vaccines and therapies.
The lockdown of America was as swift as it was sweeping. The gradual reopening of the country is shaping up to be slow and disjointed as governors from coast to coast eased restrictions to varying degrees on Friday.The lockdown of America was as swift as it was sweeping. The gradual reopening of the country is shaping up to be slow and disjointed as governors from coast to coast eased restrictions to varying degrees on Friday.
Texas, the largest Republican-led state in the country, and other states set to loosen restrictions on Friday were embarking down a politically charged path fraught with uncertainty and public health risks. Amid a coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 800 Texans, the state was ending its stay-at-home order weeks before some of the benchmark epidemiological models suggested doing soTexas, the largest Republican-led state in the country, and other states set to loosen restrictions on Friday were embarking down a politically charged path fraught with uncertainty and public health risks. Amid a coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 800 Texans, the state was ending its stay-at-home order weeks before some of the benchmark epidemiological models suggested doing so
Based on an executive order issued by Gov. Greg Abbott, the state’s restaurants, movie theaters and other businesses were allowed to reopen on Friday, although they were required to limit their capacity to 25 percent of their listed occupancy. In Houston, the Galleria mall was preparing to open its doors but keep its playground areas and water fountains shut. On the Gulf Coast, the beaches at Galveston were reopened.Based on an executive order issued by Gov. Greg Abbott, the state’s restaurants, movie theaters and other businesses were allowed to reopen on Friday, although they were required to limit their capacity to 25 percent of their listed occupancy. In Houston, the Galleria mall was preparing to open its doors but keep its playground areas and water fountains shut. On the Gulf Coast, the beaches at Galveston were reopened.
In San Antonio, the celebrity chef Johnny Hernandez was reopening three of his seven restaurants and bringing back 40 furloughed employees, all of whom are required to wear face masks and gloves. Patrons will be asked whether they have any coronavirus symptoms, but he decided against checking diners for fevers as they enter.In San Antonio, the celebrity chef Johnny Hernandez was reopening three of his seven restaurants and bringing back 40 furloughed employees, all of whom are required to wear face masks and gloves. Patrons will be asked whether they have any coronavirus symptoms, but he decided against checking diners for fevers as they enter.
Many businesses remained closed around the state, a sign of both coronavirus fears and anxiety about the governor’s decision. One Austin man posted an online list of local restaurants that planned to reopen for indoor dining and called for a boycott.Many businesses remained closed around the state, a sign of both coronavirus fears and anxiety about the governor’s decision. One Austin man posted an online list of local restaurants that planned to reopen for indoor dining and called for a boycott.
Officials and public health experts in Texas’ largest cities warned that a second wave of the virus was possible if the reopening caused a widespread decrease in social distancing.Officials and public health experts in Texas’ largest cities warned that a second wave of the virus was possible if the reopening caused a widespread decrease in social distancing.
“As long as we’re reporting new cases,” Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston told reporters this week, “and as long as we’re reporting people who are dying, and as long as we can’t tell you that this virus is out of here, then you need to be very, very, very careful.”“As long as we’re reporting new cases,” Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston told reporters this week, “and as long as we’re reporting people who are dying, and as long as we can’t tell you that this virus is out of here, then you need to be very, very, very careful.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, a prime political target in partisan clashes over stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus outbreak, signed three executive orders on Thursday to reinstate a state of emergency during the coronavirus pandemic.Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, a prime political target in partisan clashes over stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus outbreak, signed three executive orders on Thursday to reinstate a state of emergency during the coronavirus pandemic.
Her order came on a day when protesters, some of them armed, gathered at the State Capitol in Lansing to oppose stay-at-home orders. State Senator Dayna Polehanki, a Democrat, shared a photograph of protesters with rifles inside the building, as well as a video of hundreds of people outside. Her orders came on a day when protesters, some of them armed, gathered at the State Capitol in Lansing to oppose stay-at-home orders. State Senator Dayna Polehanki, a Democrat, shared a photograph of protesters with rifles inside the building, as well as a video of hundreds of people outside. It is legal to carry firearms inside the State Capitol, but many of the protesters were not wearing masks or following social distancing measures.
The governor’s moves, which put into place a new state of emergency through May 28, were in response to the Republican-led State Legislature’s refusal to extend the original emergency declaration on the day it was set to expire.The governor’s moves, which put into place a new state of emergency through May 28, were in response to the Republican-led State Legislature’s refusal to extend the original emergency declaration on the day it was set to expire.
Republican lawmakers have tried to strip the governor’s power to declare a state of emergency, which underpins the stay-at-home order. Michigan has had more Covid-19 deaths than every state except New York and New Jersey.Republican lawmakers have tried to strip the governor’s power to declare a state of emergency, which underpins the stay-at-home order. Michigan has had more Covid-19 deaths than every state except New York and New Jersey.
“By refusing to extend the emergency and disaster declaration, Republican lawmakers are putting their heads in the sand and putting more lives and livelihoods at risk,” Ms. Whitmer, a Democrat, said in a statement. “I’m not going to let that happen.”“By refusing to extend the emergency and disaster declaration, Republican lawmakers are putting their heads in the sand and putting more lives and livelihoods at risk,” Ms. Whitmer, a Democrat, said in a statement. “I’m not going to let that happen.”
With a flood of unemployment claims continuing to overwhelm many state agencies, economists say the job losses may be much deeper than government tallies indicate.With a flood of unemployment claims continuing to overwhelm many state agencies, economists say the job losses may be much deeper than government tallies indicate.
The Labor Department said on Thursday that 3.8 million workers filed for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the six-week total to 30 million. But researchers say that as the economy staggers under the weight of the coronavirus pandemic, millions of others have lost jobs but have yet to appear in the figures.The Labor Department said on Thursday that 3.8 million workers filed for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the six-week total to 30 million. But researchers say that as the economy staggers under the weight of the coronavirus pandemic, millions of others have lost jobs but have yet to appear in the figures.
A study by the Economic Policy Institute found that roughly 50 percent more people than counted as filing claims in a recent four-week period may have qualified for benefits — with the difference representing those who were stymied in applying or who did not even try because the process was too formidable.A study by the Economic Policy Institute found that roughly 50 percent more people than counted as filing claims in a recent four-week period may have qualified for benefits — with the difference representing those who were stymied in applying or who did not even try because the process was too formidable.
“The problem is even bigger than the data suggest,” said Elise Gould, a senior economist with the institute, a left-leaning research group. “We’re undercounting the economic pain.”“The problem is even bigger than the data suggest,” said Elise Gould, a senior economist with the institute, a left-leaning research group. “We’re undercounting the economic pain.”
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York has said that some parts of the state might be able to gradually reopen businesses on May 15 but has resisted setting a timeline for New York City and the surrounding region, saying those decisions would be data-driven.Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York has said that some parts of the state might be able to gradually reopen businesses on May 15 but has resisted setting a timeline for New York City and the surrounding region, saying those decisions would be data-driven.
“The big question everyone is asking is the reopening. When? How? Where?” he said on Thursday. “I said from Day 1 on this situation, we have to be smart. We are at a place we have never been before. Emotions run high. Be smart, follow the numbers, follow data, talk to experts. Don’t get political, even in this election year even, even in this partisan time in this country where everything is political and everything is polarized — not now.”“The big question everyone is asking is the reopening. When? How? Where?” he said on Thursday. “I said from Day 1 on this situation, we have to be smart. We are at a place we have never been before. Emotions run high. Be smart, follow the numbers, follow data, talk to experts. Don’t get political, even in this election year even, even in this partisan time in this country where everything is political and everything is polarized — not now.”
He said one part of the plan to get the economy moving again would be the establishment of perhaps the largest “contact tracing program” ever envisioned. He tapped the former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg to lead the effort.He said one part of the plan to get the economy moving again would be the establishment of perhaps the largest “contact tracing program” ever envisioned. He tapped the former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg to lead the effort.
Statewide, Mr. Cuomo said, 6,400 to 17,000 tracers would be needed to locate, contact and isolate all those whose paths crossed with infected individuals.Statewide, Mr. Cuomo said, 6,400 to 17,000 tracers would be needed to locate, contact and isolate all those whose paths crossed with infected individuals.
New Jersey has had the second-highest number of virus cases in the United States, behind only New York State. Even as leaders there began to sketch out how to reopen in the weeks ahead, Gov. Philip D. Murphy announced that the state had recorded 460 new virus-related deaths, a sharp one-day increase and the most the state had reported in a single day so far.New Jersey has had the second-highest number of virus cases in the United States, behind only New York State. Even as leaders there began to sketch out how to reopen in the weeks ahead, Gov. Philip D. Murphy announced that the state had recorded 460 new virus-related deaths, a sharp one-day increase and the most the state had reported in a single day so far.
“Extraordinary,” Mr. Murphy said of the deaths. “This is the single biggest day that we’ve had.”“Extraordinary,” Mr. Murphy said of the deaths. “This is the single biggest day that we’ve had.”
“The only way we can get New Jersey on the road back is if we all continue to practice social distancing over the coming weeks, to really bend this curve down and to keep it going down,” Mr. Murphy added.“The only way we can get New Jersey on the road back is if we all continue to practice social distancing over the coming weeks, to really bend this curve down and to keep it going down,” Mr. Murphy added.
Gov. Ned Lamont of Connecticut on Thursday outlined a plan for restarting the state’s economy that would begin with some retailers, offices, hair and nail salons, outdoor restaurants and outdoor recreation facilities reopening by May 20, if coronavirus infections and hospitalizations continued to decline.Gov. Ned Lamont of Connecticut on Thursday outlined a plan for restarting the state’s economy that would begin with some retailers, offices, hair and nail salons, outdoor restaurants and outdoor recreation facilities reopening by May 20, if coronavirus infections and hospitalizations continued to decline.
The final stage in the process, Mr. Lamont said, might not come for at least 10 months.The final stage in the process, Mr. Lamont said, might not come for at least 10 months.
Mr. Lamont emphasized that businesses would not be required to open.Mr. Lamont emphasized that businesses would not be required to open.
“We’re just saying that you have a green light to open if you want to,” he said. He added: “Nobody is obviously required to go. And I think a lot of people are going to self-select.”“We’re just saying that you have a green light to open if you want to,” he said. He added: “Nobody is obviously required to go. And I think a lot of people are going to self-select.”
The salty breeze and ocean waves have beckoned stir-crazy residents of the coast back to their beloved beaches, social distancing norms be damned.The salty breeze and ocean waves have beckoned stir-crazy residents of the coast back to their beloved beaches, social distancing norms be damned.
But how to prevent beach blankets and lawn chairs from becoming new founts of coronavirus infection has become a flash point for governors in California, Florida and other coastal states, who must balance demands from constituents for relief from the escalating spring heat against the horrified reaction of the general public to photographs of the busy sands.But how to prevent beach blankets and lawn chairs from becoming new founts of coronavirus infection has become a flash point for governors in California, Florida and other coastal states, who must balance demands from constituents for relief from the escalating spring heat against the horrified reaction of the general public to photographs of the busy sands.
Gov. Gavin Newsom of California stepped in on Thursday to shut down the beaches in Orange County, rolling back earlier attempts at giving people there a chance to stroll along the shore while staying a safe distance from one another. Broad swaths of sand were packed over the weekend with crowds, many flocking from neighboring Los Angeles and San Diego Counties, where the beaches had been off limits. Gov. Gavin Newsom of California stepped in on Thursday to shut down the beaches in Orange County, rolling back earlier attempts at giving residents a chance to stroll along the shore while staying a safe distance apart. Broad swaths of sand were packed over the weekend with crowds, many flocking from neighboring Los Angeles and San Diego Counties, where the beaches had been off limits.
“This disease isn’t going away,” Mr. Newsom said at a news conference, noting that the pandemic had claimed at least 95 lives in the state in the past 24 hours.“This disease isn’t going away,” Mr. Newsom said at a news conference, noting that the pandemic had claimed at least 95 lives in the state in the past 24 hours.
In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis has resisted pressure to close all the beaches, insisting that the decision should be made locally — and that people who consider the beach their backyard deserve a respite from being cooped up at home.In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis has resisted pressure to close all the beaches, insisting that the decision should be made locally — and that people who consider the beach their backyard deserve a respite from being cooped up at home.
When photographs of beachgoers in the Jacksonville area prompted “#FloridaMorons” to trend on social media, Mr. DeSantis dismissed the mockery as misguided elitism from outsiders who were unwilling to accept that not all areas of Florida have been hit by the coronavirus as hard as the region from Miami to West Palm Beach, where the beaches remain closed.When photographs of beachgoers in the Jacksonville area prompted “#FloridaMorons” to trend on social media, Mr. DeSantis dismissed the mockery as misguided elitism from outsiders who were unwilling to accept that not all areas of Florida have been hit by the coronavirus as hard as the region from Miami to West Palm Beach, where the beaches remain closed.
“For those who try to say you’re morons, I’ll take you over those who criticize you every day of the week and twice on Sunday,” Mr. DeSantis told Jacksonville residents in a news conference last week.“For those who try to say you’re morons, I’ll take you over those who criticize you every day of the week and twice on Sunday,” Mr. DeSantis told Jacksonville residents in a news conference last week.
With more than 18,000 announced fatalities and a total death toll that is almost certainly higher, the coronavirus crisis is the worst mass-casualty event to hit New York since the Spanish flu pandemic a century ago.With more than 18,000 announced fatalities and a total death toll that is almost certainly higher, the coronavirus crisis is the worst mass-casualty event to hit New York since the Spanish flu pandemic a century ago.
At the height of the outbreak in April, a New Yorker was dying almost every two minutes — more than 800 per day, or four times the city’s normal death rate. And though the daily toll has recently slowed, hundreds of bodies are still emerging each day from private homes and hospitals.At the height of the outbreak in April, a New Yorker was dying almost every two minutes — more than 800 per day, or four times the city’s normal death rate. And though the daily toll has recently slowed, hundreds of bodies are still emerging each day from private homes and hospitals.
While hospitals bore the initial brunt of the crisis as sick people flooded emergency rooms, the sheer volume of human remains has pushed the system for caring for the dead to its limits, too: Hospital morgues, funeral homes, cemeteries and crematories are all overflowing and backed up.While hospitals bore the initial brunt of the crisis as sick people flooded emergency rooms, the sheer volume of human remains has pushed the system for caring for the dead to its limits, too: Hospital morgues, funeral homes, cemeteries and crematories are all overflowing and backed up.
“The death rate is just so high,” one funeral director said, “there’s no way we can bury or cremate them fast enough.”“The death rate is just so high,” one funeral director said, “there’s no way we can bury or cremate them fast enough.”
In the midst of national shortages of testing swabs and protective gear, some medical suppliers and health policy experts are looking ahead to another extraordinary demand on manufacturing: Delivering a vaccine that could end the pandemic.In the midst of national shortages of testing swabs and protective gear, some medical suppliers and health policy experts are looking ahead to another extraordinary demand on manufacturing: Delivering a vaccine that could end the pandemic.
Making a vaccine is not easy. More than two dozen companies have announced programs to develop a vaccine against the coronavirus, but it may still take a year or more before one becomes available to the public.Making a vaccine is not easy. More than two dozen companies have announced programs to develop a vaccine against the coronavirus, but it may still take a year or more before one becomes available to the public.
But what comes next will be just as big a problem: In the United States, more than 300 million people may need to be inoculated. That means at least as many vials and syringes — or double that amount, if two shots are required.But what comes next will be just as big a problem: In the United States, more than 300 million people may need to be inoculated. That means at least as many vials and syringes — or double that amount, if two shots are required.
To meet that demand, companies will have to ramp up manufacturing. If they don’t, products that doctors and government officials give little thought to now could easily become obstacles to vaccine delivery in the future.To meet that demand, companies will have to ramp up manufacturing. If they don’t, products that doctors and government officials give little thought to now could easily become obstacles to vaccine delivery in the future.
Everything will need to be systematically planned. Adding the capacity to make millions more syringes alone could take a manufacturer as long as 18 months to complete such a large order, for example.Everything will need to be systematically planned. Adding the capacity to make millions more syringes alone could take a manufacturer as long as 18 months to complete such a large order, for example.
And several manufacturers are already worrying that the Trump administration may be waiting too long before ordering for an ample supply of medical equipment needed to deliver a vaccine.And several manufacturers are already worrying that the Trump administration may be waiting too long before ordering for an ample supply of medical equipment needed to deliver a vaccine.
“We’re thinking about the vaccine, but what if the vials it is stored in, or rubber stoppers in the vial or the plungers in the syringes become the constraint?” said Prashant Yadav, who studies health care supply chains at the Center for Global Development in Washington, D.C.“We’re thinking about the vaccine, but what if the vials it is stored in, or rubber stoppers in the vial or the plungers in the syringes become the constraint?” said Prashant Yadav, who studies health care supply chains at the Center for Global Development in Washington, D.C.
Maybe you started this lockdown with good intentions to stay active. It’s possible those promises have slipped away as the days have passed into weeks. But take heart: It doesn’t take much — no more than four seconds — to get your metabolism going. Here’s how a short burst of activity can help you, and more exercise tips to keep your motivated to move.Maybe you started this lockdown with good intentions to stay active. It’s possible those promises have slipped away as the days have passed into weeks. But take heart: It doesn’t take much — no more than four seconds — to get your metabolism going. Here’s how a short burst of activity can help you, and more exercise tips to keep your motivated to move.
Hong Kong police officers were deploying across the city to prevent any pro-democracy Labor Day rallies held in defiance of social-distancing orders.Hong Kong police officers were deploying across the city to prevent any pro-democracy Labor Day rallies held in defiance of social-distancing orders.
Reporting was contributed by Sheri Fink, Manny Fernandez, Alan Feuer, Thomas Fuller, Shawn Hubler, John Koblin, Patricia Mazzei, Marc Santora, William K. Rashbaum, Nelson D. Schwartz, Tiffany Hsu and Patricia Cohen. Reporting was contributed by Alan Blinder, Eileen Sullivan, Sheri Fink, Manny Fernandez, Alan Feuer, Thomas Fuller, Shawn Hubler, John Koblin, Patricia Mazzei, Marc Santora, William K. Rashbaum, Nelson D. Schwartz, Tiffany Hsu and Patricia Cohen.