Updated May. 16, 2020 9:33 AM
The coronavirus pandemic altered life as humans knew it in 2020, and as much of the world starts to examine how and when to resume daily activities, it's clear that there are many challenges to overcome before normal daily life can resume in full.
The outbreak, which originated in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, officially became a pandemic in March. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease COVID-19, has infected millions worldwide and killed hundreds of thousands, but more than 1 million have recovered from the ferocious disease. Health experts are conducting a frantic race to develop a vaccine while also performing vital research into the behavior of the virus, what factors may inhibit its spread and other possible symptoms it may cause.
The contagion triggered much of the world to shelter indoors and practice social distancing. Severe damage has been done to the global economy, which has caused experts to issue bleak economic predictions that harken back to the days of the Great
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Here are the latest updates, listed in eastern time, and the most important things you need to know about coronavirus.
May 16 9:15 a.m.
Multiple coronavirus testing sites in Florida were forced to close this weekend due to showers and windy weather caused by a low-pressure system off Florida’s coast. The 14 state-run COVID-19 testing sites include Brevard Eastern Florida State College’s Palm Bay campus and University High School in Orange City. The testing sites will be closed until Monday, according to the Florida Department of Health. The system unleashed record rain in South Florida and is set to become the first named storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.
A storm system, which could be the first named storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, churning off the coast of Florida on Saturday morning. Image via NOAA GOES-East satellite.
May 16 7:30 a.m.
Here are the latest updated totals from around the world, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University:
Total confirmed cases: 4,559,930
Total deaths: 308,038
Total recovered: 1,646,444
May 15, 9:50 p.m.
J.C. Penney filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted business for the already struggling retail chain. The Associated Press reported that it is the forth major retailer to fall victim to the pandemic, following Neiman Marcus, J.Crew and Stage Stores. In order to sustain business amid bankruptcy, the company will be closing some of their stores, however it is not clear how many will close, USA Today reported. “The coronavirus pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for our families, our loved ones, our communities, and our country,” J.C. Penney CEO Jill Soltau said. “As a result, the American retail industry has experienced a profoundly different new reality, requiring J.C. Penney to make difficult decisions in running our business to protect the safety of our associates and customers and the future of our company.”
May 15, 8:40 p.m.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has announced that the COVID-19 outbreak has peaked in the Commonwealth. This announcement comes on the same day that 13 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania moved from the red to yellow phase, including Allegheny County. The southwestern Pennsylvanian counties will be ending stay-at-home orders and moving into an aggressive mitigation stage. The Pennsylvania Department of Health stressed the importance of maintaining efforts to keep the counties moving in the right direction by continuing social distancing and wearing masks in public to prevent a resurgence of cases. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday that on May 22, 12 more counties will move from the red to yellow phase of reopening.
The reflection of people gathered along Butler Street in Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville neighborhood are seen behind the "Open"
May 15, 7:30 p.m.
House democrats are attempting to pass a second coronavirus relief package on Friday worth $3 trillion. If passed by the Senate, the
May 15, 6:15 p.m.
Los Angeles County beaches reopened Wednesday but with a handful of new rules as people emerge from their homes. Beachgoers are required to keep moving at the beaches — walking, running or swimming. Sunbathing, picnics and volleyball games are prohibited at the moment. And, of course, masks are required. Parking lots, piers and a 22-mile bike path that connects the beach to several others remain closed. Similar restrictions have been placed on other reopening beaches in Hawaii, and beaches in Florida and New Jersey are enforcing occupancy limits.
May 15, 5:10 p.m.
New COVID-19 cases are now declining in 28 states. More than half the states in the U.S. are now seeing daily decreases in new COVID-19 cases. Georgia, South Carolina, Oklahoma and Colorado are among states that are seeing a decline, despite reopening earlier than most. Texas, however, has seen a dramatic increase in cases since reopening on May 1, with a 20% to 30% increase since reopening, CNN reported. Seven states are still seeing increases in their day to day increase in cases, and 15 states remain steady. The U.S. has reported over 1.4 million cases of the virus so far, according to research from Johns Hopkins University.
May 15, 4:05 p.m.
The bee population is buzzing in Rome, Italy, after months of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Italian Apiculture Federation keeps a colony of bees on the roof of the Carabinieri command’s headquarters as a beekeeping project as, in general, bees in cities tend to be healthier than those in the countryside. This is due to less problems with chemicals that kill insects and would kill bees. “During the quarantine period, this visibly increased and the bees have been very healthy. They have found a very large amount of nectar and pollen, so many colonies are growing, and producing a lot of honey,” head of the Italian Apiculture Federation Raffaele Cirone told AFP. Cirone stressed that although he is not worried about the bees today, we must still work to preserve and protect them.
May 15, 3:19 p.m.
With fears of air travel growing amid the pandemic, new numbers show there is a 92% decrease in the amount of travelers who have gone through TSA checkpoints on May 14, 2020 compared to exactly one year ago, according to TSA Public Affairs spokesperson Lisa Farbstein. On May 14, 2019, over 2.5 million people traveled through TSA checkpoints while on May 14, 2020, only saw just over 230,000. Even with the huge decrease, this was still the busiest day for air travel since March 25. Farbstein also said in a tweet that TSA's mission remains, "to protect the nation’s transportation systems, the agency must guard against insider threats, including those evolving from changes at transportation venues resulting from COVID-19."
May 15, 3:05 p.m.
Southwest Airlines will not deny boarding to travelers who refuse to wear face coverings. A memo sent out to employees from the company asked that they handle situations where a customer refuses to wear face coverings with “empathy and respect.” Southwest official policy states that customers must wear a
The decision from Southwest comes in contrast to many other airlines, who have made policies requiring all passengers wear face coverings. JetBlue was the first major airline to require face coverings, ABC news correspondent Gio Benitez reported. "When you're in an airline seat even when you're keeping the middle seat free, you're not going to be 6-feet away from someone," Robin Hayes, the CEO of JetBlue, told CBS News. Other airlines, such as Delta, soon followed suit in enforcing face coverings.
May 15, 2:27 p.m.
The number of U.S. adults that are isolating has declined for the fifth week in a row, according to a study released by Gallup. At it's peak on April 5, 75% of U.S. adults were isolating themselves. Last week, only 58% are reported to be isolating. This is the lowest level since March 22 which was before most states had issued stay-at-home orders. One cause for this decline is the expiration of many stay-at-home orders and other states easing restrictions. The study also found that women are more likely to be social distancing than men. The weekly survey is conducted by a web survey to a random sample of over 4,000 U.S. adults.
May 15, 1:48 p.m.
NASCAR is set to return this weekend with the first race since the season was put on pause in early March due to the coronavirus. The weekend activities at Darlington Raceway will be much different than races earlier in the year to help limit the potential spread of COVID-19. No fans will be allowed to attend the race, drivers and crew members will have their temperatures checked when arriving at the track and everyone will need to wear a mask (although drivers can remove it when they suit up and get into their cars). Sunday’s race is also being called The Real Heroes 400 to honor health care workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. Dry weather is in the forecast for Sunday’s race, but hot and sunny conditions could be a factor that the drivers and teams will need to take into consideration.
May 15, 1:03 p.m.
Cats are capable of infecting other cats with the new coronavirus, researchers have discovered. But whether they can infect humans remains an open question that scientists are still investigating. A report published this week in The New England Journal of Medicine spelled out the results of a study that was prompted by reports of humans infecting cats with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Cats that were infected with the virus were co-mingled with other cats that were healthy. Within five days, the healthy cats were all infected, the researchers found. "There is a public health need to recognize and further investigate the potential chain of human–cat–human transmission," the researchers wrote, adding, "This is of particular importance given the potential for SARS-CoV-2 transmission between family members in households with cats while living under 'shelter-in-place' orders."
May 15, 12:25 p.m.
How quickly can germs spread in a restaurant? A viral video from Japan uses a black light to demonstrate how germs from just one person can be dispersed across an entire restaurant. In the video clip, one person has his hands coated in paint that is only visible under UV light before he sit down to dine with 9 other people. At the end of the meal, a black light illuminates the room and shows the shocking results. Everyone in the room appeared to have the UV light-sensitive pain on their hands, utensils, napkins, and even some with it on their faces. If the paint was replaced with the novel coronavirus, everyone in the room might have been exposed and would have to enter self-isolation for 14 days. This simulation shows how important it is to avoid touching your face and to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.
クルーズ船で感染拡大を招いたとされる接触感染がどのようにして起きるのか、ＮＨＫが専門家と共同で実験を行ったところ、ウイルスに見立てた塗料は多数の人が触るものを介して広がることが確認されました。www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/2020…
May 15, 11:38 a.m.
Pro golf made its comeback in Yangju, South Korea, this week as the KLPGA tour got under way with the country beginning to ease some pandemic restrictions. The weather was a little warmer than average, with highs in the upper 70s F, but no fans were allowed to attend the event and things looked quite different -- most on the course were wearing masks. Players were advised to follow social distancing protocols and avoid bodily contact, but some celebratory elbow bumps were exchanged at times, video from the game showed. Golfer Lee Jeong-eun said golfing without fans watching was an unusual experience. "It's a pity we didn't have that today," she told reporters after the match. Watch below for some highlights. This could be a preview of what golf in the U.S. will look like when it returns.
May 15, 11:04 a.m.
China has witnessed something that was not even imaginable before the pandemic. With billions of people staying at home during coronavirus lockdowns, air pollution around the globe has made a noticeable decline. As a result, the number of “blue sky days” in China has doubled from 3.3% to 6.6%, according to Reuters. “That was a level we didn’t even dare imagine,” said Liu Bingjiang, head of the air pollution office at the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. Cities all around the world have also recorded a decline in air pollution so significant that the differences can be seen from space.
May 15, 10:27 a.m.
Retail sales took a serious nosedive in April, plunging 16.4%. The coronavirus pandemic has damaged the American economy in several ways. Unemployment has soared to historic highs, and with businesses closed down and Americans' capacity for discretionary spending drying up as the pandemic ground life to a halt in April, the Commerce Department said retail sales took a major hit again, The Associated Press reported. Following the 8.3% decline in March, this makes for the biggest two-month decline in retail sales ever, according to The New York Times. Over the last year, retails sales have plunged 21.6% -- the worst slide in 28 years. "It’s like a hurricane came and leveled the entire economy, and now we’re trying to get it back up and running," Joshua Shapiro, chief U.S. economist for the consultancy Maria Fiorini Ramirez, told the AP.
May 15, 9:51 a.m.
Trading will soon return to the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Physical trading was halted in mid-March as the coronavirus began to rapidly spread across the New York City area, with all the transitions since taking place virtually. The date people will return to the NYSE has yet to be announced, but it is set to occur by the end of the month, AFP reported. When brokers finally return to the exchange to resume physical trading, things will be different. Everyone will be screened before entering, they will be required to wear a mask and will have to maintain proper social distancing.
May 15, 9:43 a.m.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a new set of guidelines to help schools and businesses gradually reopen. The guidelines use six “decision trees” that will help determine if it is safe to reopen, according to Reuters. “These six decision trees are to assist leaders of these entities in thinking through health considerations and making operational decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic,” a CDC spokesman said. One of the six guidelines asks business owners if reopening will align with orders that have been enacted by state or local officials. If reopening would go against these orders, then they would not be able to reopen.
May 15, 6:55 a.m.
In the U.S., total COVID-19 cases have surged past 85,000. Here are the latest updated totals from around the world, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University:
Total confirmed cases: 4,444,670
Total deaths: 302,493
Total recovered: 1,588,858
May 14, 10 p.m.
Parts of New York state will enter phase one of reopening on Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday. While Central New York, the Finger Lakes, the Southern Tier, North Country, and Mohawk Valley will all begin reopening on Friday, New York City, Long Island and Western New York failed to meet the criteria needed to be able to enter phase one. Phase one allows for certain construction and manufacturing businesses to reopen, and select retail stores can offer curbside and in-store pickup. Social distancing guidelines and face coverings will still be required in businesses,Bloomberg reported. “New Yorkers be proud. Your actions bent the curve.” For those places that don't meet the criteria to begin reopening, the executive order Cuomo signed keeps stay-at-home orders in effect until June 13.
Photo by: John Nacion/STAR MAX/IPx 2020 5/13/20 A view of a person wearing a colorful mask during the coronavirus pandemic on May 13, 2020 in New York City. COVID-19 has spread to most countries around the world, claiming over 270,000 lives with over 3.9 million infections reported.
May 14, 9:20 p.m.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee warned residents of COVID-19 contact tracing scams. The Olympia, Washington, police department alerted residents that scammers are calling people pretending to be tracing contact between people who have contracted COVID-19 in order to gain their private information. The police department said that contact tracers will call, but they will not ask for social security number, marital status, immigration status or financial information. Further, they warn residents to not click links in texts claiming they may have been exposed to the virus. Inslee shared the information and said real contract tracers "are working to help protect Washingtonians."
May 14, 8:17 p.m.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court shut down a statewide “Safer at Home” order on Thursday, deciding that the state’s top public health official was going beyond her level of jurisdiction to impose it. The Supreme Court ruled that the State’s secretary for the Department of Health Services, Andrea Palm, was the one who actually imposed the order, who does not have the same power as the state governor. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said the state reached almost all of its gating criteria and was working toward reopening small businesses and allowing workers to return to their jobs. However, Evers fears that shutting down the “safer at home” order will reverse the progress the state has made.
“Just because the Supreme Court says it’s okay to open, doesn’t mean that science does,” Evers said. “We need everyone to continue doing their part to keep our families, our neighbors and our communities safe by continuing to stay safer at home, practice social distancing, and limit travel.”
May 14, 7:10 p.m.
Frozen the Musical will not return to Broadway after the theaters reopen. The musical ran 851 performances in the St. James Theatre. ABC 7 reported that this is the first show to announce it will not return to Broadway due to the pandemic. The show ran for two years and in both years placed in the top five Broadway productions for gross income and attendance. Broadway productions were put on hold on March 12, and will remain dark until at least Sept. 6.
We are heartbroken to announce that Frozen will not reopen once Broadway returns. Thank you for the love and magic we've shared together during our incredible 851 performances at the St. James Theatre. Some people are worth melting for, and today our hearts melt with you.
"The arts and entertainment sector drives the economy of New York, just like it does in cities and towns across the country. Decisions made in the days and weeks ahead will shape the future of the arts sector for years to come. Public officials at all levels must think much more boldly about supporting the arts or our entire economy will be slower to recover, “ Mary McColl, executive director of Frozen, said.
May 14, 6 p.m.
Weekly cul-de-sac concerts have become one performer's new norm amid COVID-19. Adam Chester has worked with Elton John for 15 years, filling his role for the band during rehearsals. Recently, however, John has taken a step back from performing due to the ongoing pandemic, leaving Chester to find a new way to perform. To promote social distancing while he performs in his Los Angeles neighborhood, he has drawn a rectangle out of chalk with the words “social distance” written on it. Those who come and enjoy the music call it “Quaranchella.” Dozens of neighbors come out to the concerts, which raise money for a different charity each week. “It’s been an incredible experience,” Maria, Chester’s wife, told The Associated Press. “It kind of organically happened because he needed to play, and it’s been evolving.” Take in some Quaranchella below.
May 14, 5:27 p.m.
Beaches at the Jersey shore will be open in time for the unofficial start to summer, governor says. Much speculation has been swirling throughout the Garden State about whether beaches would be open by Memorial Day. On Thursday, Gov. Phil Murphy said they would be -- albeit with some new rules that will go into effect on May 22. "The Jersey shore will be open in time for Memorial Day Weekend, with social distancing guidelines in place," Murphy declared on Twitter, adding, "The shore is central to our Jersey identity and we want to ensure that families can safely enjoy it this summer." At a press conference, he elaborated on the rules, saying each town would be responsible for establishing limits on the numbers of people allowed on the beach at a given time, and how social distancing should be enforced, WPVI reported. Rules that have been implemented at some beaches have caused confusion and drawn ridicule on social media. Murphy said some beaches this summer will be outfitted with six-foot demarcations indicating proper social distance.
May 14, 4:55 p.m.
Beaches at the Jersey shore will be open in time for the unofficial start to summer, the governor said. Much speculation has been swirling throughout the Garden State about whether beaches would be open by Memorial Day. On Thursday, Gov. Phil Murphy said beaches would be open by the holiday -- albeit with some new rules that will go into effect on May 22. "The Jersey shore will be open in time for Memorial Day Weekend, with social distancing guidelines in place," Murphy declared on Twitter, adding, "The shore is central to our Jersey identity and we want to ensure that families can safely enjoy it this summer."
At a press conference, he elaborated on the rules, saying each town would be responsible for establishing limits on the numbers of people allowed on the beach at a given time, and how social distancing should be enforced, WPVI reported. Rules that have been implemented at some beaches have caused confusion and drawn ridicule on social media. Murphy said some beaches this summer will be outfitted with six-foot demarcations indicating proper social distance. A peek ahead at the AccuWeather long-range forecast shows possible high temps in the low 70s for Memorial Day weekend in Ocean City, one popular Jersey shore points.
May 14, 3:51 p.m.
CVS is opening COVID-19 drive-thru testing centers in Massachusetts and Florida. CVS Health has committed to opening 1,000 drive-thru testing sites across the U.S., The Boston Herald reported. The pharmacy chain plans to process 1.5 million tests per month through the testing sites.In Massachusetts, drive-thru testing locations will be open in Bridgewater, Carver, Charlton, Danvers, Northhampton, Raynham, Wellesley, Westport, West Springfield and Worcester. In Florida, locations will open in Tarpon Springs, Lutz, Orange City, Altamonte Springs, Gainesville, Largo, Orlando, MacClenny, Boca Raton and Jacksonville, CBS 47 reported.
The tests will be a self-swabbing format and available to individuals who meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. The tests require registration in advance. “This new approach allows us to utilize our presence in communities across the country and bring testing closer to home,” president and CEO of CVS Health Larry J. Merlo said.
May 14, 2:56 p.m.
A COVID-19 vaccine might not be ready for another two years, according to the CEO of a pharmaceutical company in Switzerland. Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis AG, said there are about 90 different vaccines going through clinical trials that could be candidates for an approved vaccine in the future. “The ultimate way to deal with this pandemic is likely to be a vaccine against COVID-19. That will take more time -- my guess is about one and a half to two years,” Narasimhan said. Narasimhan’s opinion aligns with many others in the pharmaceutical industry, according to Bloomberg. Narasimhan's comments were first published in the Swiss news publication Handelszeitung. Bill Gates, who is also involved in fighting COVID-19, has said it will take between nine months and two years to distribute a vaccine.
May 14, 2:26 p.m.
The global coronavirus death toll topped 300,000 on Thursday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Total confirmed cases of COVID-19 stand just over 4.4 million. The latest tragic milestone in the global pandemic comes a little over a month after the worldwide death toll eclipsed 100,000 on April 10. The 200,000 mark was surpassed on April 25.
May 14, 1:10 p.m.
With the potential for NFL games to be played with no crowds, Fox Sports is looking into ways to incorporate artificial crowd noise into telecasts. FOX announcer Joe Buck, who calls football and baseball games for the network, told SiriusXM's "Andy Cohen Live" that, "It's pretty much a done deal." John Ourand of Sports Business Journal compiled part of Buck's interview in a tweet. Buck also said the network is looking for ways to put virtual fans in the stands so the stadium does not appear empty on television.
Buck expanded on his comments in a series of tweets on Thursday. "There is no “traditional” take on this topic," Buck said. "It’s new territory. Hoping stadiums are full and all is normal. If not, then it’s a blank canvas. All networks will try to make it look and sound as normal as possible. It could lead to unprecedented, thrilling access. Who knows?" "But crowd reactions are an enormous piece of the TV puzzle. All reactions by a crowd are valuable and to be used - as far as I know. I use it as much as I can and still keep my job. Big moments like the [Minnesota] Miracle are MADE on TV because of the crowd noise."
May 14, 11:47 a.m.
Government whistleblower says U.S. could be facing "darkest winter in modern history." Immunologist Dr. Rick Bright, who recently served as director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, testified before Congress on Thursday and said America is facing the “darkest winter in modern history” unless significant action is taken to prevent another surge in coronavirus cases, The Associated Press reported. Bright is alleging that he was removed from his post after warning the Trump administration to prepare for the pandemic, according to The AP's report. “Our window of opportunity is closing,” Bright said in his testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “If we fail to develop a national coordinated response, based in science, I fear the pandemic will get far worse and be prolonged, causing unprecedented illness and fatalities.”
President Trump responded to Bright's testimony Thursday morning on Twitter. "I don’t know the so-called Whistleblower Rick Bright, never met him or even heard of him, but to me he is a disgruntled employee, not liked or respected by people I spoke to and who, with his attitude, should no longer be working for our government!" Trump wrote.
May 14, 11:03 a.m.
CDC reportedly set to issue a new warning to doctors on the mystery illness afflicting children that may be linked to COVID-19. According to ABC News, officials at the CDC will issue a new set of guidelines advising doctors on what symptoms to look out for in trying to diagnose the rare and puzzling inflammatory illness believed to be related to the new coronavirus. An increasing number of children across the U.S. are coming down with the ailment. More than 180 cases have been reported across at least 17 states, CBS News reported. Some children are initially testing negative for COVID-19 and then subsequently testing positive after being hospitalized and suffering from dire symptoms in some cases for about two weeks. According to ABC News, the CDC will advise doctors to monitor for the following symptoms:
Fever
Eye Irritation
Swollen Lymph nodes
Swelling of the hands and feet
Possible GI symptoms and abdominal pain
Rash
A woman adjusts the face mask of a child along the streets in the East Village neighborhood of New York, on Thursday, March 19, 2020. There is growing concern among health officials in recent days about a mystery illness that may be tied to COVID-19 and is affecting children across the country. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
May 14, 10:37 a.m.
Warm summer evenings will be quieter than normal in Hollywood this year as a popular summertime staple has been canceled. An announcement on Wednesday confirmed the 2020 concert series at the famed Hollywood Bowl would not take place "in order to protect audiences, musicians, employees, and community from the spread of COVID-19, consistent with and in response to the latest guidance from our elected and health officials," a statement on the venue's website read. "We are sad to share that, for the first time in its almost century-long history, the Hollywood Bowl will be silent this summer," officials with the venue said. In additional to local music, several famous artists who would've performed at the amphitheater this upcoming season included Alanis Morissette, Italian singer Andrea Bocelli, and Bob Dylan.
May 14, 9:53 a.m.
How do genetics play a role in COVID-19? That’s what the popular genetics company 23andMe is trying to figure out. The company has started to conduct a study to try to understand why some people who test positive for the coronavirus experience severe symptoms, while others only have minor symptoms. “Our goal is to understand genetic differences which may explain why symptoms of the illness range from very mild to very severe and help empower the scientific and medical communities to address this public health crisis,” 23andMe said on its website. “At this stage, we are focusing on those with severe symptoms.” The company is recruiting up to 10,000 participants who have been hospitalized due to COVID-19 and will try to determine the differences in the participant’s genetics, STAT reported. 23andMe plans to publish its findings when the study is complete.
May 14, 9:34 a.m.
It may be a while before restaurants around the world are packed again, so owners are getting creative with how they fill their dining rooms. In Virginia, chef Patrick O'Connell devised a clever plan to seat mannequins inside the Inn at Little Washington, a three-Michelin-star restaurant in the town of Washington. According to Washingtonian Magazine, the mannequins will be decked out in attire from the 1940s. Servers have been instructed to walk around the room and serve them wine and ask them about their evening just as if they were regular customers. Watch a video with footage from inside of the restaurant here.
(Image/GeoBeats via VideoElephant)
In Thailand, one restaurant is taking reservations from stuffed pandas in order to make its restaurant feel less empty and keep social distancing guidelines in place, Reuters reported. “Earlier we had only one chair for the tables where the customer came alone. But for me, it felt strange, so I thought I’d give them some company,” Natthwut Rodchanapanthkul, who owns Maison Saigon, a Vietnamese restaurant in Bangkok, told Reuters.
May 14, 8:45 a.m.
The U.S. Department of Labor's look at weekly unemployment insurance claims shows over 2.9 million Americans filed for unemployment in the week ending May 9. This is the lowest weekly total since the pandemic first began throttling the country's economy in mid-March. Over the course of the past eight weeks, more than 36 million Americans have filed for jobless aid. CNBC reported that economists surveyed by Dow Jones had expected about 2.7 million new unemployment claims for this past week.
May 14, 6:45 a.m.
Here are the latest updated totals from around the world, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University:
Total confirmed cases: 4,362,996
Total deaths: 297,465
Total recovered: 1,560,035
May 13, 9:38 p.m.
New York City has gone the longest stretch without a single pedestrian death since record-keeping began. The decrease in traffic has resulted in zero pedestrian deaths in traffic-related incidents in nearly two months. The record stood at 58 days as of Tuesday, transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg reported, according to CNN. The commissioner attributed this to 51 days under a stay-at-home order. The streak is the longest since the city started recording in 1983 the various modes of fatalities, said DOT spokesman Scott Gastel. However, CNN reports there has been a downside to the reduction in traffic. "Some drivers are taking advantage of much emptier streets to speed recklessly," Trottenberg told City Council members, according to the transcript provided by the DOT.
May 13, 8:19 p.m.
New York City photographer documents the smiles behind the masks. In the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, there may not have been all that much to smile about over the last six weeks. But photographer Laura Fuchs has been hitting the streets armed with her Canon and approaching the few people still out and about there (most of whom are health care workers), and asking if she can take a photo of them smiling while wearing a face mask for a photo series she's been putting together. Fuchs has been chronicling some of the photos on her Instagram page, which includes a shot of the "Naked Cowboy" wearing a mask. She does all of this, of course, maintaining proper social distancing practices. "It's been really heartwarming to let people know ... 'I can still see your smile,'" she told the BBC, which recently profiled her. Watch below as she explains what one of her favorite pictures from the series has been so far. Interestingly, it had to do with the remnants of some recent weather.
The photographer taking pictures of New Yorkers smiling behind their masks bbc.in/3csFphS
May 13, 7:22 p.m.
Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk has made a deal with California officials to reopen Tesla's plant after Musk vowed on twitter to resume production despite orders to stay closed. Musk also won the backing of President Donald Trump. “California should let Tesla & @elonmusk open the plant, NOW. It can be done Fast & Safely!” Trump wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. Alameda county said the automaker could take steps “in preparation for possible reopening as soon as next week.” Tesla did not immediately comment Wednesday but after the county issued its statement, Musk tweeted: “Life should be lived.” According to Reuters, the county said it would work with police in Fremont “to verify Tesla is adhering to physical distancing and that agreed upon health and safety measures are in place for the safety of their workers as they prepare for full production.”
May 13, 6:28 p.m.
U.S. grocery prices had the highest month-to-month increase in more than 40 years. As prices for airfare, gas, hotels and apparel plummet, prices at grocery stores skyrocket. In April, the price of groceries grew 2.6%, which was the largest increase from one month to the next since 1974, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, according to CNN Business. Americans spent 4.3% more for meats, poultry, fish and eggs, the report said, while egg prices alone spiked 16.1%, USA Today reports. Since restaurants shut down, Americans started cooking at home, which in return created a larger demand for groceries. The food supply chain was disrupted because food producers and farmers didn't have the ability to quickly shift their food deliveries to grocery stores.
May 13, 4:52p.m.
Nearly everyone who recovers from COVID-19 makes coronavirus antibodies, a recent study in Nature Medicine reported. Antibodies are blood proteins produced by the immune system to fight viruses, and may help to ward off future attacks by those same invaders, Dr. Francis Collins, director of the NIH, wrote in a blog post. The study took blood from 285 people hospitalized with severe COVID-19 and found that all had developed SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies within two to three weeks of the first symptoms showing. Although more research is needed to determine just how protective these antibodies are and for how long, Collins said these findings suggest that the immune systems of people who survive COVID-19 have been be primed to recognize SARS-CoV-2 and possibly thwart a second infection.
May 13, 3:38 p.m.
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser extended the district's stay-at-home order until June 8 on Wednesday. The COVID-19 death toll in the nation's capital is up to 350 with a total case number of 6,584, the mayor said. "Based on the data, I can revise this order at any time to reflect a phased reopening," Bowser said. Earlier this week, the city's convention center was transformed into a 100-bed field hospital to help manage any overflow of COVID-19 patients. “We consider this site our insurance policy. We hope we will never have to use it, but it is here and staffed for when we do,” Bowser said, according to NBC Washington.
May 13, 2:27 p.m.
COVID-19 is threatening to derail progress made worldwide when it comes to people living healthier and longer lives, the World Health Organization said Wednesday. According to the WHO, life expectancy and healthy life expectancy increased in low-income countries by 21%, or 11 years, between 2000 and 2016 while in higher income countries, there was a reported increase of 4% or about 3 years. One factor behind the increase in the lower-income nations was improved access to services to prevent and treat HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, the WHO said.
“The good news is that people around the world are living longer and healthier lives. The bad news is the rate of progress is too slow to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and will be further thrown off track by COVID-19,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general. “The pandemic highlights the urgent need for all countries to invest in strong health systems and primary health care, as the best defense against outbreaks like COVID-19, and against the many other health threats that people around the world face every day. Health systems and health security are two sides of the same coin.”
And the grim projections from WHO officials didn't stop there. At the same press conference on Wednesday, WHO emergencies director Mike Ryan gave a blunt answer about the ongoing containment of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, saying it could become like other endemic viruses such as HIV. “It is important to put this on the table: this virus may become just another endemic virus in our communities, and this virus may never go away," Ryan said, according to Reuters.
May 13, 1:45 p.m.
Could air conditioning units potentially be coronavirus spreaders? Numerous documented examples from around the world suggest maybe so, air quality expert Dr. William Bahnfleth told AccuWeather. The issue of proper ventilation and filtration is growing increasingly important, especially as hospitalizations from residents sheltering at home have risen, such as in New York in recent weeks. One crucial safety focus for Americans is to ensure their air conditioning units have an efficient filter.
“I think that bad filter maintenance has been a widespread problem, and now suddenly everyone has a reason to think about it. It’d be like if you never got an oil change in your car,” Bahnfleth said. “It’s not doing you much good once it’s loaded up.”
May 13, 1:13 p.m.
Like in several other countries around the world, the first coronavirus death in Brazil is believed to have occurred far earlier than first thought. According to the BBC, scientists at the country's Oswaldo Cruz Foundation studied cases of patients who were taken to hospitals with respiratory problems. According to their research, molecular tests suggest one patient who died in Rio de Janeiro during the week of January 19-25 had COVID-19.
The country is now gradually expanding lockdowns amid a surge of coronavirus deaths and hospitals that are becoming overwhelmed, The Associated Press reports. However, less than two dozen cities have enacted lockdowns so far, a sign some officials are reluctant to defy Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro, who is prioritizing saving the country's economy, the AP reports. Some governors have reportedly hoped the country's warm climate would help play a role in containing the virus, but the number of cases and deaths in the country continue to rapidly increase.
A municipal police officer takes the temperature of a pedestrian who got off a bus, at a checkpoint amid increased restrictions on movements in an effort to curb the spread of the new coronavirus in Niteroi, Brazil, Monday, May 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
May 13, 12:42 p.m.
The American Hockey League, the top development league for the National Hockey League, canceled the rest of its regular season and the Calder Cup Playoffs. Chief Executive Officer David Andrews announced that the league's board of governors voted for the cancelation. This is the first time since the 1936-37 season that the Calder Cup will not be awarded, according to the NHL. "After a lengthy review process, the American Hockey League has determined that the resumption and completion of the 2019-20 season is not feasible in light of current conditions," AHL president David Andrews said. "The AHL continues to place paramount importance on the health and safety of our players, officials, staff and fans and all of their families, and we all look forward to returning to our arenas in 2020-21."
May 13, 11:49 a.m.
Cannes beaches deserted after pandemic shuts down iconic film festival. The French Riviera would normally be a hotbed of activity this week with filmmakers from around the world gathering in Cannes for the prestigious event. But this year, the place is a virtual ghost town. Aerial video shot on Tuesday, which would've been the festival's opening day, showed blue skies and nice weather over Cannes, but totally empty beaches. A similar scene was observed inside the city at night. With no celebrities to chase, it seems paparazzi were relegated to catching video of an unusual interloper in the streets of Cannes.
A quiet Cannes: For the first time since 1968, the international film festival was canceled. Instead of bustling with actors, directors and visitors, streets and beaches in the French Riviera resort are empty.
Full story: apne.ws/yYL8Wfa
May 13, 10:35 a.m.
"Oldest woman" in Spain triumphs over the coronavirus. A 113-year-old woman, who is widely known as the oldest woman in Spain, has recovered from COVID-19, the BBC reported. Health officials believe she is the world's oldest person to overcome the illness, the Turkish news outlet Anadolu Agency reported. After the country went into lockdown in March, Maria Branyas was diagnosed with the coronavirus and was quarantined in a room at her nursing home, where two other people died as the outbreak worsened.
Branyas was born in 1907 in San Francisco before her father, a journalist, moved the family to the Catalan province of Girona in Spain during World War I, AFP reported. When she was a child, she beat the Spanish flu, according to the Anadolu Agency, and then, as an adult, survived the 1936-39 Spanish Civil War -- and now she's beaten the coronavirus. "Now that she is well, she is wonderful, she wants to speak, to explain, to make her reflections, it is her again," Branyas daughter posted on Twitter, according to BBC. Her remarkable story was covered by Catalan's regional TV3 news station and in the video report, when she was asked by staff members at the nursing home what her secret to a long life has been, she replied that she was lucky to have enjoyed "good health." Watch more on her recovery below.
| Maria Branyas, who at 113 is Catalonia and Spain's most senior citizen, has overcome Covid-19 with only "mild" symptoms. Branyas, from Olot, has quite possibly become the world's oldest person to survive the virus.
| Find out more: catalannews.com/society-scienc…
May 13, 9:35 a.m.
South Korea is delaying the reopening of schools due to an ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases. According to NPR, 102 new cases have been confirmed in the last week, and the new cases are being linked to a reopening of nightclubs in the capital of Seoul. On-site learning was scheduled to resume on Wednesday, but the recent cluster has brought new concern to parents and education officials about sending kids back to school. Nearly 200,000 people recently signed a petition calling for a delay in the return to classrooms, NPR reported.
May 13, 9:12 a.m.
On Tuesday, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced that major sports leagues can resume "limited reopening without fans" in the state starting this Saturday, May 16. The governor's announcement came as the state's stay-at-home-order is expected to expire May 15. Pools, gyms and spas are being allowed to reopen on Wednesday. "With Arizona trending in the right direction it is time to move forward with the next steps of economic recovery — while continuing to make health and safety our number one priority," Ducey said on Twitter. The state has over 11,700 cases of COVID-19.
Despite Ducey's announcement, major sports leagues still seem as if they won't be resuming operations this month. Major League Baseball is angling for an early July return, but the owners and players continue to discuss a wide variety of financial and health-related issues during negotiations. The NBA's board of governors held a meeting Tuesday and participants were reportedly "hopeful" that the league could resume play this year, ESPN reported. Also on Tuesday, the California State University system said all fall learning would be conducted online, which would bring major ramifications for the college football season.
May 13, 6:57 a.m.
The California State University system announced all campuses will remain closed for the fall. Online instruction will be continued for all of its 23 universities, CSU Chancellor Timothy White said Tuesday. "This virtual planning approach for the next academic year is necessary because of the evolving data surrounding the progression of COVID 19," White said to CSU trustees, according to ABC 7. The CSU campuses moved to virtual learning, canceled graduation and closed a majority of its campus in March to mitigate the spread of the virus.
May 13, 6:38 a.m.
Here are the latest updated totals from around the globe, compiled by researchers from Johns Hopkins University:
Total confirmed cases: 4,278,180
Total deaths: 292,316
Total recovered: 1,502,620
Previous coverage:
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from May 10-12.
Click here previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak.
Reporting by Lauren Fox, John Murphy, Brian Lada, Mark Puleo, Maria Antonieta Valery Gil, Kevin Byrne, Chaffin Mitchell, Adriana Navarro, John Roach, Dexter Henry, Bill Wadell, Jonathan Petramala, and Monica Danielle
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