Monday, March 30th, 2020
Social Distancing Extended, Free Treatment & Kristen Bell’s Kids Special
All the news you need in less than 10 min:
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Story Summaries
All the news stories mentioned in today's episode are listed with links below, so you can spend as much -- or as little -- time as you want perusing the latest happenings...
COVID-19 Big Headlines
President Trump announced he’s extending the social distancing guidelines until at least April 30. These guidelines tell all Americans to avoid nonessential travel and any gatherings of more than 10 people. Infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said providing more tests and faster results will be key to understanding when it’s safe to reopen schools, businesses, and eventually ease social distancing guidelines. He says he predicts at least 100,000 Americans will die from COVID-19 and millions could be infected. As of this morning, there were more than 2,400 deaths in the U.S. and 143,000 cases.
Coronavirus Case Count: Johns Hopkins
Social Distancing Extended: Axios, The Hill, WaPo, White House
Supply Shortages & Help On The Way
Based on current numbers, New York City is the hardest-hit city in the U.S. Mayor Bill de Blasio says it only has enough medical supplies to cover the next week. The Trump Administration sent a naval hospital ship, called ‘Comfort.’ It should arrive in Manhattan today. The sister ship, known as ‘Mercy’ docked in Los Angeles Friday. They each can provide 1,000 beds, 12 operating rooms, intensive care units and physical therapy facilities. Also yesterday, a flight from Shanghai landed at JFK Airport in New York. On board were more than 1.8 million surgical masks and gowns, along with 10 million gloves. It’s the first of about 20 flights like this to arrive between now and mid-April. Meanwhile, the CDC issued a new 14-day travel advisory. It urged people from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to refrain from nonessential domestic travel.
NY Impact: NY Times, CNN
Navy Hospital Ships: WSJ, ABC News
Supply Flights & Shortages: Axios, The Hill, US Mayors
CDC Issues Travel Advisory: CDC, NBC News
Stimulus Deals
As expected, President Trump signed the economic relief package worth $2.2 trillion. That was the third legislative package approved to address the coronavirus crisis. The treasury secretary says he expects it to provide economic relief for about 10 weeks. Meanwhile, Congress started working on the next stimulus bill. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told CNN the first 3 bills were merely a “down payment.” She wants the fourth one to address family medical leave and health care costs. She’ll face opposition though. The top Republican in the House said it might not be necessary. He wants to see how the first three stimulus packages work before moving onto a fourth one.
Trump Signs Relief Package: CNN, Washington Post
Another Relief Package: WSJ, Reuters, The Hill, FOX News
Tornadoes Hit Central U.S.
Parts of the U.S. were hit with severe weather over the weekend. At least 17 tornadoes were spotted in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. In Arkansas alone, an EF3 tornado hit, with wind speeds up to 140 miles-per-hour. It caused damage and nearly two dozen people were hurt, but thankfully, no one died.
Read More: ABC News, AP
Healthcare Changes
At least a couple health insurance providers are promising to cover the costs of COVID-19 treatments. Cigna and Humana announced they would waive all patient cost sharing. That includes the cost of ambulance transfers, as well as FDA-approved medications and vaccines when they become available. Also, just this weekend, the FDA authorized the use of two anti-malaria drugs for coronavirus care. With that announcement drug maker Sandoz donated 30 million doses of one and Bayer donated a million doses of the other.
Insurers Waive COVID-19 Treatment Costs: CNBC, Bloomberg
FDA Authorizes New Coronavirus Drug: Politico, Fox News
Apple's New COVID-19 Website
Apple partnered with the CDC, FEMA and the White House’s coronavirus task force to offer a new website and app. It helps you screen yourself for COVID-19 symptoms. It also offers guidance about what to do next.
Also of note, government officials are reportedly using some location data from millions of cellphones to better understand where Americans may be gathering and spreading the disease. They're reportedly getting the data from the mobile advertising industry.
Apple Website for COVID-19: CNN, NPR, Apple.com/covid19
Gov’t Uses Cellphone Location Data: WSJ, Engadget
Coronavirus TV Specials
Sir Elton John’s all-star benefit raised big money last night. The iHeart Living Room Concert for America was an hour-long commercial-free special. It included A-list starts like Mariah Carey, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga and Alicia Keys. Viewers were encouraged to donate to Feeding America and The First Responders Children’s Foundation.
Another special airs tonight, but this one is for kids. Actress Kristen Bell will host #KidsTogether: The Nickelodeon Town Hall. It’s meant to address children’s concerns about the coronavirus epidemic. Doctors will share advice for kids to stay healthy, and families will talk about how they’re coping with the crisis. It airs tonight on Nickelodeon at 7 p.m. ET.
Elton John Benefit: NY Daily News, E!
Kristen Bell Kids Special: Fox News, AP
Money Monday - Buying a Gift Card Really Help?
Since so many small businesses are shut down, experts are suggesting people who want to help should buy gift cards. Usually, experts call this a bad investment, but in extraordinary times, they can help business owners pay bills as they wait for emergency loans. Of course, make sure you can take care of your own bills first.
Read More: NPR, WaPo