Three U.S. states began loosening lockdown orders on their pandemic-wounded businesses, even as the confirmed U.S. death toll from the coronavirus soared past 50,000 and despite warnings from health experts that such steps may be coming too early.
As more states push to reopen, an AP review finds many are falling short on one of the federal government’s essential criteria for doing so: having an efficient system to track people who have been physically near a person infected with the coronavius.
Among other developments today:
- After his suggestion that injecting disinfectant to treat the coronavirus drew waves of criticism, President Trump may cut back on his appearances at daily press briefings on the pandemic, White House and GOP officials tell AP.
- Coronavirus lockdown is proving a particularly tough ordeal for children with disabilities and their families. Special schools and support programs have been shut down.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom says California restaurants will get taxpayer money to feed millions of seniors during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Brazil, Latin America’s largest nation, is veering closer to becoming one of the world's coronavirus hot spots. Medical officials in Rio de Janeiro and at least four other major cities have warned that their hospital systems are on the verge of collapse.
- India reopens stores that many of the country’s 1.3 billion people rely on for everything from cold drinks to mobile phone data cards. But the loosening of restrictions doesn't apply to hundreds of quarantined towns and all shopping malls remain closed.
For more summaries and full reports, please select from the articles below. Scroll further for a new guide about how and when states may reopen businesses and public facilities, and get tips for coping with stay-at-home issues.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate fever and cough. It can cause more severe illness including pneumonia for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.
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