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Monday's Daily Briefing: States reopening, Tropical Storm Arthur

Editors  |  Paste BN

I hope you had a good weekend, Daily Briefing readers! Let's kick this week off with the biggest news you missed:

It's N'dea and here's the news you need to know today, brought to you while I dig into a bowl of pancake cereal.

It's a massive reopening day all across America

Auto plants in Michigan. Restaurants in Maine. Malls in Minnesota. Gyms in South Carolina. Monday is a big day for reopening in America. State and localities are easing stay-at-home restrictions across the country but encouraging social distancing and face masks by residents. Meanwhile, the number of Americans who say they are social distancing has dropped since late March, according to a Gallup poll released last week. But the drop isn't just from individuals who live in states where they can now dine in restaurants, get haircuts at barbershops or visit parks. More people in states that still have stay-at-home restrictions are also no longer social distancing. 

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Tropical Storm Arthur sets its sights on North Carolina coast

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is two weeks away, but that hasn't stopped an early-bird system from menacing the North Carolina coast. Tropical Storm Arthur, which formed off Florida on Saturday, was expected to strengthen and whip the Outer Banks with rain and gusty winds overnight into Monday, the National Weather Service said. Eastern portions of the state should brace for localized flooding and hazardous marine conditions, forecasters said. A tropical storm warning was issued for portions of the Outer Banks from Surf City to Duck, according to the National Hurricane Center. Arthur was expected to intensify as it moved northeastward away from the East Coast early this week.

Italy eases lockdown ahead of border reopening

Italy, which has maintained Europe's longest and strictest coronavirus lockdown, on Monday will reopen bars, restaurants, shops, hairdressers and beauticians. Businesses must enforce cleaning standards and social distancing restrictions, Reuters reported. The Italian government made the announcement Saturday, adding that on June 3 it will open its borders, eliminating a 14-day quarantine for anyone arriving from abroad. The moves are designed to revive Italy's decimated tourist industry, which is worth 13% of its gross domestic product. Italy has suffered more than 31,000 coronavirus deaths, behind only the U.S. and the U.K.

Need a break from coronavirus news?

Here's what else people are talking about:

The World Health Organization will hold its convention online for first time

The 73rd World Health Assembly, where leaders worldwide usually convene in Geneva to discuss health topics, will take place online Monday. It will focus on the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 315,000 people and infected over 4.7 million across the globe. Among the key issues will be the potential development of a vaccine and how to distribute it across the world. The WHO's 194 member states generally meet every year to discuss the organization's policies and budget, and to appoint the director-general. In April, President Donald Trump halted funding to the WHO after criticizing its handling of the pandemic. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump is considering cutting off funding again after plans to restore its funds.

'The Last Dance': Join The After Party 🏀

“The Last Dance,” the incredible 10-part documentary series on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls’ 1990s dynasty, concluded Sunday night, but people are going to be talking about this series for a long time … starting Monday on Paste BN Sports’ Twitter page and YouTube channel! Our Mackenzie Salmon will be joined on “The After Party” (starting at noon E.T.) by former Bulls guard BJ Armstrong to recap the final two episodes and reflect on the captivating series.

In better news: She's a survivor 💪

After 51 days, several rounds of pneumonia, a blood infection, and weeks on a ventilator and tracheal tube, 73-year-old Paula Eaton survived COVID-19. 

Jim Eaton held his wife's hand Saturday afternoon for the first time in 51 days — the longest period the Louisville couple has been separated in more than five decades of marriage. 

When Paula Eaton was wheeled on a gurney out of Baptist Hospital East, more than a dozen nurses created a tunnel to clap and cheer for her as the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" played in the background. 

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