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Coronavirus Watch: US extends travel suspension to UK

Grace Hauck   | Paste BN

President Donald Trump made two announcements today: He has been tested for the coronavirus and the ban on travel from Europe will now extend to the United Kingdom and Ireland.

It's Saturday, and this is the Coronavirus Watch from the Paste BN Network, where we update you on everything to know about COVID-19.

Here's the latest, as of 1:30 p.m. ET:

  • The U.S. is extending its Europe travel ban to the United Kingdom and Ireland, effective Monday. This means residents of those countries won't be able to travel here for 30 days.
  • Trump also reiterated that the government is considering domestic flight restrictions to certain affected areas but provided no specifics.
  • New York City today reported its first death of a coronavirus patient, an 82-year-old woman with emphysema.
  • More than 2,400 people in the U.S. across at least 48 states have been infected with the virus, and at least 50 people have died. Here's a map of all confirmed cases.
  • At least 15 states and a number of large urban school districts – including Los Angeles, the nation's second-largest – are shutting down all K-12 schools.
  • Kroger subsidiaries Harris Teeter, QFC and Fred Meyer will end 24-hour service in some cities to allow crews to clean and restock stores.
  • Royal Caribbean is suspending operations globally as of midnight Saturday.
  • Apple is closing all its retail stores outside Greater China until March 27.
  • Concerned that communities of color may face another “Katrina-like” response from the federal government, the NAACP is hosting an emergency national tele-town hall Sunday to make sure they have information to recognize and get treatment for the coronavirus.
  • A White House press briefing is planned for 5 p.m. ET Sunday, so stay tuned for more updates.

Hundreds of you have reached out to us with your questions, and we're listening. We've answered some of your specific concerns here, and we continue to update a Q&A that addresses many common questions. What else would you like to know?

Shekia from the Bronx, New York, asks: Should we be wearing a mask for our everyday life outside?

There's been a lot of confusion surrounding face masks. The CDC recommends wearing a mask if you are sick. The CDC does not recommend wearing a face mask if you are not sick, unless you are caring for someone who is sick. Face masks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

Or, in the words of Surgeon General Jerome Adams: "Seriously people - STOP BUYING MASKS! They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!"

Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with the virus? What has your experience been like? We want to hear your story. Email me at ghauck@usatoday.com if you're interested in sharing.

Finally, thank you all for subscribing. We appreciate you trusting the Paste BN Network with this important information. Know someone who would benefit from this newsletter? Please forward this email so they can sign up here.

Here are today's coronavirus need-to-knows.

— Grace Hauck, Breaking News Reporter, @grace_hauck

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