Coronavirus Watch: States begin to unleash strict rules
Residents of California and New York have been ordered to stay inside. Pennsylvania has ordered all "non-life-sustaining" businesses to close. And the State Department has advised Americans not to travel abroad at all.
It's Friday, and this is Coronavirus Watch from the Paste BN Network, where we update you on everything to know about COVID-19.
First up, President Donald Trump has announced several new federal actions:
- Restricting nonessential travel between the U.S. and Mexico
- Waiving school standardized test requirements
- Suspending student loans and loan payments for at least 60 days
- Enacting the Defense Production Act to get critical medical supplies
Here's the latest, as of 1:30 p.m. ET:
- More than 14,600 people in the U.S. have been infected with the virus, and at least 210 people have died. Here's a map of all confirmed cases.
- Cases of the virus in the military have surged to 124.
- Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin says the deadline to file taxes will be moved back from April 15 to July 15.
- U.S. stocks rose Friday as central banks and government promised action to curb the spread of the virus. Want more market news? Sign up for our Daily Money newsletter.
- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell last night unveiled a stimulus package that includes direct payments of $1,200 to individuals and assistance to businesses. Married couples would be eligible for up to $2,400 in assistance with an additional $500 for every child.
Thank you for sending us your questions! You can find pertinent information about the virus here. We also published a new reader Q&A answering more of your questions. But keep them coming: What else are you curious about?
Matt from Charleston, South Carolina, asks: Pollen season is starting in the South. Based on symptoms, how can someone tell if they have COVID-19 versus just allergies?
The most common symptoms of the coronavirus include a fever, dry cough and shortness of breath, but those symptoms closely resemble other illnesses as well. The most common allergy symptoms are: Runny nose, sneezing, swollen eyes, itchy eyes, itchy nose, a tickle in the throat and rarely a fever. Here's how COVID-19 symptoms compare to the symptoms of a cold, the flu and strep.
And remember, people of all ages can contract the virus, so stay home and social distance. "No one is immune," Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus response coordinator, said today. "It's highly contagious to everyone. Do not interpret mild or moderate disease to lack of contagion or that you're immune."
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. Want to speak with other concerned subscribers? Join our Facebook group, where we're connecting our communities, providing conversation, resources and answering your questions.
Here are today's coronavirus need-to-knows.
— Grace Hauck, Breaking News Reporter, @grace_hauck