Virus Outbreak, ADVISORY
Roughly 2.1 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week despite the gradual reopening of businesses around the country, bringing the running total since the coronavirus shutdowns took hold in mid-March to about 41 million. The government figures underscore the continuing damage to businesses and livelihoods from the outbreak that has now killed at least 100,000 people in the U.S.
The AP plans the following coverage. For up-to-the minute information, visit AP Newsroom’s coverage hub at https://newsroom.ap.org/page/Coronavirus Find AP Virus Alerts here.
ONLY ON AP:
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-LEFT-TO-DIE: Spain’s more than 19,000 nursing home deaths put it ahead of any other country in Europe. And it’s led to soul-searching over its elder-care system, particularly public nursing homes operated by private firms that seek to turn profits quickly by cutting staff, expenses and some say care to the bone. SENT: 2,400 words, photos. An abridged version of 1,070 words is available.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-WARY ATHLETES: The Associated Press spoke to more than two dozen athletes from around the globe -- representing seven countries and 11 sports -- to get a sense of how concerned or confident they are about resuming competition after the COVID-19 outbreak. SENT: 920 words, photos.
SENT/DEVELOPING:
VIRUS OUTBREAK: The coronavirus crisis threw at least 2.1 million Americans out of work last week despite the gradual reopening of businesses around the country, stoking fears Thursday that the scourge is doing deep and potentially long-lasting damage to the U.S. economy. SENT; developing. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST and VIRUS OUTBREAK-WHAT'S HAPPENING.
FINANCIAL MARKETS: Stocks gave up an early rally and ended slightly lower Thursday as traders feared that tensions with China could escalate again. SENT; developing.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-LATIN AMERICA-RADIO LESSONS: Broadcasting was once widely used in Latin America to teach basic math and literacy skills to rural children and adults. Amid the coronavirus lockdown, lessons on radio and TV are making a comeback, especially with the region’s weak internet connectivity. SENT: 880 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-INDIA PLAGUES: India is facing a triple disaster with scorching temperatures, locust swarms and a coronavirus toll growing by thousands of new infections each day. SENT: 800 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP POWERS: President Donald Trump has been claiming extraordinarily sweeping powers during the coronavirus crisis that constitutional and legal scholars say the president simply doesn’t have. SENT: 990 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-FUTURE OF DINING: As coronavirus restrictions are eased, some restaurant owners are seeking to welcome back in-person dining, but in a way that adheres to social distancing rules while also trying to serve as many customers as health and safety rules allow. SENT: 660 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SCIENTISTS OF FAITH: The relationship between faith and science has faced its share of strain during the coronavirus pandemic — but for some scientists leading the nation’s response, the two have worked in concert. SENT: 950 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-VIRAL QUESTIONS-VACCINE: When could a COVID-19 vaccine be ready? Top health officials say the end of this year would be a best case scenario. SENT: 210 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ONE-GOOD-THING-CROATIA-TOURISM: If it hadn’t been for Igor Loparic and his charity, many in the northern Croatian Istria region wouldn’t be able to cope with the crisis brought on by the new coronavirus. SENT: 630 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-LIVES LOST-NUREMBURG GUARD: Emilio DiPalma, who fought on the front lines during World War II and served as a courtroom guard during the trial of top Nazi war criminals, has died from the coronavirus. SENT: 900 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BOSTON MARATHON: The Boston Marathon has been canceled for the first time in its 124-year history. Organizers said Thursday that they instead will have a “virtual event” in which participants who verify that they ran 26.2 miles on their own will receive their finisher’s medal. SENT; developing.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS: The House has passed an overwhelmingly bipartisan measure to modify a new “paycheck protection” program for businesses that have suffered COVID-related losses. SENT; developing. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-ECONOMY: A Trump administration official says the White House won’t release its official midyear economic update this summer. That means the White House is declining to put its stamp on data documenting the plunge into recession during the pandemic and avoiding going on record with a prediction about the economy’s future.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-REPUBLICAN CONVENTION: North Carolina’s governor said Thursday that his administration hasn’t received the written safety plan for the upcoming Republican National Convention requested by his health secretary in response to President Donald Trump’s demands for a full-scale event. SENT; developing.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MARIJUANA: Marijuana shops in many states have enjoyed brisk business during the coronavirus pandemic, but not in New England. SENT: 760 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW YORK: Store owners who require customers to wear masks will be backed up by an executive order from Gov. Andrew Cuomo. SENT; developing.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BENEFIT FRAUD: Washington officials say the state has recovered $300 million paid to criminals who used stolen personal information to file fraudulent unemployment benefit claims. SENT: 690 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-VIRGINIA-UNEMPLOYMENT: Tens of thousands of Virginians who are eligible for an expanded unemployment benefit Congress enacted in response to the coronavirus pandemic are waiting for their money because the state hasn’t managed to get the program running yet. SENT: 880 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-RUSSIA MORTALITY: Health officials in Moscow have updated their figures for coronavirus deaths last month, seeking to dispel doubts about Russia’s comparatively low coronavirus death toll. SENT: 690 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BRITAIN: Outdoor gatherings of six people from different households will be allowed from next week as part of another easing of the coronavirus lockdown in England, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Thursday. SENT: 790 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-AFRICA: Manhunts have begun after hundreds of people, some with the coronavirus, fled quarantine centers in Zimbabwe and Malawi. SENT: 540 words, photos. With MUSIC-APPLE MUSIC-AFRICA: Apple Music is launching its first radio show in Africa.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ASIA: South Korea has reported its biggest jump in coronavirus cases in more than 50 days. SENT: 860 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-DAVID GUETTA: Grammy-winning DJ-producer David Guetta is launching his second United At Home event at an undisclosed location in New York on Saturday to connect with fans again and also raise money for health care workers and virus relief efforts. SENT: 740 words, photos.
ALSO:
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MASKS-MCCONNELL: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is stressing the importance of wearing masks in public as the nation’s economy reopens. SENT: 540 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-OFFICER'S EMAIL: A department spokeswoman says an Oklahoma police officer will keep his job after being disciplined for responding to an email about department-issued coronavirus protective masks by sending racist images of people with white bags over their faces carrying torches, reminiscent of the Ku Klux Klan preparing to lynch black victims. SENT: 300 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-VETERANS: Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie says his department has all but stopped use of an unproven malaria drug on veterans with COVID-19. SENT: 490 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-PANAMA MIGRANTS: A regional human rights court has ordered Panama’s government to immediately provide medical care and more sanitary conditions for some 2,000 migrants detained near the Colombian border. SENT: 360 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-PERU-MULTIPLE DEATHS: Many Peruvians are burying more than one of their family members who died from the new coronavirus in the country’s largest cemetery. SENT: 380 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ABORTION PILL: A group of physicians has asked a federal court to suspend a U.S. Food and Drug Administration rule that requires patients to visit a hospital, clinic or medical office to get an abortion pill. SENT: 560 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-KAINE: Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia says he and his wife have tested positive for coronavirus antibody tests. SENT: 175 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MISSOURI SALONS: Great Clips has temporarily closed its salons in Springfield, Missouri, after receiving threatening messages following the news that two hairstylists at one of the locations may have exposed 140 customers to the coronavirus. SENT: 520 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-DEFIANT BARBER: The Michigan appeals court has ordered a barber who has been defying the state’s coronavirus restrictions to close his shop. SENT: 310 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-FRANCE-REOPENING: The French way of life is set to largely resume next week, with most virus-related restrictions eased, as the country prepares for the summer holiday season amid the crisis. SENT: 450 words.
CYPRUS-VIRUS OUTBREAK-CHLOROQUINE: Cyprus is advising doctors to curtail the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine on some coronavirus patients amid renewed concerns the drugs could trigger heart problems and put lives at risk. SENT: 200 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-VENTILATORS: House Democrats want the Trump administration to provide records related to the purchase of ventilators from Russia. SENT: 270 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TURKEY: A coronavirus travel ban between Turkey’s worst affected cities is being lifted while restaurants, cafes and sports facilities will reopen on June 1, the country’s president said Thursday. SENT: 390 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-GRAMMYS SPECIAL: The Grammys is putting together an event featuring Brad Pitt, Oprah Winfrey, Herbie Hancock and Harry Connick, Jr. to honor essential workers across America. SENT: 130 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ASCAP AWARDS: The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers is going virtual with its annual awards shows this summer. SENT: 230 words.
BRAZIL-DRIVE-IN CINEMA-PHOTO GALLERY: A drive-in cinema in Brazil is allowing people to indulge in one of the few diversions allowed in the age of social distancing. SENT: 290 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ROMANIA-EASTER DELAYED-PHOTO GALLERY: In a Romanian city on the shores of the Black Sea, Orthodox Easter was celebrated more than a month later than planned. SENT: 380 words.
INTERACTIVES/GRAPHICS:
-US cases county-by-county. Embed code can be found in Coverage Plan. A static graphic also will be available in AP Newsroom.
-Interactive breakdown of unemployment filings by state with time scale for each (going back as far as 2000)
-Virus Europe Spread (map): An auto updating European map tracking the total confirmed cases, recoveries and deaths from coronavirus.
Additional graphics and interactives include:
- Flattening the Coronavirus Curve (Chart): Chart compares the cumulative cases over time in some of the hardest hit countries by coronavirus.
-Virus Global Spread (table): Table of countries which have confirmed cases of the virus. Table also includes when the virus was initially reported and the number of deaths by country.
-Virus Global Spread (Map): Map of countries which have confirmed cases of the virus. Map also includes when the virus was initially reported and the number of deaths by country.
-Virus Cases Compared Inside and Outside of China (Chart): Chart shows the number of confirmed cases in China over time and compares them to cases confirmed outside of China.
-Virus US State Map: State by state count of confirmed cases in the U.S.
-Virus US State Table: Table tracks the number of cases, recoveries and deaths for the US including its territories.
-Status of Cases Worldwide: Auto-updating once a day, this chart tracks the levels of active cases and deaths from COVID-19 around the world over time.
PHOTOS:
AP photos have moved from Italy, Britain, Germany, Austria, Turkey, Belgium, Czech Republic, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, India, South Korea, various US, Latin America locations.
VIDEO:
AP video has moved from South Korea, China, Turkey, Myanmar, Spain, South Korea, Britain, various US, Latin America locations.