DeSantis Issues Stay-at-Home Order for Florida

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a statewide stay-at-home order on Wednesday as federal and local pressure mounted for him to abandon the county-by-county approach he had implemented.

DeSantis told reporters that he is issuing the order after consulting with President Donald Trump and White House advisers, who have said that Americans need to stay home throughout April.

DeSantis’ move came hours after the U.S. surgeon general, Dr. Jerome Adams, said on NBC’s “Today” show that he would tell DeSantis that the federal guidelines for social distancing should be viewed as “a national stay-at-home order.”

The state’s confirmed cases are approaching 7,000, deaths have reached 86 and almost 900 are hospitalized with a university model cited this week at the White House showing an exponential growth in the coming weeks.

New York City Playgrounds will be Shut Down, Governor Says

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said New York City playgrounds will soon close.

The decision came after he repeatedly warned young people to follow social distancing guidelines and not congregate in public areas.

“I’ve said this 100 different ways, but compliance is still not where it should be,” Cuomo said. “So, we’re going to take more dramatic actions. We are going to close down the New York City playgrounds. I’ve talked about this for weeks.”

He added that he’s working with Mayor Bill de Blasio on the closures. Open areas in parks will stay open, he said.

Pence Says U.S. Food Supply is Strong

Vice President Mike Pence says Americans will have enough food and supplies to get through the coronavirus pandemic.

Pence said America’s food supply is “very strong” on Wednesday as he toured a Virginia distribution center for Walmart, the world’s largest retailer.

Shelves at grocery and other stores across the U.S. were picked clean of toilet paper and other essentials at the onset of the pandemic.

Pence toured a chilly warehouse for perishable goods ranging from potatoes to bananas. He had removed his suit jacket and sported a Walmart associate’s badge that said “Mike.”

The vice president told a Walmart truck driver that he and all drivers are considered “critical infrastructure.”

Pence used the intercom to tell all employees they’re on the “front lines” of the pandemic. He thanked them for doing a “great job” and for “keeping food on the table for the American people.”

A North Carolina Deputy Died While Hospitalized in Intensive Care for Treatment of Coronavirus

Montgomery County Sheriff Chris Watkins said in a news release that Deputy Sypraseuth “Bud” Phouangphrachanh…aka “Officer Bud” died Tuesday night in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Pinehurst. The 43-year-old deputy, who was married with five children, had experienced what he thought were allergy symptoms but later tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted Monday to the hospital.

Phouangphrachanh served as a school resource officer and had been with the sheriff’s office for 14 years in the rural county east of Charlotte. The governor had ordered schools closed on March 16, but the sheriff said in a statement that Phouangphrachanh served multiple roles within the department.

“During his service to Montgomery County, he filled many roles, but his passion was as School Resource Officer where he worked with middle school and high school students,” the sheriff said, adding that he was known for his big smile and sense of humor.

He appears to be the first North Carolina law enforcement officer whose death was attributed to COVID-19.

The news release didn’t say whether the deputy contracted the virus while on duty. The sheriff didn’t immediately respond to an email asking if it’s clear when and how the deputy was exposed to COVID-19.

Too Little too Late? Experts Decry Mexico Virus Policy Delay

 Mexico has started taking tougher measures against the coronavirus after weeks of its president hugging followers and saying religious medals would protect him. Some experts warn the sprawling country of 129 million is acting too late and testing too little to prevent the type of crisis unfolding across the border in the United States.

Last week Mexico banned non-essential government work as confirmed cases climbed, but took until late Monday to extend that to other business sectors and to bar gatherings of more than 50 people. By Tuesday, Mexico had reported more than 1,200 confirmed cases and at least 29 deaths.

Experts say those figures greatly understate the true number of infections. Mexico has done far less testing than many other countries — around 10,000 tests. New York state alone had performed more than 205,000 tests by Tuesday. There were also signs the disease may be far more advanced in Mexico than the limited testing shows — three state governors have already tested positive for coronavirus.

More Than 110,000 Positive Tests in Italy

Italy added another 4,782 virus infections to bring its official total to 110,574. And Italy’s death toll, already the highest in the world, increased by another 727 victims to 13,155. But the rate of new infections continued its leveling off, and Lombardy officials reported continued easing of the pressure on intensive care units, where the numbers have fluctuated from 1,328 patients on Sunday to 1,342 on Wednesday.

Local officials and statisticians, however, have noted that Lombardy’s ICU numbers might not be rising because ICU are full and because many elderly people aren’t being brought to hospitals and are dying at home or in nursing homes where their deaths might not even be recorded as COVID-19 because they were never tested.

But if the trend of fewer hospital admissions continues and more ICU beds free up, “probably we’ll be able to admit patients who are being treated at home, because we can treat them at home, but just not in optimal safety” said Dr. Guido Marinoni, president of the order of doctors in hard-hit Bergamo.

Russia will Begin Vaccine Tests in Late June

The Russian government said Wednesday that tests of a new coronavirus vaccine will begin in June.

Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova reported to President Vladimir Putin that the trials will involve 60 volunteers.

The vaccine is being developed by the state Vektor lab in Novosibirsk in Siberia. Golikova said that the government has allocated all the necessary resources to speed up its development.

She said that the preliminary research is set to be completed by early May and clinical tests are scheduled to start on June 29.

About three dozen labs across the world have been developing a vaccine against the new coronavirus.

Wimbledon has Been Canceled for the First Time Since World War II Because of the Coronavirus Pandemic

The All England Club announced after an emergency meeting that the oldest Grand Slam tournament in tennis would not be held in 2020.

Wimbledon was scheduled to be played on the outskirts of London from June 29 to July 12.

It now joins the growing list of sports events scrapped in 2020 because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

That includes the Tokyo Olympics, the NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments and the European soccer championship.

The last time Wimbledon was called off was 1945.

Trump Says ‘Life and Death’ at Stake in Following Guidelines

President Donald Trump is urging Americans to heed his administration’s guidelines for responding to the coronavirus pandemic, calling it “a matter of life and death.” The president’s warning on Tuesday came with new projections that there could be 100,000 to 240,000 deaths in the U.S. even if social distancing guidelines are maintained. Public health officials stressed that the number could be less if people bear down on keeping their distance from one another. Dr. Deborah Birx, the coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, says, “We really believe we can do a lot better than that” if all Americans take seriously their role in preventing the spread of disease.

Help Heads to NYC as Experts Predict Over 100,000 US Deaths

New York City is setting up hospitals at convention centers and sports complexes and bringing in medical workers as its battles the coronavirus. Public health experts projected Tuesday that the number of U.S. deaths could range from 100,000 to 240,000 even if Americans continue to practice social distancing. They said they hope the figure won’t soar that high if everyone does their part to prevent the virus from spreading. Hard-hit New York is parking refrigerated morgue trucks on the streets to collect the dead. Italy has reported that the infection rate appears to be leveling off, while Spain is struggling to fend off the collapse of its hospital system.

Florida Docking Plan in the Works for ill-Fated Cruise Ships

The U.S. Coast Guard says it’s working with Holland America on a detailed docking plan that would require two ships carrying passengers and crew from an ill-fated cruise to handle all medical issues without impacting South Florida’s already-stressed hospitals. A Coast Guard official told the Broward County Commission that if a unified command of state, local and federal officials can’t unanimously agree on what to do with the people on the two ships now headed to Florida, then they’ll punt the decision to Washington. Passengers are pleading with Florida officials to let them disembark despite a coronavirus outbreak on board.

Louisiana Pastor Flouts Orders to Avoid Mass Gatherings 

Buses and cars filled a church parking lot as worshipers flocked to hear a Louisiana pastor who is facing misdemeanor charges for holding services despite a ban on gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A few protesters turned out Tuesday evening, too, including a man shouting through a bullhorn against the gathering at the Life Tabernacle Church. Another demonstrator held up a sign reading: “God don’t like stupid.”

Afterward, as people began leaving the church, some chatted outside the front doors and many appeared to ignore social distancing recommendations.  Hugs and handshakes were shared freely as people said their goodbyes and departed.

Hours earlier, Pastor Tony Spell was issued a summons for holding services previously at the church in violation of the governor’s order banning gatherings.

Should you Wear a Mask in Public if You’re not Sick?

If you’re not sick with the new coronavirus, should you wear a mask in public? Global health officials say no. And amid a shortage of masks, the U.S. is sticking with that advice. President Donald Trump said Tuesday anyone concerned meanwhile could wear a scarf. Worldwide, the top priority for masks goes to health workers, who are in close contact with patients. Masks are also recommended for the sick. The World Health Organization has insisted there is no proven benefit for the general population even if there weren’t a shortage.

Census Day Arrives with US Almost Paralyzed by Coronavirus

Census Day arrives Wednesday with a nation almost paralyzed by the spread of the novel coronavirus. April 1 is the date used to reference where a person lives for the once-a-decade count. The virus’s spread has forced the U.S. Census Bureau to suspend field operations for a month, from mid-March to mid-April. That’s when the hiring process would be ramping up for tens of thousands of temporary census takers. It also has delayed the start of counts for the homeless and people living in group quarters and has pushed back the deadline for wrapping up the head count to mid-August.

Saudi Official Urges Muslims to Delay Hajj Plans Over Virus

A senior Saudi official has urged more than 1 million Muslims intending to travel to Islam’s holiest sites to delay making plans for the hajj this year due to the new coronavirus pandemic. The statement suggests the kingdom could cancel the annual pilgrimage. In February, Saudi Arabia took the extraordinary decision to close off the holy cities of Mecca and Medina to foreigners over the virus. Restrictions have tightened in the kingdom as it grapples with over 1,500 confirmed cases of the new virus.

Backyard Chickens Become a Thing Again in the COVID-19 World

As fears of quarantine and food shortages grow, more Americans are turning to raising their own chickens, and hatcheries nationwide are reporting spikes in orders as they scramble to keep pace with the newfound demand.

Cackle Hatchery, based in Missouri, has already seen a 100 percent increase in sales this year. McMurray Hatchery, a century-old establishment in Iowa, has been so busy that callers have had to wait in a queue for orders and inquiries for the past two weeks. 

Stress-baking and hoarding has led to a retail egg shortage. There are eggs in the pipeline, but maybe not enough.

“This has to do with the perceived hoarding that is going on,” Bud Wood, McMurray’s owner and president, said of the uptick. “People are afraid they won’t be able to buy eggs and chickens in the grocery store, and they don’t want to have to go to the store and possibly be infected.”

Larry David Urges ‘Idiots out There’ to Stop ‘Hurting old People Like me’

“Curb Your Enthusiasm” star Larry David has a message for “the idiots out there” in California: Stay home, sit on the couch and watch TV.

In a one-and-a-half-minute announcement released by the office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, David offered a warning to residents who are disobeying the state’s stay-at-home order.

“You’re hurting old people like me,” the 72-year-old comedian says. “Well, not me, I have nothing to do with you, I’ll never see you. But, you know, let’s say other old people who might be your relatives, who the hell knows.”

The pandemic presents a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to binge as much television as one would like, he shrugs, and anyone who doesn’t realize that is “not that bright.”

The NFL Expects to Play a Full Season with Fans in the Stands this Fall

The NFL plans to start its 2020 season on time in September, multiple executives said Tuesday, despite a global coronavirus pandemic that has shut down sports around the world.

“That’s our expectation,” Executive Vice President Jeff Pash said during a media briefing. “Am I certain of that? I’m not certain I’ll be here tomorrow. But I’m planning on it.”

“All of our discussions,” Pash said, “all of our focus, has been on a normal, traditional season, starting on time, playing in front of fans, in our regular stadiums, and going through a full 16-game regular season and a full set of playoffs. That’s our focus.

NHL Extends Quarantine Guidelines for Players and Staff

The NHL is extending its self-quarantine recommendation for players and staff to April 15.

Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the extension in an email to The Associated Press. The league had previously sent out a memo recommending self-quarantining until April 4.

So far, four NHL players have tested positive for COVID-19. The league and teams are hoping to get players together to skate in small groups once the isolation period is over. State, provincial and local lockdown regulations across the U.S. and Canada could push back the opening of team facilities.

What You Can Do to Keep Yourself and Your Family Healthy

• Take everyday preventive actions to stay healthy.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.