US may have to endure social distancing until 2022 if no vaccine is quickly found, scientists predict
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That's according to researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who published their findings in the
journal Science on Tuesday. ...
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"Intermittent distancing may be required into 2022 unless critical care capacity is increased substantially or a treatment or vaccine becomes available," they wrote in their report. "Even in the event of apparent elimination, SARS-CoV-2 surveillance should be maintained since a resurgence in contagion could be possible as late as 2024."
The Harvard team's projections also indicate that the virus would come roaring back fairly quickly once restrictions were lifted.
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US may have to endure social distancing until 2022 if no vaccine is quickly found, scientists predict
Stay-at-home order would not have prevented virus outbreak at food plant, governor says
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“I've seen some national stories written that a shelter-in-place would have prevented this outbreak at Smithfield. That is absolutely false,” Noem said.
The plant accounts for 4% to 5% of US pork production and employs about 3,700 people, according to Smithfield.
The governor said that even with a broad order, the facility would have stayed open due to its status as a major food supplier. “This is a critical infrastructure job plant,” she said.
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Trump's name will be added to coronavirus stimulus checks
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Two senior officials told the Post that the decision would probably set back the delivery date on the first set of paper checks -- potentially slowing a process that could already take up to 20 weeks. But the Treasury Department denied the claim, with a department spokesperson assuring the Post that the first batch of checks was still slated to go out next week.
"Economic Impact Payment checks are scheduled to go out on time and exactly as planned -- there is absolutely no delay whatsoever," the Treasury spokesperson told the paper.
Germany records highest number of coronavirus related deaths in a single day
Germany recorded its highest number of coronavirus-related deaths in a single day on Tuesday, with
285 people dying of the virus in 24 hours.
New infections in the country are significantly down, however, according to the country's center for disease control, the Robert Koch Institute.
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US Forces Japan declares public emergency for all of the country due to coronavirus
The commander of the US Forces Japan (USFJ) has declared a public health emergency for all forces in the country amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, the USFJ said in a statement Wednesday.
The order, which will remain in effect through May 15, "ensures commanders possess the necessary authorities to enforce compliance with health protection measures" on those who live and work on US installations.
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Bill Gates says halting WHO funding is "as dangerous as it sounds"
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"Halting funding for the World Health Organization during a world health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds," Gates said in a tweet on his official account.
“Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organization can replace them,” he said, adding the world needs the WHO “now more than ever.”
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Coronavirus takes a serious turn in Russia, and Putin no longer radiates confidence
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What's happening in Russia?: The trend line speaks for itself. While Russia has comparatively few cases compared with the United States or the hardest-hit European countries, the number of confirmed cases has surged in recent days. On Monday, Russia reported a record one-day rise in cases, with 2,558 confirmed over the previous 24 hours.
On Tuesday, Russia hit a fresh record: 2,774 confirmed cases. And Putin is coming in for serious criticism over his handling of the crisis.
The world hasn't seen a recession this bad since the 1930s. The recovery is far from certain
The
coronavirus pandemic is plunging the global economy into its deepest slump since the Great Depression of the 1930s and governments and health officials must work together to prevent an even worse outcome.
That's the stark warning from the International Monetary Fund, which said on Tuesday there was a risk of the
recession extending into 2021 if policymakers
fail to coordinate a global response to the virus.
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German foreign minister says WHO must be funded
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Heiko Maas, linking to a German TV news report of Trump’s announcement, said in the tweet that there was "no use allocating blame" for the pandemic:
"The virus knows no borders. We have to cooperate tightly against #Covid 19. It is one of the best investments to strengthen the #UN, and the underfinanced #WHO, for example in the development and distribution of tests and vaccines."
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Trump will harm global coronavirus fight by pulling WHO funding, China warns
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"At present, the global pandemic situation is grim and is at a critical moment," China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters on Wednesday, adding that Trump's move would "weaken WHO’s abilities and undermine global cooperation on combating the pandemic."
"It will affect all countries in the world, including the United States -- especially those with vulnerable abilities," he said. "We urge the US to fulfill its responsibilities and obligations, and support WHO to lead the international combat against the pandemic.”
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Spain reports largest increase in new infections in more than a week
Spain has registered a daily increase of 1,220 active coronavirus cases -- the largest rise in more than a week -- according to Spanish Health Ministry data released Wednesday.
This jump brought the country’s total active cases to 88,201.
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Live updates: Coronavirus cases near 2 million globally - CNN