CNN Films’ documentary “Unseen Enemy: Pandemic” airs tonight at 11 p.m. ET.
All but one state have reported positive tests, with more than 2,200 cases across America. At least 49 people have died: 37 in Washington state, which now reports at least 568 cases; five in California, two in Florida, one in Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, New Jersey and South Dakota.
“We cannot say this loudly enough, or clearly enough, or often enough: all countries can still change the course of this pandemic,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday.
“No resource will be spared, nothing whatsoever,” he said.
Millions more tests available, Trump says
In further efforts to curb the spread of the virus, the Trump administration said Friday it was partnering with the private sector to also boost testing capacity — with both more tests and a new method of drive-through testing.
The country’s testing system has so far received stark criticism by health officials and residents who say they were turned away despite showing symptoms. Dr. Anthony Fauci, with the National Institutes of Health, said earlier this week the US testing system was failing to meet the public’s needs.
“The idea of anybody getting it (a test) easily, the way people in other countries are doing it, we’re not set up for that,” he told a congressional committee Thursday. “Do I think we should be? Yes, but we’re not.”
Meanwhile, facilities in New York, Illinois and Colorado have begun offering drive-through testing.
“Drive through testing means people in this community can call a telephone number, make an appointment and then can come to be tested and literally drive through the testing facilities,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “it’s not only faster and easier, it’s also smarter and safer because you’re not exposing people who may be positive.”
Sports, entertainment, church halted
The virus has touched every part of American culture.
And shows like “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah,” “Last Week Tonight,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and “Real Time with Bill Maher” will all temporarily halt production.
All that as governors across the country banned public gatherings.
Similar guidance was issued in California, Oregon, New Mexico, Ohio and Utah.
On Wednesday, the NBA announced it was suspending its season to “determine next steps moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.” At least two NBA players also tested positive.
The Boston Marathon, originally set for April 20, was also postponed to September.
Earlier this week Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear recommended churches across the state cancel services over the weekend.
“I believe that God gives us wisdom to protect each other and we should do that,” he said. “We have a lot of opportunity for virtual services.”
In New York City, live stream traffic has almost doubled in the last week for St. Patrick’s Cathedral, according to an Archdiocese of New York spokeswoman.
Employees, children staying home
As more residents are encouraged by their state leaders to stay home, major companies have begun rolling out policies for working remotely.
On Saturday, Apple announced it was shutting down all stores outside Greater China and encouraged employees who could work remotely to do so. All hourly employees will continue getting paid, Apple CEO Tim Cook said.
Empty grocery aisles
As Americans try to prepare for what’s next, across the country, more and more are faced with empty store shelves.
One Massachusetts resident told CNN it took nearly half an hour to check out at the local grocery store, and staff members were reassuring shoppers over the intercom the store would be open all weekend.
The co-owner of Morton Williams Supermarkets in New York told CNN Wednesday they saw a 300-400% increase in sales in a day.
“As you see here in these shelves, we cannot stock these items quickly enough,” Avi Kaner said.
In New York City, Richie Maruffi of Arnold Bread Distributor said he cannot keep bread on the shelves in stores.
“The beginning of my week was normal — Monday and Tuesday was normal. Came out here like in the middle of the week, and it just got insane. So, I can’t keep up,” he said. “This week’s pretty much done already. I have to preorder like a week ahead.”
Earlier this month, a spokesperson for Walmart told CNN shopping patterns were similar to those “you would see as people prepare for a major storm.”
CNN’s Brian Fung, Sandra Gonzalez, Vanessa Yurkevich, Jessica Moskowitz, Brian Stelter and Kristina Sgueglia contributed to this report.
Source : Nbcnewyork
