3 billion in lockdown
More than a third of the world's 7.8 billion population is currently under some sort of lockdown in an attempt to control the spread of coronavirus. With India’s 1.3 billion population now under strict orders not to leave home unless for an emergency, 3 billion people across the world, including in a majority of EU states, are in some form of confinement. The Daily Mail has a map showing different levels of lockdown across the world and in each state in the USA. Reuters tweeted a video showing empty streets and sites around the world. Excellent live update coverage of the global situation can be found on the BBC, CNBC, The Guardian, Aljazeera and The Washington Post (which has removed its paywall for its rolling news service).
Senate passes record stimulus bill
The United States Senate on Wednesday unanimously voted in favour of the $2 trillion economic stimulus bill aimed at helping mitigate the impact of the coronavirus epidemic. Reuters, CNN and have more. The bill includes aid for families, unemployed workers and industries, as well as provision to buy urgently needed medical equipment. The Washington Post and CNBC have good summaries of what’s in the bill. The bill now passes to the House of Representatives, which hopes to approve it by Friday. But not everyone is happy. CNBC reports that New York governor Andrew Cuomo said the bill would be terrible for his state, and a “drop in the bucket” for what New York City requires. And Tom Rogers, editor-at-large for Newsweek, warns that if CEOs of big corporations exploit the package fear could turn to anger.
Spain death toll reaches record
The daily death toll of victims of coronavirus in Spain reached 738 on Wednesday as it surpassed Italy’s 24-hour fatality rate of 683. The total number of deaths in Spain now stands at 3,285, some way behind Italy’s total of 6,820. Some media report that Spain has also recorded more deaths than China’s official total. The Spanish parliament on Wednesday voted to extend the state of emergency by two weeks. The BBC, The Local Spain, and NPR have more.
US cut CDC staff in China before outbreak
In an exclusive report, Reuters says that the Trump administration’s cutback of state funded health and science experts included a reduction of more than two-thirds of staff at a key US public health agency operating inside China. “Most of the reductions were made at the Beijing office of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” the article states.
India’s first day
New measures introduced in India on Wednesday mean many will starve and the country’s “fragile economy” could face collapse, argues The New York Times. The BBC has a report from frontline medical workers in the country.
Singapore heads for recession
Singapore has said it estimates Q1 GDP contraction of 2.2% and has downgraded its economic forecast for 2020, Reuters and The Straits Times report. The country’s ministry of trade and industry expects the economy to shrink by between 1.0% and 4.0% this year. CNBC says the prognosis provides a glimpse on how coronavirus could affect economies around the world.
Tokyo governor urges populace to stay at home
Yuriko Koike, the governor of Tokyo, has urged the city’s 13 million residents to stay at home at the weekend to avoid an “explosion” of the coronavirus. The city has so far recorded 212 cases, The Guardian reports.
Twitter blocks ‘chickenpox party’ promoter
The Verge and TechCrunch both report that Twitter briefly locked an account that had suggested people deliberately expose themselves to the novel coronavirus. The so-called ‘chickenpox parties’ to infect young, healthy people were being promoted by conservative site The Federalist.
Coronavirus designs
The Guardian has a round-up of innovative designs, from smart helmets to hands-free door opening devices, aimed at combatting the spread of Covid-19.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts