The coronavirus outbreak in the United States reached another milestone on Friday, with the country becoming the first to exceed 100,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Friday was also the day the nation's death toll surpassed 1,500.
Also on Friday, United Kingdom's Prime Minister Boris Johnson became the first world leader to test positive for the virus. Johnson stated in a Twitter
Total Global Cases: Over 596,000
Total Deaths: At Least 27,000
Total Recovered: At Least 133,000
Rapid Growth
The number of cases within the United States has rapidly accelerated this week, mostly due to the increased availability of testing supplies. The outbreak has already affect much of American's way of life, with many states, especially those hit hard by large outbreaks, calling for the closure of business and limiting the public from leaving their homes. However, the United States has not entered a national lockdown like many other nations with far less confirmed cases have already done.
Nevertheless, President Donald Trump continues to stick to his restart date of April 12. Trump stated to reporters at his late afternoon daily press conference that he instructed Vice President Mike Pence to not aid state governors who are critical of the Trump Administration's efforts.
"I think they should be appreciative. Because you know what? When they're not appreciative to me, they're not appreciative to the Army Corps of Engineers, they're not appreciate to FEMA. It's not right," Trump stated.
Stimulus Package
President Trump signed the anticipated $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill into law Friday afternoon, with Congress and the White House rushing to enact the bill to aid the world's largest economy.
Being the largest stimulus bill in modern history, the CARES Act is designed to lessen the economic impact the coronavirus brought to the American public and businesses. The bill outlines the direct payment of up to $1,200 to taxpayers, increased unemployment benefits, aid for small business employers, money for state governments, financial aid for hospitals on the front lines and a large bailout for businesses that have been hit particularly hard by the crisis. The bill also includes, for the first time, the extension of unemployment benefits to freelancers and gig workers like Uber
Google
Change of Tone
President Trump used the Defense Protection Act on Friday to command General Motors
Trump tweeted: "As usual with 'this' General Motors, things just never seem to work out. They said they were going to give us 40,000 much needed Ventilators, 'very quickly'. Now they are saying it will only be 6000, in late April, and they want top dollar. Always a mess with Mary B. Invoke 'P'." The President clarified laster that "Invoke 'P'" meant the Defense Production Act.
In addition to General Motors's production order, Trump called on Ford
For weeks, the President and top health expert on the coronavirus Task Force Dr. Deborah L. Birx have downplayed the need for ventilators, even after state governors criticized how the federal government was handling the situation.
WHO Drug Trial
The World Health Organization announced on Friday that coronavirus patients in Norway and Spain have been enrolled in a new drug trial by WHO.
WHO Officials are testing four drugs that have shown promising results in the treatment of COVID-19: chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir, a combination of Lopinavir and Ritonavir and a combination of all four treatments with the addition of an interferonbeta.
Although there are no proven therapies of the virus to date, this trial will provide valuable information towards a standard treatment option.
Apple Care
On Friday, Apple
Users can download the free app via Apple's App Store or access the tool online at www.apple.com/covid19.
