There’s a lot going on. Here are today’s COVID-19 updates that you should know.
Your daily dose of hope
The White House and Congress agreed on a $2 trillion economic stimulus bill to help businesses and individuals impacted by COVID-19. The bill, described as the largest rescue package in US history, includes cash payments of up to $1,200 for individuals and a $350 billion fund for small businesses.
Wall Street was volatile early Wednesday, but soared later in the day after Washington passed the stimulus bill. On Tuesday, a Wall Street rally saw the Dow post its best day in nearly 90 years.
Researchers studying the coronavirus say it isn’t mutating quickly, suggesting vaccines created for COVID-19 could have broad, long-lasting effect.
The lockdown in London promises an upside: clear skies. Experts expect non-existent traffic across the city to fuel a continued decline in air pollution that began in mid-February.
Experts say COVID-19 treatments could emerge much sooner than a vaccine, which is expected to take a year or more.
News you need to know
The US has 55,243 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the third highest after China and Italy.
Small businesses that have seen demand drop or have been forced to closed are running out of cash.
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases climbed to 2,400 across Africa, prompting warnings that the pandemic could quickly overwhelm the country’s limited health services.
Data point of the day
Quote of the day:
“Ring the bells that still can ring
forget your perfect offering;
there is a crack in everything –
that’s how the light gets in.”
― Leonard Cohen
