Good morning, NBC News readers.
Americans are facing a new reality as the threat of the coronavirus pandemic has begun to curb everyday life with large public gatherings banned, schools closed, sports leagues suspending competition and more people working from home.
Here's the latest on this rapidly developing story.
Coronavirus: The latest news on the pandemic
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States surpassed 1,700, and the death toll climbed to 41, as of early Friday morning.
The new toll comes a day after panic about the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak sparked the biggest one-day drop on Wall Street since the stock market crash of 1987.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 10 percent, and the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 were both down by 9 percent.
Congress and the White House are urgently trying to hammer out a deal on an economic relief package.
It all comes as Major League Baseball announced it would suspend spring training, Broadway said it would darken its lights for at least a month, and colleges and universities across the country closed their campuses.
Here are some of the latest updates:
- President Donald Trump took to Twitter Friday morning and blasted the CDC for the lack of coronavirus testing and blamed former President Barack Obama for the situation.
- An Australian official who met with Ivanka Trump and Attorney General William Barr last week has coronavirus.
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's wife has tested positive for COVID-19.
- There is a high risk that European healthcare systems will be overwhelmed by the coronavirus outbreak, the E.U.'s health agency has warned.
- The English Premier League was the latest sports league to announce it was suspending play.
- "Taking it one-day-at-a-time": Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson posted an optimistic update on their coronavirus status.
- Check our live blog for all the latest updates.
- MAPS: See where cases have been confirmed in U.S. and worldwide.
Inside Trump's virus strategy shift: From downplay to 'dramatic' steps
As President Donald Trump jetted back to Washington on Monday after a weekend of golfing and fundraising in Florida, an intervention was awaiting him at the White House.
Administration officials, increasingly concerned about the messaging on and response to the coronavirus, had spent the weekend scrambling to craft a strategy to shift the president's response, which had been focused on downplaying the threat and accusing the media of creating undue concern, according to people involved in the effort.
NBC News White House correspondent Shannon Pettypiece reports on the dramatic shift in Trump's tone as the scope of the crisis he was dealing with began to sink in.
And in a news analysis, Jonathan Allen writes about the high-stakes battle between House Democrats, Trump lieutenants, and Republican lawmakers over the aid package to battle the pandemic and economic calamity.
One hour, three massive stories. On the other side, a different reality for Americans.
At 9 p.m. ET Wednesday, President Donald Trump addressed the country and announced a ban on foreign nationals traveling to the U.S. from many European countries.
Just minutes earlier, Tom Hanks had published an Instagram post announcing that he and his wife had contracted COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.
Then, at 9:46 p.m., the NBA announced that it had suspended all games indefinitely.
It was an hour that changed the way many Americans thought about the coronavirus pandemic, which had suddenly moved beyond a small concern or a general nuisance.
For Anthony Petronzio, "it was crazy." "It honestly felt like I went into a different world," he said.
News you can use: Tips on how to cope with the new norm
It's a new world for all of us as the coronavirus outbreak grows. Here are some suggestions on how to deal with it.
- While we can't help with the line at Costco, here are some tips on how to stock your fridge and pantry.
- Should you be self-isolating? NBC News' Stephanie Gosk offers guidance on how to make the judgment call.
- Here are 10 ways to stay connected and productive while working from home.
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Plus
- The U.S. launched airstrikes on the group that attacked a coalition base in Iraq.
- The president of U.S. Soccer quit after gender discrimination suit.
- Spying on coronavirus: A little-known U.S. intel outfit has its most important mission yet.
THINK about it
Sarah Palin's 'Masked Singer' performance is part of a depressingly effective trend, writes TV critic Ani Bundel.
Quote of the day
"The system is not really geared to what we need right now. ... That is a failing. Let's admit it."
— Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said during a House hearing Thursday about U.S. coronavirus testing capacity.
Trying to keep our sense of humor
It's hard to tell jokes if no one is there to laugh.
The late night comedy hosts did their best to keep things light as they explained why coronavirus has them airing without a live audience.
Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.
We are currently all hands on deck for coronavirus. Please send me any comments or questions you have so we can try to address them in future stories: petra@nbcuni.com
Stay safe and healthy, Petra
