Coronavirus US summary: cases, deaths, news - 18 May
Coronavirus live USA updates: cases, deaths and news - 18 May
US coronavirus latest: 14:00 PST / 17:00 EST on Monday 18 May (23:00 CEST)
According to the latest figures published by Johns Hopkins University, 4,775,000 cases have been detected worldwide, with 317,515 deaths and 1,612,924 people now recovered.
In the USA, there have been 1,500,753 confirmed cases and 90,312 deaths with 272,265 people recovering from the virus.
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Can President Trump veto HEROES Act if Senate approves?
Can Trump veto HEROES Act if Senate approves it?
OK, so it's a rather unlikely outcome but what if...?
Michigan child vaccination drop
Researchers have documented a drop in child vaccination rates in Michigan since restrictions were imposed to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, raising concern about outbreaks of other diseases such as measles, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report on Monday.
The findings by the CDC researchers indicated that stay-at-home orders during the pandemic like those imposed in Michigan and other U.S. states may be reducing accessibility to routine immunization services and exposing children to risks from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Data from Michigan's state immunization information system showed that just under half of 5-month-old infants were up to date for all recommended vaccines this month, compared to approximately two thirds of infants in May of the previous four years, the CDC researchers said in their report.
Donald Trump taking hydroxychloroquine pills daily
Hydroxychloroquine daily
It wasn't long ago that the US president was promoting the benefits of the malaria drug, despite contradictions from experts, but it seems he's following his own advice.
WHO's "very sad job"
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he would issue a statement about the World Health Organisation in the near future and said it had 'done a very sad job' in its handling of the coronavirus.
Trump told a White House event he would make a decision about U.S. WHO funding soon, and that he had he considered reducing it to $40 million, but some felt that was too much.
Asked why he had not addressed a virtual ministerial meeting of the WHO earlier in the day, he replied: 'I chose not to make a statement today. I'll be giving them a statement, sometime in the near future, but ... I think they've done a very sad job in the last period of time.'
Coronavirus could go away before vaccine is ready
Virus burn out
There are over 4.7 million confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide and over 300,000 deaths and an expert from the WHO said the virus could burn out naturally.
Trump on vaccine progress
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that some big announcements have been made and are coming on therapeutics and vaccines for dealing with the coronavirus.
"This was a very big day therapeutically cure-wise and vaccine-wise. Tremendous progress has been made. Some big announcements are coming and have just come out and the market's up almost 1,000 points," Trump told a round-table meeting with restaurant executives and industry leaders at the White House.
Toilet distancing
There may be a clammer to get back to socialising in bars and restaurants, but how are bathrooms going to cope? The Post has a look...
Phasing and vaccine positivity
The phased reopening of U.S. business and social life gained traction on Monday with more Americans emerging from coronavirus lockdowns and stock markets rising on early test results of a potential vaccine.
Moderna Inc's Covid-19 vaccine, the first tested in the United States (see below), produced protective antibodies in a small group of healthy volunteers, boosting company shares 20% in mid-morning trade and pushing the stock market up 3%.
Miami's Luis Galindo's Latin America cafe welcomed diners back for table service after more than two months of only takeout. 'We need to get the economy going again, people are either out of money, or will be very soon,' Bermudez said. 'It's going to be a process, though, and people need to be responsible.'
Although nearly all 50 states are reopening, only 13 had met federal government guidelines for lifting measures as of Sunday, according to a Reuters analysis, raising concerns that infections and deaths could surge anew.
In pictures: An inspirational message is seen on the marquee of the Cobble Hill Cinemas on May 17, 2020 in the Cobble Hill neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough of New York City. COVID-19 has spread to most countries around the world, claiming more than 316,000 lives, with nearly a third of the 4.8 million infections reported coming from the United States. Mike Lawrie/Getty Images/AFP
Trump continues to wage war on anyone stepping up criticism of him instead of doing something to stop the criticism.
WHO chief to review its pandemic handling, vows transparency
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday that he would initiate an independent evaluation of its handling of the coronavirus pandemic at the "earliest appropriate moment" and vowed transparency and accountability.
"We all have lessons to learn from the pandemic. Every country and every organisation must examine its response and learn from its experience. WHO is committed to transparency, accountability and continuous improvement," WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told its annual ministerial assembly.
Tedros thanked early high-level speakers for their "strong support for WHO at this critical time" and said that the review must encompass responsibility of "all actors in good faith".
"The risk remains high and we have a long road to travel," Tedros said. Preliminary serological tests in some countries showed that at most 20% of populations had contracted the disease and "in most places less than 10 per cent", he said.
China defends its response to coronavirus after US criticism
China's president called on Monday for an independent review of the global response to the coronavirus pandemic under the World Health Organization once the virus is under control, and defended Beijing's own handling of the pandemic.
In a video message to a virtual meeting of the WHO's decision-making body, the World Health Assembly, President Xi Jinping also pledged $2 billion over two years to help with the COVID-19 response.
During the two-day meeting, health ministers from around the world are expected to back calls for an independent evaluation of the WHO's performance, criticism of which has been led by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Heroes Act proposal vs initial one in march
A second relief bill, was passed on Friday by the US government and it means a further $3 trillion will be made available for people with financial difficulties during the coronavirus pandemic. The bill is called the Heroes Act — Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act — and could mean a second stimulus check for American citizens.
What are the differences between it and the initial one in March, which was called the Cares Act.
Some people have resorted to this to give them a definitive answer on whether they have the virus or not but the testing is unpredictable. How long before it becomes widespread and what effects might it have?
Donald Trump hoping for 'big crowds' at US Masters
United States president Donald Trump wants to see "big crowds" at the rescheduled Masters.
The 2020 Masters was moved from April to November due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 316,000 people worldwide.
Trump is hoping Augusta can welcome plenty of fans, despite the United States being hit hard by COVID-19.
Bill Gates gave a now-famous talk on TEDTalks about the dangers of a pandemic. He says he regrets not being more forthright with his warnings.
Most people, including health experts and professionals believe that the number of deaths from coronavirus in the US are being undercounted, if anything, but Donald Trump remains skeptical over the figures as he continues to try to downplay the effects of the virus and his response to it.
U.S. mulls paying companies, tax breaks to pull supply chains from China
U.S. lawmakers and officials are crafting proposals to push American companies to move operations or key suppliers out of China that include tax breaks, new rules, and carefully structured subsidies.
Interviews with a dozen current and former government officials, industry executives and members of Congress show widespread discussions underway - including the idea of a "reshoring fund" originally stocked with $25 billion - to encourage U.S. companies to drastically revamp their relationship with China.
President Donald Trump has long pledged to bring manufacturing back from overseas, but the recent spread of the coronavirus and related concerns about U.S. medical and food supply chains dependency on China are "turbocharging" new enthusiasm for the idea in the White House.
Heroes Act: How could it affect new unemployment benefits?
Heroes Act: How could it affect new unemployment benefits?
The House of Representatives gave the green light for a $3 trillion coronavirus relief package called the HEROES Act on Friday that could affect unemployment benefits.
“Grossly incompetent” Trump dismisses Obama over second Covid-19 criticism
“Grossly incompetent” Trump dismisses Obama over second Covid-19 criticism
During the coronavirus pandemic the 44th president of the U.S. Barack Obama has decided to attack Trump’s administration for how they handled the outbreak.
Donald Trump praises return of live golf, even without fans
U.S. President Donald Trump praised the return of live golf on Sunday, dialing into a televised broadcast of a two-on-two charity skins match between top players on the PGA Tour, the first event of its kind since the coronavirus lockdown.
World No. 1 Rory McIlroy, who is from Northern Ireland, teamed up with Dustin Johnson of the United States to take on American duo Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff for the highly anticipated event, one of the few live pro sports competitions on a calendar otherwise upended by the deadly COVID-19 outbreak.
"It’s a wonderful thing to see," Trump said on the NBC Sports broadcast. "I’m getting a little tired of watching 10-year-old golf tournaments where you know who won."
Players at the Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Florida, adhered to social-distancing guidelines aimed at limiting the coronavirus spread, standing 6 feet (1.8 m) apart and carrying their own clubs, with no caddies allowed, on an empty course without the usual masses of eager fans
US police officer returns straight to work after beating Covid-19
Sergeant Spencer Garrett of the NYPD has received praise for immediately donning his uniform again after recovering from a four-week battle with the coronavirus.
Are stay-at-home orders ending soon in the United States?
Stay-at-home orders winding down in the United States?
A look at the situation in the US and which states are lifting restrictions.
US President Donald J. Trump speaks to the media at the White House after arriving on Marine One, in Washington, DC, USA, 17 May 2020, following a weekend trip to Camp David. EFE/EPA/Chris Kleponis / POOL
Pompeo warns China over interference with U.S. journalists in Hong Kong
(Reuters) U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday said it had come to his attention that the Chinese government had threatened to interfere with the work of U.S. journalists in Hong Kong, and said any decision impinging on Hong Kong's autonomy could affect the U.S. assessment of Hong Kong's status.
"These journalists are members of a free press, not propaganda cadres, and their valuable reporting informs Chinese citizens and the world," Pompeo said in a statement.
Eric Trump claims Democrats are conspiring against his father
Eric Trump claims Democrats are conspiring against his father
Eric Trump says that during the November elections the coronavirus will ‘magically disappear’ suggesting the disease is a Democrat plot against the current president.
US unemployment to hit 17% in June
Economists have predicted another spike in unemployment figures in June as more jobs are shed from the US economy due to the coronavirus crisis.
Pelosi sees negotiations on new $3 trillion coronavirus legislation
Pelosi sees negotiations on new $3 trillion coronavirus legislation
Nancy Pelosi said on Sunday there will be negotiations on the new $3 trillion coronavirus relief legislation passed by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives and that Democrats have 'no red lines.'
Coronavirus live US: welcome
Hello and welcome to our live, United States-focused coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, which has now led to over 310,000 deaths worldwide with nearly 1.5 million reported cases in the US. We'll endeavour to keep you abreast of the latest news and statistics as they emerge.