Coronavirus USA news summary: cases and deaths - 25 May
Coronavirus live US: latest Covid-19 news - 25 May
US coronavirus latest: 13:30 PST and 16:30 EST on Monday 25 May (22:30 CEST)
According to the latest figures published by Johns Hopkins University, 5,463,392 cases have been detected worldwide, with 344,533 deaths and 2,195,325 people now recovered.
In the USA, there have been 1,654,683 confirmed cases and 97,974 deaths with 366,736 people recovering from the virus.
US coronavirus latest: 08:35 PST and 11:35 EST on Monday 25 May (17:35 CEST)
According to the latest figures published by Johns Hopkins University, 5,439,559 cases have been detected worldwide, with 345,589 deaths and 2,185,696 people now recovered.
In the USA, there have been 1,646,495 confirmed cases and 97,794 deaths with 366,736 people recovering from the virus.
California opens places of worship, in-store retail businesses
(Reuters) California retail with in-store shopping and places of worship that were closed under one of the most restrictive coronavirus containment rules in the United States may now open, health authorities announced on Monday.
The California Department of Public Health said that businesses and churches, synagogues, and mosques can reopen at 25 percent occupancy capacity, and with other restrictions.
The new rules come amid a time of mounting pressure of state lawsuits from churches, protests and even a push from President Donald Trump for churches to reopen and America to get back to work.
US celebrates muted Memorial Day
The coronavirus pandemic saw traditional spectacles such as parades and ceremonies replaced with motor convoys and masks.
U.S. President Donald Trump listens as a military fife and drum corps plays during ceremonies commemorating the Memorial Day holiday at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., May 25, 2020. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
Trump commemorates Memorial Day, defends decision to play golf
(Reuters) President Donald Trump paid tribute to fallen members of the American military on Monday to mark Memorial Day while defending his decision to spend most of the holiday weekend playing golf as the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus outbreak neared 100,000.
"Some stories about the fact that in order to get outside and perhaps, even a little exercise, I played golf over the weekend. The Fake & Totally Corrupt News makes it sound like a mortal sin - I knew this would happen!," Trump tweeted, saying this was the first time he had played in nearly three months.
Before becoming president, Trump had repeatedly criticized his predecessor, Democratic President Barack Obama, for playing golf, including during the 2014 Ebola outbreak.
The United States has more than 1.6 million infections, the highest in the world, while forecast models for possible Covid-19 deaths predict the death toll will exceed 100,000 by June 1. But almost all 50 states have begun relaxing their coronavirus restrictions.
Trump issues Covid-19 rallying cry
Addressing the nation on Memorial Day, the US president praised those who had battled the "invisible enemy" in recent weeks during the coronavirus crisis.
Coron-art
Jim Bachor, an artist from Chicago, has created a series of four pandemic-themed pothole mosaics on the city's North Side, including this piece on toilet roll - an item that became a sought-after purchase at supermarkets around the world when the pandemic hit. (Photo: REUTERS/Brendan O'Brien)
Second stimulus check: What is the Skills Renewal Act?
What is the Skills Renewal Act?
A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced the Skills Renewal Act, which aims to boost the job prospects of those left unemployed by the coronavirus.
Full details:
Trump has taken to Twitter to put pressure on North Carolina's governor to guarantee that the arena where the president will hold the Republican National Convention will be open by August.
If you're thinking about popping out to refill the cooler, check out whether the stores and liquor stores are about first.
"You are all a bunch of idiots": NBA star slams Ozarks revellers
Partiers during Memorial Day weekend have been heavily criticised with zero social distancing being observed.
Memorial Day: can I get stimulus check in the mail today?
Can I receive my stimulus check in the mail on Memorial Day?
Today sees the United States pay its respects to those who have lost their lives while serving in the country's military. As it is a federal postal holiday, mail services are affected.
Full details here:
US - China tensions boost dollar after weekly loss
The U.S. dollar climbed on Monday after posting a rare weekly loss as investors flocked to the shelter of perceived safe-haven currencies on concerns about a growing standoff between the United States and China over civil liberties in Hong Kong.
The greenback, which tends to behave like a safe-haven asset at times of market turmoil and political uncertainty, rose a fifth of a percent to 99.98 against its rivals, a one-week high.
UV rays are used to disinfect sinks in the kitchen of the Baltimore Country Club in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 18, 2020. - Tables, chairs, counters, doors: reopened US businesses and restaurants will have to focus on thorough disinfecting if they want to lure customers, and cleaning companies are preparing for an explosion in demand. With President Donald Trump pushing for a rapid easing of lockdowns even as the death toll from the coronavirus pandemic continues to climb, managers face new challenges as they rethink their approach to hygiene in public gathering places. (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP)
Some advice on how to divvy up the funds from the check. People will obviously have their own needs, however, given the impact of the coronavirus and unemployment.
Will there be another stimulus check in June?
The big debate over recent weeks and the one that will have the most direct impact on struggling families is whether or not there will be a second round of stimulus checks in the month of June, with many arguing that $1,200 is unlikely to cover the expenses for people who have lost their jobs or have faced additional financial obstacles in the past weeks. Will there be another one in June?
Bolsonaro is already under pressure and with Trump and the US shining even more of the spotlight on Brazil, it surely won't help.
New York sports teams given green light to return to training
New York sports teams given green light to return to training
Professional sports leagues can now begin holding training camps in New York as lockdown measures are starting to be eased.
Read more here:
Stimulus payment debit card: Do I have to activate the EIP card before I can use it?
Do I have to activate the EIP card before I can use it?
Almost four million Amercans will receive their stimulus payment through a prepaid EIP debit card which must be activated. Here is all you need to know about how to activate it, use it and the charges you can avoid.
Read more:
Covid-19 rips through Guymon, Oklahoma
As of 21 May, 641 of the 2,700-strong workforce at Seaboard Foods food processing plant in Guymon, Oklahoma tested positive for the virus - roughly a quarter of its workforce, Reuters report.
Guymon is part of the coronavirus’ new frontier - mostly rural communities with large meatpacking plants where employees often work inches apart, carpool to their jobs and live in crowded or multi-generational homes.
New York Times dedicates four pages to 1,000 coronavirus victims
The Sunday edition of the New York Times featured the names of 1,000 people who have died of Covid-19 during the pandemic on the front cover and three inside pages of the newspaper.
There were no photographs, no publicity on a stark front cover, which listed victims under the headline: "US DEATHS NEAR 100,000, AN INCALCULABLE LOSS."
"Coronavirus could cost Mexico a million jobs"
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador feels that the coronavirus crisis could cost as many as a million jobs in the country as many industries considered not essential remain shut.
The Mexican economy was already in recession before the pandemic struck and different investment banks have forecast contractions as large as 9% for this year with only a gradual recovery next year.
"My prediction is that with coronavirus, a million jobs will be lost," López Obrador said in a televised speech. "But we will create two million new jobs."
Earlier this week, his government issued guidelines for restarting operations in car-making, mining and construction in Latin America's second-largest economy that is linked to the United States and Canada through a free trade agreement.
Crowds flock to California beaches for Memorial weekend
Los Angeles County officials announced a couple of days ago that beach bike paths and some beach parking lots will reopen and curbside service at indoor malls will be permitted.
The county reopened its beaches a week ago but kept beach parking lots, bike paths, piers and boardwalks closed.
Catch up...
We freshen up each day with a new blog so if you want to have a look back at what has been happening over the previous 24 hours then check out yesterday's feed here.
Coronavirus live US: welcome
Hello and welcome to our live, United States-focused coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, which has now led to over five million cases worldwide with now over 1.6 million reported cases in the US.
We'll endeavour to keep you abreast of the latest news and statistics as they emerge throughout the day.