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What to watch for today
US politicians approach an agreement over the rescue package. Negotiators debated all night, and hope to reach a deal this morning, with a vote later. The $2 trillion package is one of many bailouts being prepared around the world.
Italy hopes for another reduction in cases. The number of new infections and fatalities fell for two days in a row. Health officials warned that it’s too early to celebrate, and that people should continue respecting the strict lockdown measures.
Other countries might switch from laissez-faire approaches. The UK imposed strict lockdown measures on Monday, after trying a much-criticized gradualist approach. Countries pursuing similar paths, like Sweden, the Netherlands, and Cyprus, could switch too.
Japan’s prime minister discusses the Tokyo games. Shinzo Abe is calling International Olympic Committee chairman Thomas Bach shortly. A growing number of countries have demanded a postponement.
While you were sleeping
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Los Angeles expanded its ban on evictions. Landlords are temporarily not allowed to remove people in rent-stabilized apartments to turn them into condominiums, mayor Eric Garcetti said. The measure is meant to help citizens stay inside to avoid more contagion.
The UK began its lockdown… From today, people can only leave their homes if absolutely necessary, including for exercise once a day. Shops selling non-essential goods are shut and gatherings of more than two people who don’t share a household have been banned.
…but London’s main airport predicted a surge in cargo freight. Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest hubs, anticipates a jump of more than 50% in the transport of goods as it receives more medical supplies and equipment to help tackle coronavirus.
Google started surveying people about coronavirus symptoms. For the past three days, the company has been asking users if they have flu-like symptoms. It claimed the data is being collected to power a forecast tool being built at Carnegie Mellon University.
China softened the lockdown in Hubei. From April 8, transportation will resume and people will be allowed to move in and out of the province where the pandemic started. Earlier this month, the number of new cases dropped to zero in Hubei.
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Why startups fail. The extremely public stumbles of WeWork, Theranos, Uber, and others have drawn new attention to the many ways in which new businesses can go awry. This week’s field guide interrogates the premise of the “lean startup,” and how it has blinded entrepreneurs.
Leaders can mitigate pandemic-caused stress at work. Keep cool, create certainty, and focus on how a shared crisis connects us all.
Quartz daily obsession
Egg freezing is on the rise. Global fertility rates in developed countries are declining as career-oriented women delay having children, and freeze their eggs for pregnancies later in their lives. It’s leading to an expanding fertility market, one that will grow by 25% in the next two years. Get all the details in the Quartz Daily Obsession.
Matters of debate
Remote work promotes diversity… Companies can tap into new talent pools if employees don’t have to make rent in costly hubs like New York.
…but it can also mean longer working hours. Put the laptop down, talk to your kids.
Lockdowns might not be successful in India. It is not an “organized society,” one of India’s foremost epidemiologists tells Quartz.
Surprising discoveries
A creamery in Oregon is making vodka from milk… Fermenting leftover whey produces a clear liquor that the business has dubbed “Cowcohol.”
…while Brooklyn craft distilleries are producing artisanal hand sanitizer. They come in beautiful glass bottles.
Spain’s military is sporting some fresh uniforms. La Legión, a regiment helping enforce pandemic-related restrictions, is also enforcing very deep V-necks.
Loss of taste and smell could be Covid-19 symptoms. Medical researchers are looking into the apparent phenomenon of “anosmia.”
Patrick Stewart is reading Shakespeare sonnets. Captain Picard is using his famous voice to help us get through isolation.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, Spock, and Worf to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our app on iOS or Android and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Luiz Romero and Hasit Shah.