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The US overtook Italy in Covid-19 deaths. The country has nearly 22,000 fatalities, the most in the world, according to an estimate by Reuters, although the real number is likely much higher. Top public health official Anthony Fauci came under fire from president Donald Trump this weekend for saying the US could have saved lives by acting earlier.
Countries weighed easing their lockdowns against the risk of a new wave of infections. Spain is allowing factories and construction sites to reopen, while South Korea is discussing guidelines for limited “economic and social activity.” In the US, Fauci said some areas could start to reopen as early as May.
Oil producers reach an unprecedented deal. Nearly two dozen countries agreed to withhold millions of barrels a day from global markets. Plunging demand due to the coronavirus pandemic and a Russia-Saudi feud have devastated prices.
Chinese authorities are reportedly evicting Africans from apartments. Videos of migrants being herded through rainy streets by police and refused entry into hotels are spreading, as China fears a second coronavirus wave brought by foreigners. Some African countries summoned Chinese ambassadors for explanations.
Boris Johnson was discharged from hospital. The British prime minister thanked NHS workers, including two nurses from New Zealand and Portugal, for looking after him during his three days in intensive care, when “things could have gone either way.”
Apple and Google are creating a system capable of tracking three billion people. The system will be used by health authorities to notify people if they were in close contact with someone infected with the novel coronavirus.
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There’s a hidden cost to medical crowdfunding. Millions of online fundraising campaigns have been launched over the last decade, making it a normalized way of paying for healthcare treatment. But the ease of this kind of crowdfunding ignores, and even exacerbates, the inequality of access to healthcare.
The coronavirus pandemic is breathing new life into Kraft Heinz. After weeks of isolation and anxiety, consumers are turning to caloric, sodium-rich comfort foods, pushing Kraft stock up for the first time in months.
Matter of debate
US cities should stop reporting coronavirus case totals. Some public health authorities worry that self-reporting town figures will jeopardize the privacy of Covid-19 patients.
Surprising discoveries
The coronavirus lockdown is a boon to children’s music… Musical group Kidz Bop has seen a spike in streaming, as stars like Cardi B watch their numbers fall.
…and evening wear. People around the world are dressing up to take out their trash out as a way to liven up their self-isolation.
Julian Assange became a dad while living in London’s Ecuador embassy. The WikiLeaks founder had two children with his fiancée and lawyer during his seven year stay.
Investigators busted an alleged face-mask dealer in New York City. They claim the pharmacist hoarded N95 masks, which retail for $1.50 each and sold them for up to $22.
About 135,000 people are living that ant life on Facebook. The group, which envisions life as part of an ant colony, is part of a network of people escaping life by playing “pretend.”
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