Coronavirus pandemic in the US

By Meg Wagner and Veronica Rocha, CNN

Updated 8:33 p.m. ET, April 24, 2020
43 Posts
Sort byDropdown arrow
3:32 p.m. ET, April 24, 2020

Trump tweets: "I will never let our Post Office fail"

From CNN's Jason Hoffman 

Postal trucks are parked at a United States Postal Service post office in Washington, DC, on April 16.
Postal trucks are parked at a United States Postal Service post office in Washington, DC, on April 16. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

President Trump tweeted that he “will never let our Post Office fail” after attacking the US Postal Service earlier Friday.

Trump criticized the USPS in his tweet saying, “It has been mismanaged for years, especially since the advent of the internet and modern-day technology” but goes on to praise those who work for the postal service.

“The people that work there are great, and we’re going to keep them happy, healthy, and well!” Trump tweeted.

During today’s bill signing ceremony in the Oval Office, Trump called the Postal Service “a joke” and claimed it needed to raise rates on companies like Amazon by four or five times.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin told reporters earlier "we authorized in the last CARE[S] Act over $10 billion in a loan."

"My team is already actively working on that with the postal service, if they need the money. And we’re dealing with them," he said. Mnuchin went on to say that “certain criteria for postal reform” would be included as part of that loan.

Trump then added that if the USPS doesn’t raise the price on packages, he won’t sign any legislation to provide it more funding. 

4:05 p.m. ET, April 24, 2020

Top Navy official recommends reinstating ousted captain to command the USS Theodore Roosevelt

From CNN's Barbara Starr and Ryan Browne

Capt. Brett Crozier, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), addresses the crew on January 17.
Capt. Brett Crozier, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), addresses the crew on January 17.

Admiral Michael Gilday, the chief of Naval Operations, has recommended to Defense Secretary Mark Esper today that Capt. Brett Crozier be restored to command of the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, according to an administration official tells CNN.

A defense official also said that Esper was not prepared to immediately accept the Navy’s recommendation after being briefed on the investigation on Friday, telling top Navy officials he wanted more time to review their recommendations.

More on this: Crozier was relieved of his command after sending a letter warning that action was needed to save the lives of his crew from an outbreak of coronavirus aboard the aircraft carrier.

In the memo, Crozier pleaded with Navy leaders that "decisive action is required" to remove a majority of the ship's personnel and isolate them for two weeks. The letter was published in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Watch sailors cheer on Capt. Crozier in send-off:

3:26 p.m. ET, April 24, 2020

Ohio will do 22,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of May, governor says

Ohio will scale up testing to 22,000 tests per day by the end of May, Gov. Mike DeWine announced in a news conference on this afternoon.

DeWine said the state struck a partnership with a dental supply company to manufacture swabs, and with a medical manufacturing company to supply reagents for the tests — which both have been major obstacles for Ohio's testing expansion.

Currently, Ohio's daily testing capacity is 3,728. DeWine said that by Wednesday, the state should get to 7,200 tests per day, and by May 27, that number should reach 22,000 tests per day.

DeWine said testing will be prioritized for nursing homes, essential workers and hotspots. 

"We'll also be able to focus on other congregate care living settings, homeless shelters, treatment centers, developmental disability homes. Next, will be able better able to make sure food and grocery workers and employees and essential manufacturing in Ohio are healthy and not spreading disease," he said. 

DeWine did not provide any additional details about the state's reopening plan, which is expected to be announced on Monday. 

3:13 p.m. ET, April 24, 2020

Elective dental procedures can begin in Arkansas on May 18, governor says

From CNN’s Kay Jones

 

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson delivers a speech on the second day of the Republican National Convention on July 19, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson delivers a speech on the second day of the Republican National Convention on July 19, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced on Friday that elective dental procedures will be allowed to proceed on May 18.

The state's Department of Health will be working with industry associations on proper guidelines so consumers have confidence that protective measures are in place before May 18, the governor said.

Hutchinson also announced that the total number of coronavirus cases in the state rose to 2,741 in total, which includes 198 new cases at the Arkansas Department of Corrections Cummins unit.

The state has also pushed for additional testing and had over 2,800 tests come in over the past day.

2:56 p.m. ET, April 24, 2020

UFC schedules spectator-free fight nights in Florida starting May 9

From CNN's David Close

 

Weili Zhang punches Joanna Jedrzejczyk in her split decision win during a strawweight title bout at T-Mobile Arena on March 7, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Weili Zhang punches Joanna Jedrzejczyk in her split decision win during a strawweight title bout at T-Mobile Arena on March 7, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Harry How/Getty Images

The UFC has scheduled three fight nights that will be closed to the public starting May in Jacksonville, Florida.

The mixed martial arts organization said all thee of the events will take place in the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena "with only essential personnel in attendance."

In a statement released by the UFC, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said, As we move step-by-step on the path toward economic recovery, we are proud to host these UFC events at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena.”

The televised UFC 249 will take place on May 9 with additional fight nights on May 13 and 16, the UFC said. Each event will be "closed to the public."

3:23 p.m. ET, April 24, 2020

CDC reminds people to follow disinfectant instructions while using

From CNN Health’s Arman Azad

An attendee holds a container of Lysol disinfecting wipes as San Francisco Mayor London Breed speaks during a press conference on March 16 in San Francisco, California.
An attendee holds a container of Lysol disinfecting wipes as San Francisco Mayor London Breed speaks during a press conference on March 16 in San Francisco, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday issued a reminder about disinfectants: Use them properly.

“Household cleaners and disinfectants can cause health problems when not used properly. Follow the instructions on the product label to ensure safe and effective use," the CDC said in a tweet.

Some context: The CDC message was sent a day after President Trump suggested that injecting disinfectant might be a possible treatment for coronavirus.

“I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute,” Trump said.

“And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning,” the President added. “Because you see it gets in the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs. So it would be interesting to check that.”

The CDC tweet included a link for anyone interested in learning “more about cleaning and disinfecting your home.”

Among other instructions. the CDC website says people should try “not to breathe in product fumes. If using products indoors, open windows and doors to allow fresh air to enter.”

CNN has reached out to the CDC for clarification on what prompted the tweet.

Earlier today, The maker of Lysol issued a statement clarifying that under no circumstances should its products be administered into the human body.

See Dr. Birx's reaction to Trump's disinfectant suggestion:

2:36 p.m. ET, April 24, 2020

Airlines move forward with plans to carry cargo in passenger aircraft 

From CNN's Greg Wallace

A Delta Air Lines jet lands at Salt Lake City International Airport in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 22.
A Delta Air Lines jet lands at Salt Lake City International Airport in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 22. Rick Bowmer/AP

US airlines are moving forward with plans to carry cargo in otherwise empty passenger planes. 

Airlines for America, the industry group that represents airlines, on Friday formally asked the Federal Aviation Administration to allow all carriers to transport cargo on airplane seats. 

Delta Air Lines said it has received federal government approval to carry cargo in empty overhead bins on cargo-only, wide-body charter flights. Since early April, it has been using passenger planes for those flights, but the passenger compartment is empty.  

What we know: The airlines are proposing carrying up to 50 pounds of cargo on each seat — or up to 110 pounds if the cargo is packaged in a single container that takes up three seats. They propose carrying up to 20 pounds of cargo under each seat. The seats will be in the upright position, rather than reclined, and flight attendants would be aboard to make sure none of the cargo catches fire. (Passenger compartments typically don’t have the firefighting systems installed in cargo compartments.) 

Some airlines are also looking at removing passenger seats, providing even more cargo capacity. Delta CEO Ed Bastian said on a call with financial analysts earlier this week: “We are — we have looked at and we're taking some of the main deck seats off our — a few of our international planes to facilitate taking greater lift in the short term.” 

The 80% cut in US flights means there is significantly less cargo capacity available to shippers.  

Earlier this month, the FAA laid out the standards airlines must meet when seeking approval to carry cargo in non-traditional areas. Details on that below.  

Here's a diagram from Airlines for America showing how cargo would be placed on seats: 

 

Credit: Airlines for America
Credit: Airlines for America

2:39 p.m. ET, April 24, 2020

Students file lawsuits against colleges over tuition refunds

From CNN's Annie Grayer and Athena Jones

Columbia University Visitors Center pictured on December 22, 2019 in New York City.
Columbia University Visitors Center pictured on December 22, 2019 in New York City. Shutterstock

Three class action lawsuits have been filed against New York-area universities by students who argue the schools’ have failed to adequately refund or reimburse students for tuition and other fees they paid to attend in-person, on-campus classes.

The lawsuits are against Columbia University, Pace University and Long Island University. The students argue that online-only instruction is less valuable and should cost students less.

Pace University spokesperson Marie Boster told CNN that while they have not been served yet, “housing fee adjustments for students who had to leave the residence halls are being issued. We are planning to use CARES Act funding to support our students when it is available.”

Columbia University and Long Island University have not yet responded to comment.

2:34 p.m. ET, April 24, 2020

Delaware governor says schools will remain closed through end of academic year 

From CNN's Renee Baharaeen

Delaware schools will remain closed through the end of the academic year, Gov. John Carney announced on Friday. 

“Today we're making it official that the schools will remain closed for students through the end of this school year,” Carney said. “There's obviously no replacement for in person instruction in classrooms in terms of the relationships and the services. But obviously doing what we can between now and the end of what would have been the school year, we want to get as much benefit for our students as possible.”

The governor also encouraged superintendents to begin planning for summer learning and instruction, summer food distribution, and preparation for the new school year.