Only war has postponed the Olympics — until now

Alex Connor, USA TODAY
·6 min read

Today marks the two-week anniversary of Italy’s nationwide quarantine. Tom Hanks feels better. And, if you can, thank a truck driver.

It's Alex, and I want you to send us photos of your work-from-home setup.

But first, many states are issuing "stay at home" or "shelter in place" orders. So, what is essential and nonessential during a pandemic?

The Short List newsletter is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe here!

The Olympic Torch will wait

The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games will be postponed amid the coronavirus pandemic, likely until 2021, veteran International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound tells USA TODAY Sports. He said the Games will likely be moved to 2021, with the details to be worked out in the next four weeks, and he expects the IOC to announce its next steps soon. “The parameters going forward have not been determined, but the Games are not going to start on July 24, that much I know," Pound said.

Did you know? In the 124 years of the modern Olympics, only three other times has a Summer Games not been held as scheduled – all because of world wars.

Stimulus package stalls in the Senate – again

An effort in the Senate to move forward with a nearly $2 trillion economic stimulus package to combat the coronavirus crisis has stalled for the second day in a row over continued disagreements between Republicans and Democrats. After the 49-46 vote – Republicans for and Democrats against – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell angrily dismissed the Democratic opposition as “procedural obstruction” that could delay a vote on the measure until the end of the week.

  • What Republicans want: To provide direct payments to most Americans, throw a lifeline to small businesses shuttered across the country, and rescue large industries, such as the airlines.

  • What Democrats want: More protections for workers from layoffs and loss of heath coverage, more money for states to deal with the crisis, and more aid for students facing student debt repayment.

They're coming home — hopefully

Officials are scrambling to charter flights to dozens of countries as more than 13,000 Americans stranded abroad have contacted the State Department for help getting home. “We’re looking at 16 or so flights in the next five days and about 1,600 passengers identified for those flights, with room for more,” said a senior State Department official, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity. The Trump administration has already brought about 5,000 Americans home from 17 countries.

Stay home – please

More than 1.5 billion people around the world are in forced or voluntary lockdown as the global death toll climbs. In America, more than 100 million people are under stay-at-home orders.

Coronavirus cases are up, stocks are down

The death toll in the United States from the coronavirus now exceeds 570, with more than 41,700 confirmed cases nationwide, according to the Johns Hopkins University data dashboard. Worldwide, more than 16,000 people have died from the virus.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped nearly 600 points, its first close below 19,000 since November 2016. The blue-chip average briefly wiped out its gains since Election Day 2016 when it slumped to session lows. The Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 2.9%, erasing all of its gains since President Donald Trump was inaugurated.

What's everyone talking about?

Enjoy the outdoors while social distancing, but not at these parks

Medical experts say outdoor activities such as hiking, jogging and bike riding at parks is safe as long as you're not doing it in groups. But now, the National Park Service has closed about a dozen parks and modified operations at many others. Modifications include closing restrooms and visitor centers, or allowing only hiking areas and trails to remain open.

Phew! Tom Hanks and a rapping Rita Wilson 'feel better'

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson say they're improving! Hanks tweeted: "Hey, folks. Two weeks after our first symptoms and we feel better. Sheltering in place works like this: You don't give it to anyone, you don't get it from anyone. Common sense, no?" Rita Wilson shared her own update by posting a Quarantine Stir Crazy rap video on Instagram.

What if Italy's coronavirus lockdowns don't work?

This could be the week Italy receives some desperately needed good news about the pandemic ravaging the country. With more than 50,000 active cases of COVID-19, Italy has more sick than any other country. And today marks the two-week anniversary of Italy’s nationwide quarantine. But what happens in Italy if this week passes with no significant reduction in the rate of new infections? "Then I guess we would have to tighten the rules even more, as the Chinese did in Wuhan," said Massimo Bassetti, director of the Infectious Disease Clinic for the San Martino Hospital in Genoa.

A view of an empty street, in Rome, March 21, 2020.
A view of an empty street, in Rome, March 21, 2020.

Real quick

If truck drivers stop, the world stops

Across the United States, the nation's 3.5 million professional truckers are working flat-out to keep stores and businesses stocked as consumers worry about riding out home quarantines prompted by the outbreak and try to snap up enough toilet paper, rice, beans, tuna and other staples to get through this period of uncertainty. But now, drivers can't find a place to eat, wash their hands or park to sleep.

A (paws) from the news

It's National Puppy Day, and these adorable pups will help bring a smile to your face.

My wonderful co-workers Alex Ptachick and Emily Brown contributed to today's Short List.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus, Olympics postponed, stimulus package, Tom Hanks, Italy: It's Monday's news