Social distancing guidelines, USNS Comfort, work disruptions: 5 things to know Tuesday

Editors, USA TODAY
·5 min read

Coronavirus: White House to weigh in on social distancing

The White House coronavirus task force on Tuesday will give further details on its guidelines on social distancing aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus. President Donald Trump announced Sunday that the White House would be extending its guidelines through April 30, from an initial 15-day timeline implemented March 16. The guidelines call on Americans to avoid social gatherings involving groups of 10 or more, to stay away from public spaces like restaurants and bars, to avoid discretionary travel and to practice increased hygiene. They also asked Americans to stay home if they are sick and for older individuals to stay away from other people.

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Navy hospital ship a Comfort to NYC amid coronavirus outbreak

The USNS Comfort, a Navy hospital ship with 1,000 beds and 12 operating rooms, arrived in New York City on Monday and could be ready for patients as soon as Tuesday. The ship will be used for non-coronavirus patients to help alleviate the strain on local area hospitals. The city has reported more than 33,000 confirmed cases – almost a quarter of the nation's cases – and 776 deaths. The Comfort also contains a pharmacy, an optometry lab, radiology, CAT-scan equipment, two oxygen-producing plants and a helicopter deck.

Amazon can expect another workplace disruption Tuesday

As the coronavirus crisis escalates, the pressure cooker of the workplace appears ready to boil over. Amazon faces a potential workplace disruption Tuesday as some Whole Foods employees have planned a "sick out" over demands for better conditions including double pay because of the hazards of working during the pandemic. This comes after workers at an Amazon warehouse on Staten Island, New York, walked out Monday over concerns about safety at the job site. Workers there feared for their own health because they weren't always physically distanced and the site was not closed to be sanitized. The employees also say they often don't have enough cleaning supplies, disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizers and may not have gloves or masks – or may be asked not to wear them. Amazon said it fired an employee who took part in the Staten Island walkout, saying he was supposed to be under quarantine for 14 days, according to multiple media reports. Fears of contamination and risk also led to as many as 150,000 workers for grocery delivery service Instacart to execute a nationwide strike on Monday.

Just call them Harry and Meghan

Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife, Duchess Meghan, are breaking free of the royal family starting Tuesday. The pair, who signed off from their Sussexroyal Instagram account Monday, stunned Britain with an abrupt announcement in January that they wanted to step back from royal duties. Prince Harry said he was taking a "leap of faith" in the move in an attempt to build a more peaceful life — one free of the journalists who have filmed, photographed and written about him since the day he was born. Harry and Meghan are still the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, although they have agreed to no longer use the titles His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness or their "Sussex Royal" brand. Harry will remain a prince and sixth in line to the British throne.

How soon can the economy snap back? Poll suggests a slow rise

Can the economy really come roaring back from the coronavirus recession as soon as this summer, as President Trump has promised? Some economists believe that it can as an economy that was in good shape before the free-fall triggered by the outbreak can be jolted back to life just as quickly. Other economists say the rebound won't be nearly as neat and simple. Many Americans will likely be leery of flying and going to restaurants, movie theaters and hotels even if health officials give an all-clear signal by summer. According to a Harris Poll survey conducted over the weekend and set to be released Tuesday, 30% of Americans surveyed say it will take at least four months after the virus spread flattens for them to go out to dinner again, while 44% say it will take that long for them to go to the movies. Fifty-seven percent of respondents say it will take four months or longer for them to take a plane flight; 54% say it will take that long for them to stay at a hotel.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Social distancing guidelines, USNS Comfort: 5 things to know Tuesday