As the coronavirus continues to spread, nations are responding in an unilateral way to the outbreak. Every nation has its own set of issues brought by COVID-19, although every country has been economically impacted. Some nations like Switzerland are planning to reopen businesses and ease public restrictions sooner rather than later, while other countries like the United Kingdom extend their lockdowns, needing more time to contain the spread. Once an example on how to control the virus, Japan has now declared a nationwide state of emergency and calls for an 80% reduction in person-to-person contact. Singapore has also experienced an increase in recent infection rates after the country appeared to have the outbreak under control less than a month ago.
Health experts still continue to warn that an economy will not be able to fully reopen without widespread testing and some social distancing measures. As the world waits for a cure, countries can only guess what measures will save both public health and their economy.
Total Global Cases: Over 2.2 Million
Total Deaths: At Least 149,000
Total Recovered: At Least 582,000
United States' Guidelines
The White House Coronavirus Task Force and President Donald Trump unveiled the anticipated federal guidelines for the reopening of the United State's economy on Thursday. The guidelines work in three phases are aimed at easing public restrictions gradually in areas of low transmission of COIVD-19. Areas of the country that have a higher infection rate or outbreak areas are recommended to maintain strict social- distancing and stay-at-home measures.
"You're going to call your own shots," Trump told governors on Thursday. "We're going to be standing beside you." This decision by Trump is a complete reversal of earlier statements that he had sole authority to reopen states, even if governors did not agree.
Under the guidelines, areas with declining infections and strong testing measures can begin a three-phase reopening of businesses and schools. In Phase One, The White House recommends strict social distancing for anyone in public. In addition, gatherings larger than 10 people are to be avoided and businesses that are allowed to reopen must maintain strict social distancing. In Phase Two, nonessential travel may resume and businesses and public areas are precautioned to limit gathers to no more than 50 people. Phase Three details a return to almost normal business and social gatherings, with focus on identification and isolation of new outbreaks.
More Funding Needed
The United States's Small Business Rescue Loan Program, outlined in the CARES Act, reached its $349 billion limit on Thursday, meaning that the fund can no longer supply small businesses with much needed relief.
The Small Business Administrations's website reads that it is, "unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program based on the available appropriations funding. Similarly, we are unable to enroll new PPP lenders at this time."
This lack of funding comes as Washington lawmakers came to a standstill over another round of funding before Congress's recess that runs until May. The original funding was meant to help small businesses maintain their payrolls amid closures and stay-at-home orders.
New York City's Mayor Bill De Blasio called for federal aid during his Thursday coronavirus press conference, citing that the city projects a revenue loss of $7.4 billion over the current and next fiscal year. De Blasio urged Congress to approve $500 billion in spending in its next stimulus package, with previsions for at least $150 billion for states, cities and local municipalities greatly impacted by the virus.
Positive Treatment
Gilead Sciences's
There is currently no approved COVID-19 treatments.
