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This week, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. And in the past 48 hours, we have seen dramatic events take place in the United States that have affected nearly every aspect of our lives, from schools to the economy, from travel to the world of entertainment.
Below are excerpts from four of this week's biggest stories related to the outbreak. You can also find all of the latest coronavirus coverage from The New York Times here.
NBA suspends season after player tests positive for coronavirus
The NBA abruptly suspended its season on Wednesday after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for the coronavirus shortly before kickoff in Oklahoma City.
The league announced the suspension would begin on Thursday, but Wednesday's final game between the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans was canceled shortly after the announcement.
It was a surreal day for the NBA. It started with news that the Golden State Warriors would ban fans from home games and ended with the season in jeopardy for the entire league.
“The NBA will use this period of hiatus to determine next steps moving forward regarding the coronavirus pandemic,” the league said in a statement Wednesday night.
“'Eviction Notice': Chaos after university tells students to stay away”
A day after colleges across the country canceled classes over coronavirus fears, San Antonio freshman Abigail Lockhart Calpito ran across Harvard's campus in search of answers.
Her lectures were being replaced by online classes. Her living hall was being demolished. She, like thousands of others in her position, had a million questions. What will happen to her financial aid? Where will she stay? What will happen to her credits?
The abrupt suspension of the semester caused widespread concern and a sense of confusion on campuses across the country. Administrators saw spring break as a chance to reset time in the fight against the coronavirus. Like dominoes, they announced class cancellations and asked students to pack up and leave.
…The closure continued Wednesday. New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the University of Pennsylvania, several campuses in California, Claremont College, Iowa State University, Georgetown University, Pepperdine University, Villanova University, and the University of Notre Dame, as well as the state and city's The university system also declared that it would move to distance learning. , Michigan State University, and Washington University in St. Louis.
“Dow ends 11-year bull market as coronavirus defies economic relief”
The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted due to the coronavirus outbreak, ending one of the longest winning streaks in market history on Wednesday as global policymakers grappled with the growing economic crisis.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down nearly 6%. As a result, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has been in bull market territory for 11 years, but has fallen more than 20% from its most recent peak, the standard for a bear market.
The S&P 500 composite index fell nearly 5% on the day, but is still down less than 20% from its all-time high less than a month ago. Stocks in the Asia-Pacific region again fell broadly on Thursday, with Japanese stocks down more than 5% as of midday. Futures markets delivered tough news for Wall Street.
The full extent of the economic damage caused by the spread of infection will not become clear for several months. But there's growing evidence that it gets serious.
“U.S. suspends most travel from Europe as world struggles to combat pandemic”
As the World Health Organization declares the coronavirus a pandemic, stock markets plunge further and millions of people are cut off from normal life, President Trump announced Wednesday night that most visitors to the United States from continental Europe and promised emergency aid to workers and small businesses. .
In a prime-time address from the Oval Office, Trump, who has previously downplayed the scope of the outbreak, sought to reassure Americans that he was taking the crisis seriously, highlighting the virus and its economic impact. outlined a series of measures to address the issue. . He said there would be a 30-day suspension for travelers from Europe, excluding the UK, and he called on Congress to support measures such as payroll tax cuts.
“We have no chance against this virus,” Trump declared in a 10-minute speech, reading from a teleprompter in an unusually monotone voice. After weeks of bickering with rivals over his handling of the matter, even calling their criticism “misinformation,” he called on them to resign. “We are all in this together,” he said. “We must put politics aside, stop partisanship and come together as one nation and one family.”
Students, please select one article to read in full and tell us:
What do you think about the latest developments regarding the coronavirus outbreak? Are you more worried about the virus than before? Do you have any new questions about the spread and its impact on our lives?
How will this week's events impact you, your family, and your community? Will they change the way you think or prepare for the potential spread of the virus to where you live?
How much news do you read and stay informed about the coronavirus? How do you filter out misinformation? How much are you talking about the virus and its impact at school and with your friends and family?
Have you changed your behavior in light of the virus? Do you wash your hands more regularly? Have you incorporated “social distancing” strategies into your daily life? Will you do so more?
How well do you think our leaders – local, state, federal, health care, business, political – have responded to this crisis? What if they could have done things differently or better? What would you like to try?
What weaknesses and strengths has the coronavirus outbreak exposed in our society? What lessons can we learn from this crisis? How should we apply the lessons?
