The Centers for Disease Control issued a revised warning to the American people over the weekend; urging all citizens to avoid gatherings -both public and private- of more than 50 different people for the next eight weeks.
“If followed, the guidance — the strongest and most sweeping to date from the agency — will significantly increase the pandemic’s disruption to U.S. public life for the next two months. Governments worldwide are already making tough decisions aimed at keep their citizens safe,” reports the Washington Post.
“A slew of new states and cities, including Illinois, Washington state and New York City, have announced plans to close schools and severely restricted their nightlife by shuttering bars, restaurants and clubs, allowing takeout food only or cutting hours,” adds the newspaper.
The announcement comes just moments after New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered the nation’s biggest metropolis to close all schools, restaurants, bars, night clubs, and theaters to stop the spread of the disease.
“Our lives are all changing in ways that were unimaginable just a week ago,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
BREAKING: Statement from @NYCMayor on restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. pic.twitter.com/rMK5rhCPL4
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) March 16, 2020
“We are taking a series of actions that we never would have taken otherwise in an effort to save the lives of loved ones and our neighbors,” he added.
“This virus can spread rapidly through the close interactions New Yorkers have in restaurants, bars and places where we sit close together,” de Blasio’s statement said. “We have to break that cycle.”
Read the full report at the Washington Post.
BREAKING: NCAA Cancels March Madness Basketball Tournament Over Coronavirus Fears
The NCAA canceled their annual ‘March Madness’ basketball tournament Thursday over growing fears surrounding the global Coronavirus outbreak; joining the NBA, NHL, and others to help stop the spread of the disease.
“This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities,” the organization said in a statement.
NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships: https://t.co/qzKAS4McEI pic.twitter.com/G6XreZx35E
— NCAA (@NCAA) March 12, 2020
“The NCAA had previously said the upcoming men’s and women’s March Madness basketball tournaments, which were scheduled to begin in days, would be played without fans. The conference tournament cancellations and global sports suspensions appear to have tipped the scales,” reports CNBC.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Source: CNBC
BREAKING: NYC 'Postpones' St. Patrick’s Day Parade for First Time Since 1762 Over Coronavirus Fears
New York City officials postponed the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Wednesday over fears of an additional Coronavirus outbreak in the nation’s largest metropolis.
“New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade was canceled for the first time in more than 250 years over coronavirus fears after dozens of New Yorkers contracted the new disease, according to reports,” reports the NY Daily News.
“The parade along Fifth Avenue has been held every year since 1762, drawing some 2 million spectators and revelers. Another 150,000 march in the parade,” adds the newspaper.
NEW | NYC’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is cancelled for the first time in 258 years over coronavirus fears ☘️😑https://t.co/OO7ZkgbfFC
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) March 11, 2020
NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade canceled, latest victim of coronavirus https://t.co/xcuvcOstGj pic.twitter.com/0kYmDpo5t8
— New York Post (@nypost) March 11, 2020
The World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 -better known as Coronavirus- a global “pandemic” Wednesday; confirming the disease is responsible for 4,291 deaths in 114 countries around the world.
“We have therefore made the assessment that #COVID19 can be characterized as a pandemic,” said a release from the organization.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
"We have therefore made the assessment that #COVID19 can be characterized as a pandemic"-@DrTedros #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/JqdsM2051A
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 11, 2020
“During a media briefing Wednesday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the WHO, said there are now more than 118,000 cases of COVID-19 in 114 countries, with 4,291 deaths,” reports Fox News.
“All countries can still change the course of this pandemic,” Tedros said. “If countries detect, test, treat, isolate, trace and mobilize their people in the response.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.