Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced Monday that he will allow some businesses to reopen on Friday, naming gyms, hair salons, bowling alleys and tattoo parlors. Kemp further said movie theaters could reopen Monday, and restaurants could return to limited dine-in service. But he emphasized the businesses would follow strict social distancing and hygiene guidelines, as well as monitor employees' health. The governor said a decline in emergency room visits by people with flu-like symptoms indicated coronavirus infections were going down in the state.
In other loosening of restrictions: Texas allowed state parks to reopen Monday and said stores would be allowed to have curbside service later in the week; Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said businesses across most of the state would be reopening as early as next week, but not the counties with the largest cities; Colorado Governor Jared Polis said he'd let the state's stay-at-home order expire next week, but strict social distancing and other measures would have to be followed; and Boeing said it would have 27,000 people return to work this week at its Seattle-area jet-building plants, with precautions including staggered shifts and mask-wearing. Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease specialist and a member of President Trump's coronavirus task force, warned on Good Morning America about opening up too soon, saying, "If you jump the gun, and go into a situation where you have a big spike, you're going to set yourself back . . . it's going to backfire."
Trump said late last night that he will sign an executive order temporarily suspending immigration to the U.S. due to the pandemic and the economic fallout. He tweeted: "In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!" The White House didn't provide any further information.
In other developments:
- Federal officials said yesterday they will start tracking and publicly sharing information about coronavirus cases and deaths in nursing homes, which have been hit hard by the disease. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services head Seema Verma also told reporters that nursing homes, which she called "ground zero" for the coronavirus, will also be required to tell patients and family members within 12 hours of a confirmed infection. The New York Times reported Sunday that 20 percent, of U.S. deaths from the virus were associated with nursing homes, and experts believe the likely total is higher.
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U.S. MONITORING INTELLIGENCE THAT KIM JONG UN IN GRAVE DANGER AFTER SURGERY: CNN reported last night that the U.S. is monitoring intelligence that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is in grave danger after undergoing surgery, citing an unnamed U.S. official. Another American official told the network concerns about Kim's health are credible, but it's hard to assess the severity. The South Korean government said no unusual activity has been detected in North Korea and stated, "We have no information to confirm regarding rumors about Chairman Kim Jong Un’s health issue that have been reported by some media outlets." South Korean newspaper Daily NK, which focuses on North Korea, reported Kim underwent a cardiovascular system procedure on April 12th due to "excessive smoking, obesity and overwork," and is now receiving treatment in a villa after the procedure. Speculation about Kim's health was raised after he missed the April 15th celebration of his late grandfather's birthday, North Korea's most important holiday that marks the birth of its founding father.
➤OIL PRICES FALL BELOW ZERO AS DEMAND PLUMMETS AMID PANDEMIC: U.S. oil prices fell below zero, to an astounding negative $37.63, on Monday (April 20th), amid a worldwide oil glut as demand has plummeted amid the coronavirus pandemic. But although the cost to have a barrel of U.S. crude delivered in May plunged to negative $37.67, with places to store it running out because of lack of demand, it's still more than $20 a barrel for delivery in June, which analysts consider close to the true price. By comparison, it was $60 a barrel at the start of the year.
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SHAKE SHACK RETURNING PPP MONEY AMID UPROAR OVER FUNDS GOING TO BIG RESTAURANT CHAINS: Burger chain Shake Shack said Monday (April 20th) that it will be returning the $10 million loan it got under the Paycheck Protection Program, amid an uproar over big restaurant chains like Shake Shack, Ruth's Chris, and Potbelly getting loans under the program passed by Congress to provide economic relief for small businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic. Potbelly also got a $10 million loan and Ruth's Chris got two loans for a total of $20 million. The PPP quickly ran through its initial funding, with many small businesses unable to get the loans they need to stay afloat. Congress and the White House say they're close to a deal that would put another $300 billion into the program. But pointing to the large restaurant chains being eligible for the loans, small business advocacy groups are saying changes to the program are needed before the next round of money is given out.
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