WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says his administration is encouraging many Americans to wear face masks in public, though he stresses that the recommendation is optional and is conceding that he will not be complying with it. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. WASHINGTON —...
3M Fires Back at Trump Over Order to Produce More Face Masks
Manufacturing giant 3M pushed back Friday against criticism from President Donald Trump over production of face masks that are badly needed by American health care workers. The company said it has been producing as many masks as possible for the U.S. “over the last several weeks and months.” 3M also...
What You Need to Do to Get Your Government Stimulus Check
The IRS and the Treasury Department say Americans will start receiving their economic impact checks in the next three weeks. The payments are part of the $2.2 trillion rescue package signed into law last week by President Donald Trump aimed at combating the economic ravages of the coronavirus outbreak. Most people don't...
Florida in Cruise-Ship Standoff, New York Collects Its Dead
NEW YORK — New York authorities rushed to bring in an army of medical volunteers Tuesday as the death toll in the city from the coronavirus climbed past 1,000 and the wail of ambulances in the otherwise eerily quiet streets became the heartbreaking soundtrack of the crisis. As hot spots...
Trump Rollback of Mileage Standards Guts Climate Change Push
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration's rollback of mileage standards Tuesday marks a win for Americans who like their SUVs and pickup trucks, but the government's own estimates show big costs, too — more Americans dying from air pollution, more climate-damaging tailpipe exhaust and more expense for drivers at the gas...
White House Projects 100K to 240K US Deaths From Virus
WASHINGTON — The White House on Tuesday projected 100,000 to 240,000 deaths in the U.S. from the coronavirus pandemic if current social distancing guidelines are maintained. President Donald Trump called American efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus “a matter of life and death” and urged the public to...
Trump Extends Virus Guidelines, Braces US for Big Death Toll
WASHINGTON — Bracing the nation for a coronavirus death toll that could exceed 100,000 people, President Donald Trump extended restrictive guidelines through April, bowing to public health experts who presented him with even more dire projections for the expanding coronavirus pandemic. It was a stark shift in tone by the Republican president,...
California’s Shelter-In-Place Order, Explained
By Byrhonda Lyons, CalMatters As President Donald Trump considers easing national restrictions by Easter, Californians are into their first week of an official shelter-in-place directive to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered Californians to stay home except for essential services, leading many to wonder: What’s essential? That’s...
Trump Seeks to Force General Motors to Produce Ventilators
DETROIT — President Donald Trump issued an order Friday that seeks to force General Motors to produce ventilators for coronavirus patients under the Defense Production Act. Trump said negotiations with General Motors had been productive, “but our fight against the virus is too urgent to allow the give-and-take of the...
BREAKING: House Passes $2.2T Rescue Package, Rushes It to Trump
WASHINGTON— Acting with exceptional resolve in an extraordinary time, the House rushed President Donald Trump a $2.2 trillion rescue package Friday, tossing a life preserver to a U.S. economy and health care system left flailing by the coronavirus pandemic. The House approved the sweeping measure by a voice vote, as...