Nearly 10 million Americans were put out of work in the past two weeks as the coronavirus pandemic slammed the US economy.
In just the last week, more than 6.6 million people filed for unemployment benefits — almost doubling the prior week’s record, the US Labor Department said Thursday.
Some 236,339 Americans have been infected by the virus, part of more than 1 million people worldwide, according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University.
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Here’s what else we learned today:
New York crisis:
- The number of coronavirus deaths in New York exploded past the 2,000 mark today, as the number of confirmed cases eclipsed 90,000.
- Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivered the grim news during a briefing that included a cameo from his coronavirus-stricken brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, who said he can “barely… keep it together.”
- After The Post revealed a safety gear shortage at Mount Sinai West so severe that some staffers were forced to wear trash bags, nurses say they finally got more protective gowns.
- This small Long Island town has the region’s highest concentration of confirmed cases — and residents are blaming incoming New Yorkers for the spike.
COVIDIOTS:
- Fifteen men were arrested during a funeral in New Jersey for allegedly defying the state’s ban on public gatherings.
- There was also a packed funeral in Brooklyn, in violation of social-distancing rules, but no fines were immediately issued or arrests made.
- Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez weren’t about to let Florida’s stay-at-home order keep them from working out. It looks like their gym made an exception for the power couple, as there’s a sign on a door that says it’s closed.
Some good news:
- A “cavalry” of paramedics and EMTs from across the country joined New York City’s fight against the coronavirus.
- In the midst of dwindling blood supplies, the FDA eased restrictions on donations by gay and bisexual men.
- An Oregon World War II veteran who just turned 104 could be one of the oldest people on the planet to survive COVID-19.
Meanwhile…
- Here’s how sex workers are handling the pandemic.
- Do masks really work? We have the answers.
- And if you’ve been having trouble sifting though conflicting and confusing information, here’s a fact-vs-fiction guide to coronavirus and how to stay safe.
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