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Washington (CNN)The House of Representatives will vote on Thursday on a roughly $480 billion coronavirus relief package to deliver aid to small businesses and hospitals and expand Covid-19 testing, in the latest attempt by lawmakers to blunt the devastating impact of the pandemic.

The measure passed the Senate on Tuesday and will go to President Donald Trump for his signature after it is approved by the House. Trump has expressed support for the legislation and indicated that he will sign it.

The total price tag of the bill is approximately $484 billion. It will add to the already historic levels of spending to deal with the pandemic by authorizing an additional $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, which was set up to help small businesses struggling from the economic deep freeze triggered by coronavirus. Funding for the program ran dry earlier this month, prompting an outcry from the business community.

In addition, the legislation provides $75 billion for hospitals and health care providers to address coronavirus expenses and lost revenue and $25 billion to facilitate and expand Covid-19 testing. The increased funding for testing comes at a time when there is widespread recognition that testing capacity must increase and improve as states consider when to reopen businesses and lift lockdowns.

The House is expected to hold a recorded roll call vote on the package, forcing many lawmakers to return to Washington from their home states and districts during the pandemic.

Source: House to vote on $480 billion relief package to help small businesses and hospitals, expand Covid-19 testing – CNNPolitics

If you feel confused about whether people should wear masks and why and what kind, you’re not alone. COVID-19 is a novel disease and we’re learning new things about it every day. However, much of the confusion around masks stems from the conflation of two very different functions of masks.

Masks can be worn to protect the wearer from getting infected or masks can be worn to protect others from being infected by the wearer. Protecting the wearer is difficult: It requires medical-grade respirator masks, a proper fit, and careful putting on and taking off. But masks can also be worn to prevent transmission to others, and this is their most important use for society. If we lower the likelihood of one person’s infecting another, the impact is exponential, so even a small reduction in those odds results in a huge decrease in deaths. Luckily, blocking transmission outward at the source is much easier. It can be accomplished with something as simple as a cloth mask.

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A key transmission route of COVID-19 is via droplets that fly out of our mouths—that includes when we speak, not just when we cough or sneeze. A portion of these droplets quickly evaporate, becoming tiny particles whose inhalation by those nearby is hard to prevent. This is especially relevant for doctors and nurses who work with sick people all day. Medical workers are also at risk from procedures such as intubation, which generate very tiny particles that can float around possibly for hours. That’s why their gear is called “personal protective equipment,” or PPE, and has stringent requirements for fit in order to stop ingress—the term for the transmission of these outside particles to the wearer. Until now, most scientific research and discussion about masks has been directed at protecting medical workers from ingress.

Source: Don’t Wear a Mask for Yourself – The Atlantic

It was business as usual Wednesday for North Korean state media, which reported about Kim Jong Un’s achievements and undated musings on the economy — without mentioning the despot’s health or whereabouts.

Speculation about the leader’s condition first arose when he didn’t show up for the anniversary celebration of the birthday of the hermit kingdom’s founding father and Kim’s grandfather, Kim Il Sung, on April 15.

The top headlines from the state news agency KCNA on Wednesday included pieces on sports equipment, mulberry picking and a meeting in Bangladesh to study the rogue regime’s “juche,” or self-reliance ideology, Reuters reported.

The official Rodong Sinmun newspaper published older or undated comments attributed to Kim about the economy, the textile industry and city development, among other topics.

Source: North Korean media silent on Kim Jong Un’s health, whereabouts

The head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday clarified comments he made to The Washington Post earlier this week about a potential second wave of the coronavirus later this year.

“I didn’t say that this was going to be worse, I said it was going to be more difficult and potentially complicated because we’ll have flu and coronavirus circulating at the same time,” CDC Director Robert Redfield said during Wednesday’s White House briefing.

“It doesn’t mean it’s going to be more impossible, doesn’t mean it’s going to be worse, it means it’s going to be more difficult because we’re going to have to distinguish between the two [viruses],” he continued.

While President Donald Trump repeatedly insisted the Post had “misquoted” Redfield, the CDC chief said he was only clarifying the story’s headline.

In its report Tuesday, titled “CDC director warns second wave of coronavirus is likely to be even more devastating,” the Post quoted Redfield as saying there’s “a possibility that the assault of the virus on our nation next winter will actually be even more difficult than the one we just went through.”

Source: CDC director clarifies concerns over potential second wave of coronavirus – AOL News

Port Authority has deep-cleaned its West Mifflin garage, put maintenance workers on a reduced schedule and will soon begin taking temperatures of employees when they show up for work after three employees tested positive for the COVID-19 virus in four days.

Authority spokesman Adam Brandolph said Tuesday the deep cleaning occurred after the first positive test and the others who tested positive already were not reporting to work because they had symptoms. An outside company on Saturday cleaned and sanitized not only the maintenance area but also the other facilities at the West Mifflin garage.

For the next two weeks, maintenance employees will work on reduced schedules and those who do work will have their schedules spread throughout the day so less are working at any one time.

Source: Port Authority limits workers, plans to take employees’ temperatures | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Noor was launched by a three-stage rocket and, according to Iran officials, had reached a 425 km high orbit

Source: Iran reportedly launches first military satellite as Trump makes threats | World news | The Guardian

Dow Jones futures: The coronavirus stock market rally had a strong day, pushing Apple, Intel and Tesla stock near buy points. But earnings loom.

Apple stock, AMD stock, Tesla stock, Microsoft stock and Intel stock are all near buy points or about to have new entries. ButApple (AAPL), Advanced Micro Devices(AMD), Tesla (TSLA), Microsoft (MSFT) andIntel (INTC) all have earnings on tap. Buying a stock just before earnings can be highly risky, with coronavirus shutdowns adding to uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Domino’s Pizza (DPZ), Eli Lilly (LLY) and Citrix Systems (CTXS) all report earnings early Thursday. Domino’s stock, LLY stock and CTXS stock are all slightly extended from recent breakouts.

AMD stock, Microsoft stock and Domino’s stock are all on IBD Leaderboard. MSFT stock and Domino’s stock are on IBD Long-Term Leaders list. Microsoft stock and AMD stock also are on the IBD 50. Apple stock has been added to SwingTrader.

Source: Dow Jones Futures: Coronavirus Stock Market Rally Powers Back; Apple, Tesla, Intel Near Buy Points, But Watch Out For This | Investor’s Business Daily

(Reuters) – Canadian police had yet to determine a motive for the country’s worst mass shooting, as the death toll from the carnage in Nova Scotia over the weekend climbed to 23 from 19, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said on Tuesday.

The shooting rampage has rattled rural communities in the Atlantic province, as investigators seek answers to questions such as how the gunman obtained an authentic police uniform and secured a police look-alike cruiser, both of which aided his easy movement during his 13-hour spree.

Memorials cropped up all over the province of fewer than a million people, featuring Canadian flags, flowers and illustrations of broken hearts. The Canadian Broadcasting Corp said the death toll included the suspect.

The incident started at a home in Portapique, a rural seaside community of about 100 residents in the winter, increasing to some 250 residents in the summer.

The RCMP said in a statement it was investigating the 16 crime scenes that were part of the murder spree, several of which included burnt-out homes. Police said there were also injuries in the attack, but did not say whether the death toll would rise further.

Source: Death Toll In Nova Scotia Mass Shooting Climbs To 23 | HuffPost

UPDATE:Fire crews were called to the scene of a fire that broke out Tuesday morning in Somerset County. The fire is on 107 West 3rd Street. Dispatchers said the call came in around 4:15 a. m. Tuesday. According to Jennerstown Deputy Fire Chief Mike Novak, three people were home at the time of the fire, and two jumped from the second story of the home when they couldn’t get to the stairwell to escape. Novak told 6 News one of those people was taken to Conemaugh with a leg injury.

Source: Crews battle house fire in Somerset County | WJAC

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The Allegheny County Health Department is reporting 12 new Coronavirus-related deaths across the county Tuesday, in addition to 17 more confirmed or probable cases of the fast-spreading virus.

The county death toll now stands at 67, with a countywide case count of 1,059. According to the county, the number of cases includes 1,034 confirmed and 25 probable cases.

Of reported deaths, county health officials say 55 are confirmed, meaning their COVID-19 test came back positive, and 12 are probable. A probable death is one where COVID-19 is listed on the deceased’s death certificate, but the person never had a positive test for the virus, according to county officials.

County health officials say most of the patients who have died have been older in age, but now there is one exception. They are reporting today that one of the victims was 42-years-old. No other details have been released on that person.

According to the county, 188 patients have been or are hospitalized. Seventy-six have needed treatment in the ICU, and 46 patients have needed a ventilator.

There are still more cases in women than in men. The Health Department says nearly 54 percent of the patients are female, and 46 percent of them are male.

The highest number of cases still remains in the 25-49 age range, with the 50-64 age range and the 65 and over age range tied.

Source: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 1,059 Coronavirus Cases, Death Toll Rises To 67

PITTSBURGH, PA – Now you can get bread and milk with your Smiley Cookies. Eat’n Park announced Wednesday that it is launching a temporary grocery program to provide access to everyday staples such as bread, mil, ketchup, toilet paper, Eat’n Park singe serve coffee pods and more.

The full list of available items for purchase can be found online at www.eatnpark.com/order.

“Everyone is trying to limit the frequency of their trips to the grocery store,” Kevin O’Connell, the restaurant chain’s chief marketing officer, said in a release. “So we’ve added a few key items to our takeout menu to help carry people over to their next grocery run.”

Additional items, such as quarts of Eat’n Park’s ranch dressing and Turner’s cottage cheese, are also available for purchase. All items can be purchased online or by phone and can be picked up through Eat’n Park’s convenient pickup windows or contactless grab and go lobby shelves.

Source: Eat’n Park Now Selling Grocery Items | Pittsburgh, PA Patch

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has temporarily sidelined a push to allow proxy voting in the House after Republicans slammed the Democrat-crafted plan — which was designed to mitigate health risks during the coronavirus pandemic but would mark a significant change in how Congress does business.

The plan had been slated for a vote Thursday.

But Pelosi announced she pulled the plug on a leadership call Wednesday, saying that she and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., would instead set up a group of bipartisan lawmakers to study remote voting and proxy voting as part of a way to reopen the House.

The change of plans happened after House Minority Whip Steve Scalise advised GOP members to vote “no” on the proposal they’ve dubbed the “Pelosi Proxy Voting Scheme” in the previously scheduled Thursday vote.

Source: Pelosi sidelines plan for proxy voting amid coronavirus, after GOP backlash | Fox News

The last time America’s states were in the throes of a crippling fiscal crisis, an idea was floated in Washington to help them swiftly bring it to an end: let them file for bankruptcy and escape from the trillions of dollars owed to bondholders and retired public employees.

It was immediately condemned by Wall Street investors, public employee unions and Republican and Democratic governors, who said it was unnecessary and would saddle them with rising interest rates by spooking the bond market. The discussion was dropped after a single hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives.

But on Wednesday, with the nation’s state capitals again facing massive budget shortfalls because of the stalled economy, the idea resurfaced when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell voiced support for it during a radio interview.

“I would certainly be in favor of allowing states to use the bankruptcy route,” McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, said during an interview on the Hugh Hewitt show. “It saves some cities. And there’s no good reason for it not to be available.”

Source: Bid to Let States Go Bankrupt Met Rapid Demise a Decade Ago – Bloomberg

BioNTech soared, and Pfizer led the Dow Jones today on vaccine news, as oil prices sought equilibrium amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Source: Dow Jones Today Rebounds As Oil Prices Swing Wild; Netflix Slips, Facebook Takes A Stake In India | Investor’s Business Daily

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the United States would destroy Iranian gunboats that harassed American ships at sea as tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain high.

Source: Trump says US will ‘destroy’ Iranian gunboats that harass American ships

Click Source For Complete List: A comprehensive list of Pittsburgh events canceled due to response to coronavirus | Coronavirus | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper

HARRISBURG (KDKA) — The governor has promised to reopen the state region by region.

Since Allegheny County’s numbers continue to fall, there’s increasing pressure for him to lift restrictions on businesses like home sales.

The coronavirus shutdown has slowed real estate and home sales to a crawl. Agents aren’t permitted to show houses in person and must rely on videos to convince buyers.

“How can we people in real estate, how can buyers start to look at properties again? And there are just countless, countless folks who are in limbo right now,” said Hoddy Hanna of Howard Hanna Real Estate.

He has 2,000 employees and 7,000 independent contractors says by observing social distancing, CDC guidelines and requiring buyers and sellers to wear masks, sales could be conducted safely.

RELATED KDKA STORIES:

• Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: Protesters Gather Outside State Capitol, Demanding Gov. Tom Wolf Reopens The Economy
• Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: Gov. Tom Wolf Announces Plan For Gradually Reopening Economy Using ‘Data-Driven’ And ‘Regional’ Approach
• Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: Businesses Required To Deny Entry To Customers Without Masks\
• Coronavirus Closures: Gov. Tom Wolf Likely To Veto Bill To Reopen Pa. Businesses
• Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: State Health Officials Implement Worker Safety Measures, Including Mask Requirement For All Employees
• Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: Gov. Tom Wolf Asks Residents To Be Patient, Says There’s No Set Date For Relaxing Stay-At-Home Order

Source: ‘There Is Not One-Size-Fits-All’: Gov. Tom Wolf Says Southwestern Pa.’s Lower Prevalence Of Coronavirus Cases Will Be Factored Into Regional Reopening – CBS Pittsburgh

A game of hide-and-seek for a Virginia family took an awkward turn when an 18-year-old girl had to be rescued by the fire department after getting stuck inside a washing machine.

Amari Dancy chose the unconventional hiding spot while playing with her younger relatives last Sunday in their Woodbridge, Virginia home, according to NBC News.

“We already had hid underneath the bed, in the closet, and we couldn’t go down into the basement,” Dancy told the outlet.

“So, I was like ‘Oh, OK, let’s just hide in the washer machine.”

Dancy’s younger cousin found her and notified the adults in the house, who called 911, the report said.

Source: Virginia teen gets stuck inside washing machine during ‘hide and seek’

 

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After two weeks of stalemate and days of frenetic negotiations, the Senate approved a nearly $500 billion coronavirus aid bill on Tuesday afternoon with the House set for passage later this week.

The agreement centers around providing $380 billion for small businesses and also includes $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for disease testing. It comes after a brutal conflict between party leaders over how to pass a massive bill with the Senate in recess. A pair of conservative Republicans senators, Mike Lee of Utah and Rand Paul of Kentucky, railed against the process on Tuesday afternoon but allowed the bill to go through without objecting.

Source: Senate passes $484 billion coronavirus deal after weeks of deadlock – POLITICO

By COLLEEN SHALBY,

ALENE TCHEKMEDYIAN

APRIL 21, 2020

11:27 AM

UPDATED 6:18 PM

Los Angeles County officials on Tuesday confirmed 1,400 more coronavirus cases, 880 of which were included in a backlog from laboratories that had not previously reported results through the county’s electronic system.

The county also reported 46 new coronavirus-linked deaths, bringing the toll to at least 663.

More than 89,000 residents have been tested for COVID-19, and at least 15,140 have tested positive, Public Health Department director Barbara Ferrer said.

There are 1,739 people currently hospitalized with the virus, and of those, 31% are in intensive care. Nearly one-fifth of all hospitalized patients are on ventilators.

The news comes as various communities throughout the state consider easing stay-at-home orders issued to stem the spread of the disease.

Source: L.A. County coronavirus cases top 15,000; 46 more deaths – Los Angeles Times

The Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania announced Monday that it was canceling all summer day camps and sleep away camps.

“We look forward to summer at camp as much as our girls and volunteers, but our priority is protecting the health and safety of everyone in our Girl Scout family,” said Patricia A. Burkart, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania, in a press release.

Source: Girl Scouts cancel summer camps | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette