Mapping The Coronavirus Spread; Canceled High School Musicals Go Online; Anyone Up For Virtual Happy Hour?

Plus, a new poll says Americans don’t see coronavirus as a real threat. by Korva Coleman and Jill Hudson First Up [A girl and her dog look out from a window during one of the many flash mobs taking place in Rome, on Sunday. ]( Daniel Wood, Elena Renken and Stephanie Adeline/NPR Here’s the latest on the coronavirus crisis. Since the first U.S. case of the coronavirus was identified in Washington state on Jan. 21, health officials have identified thousands of cases across the United States. [This NPR map shows the spread of the disease]( and which states have been hit the hardest. The White House coronavirus task force is expected to ask Congress on Tuesday for an $850 billion aid package for the slumping U.S. economy. The briefing comes [a day after the White House recommended new guidelines]( to slow the spread of the coronavirus over the next 15 days. Fewer people view the coronavirus pandemic as a real threat, [according to a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll](. The poll also found that a majority of Americans have little trust in the information they are hearing from President Trump about the coronavirus, and their confidence in the federal government's response to it is declining sharply. [French President Emmanuel Macron is seen on a television screen as he speaks during an address to the nation on the outbreak of COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus, on Monday.]( Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images The European Union has proposed closing its external borders to non-essential travel for 30 days [to contain the spread of COVID-19 infections](. Spain, in particular, is in a total shutdown, but Spaniards are doing their best to keep their spirits up. ([Listening time for this story, 3:50]( Florida, Illinois and Arizona will hold state primaries on Tuesday. [Here's a state-by-state guide]( on what to watch. Meanwhile, [the Ohio Supreme Court has postponed the primary]( originally scheduled for today due to coronavirus concerns. Federal courthouses across the United States are scrambling to curtail public gatherings — [including postponing trials and moving courtroom hearings to video conferences]( — to limit the spread of the coronavirus. China makes millions of masks. [But ramping up production during a time of need is tricky](. "Making masks is not as easy as you imagine," a pharmaceutical executive in China says. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- The Daily Escape [Julie Byrne on the cover of 2017's Not Even Happiness. Her song "Natural Blue" begins our playlist of soothing music.]( NPR/Wow In The World Here’s a cool bit of science talk that has nothing to do with the coronavirus. Wow In The World podcast hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz dig into [the sticky science behind bumblebee vomit](. In a week of news updates on social distancing and looming uncertainty, the Heat playlist is here for your at-home workout. For your stress baking. For a dance break with your dog. Or for avoiding your kids. (Please believe us when we say [we're not judging you](. How do you keep your office connected when people are working from home? One CEO is throwing [virtual happy hours and online karaoke parties](. Here are [eight more suggestions]( on how to make working from home a more pleasant experience. --------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Listens [Laura Benanti performs in New York City in 2016. She recently asked high school students to send her videos of their musical theater performances after many of them were canceled.]( Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images High schools musicals are canceled around the country because of coronavirus concerns. Then Broadway star Laura Benanti asked disappointed high school theater kids to post their performance videos online with the hashtag #SunshineSongs. ([Listening time, 2:51]( or [read the story]( In Lebanon, protestors and the government are battling in cyberspace. Even before the coronavirus pushed people off the streets, the internet was a key place for dissent and the government has been accused of intimidating critics everywhere from WhatsApp to podcasts. ([Listening time, 4:20]( or [read the story]( New research indicated that fewer insurers are covering fewer drugs than they did a decade ago. ([Listening time, 3:50]( In 1973, five black students and five white students were told to go around the room and say what they really thought about people of the other race. The daring experience bonded them in ways they never expected. ([Listening time, 5:03]( or [read the story]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Before You Go [Tyra Banks at the America's Next Top Model mobile game release on May 3, 2018 in Hollywood, California.]( Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images - How in the world are you supposed to cope when we’re all so stressed? The NPR's Arts Desk team [has a few suggestions to calm your nerves]( like holding a Norwegian knitting marathon, playing a real-time strategy game, or bingeing the current season of America's Next Top Model or your favorite British crime drama? - The current production of Riverdance was updated for its 25th anniversary. [Performances of the much loved Irish dance spectacle]( have been postponed for the rest of the month because of the coronavirus pandemic. - Superstar rapper Drake just broke a big record. The Canadian holds the distinction of placing the most songs ever on the Billboard Hot 100 chart over the course of his career. It's all thanks to the track: "Oprah's Bank Account." [Listen to the story here](. - Amazon says it plans to hire 100,000 new workers for warehouses and delivery service in the U.S. to meet the “[surge in demand]( as more people turn to online shopping for supplies. Suzette Lohmeyer contributed to today’s newsletter. --------------------------------------------------------------- We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [dailynewsletter@npr.org](mailto:dailynewsletter@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Daily News emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy](