California's reopening plan for schools and beaches
California plans to reopen schools as early as late July. The governor Gavin Newsom also included child care and summer schools as well as parks, trails and other outdoor spaces in the state's reopening plan.
Under the statewide stay-at-home order, nearly all schools are closed, which has caused educators and students struggling with what Newsom called "learning loss."
The final decision on whether and when to safely reopen schools will be made by each school district.
In the meantime, Newsom ordered beaches in Orange County closed on Thursday after local officials rejected his calls for limited access. Last weekend, tens of thousands of people packed onto open beaches in Newport Beach.
Other beaches in Southern California have opened this week, but with restrictions. In San Diego, officials allowed people to walk, jog and swim — but banned people from stopping or sitting.
Pence wears mask today at a plant tour
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence wore a mask as he visited a General Motors/Ventec ventilator production plant in the state of Indiana after being criticized for not wearing one at the Mayo Clinic early this week.
According to the General Motors spokesman Jim Cain, all workers are required to wear masks in the plant's production area.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he would not wear a mask despite recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But he said Thursday that he would consider wearing one when he travels to Arizona next week.
Trump predicts "spectacular" economic rebound
President Trump said Thursday that he expects a major economic rebound in the coming months and a "spectacular" 2021, although economists warned of serious damage to the U.S. economy from the pandemic.
New York to strengthen contact tracing
New York state plans to recruit thousands of people across the state to trace the contacts of people who test positive for the coronavirus.
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that early-hour New York City subway service will be stopped to allow cleaning crews to disinfect the trains every day.
Cuomo said New York City's subway system would close between 1 and 5 a.m. ET so that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the agency that oversees the trains, can conduct deep cleanings.
The initiatives are expected to help the state control the spread of the virus once restrictions are eased.
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