A version of this story appeared in the May 9 edition of CNN’s Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction newsletter. Sign up here to receive the need-to-know headlines every weekday.

CNN  — 

That fear has been echoed by former US Vice President Al Gore, who slammed the Trump administration’s handling of the crisis, saying this about what could come next: “I think we are seeing the start of a botched reopening.”

Instead, the novel coronavirus arrived at his doorstep.

One of Trump’s personal aides, Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary and Ivanka Trump’s (remote) personal assistant have all tested positive for the virus in the past few days.

The virus’ arrival at the White House is a stark reminder that the pandemic, which has killed more than 77,000 Americans, is far from over.

Despite the rising death toll, the President keeps pushing for a swift restart of the US economy, downplaying the need for more testing and focusing instead on shifting the blame to China.

“Will some people be affected badly? Yes,” Trump said on Tuesday. “But we have to get our country open, and we have to get it open soon.”

The rest of the world is watching, with fear. Global leaders have warned that the Trump administration risks alienating allies by politicizing the pandemic. Beijing is pushing back with increasingly fierce rhetoric, as the rift between the world’s two largest economies deepens, Nectar Gan writes.

The world is starting to emerge from the great lockdown. But rather than a Big Bang reopening, expect a two-steps-forward, one-step-back approach.

YOU ASKED. WE ANSWERED

Q: If I don’t have disinfecting wipes, can I use soap and water on surfaces?

A: Yes, just like you would on your hands to kill coronavirus. But don’t use water alone — that won’t really help. The outer layer of the virus is made up of lipids, aka fat. Your goal is to break through that fatty barrier, forcing the virus’ guts to spill out, rendering it dead. In other words, imagine coronavirus is a butter dish that you’re trying to clean.

The body recommends that children get 14 different vaccinations protecting against 19 pathogens. Timing is important for many of the vaccines to create the strongest immunity. Unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children will be at risk of other infectious diseases besides coronavirus as social distancing requirements are relaxed, the CDC warned.

Send your questions here. Are you a health care worker fighting Covid-19? Message us on WhatsApp about the challenges you’re facing: +1 347-322-0415.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT TODAY

Triple drug therapy offers new hope

A combination of three antiviral drugs, plus an immune system booster, seems to help patients recover more quickly from coronavirus infections, doctors in Hong Kong announced yesterday.

They say the approach needs more testing but could offer another possible treatment.

The only authorized treatment for Covid-19 is the experimental antiviral drug remdesivir, which has also been shown to speed up recovery. But supply is limited. The drug’s maker, Gilead Sciences, says there’s only enough remdesivir for about 200,000 patients.

Americans split about reopening concerned about restrictions lifting too quickly

The US economy lost a record 20.5 million jobs in April, the worst monthly plunge since records began more than 80 years ago.

The pressure to reopen the economy is mounting. Protesters have been taking to the streets for days, demanding individual states allow businesses to reopen. But as nearly all of them started lifting restrictions this week, the issue remains polarizing. Two-thirds of Americans say they are concerned about their states rushing to reopen, while nearly a third state restrictions are not being lifted quickly enough, according to a Pew Research Center survey.

Even protocols to wear masks to stop the spread of the virus have become a flashpoint, allegedly leading to one killing in Michigan and accusations of government overreach.

Seoul races to contain new outbreak

All bars in Seoul, South Korea have been shuttered after a spike in coronavirus cases linked to nightclubs.

A 29-year-old man tested positive for the virus on Thursday after visiting several clubs in Itaewon, a popular nightlife district. Since then, 40 others believed to be connected to the case have tested positive.

Officials have implemented measures to control the spread of the virus. At nightclubs, for instance, people must provide their full name and phone number before entry. According to authorities, 1,946 names were listed on the registry books of the three clubs the 29-year-old visited. Only 647 of those people have been identified.

The first at-home Covid-19 saliva test gets a green light

The US Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency-use authorization for the first at-home Covid-19 test that uses saliva samples, the agency said yesterday.

People can collect their saliva at home and send samples to a lab for results. The test remains prescription only.

Worrying inflammatory syndrome

ON OUR RADAR

TOP TIPS

It’s National Teacher Appreciation Week, and there’s rarely been a more important time to say, “Thank you!” Dr. Gupta highlights teachers’ struggles and creative solutions to home schooling during the pandemic. Listen now.

Single parents are facing even more stress during a pandemic. They often rely heavily on their own informal network of support. And when in-person interaction has been shut down, they feel really alone.

CNN anchor Brianna Keilar feels oddly at peace with the ups and downs of pandemic life. They’re not too different from the ups and downs of military life, which she has experienced during her husband’s deployments overseas.