Coronavirus cases in Indiana rise as counties plan for phased reopening
From Evan Simko-Bednarski
Medical workers with OptumServe Health Services prepare a Covid-19 test sample from a patient inside the National Guard Armory in La Porte, Indiana on May 6. Ted Yoakum/The News-Dispatch/AP
Indiana has 675 new positive coronavirus cases, bringing the statewide total to 23,146, according to State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box.
There were 33 new confirmed deaths announced today for a total of 1,328, plus 119 total suspected but unconfirmed deaths, Box said.
Intensive care unit and ventilator capacity is holding steady in the state, Box noted.
4:09 p.m. ET, May 8, 2020
Delta suspends flights to 10 airports to reduce health risks
From CNN's Pete Muntean
A worker cleans the screens at a Delta self check-in kiosk at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, on May 5, in Arlington, Virginia. Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Delta Air Lines said it is temporarily halting service at 10 airports in an effort to reduce health risks for its employees. The airports are in metropolitan areas with other airports nearby, the airline said in a statement Friday.
“These changes will allow more of our frontline employees to minimize their COVID-19 exposure risk while ensuring convenient access to Delta’s network for those who must travel,” Delta said.
While Delta said the move is to protect its frontline employees at those airports, like all airlines, it has seen a major reduction in passengers during the pandemic.
Routes will be shuttered to airports such as Chicago Midway. The airline will instead funnel passengers through the O’Hare International Airport.
“Delta will continue providing essential service to impacted communities via neighboring airports,” the statement said.
Delta is the world’s second largest airline. The airline on Monday began mandating that passengers wear face coverings on flights.
The airline said it still may suspend service to other airports as well, citing a request that the Department of Transportation is still reviewing to suspend operations at nine more airports.
6:14 p.m. ET, May 8, 2020
California unemployment is more than 20%, governor says
From CNN's Cheri Mossburg
People load their vehicles with boxes of food at a Los Angeles Regional Food Bank on May 5, in Los Angeles, California. Food Banks across the United States are seeing numbers and people they have never seen before amid unprecedented unemployment. Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images
California is reporting a more than 20% unemployment rate, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday.
“Do the math. We’re not at 14.7%. The State of California is north of 20% right now," he said.
Newsom said unemployment numbers are lagging and warned, “Let me reassure you, those numbers underestimate the rate in this country.”
Paying for unemployment: The governor said he will present a balanced budget next week, as is constitutionally required. Newsom is projecting tens of billions of revenue shortfall, when that revised budget is released on May 14.
Once again, Newsom cried out for the help of the federal government.
“We cannot do justice to the 40 million Americans – Republicans and Democrats – in this state that need us now more than ever without the support of the federal government, period," he said.
On Monday, Newsom said the state will need to borrow funds from the federal government to pay unemployment claims.
4:03 p.m. ET, May 8, 2020
North Carolina announces that testing is now available for anyone exposed to Covid-19
From CNN's Raja Razek
Gov. Roy Cooper speaks during a briefing on North Carolina's coronavirus pandemic response on May 5, at the NC Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh. Travis Long/The News & Observer/AP
Phase one of North Carolina's reopening efforts will start at 5 p.m. today, Gov. Roy Cooper said.
"I urge everyone to do what we know works, and to stay vigilant," Cooper said. "And even though today at 5 p.m., North Carolina moves into phase one, know that the stay-at-home order is still in effect."
Secretary of North Carolina Department of Health and Human Service Dr. Mandy Cohen also announced today that testing is now available for anyone exposed to Covid-19.
"We also want anyone who has been exposed to Covid-19 to get a test whether or not you're having symptoms. So you don't have to have symptoms in order to get a test," Cohen said.
North Carolina has a total of 13,868 Covid-19 cases and 527 deaths.
6:18 p.m. ET, May 8, 2020
Everyone who deplaned Air Force 2 this morning has tested negative for coronavirus
From CNN's Jason Hoffman
The six staffers who deplaned from Air Force 2 at Joint Base Andrews earlier this morning tested for negative for coronavirus, a senior administration official told the pool traveling with Vice President Pence.
This comes after Katie Miller, Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary, tested positive for coronavirus.
President Trump said that Miller has not come into contact with him but noted that she has been in contact with Pence.
Pence was traveling to Des Moines, Iowa, to participate in a discussion with faith leaders on responsible religious and spiritual gatherings, followed by a roundtable on securing the food supply this morning.
See the latest on the White House's response:
3:49 p.m. ET, May 8, 2020
Trump on phase four stimulus package: "We're in no rush"
From CNN's Jason Hoffman
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Republican lawmakers, in the State Dining Room of the White House, on May 8. Evan Vucci/AP
President Trump said on Friday that the White House is “in no rush” to pass additional stimulus funds in response to coronavirus.
“Well we’re in no rush, we’re in no rush. The Democrats have to do what they have to do, but I would say we’re not looking… we want to see what they have, but I can't say that we’re in a rush,” Trump said.
The President added that his administration had moved quickly to distribute the money already allocated by Congress, which he said they did. Although he noted that some money is stalled due to “state machinery, you know they have old computers.”
Trump also claimed that Democrats wanted to send funds that way and they should take responsibility for stalled funds.
Some background: CNN’s Manu Raju reported earlier that Republican leadership in the House and Senate don’t want to move forward with phase four yet, with divisions internally over a number of issues like aid to states and cities.
There will likely be GOP resistance to the rescue package House Democrats are in the process of drafting. They could vote on it as soon as next week.
6:14 p.m. ET, May 8, 2020
California voters will receive mail-in ballots for November election
From CNN's Cheri Mossburg
All registered voters in California will receive a mail-in ballot for the November election, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced during his daily pandemic briefing.
The state is not moving to mail-only, however, and in-person voting will remain an option.
“Mail in voting is important, but it is not an exclusive substitute to physical locations,” the governor said, noting that some people are simply not comfortable mailing in a ballot
“This election is slated to be the most consequential election of our lifetime,” Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. “We remain committed to providing as many safe, in-person opportunities to as possible on and before Election Day.”
The postage on ballots will be pre-paid, Padilla added.
3:37 p.m. ET, May 8, 2020
Florida will allow barber shops and salons to reopen on Monday
From CNN’s Rosa Flores and Sara Weisfeldt
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the reopening of barber shops, hair salons and nail salons in all counties currently in Phase I of the state’s reopening plan starting Monday.
DeSantis made the announcement on Twitter using a video message recorded by J Henry, the owner of J Henry’s Barber Shop in downtown Orlando.
According to a graphic within the video, the reopening includes enhanced safety protocols such as wearing gloves and a mask.
"I know everyone is happy to come out and support the barber shop, but we want to continue to keep one thing in mind: safety is always first," J Henry said in the video.
See the tweet:
5:58 p.m. ET, May 8, 2020
Trump on attending event with WWII veterans without a mask: "We were very far away"
From CNN's Maegan Vazquez
World War II veterans salute as Taps is played during a ceremony at the World War II Memorial to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, on May 8, in Washington DC. Evan Vucci/AP
Asked if he considered wearing a mask during a ceremony with World War II veterans, President Trump said Friday afternoon, “No, because I was very far away from them.”
“We were very far away,” Trump said, adding, “Plus the wind was blowing hard in such a direction that if the plague ever reached them I might be very surprised. It could have reached me, too. You didn’t worry about me. You only worried about them.”
What this is about: Earlier today, Trump participated in a wreath laying ceremony at the WWII Memorial to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.
Trump greeted the veterans — all in their 90s — from a distance and did not exchange handshakes or hugs.
“Well this President is regularly tested. This President will make the decision as to whether to wear a mask or not. I can tell you that those veterans are protected. They made the choice to come here because they’ve chosen to put their nation first. They wanted to be with their commander in chief on this momentous day,” McEnany said.
“It was their choice to come here and I can tell you that the President always puts the safety of our veterans first,” she added.