Coronavirus pandemic in the US

There have been 18 reported cases of inflammatory response syndrome in children in the State of New Jersey, according to Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli.

The ages of the children showing symptoms of the syndrome range from 3 to 18. The cases are all under investigation and four of the children have tested positive for Covid-19.

Some more context: In neighboring state New York, there are more than 100 cases of children with the inflammatory syndrome, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said earlier today.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is preparing to release an alert warning doctors to be on the lookout for a dangerous inflammatory syndrome in children that could be linked to coronavirus infection, a CDC spokesman told CNN Tuesday.

Disney Cruise Line has extended the suspension of its sailings through July 27, the company announced in a statement.

Guests currently booked on any of the sailings affected will be offered the choice of cruise credit (good for 15 months) or a full refund.

April revenue collections for New Jersey were down nearly 60%, or a loss of about $3.5 billion dollars, according to Gov. Phil Murphy. 

Murphy called for an urgent need of direct assistance to New Jersey from the federal government because of the revenue shortfall to the state. 

“We cannot sustain a collapse of revenue without turning to unprecedented layoffs,” he said. “Layoffs of the very people that we are relaying on the most at this time. Our public health workers, our first responders, our educators."

New Jersey expects similar revenue shortfalls or worse in the state in the month of May. 

“This report shows the fiscal cliff we are now looking over the side of," Murphy said.

There are at least 1,379,756 cases of coronavirus in the US and at least 83,150 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University's tally of cases.

Johns Hopkins on Wednesday reported 10,380 new cases and 794 deaths. 

The totals include cases from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and other US territories, as well as repatriated cases.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Wednesday she is lifting restrictions in all 99 counties starting Friday.  

Reynolds previously lifted restrictions in 77 of Iowa's 99 counties, allowing restaurants, fitness centers, retail stores and enclosed malls to reopen. Her announcement Wednesday allows the remaining 22 counties to reopen these businesses and adds salons, barbershops, and massage therapy services. 

Like the counties where restrictions have already been lifted, the remaining counties will all be allowed to resume some church services, elective surgeries, and dental services. Farmers markets, campgrounds, drive-in movie theaters, tanning facilities, and medical spas will be allowed to reopen in the remaining 22 counties as well.  

The reopening comes with the same guidelines issued for Iowans in the previous 77 counties, which includes staying home as much as possible if you are over 65 or have an underlying condition, social distancing, and wearing a face covering when you cannot maintain six feet of distance.

The Iowa Department of Public Health has issued further guidelines for businesses that include frequent cleaning and disinfecting, providing hand soap and hand sanitizer, displaying signs that encourage people to stay six feet apart, and wearing face coverings when social distancing is not possible.  

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced today that tanning salons will reopen under strict guidelines on May 21.

Justice said that there was an overwhelming amount of calls to his office about the salons, and after conferring with experts felt it was safe to do so. 

Justice reported one new death, and at least 480 cases of Covid-19. 

People in New Jersey will be allowed to gather in vehicles in cases such as drive-in movies or religious services, Gov. Phil Murphy announced today. 

The action will not be in violation of the state's order prohibiting mass gatherings as long as all participants remain in their cars, he said.

“If vehicles are closer than six feet apart, then all windows, sunroofs, and convertible tops must remain closed unless the safety of the occupants is in danger," Murphy said.

In other cases, the ban on gatherings will still apply and Murphy urged residents to stay at home as much as possible.

Amazon extended a temporary pay increase on Wednesday for its warehouse and delivery workers, following concerns raised by employees and policymakers about the e-commerce giant's response to the pandemic. 

The company implemented a $2 hourly wage bump for those frontline employees in March. That policy will remain in effect through May 30, said Rachael Lighty, an Amazon spokesperson. 

Amazon will also be extending double overtime pay for employees in the United States and Canada, Lighty added. 

But Amazon declined to say whether it plans to reinstate unlimited unpaid pandemic leave in accordance with requests this week from more than a dozen attorneys general. 

The attention to Amazon’s workplace policies reflects weeks of protests by workers, many of whom have cited shortages of protective gear and difficulty maintaining social distancing while on the job. 

 Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser has extended the stay-at-home order until June 8.

It was originally set to expire on May 15.

Bowser noted in a news conference Wednesday that the order can be revised at any time, depending on the data.

One of the metrics for deciding whether it would be safe to reopen the District is a sustained decrease in community spread for 14 days. As of May 12, the District reports a four-day decrease in community spread. The guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for reopening suggest a 14-day decrease overall in cases.

As parts of Virginia and Maryland begin to reopen, Bowser said that she is encouraged that the National Capital region, which includes Maryland and Virginia, is not moving “too quickly.”

Bowser is urging the federal government to “keep as many people on telework as possible,” noting that the DC government has about 40% of employees that have to report to their offices, but 60% are able to telework.

“I would expect the Congress to have a similar evaluation of for their workforce,” Bowser said.