Coronavirus pandemic in the US

By Meg Wagner, Mike Hayes and Melissa Macaya, CNN

Updated 9:19 p.m. ET, May 19, 2020
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1:59 p.m. ET, May 19, 2020

Trump says US should consider terminating trade deals for importing cattle

From CNN's Maegan Vazquez

President Trump speaks during a White House ceremony announcing the details of the coronavirus food assistance program in Washington on May 19.
President Trump speaks during a White House ceremony announcing the details of the coronavirus food assistance program in Washington on May 19. Pool

President Trump said Tuesday that the US should consider terminating trade deals related to the importation of cattle from other countries.

“I read yesterday where we take some cattle in from other countries because we have trade deals. I think you should look at terminating those deals,” the President said. 

“We have a lot of cattle in this country and I think you should look at the possibility of terminating those trade deals,” he continued, adding, “We’re very self-sufficient, and we’re becoming more and more self-sufficient.”

Trump’s comment came during a White House ceremony announcing the details of the coronavirus food assistance program.

The program, funded through the CARES Act and Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, will include $16 billion in direct payments to farmers and ranchers, the President said.

Hear Trump's statement:

11:56 a.m. ET, May 19, 2020

Trump is having lunch with GOP senators today. They weren't told they need to be tested.

From CNN's Manu Raju and Lauren Fox 

President Trump will be on Capitol Hill today for the Senate Republican lunch, a Senate aide tells CNN. 

GOP Sen. Mike Braun said "nobody has told me" that he needs to get tested before lunch this afternoon, saying Trump's arrival was a surprise and just came up on their schedule about an hour and a half ago. 

One source familiar with the matter said the realities of testing 53 members with limited resources or access to rapid tests means Trump is very likely walking into a room without knowing for sure the health status of people he will be meeting with. 

But the room in Hart is one of the biggest in the Capitol and it's quite spacious, so it's possible to maintain social distancing.

12:28 p.m. ET, May 19, 2020

Canada-US border closure extended to June 21

From CNN’s Paula Newton

The Canada-US border will remain closed to non-essential traffic until June 21, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Tuesday morning.

Last week, Trudeau suggested the border would likely remain closed through June.

The agreement as it stands forbids any non-essential travel, although commercial traffic and travel by essential workers, including those working in US hospitals, continues. 

11:17 a.m. ET, May 19, 2020

House Republican leader: "I don't see the need right now" for another rescue package

From CNN's Manu Raju

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) talks to reporters during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on May 15 in Washington.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) talks to reporters during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on May 15 in Washington. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he doesn’t see a need to have another relief package, telling CNN there’s been no change in his posture despite meeting with Vice President Mike Pence and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin this morning about the economy.

“I don’t see the need right now,” he said of another package.

He said they talked about the economy, the number of states opening back up and progress in testing.

“No,” he said when asked if there’s been a change in his posture against moving now on another relief package.

11:10 a.m. ET, May 19, 2020

RNC chair: "We will not be holding a virtual convention"

From CNN's Ryan Nobles

 

Chair of the Republican National Committee Ronna McDaniel speaks during a session at CPAC 2019 on February 28, 2019 in National Harbor, Maryland.
Chair of the Republican National Committee Ronna McDaniel speaks during a session at CPAC 2019 on February 28, 2019 in National Harbor, Maryland. Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post/Pool/Getty Images

Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel has vowed that the RNC will hold an in-person convention.

McDaniel said that there is a long way to go before the event, and party and convention organizers are taking steps to make sure that delegates, elected leaders and all attendees will be safe. 

She also said that she has not heard any concerns from Republicans planning on attending the event.

“I have not heard any concerns yet from our delegates, our state party chairs, or national committee members about concerns," she said on a call with reporters. "There is ample time for us to adjust if necessary and people are very excited about the convention."

She added that the committee has brought on a medical officer who "will be advising us to make sure we are putting the health and safety of our convention goers first." She said she's also looking for guidance from the mayor of Charlotte and North Carolina's governor.

In response to a question about problems with a virtual convention held recently in Minnesota, McDaniel made it clear the national convention will be in person. 

“I am not aware of the issues with Minnesota virtual convention if that is what you’re asking about, we will look into that, but we will not be holding a virtual convention. We are going to put all the safeguards in place to provide resources to our state parties as they hold their conventions," she said.

Some background: Despite concerns, Republicans are insistent that they will hold their convention — scheduled for Aug. 24 through Aug. 27 in Charlotte, North Carolina — in person. President Trump said last week he wants to have the convention in person, but said he was concerned that North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, may attempt to delay openings to impact the convention.

 

11:55 a.m. ET, May 19, 2020

New York City requests line-of-duty benefits for families of city employees who died from Covid-19

From CNN's Melanie Schuman 

A NYPD vehicle passes through a nearly empty Times Square during the coronavirus pandemic on April 25 in New York City.
A NYPD vehicle passes through a nearly empty Times Square during the coronavirus pandemic on April 25 in New York City. Justin Heiman/Getty Images

More than 270 “public servants” have died from coronavirus, according to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio who said he thinks “the right thing to do is to help the families who have lost their loved ones.”

The mayor is officially asking the state of New York to authorize line-of -duty benefits to families of all city employees, including the NYPD or FDNY, who have died as a result of the virus.

“The city of New York believes, I believe, they deserve, their families deserve line of duty benefits for any death that was connected to Covid 19,” he said.

The mayor said he wants to take the “weight off the shoulders of these valiant New Yorkers.” He said the state legislature is the way to do this rather than through city budget changes.

The city supports the line-of-duty death benefits proposal in Washington, but the mayor said he wants to do more. “This horrible crisis came out of nowhere, grabbed this city and these valiant city employees kept fighting no matter what,” de Blasio said.

De Blasio also thanked Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand for their efforts in Washington and noted the city has extended health insurance for 45 days at the request of the municipal labor committee.

10:33 a.m. ET, May 19, 2020

 New York City's daily coronavirus numbers are a "mixed bag," mayor says

From CNN's Melanie Schuman

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks during a coronavirus briefing in New York City on May 19.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks during a coronavirus briefing in New York City on May 19. NYC Media

Mayor Bill de Blasio called today’s numbers a “mixed bag” and urged caution.

Here are the latest numbers, according to de Blasio:

  • The number of hospital admissions for suspected cases has gone up to 57. That’s a rise of nine, from 48.
  • The number of people currently in the public Health and Hospitals ICU has gone up 492 from 475. (17 cases)
  • The percentage of those who tested positive dropped down to 9%. That’s down from the 11% it has held for the past several days of recording data.

This data is all as of Sunday.

11:55 a.m. ET, May 19, 2020

New York City sees slight increase in cases of childhood illness possibly linked to Covid-19

From CNN's Melanie Schuman

There are now 147 confirmed cases of Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) in New York City, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio. That number went up by two cases from Monday when it was 145.

The mayor said 69 have tested positive for Covid-19 or antibodies and reiterated there is one fatality which he spoke about Monday.

Updated data and information will come later this week from the city as it reconciles its cases based off of US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. New York City previously had a separate list of criteria.

10:24 a.m. ET, May 19, 2020

US stocks open mixed

From CNN’s Anneken Tappe

The New York Stock Exchange stands in lower Manhattan on May 18 in New York City.
The New York Stock Exchange stands in lower Manhattan on May 18 in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

US stocks are taking a breather following Monday’s enormous rally and opened slightly lower.

The Dow and the S&P 500 both recorded their best performance since early April.

Investors are turning their attention to Capitol Hill where Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are testifying before the Senate Banking Committee.

Here's how the markets opened the day:

  • The Dow opened 0.3%, or 77 points, lower.
  • The S&P 500 kicked off 0.3% lower.
  • The Nasdaq Composite initially slipped 0.1%, but turned positive within the first minutes of trading.