March 11 coronavirus news

Dallas has canceled its St. Patrick’s Day Parade and block party due to novel coronavirus, according to a public announcement from the city. 

The event was scheduled for March 14.

The City of Dallas Convention and Event Services canceled the special event permits following a review of the parade and block party.

Here's what Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said about the decision:

President Trump seemed to downplay the need for an economic stimulus due to the coronavirus during discussions with top executives from national banks today regarding the impact the virus is having on businesses.

Trump said a payroll tax holiday would be great but Democrats don’t like it and he’s trying to figure out why. The President added that the administration will work with small businesses and give out a lot of small business loans, as the banks are too.

The bankers in the room also discussed the economic impacts. Citigroup's Michael Corbat said it is not a financial crisis. Steven Schwarzman, CEO of Blackstone, said the virus “requires a mobilization.” 

The President said he will make both economic and health-related announcements at 8 p.m. ET. During the spray, Trump touted “tremendous strides from CDC and others.”

Delaware’s first presumptive coronavirus case is a University of Delaware professor, the school confirmed.

University spokesman Peter Bothum would not identify or provide further information about the professor but said the people who have come into contact with him have been notified.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said New York City could take at least six months to get back to some sense of normalcy because of coronavirus.

The mayor said New York City now has 53 confirmed cases of coronavirus. That number is up from the 48 previously reported by Gov. Andrew Cuomo earlier today.

Two employees at CBS News have tested positive for coronavirus, according to an internal memo sent to CBS News employees obtained by CNN.

The employees work in two different buildings and employees in both locations are being asked to work from home, according to the memo by CBS News president Susan Zirinsky.

Zirinsky went on to say that the CBS News offices are expected to be open Monday.

US stocks sold off sharply on Wednesday, with the Dow falling into a bear market, defined as 20% below its most recent high.

The Dow finished 1,465 points, or 5.9%, lower.

Stocks erased all of Tuesday’s gains. Coronavirus fears again weighed on markets, as the World Health Organization designated the global outbreak a pandemic.

The S&P 500 dropped 4.9%. The index briefly fell into bear market territory in afternoon trading.

The Nasdaq Composite closed down 4.7%.

No.

"The new coronavirus cannot be transmitted through goods manufactured in China or any country reporting Covid-19 cases," the World Health Organization says.

"Even though the new coronavirus can stay on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days (depending on the type of surface), it is very unlikely that the virus will persist on a surface after being moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperatures," WHO said.

"If you think a surface may be contaminated, use a disinfectant to clean it. After touching it, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water."

Seattle public schools will close tomorrow and remain closed “for a minimum of 14 days,” according to a notice from the district to parents.

In a letter to students’ families, the district says, “Together, we are facing an unprecedented health crisis in our community.” The notice does not say if they will attempt to continue instruction remotely, although the district promises to have more details for parents on Thursday.

The school district says its first staff member tested positive for the novel coronavirus Tuesday, but they expect the number of cases tied to the district to increase.

President Trump said he has “already made some decisions today” but “will be making some other ones that are important.”

He added that he will “be making a statement later on tonight" about what the country should do regarding the coronavirus. 

Trump made the remarks during a White House meeting with bankers to discuss the economy, jobs, and the coronavirus. 

“Prior to the coronavirus, it was just all go,” Trump said of the economy. “The numbers from a week ago were great... but now we’re hitting a patch and we’re going to have to do something.”

“Number one priority is the health of the country,” he added. 

Trump said he will make the statement around 8 p.m. ET.