July 1 coronavirus news

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order today, closing indoor service at bars throughout most of lower Michigan “to protect the progress Michigan has made against Covid-19,” according to a statement from the governor’s office.

Bars statewide can however continue to serve customers outdoors and Michigan will now allow cocktails-to-go at bars, while restaurants and expand social districts are being given permission for more outdoor seating and areas for people to safely congregate while practicing physical distancing, the statement said.

Recently, health officials in Ingham County linked 107 confirmed Covid-19 cases to an outbreak in a single bar in East Lansing.

US stocks ended mixed on Wednesday, with the Dow sliding into the red just minutes before the closing bell, driven lower by energy and tech stocks. 

It was a rather quiet day in the market, but investors were optimistic about some “positive data” from a Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine trial. The drug maker was also the best performing Dow stock of the day.

That said, the focus is on tomorrow morning’s labor market data, including the June jobs report and weekly unemployment claims.

Here's where things ended up today:

New Jersey has reported an additional 423 positive Covid-19 test results for a cumulative total of 171,928, Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday.

There were 45 new confirmed deaths, bringing the statewide total to 13,224 and total probable deaths 1,854.

The daily spot positivity rate is 2.29% for tests recorded on June 27.

Casinos, outdoor amusement parks, water parks along with certain indoor recreation such as bowling alleys, batting cages, shooting ranges and arcades are still on track to reopen tomorrow, the governor said. Gyms will open tomorrow for individualized training only. 

One thing to note: These figures were released by the New Jersey governor’s office and may not line up exactly in real time with CNN’s database drawn from Johns Hopkins University and the Covid Tracking Project.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced Wednesday that she is extending the face-covering requirement from seven counties to the entire state. 

Brown said the requirement, “generally applies to all indoor places where the public may go. This means grocery stores, pharmacies, and shops. It means lobbies, elevators and restrooms. It means gyms, restaurants, and churches.”

Speaking at a news conference in Portland Wednesday, the governor said there would be exceptions to the rule.

The mandate does not extend to children under 12. It also makes accommodations for those with a medical condition where wearing a mask could be potentially dangerous, for those eating or drinking in a restaurant, and if physical exertion makes it difficult to wear a face covering while exercising, provided a six-foot distance is maintained, she said. 

As Covid-19 cases continue to rise in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday he was less worried about July 4 outdoor gatherings this coming weekend because “the science is pretty clear” that they are safer.

There are no plans at the state level to close beaches or parks.

“Doing things outdoors in Florida is less risky than doing things when you’re packed indoors,” he said in a news conference Wednesday, in response to a question about Fourth of July weekend. He added that “it needs to be controlled” but that certain localities are doing that, and that his bigger concern was people crowding indoors.

He did caution those 65 and older, and those who have underlying medical conditions, to take necessary measures to isolate.

“We all have a responsibility not to put others in jeopardy,” he said.

CNN asks Gov. DeSantis about case spike:

President Trump said Wednesday he still supports a phase four stimulus plan, but added that he believes “it has to be done properly.”

Asked if he wanted direct payments to be larger, the President said he wants to see more money going to Americans.

“I want the money getting to people to be larger so they can spend it, I want the money to get there quickly and in a non-complicated fashion and they wanted to make it too complicated, also it was an incentive not to go to work. You’d make more money if you don’t go to work, that’s not what the country is all about and people didn’t want that,” Trump said.

On unemployment benefits, Trump didn’t answer directly when asked if he agreed with extending the $600 enhanced benefit that’s set to expire.

“We’re getting together, we’re going to meet tonight,” he said. “And we’re going to make a determination but it’s going to be a good number, a substantial number. People are going to be happy.”

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo said Wednesday she would consider closing bars in the state if more owners did not comply with health regulations.

Raimondo made the announcement after a large inspection of bars on Friday that found 18% did not have adequate social distancing. She said the state would begin ramping up enforcement.

"If we continue to see that, we're gonna close the bars,” Raimondo added. “It's really that simple."

California cities struggling with the spread of coronavirus are being encouraged to cancel their upcoming Independence Day fireworks shows in an effort to eliminate crowds, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced today in a news conference.

The cancellation of some major fireworks shows has already been done in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Newsom also warned again of family gatherings over the Fourth of July weekend, saying that while the holiday is typically time for festive barbecues, inviting extended family from outside of your household should be reconsidered.

Newsom compared mask wearing to using a helmet while on a motorcycle or a seat belt in a car.

President Trump said that he would have “no problem” wearing a face mask in public, claiming he is “all for masks” in an interview on Fox Business Wednesday.

Trump said that he didn’t believe making masks mandatory across the country was necessary, but claimed that he is “all for masks” and that he “thinks masks are good.” The Trump administration has consistently said mask mandates are up to state and local leaders.

Asked by Fox Business’ Blake Berman on whether he would wear a mask, Trump said: “Oh I would. I have. I mean people have seen me wearing one. If I’m in a group of people where we’re not 10 feet away — but usually I’m not in that position and everyone’s tested.”

Trump then claimed that he would “have no problem” with the public seeing him wearing a mask — despite months of refusing to wear a mask in public while not observing social distancing. 

“I mean I’d have no problem. Actually I had a mask on. I sort of liked the way I looked. It was ok. It was a dark, black mask and I thought it looked okay. It looked like the Lone Ranger. But no, I have no problem with that. I think and if people feel good about it they should do it," Trump said. 

In the interview, Trump also added that he still believes coronavirus will “disappear” someday.  

Asked if he actually believes the virus will still disappear, Trump said, “I do. I do Yeah sure. At some point. And I think we’re going to have a vaccine very soon too.” 

Trump says he is 'all for masks'