Concerns about the coronavirus pandemic rippled across the globe Friday, as more events were canceled and an Australian government minister tested positive for the virus just days after meeting with Ivanka Trump and other U.S. officials.
Peter Dutton, the home affairs minister, said he woke up with a fever and sore throat Friday and would be checking into a hospital. Last week, Dutton was photographed standing directly next to the president’s daughter and a few feet away from U.S. Attorney General William Barr.
Meanwhile, markets staged a cautious rebound despite the specter of prolonged economic dislocation, with investors hopeful that the Trump administration and congressional Democrats were nearing agreement on relief measures to help those affected by the pandemic. European stocks and U.S. stock futures were up slightly, promising some respite on Wall Street after the steepest falls in more than 30 years on Thursday. Most Asian markets closed lower, however, after a volatile day.
But in the United States, public life appeared to be grinding to a halt. Broadway went dark, major theme parks and museums said they would close, and six governors ordered statewide school closures. The major U.S. professional soccer and hockey leagues suspended their seasons Thursday, following the NBA’s announcement a day earlier. Major League Baseball postponed Opening Day by at least two weeks, and the March Madness basketball tournament was canceled, too. Elsewhere, countries imposed new travel restrictions and bans on public gatherings, and Nepal canceled climbing expeditions on Mount Everest.
Here are some other significant developments:
- More than 1,600 cases of the virus were being treated across the United States, including at least one patient in nearly every state and the District of Columbia. At least 41 deaths have been reported.
- President Trump publicly pondered whether the Tokyo Olympics might be postponed, only to remark later that there were still “plenty of options” for the Games to proceed.
- Tensions with European allies simmered after Trump banned entry to travelers from much of Europe for 30 days. European officials saw a political motive in the president’s move, which also underlined a lack of coordination on virus containment measures.
- Sophie Trudeau, the wife of the Canadian prime minister, said she tested positive for the virus as her husband announced he would be isolating himself. In the U.S., the White House said neither Vice President Pence nor Trump would be tested, after a Brazilian official they met recently was found to have contracted the virus.
Fears are growing that disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic will strangle U.S. economic growth and send the country into a recession. VOA’s Brian Padden reports that the White House is considering a range of short-term measures to ease the financial strain on affected businesses and workers, but economists warn that the more the virus spreads, the greater the economic impact will be and the longer it may take to recover.
Disneyland, Disney World to close down amid coronavirus spread
Disneyland closed until the end the month, while the NBA, MLS and NHL have suspended their seasons.
Hours after announcing Disneyland would close, Disney World was the latest attraction to be added to the list of places shutting down in the wake of the current novel coronavirus outbreak.
Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will close down to the public from March 14 through the end of the month amid the novel coronavirus spread, according to a statement from Disney Parks.
The Walt Disney Company said Disney World, in Orlando, Florida, will close March 15 through the end of the month.
The hotels on Disneyland Resort will remain open until March 16 to give guests enough time to make necessary travel arrangements, the statement read. Downtown Disney will remain open.
Unlike Disneyland, the hotels at Disney World will remain open “until further notice.”
