Novel coronavirus

Navy captain fired after pleading for help on coronavirus-stricken aircraft carrier

By Lolita C. Baldor, Robert Burns, Associated Press

The captain of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier facing a growing outbreak of the coronavirus was fired Thursday by Navy leaders.

Confirmed coronavirus cases hit 1 million around the world

By Associated Press

The United States accounts for about 236,000 of the confirmed cases — more than any other country, according to the tally.

Trump administration moves toward broader use of face masks

By Zeke Miller, Mike Stobbe, Associated Press

The recommendations, still being finalized Thursday, would apply to those who live in areas hard-hit by community transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19.

U.S. allowing longer shifts at nuclear plants in pandemic

By Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press

U.S. nuclear plants will be allowed to keep workers on longer shifts to deal with staffing problems in the coronavirus pandemic.

Some in U.S. may not get stimulus checks until August

By Matthew Daly, Associated Press

The federal government expects to begin making payments to millions of Americans under the new stimulus law in mid-April, but some people without direct deposit information may not get checks until mid-August or later.

Los Angeles mayor tells 4 million residents to wear masks

By Robert Jablon, Associated Press

The mayor of Los Angeles is urging 4 million residents to wear masks to combat the coronavirus when they're in public, while state health officials are shying away from requiring a coverup.

About half of working households lost income due to coronavirus, new poll shows

By Josh Boak, Emily Swanson, Associated Press

About half of all working Americans say they or a member of their household have lost some kind of income due to the coronavirus pandemic, with low-income Americans and those without college degrees especially likely to have lost a job.

Could the coronavirus reshape America’s social safety net?

By Daniel Bush

Americans across the political spectrum have been forced to rethink the government’s role in protecting workers and supervising the economy, as more people confront a public health crisis that has exposed major gaps in the social safety net.

U.S. eases blood donation limits for gay men due to shortage

By Matthew Perrone, Associated Press

The U.S. is making it easier for gay men and other groups to give blood because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Wall Street rises as higher oil prices revive energy stocks

By Stan Choe, Damian J. Troise, Associated Press

Stocks rose on Wall Street Thursday, largely due to gains for energy companies, after the price of oil bounced further off its lowest level in 18 years.