states

Sylvie Briand, the World Health Organization's infectious hazards management chief, said the UN body was surprised by certain countries' lack of preparation for a pandemic before the coronavirus crisis.Here is a question-and-answer with the French scientist:Are you surprised by how quickly the pandemic has spread?"We're not surprised as such, because we knew it could happen."We…

CLOSE Coronavirus has spread from Wuhan, China, to countries across the world. But how do you know you have it? Here are some signs to watch out for. USA TODAYRachel Brummert left her home in Charlotte, North Carolina, just once after March 2: to pick up a prescription at CVS on March 18.That made the…

May 11, 2020Updated 1:47 p.m. ETMillions of working people and small-business owners who cannot earn money while sheltering at home are facing economic ruin. So dozens of states, seeking to ease the pain, are coming out of lockdown.Most have not met even minimal criteria for doing so safely, and some are reopening even as coronavirus…

South Carolina has permitted retail stores to reopen to customers. It's one of a handful of states easing up on some social distancing restrictions. Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg via Getty Images South Carolina has permitted retail stores to reopen to customers. It's one of a handful of states…

Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.With the coronavirus crisis hitting state budgets hard, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Wednesday that he is open to allowing states to declare bankruptcy -- rather than sending governors more federal money to deal with their own ballooning…