Welcome to Fresh Start.
This is People’s Daily app.
Here are today’s picks from our editors.
WHO urges caution in relaxation of lockdown
The World Health Organization’s emergency chief said countries looking to exit their lockdown strategies need to use a “calibrated, step-wise approach” that does not release all the restrictions at once.
Dr. Mike Ryan said Monday that countries shouldn’t be looking to transition out of a shutdown without having a plan in place to keep the spread of COVID-19 to manageable levels.
Ryan said countries should have systems in place to detect cases, track contacts, quarantine suspect cases, and test widely for the disease. (AP)
US COVID-19 deaths top 10,000: Johns Hopkins University
The total number of deaths due to COVID-19 in the United States topped 10,000 as of 1:20 pm local time Monday, according to the data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
A total of 10,335 people have died of the disease among 347,003 confirmed cases in the country, the CSSE said.
The state of New York suffered the most deaths in the country, now standing at 4,758. Among other hard-hit states,
New Jersey reported 917 fatalities, Michigan recorded 617 deaths, and California reported 350 deaths.
At a Sunday briefing in the White House, US President Donald Trump said that Americans are bracing for probably the toughest week as many more fatalities could be expected due to COVID-19. (Xinhua)
British PM Johnson in intensive care unit
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been moved to the intensive care unit of a London hospital after his coronavirus symptoms worsened.
Johnson’s office says Johnson is conscious and does not require ventilation at the moment.
Johnson was admitted to St. Thomas’ Hospital late Sunday, 10 days after he was diagnosed with COVID-19.
Johnson has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to deputize for him. (AP)
China to blacklist passengers for providing wrong health information
China will intensify the punishment of inbound passengers who conceal or falsify their health conditions and travel histories, in a bid to curb imported COVID-19 cases, said an official with the General Administration of Customs on Monday.
Most people entering China have reported their health conditions honestly, but there are still cases of people who hid their travel histories to countries severely hit by the outbreak, took medicine before entering the country and concealed fever and coughing symptoms, said Song Yueqian, deputy director of the administration's Department of Health Quarantine.
Customs authorities will levy fines of up to 30,000 yuan for violations, and people who have seriously violated laws and regulations will be handed over to law enforcement authorities, Song said at a news conference. (China Daily)
Japan PM to declare state of emergency as early as Tuesday
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he will declare a state of emergency for Tokyo and six other prefectures as early as Tuesday to bolster measures to fight the coronavirus outbreak, but that there will be no hard lockdowns.
Abe also told reporters on Monday that his government will launch a $1 trillion stimulus package to help counter the economic impact of the pandemic, including cash payouts to households in need and financial support to protect businesses and jobs. (AP)
China men's football team ends quarantine after all re-testing negative for COVID-19
China's men's football team has completed its 14-day medical quarantine on Monday after every player tested negative for COVID-19.
The 25-man squad, which concluded their overseas training camp in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and returned to Sanya, Hainan Province on March 23, followed the requirements of the local epidemic control department to self-isolate at a hotel upon their arrival.
"All the players will return to their clubs," added the statement. (Xinhua)
Catch this week’s supermoon, biggest and brightest of year
A supermoon rises in the sky this week, looking to be the biggest and brightest of the year.
Not only will the moon be closer to Earth than usual, but it will also be a full moon. Scientists call this cosmic combo a supermoon. The moon will be 357,042 kilometers away at its fullest Tuesday night, making it appear larger and more brilliant.
Scientist Noah Petro of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center said the important thing is to stay safe while moon-gazing during the pandemic. (AP)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
In the sport of Judo, what color belt follows an orange belt?
(Answer: Green.)
Today’s quote is from English poet John Milton (1608-1674).
"To be blind is not miserable; not to be able to bear blindness, that is miserable."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, and Elaine Yue Lin. Music by Eugene Loner.)