Trump May Take Carnival Up on Hospital Ships — Just Not Now

President Donald Trump said he may yet take Carnival Corp. up on its offer to use its cruise ships as hospitals to relieve coronavirus-related strain on the health-care system. But he said they weren’t needed now.

“If we need it, we’ll let you know,” Trump said at a Friday media briefing, recounting a conversation with Carnival Chairman Micky Arison. “Right now, we don’t need it.”

On Thursday, Carnival announced its offer to turn its vessels into floating hospitals with as many as 1,000 rooms, capable of treating non-Covid-19 illnesses. The company said it would charge only enough to cover its “essential costs” for providing the ships.

Carnival ships from the company’s Princess and Costa divisions were among those hit by outbreaks. In the most dramatic case globally, more than 700 people came down the virus while sailing on a Princess ship off Japan and were quarantined.

It wasn’t clear how safe the ships on offer would be, given the ease with which previous outbreaks spread. Even if the vessels were to turn away known coronavirus cases, many with the virus show few or no symptoms.

South Korea reports 147 new coronavirus cases, total 8,799

SEOUL (REUTERS) – South Korea reported 147 new coronavirus infections on Saturday (March 21), according to the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

The new cases bring the country’s total to 8,799.

The newly reported cases rose back up to above 100, from the 87 recorded on Friday, although South Korea has been experiencing a downward trend in new cases from the peak of 909 cases reported on Feb 29.

B.C. government vows to protect renters facing eviction due to coronavirus

The B.C. government says British Columbians should not be evicted from their homes in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

“I would say in principal we should be not be evicting people at this time,” Health Minister Adrian Dix said.

This comes after multiple people told Global News they have received eviction notices due to COVID-19.

SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris Says Guild Is Working Overtime For Members

Actors aren’t working, but their union is, SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris said in video message to her members released tonight.

“We are living in challenging and uncertain times – unlike anything we’ve ever experienced,” she said in the video (watch it above). “And as the world is dealing with this unbelievable outbreak, I want you to know that we at SAG-AFTRA are taking action in real time. And I mean that’s morning to night and through the wee hours of the day.”

Noting that keeping members and staff safe is the union’s top priority, Carteris said: “One of the most challenging concerns facing our members during this national emergency is the loss of work. That causes untold economic pain and hardship. So I want you to know that we have been in direct conversations with other unions, studios, employers and legislative leaders, at the state and federal level, to make sure entertainment workers are included in the stimulus package income replacement programs – like expanded unemployment insurance, family relief, universal basic income during this crisis.”

The union has shut down its national headquarters in Los Angeles and closed local offices around the country. In-person meetings have been canceled, and staffers are working remotely from home. A spokesperson said that no staffers have been laid off.

Coronavirus: List Of Canceled Or Postponed Hollywood & Media Events

Coronavirus: B.C. health officials aren’t saying which communities have cases. Here’s why

British Columbia announced 77 new cases of the novel coronavirus Friday, bringing the provincial total to 348.

To date, health officials have not been specific about which communities have recorded cases, opting instead to say which of B.C.’s five health regions the are in.

The move has not been popular, with many British Columbians taking to social media to express concern that they are not getting more detailed information.

New York Gets A Major Disaster Declaration, Unlocks Access To Federal Relief Funding

A Major Disaster Declaration has been issued for New York by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The move will unlock access to aid from its Disaster Relief Fund, a critical move as new confirmed coronavirus cases soar in the state.

Medical supplies remain scarce in New York, according to Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer. Having access to the $42 billion federal fund is a first step toward shoring up supplies.

“With no time to waste, the administration heeded the call and approved the nation’s first Major Disaster Declaration in response to the coronavirus, right here in New York,” Schumer said in a statement.“With more and more cases confirmed here each day, it’s imperative that the federal government does everything within its power to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus.”

The declaration arrives as Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered a statewide lockdown that will take effect on Sunday. The move, similiar to orders enacted by the governors of California and Illinois, will order non-essential businesses to close and limit the number of people who can gather. New York now has more than 8,000 COVID-19 cases confirmed, with more than 5,000 of them in New York City. 29 deaths in NYC have occurred, and officials fear being overwhelmed if they exponentially increase.

New York City to Close All Non-Essential Businesses Sunday

New York City is closing all non-essential businesses from Sunday to curb the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

Businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies, Internet providers, mass transit, banks and other financial institutions will still be permitted to operate, the mayor said in a statement. The new restrictions will take effect Sunday 8 p.m. local time.

Businesses that remain open must implement rules that facilitate social distancing, according to the statement.

As of 6 p.m. Friday, there 5,683 positive cases of the virus and 43 fatalities, he said. The city had roughly a third of all confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the U.S, the mayor said earlier.