Three things for April 8
1. New York COVID-19 deaths exceed 9/11 death toll
Tuesday saw the highest jump in recorded COVID-19 related deaths in New York with 731 succumbing to the virus. Over 5,000 New Yorkers have died from the virus, topping the death toll in New York on September 11, 2001.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced last week the state has seen less hospital admissions and coronavirus patients needing breathing tubes over the past few days. Additionally, Cuomo championed the social distancing policy as the reason the hospitalization numbers are leveling off.
Currently, there are more than 370,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. and around 12,000 deaths resulting from the virus. New Orleans, New York and Detroit are the main hotspots for coronavirus deaths in the U.S.
2. Wisconsin voters wait in line for hours despite ‘stay at home’ order
On Tuesday, thousands of Wisconsin voters showed up to vote in the primaries despite strict “stay at home” orders from their local and state governments.
The Wisconsin voters showed up to the polls despite the risk to their health. Thousands more stayed home, scared off by the possibility of contracting the virus in crowded polling stations. Many of those that chose to stay at home are waiting for or have casted their absentee ballots.
To accommodate citizens who haven’t received their mail-in ballot, a court order has prevented Wisconsin from announcing the primary result until Monday, May 13. This order should ensure all ballots are counted in the deciding primary.
3. Rand Paul recovers from coronavirus, volunteers at Kentucky hospital
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul was diagnosed with COVID-19 in late March but announced on Tuesday via social media he has recovered from the virus.
Paul, an ophthalmologist by trade, added he started volunteering at a Bowling Green, Kentucky hospital after receiving the “all clear.”
“I appreciate all the best wishes I have received. I have been retested and I am negative,” Paul said in a Tweet. “I have started volunteering at a local hospital to assist those in my community who are in need of medical help, including coronavirus patients. Together we will overcome this!”
Paul was not hospitalized during his illness, and many fellow politicians wished him well during his recovery.
