Maryland & Ohio become first states to close schools...
Summary:
Scott Gottlieb says US can still avoid "Italy-like" outcome
Cuomo closes Broadway, bans all events in NY with over 500 ppl, reduces venue max capacity by 50%
NCAA cancels 'March Madness'
F1 Australia Grand Prix to be held without crowd
Maryland & Ohio cancel school
Dr. Fauci appears to endorse European travel ban
Spain, Italy ban short selling
UK reports 2 more deaths
NYC declares state of emergency
Cali bans gatherings with more than 250 ppl
China sending a medical team and equipment to Italy
Disney closes park in Anaheim
Italy closes Catholic churches
NBA player apologizes for making light of virus
Trudeau and wife to self-quarantine after wife reports flu-like symptoms
France death toll climbs to 61
Spain death toll climbs to 86
Ohio bans gatherings with more than 100 ppl after confirming 5th case
PA. Gov. Tom Wolf shuts down much of Montgomery County
2nd Utah Jazz player tests positive
Slovakia closes all borders, international airports
NJ cutting off nightclub liquor sales after 10pm
Deaths in Italy above 1,000
NHL "pauses" play
MLB will delay start to 2020 season by 2 weeks
Dr. Fauci says test shortage is major government 'failing'
Rick Scott 2nd Senator to self-quarantine over virus
Senate cancels recess, will stay open next week
Reporter claims Gobert was careless in the lockerroom
2020 champions league tournament postponed until next year
US Major League soccer suspends play
Trump says we may need to extend travel ban
Reports claim once again that Merkel is ready to whip out the checkbook
Goldman asks workers in NY to work from home in 'staggered shifts'
EU officials condemned Trump's travel ban
Trump says 'markets are going to be fine'
Spain has approved a €2.8 billion rescue package
Olympic torch lit in front of just 100 spectators
La Liga suspends season after Real Madrid player tests positive
3 F1 racers quarantined
Blackstone advises portfolio companies to draw down revolving credit lines
NHL rumored to be planning a league play suspension as playoffs begin
Passenger on JetBlue flight from NY to FLA tests positive for virus
Spanish cabinet being tested for coronavirus
Scandinavia begins shuttering schools
Iran reaches out to 3 million Iranians who may have been infected
Market participants wary of dissipating bond market liquidity
Global deaths pass 4,600
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Update (1905ET): Spain reports 869 new cases of coronavirus, and 31 new deaths, bringing the national total to 3,146 cases and 86 deaths.
Update (1845ET): Chatter form earlier today claiming that Dr. Fauci personally signed off on President Trump's travel ban has been confirmed.
FAUCI SAYS EUROPE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS RIGHT PUBLIC HEALTH CALL
The celebrated epidemiologist said during a recent TV appearance that, if Trump hadn't restricted travel from China, there would have been "many more travel-related cases".
On the Continent, regulators in Italy and Spain have banned short-selling amid a brutal global selloff.
Walking out of the Capitol building after his hearing, Dr. Fauci stopped to take a few questions from reporters, and clarified that enough tests are now available that any patient whose doctor believes a test is necessary can get one.
In Italy, catholic churches are set to completely close.
Rudy Gobert, the first Utah Jazz player to be diagnosed with the virus, took to Instagram on Thursday to thank people for their support and also to apologize for his actions seen in a now-viral video of him earlier this week deliberately touching microphones and recorder during a press conference, in an act of mockery of the viral panic.
"The first and most important thing is I would like to publicly apologize to the people that I may have endangered. At the time, I had no idea I was even infected. I was careless and make no excuse. I hope my story serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously. I will do whatever I can to support using my experience as way to educate others and prevent the spread of this virus," he said.
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Update (1630ET): The NCAA just delivered a huge blow to college sports fans by confirming that it will cancel men's and women's "March Madness" tournaments, after earlier confirming that any games associated with the tournament would be played in front of empty crowds.
Earlier, all of the biggest conferences in the country cancelled their men's championship tournaments.
Here's more from CNBC:
The NCAA has canceled its March Madness basketball tournaments - and "all remaining winter and spring" championships - as coronavirus fears upend the sports world.
"This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities," the organization said in a statement.
Earlier Thursday, major conferences canceled their championship tournaments and sports organizations across the world rolled out fan restrictions and suspensions of play in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Southeastern Conference, Big Ten Conference, Pac-12 Conference, Big East, Big-12 Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference all canceled their men’s championship tournaments ahead of the NCAA’s announcement. At least two high-profile teams also individually announced their withdrawals from the tournament.
The decision comes after nearly every major sports league in the country that's currently active suspended play, and the MLB delayed the start of its season.
Disney also just announced plans to close Disneyland Park and Disney California adventure in Anaheim.