Stimulus payments are now in full swing as the daily U.S. death toll from the coronavirus dipped for the second straight day, providing hope that the worst of the pandemic could soon be behind us.
Today (Monday, April 13) marks one month since President Donald Trump declared the coronavirus a national emergency. There were fewer than 2,000 confirmed cases nationwide then. Much has changed:
- The U.S. numbers have exploded, with more than 22,000 deaths – more than any other country – and 550,000 confirmed cases, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
- Every major professional sports league in the country has suspended operations.
- Forty-two states have issued stay-at-home orders.
- Most national and state parks have closed.
- The airline industry has crumbled. Tourism has been crippled.
What hasn't changed, however, is Trump's determination to "reopen" the U.S. for business as soon as possible. He plans to announce a new task force Tuesday that will focus on plans to either extend social distancing guidelines or reopen the nation.
Many Americans will be getting stimulus payments this week. The IRS began depositing money into taxpayers' bank accounts Saturday and will prioritize the first waves of payments for low-income Americans and Social Security beneficiaries,
