Skimm This

The US is sealing itself off from its neighbors, with big restrictions on the Mexico and Canada borders. We’ll explain why, and take a look at the other big COVID-19 news of the day. Meanwhile, if you’ve been to a supermarket lately, you may have noticed shelves looked a bit...grim. But experts say: don’t panic. Also on today’s show: we spoke with Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator.If you want to send a message to a loved one reminding them why it’s important to keep social distancing, let us be your megaphone. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. You might hear your message on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

China just reported no new locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases for the first time since the outbreak began. We’ll explain why that’s great news, but why China isn’t quite out of the woods just yet. Meanwhile, the federal government is giving Americans three extra months to pay their taxes. But taxpayer beware! That April 15th tax filing deadline is still very much a thing. Also on today’s show: we’ll look at why ‘panic-buying’ groceries isn’t the most urgent food issue we should be worried about.We’d love to hear your tips for helping your community during the COVID-19 outbreak. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Healthcare workers are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll dive into the risks they’re facing as they work around the clock to save lives. Meanwhile, the US government is coming up with ways to help Americans cope with the economic crisis. We’ll explain why one option being discussed is checks in the mail. Also on today’s show: one listener tells us how she’s ‘Zoom’-ing in to keep her community together. We’d love to hear your tips for helping your community during the COVID-19 outbreak. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370.** Dr. Lewis Nelson is the Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and also a practicing physician treating patients at University Hospital. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The COVID-19 caseload in the US topped 5,000 today, but Florida, Illinois and Arizona kept calm and carried on with primary voting. Meanwhile: are we on the cusp of a lockdown? We’ll explain how federal and local governments are differing in their responses. Also: COVID-19 could create a new kind of medical problem. Listen to what’s keeping the CEO of the American Red Cross up at night. We’d love to hear your tips for helping your community during the COVID-19 outbreak. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370.If you or someone you know would like to donate blood, you can learn more at: redcross.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Federal Reserve dusted off its Great Recession playbook on Sunday to find ways to boost the US economy. It cut interest rates to close to zero percent and will buy up $700 billion in financial assets to help get the economy through the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll break down what these new steps could mean for you and how markets reacted. Meanwhile, social distancing is the new going out. We’ll explain why you should get on board. Also on today’s show: a big commitment at last night’s CNN debate, and a forgery of biblical proportions. We’d love to hear your tips for helping your community during the COVID-19 outbreak. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump declared a national emergency today over the COVID-19 outbreak, and said more Americans should be able to get tested soon. We’ll explain why the US has been facing a testing shortage and how the plans announced today could address that. Then, 30 million US students rely on school meal programs. But what happens when school’s closed? We’ll dive into the latest plans to feed students being told to hunker down at home. Also on today’s show: we’ll preview what could be an unusually quiet Democratic debate on Sunday, and introduce you to the fiercest bug around. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last night President Trump addressed the nation to explain how the US is responding to COVID-19. He talked up the importance of keeping the disease out of the country. But remember: it’s already here. We dive into the complications with testing and treating, and why there’s a lot more work that the US needs to do to be prepared. Meanwhile: if you’re still considering traveling, we’ll tell you what you might need to know when it comes to booking it. Also on the show: it’s Census season, and the government is rolling out a new online option to help you out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

COVID-19 is now officially a pandemic. But as more and more companies are telling their employees to work from home, many people don’t have that luxury. We’ll explain why the lack of unemployment insurance and universal paid sick leave is a pain for the gig economy and for some hourly workers. Meanwhile, a New York judge just handed down a prison sentence for movie producer Harvey Weinstein. We’ll break it down. Also on today’s show: how Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is faring in the Democratic presidential primary, and a career pro-tip from supermodel Karlie Kloss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Italians woke up this morning under a nationwide quarantine as the country attempts to stop the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus. Italy is the latest country to follow China’s playbook by using “social distancing” policies to contain the disease, and it might not be the last. We’ll explain why putting a little space between you and others might buy public health systems some time to figure out how to respond to this unfolding outbreak. Also on today’s show: Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders duke it out in Michigan’s Democratic primary, and India’s Prime Minister skips out on celebrating Holi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The markets took a nosedive today. And in response, Wall Street found the brakes and stepped on them. We’ll explain what happened and what it means moving forward. Meanwhile, the beginning of the week might have you dreaming about taking a vacation. But heads up: the US government is warning people against booking their dream cruise. Also on the show: Mexico City finds out what a day without women looks like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices