U.S. faces new realities of virus: cancelations, closures, empty shelves

President Trump has scheduled a Friday afternoon press conference to update Americans on the coronavirus outbreak and his administration’s response.

There have been several news reports that the president will use the scheduled, 3 p.m. (eastern) White House event to declare a federal state of emergency.

Earlier in the day, the administration announced several measures to get out more coronavirus test kits. 

The Food and Drug Administration has reportedly created a 24-hour emergency hotline for laboratories struggling to get tests running and end the shortage.

Federal officials also reportedly announced that two companies trying to develop quick-results coronavirus tests will receive $1.3 million. Such tests could reportedly determine within an hour whether a person has been infected.

U.S. stock markets by midday had recovered some of their record losses from Thursday, with the Dow up about 200 points from its day-before loss of 2,300 points. 

Reports continue to emerge on how President Trump and other U.S. officials have been in near proximity to people who later tested positive for the virus. On Friday, Australian politician Peter Dutton tweeted that he is infected and in isolation at a hospital. Getty Images has a photo of Dutton earlier this month at an event with Attorney General Bill Barr. 

Among the growing number of closures and events cancelled, Boston Marathon organizers said Friday that the April 20 race has been postponed until September, and the Masters golf tournament, in early April, has been postponed indefinitely.

On Capitol Hill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly will have a vote Friday on a spending deal forged with the administration to provide financial relief to Americans hit hardest by the virus outbreak. 

On the campaign trail, Louisiana on Friday became the first state to postpone its primary – from April 4 to June 20.