Coronavirus crisis, stimulus package, US-Mexico border closure: 5 things to know this weekend

Editors, USA TODAY
·4 min read

Lawmakers work on coronavirus stimulus package

Senators working on a stimulus package to help Americans impacted by the coronavirus pandemic will reconvene Saturday after they failed to reach anagreement Friday night. Lawmakers hope to come to a bipartisan compromise that could offer $1,200 checks to Americans and help for smaller businesses and airlines. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has set a Saturday afternoon deadline for legislative text, according to Capitol Hill reporters. Lawmakers have largely expressed optimism about working together to counter the coronavirus crisis. But in a letter sent Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized the plan McConnell rolled out, calling it "a non-starter."

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New York to ban gatherings, order nonessential workers to stay home

New York's ban on all nonessential travel, mandating everyone not critical to their workplace to stay at home and requiring all businesses to shutter if they do not fit specific criteria, starts Sunday The ban, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo called "New York State on Pause," will severely restrict gatherings of any size for the state’s more than 19 million residents, according to the Associated Press.. Mass transit will stay operational and food delivery services will stay open but people were ordered to stay off the streets as much as possible. Cuomo announced the sweeping ramp-up of restrictions on movement Friday as the novel coronavirus spread through the state, with New York having the highest number of confirmed cases in the nation.

US-Mexico limit border traffic to non-essential travel

The U.S.-Mexico border will be closed to non-essential travel starting Saturday to further help stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, President Donald Trump announced. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said that essential travel includes medical purposes, to attend educational institutions, for emergency response/public health purposes and lawful cross-border trade. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. has taken "two important steps" this week to curb the spread of the virus, noting the border closure with Canada, announced Wednesday.

Starbucks moves to delivery, drive-thru amid coronavirus outbreak

Starting Saturday, Starbucks will switch to a drive-thru and delivery-only model for the next two weeks as the company adjusts to the evolving coronavirus outbreak. The Seattle-based coffee giant, which previously announced it was closing some locations and shifting to a "to go" model, plans to keep select locations in and around hospitals and health care facilities, as well as licensed stores open. In a letter to employees, Starbucks executive vice president and president of U.S. company-operated business Rossann Williams said employees will be paid for the next 30 days whether they go to stores or stay home.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the show(s)!

We understand ... you've had a tough week. The coronavirus pandemic has changed the daily routine for millions of Americans staying inside to avoid catching or spreading the dangerous illness. And it makes sense to find ways to while away the time.For movie fans, films with abruptly shortened theatrical runs are being rushed to streaming, providing new viewing options in this time of crisis. Critically praised movies such as "Emma" or "The Invisible Man" can now be streamed this weekend, making for an extended living-room sitting. Enjoy!

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus outbreak, stimulus package: 5 things to know this weekend