A GUIDE to the basics of coronavirus. White “language” refers to a white-ish coating to the tongue (Shutterstock).

The number of Americans dead from the coronavirus passed 50,000 on Friday.

The total was set by Johns Hopkins University at 51,209, the most in the world. The U.S. also leads the world in total cases with 886,213 out of 2,783,512 on the planet, according to the JHU’s tally.

Of those deaths in the United States, 16,369 are reported to be in New York City.

Among developments in the coronavirus pandemic Friday are:

• President Donald Trump signed into law a half-trillion aid package aimed at helping ease the financial and health care impacts of the COVID-19.
• More then 30 million doses of an anti-malarial drug touted by the president as a treatment for the virus have been obtained by nearly half the states, according to the Associated Press. Doctors are warning that the drug – hydroxychloroquine – should not be used outside of hospitals or in research. Reported side effects include irregular heart rhythms and death.
• Health officials Friday urged Americans not to inject or drink disinfectants as a treatment for coronavirus. President Trump on Thursday suggested such a course, although he said on Friday he had been speaking “sarcastically.” Pushback came from the U.S. Surgeon General and the makers of Lysol and, who said that such products were not intended to be taken internally.
• Some states have started easing off lockdown orders, although some cities in those states have not. In Georgia and Oklahoma, governors have loosened the rules aimed at fighting the virus. According to United Press International, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp defended allowing theaters, dine-in restaurant service, hair salons and bowling alleys to re-open despite criticism from President Trump and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

U.S.S. THEODORE ROOSEVELT (U.S. Navy photo).

Navy backs captain’s reinstatement

The captain fired from commanding the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt should be re-instated, the top-ranking officer of the Navy has recommended.

According to the Associated Press, Adm. Mike Gilday wants Capt. Brett Crozier brought back in command of the ship. He was removed from command by acting Navy secretary Thomas Modly after Crozier pleaded for help in dealing with a coronavirus outbreak on his ship.

The outcry caused Modly to resign his position. So far, one sailor from the Roosevelt has died and 840 tested positive. As of Friday, 4,200 members of the almost 5,000 of the ship’s crew have been quarantined.

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