Donald Trump considers expanding the travel ban. The US president said yesterday that travelers from China, Europe, and Iran remain blocked from entering the US, “and we may add a few more [1].” Canada and Mexico have already agreed to reduce border crossings to the US.
Oil prices reach an almost two-decade low. Barrels were already cheap [2] because of a price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia that started earlier this month. But with coronavirus creating a severe reduction in demand, prices fell below $20 on Monday.
Coronavirus is spreading most rapidly within ultra-Orthodox communities in Israel. The government is considering blockading people who refuse to comply with health advice [3]. One ultra-Orthodox suburb in Tel Aviv is as badly hit as the entirety of Jerusalem.
Trump reverses the last piece of climate policy left by Obama. The environment and transport departments are announcing new rules today to relax fuel standards [4], allowing vehicles to emit almost a billion tons more carbon dioxide than under the previous rules.
Ford and General Electric pair up to produce ventilators in the US. The auto giant is collaborating with GE’s healthcare division to produce 50,000 over the next 100 days [5]. One is already being used in New York.
There could be further strikes by gig workers. They continue to report shortages of protective gear and cleaning supplie [6]s, even as they have to work more due to the pandemic.
The US wants India to ease up on drug export restrictions. American health care relies heavily on India [7] for its pharmaceutical supply chain, and now faces serious shortages.
This piece was written by Wayne Dupree on March 31, 2020. It originally appeared in WayneDupree.com [8] and is used by permission.
Read more at WayneDupree.com:
Report: Recent Shipment of Urns in Wuhan Reveals China Might Be Hiding Something Big [9]
That’s Life! NY Father Takes A Stand — Won’t Let Springbreaker Son Back Into Home [10]
Trump-Haters Harry and Meghan Want U.S. Taxpayer-Funded Secret Service Security…Trump Will Have Final Say [11]