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1. Congress and the White House have agreed on a $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill.The measure will provide aid to businesses, workers, the health care system as well as individual Americans. It is the largest economic rescue measure in U.S. history. The package includes $367 billion for small business loans, and another $500 billion for larger industries including airlines and hospitals. The bill also expands unemployment benefits, and a direct a one-time payment of $1,200 per adult and $500 per child for Americans, although it’s unclear exactly who qualifies. (AP NEWS)
2. As of Tuesday, Maine reported 118 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, up from 107 on Monday. Gov. Janet Mills mandated on Tuesday that all nonessential public-facing businesses close to the public for the next two weeks. She stopped short of a statewide “stay at home” order. Some cities in Maine have taken it a step further. Portland issued a 5 day stay at home order for all residents. The emergency order by Jon Jennings starts at 5 p.m. Wednesday and lasts until Monday, when the City Council will have a chance to debate whether to extend it. Bangor and Brunswick have issued similar orders. (PRESS HERALD)
3. Wells Ogunquit and Kittery join York in shutting down their public beaches so people won’t congregate and risk spreading the coronavirus. The closures became necessary after beaches featured large crowds this past weekend. (PRESS HERALD)
4. The 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics have been officially postponed until “not later than summer 2021,” the IOC says. The Olympics had never been postponed until now, and have only ever been canceled in wartime. The Games were supposed to have gotten underway on July 24. The Japanese Prime Minister says the 2021 Games will be “proof of a victory by human beings against the coronavirus infections.” (LA TIMES)
5. Antarctica is the only continent with no cases of coronavirus. Even though it’s relatively safe, the isolation and close quarters at the station would prove dangerous if the virus did arrive. Antarctic station residents are well aware of their situation and talk about it on social media. “I think it is safe to say that McMurdo Station, Antarctica, had the largest St. Patrick’s Party in the world in 2020,” said one person there. (WASHINGTON POST)
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