Coronavirus briefing: U.S. job losses begin and other updates for Thursday, March 12
The first coronavirus-related job losses have arrived in the United States, hitting ports, bakeries and travel agencies.
The virus, first reported in China, has swept across Asia and now has sparked new outbreaks in Europe and the United States.
More than 127,000 cases of the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed worldwide with more than 4,700 deaths as of March 12, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 1,300 confirmed cases with at least 38 deaths.
The World Health Organization on Wednesday declared the COVID-19 virus a global pandemic.
Also on Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced a 30-day ban on travel from Europe to the United States. Events across the nation have been canceled or postponed as a result of the outbreak, including the remainder of the NBA season.
Coronavirus-related job losses begin
The first wave of job losses related to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in the United States has begun at ports and travel agencies, The Washington Post reports.
About 145 drivers have been laid off at the Port of Los Angeles after cargo arrivals from China slowed, according to the publication. Travel agencies in Los Angeles and Atlanta report cuts. Christie Lites, a stage-lighting company in Orlando, dropped 100 people from its workforce.
The coronavirus-related cancellation of the South by Southwest conference cost 50 people their jobs, The Washington Post reported.
“We will definitely see an effect on jobs from the coronavirus, and it could be pretty large in leisure and hospitality,” said Julia Pollak, labor economist at ZipRecruiter, according to the publication.
European Union condemns travel ban
European Union leaders lashed out Thursday at a 30-day ban on travel to the United States from Europe to help curb the spread of coronavirus, CNBC reports.
“The coronavirus is a global crisis, not limited to any continent and it requires cooperation rather than unilateral action,” said Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen, presidents of the European Council and European Commission, in a statement.
President Donald Trump announced the ban, which targets 26 nations in Europe but not the United Kingdom, in an Oval Office speech to the nation Wednesday night, CNBC reported.
Americans plan to cut back on dining out
About 32% of Americans say they plan to eat out less often in response to coronavirus outbreaks around the United States in a Technomic survey, Restaurant Business reports.
Two-thirds of respondents say they are watching coronavirus news closely, while 30% say coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak is overblown, according to the publication.
“People don’t quite yet know what to think of it,” said Joe Pawlak, managing principal with Technomic, Restaurant Business reported. “There are mixed messages from a consumer’s perspective in terms of what kind of threat it is right now.”
Oregon bans large gatherings to fight virus
Gov. Kate Brown has banned gatherings of more than 250 people in Oregon, along with canceling all school athletic events and urging people to avoid in-person work meetings, Willamette Week reports.
“Nobody is immune to this virus, it can touch everyone,” said Brown in a statement. “We are seeing cases across multiple counties and age groups, and in people exposed through different circumstances. It’s time for us all to do what we can to slow its spread and take care of one another.”
Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington took similar action Wednesday for the Seattle area, hardest hit by the virus, The Tacoma News Tribune reported.
In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom encouraged organizers to cancel events with more than 250 people, McClatchy News reported. The request is part of a new California Department of Public Health policy promoting “social distancing” to curb the spread of the virus.
Sydney Opera House to be disinfected
The Sydney Opera House will be disinfected following a recent performance by Rita Wilson, whose husband, Tom Hanks, announced the couple has been diagnosed with coronavirus, reported OperaWire.
Other celebrities and prominent figures diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus include Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert, whose illness prompted the NBA to postpone the remainder of its season, CBS News reports.
Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, also has tested positive for the virus, The New York Times reported.
In Europe, Spanish equality minister Irene Montero has tested positive for coronavirus and has been quarantined with her partner, News18 reported.
Actor Matthew Broderick’s sister, Janet, has been hospitalized with the illness, People reported.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 5:58 AM with the headline "Coronavirus briefing: U.S. job losses begin and other updates for Thursday, March 12."