Spiegel Stuff: The Hill's 12:30 Report

INTERESTING READ

It’s looking like it’s safer to be outside:

Via The Hill’s Peter Sullivan, “Health experts say people are significantly less likely to get the coronavirus while outside, a fact that could add momentum to calls to reopen beaches and parks closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.” https://bit.ly/2yDH2KR

The good news: “Experts are increasingly confident in evidence showing that the coronavirus spreads much more readily indoors than outdoors, a finding that could help guide policymakers seeking to figure out ways to end lockdowns that have shuttered much of the nation’s economy.”

Yes, but before getting too excited: “Being outside shouldn’t be seen as completely safe, health experts say. People should continue to avoid crowds and maintain six feet of distance from others to keep away from the virus.”

What we know: https://bit.ly/2yDH2KR

WHERE ALL 50 STATES STAND ON REOPENING:

https://cnn.it/3cQ0X7W

It’s Thursday. I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com — and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.

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NEWS THIS MORNING

Neiman Marcus files for bankruptcy:

Via Bloomberg’s Katherine Doherty, The Neiman Marcus Group Inc. has filed for bankruptcy protection as the coronavirus stunted the U.S. economy. https://bloom.bg/2YELqUF

What happens now: “Creditors will take control of the luxury department store chain, according to plans outlined in a Chapter 11 petition filed in Houston. The move gives the Dallas-based luxury retailer a break by letting it stay in business while management works out a recovery plan.”

Another week of bad unemployment numbers:

Another 3.2 million Americans filed unemployment claims last week as the coronavirus outbreak continues to stifle the economy. https://bit.ly/2L8bH5N

Meaning: Since mid-March, more than 33 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits.

LATEST WITH CORONAVIRUS RELIEF

Does it feel like everyone is staring at you, McConnell? Because you’d probably be right:

Via The Hill’s Alexander Bolton, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is under mounting pressure from his own conference to boost aid to state and local governments to help with the coronavirus outbreak. https://bit.ly/3du21id

Republicans calling for more aid to states: Sens. Mitt Romney (Utah), Susan Collins (Maine), Bill Cassidy (La.), John Kennedy (La.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Dan Sullivan (Alaska) and Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.)

For example: “The boldest push has come from Cassidy, who teamed up with Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) to propose a $500 billion fund that would ‘make sure state and local governments can maintain essential services.’ Sullivan and Kennedy are pushing more modest plans giving states greater flexibility to spend money already provided by the federal government to cover general revenue shortfalls.”

How this could play out: https://bit.ly/3du21id

Meanwhile, Pelosi is having troubles of her own:

Via The Hill’s Mike Lillis and Scott Wong, “Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) faces a tough road this month convincing GOP leaders to back yet another massive round of emergency coronavirus aid. The more immediate challenge, however, is getting her own caucus on board.” https://bit.ly/2SHROXe

The problem: “As the roughly $2 trillion House package known as CARES 2 comes together this week, [Democratic] leaders and committee heads are getting an earful from rank-and-file members of all stripes urging the addition of their own pet provisions — a long and growing wish list that includes everything from food stamps and rental subsidies to student loan debt relief and bailouts for local chambers of commerce.”

WHERE THINGS STAND

Coronavirus cases in the U.S.: 1,231,943

Deaths in the U.S.: 73,566

Breakdown of the numbers: https://cnn.it/2UAgW3y

TIDBIT — ONE OF TRUMP’S DRIVERS HAS THE CORONAVIRUS:

Via CNN’s Kaitlan Collins and Peter Morris, one of President Trump’s personal valets tested positive for COVID-19. “The valets are members of an elite military unit dedicated to the White House and often work very close to the President and first family. Trump was upset when he was informed Wednesday that the valet had tested positive, a source told CNN, and he was subsequently tested again by the White House physician.” https://cnn.it/2L7dY0S

Florida’s numbers are pretty surprising:

Via The Hill’s Julia Manchester in Orlando, Fla., “Florida has reported 37,439 positive coronavirus cases and 1,471 deaths, ranking it eighth in the U.S. for the number of confirmed cases despite being the nation’s third most populated state.” https://bit.ly/35CoGWQ

The surprising part: “The case and death numbers point to something many may find surprising: Florida has not become as much of a hot spot as other states such as New York, California and Michigan. The state has fewer cases per capita than other heavily impacted states, such as Louisiana. According to Johns Hopkins University, Florida has had a total of 176 cases per 100,000 people compared to Louisiana, which has had 644 per 100,000 people.”

The situation in Florida: https://bit.ly/35CoGWQ

Op-ed: https://bit.ly/3dnWcTm

IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Are you kidding?:

Via The Capital Weather Gang, the Washington, D.C., area could get some snow this weekend. https://wapo.st/2SKsBLZ

“During the upcoming polar plunge, to follow yet another bout of rain, temperatures will sink 20 to 25 degrees below normal. If we manage to see snowflakes, it will be one of the latest instances in recorded history and only the 4th time in the month of May.”

The full forecast: https://wapo.st/2SKsBLZ

NOTABLE TWEETS:

Getting traction — this is a weird, weird time:

Our judicial system is going down the drain:

Or as CNN Politics put it, “The flush heard around the country” https://bit.ly/2WbCC71

Yesterday during the Supreme Court’s oral arguments by teleconference, someone forgot to mute their line and flushed the toilet.

Listen to the flush: https://bit.ly/35Gwmr5

^ Before we all blame Roman Martinez: “CLARIFICATION: Though he is pictured in this clip because he was talking at the time, the flushing sound was not from Roman Martinez.” (!)

I laughed:

ON TAP:

The Senate is in. The House is out. President Trump and Vice President Pence are in Washington, D.C.

1:30 p.m. EDT: The Senate votes. The Senate’s full schedule today: https://bit.ly/3fp9LE1

2 p.m. EDT: President Trump and Vice President Pence meet with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R).

5 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence leads a White House Coronavirus Task Force meeting in the Situation Room.

WHAT TO WATCH:

11 a.m. EDT: Vice President Pence delivered personal protective equipment (PPE) from FEMA to Woodbine Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. Livestream: https://cs.pn/3dqnjwY

11:30 a.m. EDT: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) gave an update on his state’s coronavirus response. Livestream: https://bit.ly/3djnSbU

3:50 p.m. EDT: President Trump and Vice President Pence deliver remarks at the White House National Day of Prayer Service in the Rose Garden. Livestream: https://bit.ly/3cedRNd

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...:

Today is National Roast Leg of Lamb Day.

The news we need:

Via Buzzfeed’s Ellie Hall, “These very good dogs help deliver quarantine beer and they're doing a great job.” Photos — they do not disappoint: https://bit.ly/3fvzo5O

Very cool shots:

Here are aerial photos of Walt Disney World while it is empty. “This past weekend, I was able to fly through the Disney TFR Airspace (with permission) as low as 1,500 feet AGL and capture these shots.” Photos: https://bit.ly/3cdEWjj

And because you made it this far, here are some ADORABLE fluffy puppies: https://bit.ly/2SKNZAL