April 22, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has accused China of a cover-up during the early days of COVID-19, the latest in the U.S. rhetorical pressure campaign. China has pushed back, launching an information war that included conspiracy theories and highly publicized sales of medical equipment to other countries -- including the U.S. Nick Schifrin reports on the roiling confrontation.

COVID-19 was infecting Americans weeks earlier than was officially recorded, according to new California data showing that two deaths in mid-February were associated with the disease. Meanwhile, federal vaccine expert Dr. Rick Bright says he was forced out of his Department of Health and Human Services job because he wouldn’t promote unproven treatments for COVID-19. Lisa Desjardins reports.

Officials in Northern California’s Santa Clara County now say two residents there died of COVID-19 in early and mid-February -- weeks before what were believed to be the first U.S. fatalities. Dr. Tom Frieden, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and now CEO of health initiative Resolve to Save Lives, joins John Yang to discuss how we can contain the virus’ spread.

In our news wrap Wednesday, it was the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and it came as COVID-19 lockdowns have cleared air and water worldwide. Pollution in several major cities, including Paris and New Delhi, is about 50 percent lower than in previous years. Also, President Trump says he has ordered the U.S. Navy to “destroy” any Iranian gunboats that harass American ships in the Persian Gulf.

The United Nations World Food Program warned this week that as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the number of people facing food crisis could double -- to 260 million worldwide. David Beasley, the organization’s executive director, joins Judy Woodruff to discuss how the developing world, already suffering due to climate change and conflict, is faring amid this new disaster of COVID-19.

New York state is seeing signs of improvement in its COVID-19 outbreak, including a reduced hospitalization rate. But in New York City alone, an estimated 35,000 people are hospitalized with the virus -- meaning front-line health care staff still face an enormous challenge. William Brangham talks to Susan Mangicaro of International Medical Corps, a group assisting city hospitals during the crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging Americans physically, financially and emotionally. With the dramatic and abrupt life changes the outbreak has caused, what can we do to prioritize our mental health? Dr. Sue Varma, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at New York University, joins Amna Nawaz to answer viewer questions about sleep, anxiety, talking to kids and more, for our series Ask Us.

We mark this 50th anniversary of Earth Day with Jane Goodall, one of the world’s most renowned scientists and environmentalists. A new National Geographic documentary explores her life and work, teaching generations how interconnected we are with the natural world. Jeffrey Brown talks to Goodall about her career and mission -- and the pandemic that has brought modern civilization to its knees.

Wednesday’s daily briefing of the Coronavirus Task Force came amid new information about a key administration firing. Until Tuesday, Dr. Rick Bright served as a top federal expert on vaccines, heavily involved in the response to COVID-19. Now, Bright says he was forced out of his job because he refused to tout unproven treatments for the disease. Yamiche Alcindor joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.