April 3, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode

The coronavirus pandemic has claimed some 7,000 lives across the United States, with more than 40 percent of those in New York. The state’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, said he will seize vital unused equipment from private hospitals if necessary in order to treat the surge in COVID-19 patients. Meanwhile, new numbers drive home the outbreak’s devastating impact on the U.S. economy. Amna Nawaz reports.

As COVID-19 spreads across the country, there has been some debate over the need for government stay-at-home orders, whether Americans should be wearing masks in public and how the coronavirus spreads. Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health, one the key health officials on President Trump’s Coronavirus Task Force, joins Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest data and recommendations.

As millions of Americans find themselves suddenly unemployed and unsure that they can pay their bills, many are desperately awaiting federal aid. But are state and local governments able to deliver the trillions of dollars Congress and President Trump have approved? Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., joins Lisa Desjardins to discuss their progress and what Congress should do next.

As the coronavirus pandemic spreads across the U.S., officials are warning that there are not enough medical professionals available to meet the growing needs of patients. The shortage has led to the easing of some regulations, enabling medical students to graduate early and retired doctors to return to practice. Lisa Desjardins shares some of their stories from this all-hands-on-deck moment.

The Trump administration and health officials are now recommending that Americans should wear face masks while out in public to try to reduce the spread of coronavirus. But locals in Bethesda, Maryland, have already been putting their sewing machines to work. Jeffrey Brown reports on how these citizens of all ages are motivated to do something to help amid a crisis that can feel paralyzing.

In our news wrap Friday, authorities in Maryland are searching the Chesapeake Bay for a granddaughter and great-grandson of the late Robert F. Kennedy. The pair were in a canoe Thursday afternoon when strong winds developed and have been missing since. Also, singer-songwriter Bill Withers died from heart issues in Los Angeles. His string of soulful hits included “Lean on Me" and "Lovely Day."

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest news, including how the coronavirus pandemic has taken hold in the U.S., American leadership amid the crisis, whether the $2.2 trillion stimulus package will help those besieged by the pandemic and whether there is a chance for bipartisan political action.