March 18, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode

In the face of a growing medical crisis, President Trump escalated both his rhetoric and his policy response Wednesday. He referred to the novel coronavirus as “the invisible enemy” and vowed to treat the fight against it as “a war.” Meanwhile, the Senate passed a sweeping pandemic aid package. William Brangham reports, and Lisa Desjardins and Yamiche Alcindor join Judy Woodruff to discuss.

The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to cause economic shockwaves. On Wall Street, stocks plummeted again, with their accumulated decline now erasing nearly all the market gains since President Trump took office. Can the government take any action to reassure investors and consumers? The Brookings Institution’s David Wessel joins Judy Woodruff to discuss the challenges of uncertainty.

New analysis by Harvard University researchers indicates that hospital capacity in many parts of the U.S. will be overwhelmed as the novel coronavirus continues to spread. Now, health care systems are working to increase their readiness. Jeremy Konyndyk of the Center for Global Development and Dr. Bruce Siegel of America’s Essential Hospitals join Amna Nawaz to discuss how facilities can prepare.

In our news wrap Wednesday, Alabama postponed a Republican primary run-off for a U.S. Senate seat because of the coronavirus pandemic. The race pits former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions against former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville. Also, a diplomatic feud between China and the U.S. escalated, with President Trump criticizing China’s expulsion of U.S. journalists.

So far, Iran is one of the countries hit hardest by the novel coronavirus. Thousands of people there are infected, and the death toll is skyrocketing. In addition, amid preparations for a subdued celebration of Iranian New Year, the ongoing conflict with the U.S. is never far from mind. Special correspondent Reza Sayah reports from Tehran about the volatile combination of factors.

As Congress weighs relief packages meant to blunt the negative impact of COVID-19 on the U.S. economy, lawmakers are also trying to manage the outbreak’s damage in their own states. Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, one of three medical doctors currently serving in the Senate, represents Louisiana, which has at least 257 confirmed cases of the virus and seven deaths. He joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.

Yo-Yo Ma, one of the world’s most renowned and beloved musicians, is trying to provide comfort in this time of crisis. Ma has been posting videos of himself performing short pieces and encouraging other musicians -- of all levels -- around the world to join him in offering “Songs of Comfort.” Ma joins Jeffrey Brown to discuss the project and play Dvorak.