CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

We’re trying something new for the foreseeable future: a daily update on what’s going on with the coronavirus, and what you need to know. What would you like us to focus on here? Let us know.

The first coronavirus death in the US was reported in Washington State on Saturday. The victim was a man in his 50s with underlying medical issues. In Kirkland, a suburb east of Seattle, there are concerns of an outbreak at an aged care facility — two people have tested positive and dozens of patients and staff have reported symptoms.

The CDC’s coronavirus test has proven unreliable, and last week we reported New York was pushing forward with developing a test on its own. But because the US has been late to test patients, we may already have outbreaks that just haven’t been identified yet. Early genetic testing data released this weekend after Washington began using the CDC test indicates that the state may already have more cases than currently recorded.

New travel restrictions were announced this weekend. On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced a full ban on travel to Iran; non-citizens who have visited Iran in the previous 14 days will not be allowed to enter the US. And a “Do Not Travel” warning was issued for regions of Italy and South Korea where the virus is spreading.

For important information and updates, check the CDC’s dedicated coronavirus site

THE BIG STORY

The Trump-era Supreme Court is about to hear its first major abortion case

This week the court will hear arguments in June Medical Services v. Russo, which focuses on a Louisiana law regulating abortion clinics. The law, and others like it passed by anti-abortion politicians around the country, makes it extremely difficult for clinics to remain open; in Texas a similar law caused half the state’s clinics to close.

A similar law was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2016, with the judges reaffirming that it is unconstitutional for states to place an “undue burden” on access to abortion. The constitution hasn’t changed since then, but the Supreme Court has: President Trump has appointed two new judges since then, creating a solidly right-wing majority.

If the Supreme Court approves the law, “it would be a green light for states with anti-abortion legislatures to pass similar laws, closing down clinics and potentially making the procedure totally inaccessible in their states,” reports Ema O’Connor. “While it is theoretically possible the justices could use this case to entirely overturn Roe v. Wade and completely undo the national right to abortion, as some advocates fear, it is much more likely that the court would instead give states the ability to regulate abortion until Roe only exists on paper.”

Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, in her Manhattan office. Melanie Metz for BuzzFeed News

SNAPSHOTS

A federal court sided with Trump, ruling his former White House lawyer is not required to testify before Congress. The US Court of Appeals for Washington, DC, overruled a lower court’s decision from late 2018.

Portrait Of A Lady On Fire actress Adèle Haenel stormed out of a French awards ceremony when Roman Polanski won. She was heard yelling "Bravo, pedophelia," in the lobby.

The head of US Citizenship and Immigration Services was not legally appointed to his job, a judge ruled. It means at least one policy directive by Ken Cuccinelli will be voided.

Tom Steyer has ended his presidential campaign. The California billionaire needed a big performance in South Carolina, and it didn’t work out. He wasn’t the only one ending his campaign...

HE HAD HIGH, HIGH HOPES

Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign is over

The 38-year old mayor of South Bend, Indiana was the unexpected breakout star of the 2020 Democratic primary, and his narrow win in Iowa marked two major firsts: the first time a millennial has won a presidential nominating contest, and the first time a gay person has. He announced the end of his campaign on Sunday night.

"After a year of going everywhere, meeting everyone, defying every expectation, seeking every vote, the truth is that the path has narrowed to a close for our candidacy, if not for our cause," he said.

In the long run it’s likely his legacy will be the first gay candidate who had a serious shot at the presidency. “We sent a message,” Buttigieg said last night, “to every kid out there wondering if whatever marks them out as different means they are somehow destined to be less than, to see that someone who once felt that exact same way can become a leading American presidential candidate with his husband at his side.”

Buttigieg’s husband, Chasten, was another breakout star of the 2020 cycle. Crowds loved him. “After falling in love with Pete, Pete got me to believe in myself again,” Chasten said last night. “And I told Pete to run because I knew there were other kids sitting out there in this country who needed to believe in themselves, too.”

Alex Wong / Getty Images

RIP, TRADER JOE

Joe Coulombe, the founder of Trader Joe's, has died

He was 89 years old and passed away at home in California. He opened the first Trader Joe’s in 1967 and grew it into a beloved national brand — and one of the country’s best retail employers. The company is consistently ranked one of the best places to work, and is known for treating its front-line workers well, with solid pay and benefits.

People love Trader Joe’s in a way that is different to pretty much any other supermarket. There’s a vibrant Reddit community devoted to it, and an amazing Instagram fan universe. And this weekend, Trader Joe’s stans paid tribute to the man behind the legend.

He gave us Two Buck Chuck:

And he gave us pancake bread:

“Trader Joe’s is for overeducated and underpaid people, for all the classical musicians, museum curators, journalists,” he once told the LA Times, “that’s why we’ve always had good press, frankly!”

It’s true. But it’s also because of the pancake bread.

Do it for Trader Joe today,

Tom