Trump's base is skeptical of COVID-19's health threat Welcome to the Maclean's daily newsletter. As the coronavirus disrupts life in Canada, and Canadians get used to the notion of "social distancing" and "flattening the curve," Maclean's has expanded this newsletter to include everything you need to know about the global pandemic. You'll still find our best stories of the day at the bottom of the newsletter, but we'll also catch you up on news and notes from around the world.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Even if you don’t get sick, the choices you make about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else"—World Health Organization director-general Tedro Adhanom Ghebreyesus
As of midday on Friday, there are 925 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada with 12 deaths, reported Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer. (She also reported that a Canadian who contracted the virus on the Diamond Princess cruise ship died in Japan.) Some 66,000 tests have been done to date, including more than 10,000 on March 19. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases now stands at more than 235,000, in 179 countries. The federal government has launched a plan for companies to help fight COVID-19 by manufacturing critical medical equipment and supplies. The feds have cut red tape and is helping them to scale up production or re-tool their facilities Other jurisdictions are adopting technology that already works. Alberta just adopted an app-based service, called Babylon, already available in British Columbia, that allows residents to access medical information and support, as well as interact with the health care system, including seeing a doctor virtually. In Quebec, the Association Hôtellerie Québec announced that patients who are not contagious and who are semi-autonomous to recuperate in hotels. That would free up hospital beds, while providing income for empty hotels located near hospitals. The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is becoming clearer. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed that there were 500,000 applications for EI or financial assistance this week, compared to just 27,000 at the same time last year. In Britain, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced “government grants will cover 80 per cent of the salary of retained workers, up to a total of £2,500 a month, that’s above UK median earnings level,” plus other measures. Goldman Sachs sharply revised its outlook for the United States. Last week, it thought first quarter growth would be flat with a retraction of five per cent in the second quarter. This week, it forecasts a six per cent drop in the first quarter, with a 24 per cent drop in the second (yes, 24 per cent). State governments south of the border, including New York, California and Illinois, are announcing self-isolation policies to combat the community spread of COVID-19. Meanwhile Florida Governor Ron DeSantis won’t shut down crowded beaches, though some local jurisdictions have closed such non-essential businesses. In London, Ont., emergency room physician Tarek Loubani is using his experience creating low-cost 3D medical equipment for impoverished third world areas or war zones to do the same with face shields for medical personnel here in Canada. Dogs may be rethinking this sudden 24/7 human companionship around the home. A Washington, D.C., reporter tweeted: “Anecdotal information from my neighborhood indicates that the nation's dogs will be leaner and more tired, at least in the short term. Friend's doggo that raced to the front door every time one of the 3 kids got the leash early this week now mostly looks up in canine disbelief.” —Patricia Treble
As of the latest update, this is the number of confirmed cases in Canada. We're updating this chart every day. 
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