| THE BIG STORY The outbreak at the White House
A number of people working in close proximity to President Trump may have been exposed to the coronavirus over the last week, with three senior members of the White House coronavirus taskforce saying they will go into self-quarantine.
The announcements came after two White House staffers tested positive for the virus: a valet to the President, and Katie Miller — Vice President Mike Pence’s spokesperson, who is married to Stephen Miller, one of Trump’s closest advisers. Over the weekend Gen. Joseph Lengyel, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, tested positive after taking a rapid test at the White House prior to a scheduled meeting with the president. A second test came back negative.
The three coronavirus task force members who will self quarantine play key roles in the government’s response to the outbreak. Dr. Stephen Hahn, the head of the FDA, tested negative on Friday after coming into contact with an infected person, a spokesperson said. Dr. Anthony Fauci said he had been in “low risk” contact with an infected staffer and will work from home. And Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the CDC, was also in contact with an infected staffer, but “is feeling fine, and has no symptoms,” according to a statement.
Dr. Anthony Fauci at a White House briefing on April 22. (Alex Brandon / AP) STAYING ON TOP OF THIS This could be an ugly summer
People are getting restless under lockdown. The economy is in a meltdown like nothing we’ve ever seen before, and there’s an increasingly vocal faction in politics and the media calling on states to quickly reopen, even as new infections continue to rise in much of the country. At least 25 states have announced plans to reopen restaurants, businesses, and childcare facilities this month.
“Public health experts widely view these moves as a prelude to a disaster,” Dan Vergano reports, “the almost inevitable result of exposing people without any natural immunity to a deadly disease, one readily and silently spread by people often without any symptoms.”
The virus has been most deadly so far among the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions, but there’s a whole lot of Americans who fit into those two categories. And the young and healthy can still get seriously ill and die as well — if the virus spreads out of control with no ability to contain it, a lot of people will die.
“We are nowhere near herd immunity, and when the physical distancing interventions that have slowed transmission loosen, we expect to see a resurgence of cases and deaths,” epidemiologist Caroline Buckee says. “It will be very difficult to control once exponential growth takes off again.”
SNAPSHOTS The man who shot the video of Ahmaud Arbery’s killing is also being investigated. William "Roddie" Bryan, a neighbor of the accused killers, followed them in his own vehicle as they chased Arbery down a road.
Prosecutors in Ukraine say they were preparing to charge former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort with corruption last year. They say the charge was put on ice after Ukraine elected its new president, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Three Minnesota teenagers have been arrested after disturbing video emerged of an attack on an Asian woman. “The million-dollar question is why someone would do something like this,” an official said.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has extended the country’s lockdown, but loosened some restrictions on movement and work in England. He said a phased reopening of shops and schools could potentially begin in June.
President Donald Trump's onetime campaign manager Paul Manafort arrives at Manhattan Supreme Court, June 27, 2019. (Timothy A. Clary / Getty Images) HELP US KEEP QUALITY NEWS FREE FOR ALL
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RIP Farewell to two legends Little Richard, a founding figure in rock ‘n’ roll and one of the most influential American artists of the 20th century, died on Saturday. He was 87. His wild, electrifying performances were like nothing else on earth when he rose to fame in the mid-1950s. He pushed the boundaries of what people thought a musician could be, and shaped an entire generation of music.
"Little Richard drove the whole house into a complete frenzy,” said Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, one of many rock legends who cite the Georgia-born performer as an early inspiration. "There is no single phrase to describe his hold on the audience."
And on Monday, it was announced that comic actor Jerry Stiller died aged 92. Stiller and his wife, Anne Meara, were a successful comedy duo in the 1970s, but he’s best known today for two roles he played when his career had a second wind later in life: Frank Costanza on Seinfeld, and Arthur Spooner on The King of Queens.
Anne Meara passed away in 2015; Stiller is survived by his children Amy and Ben, both successful actors. “He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years,” Ben Stiller tweeted. “He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad."
Little Richard (Yui Mok / AP) GOOD THINGS HAPPENED
Buzzfeed News can exclusively reveal
It’s true that the news is mostly and/or overwhelmingly bad these days. But Syd Robinson assembled 14 unambiguously good things that happened in the last week, just in case you need a reminder that joy and decency and kittens still exist.
For example, one absolutely good thing that happened is this cat eating watermelon:
And then there was this breakthrough invention, confirming that humans will always find a way: And somehow there’s 12 more things that happened that were just as good! Check them all out here. Be one of the good things that happens this week, Tom P.S. If you like this newsletter, help keep our reporting free for all. Support BuzzFeed News by becoming a member here. (monthly memberships are available worldwide) 📝 This letter was edited and brought to you by Tom Gara and BuzzFeed News. You can always reach us here.
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