Associated Press Update: 03.19.20 10:45am

Happening Now

The Chinese city of Wuhan, where the coronavirus first took hold, is reporting no new homegrown cases. But the death toll in Italy is poised to overtake that of China in a dramatic illustration of how the outbreak has pivoted toward Europe and the United States. Stocks are opening lower on Wall Street Thursday but with far less dramatic moves than the market has seen in recent days. China’s top disciplinary body has criticized how police handled the case of a Chinese doctor who was reprimanded for rumor-mongering after he shared a warning with others about the coronavirus in the early days of the outbreak. Seven Middle Eastern countries suspended all commercial flights due to a fast-spreading new virus as the aviation industry’s largest trade association announced that airlines in the region have lost more than $7 billion in revenue.  The Chinese city of Wuhan, where the coronavirus first took hold, is reporting no new homegrown cases. But the death toll in Italy is poised to overtake that of China in a dramatic illustration of how the outbreak has pivoted toward Europe and the United States. Stocks are opening lower on Wall Street Thursday but with far less dramatic moves than the market has seen in recent days. China’s top disciplinary body has criticized how police handled the case of a Chinese doctor who was reprimanded for rumor-mongering after he shared a warning with others about the coronavirus in the early days of the outbreak. Seven Middle Eastern countries suspended all commercial flights due to a fast-spreading new virus as the aviation industry’s largest trade association announced that airlines in the region have lost more than $7 billion in revenue.  The U.S. military says it is pausing the movement of any new troops into Afghanistan and is quarantining 1,500 troops who recently arrived in order to protect them from the coronavirus.   Indonesia has halted a mass congregation of nearly 9,000 Muslim pilgrims and begun quarantining them and checking their health to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. How long will policies aimed at curbing the severity of a pandemic last? How long will Americans be social-distancing shut-ins? As much as we want a clear timeline, scientists say there isn’t a simple answer.  Americans are increasingly worried they or a loved one will be infected by the coronavirus, with two-thirds now saying they’re at least somewhat concerned — up from less than half who said so a month ago.   Celebrities, politicians and professional athletes faced a backlash this week as several revealed that they had been tested for the coronavirus, even when they didn’t have a fever or other symptoms.

All information and sources above from the Associated Press.