[m]【英语听力】常速新闻5分钟 2020-5-4

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VOA NEWS

May 4, 2020

This is VOA news. Via remote, I'm Marissa Melton.

U.S. President Donald Trump is holding a virtual town hall meeting this hour on the Fox News network. He is seated with two Fox News hosts at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., taking questions via video chat from American citizens around the country.

The subject is reopening the economy. Asked about the people who were concerned about continuing danger from the virus and those who were angry about being ordered to stay home, the president said "I think we can satisfy both."

He said those who were worried about catching the virus or those who are at risk might want to, in his words, "stay back," while other people want to get back to work, he acknowledged.

[Question ...] Questioned about remdesivir, a drug experts have said shows promise against the virus, the president said "I think we'll have a vaccine by the end of the year."

He also said he will urge schools to reopen in September. He said the only problem he sees is teachers who are older than 65 or diabetic. Older people and those with pre-existing health conditions are considered to be at greater risk of contracting the virus.

Once again, the president made those comments just a few moments ago in a town hall meeting on the Fox News Channel.

White House coronavirus taskforce coordinator Deborah Birx said Sunday she is concerned that vast numbers of Americans are failing to heed warnings to keep a safe distance from other people to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

At least half of the country's 50 state governors have started to open public spaces, such as parks, golf courses and some ocean beaches, while allowing shopkeepers and beauty salons to reopen their businesses.

But no U.S. states have met the original White House directive that they see a continuous two-week decline in the number of coronavirus cases before allowing businesses to open their doors again or people to gather in public places.

Birx told "Fox News Sunday" said the best advice she has is for Americans to continue washing hands and shelter in place.

This is VOA news.

Michigan's governor says gun-carrying protesters who demonstrated inside her state's Capitol "depicted some of the worst racism" and "awful parts" of U.S. history. Those are quotes from her, "Democrat Gretchen Whitmer told CNN that the protests featured 'Confederate Flags, and nooses,' as well as swastikas."

Members of the Michigan Liberty Militia protested the state's stay-at-home orders this week, [with some] some with weapons and tactical gear, with their faces partially covered. They went inside the state Capitol, where being armed is allowed.

Michigan's Republican-controlled Legislature has questioned Whitmer's authority to extend stay-at-home orders amid the coronavirus pandemic. But the governor used an executive order to extend a state of emergency declaration and has directed most businesses statewide to remain closed.

Worldwide, more than 244,000 people have died from COVID-19 and infections are nearing 3.5 million.

Parts of the world are starting to emerge from the pandemic and cautiously resume some sort of normal life. Still top World Health Organization experts warned that COVID-19 will continue to pose significant risks until vaccines are developed.

Today, Spaniards reveled in a second day of freedom, heading outside in time-slots for age groups as one of the world's strictest coronavirus lockdowns began to loosen.

Russia [rec..., reforded] recorded its highest daily rise in confirmed coronavirus cases with 10,633 new cases. That brings Russia's total to nearly 135,000. More than half of the cases and death are in Moscow.

Swiss drug maker Roche Holding received emergency use approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for an antibody test to help determine if people have ever been infected with coronavirus.

And India's air force flew aircraft [lower over] low over more than a dozen cities as part of a nationwide campaign by the armed forces to thank healthcare workers and other essential services personnel fighting the outbreak.

Two of Bollywood's biggest directors have teamed up with charity Give India to present a virtual fundraising event today.

Much like an event coordinated by Lady Gaga earlier this month, Indian directors Karah Johar and Zoya Akhtar hosted a livestream that included dozens of actors and musicians to raise money for India's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

World-renowned actors such as Shahrukh Khan and musicians including A.R. Rahman performed and gave speeches in the Facebook Live event, which was dubbed iFor India. It was streamed by thousands of people around the world.

Via remote, I'm Marissa Melton. You're listening to VOA news.

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