Good afternoon, it’s Tuesday. And I hope y’all are hanging in there. Here’s what you need to know today. (PS: You can have this delivered to your inbox by subscribing here.)

1. The White House is expected to share projections on the spread of COVID-19

The White House today is expected to share statistical models that help predict the U.S. ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic. The models include estimates of how many people could become infected and how many people could die.

Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House’s coronavirus task force adviser, has said the nation’s death toll could reach 100,000 to 200,000 even if the public follows social-distancing measures “perfectly.” [AP]

The models, which have guided policy decisions aimed at saving lives, could be shared during today’s White House briefing. You can listen to the briefing online at WBEZ.org around 4 p.m. CT.

Meanwhile, the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the agency is reevaluating its guidelines on who should wear a face mask. [NPR]

2. Pritzker will extend “stay at home” order

Gov. JB Pritzker said today his “stay at home” order will now last until April 30. Originally, the order was set to expire on April 7. Pritzker said he will sign a new order tomorrow.

The news comes as Illinois officials announced 26 additional deaths — the largest single day jump so far — bringing the state’s death toll to 99. Officials also announced 937 new cases of COVID-19, pushing the total number of known cases in the state to 5,994. [WBEZ]

Meanwhile, Asian Americans in Chicago say they’ve increasingly faced racist comments and even attacks. [WBEZ]

Officials in Wisconsin and Michigan, which have long appealed to Chicagoans as a vacation getaway, are telling city residents to stay home. [WBEZ]

Mayor Lori Lightfoot has a new PSA about staying home. [Twitter]

Here’s a map showing where cases have been reported in Illinois. [Chicago Reporter]

3. U.S. death toll eclipses China’s official count

And the somber milestone further raises questions over whether Beijing has downplayed the impact of the coronavirus in China. The U.S. has reported more than 3,400 deaths. China says its death toll stands at 3,305, a figure that has been under intense scrutiny. [New York Times]

Meanwhile, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state’s death toll rose to 1,550. Cuomo’s brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, announced today that he tested positive for the disease. [New York Times]

In Boston, four hospitals reported that a combined 345 employees have tested positive for the coronavirus. [NPR]

Across the U.S., more than 160,000 cases have been reported — the most in the world. Here’s a map showing where infections have been reported. [NPR]

4. Italy hits “plateau” in infection rates

Italy, which has seen more deaths from COVID-19 than anywhere else in the world so far, could start seeing a decline in new cases, said one of the country’s top health officials. But the official added that Italy’s nationwide lockdown, now in its third week, should remain in place. [NPR]

In Russia, quarantine violators could face jail time, and people who spread “fake news” will be fined under stricter punishments approved by the Russian parliament. [AP]

In Denmark, where officials quickly enacted social-distancing measures and closed borders, the nation’s prime minister said normal life could gradually return after Easter. [NPR]

Meanwhile, countries with widespread poverty, like Brazil and Pakistan, could see a wave of infections. [NPR]

Worldwide, there are more than 846,000 known cases and more than 41,000 deaths. [Johns Hopkins]

5. What do we do with the incarcerated during a pandemic?

Gov. Pritzker today addressed concerns about the safety of inmates and detainees, who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 because social distancing is nearly impossible while incarcerated. The governor said his administration won’t be in “the business of claiming one life is worth more than another,” and inmates will receive the care that they need.

Illinois officials have announced plans to release some inmates in prisons and jails across the state, and are screening them for symptoms before they leave. But some advocacy groups say the releases have moved too slowly and come too late. [Chicago Tribune]

As WBEZ’s Shannon Heffernan has reported, Illinois’ Stateville prison has seen one inmate die. At least 77 inmates and 11 staff members are in isolation after showing symptoms. [WBEZ]

In New York City, a crowdfunding campaign has been bailing out Rikers Island inmates who are awaiting trial. [Buzzfeed News]

Here’s what else is happening

• Oil and gas companies that produce plastics have known that many plastics can’t and won’t be recycled, according to an NPR and Frontline investigation. [NPR]
• You know the world has changed when the leader of a country is slammed for not following social distancing and not because he visited a drug lord’s mother. [NPR]
• Today’s Introvert’s Guide to the Good Life looks at pets with special guest John Hodgman. [WBEZ]
• Curious City is offering ideas on outdoor activities while self-quarantining. [WBEZ]

Oh, and one more thing …

Here’s some good news if you’re missing basketball games: A 10-part documentary on Michael Jordan’s last championship season with the Chicago Bulls is coming to ESPN and Netflix.

The series, called The Last Dance, will air on Sundays on ESPN beginning April 19. Don’t have cable? Netflix will also air episodes on Mondays beginning April 20. (That means no binge watching.)

The series reportedly includes “never-before-seen footage” from Jordan’s sixth championship season with the team in 1997-98. ESPN originally slated the series for June, but the network moved up those plans since there are no sports to air right now. [WBEZ]

Tell me something good …

WBEZ canceled its spring pledge drive so we can bring you the latest news, uninterrupted, about the COVID-19 pandemic. The pledge drive helps pay for things like this newsletter, and it would mean a lot to me if you considered becoming a member.

And that makes me wonder: What do you enjoy the most about WBEZ?

Tom Keefer writes:

“We are NPR junkies, listening to Morning Edition, 1A, All Things Considered, and on Saturdays Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me. Other things as well, but these are mainstays.”

And Cade writes:

“We enjoy the regular shows and special series, which we listen to online for our own convenience. We especially enjoy ending our work day going through the WBEZ Rundown, because it features highlights of national and local news and ends on a positive note with ‘Tell me something good’ to keep us smiling. Membership has been a satisfying investment for us!”

What do you enjoy the most about WBEZ? Feel free to email at therundown@wbez.org or tweet to @whuntah.

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