Hey there! It’s Friday, and working for two weeks straight makes me really appreciate all of the people who donate to WBEZ. Without their support, this newsletter wouldn’t exist. If you can, it’d mean the world to me if you’d consider becoming a member. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. “Stay at home” order could last longer, Lightfoot says

Gov. JB Pritzker’s “stay at home” order will likely continue beyond the current April 7 end date, said Mayor Lori Lightfoot, though she added that it’s the governor’s call. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Lightfoot also said the public health crisis might not reach its peak until April. [Chicago Tribune]

The news comes as Illinois officials announced 488 new coronavirus cases, bringing the state’s total known cases to 3,026. Illinois also saw eight more deaths, pushing the state’s death toll to 34. [WBEZ]

This morning, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams said Chicago is emerging as a hot spot for infections. [WBEZ]

City officials are making plans to set up thousands of beds at McCormick Place East to help overwhelmed hospitals. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Meanwhile, undocumented immigrants in Illinois are particularly worried about losing their jobs, because they do not qualify for unemployment benefits. [WBEZ]

A researcher at Northwestern University is developing an enhancement to face masks that could further protect health-care workers from infections. [WBEZ]

Here’s what Chicago looks like while almost everyone stays home. [WBEZ]

And here’s a map of where cases have been reported in Illinois. [Chicago Reporter]

2. Trump signs $2 trillion relief package

President Donald Trump today signed the largest economic stimulus plan in U.S. history. The package expands unemployment benefits, sends stimulus checks to many Americans and provides loans to corporations and small businesses.

Earlier in the day, lawmakers scrambled and risked their own health to fly back to D.C. after Rep. Tom Massie, R-Ky., said he would press for a recorded vote, which could have delayed passage of the measure in the House. But leaders in both parties were able to muster enough support to deflect Massie’s maneuver and approved the package on a voice vote. [Washington Post]

Wondering how much money you’ll receive from the stimulus bill? Here’s a calculator to help you get an idea. [Washington Post]

Meanwhile, Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to compel General Motors to manufacture ventilators that are needed to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients. [Washington Post]

3. How bad will the pandemic’s economic damage be?

Many economists agree that the U.S. has entered a recession, but it’s unclear if the downturn will be a “long-lasting slump or a short-lived flash recession,” reports The Washington Post.

The soul searching on Wall Street comes after federal data showed a record 3.3 million unemployment claims were filed last week.

“The most terrifying part about this is this is likely just the beginning of the layoffs,” said economist Martha Gimbel of Schmidt Futures.

It’s also unclear if the $2 trillion relief package will provide enough aid to Americans if the health crisis lasts more than a month or two. [Washington Post]

4. Health experts call for a U.S. lockdown

A nationwide lockdown is the best way to stop the spread of COVID-19, many public health officials say.

“We are seeing community spread in every state. You need the nation to shut down,” said Juliette Kayyem, a former assistant secretary of homeland security.

But what happens after the U.S. is placed under a giant “stay at home” order is being debated.

Marc Lipsitch, a professor of epidemiology at Harvard, said the nation will have to spend “more time in freeze mode” because lifting those measures could cause cases to rapidly pile up again. A prolonged lockdown will save lives, but it will also result in poverty for some Americans.

“I think we’re really in a big dilemma,” he said. [NPR]

The U.S., which now leads the world in the number of known cases, has seen more than 86,000 infections and more than 1,000 deaths. [NPR]

5. Concerns emerge that China could see a second wave

Some coronavirus patients who recovered in China are again testing positive for the virus, a development that comes as authorities begin lifting lockdown measures.

As NPR reports, 5% to 10% of recovered patients being held in quarantine facilities in Wuhan have tested positive again, raising questions about the accuracy of COVID-19 testing kits. The news also suggests that the outbreak in Wuhan may not be over. [NPR]

In the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced today he is in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. Johnson said he has “mild symptoms.”

He is the first world leader known to be infected with the coronavirus. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is currently under self-quarantine after her doctor tested positive for the virus.

Meanwhile, Spain saw a surge in deaths, signaling that the worst may still be ahead for the country. [AP]

Worldwide, more than 585,000 cases and more than 26,000 deaths have been reported. [Johns Hopkins]

Here’s what else is happening

• This website provides Chicago residents with a local alternative to Amazon. [WBEZ]
• Curious City offers gardening tips for folks looking for ways to pass the time during Illinois’ stay-at-home order. [WBEZ]
• WBEZ’s Nerdette shares some books to read and hears from listeners on how they’re spending their time. [WBEZ]
• Bob Dylan released his first song in eight years, and it’s almost 17 minutes long. [NPR]

Oh, and one more thing …

I got this text message from my brother last night: “I never thought in my wildest dreams that this was possible. If a cop pulls me over now and I tell him I’m going to buy weed, it actually gets me OUT of trouble.”

In just three months, recreational marijuana went from being illegal to being declared an “essential” business under Gov. JB Pritzker’s stay-at-home order.

“People might snicker about it, but it’s incredibly important,” Kris Krane, president of the Mission dispensary in South Chicago, told the Chicago Sun-Times. “People need some way to chill out, to unwind.”

Here’s a look at what’s going on at local pot shops during the pandemic and how the political landscape shifted to favor recreational marijuana. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Tell me something good …

What’s the first thing you’re doing to do when things go back to normal?

Julie tweets:

“What am I doing when things get back to normal? I need a massive spa day — mani/pedi, haircut and color, massage, the works. People will know, because I will totally look like I need it, too.”

And Abby tweets:

“When all this is over, the first thing I’m doing is taking my daughter to the park to play, then I’m visiting a grocery store bar with my husband.”

Thanks for all the responses this week! Hope y’all are hanging in there!

Thanks for reading and have a nice night! I’ll see you on Monday.