Good afternoon, it’s Monday! What a strange time to be alive. If you need someone to talk to, feel free to email me. Here’s what you need to know today. (PS: You can have this delivered to your inbox by subscribing here.)

1. Illinois COVID-19 cases surpass 100

Gov. JB Pritzker announced 12 new cases today, bringing the state’s total to 105 since the outbreak began. [WBEZ]

As cases continue to climb in Illinois, owners of bars and restaurants are worried about staying afloat after Pritzker’s unprecedented order to close to dine-in customers for two weeks.

Restaurants can continue filling takeout and delivery orders, but some owners say their businesses will take substantial hits. Ald. Tom Tunney, who owns Ann Sather restaurant in Lakeview, told WBEZ that he will likely see an 80% drop in revenue. [WBEZ]

Chicago Public Schools will be closed beginning tomorrow. Here’s information for where parents can pick up food packages for their children. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Have you lost work because of the COVID-19 outbreak? Click the link to find information about unemployment benefits offered in Illinois. [IDES]

Some Chicago-area hospitals are no longer allowing visitors. [Chicago Tribune]

And Chicago-based United Airlines is cutting 50% of flights. You can find more local news about the COVID-19 outbreak in WBEZ’s live blog. [WBEZ]

2. Trump announces new guidelines as U.S. economy plunges

President Donald Trump issued new guidelines today to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, such as avoiding groups of 10 or more people and closing schools. Trump said the recommendations would stay in place for the next 15 days.

The president also said the virus could remain a threat until July or August. [NPR]

President Trump also told the nation’s governors today that they shouldn’t rely on the federal government for medical supplies, like respirators, and urged them to “try getting it yourselves.” [New York Times]

The president’s comments come as the U.S. economy is likely headed toward a recession, NPR reports. Stock markets continued to plunge today despite the Federal Reserve taking an extraordinary move to slash interest rates to near zero. The last time the central bank cut rates that low was during the 2008 financial crisis. [NPR]

Meanwhile, the Senate is expected to reconvene today to vote on a relief bill passed by the House. The bill, which Trump supports, is aimed at people who have been financially impacted by the outbreak, and it would require employers to provide 14 paid sick days, among other things. [NPR]

U.S. airlines are seeking more than $50 billion from the government, an unprecedented amount of aid to help the industry deal with the crisis. [Washington Post]

3. Tomorrow is Illinois’ primary election

Chicago election officials are scrambling to find new polling places after nearly 170 locations have opted out since Sunday. That’s about 8% of the city’s 2,069 precincts. Chicago Board of Elections Chairwoman Marisel Hernandez said there might also be a shortage of elections judges at polling places.

Chicago voters can go to this website to check the status of their polling place. You can also call the Chicago Board of Elections at 312-269-7900. Early voting sites are also open today until 5 p.m. [WBEZ]

Meanwhile, Gov. Pritzker endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for president. The governor had said he would stay out of the Democratic presidential primary race, but he changed his mind, partly because he wants to remind voters that the election remains important as Illinois confronts the coronavirus outbreak. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Speaking of the election, Biden committed to picking a woman as his vice president should he win the Democratic Party’s nomination. He made the announcement during last night’s debate with Sen. Bernie Sanders. You can find more takeaways from the debate in this link. [WBEZ]

4. U.S. researchers begin testing COVID-19 vaccine

Scientists at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Research Institute in Seattle began a first-stage study of a potential vaccine. If the tests go well, a vaccine wouldn’t be available to the public for 12 to 18 months, said Dr. Anthony Fauci of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

As The Associated Press reports, vaccine researchers are focusing their efforts on a part of the virus called the “spike,” which allows the virus to invade human cells. If they can find a way to block the spike, then they could possibly stop the virus from infecting people. [AP]

As of today, global deaths from COVID-19 have surpassed 6,000. [NPR]

5. Have a question about COVID-19?

There’s a lot of misinformation spreading about the COVID-19 outbreak. Click the link to find practical information about the virus, like what steps you can take to minimize exposure. You can also reach out to WBEZ in the link if you have a question. [WBEZ]

The virus can live on surfaces for up to three days. Here are some cleaning tips, along with a trick to help stop touching your face. Hint: Onions. [NPR]

Here’s also a look at what symptoms are considered mild, moderate and severe. [NPR]

Meanwhile, here are ways you can help the Chicago area, from donating food to giving blood. [WBEZ]

Here’s what else is happening

• A gunman killed four people, including a police officer, at a Missouri gas station. [AP]

• The Pentagon cut a research program that brought in outside experts to help with the war on terrorism. [NPR]

• The son of a former Chicago cop is accused of shooting three people in Dolton. [Chicago Sun-Times]

• A $1 million award will support efforts to restore natural wetlands in Chicago. [WBEZ]

Oh, and one more thing …

Feeling stressed out? You’re not alone. Here’s a roundup of ways to cope in this unprecedented time.

Reporters and editors on NPR’s arts desk shared how they’re dealing with stress, from watching America’s Next Top Model to listening to “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin. [NPR]

Meanwhile, The New York Times has a list of “nine shows for social distancing.” [New York Times]

If you have little ones, Frozen 2 was released early on Disney+. [USA Today]

Tell me something good …

Since we’re all pretty much on quarantine, I’d like to know how you’re passing the time. Watching any good movies or TV shows? Playing any board games? What’s life like for you right now?

Me? My husband is planning to paint a room in the apartment, and I’m teaching our dog, Princess Leia, to take it easy. Looks like it’s working!

And I’m obviously listening to WBEZ on my smart speaker or wbez.org so I can stay updated on the latest news.

What are you up to? Feel free to email at therundown@wbez.org or tweet to @whuntah.

Have a nice night! If you like what you just read, you can subscribe to the newsletter here and have it delivered to your inbox.