Why it matters: The U.S. faces a range of health care flashpoints — unaffordable drugs, opioids, vaping — as we debate whether to adopt universal care. For now, the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, but Republicans want to issue it a final death blow.
At least 15 states broke their single-day novel coronavirus infection records this week, according to state health department data reviewed by Axios.
The big picture: The number of coronavirus cases increased in the vast majority of states over the last week, and decreased in only two states plus the District of Columbia, Axios' Andrew Withershoop and Caitlin Owens report.
Anthony Fauci testifies on Capitol Hill on June 30. Photo: Al Drago via Pool/Getty Images
NIAID director Anthony Fauci and five other public health experts explained their daily coronavirus rituals and precautions to the Washington Post in a Q&A published Friday.
The big picture: The experts gave unanimous answers to some questions — on when they wear a mask and how they avoid eating inside restaurants — but differed on sending kids back to school in the fall.
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Photo: Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
The U.S. has already celebrated Easter, graduations and so much more during the coronavirus pandemic, and now it can add July 4 to the list.
The state of play: Axios' Stef Kight writes public parades and fireworks displays around much of the country are being canceled to prevent mass gatherings where the virus could spread. Hot-dog contests and concerts will play to empty stands and virtual audiences — all while American pride treads an all-time low.
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
The U.S. has reached new highs in single-day coronavirus infections for three consecutive days this week, per data from Johns Hopkins and the COVID Tracking Project.
The big picture: The number of coronavirus cases increased in the vast majority of states over the last week, and decreased in only two states plus the District of Columbia, Axios' Andrew Witherspoon and Caitlin Owens report.
Commuters line up to cross to the United States at the San Ysidro crossing port in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico. Photo: Guillermo Arias/AFP/Getty Images
Mexican leaders are calling for stronger enforcement on its northern border as the number of coronavirus cases in the southwestern U.S. continues to rise, The Washington Post reports.
Why it matters: Mexico worries the growing number of COIVD-19 cases in the U.S. could threaten their communities' own safety and ability to combat the pandemic. Hundreds of thousands of people living in the U.S. have continued to cross into Mexico during the pandemic, the Post notes.
President Trump boards Air Force One on July 3. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
President Trump signed off on Saturday to give businesses another five weeks to apply for funds through the Paycheck Protection Program.
Why it matters: Roughly $130 billion in PPP funding is still available. The Small Business Administration's inspector general found in May that some rural, minority and women-owned businesses may not have gotten loans due to a lack of prioritization from the agency.
A patient is taken from an ambulance to the emergency room of a hospital in the Navajo Nation town of Tuba City, Ariz. Photo: Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images
Coronavirus illness in Arizona has caused a new peak in hospitalizations and emergency room visits on Friday with intensive care units at 91% capacity, the Arizona Department of Health Services reports.
Why it matters: Nearly 25% of coronavirus tests in the state came back positive Thursday. Total hospitalizations in Arizona for COVID-19 surpassed 3,000 for the first time.
England announced on Friday it is dropping its mandatory 14-day quarantine for visitors from more than 50 countries, but for the U.S., which has seen coronavirus cases increase sharply.
The big picture: The European Union also extended its ban on travelers from the U.S. and other countries that don't have infections under control like Russia and Brazil.
Adm. Brett Giroir, the Health and Human Services official overseeing the nation's coronavirus testing efforts, expressed concern that the July 4 holiday weekend could worsen already troubled cities and cause new outbreaks for others.
The big picture: The annual Macy’s fireworks show in New York is taking place as five-minute displays throughout the week in unannounced locations to prevent viewers from congregating, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Fauci testifies to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on June 30. Photo: Al Drago/AFP via Getty Images
NIAID director Anthony Fauci told medical journal JAMA on Thursday that it has been a "very disturbing week" for the spread of the novel coronavirus in the U.S.
What's happening: The number of coronavirus cases increased in the vast majority of states over the last week, and decreased in only two states plus the District of Columbia, Axios' Caitlin Owens reports.