promoearn: America's alarming coronavirus 'curve'

Thursday, March 19

Medical staff members arrive for a duty shift at Dongsan Hospital in Daegu, South Korea, Wednesday, March 18, 2020. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. (Lee Moo-ryul/Newsis via AP) ORG XMIT: SEL801

Italy's coronavirus deaths surpass China's. Do not travel abroad, State Department says. It's Thursday's news.

Italy's coronavirus death toll reached a grim milestone, while U.S. health officials warned COVID-19 can be dangerous for young people, too.

It's Ashley with the latest news to know. And a treat at the end of the newsletter.

But first, imagine all the people: "Wonder Woman" star Gal Gadot enlisted some famous faces (Will Ferrell, Natalie Portman, Jimmy Fallon) to sing John Lennon's "Imagine" to boost morale amid the coronavirus. Take a moment for this, guys.

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America's coronavirus 'curve' may be at its most dangerous point

We'll soon find out if the U.S. is likely to be the next Italy, where circumstances from the rampaging global coronavirus outbreak are dire. Italy's deaths from COVID-19 surpassed China on Thursday, hitting a toll of 3,405 deaths. And America's coronavirus trajectory is trending the same way, a USA TODAY data analysis finds. U.S. officials are sounding the alarm, urging Americans to heed what federal, state and local officials are asking of them in order to curtail the spread and dampen the impact of the virus on the U.S. population.

Italy surpasses China in deaths.

USA TODAY

'Do not travel' abroad

The State Department told Americans not to travel abroad, the strongest U.S. alert yet. The advisory said U.S. citizens should arrange for "immediate return" unless they are prepared to "remain abroad for an indefinite period."

It's not just adults 65 and older

Americans of all ages have faced serious health complications from coronavirus, a federal health report says. New CDC data shows that among the roughly 12% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. known to need hospitalizations, about 1 in 5 were among people ages 20 to 44

$1,000 checks in three weeks?

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the Trump administration wants checks of $1,000 per person and $500 per child to go out within three weeks of Congress passing a stimulus package. A lot of the details of this proposal are still up in the air, but here's what we know so far (and don't).

Not all heroes distill vodka, some do

A Florida craft distillery has halted making alcoholic beverages in favor of hand sanitizer – and it's giving the stuff away for free. Copper Bottom Craft Distillery in Florida announced the BYOB offer – you bring the bottle, they will fill it.

Give it to me straight

The global death toll passed 9,800; there were more than 240,000 confirmed cases. In the U.S., deaths jumped to 175 across 22 states – including the first reported fatalities in Connecticut, Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania.

What everyone's talking about

•	Is it OK to be outside? Thousands of readers have asked us coronavirus questions. We're answering them.
•	A New York neurosurgeon has coronavirus. This is what he wants people to know.
•	Don't want to fly during the coronavirus crisis? Don't rush to cancel that ticket. Here's why.
•	Some severe cases of coronavirus could result in brain damage or the inability to walk.
•	These countries are doing the best and worst jobs fighting coronavirus.
•	Many are taking coronavirus recommendations seriously (like me). In the "taking it less seriously" category, this guy: "If I get corona, I get corona."
•	Daniel Dae Kim of "Hawaii Five-0" has tested positive for coronavirus: "Ready for a fight? I am."

Dental deceit: 'Drilling perfectly healthy teeth multiple times a day'

There's a new trend in dentistry that's alarming experts: Companies are buying up dental offices and turning them into revenue-generating machines. Our team spent more than a year investigating one chain at its forefront, North American Dental Group. The investigation found that intense pressure to meet daily revenue targets led to allegations of overtreatment. Patients complained they were diagnosed with a mouthful of cavities only to later discover nothing was wrong with their teeth. Read our full story here.

Johannah Lancaster's son, Gregory, now 9, received seven root canals at a dental clinic when he was 3. The dentist never took X-rays and Gregory later had to have four of the teeth pulled.

Jeff Swensen, for USA TODAY

Thank goodness you're here, spring

The first day of spring is here. Amid a very strange time to be alive, flowers are beginning to sprout new life. And they are actually doing it earlier than ever recorded across portions of the U.S. Cherry blossoms are blooming in Washington, D.C., and Japan in March – which Japan's weather agency declared the earliest start to the world-renowned cherry blossom season in nearly 70 years. Since many of us aren't getting outside as much as we used to … three weeks ago … enjoy these photos of flowering plants already bursting with life around the world.

•	Spring isn't great for everyone: Early spring promises a rough allergy season.
•	Things we love about spring, including florals, which eye roll we know isn't groundbreaking.
•	Spring reading guide: 20 new books to read.

A general view shows orchid flowers at the Char Ming Agriculture showroom in Tainan, southern Taiwan, on March 6, 2020.

Sam Yeh, AFP via Getty Images

Real quick

•	One-third of the country will see flooding this spring, experts say.
•	Saddle up, pardner, a new "Southwest Edition" of Ram is coming.
•	Netflix: Everything coming – and disappearing – in April, including "Matrix."
•	As Biden cruises toward the Democratic nomination, which VP pick can help him beat Trump?
•	The 5 best Amazon deals you can get Thursday.

There are officially no more women running for president in 2020

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has ended her presidential campaign, a decision that definitely didn't shock me. In a video message on Thursday, Gabbard, a member of the House of Representatives and the Hawaii National Guard, said she'd be supporting former Vice President Joe Biden in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, greets supporters in Honolulu on November 6, 2018.

Marco Garcia, AP

Employee of the day 🐶

Now that many of us are working from amid COVID-19 craziness, you may have found yourself with a purr-fect new colleague: YOUR PETS! We're doing a new "employee of the day" feature in The Short List and want to share your pups, kittens, reptiles, whatever! Send me your pet pics at ashley@usatoday.com and tell me about them!

First up, meet Penny. She's down with working from home but isn't OK with all this social distancing.👇