promoearn: Some Ga. businesses reopen today. Are people ready?

Friday, April 24

A man wears a mask amid fears over the spread of the novel coronavirus (which causes COVID-19) as he walks past a mural in downtown in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 23, 2020. The US state of Georgia takes a massive gamble on April 24 when it allows businesses like gyms and hair salons to re-open to ease a painful coronavirus lockdown, a move even President Donald Trump fears is too soon.

Friday's Daily Briefing: Some Georgia businesses reopen today

Some Georgia businesses to reopen under a controversial plan by Gov. Brian Kemp, the NFL draft moves along and more news to know Friday.

Good morning, world! We've almost made it through another week of social distancing. Most of us are still hunkering down but all eyes are on Georgia, where today's the big day for some controversial re-openings.

First, excellent news for fans of comedy, waffles, and local government: NBC's "Parks and Recreation" has announced it's returning for a special in the time of COVID-19. Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Chris Pratt and more are back for a one-time social distancing special April 30 (8:30 p.m. EDT/PDT). It's the first scripted show to address the pandemic in its content.

It's Friday. It's Lindsay. Here's the news. Someone get me a baby horse.

Gyms, salons can reopen in Georgia. Is it too soon?

Some businesses reopen Friday in Georgia under a controversial plan by Gov. Brian Kemp whose critics include President Donald Trump. Under the plan announced last week, gyms, bowling alleys, tattoo parlors, hair and nail salons, massage therapists and some other businesses can reopen if they adhere to social distancing measures and hygiene requirements. In-person religious services can resume this weekend, and restaurants and theaters can reopen Monday. Trump said Wednesday he disagreed "strongly" to the plan, saying the state's coronavirus case numbers don't meet the threshold needed to reopen under White House guidelines. At the same time, Trump added, Kemp "must do what he thinks is right."

•	President isn't pleased: Trump criticizes Kemp's plan
•	Small businesses in Georgia are suffering, but many are divided on the prospect of reopening

More of today's top news on COVID-19

•	House approves a nearly $500 billion coronavirus relief bill. Here's what's in it
•	The coronavirus curve bends toward reopening in hard-hit counties. Will it hold steady
•	Twitter names Trump the 'Tide Pods' president after he suggests disinfectant injections
•	'Our moon shot': Vaccine makers go ahead with unproven candidates to meet 2021 goal – that experts say may be unrealistic
•	Nearly one-third of Americans believe a coronavirus vaccine exists and is being withheld, survey finds
•	Trump Organization seeks coronavirus bailouts for president's golf resorts in Ireland and Scotland
•	ICU nurse who silently protested, faced insults at Phoenix reopening rally speaks out
•	Under pressure by Trump, elite colleges turn down emergency coronavirus financial aid

Want daily Coronavirus updates? Sign up for the Coronavirus Watch newsletter here.

NFL draft moves along after wild night

First round of the 2020 NFL draft is in the books and will move ahead to the second and third rounds on Friday night (7 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network). Joe Burrow went first overall to the Bengals as expected, and in the next several selections, teams followed the chalk: Chase Young to Washington, Jeff Okudah to Detroit. Offensive tackle Andrew Thomas went to the Giants, followed by quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert to the Dolphins and Chargers, respectively. The "virtual" NFL draft also made for interesting TV on Thursday night, from Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury showing off his lavish pad to whatever it was that was going on at Titans coach Mike Vrabel's house. USA TODAY Sports will have live updates and analysis of all of the news from the event, including an up-to-the-minute tracker breaking down every pick in real time.

•	NFL draft's most intriguing first-round picks: Packers' selection of QB Jordan Love raises eyebrows
•	SEC breaks its own record for first-round NFL draft picks with 15, led by LSU and Alabama

Virtual vigil to be held in Canada for mass shooting victims

Victims of one of Canada's deadliest mass killings will be remembered Friday night in a virtual vigil. Twenty-two people were killed last weekend when a gunman dressed as a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer went on a 12-hour killing spree that began in the rural town of Portapique, Nova Scotia, and included at least 16 crime scenes across the province.The suspect, 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman, was shot dead by police. The vigil will be livestreamed on the Facebook group Colchester - Supporting our Communities at 7 p.m. local time (6 p.m. ET) and will also air on the CBC News Network.

Another round of severe weather possible

More severe weather is forecast across central Florida on Friday , the Storm Prediction Center said, following days of floods and apparent tornadoes that left at least seven people dead across the South. Another area where violent weather is possible Friday includes parts of southeastern Oklahoma through the Arkansas-Louisiana-Texas vicinity, the prediction center said. The latest storms follow tornado outbreaks earlier in April that killed more than two dozen people and caused millions of dollars in damage across the South.

Japan steps up coronavirus testing on docked cruise ship

Another cruise ship in another part of the world is grappling with the coronavirus . This time, on the Costa Atlantica, there are no passengers involved because the ship wasn't on a cruise but rather had been docked for three months, in Japan. Officials plan to have the nearly 50 virus-stricken crew members quarantine themselves on board unless they develop serious symptoms. A military medical team plans to assist in testing remaining crew by Friday. The ship has 623 crew members. It came to Nagasaki after changing its repair plan in China due to the pandemic.

•	Are cruise ships unsafe — and will they change?

In better news

Now that so many are working from home, shelters around the country are offering up pet fostering as a way to help a pet in need and combat isolation. This Humankind video highlights the stories of three pets – a cat named Mia, a dog named Azula and Fivel, a "fearless foster kitten," who thinks she's a dog.