From the nations capital. Odonnell good evening and race to find a treatment for coronavirus, and it couldnt come soon enough. President trump says he is slashing red tape, ordering the f. D. A. To fast track the use of two drugs for sick patients. Tough the f. D. A. Says it could take months of Clinical Trials. More than 12,000 people have now tested positive in the u. S. The death toll has risen dramatically, too, up by almost a third in just 24 hours. And experts warn those numbers will continue to spike as more people are tested. Late today, the state department told americans living abroad they should come home immediately, just as italys death toll surpassed chinas. And on wall street today, an update. The markets were stable, but there is concern the economy is in freefall with unemployment claims now flooding in. And here in the nations capital, theyre calling in the National Guard to help with testing as the Surgeon General issues a nationwide call for people to donate blood. There is a lot of news tonight, and we have a team of correspondents to cover it all. Were going to begin tonight with ben tracy at the white house. And, ben, the president sound hopeful about these new drugs. Reporter he did, norah, and hes putting a lot of pressure on the f. D. A. To fast track anything that might be a treatment for coronavirus, and today he says there may be two drugs. I think its going to be very exciting. I think it could be a game changer. Reporter President Trump calls it a tremendous breakthrough. Two existing drugs that are showing promise in treating coronavirus in hospital patients around the country. One, called remedesavir, is used to treat ebola patients, but still needs f. D. A. Approval. The other, hydroxychloroquine, is already available, used to treat malaria and arthritis since the 1950s. The nice part is its been around for a long time, so we know that if it if if things dont go as planned, its not going to kill anybody. Reporter both drugs are currently in Clinical Trials for coronavirus, meaning there is still no proven treatment for the illness. The president is frustrated by what he sees as red tape holding up experiments to find one. But the head of the f. D. A. Said the agency also needs to make sure these drugs are used safely. Whats also important is not to provide false hope. We may have the right drug, but m dosage form right now and that may do more harm than good. Reporter the university of minnesota is launching a trial this week to see if the anti malaria drugs can be used not just to treat coronavirus in sick patients, but actually prevent it in people who have been exposed but are not yet ill. Theres some data to suggest that if youre taking hydroxychloroquine and youre exposed to the virus, that the infection wont take hold. And thats the trial that were doing. We want to see if that drug can prevent the infection from occurring. Reporter there are nearly 100 trials for treatments and vaccines underway around the world. Here in the u. S. , three people in seattle have been injected with an experimental vaccine, but a widely available version is not expected for at least a year. Now, these efforts to treat coronavirus with existing drugs is considered a stopgap measure for the next three to six months, and then theyre hoping they can refine other treatments. Norah. Odonnell ben tracy, thank you. What has Health Professionals so worried about the coronavirus is there is no specific medicine to treat or prevent covid19. If you get sick, all doctors can do is supportive treatment to help a patient breathe. So joining us now to discuss the possible treatments that President Trump announced today is cbs news medical contributor dr. David agus. David, so good to have you. One of the drugs is actually a halfcenturyold antimalaria drug. How does it work . Its pretty wild, right. Hydroxychloroquine is used for malaria and Rheumatoid Arthritis and it works by two mechanisms. One is it blocks virus and the second is it tampers down inflammation, both of which play a role probably in how its benefiting patients with covid 19. Odonnell the other drug that the president mentioned was created to treat ebola. How would that work . So that is another antiviral. This one is intravenous, compared to the first one. Hydroxychloroquine is oral, and remedesavir is an intravenous drug that blocks the virus. You know, this is a virus, its not alive. The virus actually goes into our cells and uses our own machinery to divide. And drugs like remedesavir can inhibit those processes, enabling the virus to stop dividing and thats how we benefit from it. Odonnell if you have covid 19 right now, what do these potential treatments mean for you . If someone has covid19 now, i want them to talk to their doctor about the potential role of using hydroxychloroquine today. It is an f. D. A. Approved drug for other indications, and they could write a prescription today for this drug and use it in the right setting. And that doesnt mean every patient needs to be on it, but its a discussion to have with your doctor. There is hope, and this drug is hope personified to every person with the disease. Odonnell we saw the cases spike in just the last 24 hours. Where are we on this curve . Im optimistic. Im hopeful. With the behavior changes our country has made, as well as with these medications announced today, that were really at a new point, and a point where i could see at some point light at the end of the tunnel. Odonnell whats the most significant behavioral change youve made . You know, my children and my wife, we are staying home, and were going out for things like this, where its a very controlled environment. Were eating together as a family. Both of my children are home from college and every night i have dinner with them. To me its a gift. I mean, you have to find positive in some small places in this horrible tragedy that hit our country. Odonnell more family dinners. Thank you, dr. David agus. Thank you. Odonnell it is day four of the social distancing guidelines, and today we learned just how important they are. The White Houses Corona Task force warned if just 10 to 15 of americans ignore the federal guidelines, cases could rise even further. Thats how important this is. Mola lenghi joins us from new york city, where the mayor mola lenghi joins frus new york tonight warns they could run out of medical supplies in just a few weeks. Mola. Medical sup reporter thats right, norah. Thats something many people are concerned about and watching. Of course, as we know, the more people who get tested that will give Health Officials a better idea of where this virus has been and where it is going. Athome test kits are currently awaiting approval by the f. D. A. But we know 10 of the tests that have been performed, the that have been performed, the results have come bac results have come back positive. Rampedup testing across the country is now painting a fuller picture. Coronavirus tests increased ten fold in the last seven days. More than half of reported cases are concentrated in three states and just 10 counties. You can see the dramatic increases in the number of new cases based on our ability to test additional people. And this will continue over the next two to three days. Reporter in new york state, the number of cases nearly doubled overnight. We now have misinformation and fear and panic which is as contagious or more contagious than the virus. Reporter Governor Andrew Cuomo issued even harsher measures for nonessential workers. That means 75 of the workforce must stay at home. Reporter meanwhile, americans are rallying together to combat the virus. More than 1,000 retired and privatepractice physicians are volunteering their services. Medical student ruth howe jumped at the chance to help. What were trying to do right now is take care of the people who cant go outside. Theyre more vulnerable to this than someone like me who is lucky enough to be young and healthy. Reporter the National Guard is also answering the call. More than 2,000 troops across 27 states are distributing aid and supplies. Tonight, more than 900 cars lined up at this drivethrough Food Donation Center in wairn, ohio, and food giant kroger plans to hire 10,000 additional workers companywide. But even in this time of giving, the red cross fears a nationwide blood shortage. Cbs news has learned more than 4500 blood drives have already been canceled. We know many of you are home practicing the president s guidelines for social distancing. But one thing we should all consider, especially our millennials and genz, is donating blood. One donation can save up to three lives. Reporter those blood drive cancellations have led to about 150,000 fewer donations and the fear is that if that continues it could put an enormous strain on the entire health care system. But today, we learned that two military field hospitals have been put on alert to help with medical emergencies unrelated to coronavirus, norah. Odonnell so many people pitching in. Thank you, mola. Another sign of how life is changing, new jersey is shutting down all hair and nail salons, leading to thousands of layoffs. And nationally, unemployment claims are skyrocketing. Tonight, Senate Republicans are working to send up to 1200 to americans who make less than 99,000 a year. Kris van cleave joins us. He has more on this. Kris. Reporter well, norah, just this morning, the treasury secretary said it could take a few weeks to get that money into the hands of americans. This, as j. P. Morgan chase is predicting the u. S. Economy will shrink by 14 in the coming months. That would be the worst quarter in 50 years. The coronavirus has likely infected the entire u. S. Economy. The prognosis, says bank of america, is recession. When i talk to economists, certainly, their expectations are that we have just tipped into a recession. They also believe its going to be a pretty severe recession. What they cant figure out is how long this will last. Reporter shuttered businesses are laying off workers, sending jobless claims soaring so fast, theyre crashing websites in several states. Those seeking Unemployment Benefits were up 150 in Washington State last week. Ohio had nearly 80,000 in three days. In colorado, claims jumped from 400 to nearly 7,000 in a week. What theyre seeing is unemployment peaking at anywhere between, lets call it 6 to 8 . Reporter hundreds of thousands more will be furloughed. 27yearold Adriana Alvarez worries about her job at this chicago mcdonalds. Its watching the calendar, waiting for that next paycheck with, like, 25, 30 in your bank account, hoping nothing happens. Reporter the senate is working on an economic stimulus bill of around 1 trillion that could send checks straight to americans and urgent aid to businesses. Do you support the idea of the government taking an equity stake in Certain Companies . I do. I really do. Reporter American Airlines told employees, we are in the fight for our lives as it cancels 55,000 flights next month. Sarah nelson from the association of flight attendants about the 750,000 u. S. Airline employees. Were telling our kids that they have to go without. Thats what were talking about here. The Airline Workers know exactly what it means when the paycheck stops and thats what we need to stave off here, especially in this time of national emergency. Reporter virtually the entire u. S. Auto industry has pumped the brakes. Because of coronavirus, temporarily halting u. S. Production. Ford, g. M. , and tesla have all offered to Start Building ventilators, if needed. Norah. Odonnell all right, kris, thank you. There is an urgent plea tonight to help those most at risk of catching the virus. You may have seen the hashtag highriskcovid19. Thats because nearly 60 of American Adults have a Chronic Health condition. In italy, 99 of those who died from the coronavirus had pre existing conditions. Errol barnett now on protecting our most vulnerable. Reporter online, young people are pleading with strangers to practice social distancing as a matter of life or death. By staying home, youre helping to protect people like me, says abigail luna, with crohns disease. Casey clowes has lupus and kidney disease. Youre being reckless with other peoples lives, specifically, you know, my life, people who are like me, who cant interact with the world right now. Reporter an estimated 10 million americans have a medical condition that weakens the immune system. 16yearold hannah sames has g. A. N. , a nervous system disorder. People have to stay away from other people. Reporter shes on medications to suppress her immune system. Lori sames is her mom. What does this moment feel like for you both . Scary. Yeah. Really scary. Reporter we first met the sames family in 2015 when an experimental gene therapy trial was launching. Two weeks ago, lori and hannah began to selfquarantine, sanitizing everything, and handling deliveries with gloves. People need to have empathy and see the greater picture and selfcontain. Reporter hannahs condition has impaired her speech, but she still has a powerful message reporter errol barnett, cbs news, new york. Odonnell Important Message about empathy and seeing the larger picture. Weve got much more news ahead here on tonights cbs evening news. China honors its Health Care Workers as it reports a welcome milestone in the coronavirus fight. Later, they deliver much more than food. 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Odonnell there is big News Coronavirus deaths at more than 3400. And for the first time china reported no new domestic cases. Tonight as Ramy Inocencio reports, that was cause for celebration. Reporter 50,000 screens honoring chinas Health Care Workers lit up cities across the country as beijing announced for the first time no new homegrown cases of the deadly coronavirus. A massive lockdown and tough tactics helped turn the tide. Yet, experts praise south korea, where a policy of early, Rapid Testing at drivethroughs and now at phoneboothsized stations has proven to be the most effective tactic. South korea and the u. S. Reported their first coronavirus cases the same day in january. Two weeks later, south korea approved its first test. In the u. S. It took nearly six weeks to agree on a test. Since then, south korea has screened more than 300,000 people. The u. S. , in the same period, only reached about 100,000. Experts say south korea sets a standard for all other countries. No country in the western world wants to be the next italy. Reporter it seems like this nobody wants. Italian army trucks carrying coffins from crematoriums struggling to cope. The big lesson we learned is about testing early, testing and tracking. If we didnt do that. Reporter every day you delay, said one doctor, the contagion gets worse. Ramy inocencio, cbs news, tokyo. Odonnell and coming up next were all in this together. The volunteers making sure everyone is fed, even during a national emergency. Ing a national emergency. Or more emergency rooms. Or more representation in our government. The census counts us all. And an accurate count helps inform where billions go every year. So, dont miss your chance to be counted. Were kind of depending on you here. Complete the census, online, by phone, or by mail. Shape your future. Start here at 2020census. Gov. Shape your future. My body is truly powerful. I have the power to lower my blood sugar and a1c. 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You know whats going on with the coronavirus. Yes, thats why im staying in the house. Theyre scared. Theyre hungry, and thats really not a safe place for them right now. Reporter the visiting Nurse Association runs the meals on Wheels Program in dallas county, preparing and delivering more than 6,000 meals a day to covid 19s most Vulnerable Group the elderly. Everyone likes to give a hug and really, you know, be close. Reporter chief nursing officer Olivia Rogers says its not just the meals that are crucial. But for many seniors, this is often their only chance to interact with someone during the day. How you doing . You feel okay . Reporter and now, its at a social distance. We still love you. Were here for you, but we are also going to keep you safe. Reporter so far, donations are steady. And in a sign of the times, volunteer efforts are up. Just to say, hey, youre not alone. Just checking on you. Reporter would you have food in your house if it wasnt for these people . 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Org medical workers tell cbs nws that theyre worried that they cant fight the safely, at least not right now. There is a shortage of many essential supplies. Some Health Care Workers have already been infected, including at least two doctors who are now in critical condition. We spoke to some doctors fighting the disease on the front lines. I think we forget that Health Care Professionals and nurses are humans too. We walk to the bedside like we always do, but now we are knowing that we are not protected. And were facing our own death. Ill be honest. We cry about this. We want to be a part of the solution. The fact that we dont have protective gear to handle these patients makes me know that i am at risk. And i know this because i do respect the virus. I respect the disease. But i also respect my colleagues, and i see that my colleagues are getting ill. And there are two right now that are on ventilator support. And it makes me very, very worried, especially because i have a family, just like they do. We have to get personal protective equipment. Because were going to lose our workforce if we dont. And our workforce is going to expose everyone who comes in, because well have it and well spread it before we know we have it. Its scary. Youre afraid that youre not doing enough at work for your patients. And then you feel you come home and you havent done enough at home. Were all experiencing this thing. We want to protect our patients. We want to protect our children, but we dont have the support. We dont have the means. We dont have the resources. So this is our plea for help. Two of the most precious human beings in my life, my motherinlaw and my son may also face potentially lifethreatening consequences because of my decision to stay at my post, to stand on that wall and protect my patients to the best of my ability. You know, as a parent, its such a struggle to reconcile my professional duties and obligations with the fact that those very duties and obligations could hurt him. Boy, that was very powerful. Our dr. Tara narula joins us now with more on this story. Tara, its so hard to hear the doctors say that theyre scared and that theyre afraid. We all understand that feeling, but its very unsettling. Youve been talking to doctors. What are they saying to you about their experiences . I mean, gayle, this was just the tip iceberg of the overwhelmingns