Canceled them. Now apologizing. Some churches still pushing ahead. The first stimulus checks arriving in Americans Bank accounts with nearly 17 million suddenly out of work. Long lines at food banks in los angeles and san antonio. The divide among governors. Some want to reopen for business earlier than others. President trump now facing what he calls the biggest decision of his life. New reports tonight of testing trouble. In california, 13,000 still waiting to learn whether theyre infected. The race to test for antibodies. The National Institute of health looking to see whether some develop immunity. Tests that could help america get back to work. And the two tech giants, apple and google, teaming up on a project they say could be a game changer for tracking the virus. Also tonight, the tornado danger this easter weekend. 100 million in the path from texas to virginia. And america strong. The families on the front lines fighting this disease, making the tough sacrifices to focus on their mission. And good evening. Thanks for joining us on this saturday. Im tom llamas. We begin with the disturbing milestone in this coronavirus pandemic. The death toll in this country surpassing 20 thousand. That includes 2,000 lives lost in the last 24 hours. Americas deadliest day yet. 783 deaths in new york alone. This latest surge pushing the u. S. Total beyond hardhit italy after already overtaking spain. Now the deadliest nation in confirmed covid19 fatalities. We have reported on the economic toll. Look at this cars lined up at food banks across the country. Nearly 17 million americans suddenly out of work, as the First Americans are receiving stimulus checks from the Treasury Department. Concerns tonight over emerging hot zones. Cases spiking in maryland and texas. The race to set up field hospitals. There are new reports of trouble with testing in california. Thousands still waiting to learn whether they are positive. And the questions on so many minds tonight when will america reopen . President trump calling that the biggest decision of his life. Leaders across the country urging americans to keep their guard up. We wilweegh abcs trevor ault at the Javits Center here in new york city. Reporter tonight, a grim milestone for the united states. More than 20,000 americans have died from covid19. This country now leading the world in reported deaths from the virus. Here in the epicenter of the pandemic in the u. S. , officials hope new york has seen the worst. The good news is the curve of the increase is continuing to flatten. Reporter so far, the virus has claimed the lives of more than 8,600 new yorkers. Including 783 more deaths in the past 24 hours. But there are signs the state may have reached its apex. That is not an alltime high, and you can see that the number is somewhat stabilizing, but it is stabilizing at an horrific rate. Reporter these new york city paramedics on the front lines warn the fight is far from over. Says shes chills and shaking. Reporter in just one shift, three people pronounced dead before 9 00 a. M. Were needed out there. Theres a job to do. Its not going away until were done with this mission. This is a war were fighting. Reporter cautious optimism from officials leading to confusion for new york city parents over whether their children will head back to school. Mayor bill de blasio declaring this morning i announce today that new york city Public Schools will remain closed for the remainder of this school year. Reporter but an hour later, Governor Cuomo undercutting that announcement. There has been no decision. Thats the mayors opinion. Reporter the mayor does have the authority to close schools through the end of the academic year, but this back and forth between him and the governor is really only adding to the anxiety for families in the Largest School district in the country 1. 1 million students. The rate of hospitalization in new york is down, but some icus still pushed to the brink. All week abc news received guided access at Maimonides Medical Center in brooklyn. Dr. Michael seamen, an anesthesiologist on the front lines. Weve taken our post anesthesia care unit, where patients usually come out of the operating room after a procedure, and repurposed it into an icu because were so short. Reporter to help with that incredible burden on hospitals, the massive, justconverted Javits Center and that Navy Hospital ship the comfort have a combined 3,500 beds, but according to the department of defense, 90 of them are empty. The virus also taking a devastating toll on our nations nursing homes. The wall street journal reporting cases at 2,100 senior facilities nationwide. An outbreak of dozens of cases at this augusta nursing home. And near detroit, reports of more than 20 patients dying from the virus at two facilities. Our most vulnerable citizens are dying in a helpless manner. Reporter michigans governor expanding her executive order to ban travel between homes. And in los angeles, masks are required for anyone in public, as a stay at home order has been extended to may 15th. Everyone should do their part. And nobody is immune to this. Reporter and across the country, almost 30,000 people have recovered, including this minnesota woman, vera muller, diagnosed two days after her 104th birthday. And this scene in california. Doctors and nurses cheering for their first covid19 patient. At one point, they didnt think hed make it. Now hes heading home. Great survivor stories. Trevor ault joins us from the Javits Center. Now converted into a hospital. We reported that facility and the hospital ship the comfort were supposed to relieve pressure on the hospitals here in new york, but so far they have been used far below their capacity. Reporter thats right, tom, and thats a problem that military officials havent been able to figure out yet. Both facilities had low patient numbers when they were treating people who didnt have to virus and low numbers now when theyre treating people who do have it. Its possible because covid19 patients can deteriorate and die quickly, other hospitals may be taking them even if theyre full because sending them here or the comfort might be too much of a risk. States reporting a surge in cases. Millions set a mark Easter Sunday. A test of faith, but also a test of social distancing. Some but not all churches urging parishioners to stay home. 2 concern those gatherings may threaten unnecessary exposure in the fight. Abcs Stephanie Ramos is outside st. Patricks cathedral. [ bleep ] reporter tonight, dramatic video shows the moment officers in philadelphia dragged a man off the bus. Police say it started over a disturbance on the bus, but the man says he was kicked off for not wearing a face covering. Septa, the Transportation Authority in philadelphia, issuing a policy last week requiring all passengers to wear masks in line with cdc guidelines to prevent the spread of covid19. But now they say that mask policy will not be enforced. Across the country, states are taking measures to keep people safe as they prepare for a surge in cases. Maryland reporting more than 1,500 new cases in the last 48 hours. More than 200 people have died. Governor larry hogan warning of tough days ahead. We are ramping up the curve. This is going to be one of our most dangerous times ever this weekend and over the next week or so. Reporter in georgia, the National Guard is helping the most vulnerable, senior citizens, by wearing protective gear and military masks to clean this nursing home. In texas, Governor Greg Abbott increasing travel restrictions to the state. A 14day quarantine is now required for all air travelers arriving from miami, atlanta, detroit, chicago, all california and Washington State airports. The state is also turning Convention Centers into hospitals and looking for more facilities to convert. Nationwide there are fears of new outbreaks as some still plan to gather and celebrate easter this weekend, despite strict rules to stay home. This pastor in arizona who was planning to hold Easter Services changing his mind. I want the community to know that im truly sorry to cause fear. That was never my intent. We want the safety of our neighbors. We want the best for our neighbors, and so i humbly apologize. Reporter and in kansas, the Supreme Court holding oral arguments saturday morning in a legal showdown between democratic Governor Laura Kelly and republican legislative leaders over whether she can limit Church Gatherings on Easter Sunday. These are not typical times. This is not a typical case. The people of kansas and its leaders in government, both statewide and local, need clarity on the effect and validity of the governors emergency orders. Reporter Church Gatherings in kansas have produced at least three case clusters across the state, and Health Officials fear Easter Services could further spread coronavirus. Stephanie ramos joins us now from st. Patricks cathedral in new york city. Stephanie, on the issue of Easter Sunday, services will be streamed live tomorrow from that church and many others . Reporter thats exactly right, tom. Normally this time of year st. Patricks cathedral is packed with new yorkers and tourists, but not now. The church says they will Live Stream Services tonight and tomorrow. As for some pastors in kansas, kentucky, michigan, and mississippi, they say they will hold Easter Sunday services in person despite pleas to cancel from some Public Health experts. Tom. So many will be celebrating mass at home. Stephanie, thank you. Now to the breaking headline from washington, where the Treasury Department has started sending out stimulus checks to millions of americans. The economy rocked. Suddenly 17 million out of work. Heres rachel scott. Reporter tonight with millions of americans waiting for those checks from the federal government, abc news learning the first round of payments has started going out to families. Alice stanford, a Banquet Server who is out of work tells us she has notecved her check yet. And the 1,200 will be just a drop in the bucket. I check my bank account, and i check it three times a day hoping that the stimulus check will be there, but as of yet, it is not here. Reporter across the country, nearly 17 million filed for unemployment in the past three weeks alone. Businesses shuttered. This georgia bar stapled bills on its walls for years. The owner now taking it all down to donate more than 3,700 to her unemployed staff. We literally had money on the walls and time on our hands, and there was not a more perfect time to give back to my people. Reporter this easter weekend, long lines at food banks across the country. Thousands of families in los angeles and san antonio waiting for hours. At one point President Trump hoped the country would be back to normal by now. Tonight his Coronavirus Task force team meeting at the white house as he wrestles over when to reopen the country, calling it his biggest decision yet. What metrics you will use to make that decision . The metrics right here. Thats my metrics. Thats all i can do. I can listen to 35 people. At the end, ive got to make a decision. Reporter but the president resisted a nationwide lockdown, leaving it up to the governors to call the shots. Some states closed until at least june. Others hoping to reopen as soon as safely possible. If we do it too fast without the appropriate strategies, it will just lead to a potential closure because of another outbreak of covid19. Okay, rachel scott joins us now live from washington. Rachel, governors on both sides of the aisle are coming together to ask for more help from the federal government . Reporter thats right. Larry hogan and andrew cuomo are asking congress for 500 billion to help states with the crisis. Layups are torn over what comes next more help for Small Businesses or a bigger relief package. Tom . Now to california where thousands are reporting a lag in testing results. At the same time, the race across the country to develop antibody tests that could help americans get back to work. Heres will carr in los angeles. Reporter tonight, with americans desperate to return to a sense of normalcy, a key part to getting there is testing. In california, theres a logjam. More than 13,000 people are still waiting for their test results. Nationwide, more than 2 Million People have been tested for the coronavirus. Thats less than 1 of the u. S. Population. This as some state officials, according to the wall street journal, are saying the federal government has failed to provide enough equipment for a rapid test that has been touted by the white house. The federal government is urging states to order more supplies through the cdc. The National Institutes of health Just Announced it will test 10,000 Healthy Volunteers to see if they have antibodies for the virus. Joining researchers across the country, including at usc, in the race to safely reopen the country. If im immune and scientifically ive been proven to be immune, then i can reenter the work force and i can play a bigger role in making sure were safe. Reporter the hope . People who have antibodies will be immune, although thats not for sure at this point. Kai belveal volunteerewhy did y . I wanted to get tested to have peace of mind for myself, but also and more importantly, the people around me. Reporter tonight, apple and google, two tech rivals, are teaming up to develop Smartphone Software that some are calling a potential game changer in the race to trace the virus. Its called contact tracing. The technology will ask people to voluntarily report if they have been infected and then alert every phone they come in contact with. The hope, the technology can dramatically drop the number of new cases. The big concern with that technology is privacy. Both apple and google say your personal information will be protected, but tonight the aclu says theres room for improvement. Tom . Will carr with that new reporting tonight for us. Will, thank you. Next, the staegerring Global Impact of this outbreak. Britain under lockdown as the uk reports its deadliest day. 974 people dieing in 24 hours. At the same time the briti prime minster remains hospitalized but his condition said to be improving. Tonight, this image, the pope in a nearly empty st. Peters basilica, marked the eve of easter. Much more ahead tonight this saturday. Answering your coronavirus questions. Could the country see a new round of cases this fall . And the tornado danger this holiday weekend. 100 million americans bracing for severe weather. A tornado watch just issued. Rob marciano standing by for us. Stay with us. The tremors. But when i started seeing things, i didnt know what was happening. So i kept it in. He started believing things that werent true. I knew something was wrong. But i didnt say a word. During the course of their disease around 50 of people with parkinsons may experience hallucinations or delusions. But now, doctors are prescribing nuplazid. The only fda approved medicine. Proven to significantly reduce hallucinations and delusions related to parkinsons. Dont take nuplazid if you are allergic to its ingredients. Nuplazid can increase the risk of death in elderly people with dementiarelated psychosis and is not for treating symptoms unrelated to parkinsons disease. Nuplazid can cause changes in heart rhythm and should not be taken if you have certain abnormal heart rhythms or take other drugs that are known to cause changes in heart rhythm. Tell your doctor about any changes in medicines youre taking. The most common side effects are swelling of the arms and legs and confusion. We spoke up and it made all the difference. Ask your parkinsons specialist about nuplazid. Anna could only imagine a comfortable nights sleep without frequent heartburn waking her up. Now, that dream. Is her reality. Nexium 24hr stops acid before it starts, for allday, allnight protection. Can you imagine 24 hours without heartburn . Nondrowsy claritin cool mint chewables. Feel the clarity of new the only allergy product with relief of your worst symptoms, including itchy throat. Plus an immediate blast of cooling sensation. Feel the clarity and live claritin clear. Back now with new developments concerning the coronavirus. I want to bring in dr. Todd ellerin, an Infectious Disease expert in the boston area whos been treating covid patients. South korea is reporting some cases of reinfection after a patient has recovered, and theres also talk from other experts of a socalled second round of virus come this fall. Okay, tom, so first of all, these are very sensitive tests, so patients will remain positive after they are infected for 8 to 21 days after. That doesnt mean theyre contagious for that long. Were still learning more about this, but its more likely that theyre contagious earlier in the course. Now as far as the saek waecond , this is important. The virus wants to infect more than 50 of the population. With we think so far less than 10 has been infected. So we cant just rip the bandaid off and let everyone out. We have to have a measured response as we think about opening up the country. Dr. Todd ellerin, we thank you for your time and knowledge during these times. When we come back, the possible tornado outbreak. Millions of americans from texas to virginia in the path. Rob marciano standing by for us. And im still going for my best, even though i live with a higher risk of stroke due to afib not caused by a heart valve problem. So if theres a better treatment than warfarin, ill go for that. Eliquis. Eliquis is proven to reduce stroke risk better than warfarin. Plus has significantly less major bleeding than warfarin. Eliquis is fdaapproved and has both. Whats next . Sharing my roots. Dont stop taking eliquis unless your doctor tells you to, as stopping increases your risk of having a stroke. Eliquis can cause serious and in rare cases fatal bleeding. 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On it dimitri thinks hes doing all he can to manage his type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but is his treatment doing enough to lower his heart risk . Maybe not jardiance can reduce the risk of cardiovascular death for adults who also have known heart disease. So it could help save your life from a heart attack or stroke. And it lowers a1c jardiance can cause serious side effects including dehydration, genital yeast or urinary tract infections, and sudden kidney problems. Ketoacidosis is a serious side effect that may be fatal. A rare, but lifethreatening bacterial infection. In the skin of the perineum could occur. Stop taking jardiance and call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of this bacterial infection,. Ketoacidosis, or an allergic reaction and dont take it if youre on dialysis or have. Severe kidney problems. Taking jardiance with a sulfonylurea or insulin may cause low blood sugar. Lower a1c. And lower risk of a fatal heart attack . On it with jardiance. Ask your doctor about jardiance. Back now with the tornado danger this holiday weekend. 100 million americans in the path. Damaging hail falling in parts of texas. Parts of that state under a tornado watch. Rob marciano joins us live now tracking those storms. Hey, rob. Reporter hi, tom. Very potent storm coming together. You mentioned the tornado watch. We also have winter storm warnings and high Wind Warnings that extend from the rockies to parts of new england. Lets get to the tornado watch. Thats mt ant at the moment. Thats where were going to see the most dangerous weather across texas. Timing it out across l. A. And the tennessee valley. Could see a flood threat with this as well. Tomorrow afternoon, tomorrow night, looking for an intense storm. Maybe strong long track tornadoes from alexandria to tuscaloosa and a wide reaching wind field across the north as well. Tom . Well stay tracking those storms throughout through the night. When we come back, the families on the front lines. The married e. R. Doctors and the tough decision they had to make. Stay with us. But im a survivor. After my heart attack, my doctor prescribed brilinta. Its for people who have been hospitalized for a heart attack. Brilinta is taken with a lowdose aspirin. No more than 100 milligrams as it affects how well brilinta works. Brilinta helps keep platelets from sticking together and forming a clot. In a clinical study, brilinta worked better than plavix. Brilinta reduced the chance of having another heart attack. Or dying from one. Dont stop taking brilinta without talking to your doctor, since stopping it too soon increases your risk of clots in your stent, heart attack, stroke, and even death. Brilinta may cause bruising or bleeding more easily, or serious, sometimes fatal bleeding. Dont take brilinta if you have bleeding, like stomach ulcers, a history of bleeding in the brain, or severe liver problems. Slow heart rhythm has been reported. Tell your doctor about bleeding new or unexpected shortness of breath any planned surgery, and all medicines you take. If you recently had a heart attack, ask your doctor if brilinta is right for you. My heart is worth brilinta. If you cant afford your medication, astrazeneca may be able to help. But right now, the world needs all the good that we can do. To all of our employees and everyone working to keep america strong, thank you. To all of our employees and everyone working i am totally blind. And non24 can make me show up too early. Or too late. Or make me feel like im not really there. Talk to your doctor, and call 8442342424. And 24 hour relief from symptoms caused byn. Over 200 indoor and outdoor allergens. Like those from buddy. Because nothing should come between two best friends. Feel the clarity, and live claritin clear. Its starting to people are surprising themselves the moment they realize they can du more with less asthma. Thanks to dupixent, the addon treatment for specific types of moderatetosevere asthma. Dupixent isnt for sudden breathing problems. It can improve lung function for better breathing in as little as 2 weeks and help prevent severe asthma attacks. Its not a steroid but can help reduce or eliminate oral steroids. Dont use if allergic to dupixent. Serious allergic reactions can occur, including anaphylaxis, which is severe. Tell your doctor right away about signs of inflamed blood vessels, such as rash, shortness of breath, chest pain, tingling or numbness in your limbs. Tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection and before stopping any asthma medicines, including oral steroids. Du more with less asthma. Talk to your doctor about dupixent. Finally tonight, two doctors with two children and the tough call they had to make. Reporter for healthcare workers, the battle against the coronavirus is grueling but essential. All week maimonides hospital in brooklyn showing us what its like inside their icus. From the Critical Care to the phone calls sharing tough news. Ive never seen anything like this. This to me is like a mass casualty event. Its like war. Reporter e. R. Doctors lawrence and Christine Haines are on the front lines in new york. Lawrence at maimonides hospital and christine at lenox hill, working around the clock saving lives. And early on they had to make a tough decision, sending their young daughter and son away to stay with family. We havent seen them in three weeks, and thats been a struggle in itself. You know, to have that relief of seeing your kids at the end of the day after a hard day is just so relieving and we havent been able to have that. Reporter but its a decision they say was better for the entire family, just in case someone got infected. Were quarantining ourselves away from the family. Reporter so, every night they facetime, but even that can be hard. Have you had a moment while talking to your kids where you broke down like, oh, my god, this is so hard. Veay every day. We try not to let them see us so much break down, especially if theyre breaking down at the same time, but as soon as we end that call it just breaks my heart. Reporter that theyre both doctors does help. We have each other to lean on and hug and talk about our experiences, and its been really consoling. Reporter and theres one more thing that gets them through these tough weeks. Ill tell you what really lifts my spirits is at 7 00 p. M. When we open our windows and we hear the cheering. Oh, yeah. Amazing. It brings tears to our eyes. Reporter weve shown you those moments in cities like new york and others where people take to their balconies, their windows, showing their gratitude to healthcare workers. Not seeing our families is obviously emotionally harder for us, so having that extra acknowledgment at the end of the day has been so uplifting. Reporter so if you can, keep cheering them on. These two doctors, like so many, marching on during these uncertain times. Just knowing that every day we are hopefully making a difference, and saving lives and showing up and being where we need to be, i think thats enough motivation to get through this hard part and just look forward the times of being with your family again. We know they will be reunited. We thank them for their service during this difficult time. Im tom llamas in new york. Stay safe. This is abc 7 news. This probably is not what officials had in mind for this weekend in the bay area. Crowds of people out in public, social distancing, probably not. Wearing masks . No. Im eric thomas. And im dionne italy has the second most deaths, we have the most, toppinto topping 20,000. Outside the u. S. , spain has the most people infected with over 161,000. California has topped 21,000 cases, which is the fifth most in the u. S. According to the tracker from johns hopkins. Right now, in the bay area, 4 4,862 cases, and 133 santa clara county, with the most cases, and San Francisco county, with