A treatment for cope at 19 and maybe even preventing the virus or show you whats being done in the battle to find a cure all right lets boost your i hear. The state of florida a top Tourist Destination is getting hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic the city of miami and International Destination has now ordered people to stay home as the cases of the disease continue to rise our correspondent john huggy brings us the latest numbers and how workers on the front lines are putting their own lives at risk. There were still some stores open last Week Starbucks was operating of course restaurants were still open and serving delivery and takeout well now that areas really shut down the number of coronavirus cases has gone from 214. Last week to now more than 1700 and growing as of today in the city of miami issued an emergency stay at home order that went into effect at 11 59 pm last night so basically that requires miami residents to stay home to stay in their homes to stay in their apartments unless theyre doing something essential like going to get gas going to the Grocery Store or if like us journalists theyre going to work residents are allowed to go outside to exercise i saw some of that today but according to this order they must follow the social distancing measures and guidelines which for the most part from what i saw people are in some cases you know joggers running together not exactly but with that people cant go to any of the parks the beaches are basically any locations that are closed by city and county order whether its here in miami dade or going further north into florida as weve been reporting the beaches night clubs bars restaurants and businesses really have been shut down not only here in miami but most of south florida broward and palm beach counties among us as the number of cases of corona virus continues to grow here in florida as a lot of concern about that Florida GovernorRhonda Santas has an issue any type of statewide shelter in place order something he has taken heat for as we talked about yesterday but instead hes really encouraged people to self isolate and at the very least follow the social distancing guidelines he has ordered basically at this point any want to riving from new york to florida though to go into a mandatory 14 day quarantine something countries like israel for instance require for any International Travelers or any israelis returning to the country the problem here however is trying to enforce that rule there is no way really to enforce that in israel i believe they have a way to track that people and actually see if theyre leaving their homes they also have of course a ton of police and military on the streets and forcing the rule. And here in florida not exactly and with that there were made grave concern serious concern about coronavirus cases here in florida basically exploding as now new testing is being done and were starting to get a better idea a better handle on the overall situation which is really what a group of 75 top doctors and nurses in my county wrote in an open letter to residents earlier this week basically pleading with people to stay at home and in an effort to try to stop the spread of the virus look thats easier said than done here in florida with many people wanting to enjoy the beautiful weather which is what were experiencing right now particularly those who are younger and feeling like they are not as much risk as much risk for getting sick but that said theyre not to me and so far 5 university of tampa students have tested positive i mentioned that yesterday for the coronavirus and one reportedly at Florida International university which is here in miami. But all that said among the stories we continue to hear about and rightly so are the workers on the front lines of this war so to speak and that is what im talking about im talking about Grocery Store workers im talking about the delivery drivers city and county essential employees the 1st Responders Police fire paramedics and of course the doctors and nurses who are putting their own lives at risk to help others but talk about the on some heroes in this battle they certainly are and speaking of the grocery workers i know i got to wrap up here publix the florida based Supermarket Chain is now installing plexiglas barriers between customers employees to try to stop the spread of this virus thats going to start this weekend will be done over the next 2 weeks well about 2 wow heidi live for us in miami with the new norm. As americans rush to the stores then what can only be described as panic buying retailers are struggling to keep their shelves stocked meantime truckers who deliver around 70 percent of all freight tonnage in america. Working overtime to meet the demand in the time of coronavirus now 10 and a half 1000000000 tons of goods are rushing by on the highways every year even with a severe trucker shortage in america now some states are even lifting driver restrictions for truckers so they can help keep our store stocked with toilet paper food and other life necessities but these drivers are being met with new struggles to their jobs because of coronavirus so joining us to explain is dave heller he is the Vice President of Government Affairs at the Truckload Carriers Association dave good to see you so 1st i got to say truckers are some of these Unsung Heroes during this Virus Outbreak so hats off to them can you tell us how these men or women are doing i mean given that so many restaurants and truck stops are being closed down due to the outbreak i mean these are some new roadblocks for them right i mean they cant stop and get food like they normally do. Well no youre right its a challenge in our industry is used to rising to the occasion if you will in meeting the challenge and im going to do that thrives and be flexible in their meeting those challenges those restaurants that may be closed or restaurants that are now serving just a gowda or for delivery if you will there delivering them out to the trucks west the areas that may be closed were facing those challenges head on and were addressing the really case by case basis there are other segments of the nation that are actually catering to the city because they recognize. Their drivers are doing for this country they were essential if theyre showing that theyre delivering the goods and services to our stores and restocking the shuttles for all of the panic buying thats in the nation. And dave the last time i talked to you there was there are about 3500000 truckers on the road even at that number america has a Driver Shortage so is this outbreak making that shortage worse or will this new demand and in with so many people being laid off of other kinds of jobs will that help move new people into your industry. Well 3500000 drivers on the road today represents about one in 16 u. S. Jobs are involved in the Trucking Industry is the number one job in 29 states so in saying that you know were relying on that 3. 5 right now as it is what it will show is putting trucking in that light f. Rankly says its the front line its an essential employed this country i mean hopefully it opened some doors i mean this is an industry that averages 53000. 00 per year is an average salary so it shows its a great career to be involved in a Good Opportunity but opportunity to represent your nation and restock those shows because its just showing the very essential need that dr klein has of that job looks like i mean coronavirus or not looks like its still in high demand so if people are looking for work i mean thats thats one way to go is that it certainly is and its an opportunity as as we get through this issue that this country is facing right now with the current its something that people would see to explore and getting more involved in and find it a rewarding career for them as they get into this and look for something that theyre going to do a full time or something they can do for a lifetime. And dave ive actually heard that some states are considering at least temporarily lifting some restrictions on the Trucking Industry such as you know how many hours a driver can be on the road in order to keep up with this new demand to keep store shelves full is that a wise thing to do i mean what other governmental accommodations need to be made right now during this crisis. Well remember were dealing with a situation that this nation has never faced before so insane that we have to take some so moves or make some changes to how we deliver freight to this country and its not just the states this is a National Issue in the department of transportation is reacting to the issues that theyre presented you have for instance lifting the federal hours of Service Regulations will make freight can be extradited to the stores that need them to be areas that are that basically the stock shelves are empty so were actually redirecting those trucks and putting them in the forefront so that oil a paper cleaning supplies food you name is being put back on the show so men are consumed by them so yes this is a different time in the o. T. Is reacting to this issue as they see fit which is a good thing because its theyre showing that we can adapt what this nation needs and how the drivers keeping their spirits up i mean it seems like a solitary kind of job to begin with even when the roads were packed with traffic but now the roads are pretty lonely there are no cars out there no restaurants are open i mean its good for them to be able to buzz on by and get to their destination but what are they doing to keep themselves healthy gyms or clothes they cant stop off and shower like they used to i mean how are they keeping themselves saying on these long hauls. True and in many cases social distancing is not a problem with whatsoever in saying that you know this is a job where there used to. Encountered in traffic outside of atlanta per se but now theres kind of flowing right through that because theres relatively little traffic on the highways right now so theyre doing things that the world has changed so theyre involved in things like social media netflix if you go to your streaming. Streaming Television Programs for her say so the world is different dont forget or remember each one of these drivers as friends and families that theyre interacting with on a daily basis or theyre looking forward to getting home to when they do i mean theyre looking for to seeing and what about the in terms of of what is the industry talking about how to keep these guys and women i should say healthy away from where theyre hotspots of infection like new york for example is certainly in and i think v. H. S. Is outlined on a truck driver professional Truck Drivers an essential employee and in keeping them healthy is 1st and foremost without a doubt because obviously if something happens to those drivers those goods dont get delivered so were keeping them at the forefront encouraging them to stay healthy keep in touch with with how their bodies feeling making sure they get the utmost recuperative rest when theyre driving and that involves pulling into the some of those rest areas and getting adequate arche so that they can rest and recuperate once they deliver those loads it was important to stay in tune about what theyre seeing and experiencing on the road so that you know this is a reminder to thank a driver when you pass them by on the road dave heller from the Truckload Carriers Association thank you so much for sharing that insight with us. Thanks michelle i appreciate. The number of deaths from coronavirus in spain has officially surpassed the total in china as of today spain has had some 3434 deaths compared to chinas 3281 fatalities just in the last 24 hours spain recorded more than 700 deaths making it the 2nd highest in the world trailing italy who now reported 6800 deaths so far. And then over in china the epicenter of the virus that city now reporting no new cases though china announced it will lift the lockdown after a significant decrease in the number of infections some are locked up measures will also be lifted for other cities across who may profits. Right take a look at this as demand for air travel takes airlines around the world are grounding entire fleets what youre looking at there are hundreds of commercial planes parked at a remote desert facility in victor real california thats just outside of los angeles airlines in the nation across the continue to struggle obviously with the average flights just over 20 percent full that figure is expected to drop even lower to the teens 5 this weekend. And in the midst of this world crisis the hope is sometimes found in the most unexpected places a stone mason working in the basement of the Washington National cathedral here in d. C. Discovered some mysterious boxes turns out they were containing 5000 respirator masks masks were reportedly purchased about 10 years ago during the bird flu outbreak the cathedrals reverend says this shows how god truly works in mysterious ways. Through. Coming out of this cathedral even though the building is king. Built a lot of a lot of individual. The mass are brand new having never been opened or used the reverend says they are donating the masks to hospitals across d. C. So thats pretty good stuff and the World Health Organization officials there say at least 20 cowrote a virus vaccines are in the works so thats good stuff too with the race to find a cure now on a global scale details coming up right after this stay tuned. Is your media a reflection of reality. In a world transformed. What will make you feel safe. Isolation or community. Are you going the right way or are you being led so. Direct. What is true what is faith. In the world corrupted you need to descend. To join us in the depths. Or a maybe in the shallows. I cant show you my face but im going to teach you must door in 9093 this man was sentenced to death. They could charged with capital murder even though he didnt have the gun didnt pull the trigger didnt intend to kill anybody imagine living in your bathroom for the week with the scent of a 23. 00. I doubt that i deserve to be. Confined within 4 gray walls the fights using hot turn on to help him to leave dents room. Join me every thursday on the alex simon show and ill be speaking to guest of the world of politics sports business im show business ill see you then. These Scientific Community is working around the clock on prevention and treatments in the face of 19 us company sin bio beta is partnering with leap by bayer to bring awareness on the private efforts to develop and tracks and thetic biology solutions impacting both preventative measures and future treatments of this virus so currently there are 66 programs working on 3 different approaches 7 companies on repurpose saying of the existing drugs we have as the 1st line of defense then 16 organizations working on antibodies that can be manufactured and used on patients to produce infection. And 43 entity is currently developing a vaccine these technologies followed a timeline for a good many factual practices and this could get potentially go on until 2021 so to discuss these therapies and initiatives we spoke to john cumbrous the c. E. O. And founder of sin bio beta a little bit earlier heres what he had to say. And one of the most initiatives that came out after ebola was something by dark out of the department of defense a Pandemic Preparedness Program and that aligned with companies and universities for this exact thing and they ran a competition to try to develop. Antibodies against such things as sars over the last 11 weeks so they did this as a demo last year and they actually did it in real time this year with scientists at Vanderbilt University who took blood from patients in seattle who recovered and searched their blood to find the b. Cells that produce these antibodies that would attack the virus wow so theyre already moving forward with that with with the blood from the recovered patients that is absolutely fascinating and now private efforts they are focusing on Breakthrough Technologies can you 1st tell us exactly what Synthetic Biology is and how it might accelerate the process to developing these antibodies and treatments against. It so that it biology is a movement to make biology easier to engineer youre sitting these Rapid Advances in the ability to read d. N. A. To write d. N. A. And d. N. A. And thats enabling all of these new applications in terms of designing building and testing cells that particular functions and that could be anything from the food that we eat to the materials that we wear to consumer goods to some of the most pressing issues around how we can fight off infection and improve health care by making. Drugs and actually living medicines that can fight off some of these viruses and since youre working on this sort of technology how does it accelerate the process of developing antibodies and things of that nature. So antibodies are the 2nd line of defense if you look at the info graphic that weve published this morning with leaps 5 it outlines the 3 lines of defense that people are currently taking and the timeline that its going to get there the 1st as you showed in your report just now is using drugs that have already been approved to re applying them to this virus the 2nd is creating and people and antibodies you and i make them all the time against the common cold against infections that get into have bodies the trouble with this Novel Coronavirus is that we have not seen it before and have bodies do not have those antibodies to be able to fight it off so there are a number of ways that we can get to these antibodies and we showed that on the info graphic the 1st way is that we can take the blood from patients who already had covered 19 and theyve recovered that means that t