Nancy Pelosi and Congress successfully push for more money for small businesses, testing, and health workers.
Nancy Pelosi and Congress successfully push for more money for small businesses, testing, and health workers. Chip Somodevilla / Staff / Getty

Here's your daily roundup of all the local and national news about COVID-19. (Like our coverage? Please consider donating to the Mercury to keep it comin'!)

• As of yesterday there were 2,002 positive reported cases of COVID-19 in the state of Oregon, and 78 deaths. Just over 41,000 people have been tested.

• Congress is expected to pass that new relief package anytime now, so here's an important article to share: "How to get a small-business loan under the new $484 billion coronavirus aid package."

• Scientists have discovered that two people in California died of coronavirus in early February—weeks before the first nationally recorded death in Seattle. This could indicate that our national death count of 40,000 has been vastly undercounted.

• Not great news: According to the CDC, it's possible that a "second wave" of the virus may emerge this coming winter, and could be more difficult to manage than the first.

• National infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci revealed yesterday that there are currently no available drugs—including the one Trump has been constantly pushing—that can effectively treat COVID-19.

• Mayors in Georgia are rightly alarmed that their dangerously idiotic governor Brian Kemp is reopening the state this weekend, and are telling their cities to ignore the governor's orders.

• The small, deeply dumb gangs of anti-science protesters that have been marching to end self-distancing orders in various states is actually the product of (SURPRISE!) a big, well funded conservative action committee that is doing all sorts of damage to America.

• Wisconsin health officials have already identified at least seven people who may have gotten COVID-19 from in-person voting earlier this month. One of the infected was a poll worker. Meanwhile, Wisconsin's Republican-led legislature is suing to re-open the state.

• Speaking of suing: Missouri, the state, is suing China, the country. Why? Because the country did "little to stop the spread of the disease."

• De Blasio's New York City snitch line backfired: Mayor Bill de Blasio set up a tip line so New Yorkers could tattle on large groups that weren't socially distancing. The line received a host of dick pics, Hitler memes, and people flipping off the camera.

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• An all-too-rare GOOD NEWS headline: "At least 595 coronavirus patients in Oregon now fully recovered, health officials say."

• Not-so-great news: Wildfire season is on the way. And fires and COVID-19 stay-at-home measures don't exactly work well together. Here's more on what the state is doing to prepare.

• After slamming their doors shut and laying off nearly 3,000 employees last month, the McMenamins chain is reopening their pubs for takeout food.

• In case you missed it, the Multnomah County GOP is demanding that Governor Brown rescind her social distancing orders, because she's prioritizing human life over economic stability. WHAAAAAAT?

• Rep. Janelle Bynum wrote an opinion piece for us about the dire need for better mental health programming for Oregon. It's smart and you should read it!

• Hey, it's tough time mentally for everyone. That's why I interviewed a local therapist for ideas on how YOU can find an online counselor!

• Need a laugh? Get your tickets PRONTO for the live stream edition of the I, Anonymous show THIS FRIDAY April 24! Check out the details and the KILLER lineup of comedians here!

• Look, you're stuck inside, creative, going nuts, and need money, right? Then enter your short confinement-themed film in the Confinement (online) Film Festival, better known as CoFF!

• And finally... ME, every goddamn morning.