Democratic primaries, Bay Area lockdown, St. Patrick's Day: 5 things to know Tuesday
Three of 4 scheduled primaries to go on despite coronavirus shutdowns
Many states and cities have closed schools and canceled countless events to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but Tuesday's primary elections are going forward as planned. Three states – Arizona, Florida and Illinois – head to the polls, with former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard still in the race and Biden currently in driver's seat for the nomination. Ohio was set to go to the polls Tuesday as well, but Republican Gov. Mike DeWine called off the election due to a coronavirus "health emergency." The final call came after an on-again, off-again day of confusion that saw one judge deny a request to delay Ohio's in-person voting earlier in the day. Officials from the three remaining states said they are taking extra precautions to keep voting machines sanitized and will post guidance from local health officials at voting locations.
- Arizona poll: Biden holds big lead over Sanders
- Biden-Sanders debate: An elbow bump and other top moments
- Election changes:Several states have altered their primary plans due to coronavirus. Here's how.
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Counties in Bay Area under near-lockdown, affecting nearly 7 million
In the most restrictive measure yet by local governments, six counties across the Bay Area in California issued a "shelter in place" order for all residents, effective Tuesday, requiring roughly 6.7 million people to stay in their homes in an attempt to slow the coronavirus outbreak. The order says residents must stay inside for three weeks and venture out only for necessities. It affects the counties of San Francisco, Marin, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda and Contra Costa, as well as the city of Berkeley. People should work from home unless they provide essential services such as public safety, sanitation and health care.
- Monday coronavirus updates:Trump issues guidelines; restrictions could last months
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Coronavirus may make for a quiet St. Patrick's Day
Tuesday is St. Patrick's Day, the celebration of all things Irish that often includes a hefty dose of partying and maybe even drinking alcohol.Thanks to coronavirus, however, 2020 seems destined to be the St. Patrick's Day that wasn't. Parades and other festivities have been called off in many cities – even in Boston and Dublin, where the cancellations mean millions of dollars and countless jobs lost. You might not even be able to go out for a drink: The governors in five states — California, Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts and Washington — have closed bars, restaurants and wineries. Elsewhere, some other major cities have ordered similar restrictions. What to do? Here are some ideas to get your Irish on at home:
- The reading of the green: Celebrate with one of these 5 Irish books
- 'I Am Patrick' movie: Everything you thought you knew about St. Patrick is wrong
- Pandemic fun: 100 things to do while stuck inside
McDonald's to join other restaurants in closing dining areas
McDonald's is closing all seating and play areas in its U.S. restaurants, in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The fast-food giant is encouraging customers to use drive-thru, take out and delivery options. Starting Tuesday, McDonald's joins a list of other fast-food restaurants closing their dining areas to promote social distancing. Stores like Chick-Fil-A, Taco Bell, Chipotle and Starbucks are also encouraging customers to get their orders to go.
- 'Next level of protocols':Starbucks closing some locations, moving to a 'to go' model at others
- Some states step up: Governors close bars and restaurants in effort to slow coronavirus
- Crowded bars and theme parks:Why won't some people practice social distancing during this pandemic?
'Nightline' to return to original time, format as comedy shows shut down
"Nightline," ABC's award-winning late-night news program, will temporarily return to its original, 11:35 p.m. ET/PT start time Tuesday for the first time since 2013. "Jimmy Kimmel Live," which jumped ahead of "Nightline" in 2013, has temporarily halted production, like most late-night TV shows, and will air repeats at least until March 30. "Nightline," which debuted in 1979 as a response to the Iranian hostage crisis, will return to its roots as a single-topic examination of a major news story, this time the coronavirus pandemic.