Decoded by POLITICO

Republicans are resisting another massive coronavirus relief package and hoping the economy booms back sooner rather than later. POLITICO's Ben White explains why that's a big risk ahead of the November election. Plus, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US tops 1 million. And Dr. Fauci says he has "no doubt" new cases will emerge with reopening.

Ben White is chief economic correspondent for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

Read more: Trump faces the risk of a coronavirus cliff.

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Tracking who comes in close contact with people infected by the coronavirus is essential to understanding the spread of the disease — and getting regions on track to lift restrictions. POLITICO's Victoria Colliver explains how California plans to "build an army" of 10,000 contact tracers. Plus, Trump touts a new blueprint for increased testing that punts responsibility to states. And the WHO says the pandemic is far from over.

Victoria Colliver is a health care reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

Read more: How California's contact tracing army could serve as model for nation's reopening.

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Campaigns are adjusting to life during a pandemic just like everyone else. POLITICO's Elena Schneider explains why that means a pivot to mail-in ballots — even for Republicans who have slammed remote voting in the past. Plus, Italy announces a plan for reopening. And Trump disputes reports of replacing HHS Secretary Alex Azar.

Elena Schneider is a national political reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

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"I have very little adult supervision." Matt Wuerker, POLITICO's Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist, has a colorful career sketching Trump, Pelosi, and other characters. We go inside the wonderful world of Wuerker as he shares some of his best stories... including that one time he tried using a Rumsfeld cartoon to negotiate troop withdrawals. 

Also, be sure to check out the new video series Punchlines featuring Matt Wuerker's cartoons and register for a free virtual cartoon workshop POLITICO Live is hosting with Matt on April 29.

Matt Wuerker is the political cartoonist for POLITICO.
Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO Audio. 
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

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Surgeon General Jerome Adams was back at the podium for the coronavirus task force briefing Wednesday after being sidelined earlier this week. POLITICO's Dan Diamond and Maya King look at why Adams was pushed away — and what his shifting role at the White House means for the conversation about racial disparities in the pandemic. Plus, Trump denies knowledge of a top vaccine expert's ouster. And the House is set to pass funding for small businesses.

Maya King is a 2020 reporting fellow at POLITICO.
Dan Diamond is a health care policy reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

Read more: 
Surgeon general gets pushed to sidelines, sparking questions.
Black doctors blast 'woefully anemic' data on minority coronavirus cases.

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Some state are taking a cue from President Trump and pressing ahead with lifting coronavirus restrictions. Others are seeing anti-lockdown protests. POLITICO's Anita Kumar explains what's next in the fight over reopening. Plus, the first coronavirus death happened weeks earlier than previously believed. And Trump's immigration order falls short of his initial announcement.

Anita Kumar is a White House correspondent and associate editor for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

Read more: Trump allies have their fingerprints on lockdown protests.

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Congress is on track to pass another round of relief for small businesses after cash for sorely-needed loans dried up last week. But POLITICO's Zach Warmbrodt says the lending program has been riddled with problems — and the next wave of funding could only last a couple days. Plus, Trump says he is suspending immigration into the US. And some states are beginning to reopen.

Zach Warmbrodt is a financial services reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

Read more: Banks warn that new small-business funding could evaporate in 2 days.
 

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The coronavirus pandemic is already disproportionately hitting black and brown people in the US. POLITICO's Laura Barrón-López explains why decades of distrust and a lack of public health messaging in those communities is making things worse. Plus, Canada is reeling from the deadliest mass shooting in the country's history. And the White House and Congress are close to a deal on small business relief.

Laura Barrón-López is a national political reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

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Earlier this week, President Trump said he had total authority over states to tell them when to lift stay-at-home orders. Now, he's kicking more responsibility back to governors in his "Opening Up America Again" plan. POLITICO's Anita Kumar breaks down the delicate dance between the president and the states. Plus, China increases the official death toll in Wuhan by 50%. And the number of cases worldwide tops 2.1 million.

Anita Kumar is a White House correspondent and associate editor for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

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POLITICO's Dan Diamond traces today's coronavirus crisis back through three presidents — and explains what we can learn from past failures. Plus, Trump threatens to adjourn Congress to push through nominees. And New York requires face masks in public.

Dan Diamond is a health care policy reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

Read more: Inside America’s 2-Decade Failure to Prepare for Coronavirus.

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