Start Here

The White House issues a playbook for all fifty states, explaining when each state should re-open businesses. A South Dakota food processing plant becomes the biggest COVID-19 hotspot on American soil. And as testing ramps up, authorities consider how to mount effective "contact tracing" campaigns.

A call between President Trump and business leaders reveals continued concerns about testing. China receives scrutiny over when they knew about COVID-19. And a teacher describes the dilemma facing students learning from home.

As New York City reveals that even more people have died in recent weeks than reported, governors outline plans for how to go back to work. Nursing homes nationwide are struggling to keep residents safe. And China installs new surveillance techniques to keep the virus -- and perhaps dissidents -- in check.

In a brawling White House briefing, President Trump defends his actions as the coronavirus pandemic arrived on our shores. Governors of several states are in talks about plans to re-open businesses. And in a virtual endorsement event, Bernie Sanders tries to unite the Democratic Party.

State and national officials say COVID-19 is losing its momentum, but also caution leaders against re-opening businesses too soon. A new report claims social distancing guidelines remained on hold for weeks in February, as the novel coronavirus raced through American cities. And Easter church services, along with an ugly incident over mandatory mask use, prompt new questions about civil liberties as the emergency drags on.

This is the first part of a special series, "The Essentials: Inside the Curve," first-person diaries from the people on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic -- the essential workers risking their own health and safety to ensure others are taken care of. From doctors, nurses and paramedics to police officers, transportation and sanitation workers, you'll hear directly from those keeping the world moving while so many are quarantining at home and working to flatten the curve.

Today, a 39-year-old cardiologist grabs 15 minutes of sleep whenever he can grab it. He's separated from his family, including his six-month old son, only able to connect via FaceTime calls between shifts at his New York City hospital. He's not willing to put his loved ones at risk from the exposure he faces every day as he treats COVID-19 patients. But Dr. Hadi Halazun returns to the frontlines nearly every day, determined to see the crisis through. Through audio journals provided to ABC News, Dr. Halazun movingly remembers his first patient who died from coronavirus, expresses concern for his colleagues and talks about the toll of not seeing his family. Hear in his own words how he also finds inspiration and hope pouring from a community that supports the essential workers.

"The Essentials: Inside the Curve" is a special series from ABC Audio. Listen for free on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/2ROvcnw), Spotify (https://bit.ly/3ct575v), or your favorite podcast app.

Another six million people applied for unemployment last week, continuing an unprecedented trend. Congress fails to agree on funding that could save more small businesses. And a new study says New York's coronavirus crisis likely originated in Italy, rather than China.

A growing number of cities and states are reporting minority populations are being disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Bernie Sanders drops out of the presidential race. And politicians are begging scientists to create a test that could send people back to work faster.

New York City sees fewer people rushed to the hospital, but the death toll is surging. In one Michigan hospital system, 1,500 people are reporting COVID-19 symptoms -- and that's just the employees. And President Trump removes the official who was supposed to act as a watchdog on stimulus spending.

As officials prepare for a week of thousands of deaths, some hard-hit cities say they're seeing cases begin to level off. COVID-19 sends British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to the intensive care unit. And against the wishes of the governor, voting will go on as scheduled today in Wisconsin.