The World

Guatemalan government officials say at least 44 Guatemalan migrants who were deported on a flight from the US this week have tested positive for COVID-19. And, Google and Apple are working together to improve the technology for contact tracing in an effort to help counter the coronavirus outbreak. Also, around the world, coronavirus restrictions are forcing people to get creative in their kitchens. In Japan, this has led to the revival of a 1,000-year-old method for making cheese.

Communities across the globe under strict physical distancing measures — in many cases for weeks — are now wrestling with when and how to relax those policies. And, a group of scientists is looking for antibodies in those who have successfully recovered from the novel coronavirus, which could help develop drugs to fight COVID-19. Also, Finland's government has elevated the status of social media influencers, deeming them "critical actors" and valuable assets to society, especially during a health crisis.

From The World and PRX, this is The Number in the News. Today’s number is 45. As working from home during the novel coronavirus outbreak becomes the new norm, many of us have become even more tethered to our screens — and our chairs — than usual. Luckily, Derrick Evans is here to help. You may know him as Mr. Motivator. He rose to fame in the United Kingdom in the 1990s with his high-energy exercise routines on morning TV — and his neon spandex. Evans says that prolonged periods of staring at a computer screen can take a real toll on the body. That’s why introducing movement throughout the day is key. His first tip? Put sneakers on. On this episode of The World's special feature, the Number in The News, learn small ways to stay pain-free while sitting at your desk.

President‌ ‌Donald Trump‌ ‌says‌ ‌he’s‌ ‌halting‌ ‌funding‌ ‌for‌ ‌the‌ ‌World‌ ‌Health‌ ‌Organization‌ ‌pending‌ ‌a‌ ‌review.‌ ‌How‌ would the funding ‌cut ‌affect‌ ‌the‌ ‌WHO’s‌ ‌work‌? And, there's a global backlash against Trump's WHO announcement, especially in places where the organization is vital like in Democratic Republic of Congo, where they are not only dealing with COVID-19 but also Ebola. Also, a priest in Vancouver, Canada, has a social distancing solution for confessionals for his congregation: a drive-through option.

While US President Donald Trump clashed with state governors over plans to reopen the economy, French President Emmanuel Macron announced Tuesday that France will remain under lockdown for four more weeks. And, earlier this month, top cybersecurity officials in the US and the UK issued a warning about COVID-19-related scams and phishing attempts. Also, in Calgary, Canada, high school students launched a hotline called Joy4All. Dial it, and you can hear local students share jokes, short stories and acts of kindness.

While US President Donald Trump clashed with state governors over plans to reopen the economy, French President Emmanuel Macron announced Tuesday that France will remain under lockdown for four more weeks. And, earlier this month, top cybersecurity officials in the US and the UK issued a warning about COVID-19-related scams and phishing attempts. Also, in Calgary, Canada, high school students launched a hotline called Joy4All. Dial it, and you can hear local students share jokes, short stories and acts of kindness.

The US is now the center of the global pandemic. With more than a half a million confirmed cases and 22,000 deaths from COVID-19 and a surge still on the way for many parts of the country, is it premature to talk about opening things up again? And, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has downplayed the threat of the coronavirus in the country, but that's not the only thing that's making it hard for medical professionals to fight the outbreak. Also, kalsarikännit is a tradition in the Nordic country of Finland where people stay home, take their pants off and drink alcohol. With that first part — staying at home — now a reality for millions of people around the world, kalsarikännit is gaining traction outside Finland, too.

The US is now the center of the global pandemic. With more than a half a million confirmed cases and 22,000 deaths from COVID-19 and a surge still on the way for many parts of the country, is it premature to talk about opening things up again? And, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has downplayed the threat of the coronavirus in the country, but that's not the only thing that's making it hard for medical professionals to fight the outbreak. Also, kalsarikännit is a tradition in the Nordic country of Finland where people stay home, take their pants off and drink alcohol. With that first part — staying at home — now a reality for millions of people around the world, kalsarikännit is gaining traction outside Finland, too.

The coronavirus has fundamentally changed how we live our lives — but perhaps most heartbreaking is how it's changed how we deal with death. And, every year, thousands of Catholic worshipers travel to the east side of Mexico City to watch a live reenactment of the stations of the cross. This year, as Mexico and much of the world is implementing social isolation measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus, local authorities have decided to cancel the much-anticipated event. Also, why do pandemics happen? That's a question religious thinkers have been trying to answer for a long, long time.

The coronavirus has fundamentally changed how we live our lives — but perhaps most heartbreaking is how it's changed how we deal with death. And, every year, thousands of Catholic worshipers travel to the east side of Mexico City to watch a live reenactment of the stations of the cross. This year, as Mexico and much of the world is implementing social isolation measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus, local authorities have decided to cancel the much-anticipated event. Also, why do pandemics happen? That's a question religious thinkers have been trying to answer for a long, long time.