Bipartisan Senate approval for $2 trillion coronavirus aid package

 The $2 trillion package agreed in the Senate Tuesday night will give direct payments to most Americans hit by the coronavirus, including unemployment benefits and small businesses. As President Donald Trump played down the exponential spread of covid-19, predicting it would be over by Easter, numbers surged close to 55,000 with 784 deaths and stay-at-home orders in force in 17 states to hold back infection. New York registered 25,000 cases with 210 deaths, prompting Governor Andrew Cuomo to appeal for 30,000 more respirators. California counted 2,500 cases and 51 deaths, with predictions of worse to come.