The Evening: Tests for 2%, Congress Back Next Week, Black Water and More

April 27, 2020

Trump Suggests Some States Reopen Schools

At least 50,000 people in the United States have died from the coronavirus, with confirmed cases reaching more than 973,000 today according to the NYT. And, as the Times reports, President Trump suggested to the nation’s governors during a call on Monday that some should move to reopen their public schools before the end of the academic year.

Trump Administration Has Enough Tests for 2% of Each State’s Population

The Trump administration is prepared to send all 50 states enough tests to screen at least 2% of residents for the new coronavirus, a senior administration official said Monday, with the aim of rapidly expanding supplies in the coming weeks as the nation’s leaders look to reopen parts of the economy, as Michael C. Bender of the Wall Street Journal reports.

Congress to Return

The House will come back into full session on Monday, May 4, marking Congress' formal return after being mostly absent for weeks in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The Senate will also return next Monday, as Politico reports.

On the Horizon

Covid-19-related disruptions could have long-term impacts on migration flows and thus on economic growth, global inequality, and on the well-being of migrants themselves.

CSIS’s “On the Horizon” series offers insights into the more fundamental changes we might anticipate for our future social and economic world as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic.

CSIS Executive Education

We invite you to apply to Unpacking the Defense Enterprise, a a three-day live, online course exploring defense strategy, budgetary and technical issues, and future challenges and opportunities in the U.S. defense enterprise.

Video Shorts

Check out CSIS’s new series of video shorts: “Testify,” "What's Happening," "Preview," and “High Resolution.” And don’t forget to subscribe to the CSIS YouTube Channel!

In That Number

8,186

As of April 24, there are 8,186 confirmed cases of coronavirus within the Department of Defense. Of the current cases, 3,919 were military service members, 814 dependents, 1,057 civilians, and 423 contractors. 281 of these cases required hospitalization, and there have been 26 deaths. 1,947 have recovered.

Source: CSIS Defense 360

Critical Quote

“We are reconvening next week.”

— Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

iDeas Lab

As of April 24, there are 3,782 confirmed cases of coronavirus from military service members - 282 Marines, 741 National Guard members, 343 Air Force members, 971 in the Army, and 1,445 in the Navy.

The Andreas C. Dracopoulos iDeas Lab at CSIS enhances our research with the latest in cutting-edge web technologies, design, and video.

Optics

(Photo credit: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images). Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the German government announced that the 250th Beethoven anniversary year will be extended and celebrated with a multitude of events from December 2020 until September 2021.

Recommended Reading

“What happens if Kim Jong Un dies? No one knows,” by CSIS’s Sue Mi Terry for the Washington Post.

Online Events

Tomorrow, at 10:00 a.m., CSIS’s Russia and Eurasia Program will host Kimberly Marten of Columbia University and Jeffrey Edmonds of CNA, to discuss Russia’s “private” military companies, such as the Wagner Group and the implications of these semi-state entities for U.S. interests and future operations.

Later, at 2:00 p.m., CSIS’s Freeman Chair in China Studies, Jude Blanchette will host a conversation with Minxin Pei, professor of Government and George R. Roberts fellow at Claremont McKenna College to discuss the political implications of the coronavirus outbreak for the Chinese Communist Party and its leader Xi Jinping.

Also, at 12:00 p.m., the Center for Global Development will host Mark Lowcock, the U.N. Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 in fragile states and refugee communities.

Video

The Horn of Africa faces the dual threats of a once-in-century pandemic and a locust invasion. CSIS’s Africa Program director Judd Devermont and Food Security director Caitlin Welsh explain the compounding security crisis facing East Africa. Watch the video here.

Podcasts

In a new episode of the Impossible State, I speak with CSIS Korea Chair experts Victor Cha and Sue Mi Terry about the latest news surrounding Kim Jong Un's health.

Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Smiles

“Just take that streetcar that’s goin’ Uptown…”

This Monday brought a beautiful smile from one of America’s most beloved bands who came together virtually to perform one of the most lyrically vivid and catchy tunes in rock history: the Doobie Brothers and their mesmerizing “Black Water.”

Don’t miss this one, it’s an instant virtual classic.