April 13, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday that the growth rate of new COVID-19 cases in her state may be starting to flatten. But already, there have been more than 1,600 deaths and 25,000 confirmed cases. The Greater Detroit area has been hit especially hard. William Brangham talks to Dr. Steven Kalkanis, CEO of the Henry Ford Medical Group, about what he’s seeing on the medical front lines.

In our news wrap Monday, at least 30 people were killed after severe storms swept across the Deep South on Easter Sunday and overnight. Tornadoes and thunderstorms blasted a path from Texas to the Carolinas. Also, the Trump administration is asking to postpone deadlines for the 2020 census amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Census Bureau wants to wait until June 1st to resume field operations.

Spain is among the countries hit hardest by COVID-19 so far. But after more than 17,000 deaths and weeks of a strict lockdown, workers in some non-essential industries returned to their jobs Monday. The easing of restrictions is controversial in a nation whose medical community has suffered heavily from the pandemic -- and still lacks adequate protection. Special correspondent Max Duncan reports.

New reporting from The New York Times has revealed even more early warnings about the seriousness of the novel coronavirus pandemic -- and raises questions about whether President Trump and his administration waited too long to take important steps. Eric Lipton, an investigative reporter for the Times, joins Judy Woodruff to discuss a critical three-week delay from February into March.

President Trump held a press briefing with the Coronavirus Task Force Monday evening at which he rejected news reports criticizing his administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump showed an unusual “campaign style” video during the session, also denying rumors that he is dissatisfied with Dr. Anthony Fauci and would consider firing him. Yamiche Alcindor joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.

The Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the novel coronavirus pandemic has delivered another painful blow. Grocery store owner Burnell Cotlon has long been determined to sustain his community, most of which has nowhere else to turn for food. He shares his experience trying to keep his “phenomenal” customers fed during a period of great distress.

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including Sen. Bernie Sanders’ endorsement of former Vice President Joe Biden for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, how Sanders’ politics might influence his former rival and political fallout from the Trump administration’s reaction to COVID-19.