May 11, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode

The COVID-19 pandemic has killed over 80,000 people and infected more than 1.3 million in the U.S. -- including some in the White House, where several officials are isolating after possible exposure. But the movement to lift restrictions is gaining steam, even though health experts say testing is still not adequate. Yamiche Alcindor reports and joins Judy Woodruff and William Brangham to discuss.

In our news wrap Monday, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden blasted President Trump’s handling of the pandemic. In an op-ed for The Washington Post, Biden argued Trump should be working to secure the same protections for all Americans that he has for himself. Also, the Department of Justice says it is considering federal hate crimes charges in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery.

Across the globe, lockdowns imposed to try to slow the spread of COVID-19 are being lifted, businesses are reopening and people are returning to work. But even in countries that had successfully controlled their coronavirus outbreaks, like South Korea and Singapore, there are warnings of how quickly the virus can reassert itself when restrictions loosen and activity resumes. Nick Schifrin reports.

For more than 60 million Americans with disabilities, the rapid spread of COVID-19 is especially dangerous. Many live in long-term care facilities, and they are twice as likely to experience poverty as those without disability. But so far, legislation has fallen short on help. We hear some of their stories, and Stephanie Sy talks to Rebecca Cokley of the Center for American Progress.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurants, theaters, parks and other places where people come together are closed in an effort to keep them apart. Meanwhile, people who share a home spending much more time together than they usually do. What do these changes mean for dating and relationships? Lisa Desjardins reports on how Americans are staying connected amid unprecedented social circumstances.

Amidst these difficult times, we wanted to acknowledge the outpouring of interest in the furry creatures who keep some of us company, on- and off-camera, and those pets who are becoming part of the NewsHour family on social media, too. Judy Woodruff has the story.

Congress has appropriated roughly $175 billion so far to help hospitals and other health care providers weather the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. But some are still struggling to keep up with the need, and racial disparities in the American health care system are magnifying the problem. William Brangham talks to Tim Egan and Lynette Houston of Chicago’s Roseland Community Hospital.

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including how the spread of COVID-19 inside the White House complicates the administration’s pandemic messaging, whether Americans will feel safe returning to work and what voting looks like during the pandemic.