Pandemic: In a day of dramatic developments in the coronavirus crisis, President Trump blocked European travel to the US, the NBA suspended its season, the NCAA said it will play March Madness without fans, the Dow Jones dropped nearly six percent, and even Oscar winner Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson tested positive for the coronavirus in Australia.

  The Gov. of Washington has banned gatherings of more than 250 people in several counties and Seattle has closed its public schools for two weeks starting today.

  And finally, the World Health Organization declared the worldwide coronavirus outbreak to be a “pandemic,” a scary word that means the disease has spread to at least three continents. 

  Trump spoke last night from the Oval Office for only the second time. His European travel ban begins at midnight tomorrow and runs for 30 days. It makes an exception for England.

   But the Department of Homeland Security had to make a nearly immediate clarification of the President’s order, saying most foreign nationals from Europe will be barred from the US but not citizens or legal residents. Trump did not say how people will return if flights become limited or whether they will be put into quarantine.

  Despite praising his own actions in recent weeks, Trump clearly fumbled what could have been his defining moment of leadership. Political commentator Jeff Greenfield tweeted, “I’ve been watching Presidential speeches for decades. Have never seen a President look more nervous, more unsure of what he was saying, than tonight.”

  Trump clearly said the ban will “apply to the tremendous amount of trade and cargo” coming from Europe, causing stock futures to dip. He later corrected himself, tweeting, “Very important for all countries & businesses to know that trade will in no way be affected by the 30-day restriction on travel from Europe.” 

  Dow Jones futures are down another 1,200 points this morning.

  Trump said nothing about cancelling major sport and cultural events, or the wisdom of continuing with his political rallies.

  The President has made a quick turn from blaming Democrats and the press for overblowing the threat. Reading a script — unusual for Trump — the President said, “We are at a critical time in the fight against the virus.  We made a life-saving move with early action on China.  Now we must take the same action with Europe.”

  Trump said that while this is not an economic crisis, he proposed providing $50 billion to the Small Business Administration for loans to troubled businesses and giving as much as $200 billion in tax relief to people and businesses who lose salary and income during the crisis. These ideas have been floating for two days, but neither Trump nor his lieutenants have outlined how the government will gin up the money.

Viral Numbers: At least 38 people have died of the coronavirus in the US, all but eight of them in Washington State. Worldwide, the number of cases is just over 126,000 and 4,630 people have died. The virus that started in China has spread to 118 countries.

  The US has been slow — very slow — to get virus tests into the field and the numbers may grow dramatically as diagnosis becomes more possible. South Korea tests more people in a day than all the tests conducted in the US.

  The revered Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testified before Congress yesterday that he believes the death rate from coronavirus is 10 times that of the common flu and “when you get community spread, it makes the challenge much greater. So I can say we will see more cases and things will get worse than they are right now.”

Fade to Black: Sexual predator Harvey Weinstein, the movie producer who once wielded power over careers and terrorized women, said he was “totally confused” before he was sentenced in New York to 23 years in prison for rape and sexual assault.

  It amounts to a life sentence for the 67-year-old Weinstein, who is in poor health. He went to Bellevue prison hospital last night with chest pain.

  Failing to own up to what he did, Weinstein said to his victims present in court that, “We may have different truths, but I have great remorse for all of you.” He added, “I have great remorse for all the men and women going through this crisis right now in our country.”

  Translated; he thinks he did nothing wrong and men are getting a raw deal. Weinstein always claimed his accusers were willing sexual partners, although at least 100 women have accused him of sexually assaulting or raping them. 

  Weinstein was found guilty of the rape or sexual assault of two women, but what really sunk him was testimony from other women that established a pattern of predatory behavior. In handing down the stiff sentence, Judge James Burke, said, “Although this is a first conviction, it is not a first offense.” 

The Bulletin Board: The Supreme Court said it will let stand for now President Trump’s policy of forcing South American asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their applications are considered. —Presidential candidate Joe Biden has scheduled a speech about the coronavirus for this afternoon. — Bernie Sanders admitted yesterday that he is “losing” to Joe Biden  but has “won the ideological debate.” He says he plans to stay in the race for now.

End of Days: Moments before President Trump went on the air last night to announce his travel ban, the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was on the Fox  network dancing in a pink and blue fur dress singing “Baby Got Back.” She performed better last night than the President. 

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