FRIDAY, MARCH 13
STATES CLOSE SCHOOLSMany schools are closing down amid the coronavirus outbreak. Schools in Ohio and Michigan will close for three weeks. In Maryland, schools will be closed for two weeks. The school districts of Seattle and San Francisco have also closed. The governor of New Mexico announced on Twitter that all schools in the state would be closed for three weeks. READ
ABORTION POLITICS The Trump administration said that Speaker Nancy Pelosi tried to guarantee federal funding of abortion in the coronavirus economic stimulus plan. “A new mandatory funding stream that does not have Hyde protections would be unprecedented,” a White House official explained to the Daily Caller. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-CA, said he was totally opposed to Pelosi’s plan, and the provision was removed from the bill after strenuous objections by Republicans. READ
STOCK MARKET TUMBLES The Dow Jones plunged 10% or 2,352 points lower – the worst percentage drop since Black Monday in 1987. The stock market got a brief break during midday trading when the Federal Reserve announced it would inject $1.5 trillion to prevent “unusual disruptions.” But soon after, stocks continued their slide. READ
SPORTS GRINDS TO HALT Major sporting events like March Madness have been canceled. The National Hockey League joined the NBA in suspending their season. Major League Baseball announced that their opening day would be delayed by at least two weeks. READ
EDUCATION IMPACT At least 90 major universities have moved to all online classes or have closed their campuses. Millions of students are migrating to distance learning, which could alter the higher education landscape for years to come. READ
NO MASSES IN DC The Archdiocese of Washington has canceled all Masses after Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan ordered no public gatherings in excess of 250 people could be held. “We are profoundly saddened that we are not able to celebrate our sacraments as a community for the time being but we know Christ remains with us at all times — specifically in times of worry like this,” said Archbishop Wilton Gregory. READ
OBLIGATION WAIVED Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki announced that Catholics have been dispensed from their obligation to attend Sunday Mass due to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. READ
SAINT OF THE DAY Saint Leander of Seville was a Catholic bishop surrounded by Arians for much of his life. He fought hard to restore faith in the divinity of Christ, using the profession of the Nicene Creed as a tool. READ
DAILY READINGS “Remember the marvels the Lord has done.” (Ps 105:16) READ
