The White House released new guidelines aimed at answering criticism that America’s coronavirus testing has been too slow, and President Donald Trump tried to pivot toward a focus on “reopening” the nation. Still, there were doubts from public health experts that the White House’s new testing targets were sufficient. Monday’s developments were meant to fill critical gaps in White House plans to begin easing restrictions, ramping up testing for the virus while shifting the president’s focus toward recovery from the economic collapse caused by the outbreak.

Steve Bullock was the lame-duck governor of solidly red Montana, fresh off a failed Democratic presidential bid, when he pivoted and announced he’d challenge Republican Sen. Steve Daines for his seat. Days after announcing his candidacy last month, the first coronavirus cases appeared in Montana. That shifted the spotlight onto Bullock as he leads the state’s pandemic response, leaving Daines in the unusual position of a sitting senator competing for attention. “I look forward to when I can spend more time thinking about the campaign and doing that work,” Bullock said last week.

The Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Beit Shemesh was hospitalized on Tuesday morning in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem after feeling unwell during the night. The Rebbe and his wife both tested positive for the coronavirus before Pesach and have been in self-quarantine since then. The Rebbe reportedly suffers from high blood pressure. The Rebbe is a brother to the Monsey Vishnitzer Rebbe The public is asked to daven for the refuah sheleimah of Baruch Shimshon ben Sima Mirel b’soch sha’ar cholei Yisrael. STAY UPDATED WITH BREAKING UPDATES FROM YWN VIA WHATSAPP – SIGN UP NOW Just click on this link, and you will be placed into a group. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Everyone wants to know: When, oh when, will it go back to normal? As some governors across the United States begin to ease restrictions imposed to stop the spread of the coronavirus, hopes are soaring that life as Americans knew it might be returning. But plans emerging in many states indicate that “normal” is still a long way off. White House adviser Dr. Deborah Birx says social distancing will be with Americans through the summer. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards warns of a “different way of life” until there is a widely available vaccine — maybe not until next year. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says: “There is no return to yesterday in life.” From the beginning, the pandemic forced impossible choices: physical health or mental health? Economic well-being or medical safety?

This Tuesday, 4 Iyar, April 28, Agudath Israel of America will be hosting an Azkarah in memory of the Novominsker Rebbe, HaRav Yaakov Perlow Z’’TVKL, Rosh Agudas Yisroel, at 7:30 pm EDT. We will be addressed by members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah: Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky, Rosh HaYeshiva, Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia; Harav Aharon Feldman, Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshivas Ner Yisroel of Baltimore; Harav Yosef Frankel, Vyelipoler Rebbe; Harav Elya Brudny, Rosh HaYeshiva, Mir Yeshiva. In addition, we will be addressed by the Rebbe’s son-in-law, HaRav Elisha Horowitz, Rav, Khal Agudas Achim, Lawrence; and the Novominsker Rebbe, HaRav Yehoshua Perlow. The Azkarah will be chaired by Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel of America.

New York City schools will implement a new grading system for the remainder of the coronavirus-disrupted school year, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday. Elementary school students will be graded “meeting the standards” or “needing improvement” while high school students will have a pass-fail grading option, de Blasio said. Acknowledging that some students have made a relatively smooth transition to online learning since schools were shuttered last month while others have struggled, de Blasio said students who need help to catch up will be given academic support through the summer and into next fall. “We have to recognize that some kids are having a tougher time because of this crisis, emotionally and academically,” de Blasio said.

The Thunderbirds and Blue Angels flew in formation over New York City and Newark, NJ Tuesday afternoon. “Operation America Strong” paired the US Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force Thunderbirds in a coordinated flyover. The effort served as a salute to healthcare workers and first responders on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The spectacular salute, from the Air Force and Navy, honored of healthcare workers, first responders, military, and other essential personnel. Flyovers in Newark, New York City and surrounding boroughs will started at noon and lasted approximately 35 minutes. “We are incredibly honored to have the opportunity to salute those working on the frontline of the COVID-19 response, we are in awe of your strength and resilience,” said Cmdr.

Facing fierce blowback, House Democratic leadership announced Tuesday the House will not resume session next week as planned because of risks associated with the coronavirus pandemi c. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer declared the sudden about-face a day after a lawmakers revolted. He said after discussions with the Capitol physician, the risk was too great. The physician has privately warned senior lawmakers it will be at least a year before Congress can return to business as usual. “We will not come back next week,” Hoyer told reporters on a conference call.

Traffic got a little busier along Main Street, but otherwise, it was hard to tell that coronavirus restrictions were ending in the tiny Montana town of Roundup. That’s because it’s largely business as usual in the town of 1,800 people. Nonessential stores could reopen as a statewide shutdown ended this week, but most shops in Roundup — the pharmacy, the hardware store, two small grocers — were essential and never closed. A florist and a thrift shop reopened Monday, apparently two of the only stores that had to shut down at all. Bars and restaurants remain shuttered and getting takeout is still the only option until May 4, when they can open with restrictions. Parts of the U.S.

JetBlue announced Monday that beginning May 4, they will require that all passengers wear face coverings during travel to help slow the spread of coronavirus. The company is now the first major U.S. airline to implement that new policy. Previously, the airline required all crew members wear face coverings while working. “Wearing a face covering isn’t about protecting yourself it’s about protecting those around you,” said president and chief operating officer of JetBlue, Joanna Geraghty. “This is the new flying etiquette. Onboard, cabin air is well circulated and cleaned through filters every few minutes but this is a shared space where we have to be considerate of others.