Fox News Today: The Coronavirus Crisis - Emergency in US could last 18 months or longer

Coronavirus crisis in US could last 18 months or longer, according to federal plan

As federal and state authorities ramp up their response to the deadly, fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak, a government contingency plan delivered recently to policymakers reportedly warned the crisis in the U.S. could stretch on for 18 months or possibly longer. President Trump struck a more positive and resolute tone on Thursday morning, vowing in a tweet, "We are going to WIN, sooner rather than later!"

Congress, not known for its ability to agree and act quickly, has sent two coronavirus-related spending bills to President Trump's desk in two weeks and is working in putting together a third, blockbuster package that could be worth upward of $1 trillion. This comes as Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., and Ben McAdams, D-Utah, became the first two members of Congress to test positive for the disease, prompting several lawmakers to self-quarantine. After some spring break festivities played out despite the calls for social distancing, Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams appeared on "Fox & Friends" and urged young people to take responsibility for stopping the spread of the coronavirus.

With millions of Americans working from home and avoiding going out, public transit systems feeling the pinch across the country are calling for a bailout that could be in the billions. Meanwhile, U.S. equity markets tumbled once again in the opening minutes of trading Thursday, threatening to wipe out Trump-era gains, as the Labor Department reported U.S. jobless claims surged for the week that ended March 14.

And things could get even worse on Wall Street. The State Department is expected to soon advise against all international travel amid the global coronavirus pandemic, Fox News had learned

Any questions? Check out Fox News Digital's coronavirus live blog: Primary care physician Dr. Nate Favini answers your questions.

And there were several other developments:

A worker at an Amazon warehouse in Queens, N.Y., has tested positive for the disease known as COVID-19.

A New Jersey mother and two of her children died – with four other relatives remained hospitalized in critical condition – after contracting the coronavirus, according to reports.

Lawyers for high-profile inmates such as Ponzi scheme mastermind Bernie Madoff and attorneys Michael Avenatti and Michael Cohen are now arguing they should be released from custody because of coronavirus.

Christian scholars who study end times say the coronavirus pandemic is not the end of the world.

Tom Hanks' sister gives fans an update on his recovery.

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