Seven California counties order residents to ‘shelter in place,’ as life across the U.S. is upended.

Health workers at a drive-through conduct tests for the corona virus in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Monday.Credit...Saul Martinez for The New York Times

Residents of seven counties in Northern California were ordered to “shelter in place” for three weeks beginning on Tuesday in an effort to slow the spread of the corona virus. They have been told to stay at home except for essential reasons, including buying food and caring for a pet.

The restrictions come one day after the Trump administration released new guidelines about the outbreak, including avoiding groups of more than 10 people and limiting travel. But left unanswered for many Americans was the question of how business owners and workers might survive financially.

It was clear on Monday that most of the American economy was grinding to a halt, and would remain that way for months. Business groups, local and state leaders and a growing chorus of lawmakers and economists begged the federal government to spend trillions of dollars to pay workers to stay home and funnel money to companies struggling with an abrupt end to consumer activity. American airline companies asked for $50 billion in emergency support from the government.

Though relatively few Americans have been tested for the corona-virus, more than 4,400 people have tested positive, and at least 86 have died.

The message from officials was that the virus would continue to spread. Scientists tracking the virus’s spread reported that for every confirmed case, there are most likely another five to 10 people with undetected infections.

The pandemic also continued to upend marquee American events: For the first time since World War II, the Kentucky Derby will not take place on the first Saturday in May. The Courier-Journal in Louisville, where the race is held, reported that the race would be rescheduled for Sept. 5.

Reference: The New York Times