U.S. Coronavirus death toll surpasses 87,000; Trump claims fully approved vaccine available to public by years end; White House defends scrapping of Obama pandemic playbook.
Trump: "Vaccine or no vaccine, we're back"; rate of new cases down in 28 states, up in 7, steady in 15; the number of new coronavirus cases is going down in more than half of states amid reopening moves; 48 states partially reopened or easing restrictions by this weekend; U.S. retail sales plunge a record 16.4% in April; Texas reports highest one day death toll 2 weeks after reopening; protesters demand Michigan Gov speed up reopening; some NC sheriffs pushing to allow indoor church services; some parts of New York eligible to reopen today, but millions remain under stay-at-home orders; beaches in NY, CT, DE and NJ to open Memorial Day weekend; DeBlasio says NYC beaches "Not ready" to reopen; Maryland stay-at-home order just ended, but Baltimore & some counties still closed; New vaccine chief: early data suggests doses by end of year; Trump: working to manufacture multiple vaccines; Trump defends rapid coronavirus tests used by WH as FDA warns they may be infections; WH: Trump "streamlined" the national security council; China softens tone towards U.S. after weeks of growing tension; China stresses need for stable relations with U.S.; CNN: DOJ officials were at odds before deciding to drop Flynn case; tracking the pandemic's impact on communities of color.