PBS高端访谈:华盛顿准备应对疫情

JUDY WOODRUFF: The United States now has 11 deaths from the virus, 10 in Washington state, and the first one in California. That word came today as Congress moved to provide emergency funding. William Brangham has our report.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: As the number of infections in the U.S. continues to rise, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed an $8.3 billion emergency spending measure to fight the outbreak. The bill includes $3 billion for increased research into a vaccine¹ and other treatments, $2.2 billion for public health prevention and response, including a boost for the CDC, $1 billion for medical supplies, like masks and project gowns, and $300 million to help low-income people afford a potential vaccine. It would also provide potentially billions in loans to small businesses hurt by the outbreak. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill tomorrow. Meanwhile, on the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue:

DONALD TRUMP², President of the United States: We are, I think, doing a very effective job.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: President Trump and Vice³ President Mike Pence met with top industry officials, including airline CEOs. The president urged the country not to be afraid to fly.

DONALD TRUMP: Large portions of the world are very safe to fly. So, we don't want to say anything other than that. And we have sort of closed certain sections of the world, frankly⁴, and they have sort of automatically closed them also.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: But some airlines are worried it will get worse. United Airlines announced it will cut international flights by 20 percent and domestic flights by 10 percent next month. It's also implementing⁵ a hiring freeze and may trim flights even more. Meanwhile, confirmed cases of COVID-19, which in the U.S. are still relatively⁶ low in number, are growing. Los Angeles declared a public health emergency today, in response to six new confirmed infections. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti tried to calm the public.

ERIC GARCETTI (D), Mayor of Los Angeles: This is important. We're not saying that the situation in Los Angeles is dramatically worse. What we're saying and this echoes what the CDC is saying the potential public health risk is elevating and significant.

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WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Elsewhere, officials have taken a more drastic approach to controlling their outbreaks. Italy's education minister said today, schools and universities will be closed starting tomorrow for at least 10 days. This comes as infections in Italy rose to more than 3,000. Public health officials warned Italians, if you want to help stop this spread, consider dialing back your typical touching⁷ and kissing. But, for some, that's too much to ask.

ANTONIO PIERRANTI, Italy (through translator): We are Sicilians. We love each other, and we need physical contact. We will continue to do this as long as we can.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: In Iran, with nearly 3,000 confirmed cases, soldiers and firefighters were mobilized to spray city streets and buildings. Iranian officials also canceled the highly attended Friday prayers for the second week in a row. For the PBS NewsHour, I'm William Brangham.

JUDY WOODRUFF: Wall Street watched the continued spread of the virus today, and bet that central banks will react with more cuts in interest rates. Investors⁸ also read the Super Tuesday wins for Joe Biden as a positive. The Dow Jones industrial average gained more than 1,170 points to close at 27090. The Nasdaq rose 334 points, and the S&P 500 was up 126.

1 vaccine   

n.牛痘苗，疫苗；adj.牛痘的，疫苗的

参考例句：

• The polio vaccine has saved millions of lives.脊髓灰质炎疫苗挽救了数以百万计的生命。
• She takes a vaccine against influenza every fall.她每年秋季接种流感疫苗。

2 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

3 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

4 frankly   

adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说

参考例句：

• To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
• Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

5 implementing   

v.实现( implement的现在分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• -- Implementing a comprehensive drug control strategy. ――实行综合治理的禁毒战略。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
• He was in no hurry about implementing his unshakable principle. 他并不急于实行他那不可动摇的原则。 来自辞典例句

6 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

7 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。

8 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会