US: Santa Barbara News-Press owner compares COVID restrictions to Nazi Germany; editor exits

People protesting the continued California state lockdown at the corner of El Toro Road and Rockfield Blvd, on May 2, in Lake Forest, California.

Protesters rally outside the New Hampshire State House calling for Governor Chris Sununu to open the state, in Concord, New Hampshire, on May 2. The stay at home order, which expires May 3, was recently amended to allow salons, barbershops, campgrounds, retail stores, and golf courses to open on May 11, with certain restrictions and procedures. 

Protesters hold signs in front of the state capitol at the ReOpen Oregon Rally, on May 2, in Salem, Oregon. Demonstrators gathered at the state capitol to demand a reopening of the state and to protest Gov. Kate Brown's stay-at-home order.

Virus tamed in New Zealand, while Brazil emerges as hot spot

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Surfers in New Zealand hit the waves at dawn, builders returned to construction sites and baristas fired up their espresso machines as the nation eased a strict lockdown Tuesday amid hopeful signs the coronavirus has been all but vanquished Down Under — at least for now. But elsewhere, Brazil was emerging as a potential new hot spot for infections, and fresh doubts were raised over whether Japan would be able to host the already postponed Olympic Games next year.

People gather near Huntington Beach Pier to protest against Gov. Gavin Newsom's order to temporarily close state and local beaches, in California, on May 1.

Demonstrators protest outside the Ohio statehouse in opposition of Governor DeWine's stay-at-home order, in Columbus, on May 1.

A protester dressed in a Captain America outfit walks past a woman holding a placard during the demonstration, on May 1, in Ventura, California. People gathered at the Ventura County Government Center to protest against California Stay-At-Home Orders.

Demonstrators gather at Huntington beach to protest the state's stay-at-home order amid the coronavirus pandemic, on May 1, in California. 

Activists participate in a May Day protest while driving in their vehicles during the coronavirus pandemic on May 1 in Washington, D.C.

Protesters holds signs and use their cell phones during the Re-Open America rally outside of the Massachusetts Statehouse on May 1 in Boston, Massachusetts.

People hold signs during a protest demanding to reopen the Illinois economy, hit hard by coronavirus-related closures on May 1 in Chicago, Illinois.

Tom Hanks donates bag of plasma after recovering from Covid-19

Tom Hanks is hoping his plasma helps in finding a vaccine.On Wednesday, the legendary actor shared pictures of his plasma donation, making good on a promise he recently made to do so.

A protester wears a face mask calling for New York State to be reopened as demonstrators gather outside of the New York State Capitol Building on May 1 in Albany, New York.

Demonstrators protest in front of the City Hall to demand the end to the state's shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic on May 1 in Los Angeles, California. 

People hold signs during a protest demanding to reopen the Illinois economy, hit hard by coronavirus-related closures on May 1 in Chicago, Illinois.

Protesters rally at the State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan on April 30. Hoisting American flags and handmade signs, protesters returned to the state Capitol to denounce Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's stay-home order and business restrictions due to COVID-19.

Demonstrators take part in an "American Patriot Rally," on April 30, in Michigan.

Demonstrators take part in an "American Patriot Rally" on April 30 in Michigan.

Demonstrators take part in an "American Patriot Rally" organized on April 30 in Michigan.

A protester holds a sign at the State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan on April 30.

Protestors demonstrate against new safer-at-home orders during the End the Lockdown Now rally in Denver, Colorado on April 26.

Two men hang signs off their boat as they gather with others on Lake Union to protest against the recreational fishing ban in Washington State, in place until at least May 4 due to the coronavirus disease outbreak, in Seattle, Washington on April 26.

Protestors hold banners and chant against state government measures intended to defend against the COVID-19 virus during an Open California rally on April 26, in San Diego, California. 

A child holds a placard that says create a clear plan to re-open economy during the demonstration in San Luis Obispo, California, on April 26.

Demonstrators chant and display signs while staging a motorized protest in Washington D.C., on April 25.

Protestors demonstrate against new safer-at-home orders during the End the Lockdown Now rally in Denver, Colorado, on April 26.

A protestor holds a sign against state government measures intended to defend against the COVID-19 virus on April 26, in San Diego, California. 

A woman holds a sign during a demonstration against stay-at-home orders as nurses stand in counter-protest on the State House steps, on April 25, in Providence, Rhode Island.

Protestors gather outside the Texas State Capitol during a rally calling for the reopening of Austin, on April 25.

Joy Redwine calls out for reopening of the state as hers was one of dozens of vehicles, filled with protesters, that circled the Governor's Mansion in Jackson, Mississippi. The protesters honked their horns for over an hour to express their dissatisfaction at the gradual relaxation of the social and business social distancing restrictions established by Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, on April 25.

Kathy Boylan protests business closings, in front of the White House, on April 25.

Protestors gather outside the El Paso County Court House during a rally calling for the reopening of El Paso, on April 25.

Coronavirus live updates: Pandemic could last 2 years, report says; some state lockdowns wind down; Trump pushes China virus theory

President Trump pushes theory that the virus came from a Wuhan lab. Airlines are requiring passengers to wear masks. More COVID-19 news Friday.Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is scheduled to leave the White House on Friday for the first time in a month to travel to Camp David, one day after the expiration of federal social distancing guidelines.

Protesters against the coronavirus shutdown rally in front of State Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 24.

A demonstrator protests the extension of the emergency Safer at Home order by State Governor Tony Evers to slow the spread of the coronavirus, outside the State Capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 24.

Protesters against the state's extended stay-at-home order to help slow the spread of the coronavirus demonstrate at the Capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 24. 

Protesters against the coronavirus shutdown rally in front of State Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 24.

People protest against government closures of non-essential businesses due to the coronavirus on April 24 in Columbia, South Carolina.

People hold signs during a protest against the coronavirus shutdown in front of the State Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 24.

Protesters hold signs against the coronavirus shutdown in front of the State Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 24.

People protest against the coronavirus shutdown in front of the State Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 24.

A demonstrator protests the extension of the emergency Safer at Home order by State Governor Tony Evers to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), outside the State Capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 24.

Demonstrators protest the extension of the emergency Safer at Home order by State Governor Tony Evers, outside the State Capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 24.

Demonstrators protest the extension of the emergency Safer at Home order by State Governor Tony Evers, outside the State Capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 24.

Coronavirus live updates: Senate reconvenes; J.Crew files for bankruptcy; Pence regrets not wearing mask

The Senate reconvenes as more states across the country reopen their economies. A new report says China hid the outbreak's severity.

Demonstrators protest the extension of the emergency Safer at Home order by State Governor Tony Evers, outside the State Capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 24.

'Bad economies are as hurtful to health as viruses’: US lurches toward reopening despite ominous coronavirus models

As opposed to other countries, much of the U.S. is reopening despite cases of coronavirus rising or plateauing. What lies ahead?About half the states in the U.S. have taken similar steps to loosen the social distancing measures imposed to keep the virus from spreading, and others are considering it.

Demonstrators protest the extension of the emergency Safer at Home order by State Governor Tony Evers, outside the State Capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 24.

Growing number of students suing colleges that moved classes online amid pandemic

An Indiana University student is suing the school, looking for a partial reimbursement on tuition and fees paid for the spring semester.Democratic state Sen. Jamescita Peshlakai wears a mask as she tells member how the coronavirus has devastated the Navajo Nation while urging members to approve a move to end the legislative session at the state Capitol in Phoenix, on May 8. The Senate by a 24-6 vote approved a move to adjourn pending approval by the House.

A man demonstrates in front of the state capitol building demanding that businesses be allowed to open up, people allowed to work, and lives returned to normal on April 23 in Topeka, Kansas. The protest was part of a growing national movement against stay-at-home orders designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

A cutout of Judy Garland as Dorothy from The Wizard Of OZ is seen with a mask and sign in front of the state capitol building on April 23 in Topeka, Kansas.

Robert Wood of Newton, Kansas protests in front of the state capitol building on April 23 in Topeka, Kansas. 

A girl holds a sign while driving past the state capitol building with her dad on April 23 in Topeka, Kansas.

Protesters calling for the reopening of the businesses closed by state order due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak gather outside the home of Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker in Swampscott, Mass., on April 23.

Protesters drive in their vehicles near the Virginia State Capitol on April 22 in Richmond, Virginia. The protesters say Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam's "stay-at-home" order and restrictions on gatherings of 10 or more people due to the COVID-19 pandemic are too excessive and want the state reopened.

First Louisville inmates at Metro Corrections test positive for novel coronavirus

Two Louisville Metro Correction inmates have tested positive for COVID-19, the first confirmed caseas among Louisville's jail population.Tracy Dotson, spokesman for FOP Lodge 77, which represents corrections officers, said Tuesday there were at least two positive cases among inmates in the jail, out of almost 300 inmates tested.

Demonstrators hold signs outside of the New York State Capitol Building on April 22 in Albany, New York. Protestors are calling on New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo to reopen New York State amidst a shutdown of all non-essential businesses due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Protesters carrying signs gather near the Virginia State Capitol on April 22 in Richmond, Virginia.

Demonstrators hold signs outside of the New York State Capitol Building on April 22 in Albany, New York.

A protestor holds a sign outside of the New York State Capitol Building on April 22 in Albany, New York.

Demonstrators are seen near Capitol Square during a rally to demand that Gov. Ralph Northam lift restrictions that have closed certain businesses in Virginia since the coronavirus outbreak in Richmond, Virginia on April 22.

A demonstrator is seen near Capitol Square during a rally to demand that Gov. Ralph Northam lift restrictions that have closed certain businesses in Virginia since the coronavirus outbreak in Richmond, Virginia on April 22.

The protesters, who want the state re-opened for business, gathered to demonstrate against Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam's "stay-at-home" order on April 22 in Richmond, Virginia.