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--> A midday take on what's happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*

*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha--breaks down crying hysterically.

The Hill's 12:30 Report: Democrats delay convention | Record 6.6M file for unemployment | Pelosi creates committee to oversee coronavirus response | Fauci gets security, dismisses death threats: 'It's my job' | US deaths from virus top 5,000 | Trump resists pressure for national stay-at-home order | Ina Garten’s massive quarantine cocktail

IN CONGRESS

Just announced — we have a committee for that:

Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPowell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy Overnight Defense: House to vote on military justice bill spurred by Vanessa Guillén death | Biden courts veterans after Trump's military controversies Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings MORE (D-Calif.) has created a special House committee to oversee the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic. https://bit.ly/2UBD4L7

Who will lead the panel: Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.)

Pelosi told reporters on a press call this morning: "The panel will root out waste, fraud and abuse; it will protect against price-gauging, profiteering and political favoritism. We need transparency and accountability."

It’s Thursday or as I now like to call it, “Day.” I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com — and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.

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NEWS THIS MORNING

A record number of people lost their jobs:

Almost 6.7 million people have filed for unemployment claims in the last week of March, shattering the last record that was set the week before. https://bit.ly/2UTBpzj

The record before today: About 3.3 million people filed for unemployment during the week ending in March 28.

For context: The record before the last two weeks in March was 695,000 in October of 1982.

Ugh — this New York Times graphic really puts the number into perspective:

A record 6.6 million people filed for unemployment last week https://t.co/K7eTnexa0z



via @nytimes pic.twitter.com/HVFBXuraEx — Cate Martel (@CateMartel) April 2, 2020

WHERE THINGS STAND

U.S. death toll tops 5,000:

More than 1,000 Americans died of the coronavirus yesterday, moving the total American deaths from the virus to more than 5,100. https://bit.ly/39AYhZT

In the New York City metropolitan area alone: More than 1,374 people have died. The states total deaths have totaled at least 1,941, according to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Andrew Cuomo44 percent of high earners have considered leaving New York City: poll Media's anti-Trump coronavirus spin has real consequences In defense of Trump's efforts to quell pandemic panic MORE (D). https://bit.ly/3aDWZ1o

HOW MANY CASES:

There are more than 217,000 cases in the United States. https://cnn.it/2UAgW3y

THROWBACK — THE DAY THAT EVERYTHING ESCALATED:

NPR’S Steve Inskeep tweeted, “If you had to pick a day when everything changed, it's March 11. The president gave a speech. Markets plunged as he spoke. We learned Tom Hanks tested positive. The NBA played its last games. Within days, other leagues and schools shut down. March 11: three weeks ago [yesterday].” https://bit.ly/2xC4ebM

IN WASHINGTON, D.C. — DRIVE-THRU TESTING AT GW HOSPITAL:

Via The GW Hatchet’s Shannon Mallard, the GW Hospital will open a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site. https://bit.ly/2w7JQyF

IN THE WHITE HOUSE

Fauci is a target of death threats now:

Via The Hill’s Brett Samuels, Dr. Anthony Fauci Anthony FauciTrump disputes CDC director on vaccine timing, says 'he made a mistake' Trump health officials grilled over reports of politics in COVID-19 response Biden says to trust scientists on COVID-19 vaccine, not Trump MORE, a leading figure on the White House coronavirus task force, has been given a security detail after receiving death threats. https://bit.ly/2Jz5f7e

THIS MORNING FROM FAUCI:

Dr. Fauci dismissed the death threats, telling CBS’s Gayle King Gayle KingFauci: Lack of masks at Trump rallies frustrating The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Trump, GOP senators at odds over next stimulus bill Minneapolis police union says members have been 'scapegoated by political leaders' MORE, "you know, it's my job. This is the life I've chosen, and I'm doing it. I mean, obviously there's a lot of pressure. I would be foolish to deny that ... It's a job to do, and we've just got to do it." https://bit.ly/3aBTN6F

Watch Fauci’s interview on “CBS This Morning”: https://bit.ly/2xHR2Sy

What about a national stay-at-home order?:

Via The Hill’s Brett Samuels, “President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE is holding back on declaring a nationwide stay-at-home order, even as some governors resist imposing restrictions that Trump's top public health officials say are needed to slow the spread of the coronavirus.” https://bit.ly/39DT2bG

Why: Trump argues it is a decision better left for governors.

The issue: “But the pressure is growing for Trump to be decisive as Republican-led states like Texas, Iowa and Missouri are among the final holdouts to issue stay-at-home directives.”

One expert said Trump may not have the authority: “Lawrence Gostin, director of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University, said Trump may not have the legal authority to halt interstate travel or require governors to lock down a state. But the president has yet to fully use the power of his bully pulpit to encourage them to do so.”

How this could play out: https://bit.ly/39DT2bG

Op-ed: https://bit.ly/2JA6tz2

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

The DNC convention is delayed until August:

Via The Hill’s Rafael Bernal, Amie Parnes and Jonathan Easley, “The Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee will be delayed for a month because of the coronavirus pandemic, two sources told The Hill.” https://bit.ly/39vMfAY

The old dates: July 13-16

The new dates: Aug. 17-20

When is the Republican convention: Aug. 24-27

Keep in mind: “The party out of power typically holds their convention about a month before the incumbent’s party.”

IN LIGHTER NEWS

J.K. Rowling launches ‘Harry Potter At Home’: Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Rowling unveiled a hub for children, teachers, parents and caregivers to access Harry Potter quizzes and games. https://bit.ly/3aFFY6Y

The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division celebrated April Fool’s Day: Counsel William Rinner sent an email to staff about a business attire dress code for conference calls. Including this line: “Please make sure to dress in business professional attire, and ensure that any other members of your family that may be visible during the calls, including pets, wear similarly appropriate attire.” Please oh please comply with putting dogs in the proper dress code: https://politi.co/2UDXEKW

Zoom is having a strong month: The video conferencing software Zoom announced it has 200 million (!) daily meeting participants now. Compared to: Its maximum daily average of 10 million in December. https://bit.ly/39G33Fo

NOTABLE TWEETS

Ina Garten is doing juuuuust fine:

ON TAP

The House and Senate are out. President Trump and Vice President Pence are in Washington, D.C.

1 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence participates in a phone call with conservative leaders.

2 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence leads a White House Coronavirus Task Force meeting in the Situation Room.

WHAT TO WATCH

11 a.m. EDT: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) held a press conference to give an update on the state’s coronavirus outbreak. Livestream: https://bit.ly/2UEjZIi

5 p.m. EDT: The White House Coronavirus Task Force holds a press briefing. Livestream: https://bit.ly/39ETiHs

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. That feels obtainable even for those quarantining.

And in the spirit of competition (well... and boredom), here’s a new sport involving cats: https://bit.ly/2UWmRPt

In the final 3 attempted scores of Nimbus’s trial, he missed 2 and saved 1 (one miss not pictured, I guess just trust me) #catlympics2020 pic.twitter.com/Dx51ZwUcWQ — caroline matas (@carolinematas) April 1, 2020

Looks fun, right?