News Information and Media Site: Race to solve coronavirus mystery heats up while markets plunge

Friday, February 28, 2020

Good morning, NBC News readers.

Coronavirus, South Carolina's primary and could the United States and the Taliban finally be on the verge of a peace deal?

Here's what we're watching this Friday morning.

WHO says coronavirus outbreak 'getting bigger' as stock crash continues

Coronavirus panic sent global markets crashing again on Friday, compounding their worst week since the 2008 global financial crisis after the Dow plunged nearly 1,200 points on Thursday.

Transport-related stocks, tech stocks, and the energy sector all took the heaviest hits, as fears spread that the epidemic could strangle global movement.

The market jitters aren't expected to improve anytime soon.

The World Health Organization said the coronavirus outbreak is only "getting bigger" after Nigeria confirmed sub-Saharan Africa's first case, reiterating its warning that the virus could reach most "if not all countries."

Retail analysts have warned that U.S. retailers could see some empty shelves by mid-April if the epidemic leads to severe production supply chain disruptions.

Meantime, scientists and public health officials around the world are scrambling to not only contain the deadly outbreak, but also solve the enduring mystery of where it came from in the first place. Past outbreaks provide hints.

And the California patient who appears to have contracted coronavirus despite no foreign travel or exposure to a known infected individual has forced doctors to put on their detective hats.

Are you reconsidering upcoming travel plans as a virus sweeps the globe? You're not alone. Many Americans are rethinking spring and summer trips as the virus continues to spread.

Get the latest updates in our live blog and see maps of where the virus has spread.

Tokyo Disneyland closed for two weeks as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus Friday. (Photo: Issei Kato/Reuters)

Democrats in Trump districts cast a nervous eye at a surging Sanders

Few people sound more excited about the prospect of Sen. Bernie Sanders winning the Democratic nomination than South Carolina Republicans.

"Really, it's the best-case scenario for any Republican on the ballot," said Republican state Rep. Nancy Mace, who is running for her party's nomination to challenge freshman Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham.

Sanders' rise has many Democrats in South Carolina worried that Cunningham's seat — the object of one of the most competitive House races in the country — would be even more vulnerable if a democratic socialist were at the top of the party's ticket in November.

Republicans say a Bernie Sanders nomination could deliver them down-ticket victories in the general election. Some Democrats agree. (Photo: Mark Felix / AFP - Getty Images)

Even as U.S.-Taliban deal looms, Afghans brace for more violence

After 40 years of war, few people in Afghanistan remember what peace is like and its prospect is treated with a heavy dose of skepticism even as the United States and the Taliban head toward a possible deal that could see American troops withdraw from the country.

"If the USA leaves Afghanistan, the Afghan army is not in a position to stand on its own feet," Najeeb Hayat, 61, a tailor from Kabul. "Anyone with weapons in Afghanistan will have power, it will be very difficult to stop them and will result in a civil war again."

An Afghan man steps out of his house as U.S. Marines search his village in Farah province, southwestern Afghanistan. (Photo: David Furst / AFP - Getty Images)

The Week in Pictures

From coronavirus fears gripping the globe to anti-Muslim attacks in India amid a presidential visit, see the most compelling images from the past week here.

A barber shop owner sprays his client's hair in South Carolina on Wednesday as the 2020 presidential contest heats up in the Palmetto State. (Photo: Sean Rayford / for NBC News)

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Plus

Russia deploys warships after dozens of Turkish soldiers were killed in a Syria escalation.

A Catholic church denied an 8-year-old boy First Communion because he's autistic, a New Jersey family says.

The Canadian government said it will no longer pay for Prince Harry and Meghan's security.

As if coronavirus wasn't bad enough, East Africa is struggling to fight off a locust invasion threatening food production.

'I can't even': Emails revealed EPA officials' reaction to Trump rants on toilets, showers.

THINK about it

A social media addiction is like binge eating. Here's how to find the right diet, according to psychologist Maggie Mulqueen.

Live BETTER

With panic over the spread of the coronavirus, here's how to wash your hands properly, according to doctors.

Quote of the day

"These are highly uncertain times, no one really knows the answer and the markets are really panicking."

—John Lau, SEI Investments Head of Asian Equities, on the global market plunge

One fun thing

The new Netflix show "Love Is Blind" has brought a 21st century twist to a reality dating format that has been around since the beginning of television.

The show's premise turns the dynamic of modern romance on its head: While most people use dating apps to select potential partners based on looks, contestants on "Love Is Blind" are meant to fall in love based on personality, before ever seeing each other.

The catch? Contestants who partner up after meeting in the show's "dating pods," where the hopefuls can hear but not see each other, will have to become engaged and agree to marry in a matter of weeks in order to actually meet.

"No wonder this works. It's got everything," said one pop culture expert.

"Love Is Blind" on Netflix. (Photo: Netflix)

Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown. Hope you have a restful weekend!

If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — drop me an email at: petra@nbc uni.com

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Thanks, Petra Cahill