16.8M Americans out of work; Easter celebrations move online

MICHELLE R. SMITH, CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and MARINA VILLENEUVE

Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — A staggering 16.8 million Americans lost their jobs in just three weeks in a measure of how fast the coronavirus has brought world economies to their knees. Meanwhile, religious leaders around the globe Thursday urged people to celebrate Good Friday and Easter from the safety of their homes.

Governments warned that the hard-won gains against the scourge must not be jeopardized by relaxing social distancing over the holiday weekend. Across Europe, where Easter is one of the busiest travel times of the...