• In a memo sent to employees, Apple CEO Tim Cook urged some of the company's global office employees to work remotely this week amid the spread of the novel coronavirus. 
• While the policy is only applicable to workers at Apple's offices, the company has also instituted new efforts to limit "human density" at its retail locations. 
• Apple's decision to allow employees to work remotely mirrors decisions made by other tech companies like Microsoft, Facebook, and Alphabet.  
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Apple CEO Tim Cook told office employees across the world can work from home as COVID-19, becoming the latest major tech company to allow remote work. 

In a memo to employees obtained by Bloomberg News, Cook offered employees at its global offices the opportunity to work from home for the upcoming week of March 9 to 13 "if your job allows."

As Business Insider reported Friday, a source familiar with the matter said employees in Santa Clara Valley — the location of Apple's Cupertino headquarters, in the San Francisco Bay Area — had already been recommended to work from home. 

In the memo, Cook also said the company was working to reduce "human density and ensure those teams that are on-site can do their work safely and with peace of mind," Bloomberg reported.

While the work-from-home option does not apply to workers at Apple's more than 500 global retail stores, the company said it would work to reduce the number of people in stores for Genius Bar appointments and at classes offered by the Cupertino, California-based company at its worldwide retail locations.

The company previously enacted new measures in US stores meant to limit any spread of the virus such as the increased wipe-down of demo units, installing hand sanitizing stations, and increasing the number of cleaning staff at the stores. 

Apple in February temporarily shuttered its China retail locations to help limit the spread of the virus, though most locations have since re-opened.

The work from home memo specifically applies to Apple employees in Santa Clara Valley and Elk Grove areas in California, Seattle, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland, and the UK, Bloomberg reported.

Apple has repeatedly advised employees who feel sick to remain home from work and encouraged virtual meetings over those that require travel, according to a previous Business Insider report. It also encouraged employees to regularly wash their hands and avoid touching their faces.

According to Bloomberg News, Cook said employees would continue to receive their usual pay while working from home.

The new directive comes amid reports that Apple's supply chain has taken a hit amid the coronavirus outbreak. The virus has had a major impact on the production of the iPhone, which is not expected to improve until at least the second quarter of 2020.

Other companies like Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet have all announced similar policies, restricting travel and directing employees in some of their global offices to work from home. 

COVID-19 has infected more than 106,000 people and killed 3,600 others, mostly in China, though the disease is spreading globally. So far, at least 21 people have died in the US as a result while hundreds of cases have been confirmed. 

Cook called the virus "unprecedented event" and a "challenging moment," Bloomberg said.

Read more: 

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Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Inside the US government's top-secret bioweapons lab

• Susie Moore spent 10 years working in corporate sales, and before she changed career paths she was earning about $500,000 a year.
• She attributes part of her success to building her confidence at work, and showing colleagues and clients that she was smart, capable, and ready for anything.
• Here, she's sharing six of the everyday tips she used to be more confident, like introducing yourself with your last name and sitting up front and center for meetings and presentations.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

One morning, when I was in my early 20s starting out in my corporate career, I walked out of another meeting with my head slightly bowed. I hadn't said a thing during the entire hour. 

Again, I kicked myself silently for not contributing a good idea that I was holding inside, hoping the perfect moment would present itself (it never does).

All I remember is that an annoying colleague spoke non-stop. He was notorious for taking up way too much air time in every meeting, and my quieter colleagues resented him.

Slowly, I realized something as the months passed.

Opportunities, responsibility, and significant salary bumps were highly correlated with how confident and visible you are. And if you're less visible, then — well. You're on your own. No one can give you the boost you deserve but you. 

Here are some confidence hacks I've mastered that helped take me from a $75,000 income to a $500,000 income within five years.

SEE ALSO: 10 harmless mind tricks that make people like you more

1. Be down to disagree

It's so easy to just nod in agreement with other people's ideas, right? Our subconscious minds are running a risk-reward analysis in which the conclusion is that there's less downside with simply agreeing (particularly with more senior colleagues) than there is by challenging someone else's input or ideas.

But anyone can do this (even someone who doesn't speak the language of the boardroom — think about that for a second, because it's hilarious). It's more than OK, if you're polite and concise, to say what you mean. In the end, we're paid to think and be creative and strategic — machines can do pretty much do everything else. 

When I stopped complaining and started contributing, big shifts came my way. But don't just disagree to be contrarian. That gets tiring, fast.

Here's a master hack: Speak within first eight minutes of every meeting – say something, anything. A tag point can work wonders. "I agree with that point, Tom, in addition we could …" 

After eight minutes, you're far more likely to lose your nerve. So just say it!

2. Stop tagging every statement with a question

Tag questions are what we add to the end of a sentence that converts it from a statement by adding a question, e.g. "That's something we can do, right?" See how the tag ("right?") is assurance seeking? It weakens the statement. Once you're aware of tag questions, it will surprise you how overused they are at work. Drop 'em. 

3. Let your last name live!

The first female CEO I ever worked for taught me something that I've never forgotten. When you introduce yourself — in any setting — use your first name and last name to accompany your (firm) handshake. It's not "Hey, I'm Susie." it's "Hi, I'm Susie Moore." 

Trust me on this one. It'll feel weird at first, but it's assertive and empowering. You'll start noticing people standing straighter for you. Pay attention to who already does this in your world, whenever an introduction is involved. They're probably people that you consider important!

4. Say no to yes

There's an old adage that if you want a task done, give it to a busy person.

Taking everything on as a people pleaser can, in many cases, have the opposite effect you intend it to. There's nothing like a firm, high quality no to come across as self-aware, strong and self respecting, e.g. "Jane, I'd love to assist with this new project but my hands are full until the end of the month with X. I think Liz would be a great co-pilot! Or I can get involved in two weeks from now when my schedule opens up."

Sticking with the disease to please is like taking a weakening drug. 

5. Sit up front and center

Remember how the naughty kids would always sit at the back of the bus? It ain't so different now. It's just a different setting. 

Take a front seat in any group gathering and see how it feels (and check out who will sit beside you — it will be the leaders, I bet you). Be conscious of your posture, too. A simple shoulders-back, chin up, and smile will make you appear the most confident person in the room. These small shifts go a long way in projecting self-assuredness. 

Think for a second … how can you be visible if you're not seen at all?

6. Stop saying sorry so much

Try eliminating the word (unless spilled your iced coffee on someone or did something else where it's truly necessary) for just 24 hours.

Thank you is a far more powerful statement, e.g. "Thank you for waiting" when you're four minutes late to a conference call versus, "Oh I'm so sorry I'm late."

The number of times I hear someone apologizing for getting in or out of a busy elevator for example is nuts! What are you sorry for, exactly? Having a body? Just get in or out with as little fuss as possible. Then smile (and if you wish) repeat that magic word: thank you.

Susie Moore is a high performance coach and author who's been featured on the Today show, Forbes, and Oprah.com. Sign up for her free self confidence workshop here.

This article was first published on Business Insider in August 2019. 

• Amid the spread of the coronavirus, gatherings of more than 1,000 people will be banned in France, the fifth most impacted country by COVID-19.
• French Minister of Health Olivier Véran announced the ban Sunday as 1,126 have tested positive for the virus so far with 19 dead.
• The ban will have exceptions for gatherings or events "useful to the country," such as public transportation and protests.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

As France confirms 1,126 coronavirus and 19 deaths, gatherings of more than 1,000 people in the country are being banned, French Minister of Health Olivier Véran announced Sunday. 

Véran made the announcement Sunday with a caveat for events "useful to the nation," such as protests and taking public transportation. 

The health minister added that a list will be assembled on what sorts of events will fall under that exception, according to French newspaper Le Monde.

Ahead of the new order, two members of the French National Assembly have tested positive for the virus so far. 

Elsewhere in France, schools have been closed as further measures are being taken to hinder the spread of coronavirus.

Join the conversation about this story »

• The coronavirus outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China, has killed more than 3,800 people and infected more than 109,000.
• The virus, which causes a disease known as COVID-19, has spread to at least 105 other countries.
• More than 700 deaths have been reported outside mainland China, including 21 in the US. 
• Note: Because this story is being updated live, numbers on the maps may lag behind the totals reported in the story.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

More than 109,000 people around the world have been infected with the coronavirus, and more than 3,800 have died as outbreaks continue to spread around the world.

China has seen a drop-off in its rate of new cases, but the virus has gained momentum in other parts of the globe. Over half of the people infected have since recovered.

As of Sunday, the new coronavirus — which causes a disease known as COVID-19 — had spread to every province and region in China as well at least 105 other countries. More than 700 people have died outside mainland China.

The US has reported at least 497 cases, including 46 passengers who were on the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined in Japan. The US has confirmed 21 coronavirus deaths: 18 in Washington state, two in Florida, and one in California.

The World Health Organization considers the outbreak an international public-health emergency and has warned that the window of opportunity to contain it is narrowing.

Here's everything we know.

SEE ALSO: The US has reported 14 coronavirus deaths among more than 240 cases. Here's what we know about the US patients.

DON'T MISS: Here are the symptoms of the deadly Wuhan coronavirus and when you should be worried

The coronavirus has killed 3,594 people.

"The people who are likely to die first will have other illnesses," Adrian Hyzler, the chief medical officer at Healix International, which offers risk-management solutions for global travelers, told Business Insider in February.

A large proportion of those who have died appear to have been elderly or otherwise unwell.

It had infected at least 106,165 people as of Sunday.

The vast majority of cases, just under 80%, are in China.

This chart shows the rate at which the coronavirus has spread.

The global fatality rate for the virus has hovered around 3.4% for about a week.

The death rate based on recent official numbers of deaths and total cases is 3.4%, though health experts expect it to fall as more mild cases get reported and confirmed.

A previous study from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention found a fatality rate of 2.3%.

Cases have been confirmed in at least 105 countries beyond China. Note: Because this story is being updated live, numbers on the maps may lag behind the totals reported in the story.

Outside China, cases have been reported in:

The US has reported at least 443 coronavirus cases, including 49 who were brought into the country after getting sick.

"We are asking the American public to prepare for the expectation that this might be bad," Nancy Messonnier, the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said at a recent press briefing. 

17 deaths have been confirmed in the US — 14 in Washington state, two in Florida, and one in California.

The first publicly confirmed death — a man in his 50s who had chronic underlying health issues — was reported in late February at EvergreenHealth, a hospital in King County.

Two deaths announced March 3 were actually patients who died on February 26, but their coronavirus diagnoses weren't confirmed until later. They are now the earliest known coronavirus fatalities in the US.

The California death, announced March 4, was a Placer County woman who traveled on a Grand Princess cruise ship in February that went from San Francisco to Mexico.

The ship is currently sitting off the California coast. Passengers who remained onboard after the last voyage — around 3,500 people — have been told to stay in their rooms until they're cleared by medical staff. Many are showing symptoms.

The US has recorded several cases of "community spread"— patients who had no known exposure to the virus or travel history in China.

21 US states have reported coronavirus cases, though in Nebraska the infections are among only repatriated citizens.

46 of the US patients were passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan.

On February 17, more than 300 Americans who had been quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan were brought back to the US. 14 sick people were flown on the same plane as healthy people (though they were kept isolated), and many others on the flight later tested positive. Everyone who was on the cruise was quarantined at US military bases for two weeks.

Health experts and US officials have criticized the decision to quarantine people on the ship, suggesting that the confined spaces and poor hygiene practices on board may have helped the virus spread.

Three US citizens who were evacuated from Wuhan and put under quarantine also tested positive for the virus.

The first case of the coronavirus was reported in Wuhan in December.

The central Chinese city has a population of 11 million.

The virus' pneumonia-like symptoms include fever and difficulty breathing.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a person is at risk if they:

• Experience fever, coughing, or shortness of breath within 14 days of traveling to China
• Have come into close contact with someone who has shown these symptoms and recently traveled to China

The study from the Chinese CDC found that patients older than 80 had a 15% chance of dying.

The study looked at 44,000 confirmed patients in China. The data suggests that patients in their 50s were about three times as likely to die as patients in their 40s. 

Coronavirus patients with underlying health problems are also more likely to die than otherwise healthy people.

Patients with heart disease had a 10% chance of dying, according to the study. The fatality rate for patients who reported no preexisting conditions was less than 1%.

Chinese and US health officials say the incubation period for the virus ranges from one to 14 days.

Many countries have formulated quarantine policies based on a 14-day incubation period — the amount of time that passes between when a patient gets infected and when their coronavirus test comes back positive.

But one recent study found that a patient's incubation period was 19 days. Another study published early in February analyzed 1,099 coronavirus cases in China and reported that the incubation period could be as long as 24 days.

A female tour guide in Japan tested positive for the virus a second time last month — evidence that people could get the coronavirus multiple times.

The patient — as a woman in her 40s living in Osaka, Japan — first tested positive for the virus on January 29. She was discharged from the hospital on February 1 and declared virus-free on February 6.

Nearly two weeks later, she developed throat and chest pains. She tested positive again on February 26. China has also reported cases of people getting reinfected. 

Few children have gotten sick, but Chinese authorities reported that a baby received a diagnosis just 30 hours after being born.

Other one-off cases of the virus in children include a 9-month-old girl in Beijing, a child in Germany whose father had the virus as well, and a child in Shenzhen who was infected but displayed no symptoms.

But the virus seems to affect mostly adults. A study published in late January speculated that "children might be less likely to become infected or, if infected, may show milder symptoms" than adults. 

Disease experts say it's good that the virus hasn't spread much among kids because children are less likely to wash their hands and cover their mouths — behaviors that can spread germs.

Nearly 3,400 Chinese healthcare workers have been infected. At least 13 have died.

Research published in February found that nearly a third of hospitalized patients studied at the Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University were healthcare workers. 

On February 7, Li Wenliang, a doctor in Wuhan who was censored after sounding the alarm about the coronavirus, died from COVID-19. The 34-year-old doctor alerted a group of alumni from his medical school about a worrisome pneumonia-like illness in December. But Li was silenced by the police in Wuhan and forced to sign a letter saying he was "making false comments."

He later caught the coronavirus and died. In total, at least 13 healthcare workers have died from COVID-19. The neurosurgeon Liu Zhiming, a director at the Wuchang hospital in Wuhan, also died of the coronavirus, as did Peng Yinhua, a 29-year-old doctor who postponed his wedding to help treat patients.

The CDC has issued a warning to avoid all nonessential travel to China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran.

The virus has forced school closings in China, Japan, India, the US, Iran, and Italy. The UN said in early March that nearly 300 million kids have had their education disrupted.

Japan has closed all elementary, junior high, and high schools until early April.

On Thursday, Iran announced it was closing schools and universities until at least March 20, and India announced closings of all primary schools up to fifth grade through March 31. A day earlier, Italy said it was closing all schools as well.

Cases in the US have prompted localized school closures, including in New York City and Washington state.

Tourist attractions around the world have been shuttered temporarily.

Shanghai Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland have all been shuttered, though the Tokyo park plans to reopen March 16.

Part of China's Great Wall is temporarily closed as well.

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem closed in early March for two weeks. The Louvre in Paris also closed for three days but reopened Wednesday. 

A senior member of the International Olympic Committee said the future of the Tokyo Games could be in jeopardy.

The International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound told the Associated Press that a decision about the games would most likely come in May. For now, he added, athletes should continue training.

"As far as we all know, you're going to be in Tokyo," Pound said. "All indications are at this stage that it will be business as usual. So keep focused on your sport and be sure that the IOC is not going to send you into a pandemic situation."

The CEO of the Olympic organizing committee, Toshiro Muto, told CNN on Wednesday that that officials meant for the games to go on as planned.

South Korea's total cases have surpassed 7,000.

South Korea had confirmed 7,041 infections and 44 deaths as of Saturday.

The nation saw a spike in coronavirus cases after a 61-year-old woman transmitted the virus to other members of a fringe religious group, the controversial Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

On February 23, South Korean President Moon Jae-in warned that the country faced "a grave turning point" in its efforts to contain the outbreak.

Italy now has the highest number of coronavirus deaths outside China: 233.

The nation initially banned public events in 11 towns, closed public buildings, and restricted transport in the country's northern region.

"We are asking basically that everyone who has come from areas stricken by the epidemic to remain under a mandatory house stay," Italy's health minister, Roberto Speranza, said at a press conference on February 22.

On Wednesday, the Italian government prohibited fans from attending sporting events until April 3.

Then on Saturday, the country announced plans to shut down the northern region of Lombardy and 11 neighboring provinces to try to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Iran has reported 5,823 infections and 145 deaths.

Sources from Iranian hospitals told the BBC that the death count in Iran could be even higher. Towards the end of February they put the figure around 210.

More than a week later, the official figure is still lower.

Senior Iranian officials have contracted the virus. Mohammad Mirmohammadi, a 71-year-old adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, died of COVID-19 on Monday. 

Iran's parliament is now closed.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani signed an order last week to ban public gatherings like weddings, concerts, and sports games. The ban is scheduled to lift in time for the Persian New Year on March 20. 

Many nearby countries — including Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Kuwait, Pakistan, and Turkey — have restricted travel to and from Iran.

Switzerland, which has 268 infections so far, has banned all public and private events with more than 1,000 attendees until March 15.

China has changed the way its cases are counted multiple times.

On February 13, the Hubei province's health commission added 14,800 people to its list of cases and reported 242 additional deaths — an enormous single-day jump. The commission said the spike was due to a change in the way cases were counted: The newer numbers included clinical diagnoses made via CT scans of patients' lungs in addition to lab-test results.

On February 20, however, the commission went back to counting only lab-confirmed cases.

The true number of infected people worldwide is probably still higher than the official total, since people with very mild symptoms are not going in to hospitals or doctor's offices.

"There's another whole cohort that is either asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic," Anthony Fauci, the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said at a February 6 briefing.

Once more mild cases are tallied and incorporated into models, he added, "we're going to see a diminution in the overall death rate."

The World Health Organization said last week that the virus had "pandemic potential."

The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a global public-health emergency on January 30. For now, the organization doesn't recommend limiting travel or trade.

The global-health-emergency declaration has been used five times since it was created in 2005.

The WHO has said the virus isn't yet a pandemic.

"Does this virus have pandemic potential? Absolutely, it has. Are we there yet? From our assessment, not yet," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters. 

The Trump administration has imposed a travel ban on foreign nationals who have been in China within the past 14 days.

The ban went into effect February 2, with exceptions made for immediate family members of American citizens and permanent residents.

US citizens returning home who have been in China's Hubei province — where Wuhan is located — within the past 14 days may be quarantined for up to two weeks. 

To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, all travelers should wash their hands frequently with soap and water, making sure to scrub for at least 20 seconds, the CDC says.

Travelers should also avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. Wearing a mask is unlikely to be your best defense, however.

Some experts think the coronavirus jumped from animals to people at a seafood market in Wuhan. But a recent study suggested the virus could have originated outside the market in late November or early December.

Since most of the early patients had links to one market where live animals were sold, scientists pinpointed it as the likely origin of the virus.

But a group of Chinese scientists recently published a study suggesting that the virus could have started somewhere else. Though the first 41 cases were reported December 31, the scientists determined that the virus could have started spreading from person to person as early as late November. The seafood market in Wuhan, they wrote, may have "boosted" the circulation of the virus.

Researchers think the new coronavirus originated in bats, then jumped to an intermediary species — most likely pangolins, pigs, or civets — that passed it to people.

Researchers at the South China Agricultural University have suggested that the endangered pangolin may have been the intermediary species between bats and people.

An earlier paper in the Journal of Medical Virology suggested that the virus may have jumped from bats to snakes to humans, but that's unlikely. Cui Jie, a virologist who helped identified SARS-related viruses in bats in 2017, said the strain from Wuhan was clearly a "mammalian virus."

The SARS virus also originated in bats. It jumped to humans from civet cats at a Chinese market that sold live animals. SARS killed 774 people from November 2002 to July 2003.

COVID-19 so far has been more contagious but less deadly than SARS. The viruses that cause the two diseases belong to the same coronavirus family.

The total number of cases and deaths have far surpassed those of the SARS outbreak.

Chinese officials have warned that the virus can mutate.

A study of a Chinese family in the southern province of Guangdong found that the virus mutated several times as it spread from one family member to the next. 

But Michael Farzan, a biologist at Scripps Research, told STAT that the mutation rate for the virus was "much, much lower" than that of the flu.

"That lowers the chance that the virus will evolve in some catastrophic way to, say, become significantly more lethal," Farzan said.

In late January, officials quarantined Wuhan and nearby cities by shutting down all transportation. They remain locked down.

All of the city's public transportation — including buses, metros, and ferries — was halted January 23. Trains and airplanes coming into and out of the city were also shut down, and roadblocks were installed to keep taxis and private cars from exiting.

Wuhan's 11 million residents were told not to leave the city, barring special circumstances.

China has imposed travel restrictions on the rest of the Hubei province as well. Huanggang, a city of about 7.5 million people, placed its urban core under lockdown on January 23, closing subway and train stations as well as theaters and internet cafés. Additional cities followed suit with their own travel restrictions.

A CNN analysis in February found that more than 780 million people in China — more than half the population — were under some sort of travel restriction.

As the outbreak grew in January and February, doctors in Wuhan reported that there were not enough resources to treat the large number of patients.

China has less than two physicians for every 1,000 residents, according to data from the WHO.

In Wuhan, patients have faced hours-long lines to receive medical care, the BBC reported. According to Reuters, some people with symptoms of the virus were denied full-time admission to local hospitals in Wuhan because there were no beds available.

The ban on transportation in Wuhan has also forced people to travel by foot to hospitals, The New York Times reported.

Initially, test kits were reportedly reserved for patients with the most severe symptoms.

The New York Times reported that doctors in Wuhan were running short on test kits early in February. After a person has been tested, it takes one to two days for the results to come back. Combined, these factors created a lag time between when people were infected and when cases were confirmed via blood tests.

At the height of the outbreak in China, Wuhan constructed 16 makeshift hospitals. One of those hospitals closed.

Two of the hospitals were constructed in just 10 days.

Construction on the first hospital, the Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital, started January 23. The facility — which includes 1,000 beds — welcomed its first patients on February 3. By its 10th day of operation, the building was running at about full capacity, according to official figures reviewed by Business Insider.

The second hospital, the Leishenshan Hospital, is slightly larger: 1,600 beds. The site's construction started January 27, and the building was completed February 6. 

China also turned an exhibition hall, gymnasium, and sports stadium into emergency medical sites. The stadium turned hospital closed at the beginning of March after discharging its last 34 patients. 

The Chinese government has barred citizens from booking overseas tours, flights, and hotel stays.

Many countries have evacuated citizens and employees from China.

Airports around the world have implemented screening protocols.

Twenty US airports — including New York's John F. Kennedy, Los Angeles International Airport, and Chicago's O'Hare — are screening passengers for the virus. Airports in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and South Korea are also screening people.

US health officials do not recommend face masks for the general public.

For healthy people, hand-washing and avoiding close contact with sick patients is a better way to prevent infection.

"Wearing masks, except in the situation of a healthcare provider, has never been shown to be a very effective way to protect yourself from infectious diseases," Eric Toner, a scientist at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, told Business Insider.

Stocking up on face masks can also reduce the supply for medical workers who need them. 

At a hearing last week, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said the US needed 300 million N95 masks— which filter out most airborne particles from the surrounding air — to protect healthcare workers during an outbreak. At present, it has only 30 million, he said.

The virus has weakened the tourism industry and disrupted supply chains in China, threatening to slow global economic growth to the lowest point since the financial crisis.

Bank of America predicted last week that global gross-domestic-product growth would slow to 2.8% for 2020. That would be the first reading under 3% since the financial crisis, and the lowest reading since 2009.

The Bank of America economist Aditya Bhave wrote in a note that growth momentum was already weak before the outbreak but added that the virus would most likely have "large spillover effects" on the global economy.

There are no vaccines to prevent humans from contracting the virus, but drugmakers are racing to develop one.

At least six drug companies — Johnson & Johnson, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline, Moderna, and Gilead Sciences — have announced plans to research and develop treatments for the new coronavirus.

Some are developing vaccines from scratch, while others are testing existing drugs. Moderna appears to be leading the race so far: The company on Monday said it had sent a vaccine candidate to US health officials.

Fauci has said he hopes to start testing vaccine candidates in people by mid-April.

On February 26, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar declined to promise that a coronavirus vaccine would be affordable for all Americans. A day later, he backtracked, saying that any vaccine developed in conjunction with the US government would need to be financially accessible to the public. 

Rosie Perper, Sinéad Baker, Aylin Woodward, and Ali Millington also contributed to this report.

• Read more:
• We're in an 'age of epidemics,' a scientist says. More diseases like the coronavirus will jump from animals to people.
• The genetic code of the Wuhan coronavirus shows it's 80% similar to SARS. New research suggests a potential way to neutralize the virus.
• Scientists have published over 50 studies on Wuhan coronavirus in the last 3 weeks. They learned that 75,800 people in Wuhan could be infected.
• The first patients have arrived at the hospital China panic-built to treat the Wuhan coronavirus. Here's what it looks like inside.

• The Finnish military announced that it was canceling its participation in Cold Response 20, a multinational exercise involving the US and eight other countries, out of concern about coronavirus.
• A US Marine Corps spokesman told Insider that US forces were "working closely" with Norwegian officials who are "making appropriate adjustments to minimize" exposure of participating military personnel and locals to the virus.
• A soldier at a Norwegian military camp tested positive for coronavirus on March 5. The camp was locked down and that is the only person who has tested positive for the illness, the Norwegian military said.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The Finnish military has canceled the participation of some 400 of its troops in this month's Exercise Cold Response 20 in Norway.

"The participation of the Armed Forces in the Cold Response exercise conducted by the Norwegian Armed Forces from 9 to 19 March 2020 in northern Norway has been canceled due to the [coronavirus] situation," the Finnish army said in a release that was first reported by Norway-based news outlet The Barents Observer.

Those troops had not traveled to Norway and will not do so, the Finnish military said on March 8, when the decision was made to suspend their participation, according to the release.

Cold Response is a biennial Norwegian-led tactical field-training exercise that was to include some 15,000 personnel from the US, the UK, Dutch, German, French, Belgium, Danish, Finnish, and Swedish militaries.

Roughly 1,500 US service members from the Marine Corps, Navy, Army, and Air Force are set to take part.

"Exercise Cold Response 20 is ongoing and we're working closely with our Norwegian Allies, who are making appropriate adjustments to minimize COVID virus exposure to participating military personnel and the local community," Maj. Adrian Rankine-Galloway, a spokesman for US Marine Corps Forces Europe, said in an email on March 8, referring to COVID-19, the infectious disease spread by the recently discovered coronavirus.

"We remain in close coordination with the Norwegian military and public health authorities to ensure the well-being of our personnel and local population," Rankine-Galloway added.

Cold Response 20 is meant to enhance capabilities and allied cooperation in military operations in the harsh Arctic environment, with training exercises on rugged terrain and in extreme cold weather.

Preparing for this environment has been a major focus for the US military in recent years as it reorients toward what military leaders have described as "great power competition."

This year's iteration of Cold Response is meant to "emphasize and test critical activities ranging from the reception of allied and partner reinforcements and command and control interoperability to combined joint combat operations, force sustainment, and combat logistics," according to a release issued at the end of February.

Amphibious operations involving both sea and air assets are also a major focus.

The active portion of the exercise takes place in mid-March in the Tromso region of northern Norway, but there has been military activity around the country since January, as Norwegian and foreign forces move to the exercise areas.

Norwegian military and civilian personnel have taken precautions related to the spread of the coronavirus ahead the exercise. However, on March 5, a soldier in the Skjold military camp, also in the Tromso region, tested positive for it.

The camp was locked down, with 850 soldiers quarantined in the camp or in their homes outside of it, according to the Norwegian military. Norway's Army also took measures to keep the virus from spreading inside the camp.

"So far this is the only person who has tested positive on the coronavirus," the military said. "The Norwegian Armed Forces is continuously conducting tests on other personnel that are suspected of being infected."

Norway's military has also said it is "continuously giving guidelines in Norwegian and English to all units participating in the exercise that they must follow to avoid the spread of infection."

Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services have asked military units to set routines to prevent the introduction and spread of the virus among military units and to prevent further spread of the virus should it be found in Norway.

The NAFJMS also referred to the general advice given by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and "encourage[s] all units to have an increased focus on personal hygiene (including respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette and proper hand hygiene procedures), and to prepare for the isolation and possible testing of personnel showing symptoms of covid-19."

Cold Response 20 overlaps with Exercise Northern Griffin 2020, a Finnish-led exercise lasting until March 22. Forces from Sweden, Norway, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and the UK are participating, with US personnel present as observers, according to The Barents Observer.

SEE ALSO: The US Army is sending 20,000 troops across the Atlantic to see if they have the 'bandwidth' to fight a major war

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NOW WATCH: Pathologists debunk 13 myths about the coronavirus, including why masks won't help

• The UK had reported 273 coronavirus cases and three deaths linked to the virus as of Sunday afternoon.
• The deaths are an older woman with underlying health conditions in Reading, and a man in his 80s in Milton Keynes, and a man in his 60s with "significant" pre-existing health conditions.
• The UK's chief scientific adviser said that coronavirus outbreaks may become an annual event and that a vaccine is unlikely to be created this year.
• Officials are considering plans to order the public to work at home for at least three months.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The UK has reported a total of 273 coronavirus cases and three deaths linked to the virus.

A man in his 60s with "significant" pre-existing health conditions died at North Manchester General Hospital on Sunday.

He was the third person to die in Britain as a result of the virus. An older woman with underlying health conditions died at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading on Thursday. A man in his 80s died at a hospital in Milton Keynes on Friday.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has sought to delay rather than contain an epidemic.

The coronavirus causes a respiratory disease known as COVID-19. More than 3,600 people have died and more than 106,000 others have been infected, mostly in China. Cases have been recorded in at least 105 countries.

The UK has seen a rising number of cases of "community spread": people with no known exposure to others with the virus or travel history to countries where outbreaks have been reported.

For the latest global case total, death toll, and travel information, see Business Insider's live updates here.

Tom Colson and Alison Millington contributed reporting to this post.

A man in his 60s is the third Brit to die after testing positive for coronavirus

A man in his 60s with "significant" underlying health conditions has died after testing positive for coronavirus, NHS England announced on Sunday.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said: "I am very sorry to report that a third patient in England who tested positive for Covid-19 has sadly died.

"I offer my sincere condolences to their family and friends and ask that their privacy is respected."

The man died at North Manchester General Hospital.

As of Sunday afternoon, there had been at least 273 cases in the UK, according to government figures.

A new figure of 273 positive cases was published on the official gov.uk website at around 9 a.m. on Sunday.

This marked the largest single-day increase to date — up 64 from 209 on Saturday.

Since Saturday morning, two more people have tested positive in Wales and three in Northern Ireland, while a student at Oxford University is self-isolating after testing positive.

5 new cases were reported in Scotland on Saturday afternoon.

According to the BBC, the five extra cases were confirmed by the Scottish government.

Two are in Lanarkshire, the area south of Glasgow.

One is in the greater Glasgow area, another in the Lothian area near Edinburgh, and the fifth further north in the Grampian region.

It brings Scotland's total number of cases to 16.

The second UK coronavirus death was confirmed as a man in his 80s.

A man in his 80s died at Milton Keynes hospital, England, on Friday, after contracting the coronavirus.

The hospital confirmed that he had tested positive for the virus and died shortly afterwards.

It follows the death of a woman on Thursday, who also died from COVID-19. The woman, who had underlying health conditions and was in her 70s, died in the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, England.

The latest count is a huge jump from the 164 confirmed UK coronavirus cases that were reported Saturday morning.

The Department of Health's update on Friday afternoon came amid reports of the second death in the UK linked to the virus.

Johnson announced a £46 million package for accelerating efforts to find a coronavirus vaccine.

"Keeping the British people safe is my number one priority, and that's why I've set out our four-part plan to contain, delay, mitigate and research coronavirus,"Johnson said in a statement on Friday.

"We are ensuring the country is prepared for the current outbreak, guided by the science at every stage. But we also need to invest now in researching the vaccines that could help prevent future outbreaks.

"I'm very proud that UK experts — backed by government funding — are on the front line of global efforts to do just that."

UK airlines are running empty flights out of Europe.

Airlines operating out of Europe have run "ghost" flights, without any passengers on board, during the coronavirus outbreak to get around rules that could see them lose their flight slots.

UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has written to regulators asking for a suspension of the rules amid an increasingly gloomy outlook for the industry.

The UK airline Flybe collapsed earlier this week, though it said its financial problems existed long before the outbreak.

There is little chance of a coronavirus vaccine appearing this year.

The UK's chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance, told BBC Radio 4's "Today" program on Friday that this coronavirus outbreak could become an annual outbreak.

Vallance also said it's unlikely a vaccine will be created in time to contain this year's outbreak.

"I don't think we'll get something in time and at scale for this outbreak," he said. "That said, there have been remarkable changes in the ability to make vaccines and discover vaccines just in the last few years. And so things have progressed much more quickly than they would have done in the past, and it's not unreasonable to assume that we will end up with a vaccine and we may do so in a year, 18 months."

British people with flu-like symptoms could be told to stay at home.

UK citizens with flu-like symptoms could be told to stay at home even if they haven't traveled to countries heavily affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Other measures, including plans to reduce big gatherings, are also being considered.

"You've got a range of things that you can do to arrest or check the spread of a disease," Johnson said this week. "But you can't fire your shots too early."

Funerals could be livestreamed if the outbreak escalates.

Funerals could be affected by any ban on large public gatherings.

The National Association of Funeral Directors told Sky News on Thursday that it had spoken with Johnson's government about the steps it could take if the outbreak becomes an epidemic in the UK.

One option would be to livestream funerals, the group said.

"As well as supporting the government and local authorities in managing the impact of the additional deaths, funeral directors would be focused on helping families who lose a loved one during that time in finding meaningful ways to say goodbye — even if the funeral they would have preferred isn't possible," the group told Sky News.

"One option might include the webcasting of funeral services, as many crematoria now have these facilities — or holding a separate memorial service at a later date."

Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty confirmed Britain's first coronavirus-related death on Thursday.

The woman was thought to have contracted the virus in the UK and hadn't traveled to other countries affected by the outbreak, suggesting it's spreading in the UK.

"I am very sorry to report a patient in England who tested positive for Covid-19 has sadly died," Whitty said.

"I offer my sincere condolences to their family and friends and ask that their request for privacy is respected.

"The patient, who was being treated at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, was an older patient who had underlying health conditions. We believe they contracted the virus in the UK and contact tracing is already underway."

In a statement, Johnson said his "sympathies are very much with the victim and their family."

On Thursday, the number of cases in the UK was at 116.

The UK government on Thursday afternoon said the number of cases had risen to 116 from 87 on Wednesday.

Of the cases, 100 were in England, with 25 reported in the capital, London. Eight of the new cases were not people who recently traveled.

Whitty said it was "highly likely" that the virus is being spread in the UK by people who haven't traveled.

He added that it was inevitable that the number of cases in the UK will rise and that it will almost certainly not be possible to prevent an outbreak.

Johnson said school closures "don't work as well" as people might think.

Johnson has sought to play down the threat of the outbreak.

"We need to strike a balance,"Johnson told ITV's "Good Morning" on Thursday, adding that there was no need to close schools at this stage.

"Slightly counterintuitively, things like closing schools and stopping big gatherings don't work as well, perhaps, as people think," he said.

He added, "As far as possible, it should be business as usual for the vast majority of people."

The British government has stopped trying to contain the virus and is now trying to delay it, Whitty said on Thursday.

Whitty said that containing the spread of the virus among the early few patients who caught it is very unlikely and that the government was focused on trying to delay the outbreak until the spring.

Whitty said that approach — which overlaps in many ways with "contain"— had several benefits. Delaying could mean that the National Health Service is in a better position to respond and that the disease could be better managed, possibly with new drugs.

Additionally, delaying an outbreak until the spring or summer could mean the rate of infection goes down, as is generally the case with flu.

What measures are the government considering?

The government's action plan, published this week, outlined several measures that might be introduced if there is a major outbreak:

• Reducing the number of big gatherings, such as Royal Ascot and the Glastonbury Festival, as well as football matches.
• Closing schools.
• Using the armed forces to support emergency services.
• Asking employees across the country to work from home, possibly for about 12 weeks.
• Expanding the public information campaign, which encourages people to wash their hands regularly with warm water.

How is the virus affecting the rest of Europe?

• England's Six Nations rugby games against Italy in Rome on March 14 and 15 were postponed.
• Italy  has put 16 million people on lockdown to control the escalating coronavirus outbreak as the country reports 5,883 COVID-19 cases and 233 deaths.
• All professional sports in Italy will be played behind closed doors for a month.
• Switzerland reported its first coronavirus death, a 74-year-old woman who died in hospital, on Thursday.

What advice is the government giving about avoiding the coronavirus?

According to the NHS, the best way to avoid catching or spreading the virus is to:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Always wash your hands when you get home or into work.
• Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
• Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterward.
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth if your hands are not clean.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The symptoms of coronavirus include a cough, a high temperature, and shortness of breath.

They don't necessarily mean a person has the illness, however, as they are also similar to illnesses like the common cold or the flu.

• A secret project at Amazon known as "Project Gesundheit" is working toward developing a cure for the common cold, CNBC reported.
• The secretive project is part of Amazon's "Grand Challenge" R&D initiative lead by Babak Parviz, who previously led an R&D group at Alphabet, Google's parent company. 
• While developing a cure to the many viruses that cause a common cold has long been thought as impossible, recent breakthroughs, like one at Stanford University, have indicated it might be more likely that once thought.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Amazon has been working on a cure to the common cold as part of a "years-long" top-secret project known as "Project Gesundheit," according to CNBC.

CNBC cited three people who had worked on the secret project, though over 100 people work on the project that includes scientists and technologists. They reportedly work as part of Amazon's "Grand Challenge" research and development group, which has never been publicly acknowledged by Amazon.

The group, sometimes called by codename "1492" is led by Babak Parviz, who previously led Google X, the R&D group at Alphabet, Google's parent company, CNBC reported.

According to the report Friday, the project hasn't been entirely focused on healthcare projects, though they have been a major initiative of the group. In 2018, CNBC had reported the project was working on research into cancer treatments and diagnostic technologies.

A cure for the common cold has widely been viewed as impossible as there are 160 known types of rhinovirus that cause what we call the common cold, according to Scientific American.

In addition to the practicality of finding a common cold cure, others have pointed out such a drug would have to have virtually zero side effects, as the common cold typically subsides within a week to two weeks. Side effects could be more severe than the virus itself, venture capitalist Mike Pellini told CNBC.

Amazon's attempt would not be the first one to cure a common cold. Scientific American reported scientists began working on a cure in the 1950s after rhinoviruses were first discovered. More recently — in 2019 — scientists at Stanford reported making strides toward developing a cure for the illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control, millions of people get a cold each year in the US, and most adults get two to three of them per year.

Pellini also said it's unclear whether health insurance companies would want to foot the bill for such a cure.

Read more:

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What you need to know about changing or canceling your travel plans because of the coronavirus, as outbreaks spread to every continent except Antarctica

Parents are struggling to cope as coronavirus worries shut down schools, leaving kids scared and confused

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• Oil markets tumbled the most in decades overnight on Sunday. The sell-off was fueled by sinking demand due to coronavirus concerns.
• This was the biggest drop since the Gulf War in 1991, and it comes amid the collapse of a crucial OPEC+ alliance, which in turn triggered an all-out price war. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Oil futures tumbled 31% in a matter of seconds overnight on Sunday, their sharpest decline since the Gulf War in 1991. The losses are being fueled by sinking demand due to coronavirus concerns, which has in turn sparked a series of price cuts.

Saudi Arabia slashed its prices by the most in at least 20 years over the weekend. A price-cut free-for-all has broken out globally following the collapse of an OPEC+ alliance last week. Talks broke down after Russia refused to meet Saudi Arabia's request for output cuts, which would boost prices.

Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average sank more than 900 points, while S&P 500 futures were hit with a 4% drop at open on Monday. Goldman Sachs analysts have warned that the price of oil could tumble even further, to $20 a barrel.

The drop follows an oil prices plunge on Friday amid concerns that coronavirus will slash demand for fuel. Prices sank as much as 11% — the most since 2014.

The latest development comes after OPEC warned on Thursday that it expects global oil demand to increase by 480,000 barrels per day this year — less than half its 1.1 million barrel-per-day estimate in December. In response, it recommended cutting output by 1.5 million BPD for the rest of this year.

The coronavirus outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China, has killed more than 3,800 people and infected more than 109,000. The virus, which causes a disease known as COVID-19, has spread to at least 105 other countries.

SEE ALSO: Oil plunges 11%, the most since 2014, after Russia refuses Saudi Arabia's request to cut output

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Buying a home, particularly for Millennials, is a complicated and expensive process – at times it can be complicated and expensive enough to discourage potential buyers from even trying.

Enter Divvy, one of the many Silicon Valley startups working to change the way people buy homes. The company is specifically interested in providing alternative financing options for prospective homebuyers who don't qualify for traditional mortgages.

Divvy accomplishes this by purchasing homes outright and allowing customers to pay the company back through monthly installments — 25% of the total goes toward building equity and 75% goes toward paying "rent."

And some top venture capitalists have bought into Divvy's mission as well. In October 2018, Divvy raised a $30 million series A round led by Andreessen Horowitz, with participation from Caffeinated Capital, DFJ, and Affirm CEO Max Levchin.

Divvy helped purchase homes for more than 100 buyers in its first year, but it has much higher hopes. The startup's official mission is to put 100,000 families into their first homes within five years.

To really understand Divvy's strategy, Business Insider Prime has published the investor deck the company used to acquire that $30 million in funding. Simply enter your email address to receive a FREE download of the full deck!

BI Prime is publishing dozens of stories like this each and every day, chock full of exclusive content and industry analysis. Get started by reading the full investor deck.

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• Sen. Ted Cruz announced on Sunday that he is entering into a 14-day self-quarantine after a brief interaction with a person who tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. 
• In a statement on Sunday night, Cruz said he came to the decision "out of an abundance of caution" after a person who attended the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last month tested positive for the disease.
• A number of White House officials — including President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence — and over 19,000 others attended the conservative yearly gathering. 
• Republican Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona also announced on Sunday that he would self-quarantine after he and members of his staff came into contact with the infected attendee. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Sen. Ted Cruz announced on Sunday that he is entering into a 14-day self-quarantine after a brief interaction with a person who tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. 

In a statement on Sunday night, Cruz said he came to the decision "out of an abundance of caution," after a person who attended the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last month tested positive for the disease.

The American Conservative Union (ACU) organized the event, where a number of White House officials over 19,000 others were in attendance. The ACU announced the new coronavirus case on Saturday. 

"Last night, I was informed that 10 days ago at CPAC I briefly interacted with an individual who is currently symptomatic and has tested positive for COVID-19. That interaction consisted of a brief conversation and a handshake," Cruz said in a statement. 

"I'm not experiencing any symptoms, and I feel fine and healthy. Given that the interaction was 10 days ago, that the average incubation period is 5-6 days, that the interaction was for less than a minute, and that I have no current symptoms, the medical authorities have advised me that the odds of transmission from the other individual to me were extremely low," Cruz said. 

"Nevertheless, out of an abundance of caution, and because of how frequently I interact with my constituents as a part of my job and to give everyone peace of mind, I have decided to remain at my home in Texas this week, until a full 14 days have passed since the CPAC interaction," he added. 

President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and a number of other top cabinet members and White House officials were slated to speak at the annual gathering. According to the ACU, the attendee caught the virus prior to the conference and was later diagnosed at a New Jersey hospital. He has been placed under quarantine. 

According to the ACU, the attendee who tested positive for the virus did not interact with Trump or Pence, and did not attend events in the main hall. The group advised those who attended the conference to remain calm and listen to health professionals. 

Republican Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona also announced on Sunday that he was going into self-quarantine after he and members of his staff came into contact with the infected attendee. 

"I have been informed that during the CPAC conference members of my staff and I came into contact with an individual who has since tested positive for, and is hospitalized for, COVID-19," Gosar said. "I was with the individual for an extended period of time, and we shook hands several times." 

"I am not currently experiencing any symptoms, nor is any member of my staff. However, in order to prevent any potential transmission, I will remain at my home in Arizona until the conclusion of the 14-day period following my interaction with this individual," he said. 

"Additionally, out of an abundance of caution, I am closing my office in Washington, D.C. for the week and my team will follow the previously approved Tele-commute plan," he added. 

As of Sunday, 21 people in the US have died from the coronavirus: 18 in Washington state, two in Florida, and one in California. The US has reported at least 547 coronavirus cases in total across 33 states. 

More than 3,800 people have died and more than 109,600 others have been infected, about 80% of whom are in China. 

• Read more:
• The US government has completed fewer than 6,000 coronavirus tests as more states report new cases and deaths
• California, Washington, and New York have declared states of emergency to fight coronavirus – here's what it means
• The number of coronavirus cases outside China could jump tenfold every 19 days without 'strong intervention,' a study says
• A medical expert is going viral for a passionate post warning that mass panic about the coronavirus could do more damage than the disease itself
•  

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• The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has infected more than 100,000 people and killed 3,460 people worldwide since the first case was reported in December 2019. 
• People across the globe are quarantining out of concern for the virus and, in some cases, due to government mandates.
• Business Insider has rounded up the best tips on how to carry on with everyday life during a quarantine. 
• From quarantine-friendly workout routines that don't require a trip to a crowded gym, strategies on stockpiling healthy foods, and how to manage anxiety, here's a compilation of coronavirus advice. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

People across the globe are quarantining out of concern for the virus and, in some cases, due to government mandates, as the coronavirus continues to spread. Over 100,000 people have contracted the virus, at least 3,400 have died, and several countries have imposed states of emergencies.

Quarantines — and general concern about a fast-spreading virus — can have a heavy impact on day-to-day life, but there are certain things you can do to help reduce your anxiety and keep your daily routine chugging along. 

Business Insider has rounded up experts' takes on how to carry on with everyday life during the outbreak, from quarantine-friendly workout routines that don't require a trip to a crowded gym to strategies on stockpiling healthy foods to how to manage anxiety.

SEE ALSO: Alcohol-free hand sanitizer prices are skyrocketing, but they don't actually work to prevent the coronavirus

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Clear out old food that might go bad and stock up on non-perishable items from major food groups like beans, rice, olive oil, and nuts.

Before stocking up for a quarantine, it can be important to make room in your fridge and cabinets by clearing out any old or expired foods. 

After that, make sure to load up on foods from all essential food groups — protein, grains, vegetables, and healthy fats. Get these in the form of fresh foods like vegetables and meats and non-perishable items like canned good. 

Dry goods like rice, pasta, beans, and oats are a good foundation, according to Alyssa Pike, registered dietitian and manager of nutrition communications at the International Food Information Council.

They have long shelf lives, are easy to store, and can be incorporated into a variety of nutritious meals. Be sure to store them properly — keeping your grains in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to maintain the quality.

Use fresh foods before turning to non-perishable items like canned vegetables and soups.

Before turning to your non-perishables, make sure to incorporate all of your fresh foods like vegetables, fruits, and protein into your meals.

If you're concerned about a possible quarantine, an easy first step is to assess what you already have in stock, and get rid of things you don't need, advised Brigitte Zeitlin, a registered dietitian and owner of BZ Nutrition. 

"First do a quick scan of your pantry and freezer and throw out anything past its expiration date. It's just taking up space that we need for good stuff," she said. 

Mealprepping fresh meals and freezing them can be a good way of incorporating unprocessed, healthy foods to your quarantine diet. 

"When you're not quarantined and have access to all the food shopping you can handle, prepping some things to put in the freezer will add some diversity, which you'll need if you're eating the same stuff for two weeks," Zeitlin said. 

You can make a solid exercise routine out of burpees, push-ups, and squats at home instead of going to the gym, personal trainers say.

As the coronavirus continues to cause concern worldwide, gym-goers have begun to think twice about sharing equipment, locker rooms, and towels. Although the virus doesn't survive well on highly-sanitized surfaces, fitness professionals and enthusiasts are wary. 

Certain at home workouts that employ body weight and everyday surfaces like burpees, squats, and pushups can be helpful in replacing gym equipment and eliminating contact with everyday gym goers. 

"You don't need a gym to be fit unless you're a hardcore weight-lifter," certified personal trainer Bryan Goldberg told Business Insider's Gabby Landsverk. "The average person can get fit and stay fit in the confines of their bunker."

Limit your media exposure to ease anxiety about the coronavirus during quarantine.

Since the onset of the coronavirus, news headline after news headline has reflected the growing concern about the virus — making it different for people to get away from anxiety related to the virus. 

Because panic arises when people overestimate a threat and underestimate their coping abilities, "watching coverage that repeatedly emphasizes both the rapid spread of coronavirus and lack of effective treatment" is a fuel for the anxiety fire, Julie Pike, a clinical psychologist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, who specializes in anxiety disorders, told Business Insider. 

Rather than focusing on the headlines, be on the look out for essential information from health organizations like the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization, while blocking out sensational news stories. 

Keep in touch with people over the phone, video calling, or through online services.

Loneliness can be a result of the self-isolation required during a quarantine. Not seeing coworkers, friends, and family members for long periods of time can lead to bouts of sadness. 

In order to stay connected with people despite having to stay indoors, calling people to stay in touch can be a good way to manage the quarantine blues. 

Some services specific to the Quarantine like QuarantineChat have even been developed to help people stay connected across the globe through voice chat with others impacted by the virus. 

As anxiety about the coronavirus spreads, artists Danielle Baskin and Max Hawkins told Insider they wanted to provide a service to help people build community in spite of it — inspiring them to create QuarantineChat. 

"It's to bring magic and serendipity to a new reality where thousands of people are stuck inside alone for the next month all over the world," Baskin and Hawkins told Business Insider. 

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds — and tell your friends to as well.

Ultimately, the largest defense against contracting the coronavirus is washing your hands for 20 seconds or longer and do it often, according to the CDC. 

If you have trouble keeping track of time, there are plenty of songs than can help like the "Happy Birthday" song sung twice or the chorus of "Juicy" by Doja Cat. 

Hand sanitizer can be an effective means of disinfecting surfaces and hands for most germs, but it is absolutely no replacement for washing your hands with soup and warm water. 

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We're in an 'age of epidemics,' a scientist says. More diseases like the coronavirus will jump from animals to people.

The genetic code of the Wuhan coronavirus shows it's 80% similar to SARS. New research suggests a potential way to neutralize the virus.

Scientists have published over 50 studies on Wuhan coronavirus in the last 3 weeks. They learned that 75,800 people in Wuhan could be infected.

The first patients have arrived at the hospital China panic-built to treat the Wuhan coronavirus. Here's what it looks like inside.

• US Army Lt. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of US soldiers in Europe, is working remotely after possibly being exposed to the coronavirus during a recent conference.
• Cavoli took command of the US Army in Europe in January 2018 and speaks Italian, Russian, and French.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The Army general in charge of US soldiers in Europe and his staff are working remotely after they may have been exposed to the coronavirus (COVID-19) during a recent conference.

"Out of an abundance of caution and following recommended protocols, he and others potentially affected are self-monitoring and working remotely to fulfill their command duties and responsibilities," Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy said in a statement on Monday, referring to Lt. Gen. Christopher Cavoli.

Cavoli assumed command of US Army forces in Europe in January 2018 and speaks Italian, Russian, and French.

"The health and welfare of our Soldiers, Families, Civilians, Allies and Partners is a critical priority," McCarthy said. "We'll continue to provide them the most up-to-date information on appropriate measures to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19."

The Army is conducting daily assessments of the situation and consulting with medical professionals, among others, the secretary said.

He further explained that the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and the US Army Medical Research and Development Command "are working on research efforts to control, contain and prevent the virus."

Army researchers are currently working to develop a vaccine for the coronavirus, Army officials told reporters at the Pentagon on Thursday.

The first phase of testing, which involves testing on mice, is underway, said Dr. Kayvon Modjarrad, director of Emerging Infectious Diseases at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. The next step is to test the vaccine on larger animals, such as monkeys.

It is unclear when human trials will begin, but a vaccine capable of combating the coronavirus is at least a year, maybe longer, away."The earliest, earliest, earliest [is] probably 12 to 18 months to get something out to the population," Modjarrad said.

SEE ALSO: The Navy won't let recruits' families go to their graduation ceremony because of coronavirus fears

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NOW WATCH: Pathologists debunk 13 myths about the coronavirus, including why masks won't help

• Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said one of Apple's recent iPhone updates "broke" his email system.
• The remark was made on stage during the Satellite 2020 conference when asked about the importance of software.
• Musk didn't elaborate on the specific software update he was referring to, but Apple's iOS 13 update was criticized for launching with bugs and glitches in September. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Apple's iOS 13 software update launched with several bugs and glitches last fall, and it seems like even Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk noticed.

When speaking on stage at the Satellite 2020 conference, Musk was asked about the importance of software and the role it will play in future endeavors, such as missions to Mars. The interviewer specifically asked Musk about a previous remark he had made about technology naturally decaying as a result of skills fading over time.

When asked about whether this is an issue that must be considered when planning a mission to Mars, since much of the technology is powered by software in addition to hardware, Musk clarified the point he was trying to make.

"What I was referring to is that technology does not automatically improve," Musk said. "People are used to the phone being better every year. I'm an iPhone user, but I think some of the recent software updates have like been not great, certainly feeding into that point. It, like, broke my email system. . .which is quite fundamental." 

Musk didn't elaborate on the specifics of the software updates he was referring to, but Apple's iOS 13 release was criticized for launching with bugs and glitches in September. In the hours following iOS 13's debut, users had complained about a variety of issues impacting features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and the on-screen keyboard.

Apple launched a software update in the days after to address such issues, and the company is reportedly overhauling its development system to prevent such glitches from surfacing in its next big iPhone update, according to Bloomberg.

Back in 2017, a bug in the iPhone's iOS 11.1 software caused the letter "I" to be automatically changed to a capital letter "A" with a question mark. 

Musk went on to discuss the importance of getting fresh talent into the tech industry to solve software-related issues, not just for troubleshooting but for looking at longer-term problems around retiring old code bases and creating new ones.

"We certainly need a lot more smart people to work in software," he said. 

See the full interview below. 

SEE ALSO: 10 features Samsung's Galaxy S20 phones have that Apple's latest iPhones are missing

Join the conversation about this story »

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• Not everyone is born with pin-straight hair, but even if your hair is super curly, a good hair straightener can give you the sleek look you crave.
• The HSI Professional Hair Straightener is our top pick because it provides high-quality, professional results for all kinds of hair types at a budget-friendly price. But there are a few others you might want to look at before deciding.
• To ensure you get the best straightening results without damaging your hair, check out our guide to the best heat protectant sprays under $25.

If you want to achieve sleek, pin-straight hair, a high-quality hair straightener should be in your beauty arsenal. A hair straightener, also known as a flat iron, smooths the follicle of your hair between two heated plates. Some hair straighteners can even do double duty, creating loose waves and curls without the frizz. When choosing the best hair straightener to get those shampoo commercial-worthy locks, there are several things to consider to make sure you'll get the best style result, but the most important is hair type.

No two heads of hair are the same, so the straightener that does wonders on your best friend's fine tresses may be useless on your curly mane. Luckily, there are many different types of hair straighteners. Some provide higher heat settings and wide plates to tackle thick curly hair, and others have ceramic plates and options for low heat settings that are better suited to easily damaged fine hair.

Your hair type should be the first thing you consider before purchasing a hair straightener to make sure you're buying one that will give you the best results. We also have more tips to help you shop later on in our guide.

We've taken everything into consideration and read the buyer reviews to find the best hair straighteners that will help you achieve salon-quality results in your own home.

Here are the best hair straighteners:

• Best hair straightener overall: HSI Professional Hair Straightener
• Best luxury hair straightener: GHD Platinum+ Pro Performance Styler
• Best for thick hair: Xtava Pro Satin Infrared Flat Iron
• Best for fine hair: Karmin G3 Salon Professional Styling Iron
• Best for travel: BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Mini Hair Straightener

Prices and links are current as of 3/9/20. We updated our pick for the best luxury hair straightener from the GHD Gold Professional Styling Iron to the GHD Platinum+ Pro Performance Styler. We also added a selection of related buying guides. We are currently assembling a team of people with varying hair textures to test new hair straighteners. We'll update this guide soon with our results.

SEE ALSO: The best hair dryers for every hair type and budget

The best overall

The HSI Professional hair straightener can straighten many different hair types with ease. It also comes with a heat protectant so you're less likely to damage your hair.

While it may not be one of the more familiar names in hair styling the HSI Professional hair straightener goes to show that an unfamiliar brand name doesn't always mean lesser quality. It's much cheaper than many of the high-end hair straighteners, but this flat iron still provides great results.

It can make your hair sleek and straight, but its 1-inch plates also allow you to curl and flip your hair for added versatility, so you can change up your look with one styling tool. 

The plates of the HSI Professional are made of solid ceramic that is infused with tourmaline. The combination allows for consistent temperature and gives hair a smooth finish. The wide range of heat settings, starting at 140 degrees Fahrenheit and going up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, gives you more control over styling and makes this an ideal straightener for multiple hair types.

Those with fine hair can keep the straightener at a lower temperature, while those with thick hair can increase the temperature to ensure they'll walk away with the same smooth results. No matter your hair type, the floating plate design and the curved edges of the plates themselves prevent any snagging or damage so your hair will glide through smoothly.

The cord won't tangle thanks to its 360-degree swivel feature, which allows the cord to rotate as you move the straightener around your head.

If you plan on doing some traveling, this flat iron has a worldwide dual voltage of 110-220 volts so you won't fry your hair straightener (or your hair) if you plug it in abroad. The HSI Professional doesn't have an automatic shut off, so you'll have to remember to shut it off when you're finished styling.

The placement of the controls may be a downside for some, since they're on the inside of the handle instead of the outside, making them a little harder to view and adjust. This isn't necessarily a complete negative, though, since it prevents you from accidentally changing the temperature.

Despite these downsides, the HSI Professional comes with plenty of positives, including extras not often found with other hair straighteners. Along with the straightener, you'll receive a carrying case, a heat-resistant glove for easier hair styling, a style guide, and a travel-size argan oil leave-in hair treatment serum to smooth and protect your hair. This is more than most high-end hair straighteners come with, all for a fraction of the price.

Pros: Works on multiple hair types, wide range of temperature control, versatile style options, heats up quickly, 360-degree swivel cord, affordable

Cons: No automatic shut off, placement of the controls is inconvenient

The best luxury hair straightener

The GHD Platinum+ Pro Performance Styler heats up quickly and prevents damage so your hair won't won't succumb to split-ends. 

The GHD brand is a favorite among celebrity hair stylists because of its reliability and shiny, frizz-free results. Just because you aren't setting foot on the red carpet anytime soon doesn't mean that you can't have celebrity quality hair. The GHD Platinum+ Pro Performance Styler makes it possible for you to achieve shiny and frizz-free results at home, so you can feel red carpet ready even if you're just grabbing coffee with friends.

This is a high-end hair straightener often used by professionals, and the price reflects that. However, if you're willing to pay more and you'll be using this tool often, the GHD Gold is a worthwhile investment for your hair that will last.

While temperature control is typically a good thing to have in a hair straightener, it can also result in hair damage if you're keeping the temperature too high. The GHD Platinum+ Pro eliminates the chance of any user error, operating at an even 365 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the optimal temperature for most hair types, getting you smooth results without damaging your hair. The 1-inch plates heat up quickly and maintain an even temperature, eliminating the chance for any hair damaging hot spots as well.

The floating plates are contoured with smooth edges, so you won't have to worry about your hair snagging as you're styling and the wishbone hinge prevents you from pinching your hair too tightly between the plates.

If you travel abroad often, you won't have to worry about ruining your investment, either, because the GHD Platinum+ Pro has universal voltage. It also features a generously long 9-foot cord with 360-degree rotation to prevent tangling. The automatic sleep mode shuts off the straightener if it hasn't been used in 30 minutes, so you'll have peace of mind if you forget to shut it off in your morning rush out the door. 

Pros: Heats up quickly, ceramic plates for even heating, 365-degree heat setting to prevent damage, different plate sizes to choose from, automatic shut off, universal voltage, 360-degree rotating cord

Cons: Expensive, no temperature settings

The best for thick hair

The 2-inch-wide plates of the Xtava Pro Satin Infrared flat iron can straighten thick or long hair faster than others, and it quickly heats up to 445 degrees.

For those with thick hair, the idea of "quick styling" often feels like an impossible dream. However, straight, sleek hair doesn't have to be a luxury reserved for those with fine hair, especially when you have a styling tool designed to tackle even the thickest, curliest hair like the Xtava Pro.

This straightener has double-wide plates to cover more surface area in less time. The infrared technology allows for fast, even heating that starts at the inside first and is sustained by the solid ceramic plates. These plates are coated with tourmaline to help reduce frizz and leave you with a sleek, shiny finish. 

Now that you know what the Xtava Pro is capable of, it's worth running through the features that make those results possible. Along with the solid ceramic plates for even heating, there are 10 temperature settings to choose from for optimal styling control. The temperatures are shown on an easy to read digital display and range from 265 degrees to 445 degrees Fahrenheit.

It's important to remember to start with a lower temperature first, and only increase heat as needed. The 90-second heat-up technology will get you styling in no time, and when you're finished, the straightener can be stored in its heat-resistant travel case.

Speaking of traveling, if you're planning on going abroad, the dual voltage plug will allow you to use your hair straightener wherever your final destination may be. The 8-foot, 360-degree swivel cord will also give you ample room for styling as you tame your tresses, and prevent any frustrating tangling from occurring.

If you're in a hurry and do forget to shut this straightener off — not to worry — the automatic shut off feature will power down the Xtava after 60 minutes. For extra peace of mind, if something does go wrong, the Xtava comes with a 2-year warranty and money-back guarantee.

There are few downsides to the Xtava. Its wider plates make it a little less versatile, as it isn't designed to curl or flip hair. Some reviewers also complained about the awkward placement of the control buttons, which can make it easy to shut off if you aren't paying attention to how you're holding on to the straightener.

While the lack of versatility could be a negative for some, there is a "lock" option that provides a solution to the button placement and will prevent you from turning off the straightener accidentally.

Pros: 2-inch-wide plates for faster styling, infrared technology for more effective heating, 10 temperature control options, digital temperature display, automatic shut off, 360-degree swivel cord, dual voltage plug for travel

Cons: Wide plates aren't ideal for curling or flipping, some reviewers didn't like the placement of the control buttons

The best for fine hair

Whether you have naturally fine hair that's prone to heat damage, or you have hair that's already fragile due to chemical treatments like dyeing, the Karmin G3 Professional Styling Iron is a professional hair straightener that will give you salon-quality results at home while protecting it from further damage.

Fine hair is especially prone to heat damage, and with such fine strands, it can be hard to maintain any sort of volume. Luckily, there are hair straighteners like the Karmin G3 that are designed with fine hair in mind.

The plates of this hair straightener are solid ceramic and coated with tourmaline. The ceramic provides even heating, preventing hot spots and temperature fluctuations so you can apply heat safely to your hair. Tourmaline adds extra shine and helps keep fine-haired flyaways at bay.

This styling iron has 1-inch plates, allowing it to do more than just straighten. It can also curl, flip, and be used to add volume if your hair tends to fall flat. It heats up in under 30 seconds so you can start styling almost right away, and there are a wide range of temperature settings from 250 degrees to 460 degrees Fahrenheit. While the high-temperature options make this straightener ideal for other hair types, too, if you do have fine hair you'll want to keep this in the lower temperature range.

In addition to a fast heat-up time and multiple temperature settings, the 9-foot cord and 360 swivel make for easier styling and prevents and tangling. You can also travel with this styling iron thanks to the dual voltage settings. Anti-slip edges and floating plates allow your hair to glide effortlessly between the plates, with no pulling or snagging which can be especially damaging for fine hair.

The Karmin G3 has an automatic sleep mode so it will shut off after one hour, and comes with a heatproof mat/carrying case combo so ideally if you remember to shut it off after using, you can also pack it up right away. This styling iron also comes with a generous three-year warranty for even more peace of mind.

It should be noted that the Karmin G3 is on the more expensive side, but its features and its results make it a worthy investment. If you plan on using heat to style your hair often, it's worth investing in a high-quality styling tool that will give you versatility, and won't damage your hair.

Pros: Ceramic plates for even heating, heats up quickly, wide range of temperature options, can be used to add volume and curl as well as straighten, automatic shut off, long 360-degree swivel cord, dual voltage settings for travel

Cons: Expensive

The best for travel

The BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Mini hair straightener is a super-compact, 6-inch flat iron with dual voltage that makes it ideal for travel.

While some travel-sized hair straighteners are too small to heat up effectively, the BaBylissPRo Nano Mini combines functionality with a compact size, so you can have a travel-friendly hair straightener that is just as effective as its full-sized cousin.

The ½ inch plates allow the BaBylissPro Mini to get close to the scalp, so it will straighten hair from root to tip. It's lightweight and compact at six inches long, so it will fit easily in a purse or carry-on bag with no hassle. It comes with a heat resistant travel pouch for storage so you can pack up and go at a moment's notice before or after straightening your hair.

The plates are a combination of titanium and ceramic, so you get the best of both worlds: fast heat-up time and even temperature control. The adjustable temperature allows the plates to heat up to an impressive 430 degrees Fahrenheit, making this travel iron ideal even for those who have coarse, curly hair that's typically difficult to straighten.

Since this is a travel flat iron, dual voltage is a must, and it delivers on this front as well so you won't have to worry about blowing a fuse and frying your hair or your straightener. It offers almost all the same features and the same technology as the full-sized BaBylissPro Nano Titanium at an extremely budget-friendly price.

There are a few downsides to the BaBylissPro Mini. For those with longer hair, it may take a little more time to straighten than it would with a normal-sized straightener. It also lacks the 360-degree swivel cord and automatic shut-off found in most full-size hair straighteners. However, these downsides can be overlooked when taking the other features into consideration, like its lightweight, compact size and the fact that it can still hold the same temperatures as a full-sized hair straightener.

Pros: Lightweight and compact, titanium and ceramic plates for quick and consistent heating, can heat up to 430 degrees, comes with heat resistant carrying case

Cons: May take longer to style long hair because of the small plates, no automatic shut-off, no 360-degree swivel cord

What to look for in a straightener

Plate Size

If you have thick hair or want to cover more surface area to speed up the hair straightening process, a hair straightener with larger plates may be the best option for you. If you have a shorter hairstyle, fine hair, or you plan on using your straightener to create waves and curls, you may find a straightener with 1-inch plates easier to handle.

Plate Material

The plate material you choose can also make a big difference on your style results. Ceramic, titanium, and tourmaline are the most common terms you'll come across. Ceramic plates hold heat well and provide even heat distribution, preventing any hot spots on the plates can cause damage. Ceramic is especially effective for fine hair that can be especially vulnerable to heat damage. While many hair straighteners have ceramic coated plates, plates made entirely from this material are more effective, as this coating can wear off over time. Tourmaline is a gemstone, but when crushed and used to coat the plates of a hair straightener, it has properties and results similar to ceramic plates.

Titanium is a lightweight metal that heats up very quickly and can hold high heat at a consistent temperature. This material is ideal for those who have thick, curly, or natural hair that can be more difficult to straighten. Since it's lighter than ceramic, it also makes for a lighter hair straightener overall, which means less arm strain as you're taming your mane. As someone who has very thick hair, I can attest — Any feature that can make styling easier and faster is a plus.

Cord length

Seemingly small details like cord length can make all the difference in the effectiveness of a beauty tool. A longer cord length is desirable here, giving you more freedom and versatility depending on the power outlet situation in your home or your hotel if you're traveling. A cord with 360 swivel capabilities is also a plus. You'll be moving your hair straightener all around your head as you style, and a rotating cord will keep it from getting tangled.

Automatic shut off

You're on your way to work with your perfectly styled hair, ready for that big client meeting…and suddenly you're not sure if you remembered to turn off your hair straightener. Cue the mind spiral where you imagine being responsible for your entire apartment building burned to the ground. We admit. it may be a bit dramatic, but it's definitely not a good feeling to start the day with.

The solution? Automatic shut off. That way, even if you do forget to turn off your hair straightener, you can be at ease knowing it will turn off on its own automatically. Not all hair straighteners come with this feature, and if you don't have an issue remembering to turn these types of things off it may not be necessary. Still, a little peace of mind and extra precaution never hurt.

Temperature control

The more temperature control options you have, the more control you'll have over the heat you'll be applying to your hair. Keep in mind, any type of heat styling can be damaging to your strands, so you want to take care not to use too much high heat, especially if you're styling daily. Flat irons that have lower temperature options that start around 250 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for those with thin, damage-prone hair. If you do have thick hair, higher heat settings can help straighten those curls. To help prevent damage, you should start with lower heat first, and then only increase as needed. Keep in mind, anything above 400 degrees has the potential to damage your hair. Even those with coarse, curly hair should stay within the 350-400 degree range to be safe.

Don't forget about heat protection

Any type of heat styling — whether you're blow drying your hair, curling it, or straightening it — has the potential for causing damage. That's why it's important to be proactive. Before you start straightening your hair, make sure you apply a thermal protectant first!

Check out our other hair styling guides

The best curling irons

Out of all the heat styling tools you can use on your hair, the curling iron is the one that requires the most practice, particularly to see what type of curl and look you like. However, the results you can achieve are just as reliant upon the type of curling iron you choose. Whether you have fine hair, thick hair, or something that falls in-between, these are the best curling irons.

The best heat protectant sprays

If you use any type of heat styling tool on your hair — whether it's a hair dryer, curling iron, or straightener — a heat protectant is a must-have. Without a properly applied protectant, the heat will dry out your hair, making it brittle and prone to breakage. These are the best heat protectant sprays.

The best hair dryers

No matter how many curling wands or straighteners you have in your arsenal, you need to have a quality blow dryer in the mix as well. It dries hair quickly, can tamp down frizz better than any styling product, and depending on your dexterity, can also help straighten or curl your hair. These are the best hair dryers.

The best straightening brushes

There's a new type of styling tool in town — the straightening brush. These handy styling tools provide a quick, easy, and effective way to get smooth, shiny hair with professional-looking results. These are the best straightening brushes.

The best anti-frizz products

It's not just the summer heat and sky-high humidity that can wreak havoc on your hair. Rain and damp weather can turn it from smooth to frizzy in an instant. It's important to be prepared and have a good anti-frizz product in your beauty arsenal to prevent bad hair days. These are our top picks.

• You can add emojis to your Discord text by using the emoji menu or by typing out its name.
• If you own your own server or have permission to do so in another one, you can also add your own custom emojis to Discord — however, they can only be used in that specific server.
• With a Discord Nitro subscription, you can use one server's custom emojis in any other server.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Emojis can be useful shorthand for tone and meaning in a virtual conversation. On Discord, they can be indispensable, depending on the group you're in. 

If you're interested in adding emojis to your text in Discord, you can use the preloaded ones, or you can upload customized ones.

Here's what you need to know about how to use emojis in Discord, using either the desktop or browser apps for Mac and PC, or the mobile app for iPhone and Android devices.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

MacBook Pro (From $1,299.99 at Best Buy)

Lenovo IdeaPad 130 (From $299.99 at Best Buy)

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Best Buy)

Samsung Galaxy S10 (From $899.99 at Best Buy)

How to add emojis to Discord

The easiest option is to use the emojis that are accessible with any Discord account. To do that, you have a few options.

Firstly, you can use the emoji menu. In the desktop and browser apps, you can open this by clicking the gray smiley face on the right side of the message box. In the mobile app, tap the gray smiley face on the left side of the message box.

The emoji menu contains both standard and Discord-exclusive emojis, as well as a section that tracks what emojis you've used the most.

Alternatively, you can type in the name of the emoji you want to use. Every emoji has a name, bracketed by colons, which you can find via the emoji menu. For example, 😄 is named :smile: and so on.

The other option you may wish to consider is uploading your own custom emojis to your Discord account. 

How to add custom emojis to a Discord server

The process is simple, assuming you have permission to add them to the server. Discord will even resize images of up to 128x128 pixels so that they fit the required specifications.

Note, however, that if you don't have a Discord Nitro account, you can only use these custom emojis in the server they've been uploaded to. You'll need to pay for a Nitro account to use them in other servers. You'll also need a Nitro account to use animated emojis.

To upload your own emojis, you'll need to use the desktop or browser version of Discord.

1. Open the server you want to upload an emoji to, and then click the down-arrow next to the server's name in the top-left corner of the screen.

2. Select "Server Settings."

3. Click "Emojis" in the left sidebar and then select "Upload Emoji."

4. Select your image and add it to your server. 

If you plan on doing this, be aware that you're capped at 50 custom emojis per server by default.

If you want more emoji slots, you'll need to have users with Discord Nitro accounts "boost" your server. If enough users boost your server, you can add up to 250 custom emojis.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to connect your Spotify account to Discord, so everyone can see what music you're listening to

• How to play iMessage games on an iPhone with your contacts

• How to get free games on Steam in 2 ways, including through the official Steam store

• How to gift games on a PS4 by sharing a PlayStation Store Cash Card, since you can't gift games directly

• How to hide games in your Steam library to reduce clutter and put your favorite games front-and-center

SEE ALSO: The best Apple MacBook laptops

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 62 new emoji and emoji variations were just finalized, including a bubble tea emoji and a transgender flag. Here's how everyday people submit their own emoji.

• Six Flags sent a survey to its theme park customers this weekend asking how concerned they were about the coronavirus outbreak and what actions the company should take to make them "feel good about visiting" its amusement parks.
• Competitor Disney recently closed theme parks in locations like Shanghai and Tokyo in response to the coronavirus.
• Business Insider obtained a copy of Six Flags' survey. The full version is below.
• Click here for more BI Prime stories.

The amusement park company Six Flags is asking its customers what they think about the coronavirus outbreak and how they think it should respond, as competitors like Disney have begun to close theme parks in locations like Shanghai and Tokyo.

Business Insider obtained a survey the company sent out to customers this weekend. It asked questions like how concerned customers were about the outbreak, if they thought it would get worse, if they were avoiding public places, and what Six Flags should be doing to make customers "feel good" about visiting. 

In its email for the survey, the company offered a brief description of why it was reaching out to its customers about the outbreak:

"The Six Flags leadership team is very focused on the impact Coronavirus is having on our guests and their experience at our parks. While in-park we are taking significant steps to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene, we want to be sure to incorporate your feedback and concerns as we plan for the next several weeks."

The survey seemed to be assessing the sentiment of Six Flags' customers about the coronavirus and what proactive measures Six Flags should take to ensure they're still willing to visit its parks across North America. It asked whether Six Flags should be talking about how it's keeping its parks clean on its website and social media in light of the outbreak.

Some of the potential hygiene-related precautions it asked customers about were enforcing "6 foot separations between parties in ride queues," providing "face masks to all guests," and taking "everyone's temperature as they enter the park."

Six Flags provided Business Insider with the following statement on its survey: 

"We are a guest-focused company. The opinions and sentiments of our guests matter greatly to us. We do surveys on a variety of topics and in this particular case, we want to know what our guests are thinking as it relates to the coronavirus. The health and safety of our guests and employees is always our top priority."

Here's a breakdown of the survey:

Six Flags starts its survey by asking customers which park they live near.

While the company owns 25 properties across the US, Canada, and Mexico, this particular survey focuses on 17 locations.

These locations are:

• Six Flags Over Texas
• Six Flags Over Georgia
• Six Flags St. Louis
• Six Flags Great Adventure
• Six Flags Magic Mountain
• Six Flags Great America
• Six Flags Fiesta Texas
• Six Flags America
• Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
• Six Flags New England
• Great Escape
• Six Flags Mexico
• La Ronde
• Six Flags Darion Lake
• Frontier City
• Hurricane Harbor Splashtown
• Hurricane Harbor Phoenix

The company then asks whether the respondent is a Season Pass Holder.

Six Flags asks survey respondents whether they are a: 

• 2020 Season Pass Holder
• Six Flags Member
• 2019 Season Pass Holder
• Past Season Pass Holder or Member
• Never was a Pass Holder or Member

Six Flags then asks for the age and gender of the respondent.

The company asks if a respondent is male or female, and which age group they fit into:

• 12-24
• 25-34
• 35-49
• 50+

And if the respondent is a parent.

"How concerned are you right now about the Coronavirus?"

The company asks respondents whether they are "very concerned,""concerned,""somewhat concerned,""not very concerned," or "not at all concerned" about the coronavirus outbreak. 

The company then asks if they view the "situation" as better, the same, or worse than last week.

Then Six Flags asks its survey respondents whether they think the situation is going to get better, worse, or stay the same next week.

It asks its respondents to predict what they think is "likely to happen" related to the spread of coronavirus.

In its survey, Six Flags asks its customers what their predictions are for the spread of the coronavirus. Its questions focus on how the outbreak will affect a respondent personally and what they think its impact will be on other people, the power grid, and the economy generally. 

Specifically, the company asks if a respondent believes:

• You'll get it
• You'll get very sick
• Someone you know will get it
• Someone you know will get very sick
• People will go out less (for fun)
• Our economy will be impacted
• Store will run out of hand sanitizer
• Local schools will be closed
• Your place of work will close
• Everyone will be quarantined at home for a time
• Power outages will increase
• None of the above

Six Flags then asks if the respondent is avoiding public places.

The company asks whether the survey respondent is avoiding public places, and to what degree:

• I'm not going out of my way to avoid places I'd ordinarily visit
• I'm avoiding unnecessary visits to enclosed public places
• I'm avoiding unnecessary visits to public places
• I'm avoiding ALL public places
• I'm avoiding everyone except my family

The company then asks what types of locations a respondent may avoiding.

Six Flags appears to be interested in learning whether its customers are avoiding a range of public spaces that go beyond its own properties, including medical and community centers and coffee shops. 

• Outdoor water parks
• Public festivals or concerts
• Shopping centers/malls
• Overnight domestic travel
• Sporting events (of any kind)
• Movie theaters
• Shops in general
• Outdoor theme parks
• Bowling alleys and family fun centers
• Public transportation
• Restaurants/bars
• Community centers
• Medical centers/hospitals
• International travel
• Coffee shops
• I'm not currently avoiding ANY of these places

Six Flags then asks what it should be "doing right now to make YOU feel good about visiting (this weekend, or very soon)?"

Here's the full list of hygiene-related precautions Six Flags offers to survey respondents to make them "feel good about visiting":

• I don't need Six Flags to do any of these things
• Provide free hand sanitizer to all guests
• Provide face masks to all guests
• Provide hand washing stations throughout the park
• Use TVs in queues to educate guests about CDC guidelines
• Spray or clean all public areas of the park with disinfectant every night
• Wipe down every seat on every ride every night with disinfectant
• Wipe down every seat on every ride after each person goes on it
• Take everyone's temperature as they enter the park
• Require employees who travel to get tested before returning to work
• Require guests entering the park to show recent test results indicating they don't have the virus
• Enforce 6 foot separations between parties in ride queues
• Regularly test all employees for the virus
• Require all employees to have flu shots
• Have all employees wear masks and gloves
• Nothing on this list would make me feel good about visiting

The company then asks respondents whether they should be communicating about coronavirus on their website and social media.

While theme park competitor Disney has written about coronavirus on their website in a blog post titled, "Disney Parks and Resorts Questions about Coronavirus/COVID-19," Six Flags has yet to address the outbreak on its website. 

Based on this survey, the company may be considering adding content to both SixFlags.com and social media. 

The company asks: 

• "At this time, would you like us to have posted on our website a detailed account of what we are doing to keep the park extra clean and hygienic as it relates to coronavirus? Or too early?"
• "At this time, would you like us to have posted on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pictures and photos of what we are doing to keep the park extra clean and hygienic as it relates to coronavirus?"

The final page of Six Flags' survey relates to the survey itself.

The company asks respondents to say whether the survey's length was appropriate, and if it was "Interesting,""Fun,""Timely,""Inappropriate,""Boring,""Thought provoking,""Confusing," or "None of these."

• Holi, the Hindu celebration known as the festival of colors, kicked off on March 9 with bonfire rituals representing the triumph of good over evil. 
• In at least two communities in India, devotees built an effigy representing the coronavirus, which they burned as part of a ritual known as "Holika Dahan."
• While coronavirus fears kept some devotees at home and have decreased sales for certain vendors in India, early Holi celebrations indicate that festivities will proceed as usual tomorrow.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

SEE ALSO: How American churches are dealing with coronavirus panic just weeks before Easter

NOW READ: Here's a list of all the major event cancellations due to the coronavirus outbreak so far.

Holi, the annual Hindu festival of colors that marks the advent of spring, began today, March 9, and will continue through tomorrow, March 10, across South Asia and the world.

Source:Holi Festival

This year, at least two communities in India decided to burn effigies of the coronavirus as part of the "Holika Dahan" ritual, which takes place on the first day of Holi and signals the triumph of good over evil.

Source:Time; ABP Live

In observance of Holika Dahan, communities light bonfires to recreate the victory of Lord Vishnu, a Hindu God, over the demoness Holika. Holika attempted to lead one of Vishnu's followers into the fire; instead, she fell victim to the flame.

Source:ABP Live

In a residential area near Mumbai, India, devotees depicted the coronavirus as a big, blue demon named "Coronasur."

Source: Reuters

In Ahmedabad, India, devotees went another route, dressing up the coronavirus in pink and green. Both effigies met the same fiery fate.

Source: AP Photo

Vendors in Guwahati, India, told India Today that they have only been able to sell around 25 percent of their typical Holi merchandise such as water guns, which are used to spray colored water in the streets, due to coronavirus fears.

Source:India Today

However, reports of early Holi celebrations indicate that Holi festivities will proceed despite coronavirus fears tomorrow.

Source:Gulf News; Channel News Asia

As of Monday, India has 44 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

Source:Times of India

The coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China, in late December, has spread to more than 100 countries, infected over 111,000 people, and claimed at least 3,900 lives.

Source:Business Insider

• There are several ways to find out what generation of Kindle you have, including locating your device's serial number.
• You can also check the box and the back of your device to find out the model info and serial number.
• Here are multiple ways to find out what generation Kindle you own.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If you've had your Kindle for years, then you may not remember which generation you own.

Along with the original Kindle, Amazon has released versions of the Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Fire. While these products are usually easy to tell apart, it may not be so obvious to tell the difference between generations of the same device.

To find out your device's serial number and model information, you can check both the box and the back of your device. 

You can also browse the "Manage content and devices" section on either the Amazon website or mobile app. Since this contains any registered devices, your Kindle's information is included as well.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

MacBook Pro (From $1,299.99 at Best Buy)

Lenovo IdeaPad 130 (From $299.99 at Best Buy)

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Best Buy)

Samsung Galaxy S10 (From $899.99 at Best Buy)

iPad (From $329.99 at Best Buy)

Kindle (From $89.99 at Amazon)

How to find out what generation of Kindle you have

Here's a look at some of the ways you can find out the generation of your Kindle device.

Check in your Settings

You can see your device's details in the Settings menu on your Kindle.

1. Swipe to unlock your device and then tap the menu button in the top-right corner of your Kindle screen. Tap "Settings."

2. In your Settings, tap the menu button again and then select "Device Info."

3. This will open a pop-up that includes your device's serial number and firmware version.

Check your box

While you're certainly not expected to hang on to the box your Kindle came in, if you still have it in your closet it can prove extremely helpful in determining your Kindle's model information. 

You can find the 16-digit code on the box's sticker, which can be found on the bottom or side of the box. 

You may also be able to find this code on any receipt or order confirmation from Amazon.

Check the back of your Kindle 

If you didn't save your box, you can still check the back of your Kindle device for additional information. 

Remove any case from your device and check the bottom. You should see a model number labeled "Model No." 

This information is found under the Amazon logo.

Check on your Amazon account

You can find your Kindle's information on the Amazon website on your Mac or PC using the browser of your choice.

1. Click on "Account & Lists" to the right of the search bar at the top of your screen.

2. Click "Manage content and devices."

3. This will automatically bring you to the "Content" section. Click the second "Devices" tab to change views.

4. Scroll down to find all of your registered devices. This will include your Kindles, along with any Alexa products or apps.

5. Click on the three dots next to your Kindle.

6. This will open a pop-up which reveals the model, date it was registered, and serial number.

7. You can also access the same menu by clicking the three bars on any Amazon page to open the main Amazon menu. Under "Shop by Category" click "Kindle E-readers & Books." In the Kindle subsection, click "Manage Your Content and Devices" at the very bottom

Use the Amazon mobile app

You can also access the same information from the Amazon mobile app on your phone or tablet. 

1. Open the Amazon app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device and tap the menu bars in the top-left corner.

2. Tap "Your Account."

3. Tap "Manage content and devices."

4. Tap the "Devices" tab at the top.

5. Tap in the gray device preview at the top to select your Kindle (if it isn't visible already).

6. You'll find the device model, date it was registered, and serial number at the bottom of your screen.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to read Kindle books on a PC in 2 different ways

• How to send a PDF to your Kindle using your personalized Kindle email address

• How to buy books on Kindle through your computer or mobile device

• How to reset your Kindle Paperwhite to its factory settings in 5 simple steps

• How to change the font size on your Kindle device in 2 ways

SEE ALSO: The best Kindles and ereaders

Join the conversation about this story »

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• The coronavirus-stricken Grand Princess cruise ship docked at the port of Oakland, California, to unload passengers on Monday.
• The ship had been waiting off the coast since Thursday, after a former passenger died of the coronavirus and 21 people onboard tested positive.
• Sick passengers will go to hospitals, while others go to US military bases for 14-day quarantines. Crew members will stay on the ship.
• For the latest case totals, death tolls, and travel information, see Business Insider's live coronavirus updates here.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The Grand Princess cruise ship, on which 21 passengers and crew have tested positive for the new coronavirus, docked at the port of Oakland, California, around noon on Monday.

The San Francisco-based ship had been sitting in limbo off the coast since Thursday, after three passengers from its last voyage tested positive for the new coronavirus. One of those patients died in Placer County, the state confirmed, becoming California's first reported coronavirus death.

"I have received some very strong assurances that this operation will employ the best isolation practices known, that the operation will be conducted in a manner that minimizes the time for the Grand Princess to be at Oakland," Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said in a press briefing on Sunday. "No one will be quarantined in Oakland or released to our community."

Photos showed the ship passing under the Golden Gate Bridge as it approached the port of Oakland around noon on Monday.

The ship docked with 2,422 passengers and 1,111 crew members onboard, according to the cruise line, Princess Cruises. Only 46 people on board have been tested for the coronavirus.

"To avoid delays, testing will be conducted when guests arrive at their onward destination," Princess Cruises said in a statement on Sunday.

In a briefing, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the people who require medical care will leave the ship first and go to hospitals "across the region." The process of unloading everybody else could take two to three days, he added.

Newsom said the 962 California residents onboard would be prioritized, with some going to Travis Air Force Base and others to the Marine Corps Air Station for a 14-day quarantine. He added that California would provide charter flights for people who are not US residents, though he did not specify how many flights that would entail or where they would go.

Residents of other US states will go to the Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Georgia.

Newsom said crew members will remain quarantined on the ship, which is expected to leave the San Francisco Bay with them still onboard.

Do you work for Princess Cruises? Are you on the Grand Princess? Contact this reporter at mmcfalljohnsen@businessinsider.com. You can also reach out securely on Signal at 646-768-4730.

• Read more:
• More than 100 Americans who were on the Diamond Princess cruise ship have finally gone home. 2 shared photos and details from their quarantine on a military base.
• How the 'failed' quarantine of the Diamond Princess cruise ship started with 10 coronavirus cases and ended with more than 700
• San Francisco's monthly non-sexual cuddle party for March has been canceled after the city urges practicing 'social distancing' amid the coronavirus outbreak
• The World Health Organization says the threat of a coronavirus pandemic 'has become very real' as global cases surpass 110,000

Join the conversation about this story »

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• As a housekeeping and fabric care expert with 20+ years of experience, I've tried all sorts of floor-cleaning products and techniques before landing on an efficient routine.
• While spills should be tackled immediately, most wood floors only need a thorough cleaning once a month with a wood floor cleaner and a microfiber mop. 
• We recommend the O-Cedar Dual Action Microfiber Flip Mop and Trinova Hardwood Floor Cleaner to maintain your floors' shine. 
• Read more: The best floor cleaners

Although protective finishes make today's wood floors quite durable and easy-care, they're still prone to wear and tear in high-traffic areas. Whether you have recently installed natural wood floors or found them hiding underneath a wall-to-wall carpet, they should be cared for properly.

Almost all new wood floors — solid hardwood or engineered hardwood — are sealed with polyurethane or polyacrylic urethane finish for exceptionally easy care. Older floors may have been sealed with carnauba paste wax that requires stripping with mineral spirits before resealing.

However the floor is sealed, it should be cleaned following the same steps. As a housekeeping and fabric care expert with 20+ years of experience, I've tried all sorts of floor-cleaning products and techniques before landing on an efficient routine. 

Daily care of wood floors

1. Tackle dry and wet spills immediately to prevent water rings and difficult-to-remove stains. After cleaning up the mess with a paper towel or cloth, wipe down the floor with a slightly water-dampened microfiber cloth in the direction of the wood grain to prevent streaking.
2. Grit and loose soil should be removed daily or at least weekly with a microfiber dust mop or a vacuum to prevent scratches to the floor finish.
3. Choose a mop with a washable head so that you are always using a clean mop.

Monthly care of wood floors

If you have been diligent in daily and weekly care of your floors, they should need a more thorough cleaning only once a month.

1. Remove or roll up any area rugs and use a dust mop or vacuum to remove grit under the rugs.
2. Dust mop or vacuum the entire room to remove loose soil so you will not redistribute the dirt or allow it to be trapped in the cleaning solution.
3. Choose a cleaning product that will not damage the floor's sealant. Never use excessive water or harsh chemicals like ammonia, chlorine bleach, pine oil or even undiluted vinegar. Too much water can cause floors to buckle and harsh cleaners can permanently dull the finish.
4. Lightly spray the commercial wood floor cleaner onto the floor in a small section and use a clean microfiber mop to clean following the grain of the wood. Avoid using too much of the cleaner because that can leave floors feeling sticky and attract more soil.
5. Allow the floor to dry before walking on the cleaned area to prevent spotting.
6. When the floor is completely dry, buff the floor with a dry microfiber mop to increase the shine before replacing area rugs.
7. Never apply liquid or paste wax over a polyurethane-sealed wood floor; the finish can look patchy or turn milky.

How to prevent damage and keep hardwood floors scratch-free 

1. Place doormats inside and outside entrance areas to catch loose soil and grit. Clean the mats frequently.
2. Keep houseplant pots off of hardwood floors with a rolling dolly.
3. Place protective pads on the bottoms of furniture legs.
4. Never drag heavy objects or furniture across the floor.
5. Avoid wearing cleats and stiletto heels on hardwood floors.
6. Keep pets' toenails trimmed and filed smooth.

Join the conversation about this story »