new measures are expected, giving financial support to self—employed people and freelancers. the chancellor will unveil a package of help later — after criticism that millions had lost income because of coronavirus. i immediately went from earning to not earning, whereas people i know that are employed are still getting their salary. it's not clear whether all self—employed people will be eligible for help — we'll have more on what's expected. also this lunchtime... as nhs staff say they need more protective equipment, the army helps with the distribution of medical supplies. the death toll in the united states goes over 1000. we have exclusive access to south korea's intensive—care units —

and see how the country is managing to bring down infection rates. do you need anything at all, brenda? and the challenges of living through lockdown at the top of a tower block. and in sport, the task of rearranging the olympics begins — it's back to the drawing board for some events. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. the chancellor rishi sunak is preparing to unveil a package of emergency measures for self—employed people, many of whose income has dried up because of the economic shutdown caused by coronavirus.

there are more than five million self—employed people in the uk, though there are suggestions that not all of them will be eligible for the help. last week, the chancellor promised to cover up to 80% of the wages of employees to stop them being laid off. in the health service, there is still a huge need for ventilators — the nhs has about 8,000, but 30,000 could be needed within just a few weeks. the infection rate in the united states has soared, and more than 1,000 people have now died. and here, we are all being encouraged to stand on our doorstep at eight o'clock this evening — and join in a round of applause, to say thank you to all the health care staff working throughout this pandemic. our first report — about the chancellor's latest measures — comes from our economics correspondent andy verity. the country's 5 million self—employed people have never known anything like this.

the government orders a shutdown and their income plummets, in many cases to zero. nicky, a nail technician, has enough money in the bank to get her through the next month but then she will run out. i immediately went from earning to not earning, whereas people i know who are employed still are getting their salaries. thomas wescott is a self—employed plasterer but yesterday his work dried up. it's a very worrying time at the moment due to customers cancelling, not being able to get materials for the jobs we do have, and it's also very unclear whether we should be carrying on working or not, and no money coming in either. charlie knight makes costumes for prime time tv shows, an industry stripped bare by the antivirus measures. it's terrifying really because as an industry we are not just costume designers and make up artists, we are carpenters, we are riggers, we

are electricians, we are painters, we are medics. every possible profession you could think of is within our industry. cabbies know work comes and goes. for some, this is their fourth recession. but they say it's by far the worst. apprehensive, especially when the work has dried up on the streets, the hotels, the restaurants, the bars. there's just nothing out there at the moment and cab drivers are having to rank up near the supermarkets because they are the only places where custom can be had. millions of self—employed people are seeing a drop in come the like of which most of them can't remember in their entire working lives. it's estimated that they've lost £781 a month on average. rishi sunak has promised to help firms and their employees, paying 80% of wage bills the firms can't afford. the self—employed want the same. the treasury has been keen to avoid giving money to people who

don't need it, but many are by no means wealthy. people who are taxi drivers, who are hairdressers, cleaners or builders, they haven't got any money coming in so speed is going to be important. i think it needs to be a scheme which is as generous to the self—employed as the chancellor was rightly to employees. support for the incomes of self—employed people, even if it's temporary, will land the government with a giant bill — billions, perhaps tens of billions. the longer the shutdown goes on, the more the national debt will grow. andy verity, bbc news. let's get more from our assistant political editor norman smith. the government really under pressure, it really has to come up with something for self—employed people. they have got to come up with something that is big but perhaps more importantly quick. big because there are 5 million self—employed at the moment who haven't been offered much beyond

going on benefits. the prime minister has said the scheme will offer them parity with employees who we re offer them parity with employees who were given 80% of their wages guaranteed. this is going to involve billions and billions but it really has to be quick because we have seen a surge in unemployment around about half a million more people claiming universal credit in the last week. we have learnt today it is the self—employed who are particularly at risk of working in those sectors where demand has collapsed or are facing restrictions or closures. working as hairdressers or taxi drivers or cleaners. and indeed the institute for fiscal studies today calculated that up to 1 million of the country's 5 million self—employed could be working in those at risk sectors. the difficulty is in devising a scheme for the self—employed. well, it is hugely complex, because their incomes got up and down depending on profit levels and they are a hugely

varied bunch from mega— wealthy football stars and media celebrities down to someone eking out a living selling it needles on the internet. but that is the challenge the chancellor faces, to come up with something that will be deliverable on the ground quickly to safeguard jobs. norman, for now, thank you. norman smith. let's turn to the situation in the united states. because the infection rate has surged, with almost 70,000 confirmed cases and more than 1,000 deaths. the senate has unanimously passed a bill to pump nearly two trillion dollars into the american economy. paul adams reports. for some californians at the beach is still a place of refuge. the state one of two hardest hit by the virus. across the nation, cases now doubling every three to four days. from coast—to—coast, a country of 338 million people in lockdown. this

was miami yesterday, where days earlier streets thronged with stu d e nts earlier streets thronged with students enjoying spring break. acetate shut down —— as cities shut down, so too does the economy. figures due out today are expected to show that as many as 4 million americans have lost theirjobs in the past week. after days of political gridlock, congress is finally passing a $2 trillion aid bill. the largest in american history. more than twice as big as the stimulus package passed after the stimulus package passed after the 2008 financial crash. not a single vote at regards this to trillion dollar rescue built to save american individuals, small businesses, larger businesses and to provide considerable funding for the health care workers and scientists and doctors. it is a historic day

because it matches an historic crisis. 0ur because it matches an historic crisis. our people need help. they are crying out to us to help. but this national emergency has not papered over america's deep political divide. this is an election year. the coronavirus, this is their new helps. we have it totally under control. opponents of the president are keen to highlight what they see as a lack of leadership. when you have 15 people and within a couple of days it is going to be close to zero... mr trump is bristling, accusing his opponents of wanting to see the economy fail. i don't think it will bea economy fail. i don't think it will be a rough patch. the sooner we can open, the better, and it is going to open, the better, and it is going to open up like a rocket ship, it's going to go with very good and quickly. in new york, america's coronavirus epicentre, the more exact filling up fast. 0utside one of the city's hospitals, and new makeshift facility is taking shape. the united states now has the

world's third largest number of coronavirus cases, and the pace of infection is accelerating. paul adams, bbc news. the peak of demand for intensive—care beds is expected to come in two to three weeks. hospital bosses in london — where a third of the country's cases have been diagnosed — say they are already struggling with the high number of critically ill patients, likening the situation to a "continuous tsunami". staff sickness rates of up to 50% in some hospitals and a shortage of ventilators are putting huge strain on the system. lauren moss reports. the race is on to get vital protective equipment out to nhs staff fighting a battle against an invisible enemy. boxes of masks, gloves and goggles are being delivered in their thousands, but still many medics and nurses say they are going without a head of what could be a tsunami of

coronavirus cases in the coming weeks. doctors are now looking after some of their own colleagues who are on ventilators. we are aware internationally that large numbers of health care workers have themselves fallen ill by being infected. cells the one thing the nhs must do is avoid infection by giving us protection. scotland's chief medical officer says the distribution system became clogged up distribution system became clogged up after huge orders were placed, but that supply shouldn't be a problem there next week. and according to the government 13 million facemasks have gone out in the last few days. we entirely understand how important it is that you get the kit you need and feel safe and are safe in doing this amazing work you are doing. we are ramping up deliveries of ppe, we have brought the army in to help with what is a huge logistics exercise. it is notjust equipment

for staff. ventilators are also a must for patients who could become very u nwell must for patients who could become very unwell and need help breathing. the nhs has just very unwell and need help breathing. the nhs hasjust over 8000 at very unwell and need help breathing. the nhs has just over 8000 at the minute. known for its vacuum cleaners, dyson is turning its hand toa cleaners, dyson is turning its hand to a different type of engineering. if the blueprint is approved it could build 10,000 ventilators at its uk base in wiltshire. an aircraft hangar used in world war ii. as people stay home, help is also turning to an antibody test which could detect if someone has already had the virus. 3.5 million of those have been ordered for nhs staff and critical workers, but there is a word of caution that we shouldn't expect to see the test on shop shelves yet. everybody wants this so there is a global shortage and that is a bottleneck for us but the next priority is to get critical workers back to work what you say to them, you have got this. we would like that to support the nhs. more people are being tested for the

virus every day. 0ver people are being tested for the virus every day. over 13,000 people are being tested for the virus every day. 0ver13,000 have been carried out since monday, but doctors say more must be done. been carried out since monday, but doctors say more must be donem seems that we are trying to make reasons why the uk is a special case where last time i checked, we are the same human beings in every other country, but if we don't also test and trace, then how are we going to avoid when we open the doors and go back outside, there is a risk it will rise againjust back outside, there is a risk it will rise again just as it has? more than half a million people have now volunteered to be an nhs responder, to help the most vulnerable with things like food and medicine deliveries, or even a phone call.|j feel deeply humbled at the strength of our nation and the gift of time that everyone is willing to give of themselves. their humanity, compassion, talent, skill. it is a true gift to give. following in the footsteps of other countries, tonight everyone around the uk is being invited to clap for carers as a thank you to those facing the

brunt of the crisis. laurent moss, bbc news. well, our correspondent richard galpin is here. the feeling at the moment is that the peak is two or three weeks away, so how is the nhs dealing with it right now, what is a situation right now? opinion seems somewhat divided. we are approaching the peak and according to the chief medical adviser, chris whitty, he believes that the nhs will be able to manage what will be obviously a big surge in the number of cases, the number of people coming into the hospital. he is saying it is going to be a close run thing but he believes it is possible. in other words, he is saying he doesn't think that's the nhs will be swamped, which would obviously be an absolute disaster in the midst of this epidemic. however, others are saying different things. chris hobson, a senior executive in

the nhs, he was saying earlier he has been talking to london hospitals who are already receiving wave after wave of patients who are seriously ill, coming into those hospitals, describing it as a tsunami. he is saying that already the extra capacity that has been built up, particularly the number of intensive ca re particularly the number of intensive care beds, are already being used up really quite quickly. 0n care beds, are already being used up really quite quickly. on top of that, he is saying that there are staff shortages in the nhs now. a lot of absentees because people, staff themselves, are contracting the virus, or they are in vulnerable groups and have to self—isolate. he is saying the situation is unprecedented. you have increasing demand and now if you are staff. all right, richard, thank you. in spain, the number of people who have died following a coronavirus diagnosis has now overtaken china, where the disease initially took hold. more than 4,000 people with

the virus have now died in spain. guy hedgecoejoins me from madrid. what are the authorities there saying? clearly these latest figures are very harrowing and of great concern for the authorities. the fa ct concern for the authorities. the fact we've now got 4000 people, more than 4000 people inaudible however, having said that, the health minister today said that he hopes that today's figures might suggest that the country could be looking at the beginning of the end of the upward curve of the virus. now, if you look carefully at the figures we've had 655 new deaths over the last 24 hours. 0ver figures we've had 655 new deaths over the last 24 hours. over the last week or so, until now, we had seen an increase last week or so, until now, we had seen an increase in the daily death each day, so yesterday, for example, it had been over 700. now, the fact it's dropped off from that slightly

todayis it's dropped off from that slightly today is giving some cause for optimism among the authorities, but clearly it's very early to know whether or not this is really a trend or simply a glitch. guy hedgecoe in madrid were somewhat windy, thank you in madrid, thanks for joining windy, thank you in madrid, thanks forjoining us. in italy, the rate of new infections has slowed for a fourth consecutive day. it comes as a strict lockdown remains in place, with fines and prison terms for people who break the rules. 0ur correspondent mark lowen has more. eyes in the sky to keep italians off the streets. the police now using every method they can to stop the flow of people and the virus. with fines stepped up and more police checks, they're toughening the clampdown to flatten the curve. and this is why. the urgent need to help hospitals. this one in rome now opening a new wing for coronavirus patients, and already under pressure. translation: the italian health system in the north

is at a very critical point. in rome, we've been able to learn from what they've experienced. for my part, i need to show all the courage i can, because we have to fight with all our strength. we don't know when the peak will be. maybe in rome, this weekend. more than two weeks into the lockdown that has emptied these streets and closed virtually everything, there are some signs that the measures are beginning to work. the latest daily figures show a slight fall in the number of deaths and, for the fourth day in a row, a slower increase in the total number of people currently infected. this drained country is desperate to reach a turning point. behind the figures either hundreds of lives stolen every day, and with them a dignified farewell. with funerals banned, the priest says a quick blessing. a small group of relatives allowed to be there. getting through them all is like a conveyor belt of eulogies. "being unable to be there

at the last goodbye to a loved one adds another layer of pain to the suffering," he says. and for the crematoria that cannot cope, the army has been brought in to take coffins away. it's that word again they're more used to — war. man versus virus, and the latter is still winning. mark lowen, bbc news, rome. the time is 1.19. our top story this lunchtime. the chancellor will unveil a package of help for the self—employed later — after criticism that millions had lost income because of coronavirus. i immediately went from earning to not earning. whereas people i know who are employed are still getting their salary. and in sport — after the olympics is postponed, organisers of wimbledon will make a decision on the tournament next week, with cancellation a realistic possibility.

in south korea, the rate of infection has been falling for some time. 0ur seoul correspondent laura bicker has been given exclusive access to the country's health care system, to see how they've been tackling the crisis. in every war, a foot soldier needs their armour. this kit is crucial to keep staff safe. "is the air going through 0k?" she asks. now, fully equipped, she can head into the intensive care unit. the two—hour shift takes its toll. we saw this nurse emerge drenched in sweat after her turn. seriously ill covid—19 patients need a lot of care. they're on a steady drip of sedation, medication and fluids. ventilators help supply their lungs with badly needed oxygen.

the protective clothing helps keep staff safe, but it also hinders. translation: it's hard to hear and your senses get dull. the hardest thing is communicating. it makes you feel more anxious because of it. there is fear here, but i'd like to just think of them as our patients. and when you think of it that way, it's not that scary. all of the patients struggling to breathe in this icu are over 65. they're one of a dwindling number of people who need critical care in the country. the benefits of flattening the curve mean there's even time to smile. translation: those who come to the icu are really bad cases, so it's hard to completely predict whether they will live or not. but when these tough cases get better, it's especially rewarding. this is the key to saving lives, according to south korean health officials —

staying ahead of the virus by tracing potentially infected patients and testing them. but doctors are worried about a second wave of covid—19, and say this country needs to be ready. translation: can we respond as well as we did in the first wave? will there be five, ten times more patients? i do not know. we don't have immunity. so all countries' scientists should work together to develop a treatment and vaccine. there's also a new threat from overseas. thousands of arrivals from europe and many from the us are now being tested to prevent a fresh outbreak. south korea may be breathing a sigh of relief for now, but this crisis is far from over. laura bicker, bbc news, seoul. a charity which supports people with anxiety issues says it has seen an unprecedented rise in calls to its helpline in the last few days, because of

concerns about virus. here's our social affairs correspondent, alison holt. these are difficult times. i just feel very panicked, short of breath. anxiety has very physical affects. the way ahead is hard. a changing world that's particularly troubling if you already have an issue with anxiety. if i don't have a plan or something to work towards, that's when i start cracking a little bit. she was literally in tears and sobbing her heart out because she was so worried. for someone like francesca, with a history of heart problems, watching each coronavirus development as she cares for her daughter, her stress levels have been rising. it basically comes in waves. to begin with you just kind of take note of everything, and then the more the news ramps up — being a new mum, suffering from health anxiety myself — it's just progressively got harder. not everyone's cup of tea but i do

love a creepy—crawly! lauren runs animal therapy sessions for schools and other groups. business had been good, but her worries have increased as bookings have disappeared. i've suffered with depression and anxiety all of my life and just as i seem to get on top of myself, something like this will smash you down. and it's really, really hard. it's not just people who struggle with anxiety who are finding things tough. in a matter of days, all our lives have changed dramatically, which makes it really important that we find our own way of dealing with that stress. panic attacks are a sudden spike of anxiety and adrenaline. dave smithson is from the charity anxiety uk. they've seen such a large increase in calls to their helpline, they've had to extend its hours. i've been with the charity over seven years and i can't recall anything on this scale. it's just simply unmatched, and we're in uncharted territory.

for some of the more than eight million people in the uk who have an anxiety disorder, help comes with an apple — or at least a technique the charity use is called apple. acknowledge that you're worried. pause. push back against the thought. let go of the worry. and explore the moment. because right now you are fine. francesca has found acknowledging the anxiety helps, as well as speaking to friends online. i was having a really panic today and i asked people to reassure me that everything would be ok. and i've got so many replies of people saying things are going to be fine, we're going to help each other, go to this web site — and it really, really helped calm me. and lauren is now going to offer online classes, teaching people about her animals. having a plan helps her. in this situation you cannot be in control of, personally, i need to find something that i can be in control of and go forward with that — and hopefully it'll work!

picking our own techniques for coping in the coming weeks will be important. alison holt, bbc news. families who live in flats and don't have access to green space are finding the restrictions particularly hard — especially when they're at the top of a tower block. when people do get outside for their one chance a day to exercise, many parks are now out of bounds. fiona lamdin has been to bristol, to meet one family trying to cope. up on the 15th floor of this high—rise in bristol lives single dad samuel smith with his two young boys, aged six and two. it's like rabbits in a hutch! we're all cooped up. there's not all that much we can do, because we're just in a one—bedroom. we can't really open the windows that much, because it gets cold in here, being on the 15th floor. this is the bedroom... spending 23 hours inside here

with no garden is a challenge. the boys just ransacked the flat! toys everywhere. we've all been told we can go outside once a day to exercise, and for samuel and his boys this time is precious. on their way out, they see their friend and neighbour, brenda. do you need anything at all, brenda? they have a balcony, but her children want to play outside. i feel bad, horrible, yeah. do the children understand? he understands, but he doesn't, yeah. do they keep asking you to go out? yes. what do you say? i try to explain to them, yeah. and then we meet alan and his five—year—old daughter. he'd normally be at work in the barber's. you've got to forget about the view, forget about the weather.

health and safety are more important than what it looks like outside. she is going to be safe, the people outside are going to be safe, the older people are going to be safe, it's good. it is the right thing to do. it's the best thing to do, absolutely. ten minutes later, samuel and his boys arrive at the park. used to playing inside, they now know the railings are to keep them out. feels good being out, lysander? it is really nice. it is really fun! in a world that is changing so fast, they're just taking one day at a time. fiona lamdin, bbc news. with all football matches postponed indefinitely, managers and players have been keen to find ways of connecting with their fans. mike bushell has more. hi, mark, how are you? i'm carlo. who is it? i'm the manager of everton. i know you are a fan of everton.

it's true, or? i'm a fan of you as well, mr ancelotti, i think you're a top fella. thank you. it's not every day you get a phone call from your club's manager, but in this unique time the everton boss has a new role to play, as he leads by example and stays at home. i have a sister in italy. in italy it's worse, the situation. it's terrible. it's shocking. here in england we have to take care, to avoid the expansion of the virus. and the manager isn't the only one at everton who is reaching out to those fans who are isolated, may be lonely, and needing support. duncan ferguson! they both laugh. and this massive effort is also unearthing talents that we maybe didn't realise footballers really have, likejohn bostock of nottingham forest as a children's storyteller.

good evening, boys and girls. this is bedtime stories with bostock. i hope you're ready to sleep. here we go. long ago there lived a moose. he was big, he was tall, but his legs were too long. if you want to see what your club is doing, the bbc sport website has a daily updated list of what many clubs are doing in these unprecedented times. fantastic! now it's time for a look at the weather, with darren bett. we have more sunshine across england and wales. it's a different story for northern ireland and scotland, a week weather weather front producing patchy rain and drizzle. it's brightening up across parts of northern ireland, get some sunshine around dumfries and galloway and it could pop of or two sharp showers. the sunny dry weather continues in

england and wales. an easterly breeze,