This week on “Sunday Morning” (April 12)

Host: Jane Pauley HEADLINES: Embracing science in the fight against COVID-19Researchers and pharmaceutical companies are working around-the-clock to find an effective treatment for coronavirus. CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook talks about the friction that exists between conducting rigorous clinical trials versus what’s called empiric therapy – trying something out to see if it works – and the…

Coronavirus updates: British PM Boris Johnson leaves intensive care

  13m agoSome abortions in Texas can resume, despite federal appeals court decision A federal judge blocked parts of Texas’ temporary abortion ban on Thursday evening, allowing some procedures to resume despite a prior appeals court decision to uphold the ban amid the coronavirus pandemic. For more than two weeks, the vast majority of abortion services in Texas have been…

Coronavirus drugs: What we know, what we don't

Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine have been at the center of debate in recent weeks over which drugs should be used to treat COVID-19. Neither product has strong evidence to support use for this purpose, and small studies reported to date have either had significant flaws or failed to demonstrate effect.Nonetheless, the president can’t seem to stop pushing them, arguing that patients…

Doctor, husband killed execution-style by daughter's boyfriend

Prosecutors on Tuesday charged a teenager with fatally shooting a University of Wisconsin physician and her husband, who were the parents of his girlfriend, and leaving their bodies at the school’s arboretum. Khari Sanford, 18, was charged with two counts of party to the crime of first-degree intentional homicide, use of a dangerous weapon.”This was a brutal execution,” Dane County…

Broadway stars unite for “Beautiful” online performance

Cast members and musicians from productions of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” around the world are bringing a special collaboration to online audiences to remind people they are not alone during this period of self-isolation. The performance, which premiered first on “CBS This Morning” Tuesday, features 80 members of the musical and will benefit The Actor’s Fund, a non-profit that…

Pastors describe spreading the gospel online during pandemic

For 40 years, Reverend Calvin Butts has preached in front of thousands at the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church, a landmark sanctuary in Harlem. But for the past three weeks, as the coronavirus outbreak has taken hold in New York City, preaching has been a solitary affair. “We decided to do virtual services after we heard the projections for the number…

Some … of many: Those we've lost to coronavirus

They are our friends, our neighbors; people of renown, and just regular people.  “Sunday Morning” takes a moment to remember just a few of the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic: Wallace Roney  (1960-2020)The jazz trumpeter was mentored by Miles Davis, and joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. He had played on more than 250 recordings, performing with such artists as Chick…

“Victory Gardens” for the war against COVID-19

This week the flowers at Roger’s Gardens in Newport Beach, California are in full, dazzling bloom. It’s as if to remind us that, even in the middle of our upended lives, spring somehow arrived on time. But these days, only the bees seem to be interested in flowers. Right now, nurseries like this one across the country are selling out…

Texas judge blasts Hobby Lobby for ignoring stay-at-home order

Hobby Lobby is facing a multi-state backlash for keeping some of its stores open amid the spreading coronavirus, with a Texas official suggesting that the arts-and-craft retailer is endangering public health. The Oklahoma City-based company’s controversial stance comes as some of the nation’s biggest retail chains temporarily close or limit their hours of operations because of the pandemic, which has killed more than 6,500…

Meghan McCain: Essential workers should be paid double

“The View” co-hosts are continuing to anchor their show from their own separate quarantines and on Tuesday, the women discussed a hot topic on many people’s minds: Should essential workers like grocery store clerks and delivery drivers be treated like first responders? Meghan McCain had strong thoughts on the matter.McCain, who is pregnant, said she has been relying on Amazon…

Should the public wear face masks? Experts weigh new advice

As public health officials learn more about the novel coronavirus and how it spreads, some are taking another look at whether healthy people should consider wearing face masks when they go out in public. Since the outbreak began, the World Health Organization and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended that masks be reserved for medical workers, sick…

Uncertainty plagues Supreme Court amid coronavirus crisis

Washington — The Supreme Court’s docket this year has been marked by a slew of high-profile disputes, with rulings anticipated in blockbuster cases involving gun rights, abortion and immigration by the end of June. But set against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic roiling the nation, the rest of the court’s term has been thrust into uncertainty, including how it intends to…

Biden casts doubts on Democrats' July convention amid coronavirus crisis

Washington — Joe Biden cast doubt on the Democratic National Convention scheduled for July taking place as planned, suggesting the event may have to be rescheduled as the nation continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.In an interview with MSNBC on Tuesday night, Biden, the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, was asked whether he could imagine the gathering of…

Pastor arrested after holding packed church service in Florida

A Florida pastor was arrested Monday at his home one day after his church was packed with worshippers, despite a local “safer-at-home” order that was designed to help curb the spread of coronavirus, reports CBS Tampa affiliate WTSP-TV. A live-stream of the service at The River at Tampa Bay Church showed its crowded main sanctuary.According to WTSP, the sheriff told church leaders they…

Performing arts online: Theatre for socially-distancing audiences

In lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic? Broadway and West End theatre, concert performances, opera and improv comedy are as close as your TV remote or laptop. Here is a selection of what is available to those staying close to home. Theatre James Corden’s Tony Award-winning performance in “One Man, Two Guvnors” will be presented online for free by the…

YouTube channel offers virtual rides on major Disney attractions

Coronavirus may have shuttered theme parks, but technology has stepped in to make sure that quarantined Americans still have a way to experience their favorite rides. A YouTube channel is bringing Disney World, Disney Land and Universal Studios rides to people’s homes with virtual reality — for free. The YouTube page “Virtual Disney World,” which is not affiliated with the Walt…

“Kindness 101”: Children write letters to heroes

Catskill, New York — It wasn’t exactly the most polished production.  This week, with the help of my God-given teaching assistants, I taught an online class, “Kindness 101”, from my office. But despite the low budget, we had high turnout. Tens of thousands of kids from across the country tuned in. One thing we talked about was heroism and how…

Texas attorney general says gun stores are “essential”

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton declared Friday that gun stores can stay open amid the coronavirus pandemic even as many jurisdictions within the state have issued stay-at-home orders. Paxton’s nonbinding opinion says “municipal and county authorities may not use emergency powers to regulate or restrict the sale of firearms.”Texas, the second-largest state by population, has not declared a statewide stay-at-home order….

Virtual museum-going: A guide for socially-distanced art lovers

In lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic? Closed museums offer art lovers virtual opportunities to explore works from among the world’s leading collections online. Here’s a look. Exhibitions online “View of Bozen with a Painter” (1837) by Jules Coignet. National Gallery of Art With the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., closed, visitors at home can take in the…

Neil Diamond sings coronavirus PSA

Many celebrities are doing their part to warn others to follow social distancing guidelines during the coronavirus outbreak. Neil Diamond is joining in, too — and he found a creative way to do it. Diamond changed the lyrics to his iconic hit “Sweet Caroline” to create a PSA about the staying safe from the virus.The familiar pre-chorus — shouted by…

Stars streaming at-home concerts during coronavirus

Millions of Americans are self-isolating right now — including music stars. Several artists have live-streamed mini performances on social media, giving people who are currently holed up at home some live entertainment, just from a distance.On Monday, Global Citizen, an organization that focuses on combating global poverty, announced its “At Home Together” series. The organization, which holds an annual music…

Celebrities read children's books to kids stuck at home

As schools shutter their doors indefinitely due to the global coronavirus pandemic, children are forced adjust to learning at home and some kids may now become food insecure. A group of celebrities is hoping to ease both of these challenges for children across the U.S.Actresses Jennifer Garner and Amy Adams have teamed up with Save the Children and No Kid…

Gyms are live streaming workouts during the coronavirus outbreak

The majority of gym chains across the U.S. closed their doors this week to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Now, fitness centers including Orangetheory, Gold’s Gym, Blink Fitness, Crunch Fitness, LA Fitness, Life Time Fitness, Equinox, 24 Hour Fitness and others will remain closed for the foreseeable future. Working up a sweat and staying healthy while stuck at home can be difficult…