U.S. government will pay pharmaceutical firms almost $2 billion, with a pledge to provide the vaccines for free. Source

In the worst scenario, where COVID-19 was expected to follow a traditional pandemic trajectory, over 4,400 more deaths related to the virus could follow. Source

CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett joins “CBS This Morning” to discuss President Trump resuming regular coronavirus briefings and his statement that the outbreak will get worse before it gets better. Plus, he will talk about Mr. Trump’s mixed messages on wearing masks and the debate on Capitol Hill about the next coronavirus spending bill. Source

A conspiracy theory that explains everything and nothing simultaneously takes off among Trump fans Source

Twitter is removing thousands of accounts linked to QAnon, a conspiracy theory group that has been spreading disinformation and harassing people online. QAnon followers, often seen at Trump rallies, believe in conspiracy theories about global child sex trafficking and so-called Deep State efforts to take down the president. They recently organized to harass actress and model Chrissy Teigen after linking her, without evidence, to Jeffrey Epstein. Source

A judge in Texas issued a stay-at-home order in his county even though Governor Greg Abbott says it’s not enforceable. This comes as cases climb to critical levels in that state and in California, where the coronavirus is disproportionately affecting the Latino communities. Mireya Villarreal reports. Source

State Department says it was to protect “American intellectual property.” Area residents said documents were burned on the consulate grounds. Source

Jackson sparked a nationwide conversation when he posted a quote to Instagram he attributed to Adolf Hitler which reads in part, “Jews will blackmail America.” Source

The victims’ conditions weren’t clear. There were multiple suspects and one person of interest was being questioned. Source

Vice President Mike Pence is urging classrooms to open to students as the beginning of the school year approaches, even as some experts say it could put students and teachers at risk of getting the coronavirus. David Begnaud reports. Source