“Over the past week, a string of prominent public health experts — notably Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease specialist, and Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a former commissioner of food and drugs under President Trump — have said it is time to seriously consider a national mandate to curb the spread of the virus.” The reason? The virus spread is getting bad. Really bad. Here’s the latest.

+ Hospitals Are Reeling Under a 46 Percent Spike in Covid-19 Patients.

+ France and Germany thrust into lockdowns. The virus has resurged in Europe as well. The difference? Leaders there live in reality. Macron: “The virus is circulating at a speed that not even the most pessimistic forecasts had anticipated.”

+ Helen Branswell in Stat: It may be time to reset expectations on when we’ll get a Covid-19 vaccine.