lifesitenews--2020-05-28--Amazon defends ‘viewpoint discrimination’ against conservative groups

SEATTLE , Washington , May 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Amazon ’ s Board of Directors urged investors to reject a proposal calling for an end to its “ viewpoint discrimination ” against conservative and Christian organizations , most notably found in the retail giant ’ s reliance on the Southern Poverty Law Center ( SPLC ) as the “ gatekeeper ” to its AmazonSmile charitable program .
The proposal was put forward in an audio presentation at the Amazon 2020 annual shareholders meeting in Seattle on Wednesday by Justin Danhof , Esq.
, general counsel and Free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Center for Public Policy Research ( NCPPR ) .
Through its AmazonSmile program , Amazon donates 0.5 percent of customer purchases to nonprofit organizations selected from an approved list that excludes conservative and Christian organizations incorrectly identified by the SLPC as “ hate groups.
” The program has reportedly donated more than $ 100 million , making it one of the largest sources of consumer earmarked charitable support in the United States , according to the shareholder proposal ( # 12 , pages 41-43 ) .
Danhof asked founder Jeff Bezos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow “ a bigoted , racist , and sexist organization ” such as “ the SPLC to pick and choose which charities are eligible for the Smile program ?
” “ Amazon consistently brags about its commitment to ‘ diversity and inclusion , ’ but I don ’ t think its board of directors knows what that means .
By relying on the SPLC to decide which charities are eligible to receive donations through AmazonSmile , the company is expressing public and open hostility toward conservative and religious organizations , ” Danhof asserted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s viewpoint discrimination and it ’ s abhorrent.
” “ The extreme leftists at the SPLC use this power to exclude groups that it disagrees with ideologically while it , in turn , reaps tremendous windfall from the Smile program , ” Danhof said in his challenge to the Amazon Board of Directors .
“ This is wildly hypocritical.
” Amazon accepts view that religious and conservative organizations are morally equivalent to the KKK “ The SPLC is known mostly for publishing an annual ‘ hate map ’ listing America ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This cynical yearly exercise is little more than a public listing of SPLC ’ s political enemies .
“ How else can one explain SPLC categorizing groups such as Alliance Defending Freedom ( ADF ) alongside the Ku Klux Klan ?
” Danhof asked .
“ ADF is the nation ’ s preeminent legal advocate for religious liberty which has scored 10 victories at the United States Supreme Court since 2011 .
Everyone knows the Klan is a hate group .
What the SPLC is trying to do is convince naïve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morally equivalent to the KKK.
” “ In 2014 , the FBI removed the SPLC as a source , citing ‘ a number of concerns , ’ ” Danhof said .
“ Last year , even the far-left leadership of Twitter dumped the SPLC from its ‘ Trust and Safety Council ’ after many of the group ’ s scandals were exposed .
“ Some of those scandals were even exposed by Mr. Bezos ’ own radically liberal newspaper The Washington Post , which ran headlines such as ‘ The Southern Poverty Law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ‘ Something Strange is going on at this Civil Rights Institution .
It Must be Investigated , ’ which called for a federal probe into the SPLC , ” he noted .
“ Last year , a former SPLC staffer even wrote in the New Yorker that SPLC co-founder Morris Dees ‘ viewed civil-rights work mainly as a marketing tool for bilking gullible Northern liberals , ’ ” he added .
During the meeting , Danhof and other conservative shareholders repeatedly questioned Bezos as to why the company engages in such blatant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press release .
“ If Bezos can defend Amazon ’ s outright bigotry , then we invite him to do so , ” Danhof said .
“ It ’ s pathetic that one of the most powerful men in the world can ’ t answer a simple question .
Yet it is also telling that Bezos seems to have zero defense for this deplorable behavior.
” “ We suggest the IRS investigate this corrupt arrangement and clear conflict of interest .
In the meantime , shareholders should demand that Amazon end this scheme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s leadership may be that gullible , but let ’ s show them that we investors are not , ” he added .
The Board of Directors issued a response , claiming , “ Diversity and inclusion are cornerstones of our continued success and critical components of our culture.
” “ We believe “ ( d ) iversity and inclusion are good for business — and more fundamentally — simply right , ” continued the statement , which appears to overlook the company ’ s discriminatory policies toward Christian and conservative viewpoints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commitment to our core values of diversity and inclusion for all stakeholders of Amazon , from customers to sellers to employees , as well as our robust risk management process , the Board recommends that shareholders vote against this proposal , ” concluded the statement from the Amazon Board of Directors .
Last year , Amazon knuckled under pressure from LGBT activists to ban books offering help to those dealing with unwanted same-sex attraction .

The Board of Directors implored investors to reject a proposal that included evaluating its 'gatekeeper,' the 'bigoted, racist and sexist' Southern Poverty Law Center.
SEATTLE, Washington, May 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Amazon’s Board of Directors urged investors to reject a proposal calling for an end to its “viewpoint discrimination” against conservative and Christian organizations, most notably found in the retail giant’s reliance on the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as the “gatekeeper” to its AmazonSmile charitable program.
The proposal was put forward in an audio presentation at the Amazon 2020 annual shareholders meeting in Seattle on Wednesday by Justin Danhof, Esq., general counsel and Free Enterprise Project (FEP) director at the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR).
Through its AmazonSmile program, Amazon donates 0.5 percent of customer purchases to nonprofit organizations selected from an approved list that excludes conservative and Christian organizations incorrectly identified by the SLPC as “hate groups.” The program has reportedly donated more than $100 million, making it one of the largest sources of consumer earmarked charitable support in the United States, according to the shareholder proposal (#12, pages 41-43).
Danhof asked founder Jeff Bezos and members of the board why they allow “a bigoted, racist, and sexist organization” such as “the SPLC to pick and choose which charities are eligible for the Smile program?”
“Amazon consistently brags about its commitment to ‘diversity and inclusion,’ but I don’t think its board of directors knows what that means. By relying on the SPLC to decide which charities are eligible to receive donations through AmazonSmile, the company is expressing public and open hostility toward conservative and religious organizations,” Danhof asserted in a press release. “That’s viewpoint discrimination and it’s abhorrent.”
“The extreme leftists at the SPLC use this power to exclude groups that it disagrees with ideologically while it, in turn, reaps tremendous windfall from the Smile program,” Danhof said in his challenge to the Amazon Board of Directors. “This is wildly hypocritical.”
Amazon accepts view that religious and conservative organizations are morally equivalent to the KKK
“The SPLC is known mostly for publishing an annual ‘hate map’ listing America’s supposed hate groups,” Danhof noted. “This cynical yearly exercise is little more than a public listing of SPLC’s political enemies.
“How else can one explain SPLC categorizing groups such as Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) alongside the Ku Klux Klan?” Danhof asked. “ADF is the nation’s preeminent legal advocate for religious liberty which has scored 10 victories at the United States Supreme Court since 2011. Everyone knows the Klan is a hate group. What the SPLC is trying to do is convince naïve Americans that conservative and religious organizations are morally equivalent to the KKK.”
“In 2014, the FBI removed the SPLC as a source, citing ‘a number of concerns,’” Danhof said. “Last year, even the far-left leadership of Twitter dumped the SPLC from its ‘Trust and Safety Council’ after many of the group’s scandals were exposed.
“Some of those scandals were even exposed by Mr. Bezos’ own radically liberal newspaper The Washington Post, which ran headlines such as ‘The Southern Poverty Law Center has Lost All Credibility,’ and ‘Something Strange is going on at this Civil Rights Institution. It Must be Investigated,’ which called for a federal probe into the SPLC,” he noted.
“Last year, a former SPLC staffer even wrote in the New Yorker that SPLC co-founder Morris Dees ‘viewed civil-rights work mainly as a marketing tool for bilking gullible Northern liberals,’” he added.
During the meeting, Danhof and other conservative shareholders repeatedly questioned Bezos as to why the company engages in such blatant viewpoint discrimination, according to the NCPPR press release.
Bezos refused to address their questions.
“If Bezos can defend Amazon’s outright bigotry, then we invite him to do so,” Danhof said. “It’s pathetic that one of the most powerful men in the world can’t answer a simple question. Yet it is also telling that Bezos seems to have zero defense for this deplorable behavior.”
“We suggest the IRS investigate this corrupt arrangement and clear conflict of interest. In the meantime, shareholders should demand that Amazon end this scheme,” Danhof urged.
“Amazon’s leadership may be that gullible, but let’s show them that we investors are not,” he added.
The Board of Directors issued a response, claiming, “Diversity and inclusion are cornerstones of our continued success and critical components of our culture.”
“We believe “(d)iversity and inclusion are good for business — and more fundamentally — simply right,” continued the statement, which appears to overlook the company’s discriminatory policies toward Christian and conservative viewpoints.
“In light of our demonstrated commitment to our core values of diversity and inclusion for all stakeholders of Amazon, from customers to sellers to employees, as well as our robust risk management process, the Board recommends that shareholders vote against this proposal,” concluded the statement from the Amazon Board of Directors.
Last year, Amazon knuckled under pressure from LGBT activists to ban books offering help to those dealing with unwanted same-sex attraction.
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lifesitenews--2020-05-28--Ohio’s Senate passes amendment to prevent politicians from closing churches

May 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Ohio ’ s Senate has passed legislation stipulating that the state ’ s governor or any public official do not have the right to close places of worship .
Citizens for Community Values president Aaron Bae welcomed the news , saying “ the Ohio Senate sends a crystal-clear message : no governor has the authority to stop us from peaceably assembling to worship Jesus Christ , ” while noting that the “ bill extends this same protection to all people of faith.
” While churches around the United States have been closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio ’ s Republican governor , Mike DeWine , has never attempted to close churches .
However , Ohio ’ s Catholic bishops voluntarily closed churches in mid-March and suspended public Masses until this week .
“ Throughout America , governors have exercised unlawful executive power , attacking our First Amendment freedoms .
Some have gone so far as to order churches closed , ” Baer said .
“ No one should have to go to court to protect our fundamental freedoms of religion .
CCV is grateful for the leadership of Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio Senate for sending this simple , yet essential message.
” The legislation was passed as an amendment yesterday to House Bill 272 and will still have to be approved by Ohio ’ s House of Representatives .
Last week , President Donald Trump declared houses of worship “ essential places that provide essential services , ” saying they should be opened right away and that state governors who get in the way will have to answer to him .

The legislation, which includes all faiths, moves on to the state House of Representatives.
May 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Ohio’s Senate has passed legislation stipulating that the state’s governor or any public official do not have the right to close places of worship.
Citizens for Community Values president Aaron Bae welcomed the news, saying “the Ohio Senate sends a crystal-clear message: no governor has the authority to stop us from peaceably assembling to worship Jesus Christ,” while noting that the “bill extends this same protection to all people of faith.”
While churches around the United States have been closed as part of coronavirus lockdown restrictions, Ohio’s Republican governor, Mike DeWine, has never attempted to close churches. However, Ohio’s Catholic bishops voluntarily closed churches in mid-March and suspended public Masses until this week.
“Throughout America, governors have exercised unlawful executive power, attacking our First Amendment freedoms. Some have gone so far as to order churches closed,” Baer said.
“No one should have to go to court to protect our fundamental freedoms of religion. CCV is grateful for the leadership of Senate President (Larry) Obhof and the Ohio Senate for sending this simple, yet essential message.”
The legislation was passed as an amendment yesterday to House Bill 272 and will still have to be approved by Ohio’s House of Representatives.
Last week, President Donald Trump declared houses of worship “essential places that provide essential services,” saying they should be opened right away and that state governors who get in the way will have to answer to him.
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lifesitenews--2020-05-28--Maryland county reverses ban on Communion: Live coronavirus updates

LifeSite ’ s previous ( and future ) live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about can be viewed HERE .
After some backlash , Howard County , Maryland reversed a ban on Holy Communion in its coronavirus reopening order .
The Archdiocese of Baltimore said it has “ serious concerns ” about the ban , but it is unclear if they had intended to pursue a lawsuit .
At the beginning of May , Knoxville , Tennessee , made a similar demand of churches when it allowed them to reopen : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of communion/sacrament should not be performed due to the serial breaking of physical distancing across a congregation.
” In April , a California county banned any singing during live-streamed church services in empty church buildings .
“ Wind instruments ” and “ harmonicas ” were also deemed a threat .
May 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Dr. Anthony Fauci , one of President Donald Trump ’ s top coronavirus advisors , said it ’ s not safe for Catholic priests to distribute Holy Communion .
Last month , he said sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alright “ if you ’ re willing to take a risk.
” United Kingdom Health Minister Matt Hancock said yesterday that a new “ test and trace ” system which will tell healthy people to quarantine for 14 days if they have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for the coronavirus , could “ quickly ” become “ mandatory.
” A “ Request for Voluntary Quarantine ” document available via the Washington Department of Health website says , “ It is very important that you comply with this request for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health of others depend on it .
If you do not comply with this request for voluntary quarantine we may use a detention order , enforced by the police , to assure your compliance ” ( emphasis added ) .
An April New York Times story falsely reported that a 26-year-old medical intern died of the coronavirus , the liberal newspaper admitted .
At The Federalist , Carina Benton analyzed , “ Washington state Catholic leaders would rather stick it to the president than let him defend their right to celebrate Mass .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday for states to allow houses of worship to [ reopen ] and to declare public worship as essential , Gov .
Jay Inslee immediately thumbed his nose , and Washington bishops quickly follow [ ed ] suit.
” “ In a disappointing response , the bishops demonstrated that rather than stand up for their flock and acknowledge the president ’ s commitment to religious freedom , they prefer hand-wringing and waffling while they wait for the governor to pass judgement.
” Two other articles at The Federalist , titled “ Mandatory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ re About Social Control ” and “ Our Coronavirus Response Is Making Us Lose Our Humanity , ” also provide interesting insight .
The latter is by Abby Johnson , former Planned Parenthood director turned pro-life activist .
In the former article , Molly McCann argues ( emphasis added ) : Much of our freedom is maintained by the collective resistance of the American mood .
When the Minnesota governor excluded churches from his Phase I reopening plan , Catholic and Lutheran leadership announced , through counsel , that their churches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s blessing .
The governor ’ s resulting about-face was probably not due to a legal epiphany .
Rather , he understood he ’ d pushed the envelope too far .

Live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to pro-life issues, faith, and freedom.
LifeSite’s previous (and future) live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to issues our readers care about can be viewed HERE.
“At least two-thirds of states across the country are sharing the addresses of people who have tested positive for coronavirus with first responders, and at least 10 states are going so far as to share patients' identities as well,” FOX News and MSN report. According to the Associated Press, the number of states giving police addresses of coronavirus patients is “at least 35.”
“Patients who took a test were assured that their private medical information would not be disclosed to anyone else,” the report continues, adding the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services claims “the process [of sending their information to police and other first responders] is within the bounds of medical privacy laws.”
FOX notes that “activists are concerned that revealing the information would put minority groups at higher risk of being racially profiled, heightening tensions between law enforcement and black and Hispanic communities.”
May 29, 2020, 4:41 p.m. EST: LifeSite’s full article on Trump cutting ties with WHO – and thus depriving the pro-abortion United Nations health entity, which has suspicious ties to communist China, of $450 million annually – is HERE.
May 29, 2020, 3:54 p.m. EST: BREAKING: President Trump has cut U.S. ties with the pro-abortion World Health Organization. A LifeSiteNews story with more details is forthcoming. Developing…
May 29, 2020, 1:51 p.m. EST: Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) have both tested positive for coronavirus antibodies, suggesting they both had the coronavirus at some point.
Pro-family leader Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse of the Ruth Institute wrote on her blog this week (and said in a video also posted there) that she is “seeing people coming unglued from lack of human contact.”
“Humans are social creatures,” she wrote. “We need other people. We need to look at other people to see how they are reacting to us. Are we behaving and thinking in a socially appropriate manner? Or are we going off the rails? That is pretty hard to know if you are all by yourself.”
She continued (emphasis added):
Look. We need each other. And we need more than “virtual” contact. We need the real deal, physical presence, physical touch… I don’t care what the infectious disease people say. I really don’t. The kind of isolation we’ve been enduring is not healthy. Being scared all the time is not healthy. We can’t go on like this. You need your hugs. You need to be touched. And someone you know needs it too.
“Free contraception as defined by the CDC, abortion and reproductive health care” and the establishment of “sex education at pre-k level – 12th” are recommended in a “transition” report about the post-coronavirus future in Boise, Idaho.
May 29, 2020, 11:16 a.m. EST: FOX News published a report today noting the discrepancy between World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidances on face masks. The WHO recommends healthy people only wear masks when caring for coronavirus patients, whereas the CDC recommends people wear masks in public. Some state governors in the U.S. have mandated masks be worn in public.
May 28, 2020, 9:08 p.m. EST:
May 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – After some backlash, Howard County, Maryland appears to have reversed a ban on Holy Communion in its coronavirus reopening order. The Archdiocese of Baltimore said it has “serious concerns” about the ban, but it is unclear if they had intended to pursue a lawsuit.
At the beginning of May, Knoxville, Tennessee, made a similar demand of churches when it allowed them to reopen: “[t]he physical taking of communion/sacrament should not be performed due to the serial breaking of physical distancing across a congregation.”
In April, a California county banned any singing during live-streamed church services in empty church buildings. “Wind instruments” and “harmonicas” were also deemed a threat.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of President Donald Trump’s top coronavirus advisors, said it’s not safe for Catholic priests to distribute Holy Communion. Last month, he said sex with strangers met on dating apps is alright “if you’re willing to take a risk.”
United Kingdom Health Minister Matt Hancock said yesterday that a new “test and trace” system which will tell healthy people to quarantine for 14 days if they have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for the coronavirus, could “quickly” become “mandatory.”
A “Request for Voluntary Quarantine” document available via the Washington Department of Health website says, “It is very important that you comply with this request for voluntary quarantine. Your health and the health of others depend on it. If you do not comply with this request for voluntary quarantine we may use a detention order, enforced by the police, to assure your compliance” (emphasis added).
An April New York Times story falsely reported that a 26-year-old medical intern died of the coronavirus, the liberal newspaper admitted.
At The Federalist, Carina Benton analyzed, “Washington state Catholic leaders would rather stick it to the president than let him defend their right to celebrate Mass. Following President Donald Trump’s direction on Friday for states to allow houses of worship to [reopen] and to declare public worship as essential, Gov. Jay Inslee immediately thumbed his nose, and Washington bishops quickly follow[ed] suit.”
“In a disappointing response, the bishops demonstrated that rather than stand up for their flock and acknowledge the president’s commitment to religious freedom, they prefer hand-wringing and waffling while they wait for the governor to pass judgement.”
Two other articles at The Federalist, titled “Mandatory Masks Aren’t About Safety, They’re About Social Control” and “Our Coronavirus Response Is Making Us Lose Our Humanity,” also provide interesting insight. The latter is by Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood director turned pro-life activist.
In the former article, Molly McCann argues (emphasis added):
Much of our freedom is maintained by the collective resistance of the American mood. When the Minnesota governor excluded churches from his Phase I reopening plan, Catholic and Lutheran leadership announced, through counsel, that their churches would reopen with or without the state’s blessing. The governor’s resulting about-face was probably not due to a legal epiphany. Rather, he understood he’d pushed the envelope too far.
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lifesitenews--2020-05-28--Trump admin cites ‘Unplanned’ censorship, anti-Covington hate as drivers for action on big tech bias

TELL VIMEO : Stop silencing conservatives and Christians !
Sign the petition here .
WASHINGTON , D.C. , May 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – President Donald Trump was driven to take action to rein in social media ’ s censorship of conservatives in part by witnessing Twitter ’ s treatment of pro-life filmmakers and teens , White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany revealed at Thursday ’ s press conference .
On Wednesday , the president announced that he would be signing an executive order on the matter Thursday , the details of which were not yet revealed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ officially unveiled , but a leaked draft indicates it will focus on overhauling Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act , which immunizes hosting platforms such as Facebook and Twitter against liability for the content posted by users .
McEnany did not elaborate on the details of the incoming order , but did begin the briefing with a wide-ranging argument for federal action , highlighting a list of Twitter offenses including the company ’ s actions against the pro-life film Unplanned and pro-life students from Covington Catholic High School .
“ No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the president , and the president will take action to ensure that Big Tech does not stifle free speech , and that the rights of all Americans to speak , tweet , and post will be protected , ” McEnany said .
“ It ’ s not just bias aimed at President Trump and his employees ; it ’ s also aimed at everyday Americans .
It is aimed at the movie Unplanned , as Twitter suspended their accounts and came up with an excuse in the aftermath .
Another example is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the Covington kids , who were in the end proven right ; their video was taken out of context .
Yet these individuals were let or allowed by Twitter to incite violence ” against the teens who had been at the March for Life .
Last year , Unplanned writer and director Chuck Konzelman testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee that the film about Abby Johnson ’ s pro-life conversion found its official Twitter account temporarily suspended without explanation , and that even after being restored found its followers removed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ A thousand-to-one reduction in our listed followers [ ... ] all during the all-important first weekend of our release , ” Konzelman noted , asking why incidents like this alleged technical mistake “ only seem to happen to conservatives ?
” Meanwhile , former CNN personality Reza Azlan was one of several left-wing media figures who expressed or implied a desire to see violence inflicted on a group of pro-life teens who attended the 2019 March for Life , and were falsely reported as having harassed an elderly Native American .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ seen a more punchable face ” than that of pro-life student Nick Sandmann .
Twitter never took action against the tweet , which stayed up for almost a year until , Azlan claims , his wife asked him to delete it .
McEnany also cited various other reasons to distrust and regulate Twitter , from its “ fact-checking ” a recent Trump tweet about voter fraud while letting Chinese government propaganda go unchecked , to the vehement biases of the company ’ s “ Head of Site Integrity.
” “ So they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ censor President Trump and some of his employees , but a little reluctant when it comes to China , and it is a bit befuddling , ” she said .
It remains to be seen exactly what changes the president ’ s executive order will bring about , but many conservatives have called for either taking away social media platforms ’ immunity under Section 230 , or making that community contingent upon true political neutrality .
“ These statutory provisions [ of Section 230 ] have likely had a helpful role in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are also clearly not constitutionally required – they are special favors , ” George Mason University law professor Eugene Kontorovich testified last year .
“ In enacting the immunity provisions , Congress assumed that protected internet services provide ‘ a forum for a true diversity of political discourse.
’ To the extent that assumption is weakened by online companies filtering out viewpoints that they deem ideologically impermissible , the assumptions behind Section 230 may need to be revisited.
” LifeSiteNews will continue to follow the story , and report on President Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released .

'The president will take action to ensure that Big Tech does not stifle free speech, and that the rights of all Americans to speak, tweet, and post will be protected.'
TELL VIMEO: Stop silencing conservatives and Christians! Sign the petition here.
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – President Donald Trump was driven to take action to rein in social media’s censorship of conservatives in part by witnessing Twitter’s treatment of pro-life filmmakers and teens, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany revealed at Thursday’s press conference.
On Wednesday, the president announced that he would be signing an executive order on the matter Thursday, the details of which were not yet revealed. The finalized version has not yet been officially unveiled, but a leaked draft indicates it will focus on overhauling Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act, which immunizes hosting platforms such as Facebook and Twitter against liability for the content posted by users.
McEnany did not elaborate on the details of the incoming order, but did begin the briefing with a wide-ranging argument for federal action, highlighting a list of Twitter offenses including the company’s actions against the pro-life film Unplanned and pro-life students from Covington Catholic High School.
“No one believes in the First Amendment more than the president, and the president will take action to ensure that Big Tech does not stifle free speech, and that the rights of all Americans to speak, tweet, and post will be protected,” McEnany said. “It’s not just bias aimed at President Trump and his employees; it’s also aimed at everyday Americans. It is aimed at the movie Unplanned, as Twitter suspended their accounts and came up with an excuse in the aftermath. Another example is that liberals are allowed to incite violence against the Covington kids, who were in the end proven right; their video was taken out of context. Yet these individuals were let or allowed by Twitter to incite violence” against the teens who had been at the March for Life.
Last year, Unplanned writer and director Chuck Konzelman testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee that the film about Abby Johnson’s pro-life conversion found its official Twitter account temporarily suspended without explanation, and that even after being restored found its followers removed and other users temporarily unable to follow it.
“A thousand-to-one reduction in our listed followers […] all during the all-important first weekend of our release,” Konzelman noted, asking why incidents like this alleged technical mistake “only seem to happen to conservatives?”
Meanwhile, former CNN personality Reza Azlan was one of several left-wing media figures who expressed or implied a desire to see violence inflicted on a group of pro-life teens who attended the 2019 March for Life, and were falsely reported as having harassed an elderly Native American. Azlan specifically tweeted that he had never “seen a more punchable face” than that of pro-life student Nick Sandmann.
Twitter never took action against the tweet, which stayed up for almost a year until, Azlan claims, his wife asked him to delete it.
McEnany also cited various other reasons to distrust and regulate Twitter, from its “fact-checking” a recent Trump tweet about voter fraud while letting Chinese government propaganda go unchecked, to the vehement biases of the company’s “Head of Site Integrity.”
This person is the “head of site integrity” at Twitter pic.twitter.com/hyZcl5VIe0 — Jon Levine (@LevineJonathan) May 27, 2020
“So they appear to be very hastily eager to censor President Trump and some of his employees, but a little reluctant when it comes to China, and it is a bit befuddling,” she said.
It remains to be seen exactly what changes the president’s executive order will bring about, but many conservatives have called for either taking away social media platforms’ immunity under Section 230, or making that community contingent upon true political neutrality.
“These statutory provisions [of Section 230] have likely had a helpful role in the growth of the internet. But they are also clearly not constitutionally required – they are special favors,” George Mason University law professor Eugene Kontorovich testified last year. “In enacting the immunity provisions, Congress assumed that protected internet services provide ‘a forum for a true diversity of political discourse.’ To the extent that assumption is weakened by online companies filtering out viewpoints that they deem ideologically impermissible, the assumptions behind Section 230 may need to be revisited.”
LifeSiteNews will continue to follow the story, and report on President Trump’s finalized executive order once it is released.
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lifesitenews--2020-05-28--Fauci: Not safe to distribute Communion, but sex with strangers ‘your choice’

PETITION : Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society !
Sign the petition here .
WASHINGTON , D.C. , May 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Dr. Anthony Fauci , one of President Donald Trump ’ s top coronavirus advisors , has called on the Church not to distribute Holy Communion during the coronavirus pandemic , but last month said sex with strangers is fine “ if you ’ re willing to take a risk.
” Asked if the Eucharist can be distributed in a safe way , Fauci , the director of the National Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an emphatic “ no.
” “ I think for the time being , you just got ta forestall that , ” Fauci told America Magazine during an interview on Tuesday .
“ It depends on where you are , ” he then backpedaled .
“ If you are in a region , a city , a county , where there is a significant amount of infection , I think with distributing Communion , I think that would be risky .
I ’ m telling you that as a Catholic , it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a priest can wash his hands , he gets to Communion , he puts it in somebody ’ s hand , they put it in their mouth … it ’ s that kind of close interaction that you don ’ t want when you ’ re in the middle of a deadly outbreak , ” he added .
Last month , Fauci said it was “ tough ” to say whether it was alright during the pandemic to have sex with strangers met on dating apps like Tinder , but “ if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk—and you know , everybody has their own tolerance for risks—you could figure out if you want to meet somebody.
” “ And it depends on the level of the interaction that you want to have .
If you ’ re looking for a friend , sit in a room and put a mask on , and you know , chat a bit .
If you want to go a little bit more intimate , well , then that ’ s your choice regarding a risk , ” he said .
Fauci added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure the person is feeling well.
” Guidelines for beginning public Masses again , which were prepared by the Thomistic Institute and recommended by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops , said that receiving Holy Communion directly on the tongue is possible “ without unreasonable risk.
” “ Opinions on this point are varied within the medical and scientific community : some believe Communion on the tongue involves an elevated and , in the light of all the circumstances , an unreasonable risk ; others disagree , ” the document pointed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is provided , one could consider using hand sanitizer after each communicant who receives on the tongue.
” The guidelines specifically referred to Redemptionis Sacramentum , an Instruction published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2004 .
According to the document , “ each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue.
” The Thomistic Institute is part of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington , D.C .
However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but also by medical experts , including Timothy P. Flanigan of Brown University , and Aaron Kheriaty of the University of California , Irvine .
In his conversation with America Magazine , Fauci , in general , asked bishops and priests to use “ common sense ” in reopening Catholic dioceses and parishes across the country .
He urged churches to “ limit the number of people , so that you don ’ t have people in the pews right next to each other , ” while also encouraging everybody to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the priest is on the altar , separated by 30 , 40 , 50 feet , you know , I wouldn ’ t think it was absolutely necessary to [ use masks ] , ” he admitted .
“ But the people who are within six , 10 feet of each other really need to.
” Fauci also discouraged the faithful from singing .
“ When you sing , the amount of droplets and aerosol that come out is really , in some respects , scary , ” he said .
Some states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in allowing religious gatherings after the lockdown .
Accordingly , the dioceses within those states are having public Masses again .
Other parts of the United States are only now beginning to allow public Masses , as Pentecost Sunday is approaching .
“ You always have to take into account what the dynamic of the outbreak is in your particular region , ” the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases pointed out .
He added that “ when you ’ re dealing with a nationwide outbreak like we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to take precautions.
” Even though Fauci is perhaps the most prominent member of the White House coronavirus task force , he has been criticized for some of his positions , especially by Republicans .
Following Fauci ’ s comments during a congressional hearing on May 12 , during which he spoke about the risks of reopening the country too soon , President Donald Trump himself came out against Fauci .
“ I was surprised by his answer , actually , because , you know , to me it 's not an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to schools , ” the President said , explaining that Fauci “ wants to play all sides of the equation.
” During the same congressional hearing , Republican Senator Rand Paul , who is a doctor and has also had the coronavirus , criticized the importance given to statements by Fauci .
“ I don ’ t think you ’ re the end-all , ” Paul told him .
“ I don ’ t think you ’ re the one person who gets to make a decision .
We can listen to your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other side saying there ’ s not going to be a surge and that we can safely open the economy.
” In early March , Fauci had claimed , “ There ’ s no reason to be walking around with a mask.
” A month later , official guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) recommended wearing a mask in public .
On Wednesday , Fauci said he wears a mask publicly as “ a symbol for people to see that that ’ s the kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @

'I think for the time being, you just gotta forestall that,' the key member of the White House coronavirus task force said of receiving the Eucharist.
PETITION: Tell politicians not to discriminate against churches when reopening society! Sign the petition here.
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of President Donald Trump’s top coronavirus advisors, has called on the Church not to distribute Holy Communion during the coronavirus pandemic, but last month said sex with strangers is fine “if you’re willing to take a risk.”
Asked if the Eucharist can be distributed in a safe way, Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, responded with an emphatic “no.”
“I think for the time being, you just gotta forestall that,” Fauci told America Magazine during an interview on Tuesday.
“It depends on where you are,” he then backpedaled. “If you are in a region, a city, a county, where there is a significant amount of infection, I think with distributing Communion, I think that would be risky. I’m telling you that as a Catholic, it would be risky.”
“As many times as a priest can wash his hands, he gets to Communion, he puts it in somebody’s hand, they put it in their mouth … it’s that kind of close interaction that you don’t want when you’re in the middle of a deadly outbreak,” he added.
Last month, Fauci said it was “tough” to say whether it was alright during the pandemic to have sex with strangers met on dating apps like Tinder, but “if you’re willing to take a risk—and you know, everybody has their own tolerance for risks—you could figure out if you want to meet somebody.”
“And it depends on the level of the interaction that you want to have. If you’re looking for a friend, sit in a room and put a mask on, and you know, chat a bit. If you want to go a little bit more intimate, well, then that’s your choice regarding a risk,” he said. Fauci added it’s important to “make sure the person is feeling well.”
Guidelines for beginning public Masses again, which were prepared by the Thomistic Institute and recommended by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said that receiving Holy Communion directly on the tongue is possible “without unreasonable risk.”
“Opinions on this point are varied within the medical and scientific community: some believe Communion on the tongue involves an elevated and, in the light of all the circumstances, an unreasonable risk; others disagree,” the document pointed out. “If Communion on the tongue is provided, one could consider using hand sanitizer after each communicant who receives on the tongue.”
The guidelines specifically referred to Redemptionis Sacramentum, an Instruction published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2004. According to the document, “each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue.”
The Thomistic Institute is part of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. However, the guidelines were prepared not only by theologians, but also by medical experts, including Timothy P. Flanigan of Brown University, and Aaron Kheriaty of the University of California, Irvine.
In his conversation with America Magazine, Fauci, in general, asked bishops and priests to use “common sense” in reopening Catholic dioceses and parishes across the country.
He urged churches to “limit the number of people, so that you don’t have people in the pews right next to each other,” while also encouraging everybody to “absolutely” wear masks.
“If the priest is on the altar, separated by 30, 40, 50 feet, you know, I wouldn’t think it was absolutely necessary to [use masks],” he admitted. “But the people who are within six, 10 feet of each other really need to.”
Fauci also discouraged the faithful from singing. “When you sing, the amount of droplets and aerosol that come out is really, in some respects, scary,” he said.
Some states within the country are already far advanced in allowing religious gatherings after the lockdown. Accordingly, the dioceses within those states are having public Masses again.
Other parts of the United States are only now beginning to allow public Masses, as Pentecost Sunday is approaching.
“You always have to take into account what the dynamic of the outbreak is in your particular region,” the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases pointed out. He added that “when you’re dealing with a nationwide outbreak like we have right now, you’ve really got to take precautions.”
Even though Fauci is perhaps the most prominent member of the White House coronavirus task force, he has been criticized for some of his positions, especially by Republicans.
Following Fauci’s comments during a congressional hearing on May 12, during which he spoke about the risks of reopening the country too soon, President Donald Trump himself came out against Fauci.
“I was surprised by his answer, actually, because, you know, to me it's not an acceptable answer, especially when it comes to schools,” the President said, explaining that Fauci “wants to play all sides of the equation.”
During the same congressional hearing, Republican Senator Rand Paul, who is a doctor and has also had the coronavirus, criticized the importance given to statements by Fauci.
“I don’t think you’re the end-all,” Paul told him. “I don’t think you’re the one person who gets to make a decision. We can listen to your advice, but there are people on the other side saying there’s not going to be a surge and that we can safely open the economy.”
In early March, Fauci had claimed, “There’s no reason to be walking around with a mask.” A month later, official guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended wearing a mask in public.
On Wednesday, Fauci said he wears a mask publicly as “a symbol for people to see that that’s the kind of thing you should be doing.”
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lifesitenews--2020-05-28--Medical establishment opposes potential COVID-19 drug as dueling studies continue

PETITION : No to mandatory vaccination for the coronavirus !
Sign the petition here .
May 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – As the world continues to navigate the COVID-19 outbreak and doctors continue the search for the most effective means of treatment and prevention , the medication hydroxychloroquine ( HCQ ) continues to be an unusual focal point for partisan contention .
HCQ is an FDA-approved drug developed in the 1950s to treat malaria , and has been commonly used since as a treatment for autoimmune conditions and arthritis ( with applications to heart disease , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved its use for the coronavirus , but has allowed it “ to be distributed and prescribed by doctors to hospitalized teen and adult patients with COVID-19 , as appropriate , when a clinical trial is not available or feasible.
” ( At the same time , the FDA warns not to use it outside of trials or hospitals . )
“ We also know that hydroxychloroquine calms inflammation , a reason why it is widely used for autoimmune diseases , ” explains infectious disease expert Dr. Kristin Moffitt of Boston Children ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that some of the devastating effects of COVID-19 are related to an over-exuberant immune response .
The result is a so-called ‘ cytokine storm ’ — overproduction of inflammatory molecules called cytokines .
It is hypothesized that hydroxychloroquine may be useful in tempering this cytokine inflammation , but further studies are needed to validate the actual benefit.
” In the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak , scientists began researching its potential applications in treating the new virus – a development that was quickly promoted by President Donald Trump .
The mere fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential turned HCQ into a political lightning rod , with partisans going so far as to blame Trump for the death of a man who drank an aquarium cleaning chemical containing a similar-sounding ingredient , chloroquine phosphate , and to falsely suggest the drug killed patients at Veterans Administration hospitals .
Meanwhile , actual studies appear to find conflicting results as to HCQ ’ s effectiveness in treating COVID-19 , and many in the medical establishment are pushing back against it .
Early on , several promising results were reported from studies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and China .
More recently , however , another French analysis in The Lancet found “ no benefit ” to using HCQ but instead found “ decreased in-hospital survival and an increased frequency of ventricular arrhythmias , ” leading the French High Council for Public Health ( HCSP ) to recommend against prescribing it outside of clinical trials .
Uncertainty and confusion persist as to what all of this means .
Preliminary research seems to suggest that HCQ ’ s effectiveness depends on being administered in the earliest stages of COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s long-established uses for other purposes , fears of its health dangers may be overblown , provided that researchers and prescribing physicians take into account a patient ’ s medical history and don ’ t use it in conjunction with other medications .
“ When used alone , we ’ re not seeing major issues , ” said Dr. Sarah Lofgren of the University of Minnesota Medical School , who is currently involved in researching HCQ .
“ Out of our thousands of patients , we ’ re not seeing things people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrhythmias.
” “ If you bring on a star player consistently [ only ] in the last minute of a game and you ’ re still losing , you might say , ‘ This star player is no good , ’ ” adds Washington University School of Medicine anesthesiologist Michael Avidan .
“ But that ’ s not a good use of your star player , because most of the outcome is already established at that very late stage.
” The National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) began a clinical trial for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 14 , and University of Oxford researchers are currently in the process of enrolling people for a global trial .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) is also overseeing trials , though they are currently on a two-week pause as researchers evaluate the data collected so far .
Even so , hydroxychloroquine faces resistance – not just from the media and political activists , but from medical associations and some governments .
Belgium , France , and Italy banned the use of HCQ as a COVID-19 treatment this week , citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the American College of Physicians opposes doctors choosing to write off-label HCQ prescriptions for COVID-19 patients , and that the drug should only be administered in clinical trials .
Last month , the left-wing American Medical Association joined with the American Pharmacists Association and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists to issue a joint statement to “ strongly oppose ” the prescribing of HCQ for anything other than its current FDA-approved uses .
Last month , former U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority director Rick Bright claimed that the Trump administration fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of HCQ .
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar responded that Bright was exaggerating his contributions to the administration ’ s COVID-19 efforts , faulting him for “ not showing up for work to be part of ” the initiative to develop a vaccine .
Azar also noted that Bright in fact signed the FDA application to use HCQ for COVID-19 .
On May 19 , Trump said he ’ d been taking HCQ and a zinc supplement for “ a few weeks ” as a prophylactic .
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As of May 27 , the United States is estimated to have seen more than 1.7 million COVID-19 cases , with more than 101,000 deaths and 482,000 recoveries .
An estimated 43 % of those deaths have come from nursing homes .
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world .

Studies appear to find conflicting results as to hydroxychloroquine's effectiveness in treating COVID-19, and President Trump's promotion of it has made it a political lightening rod.
PETITION: No to mandatory vaccination for the coronavirus! Sign the petition here.
May 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – As the world continues to navigate the COVID-19 outbreak and doctors continue the search for the most effective means of treatment and prevention, the medication hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) continues to be an unusual focal point for partisan contention.
HCQ is an FDA-approved drug developed in the 1950s to treat malaria, and has been commonly used since as a treatment for autoimmune conditions and arthritis (with applications to heart disease, as well). The FDA has not officially approved its use for the coronavirus, but has allowed it “to be distributed and prescribed by doctors to hospitalized teen and adult patients with COVID-19, as appropriate, when a clinical trial is not available or feasible.” (At the same time, the FDA warns not to use it outside of trials or hospitals.)
“Hydroxychloroquine calms inflammation, a reason why it is widely used for autoimmune diseases,” explains infectious disease expert Dr. Kristin Moffitt of Boston Children’s Hospital. “Research has shown that some of the devastating effects of COVID-19 are related to an over-exuberant immune response. The result is a so-called ‘cytokine storm’ — overproduction of inflammatory molecules called cytokines. It is hypothesized that hydroxychloroquine may be useful in tempering this cytokine inflammation, but further studies are needed to validate the actual benefit.”
In the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak, scientists began researching its potential applications in treating the new virus – a development that was quickly promoted by President Donald Trump.
The mere fact of Trump touting the drug’s potential turned HCQ into a political lightning rod, with partisans going so far as to blame Trump for the death of a man who drank an aquarium cleaning chemical containing a similar-sounding ingredient, (chloroquine phosphate), and to falsely suggest the drug killed patients at Veterans Administration hospitals.
Meanwhile, actual studies appear to find conflicting results as to HCQ’s effectiveness in treating COVID-19, and many in the medical establishment are pushing back against it.
Early on, several promising results were reported from studies and trials, including in Seattle, France, and China. More recently, however, another French analysis in The Lancet found “no benefit” to using HCQ but instead found “decreased in-hospital survival and an increased frequency of ventricular arrhythmias,” leading the French High Council for Public Health (HCSP) to recommend against prescribing it outside of clinical trials.
Uncertainty and confusion persist as to what all of this means. Preliminary research seems to suggest that HCQ’s effectiveness depends on being administered in the earliest stages of COVID-19, and that, given the drug’s long-established uses for other purposes, fears of its health dangers may be overblown, provided that researchers and prescribing physicians take into account a patient’s medical history and don’t use it in conjunction with other medications.
“When used alone, we’re not seeing major issues,” said Dr. Sarah Lofgren of the University of Minnesota Medical School, who is currently involved in researching HCQ. “Out of our thousands of patients, we’re not seeing things people are quite concerned about, particularly the heart arrhythmias.”
“If you bring on a star player consistently [only] in the last minute of a game and you’re still losing, you might say, ‘This star player is no good,’” adds Washington University School of Medicine anesthesiologist Michael Avidan. “But that’s not a good use of your star player, because most of the outcome is already established at that very late stage.”
On Wednesday, the American Journal of Epidemiology published a paper by Yale’s Dr. Harvey Risch attempting to sift through the dueling narratives, coming to the conclusion that the timing of HCQ’s use makes all the difference.
“Early outpatient illness is very different than later hospitalized florid disease and the treatments differ,” he writes. “Evidence about use of hydroxychloroquine alone, or of hydroxychloroquine+azithromycin in inpatients, is irrelevant concerning efficacy of the pair in early high-risk outpatient disease.”
From HCQ’s use for “more than 300,000 older adults with multicomorbidities,” the paper observes cardiac arrhythmias caused by the drug in just 47 out of 100,000 patients, leading to death in just 9 out of 100,000.
Contrasting those numbers with the “10,000 Americans now dying each week,” Risch concludes that “these medications need to be widely available and promoted immediately for physicians to prescribe.”
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) began a clinical trial for HCQ along with the antibiotic azithromycin on May 14, and University of Oxford researchers are currently in the process of enrolling people for a global trial. The World Health Organization (WHO) is also overseeing trials, though they are currently on a two-week pause as researchers evaluate the data collected so far.
Even so, hydroxychloroquine faces resistance – not just from the media and political activists, but from medical associations and some governments. Belgium, France, and Italy banned the use of HCQ as a COVID-19 treatment this week, citing safety concerns.
Disagreeing with the FDA, the American College of Physicians opposes doctors choosing to write off-label HCQ prescriptions for COVID-19 patients, and that the drug should only be administered in clinical trials. Last month, the left-wing American Medical Association joined with the American Pharmacists Association and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists to issue a joint statement to “strongly oppose” the prescribing of HCQ for anything other than its current FDA-approved uses.
Last month, former U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority director Rick Bright claimed that the Trump administration fired him for attempting to further limit the use of HCQ. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar responded that Bright was exaggerating his contributions to the administration’s COVID-19 efforts, faulting him for “not showing up for work to be part of” the initiative to develop a vaccine. Azar also noted that Bright in fact signed the FDA application to use HCQ for COVID-19.
On May 19, Trump said he’d been taking HCQ and a zinc supplement for “a few weeks” as a prophylactic. He has repeatedly tested negative for the coronavirus.
As of May 27, the United States is estimated to have seen more than 1.7 million COVID-19 cases, with more than 101,000 deaths and 482,000 recoveries. An estimated 43% of those deaths have come from nursing homes.
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
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lifesitenews--2020-05-28--Bishop calls brother bishops who ban sacraments ‘fake shepherds’

Formerly Heart to Heart with Mother Miriam , Mother Miriam Live brings you inspiration and solutions for life ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Miriam is a Catholic nun on a mission to bring hope to a world that @ @ @ @ @ let her share that hope and joy with you !
To tune into Mother Miriam @ @ @ @ @ Facebook page here every Monday to Friday at 10am .

To help keep this and other programs on the air, please donate here.
Watch Mother Miriam's Live show from 5.28.2020. In today's show, Mother Miriam reads and comments on a talk given by Bishop Athanasius Schneider at the Rome Life Forum. In his talk, Bishop Schneider calls his brother bishops who banned the sacraments 'fake shepherds.' You can read more here.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live here.


lifesitenews--2020-05-28--Child porn manufacturing, use skyrockets by 264% in Philippines during coronavirus lockdown

MANILA , Philippines , May 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The number of cases of online sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines has dramatically increased by more than 250 percent after stay-at-home orders were implemented during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Data from the Department of Justice Office of Cybercrime … revealed the total of cases recorded from March 1 to May 24 reached 279,166 which is 264 percent higher than the cases recorded on the same period of 2019 at 76,561 , ” reported PTV News .
“ From the 2020 record , 132,192 were recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 93,092 in May.
” As pointed out by the Manila Bulletin , “ most of the cases include possession , manufacture , and distribution of child pornography ; online enticement of children for sexual acts ; child sex trafficking ; sex tourism involving children ; extra-familial child sexual molestation ; unsolicited obscene material sent to a child ; and misleading words or digital images on the internet.
” The Philippine Department of Justice ( DOJ ) based its statement on data provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the enormous increase “ is attributable to the fact that during the [ Enhanced Community Quarantine ] , strict home quarantine is observed in all households , and internet usage surges as people stay home.
” The DOJ noted that “ there is no law in the Philippines that directly defines and penalizes ” online sexual exploitation of children .
Even though sexual exploitation is on the rise in the Asian country , Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said earlier this week that there will be no school until a coronavirus vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sending children to school “ spells disaster , ” he claimed .
“ For me , vaccine first , ” he added .
“ If the vaccine is already there , then it ’ s okay .
If no one graduates , then so be it.
” “ I will not allow the opening of classes where students will be near each other , ” Duterte said .
“ Unless I am sure that they are really safe , it ’ s useless to be talking about opening of classes.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known source of online sexual exploitation of children .
“ A new study released by the Washington-based International Justice Mission on Thursday said Philippine cases of online child sexual exploitation have increased sharply in recent years with parents agreeing to have their own children victimized for the money , ” wrote ABC News .
NPR noted that also in the United States more minors were abused during the stay-at-home orders put in place by state governments .
“ By the end of March , with much of the country under lockdown , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls [ at the National Sexual Assault Hotline ] from people younger than 18 , and half of all incoming contacts were from minors.
” “ As a result of looking at the information that we had from those sessions , it was clear that the abuse was escalating in both frequency and severity , ” Camille Cooper , vice president of the Rape , Abuse and Incest National Network , told NPR .
“ So a lot of the kids that were coming to the hotline were feeling pretty vulnerable and traumatized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 , because they were quarantined with their abuser .
The abuser was now abusing them on a daily basis .
”

The number of cases recorded during the quarantine from March 1 to May 24 is 279,166.
MANILA, Philippines, May 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The number of cases of online sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines has dramatically increased by more than 250 percent after stay-at-home orders were implemented during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Data from the Department of Justice Office of Cybercrime … revealed the total of cases recorded from March 1 to May 24 reached 279,166 which is 264 percent higher than the cases recorded on the same period of 2019 at 76,561,” reported PTV News. “From the 2020 record, 132,192 were recorded in March, 53,882 in April, and 93,092 in May.”
As pointed out by the Manila Bulletin, “most of the cases include possession, manufacture, and distribution of child pornography; online enticement of children for sexual acts; child sex trafficking; sex tourism involving children; extra-familial child sexual molestation; unsolicited obscene material sent to a child; and misleading words or digital images on the internet.”
The Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) based its statement on data provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
According to the DOJ, the enormous increase “is attributable to the fact that during the [Enhanced Community Quarantine], strict home quarantine is observed in all households, and internet usage surges as people stay home.”
The DOJ noted that “there is no law in the Philippines that directly defines and penalizes” online sexual exploitation of children.
Even though sexual exploitation is on the rise in the Asian country, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said earlier this week that there will be no school until a coronavirus vaccine has been found. Without a vaccine, sending children to school “spells disaster,” he claimed.
“For me, vaccine first,” he added. “If the vaccine is already there, then it’s okay. If no one graduates, then so be it.”
“I will not allow the opening of classes where students will be near each other,” Duterte said. “Unless I am sure that they are really safe, it’s useless to be talking about opening of classes.”
The Philippines are the world’s largest known source of online sexual exploitation of children.
“A new study released by the Washington-based International Justice Mission on Thursday said Philippine cases of online child sexual exploitation have increased sharply in recent years with parents agreeing to have their own children victimized for the money,” wrote ABC News.
NPR noted that also in the United States more minors were abused during the stay-at-home orders put in place by state governments.
“By the end of March, with much of the country under lockdown, there was a 22% increase in monthly calls [at the National Sexual Assault Hotline] from people younger than 18, and half of all incoming contacts were from minors.”
“As a result of looking at the information that we had from those sessions, it was clear that the abuse was escalating in both frequency and severity,” Camille Cooper, vice president of the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, told NPR. “So a lot of the kids that were coming to the hotline were feeling pretty vulnerable and traumatized. And it was a direct result of COVID-19, because they were quarantined with their abuser. The abuser was now abusing them on a daily basis.”
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lifesitenews--2020-05-28--Watch live: White House holds press briefing as Trump takes on social media censorship

May 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – As the Trump administration promises an executive order to tackle social media @ @ @ @ @ conservative voices , the White House is holding a press briefing today at 2:00pm .
@ @ @ @ @ on our YouTube channel and our Facebook page .
The video is embedded right here @ @ @ @ @ below ) , or you can watch it at our YouTube channel here .
The @ @ @ @ @ the issue earlier this month , but it heated up this week after Twitter issued @ @ @ @ @ on one of his tweets .
LifeSite has been locked out of its Twitter account @ @ @ @ @ about radical transgender activist Jonathon Yaniv , a biological man , in which we were @ @ @ @ @ him .
We were told we must delete the tweet in order to regain access @ @ @ @ @ ’ s recent battle with social media companies here : Trump admin reportedly considering federal @ @ @ @ @ conservatives

May 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – As the Trump administration promises an executive order to tackle social media companies’ increasing censorship of conservative voices, the White House is holding a press briefing today at 2:00pm. LifeSite is streaming it live on our YouTube channel and our Facebook page.
The video is embedded right here in this article (see below), or you can watch it at our YouTube channel here.
The president signaled strong action on the issue earlier this month, but it heated up this week after Twitter issued a “fact check” on one of his tweets.
LifeSite has been locked out of its Twitter account for months after a tweet about radical transgender activist Jonathon Yaniv, a biological man, in which we were accused of “misgendering” him. We were told we must delete the tweet in order to regain access.
Read more about Trump’s recent battle with social media companies here:
Senior Twitter ‘fact checker’ has compared Trump officials to Nazis
Trump admin reportedly considering federal reviews of online bias against conservatives
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lifesitenews--2020-05-28--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

May 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In response to the coronavirus crisis , LifeSite is offering Catholics throughout the world a chance to be united in praying the rosary together , at the same time , every day at 12:00 noon EST .
The rosary is led by Father Anthony Pillari , an American priest currently in Italy .
To date , Catholics from Israel , Uganda , Italy , France , Germany , Ireland , the United Kingdom , the U.S. , Canada , Mexico , Chile , Brazil , Australia , New Zealand , the Philippines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as other countries , have been joining in .
The whole world – including the Church – has been thrown into chaos because of the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) .
Thousands of people have passed away as a result of the viral outbreak , while thousands more have been sickened .
And , across the world , business has come to a grinding halt , resulting in sudden job loss and threatening economic recession .
If there ever was a time for prayer , this is it .
Catholics around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sacraments , but in many places are unable to access them because of bishops ’ orders or government restrictions .
We know that community with other believers is vital all the time , but especially during this time of global calls for “ sheltering-in-place ” and quarantine .
“ The rosary is the weapon for these times , ” St. Padre Pio said .
Through prayer , we can shape history , change the world , and bring this painful crisis to an end .
Join us today !
Send photos or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rosary with Father Pillari to [ email protected ]

(LifeSiteNews) — In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church, LifeSite is happy to promote Regina Angelorum Press’s Daily Rosary, which is offering Catholics throughout the world the chance to be united daily in prayer, in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade.
Catholics from all over the world — from Israel, Uganda, Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, Pakistan, Singapore, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and other countries — are gathering daily to pray the Rosary, led by Father Pillari, JCL, MCL, STL, an American priest currently studying in Italy.
The Daily Rosary is being offered each day at 12noon EST through Regina Angelorum Press’ YouTube Channel to which you can subscribe HERE.
The goal is, by means of this Daily Rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima, the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.
To help obtain that goal, Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide Rosary crusade:
O Immaculate Heart of Mary, you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother. Look upon the distress in which the Church and the whole of humanity are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church. In Fatima you warned against these errors, as you spoke about the errors of Russia. You are the Mediatrix of all graces. Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope: that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart, so that Russia will be converted, a period of peace will be granted to the world, and your Immaculate Heart will triumph, through an authentic renewal of the Church in the splendor of the purity of the Catholic Faith, of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life. O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother, turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer. Amen. + Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana
To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady’s message at Fatima, and about what you can do, please read Cardinal Burke’s 2017 address at the Rome Life Forum.
As St. Padre Pio once said, “The Rosary is the weapon for these times.” Through prayer, God can shape history, change the world, and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world, through the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart. Join us today!
If you would like to follow along with the prayers said during this Rosary, you can access them HERE. The document also includes a brief F.A.Q. pertaining to the daily Rosary.
You can send your prayer requests to https://reginangelorumpress.com/prayer-intentions/
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lifesitenews--2020-05-28--Maryland county bans Holy Communion in corona reopening order, archdiocese has ‘serious concerns’

BALTIMORE , Maryland , May 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The Archdiocese of Baltimore said it has “ serious concerns ” about a Howard County , Maryland executive order banning the reception of Holy Communion because of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ For the Catholic community , the reception of Communion is central to our faith lives and to our public worship , ” the archdiocese stated on Wednesday .
“ Since learning of the concerns of Howard County officials , we have shared our guidelines for the distribution of Communion and express our own serious concerns about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Howard County from distributing Communion.
” As several states are opening up again after the lockdown , Howard County , which is located between Baltimore and Washington , D.C. , issued a very restrictive executive order on Tuesday .
“ There shall be no consumption of food or beverage of any kind before , during , or after religious services , including food or beverage that would typically be consumed as part of a religious service , ” the local government ordered .
Religious gatherings are limited to ten people , but public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faithful , as long as “ appropriate social distancing of six feet ” is maintained .
Even outside , everybody has to “ wear face masks or facial coverings at all times.
” “ Singing is permitted , ” the executive order pointed out , “ but not recommended .
If singing takes place , only the choir or religious leaders may sing .
Any person singing without a mask or facial covering must maintain a 12-foot distance from other persons , including religious leaders , other singers , or the congregation.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who is one of the key members of the White House coronavirus task force , told America Magazine on May 26 that churches should adopt “ common sense ” measures to protect the faithful .
For Fauci , “ common sense ” includes prohibiting the reception of the Eucharist .
“ I think for the time being , you just got ta forestall that.
” “ If the priest is on the altar , separated by 30 , 40 , 50 feet , you know , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolutely necessary to [ use masks ] , ” Fauci pointed out .
“ But the people who are within six , 10 feet of each other really need to.
” He also discouraged singing .
“ When you sing , the amount of droplets and aerosol that come out is really , in some respects , scary , ” he said .
Fauci has also called for abolishing handshakes , but said sex with strangers from dating apps is fine “ if you ’ re willing to take a risk.
” Archbishop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced on Tuesday “ that some of us , at least , will be able to return to Mass for the feast of Pentecost , though only at one-third the seating capacity of our churches.
” He already cautioned at the time that public Masses “ must be allowed by each local jurisdiction , who [ sic ] have different timelines due to the uneven number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
” “ Secondly , each parish must evaluate whether it is ready to open for public Masses , ” he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ or simply apprehensive about gathering with others at this time , consider staying at home , ” the archbishop said .
“ The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass will remain in effect through Phase II of our reopening .
Many locations will continue to offer Masses online for the time being.
” In a video , titled “ What to Expect When You Return to Mass , ” the archdiocese of Baltimore only mentions the reception of Holy Communion in the hand , not on the tongue .
“ After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand and placed it in your mouth , please place your mask back in position over your mouth and nose before proceeding back to your pew , ” the video instructs the faithful .
However , the official archdiocesan “ Guidelines for Resuming Public Masses and the Sacraments of Initiation ” allow for the traditional way of receiving the Eucharist .
“ Ministers of Holy Communion may not deny Communion to those who insist on receiving on the tongue , ” the guidelines emphasize .
“ Should anyone choose to do so , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands prior to distributing Communion to the next individual.
” Recommended by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops , guidelines prepared by the Thomistic Institute for restarting public Masses made clear that receiving Holy Communion directly on the tongue is possible “ without unreasonable risk.
” “ Opinions on this point are varied within the medical and scientific community : some believe Communion on the tongue involves an elevated and , in the light of all the circumstances , an unreasonable risk ; others disagree , ” the document pointed out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided , one could consider using hand sanitizer after each communicant who receives on the tongue.
” The guidelines specifically referred to Redemptionis Sacramentum , an Instruction published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2004 .
According to the document , “ each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue .
”

BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The Archdiocese of Baltimore said it has “serious concerns” about a Howard County, Maryland executive order banning the reception of Holy Communion because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“For the Catholic community, the reception of Communion is central to our faith lives and to our public worship,” the archdiocese stated on Wednesday.
“Since learning of the concerns of Howard County officials, we have shared our guidelines for the distribution of Communion and express our own serious concerns about their recent guidance preventing Catholic churches in Howard County from distributing Communion.”
As several states are opening up again after the lockdown, Howard County, which is located between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., issued a very restrictive executive order on Tuesday.
“There shall be no consumption of food or beverage of any kind before, during, or after religious services, including food or beverage that would typically be consumed as part of a religious service,” the local government ordered.
Religious gatherings are limited to ten people, but public outdoor Masses could accommodate up to 250 faithful, as long as “appropriate social distancing of six feet” is maintained. Even outside, everybody has to “wear face masks or facial coverings at all times.”
“Singing is permitted,” the executive order pointed out, “but not recommended. If singing takes place, only the choir or religious leaders may sing. Any person singing without a mask or facial covering must maintain a 12-foot distance from other persons, including religious leaders, other singers, or the congregation.”
Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who is one of the key members of the White House coronavirus task force, told America Magazine on May 26 that churches should adopt “common sense” measures to protect the faithful.
For Fauci, “common sense” includes prohibiting the reception of the Eucharist. “I think for the time being, you just gotta forestall that.”
“If the priest is on the altar, separated by 30, 40, 50 feet, you know, I wouldn’t think it was absolutely necessary to [use masks],” Fauci pointed out. “But the people who are within six, 10 feet of each other really need to.”
He also discouraged singing. “When you sing, the amount of droplets and aerosol that come out is really, in some respects, scary,” he said.
Fauci has also called for abolishing handshakes, but said sex with strangers from dating apps is fine “if you’re willing to take a risk.”
Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore had just announced on Tuesday “that some of us, at least, will be able to return to Mass for the feast of Pentecost, though only at one-third the seating capacity of our churches.”
He already cautioned at the time that public Masses “must be allowed by each local jurisdiction, who [sic] have different timelines due to the uneven number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.”
“Secondly, each parish must evaluate whether it is ready to open for public Masses,” he added.
“If you are vulnerable, sick or simply apprehensive about gathering with others at this time, consider staying at home,” the archbishop said. “The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass will remain in effect through Phase II of our reopening. Many locations will continue to offer Masses online for the time being.”
In a video, titled “What to Expect When You Return to Mass,” the archdiocese of Baltimore only mentions the reception of Holy Communion in the hand, not on the tongue.
“After you have received the host in your hand and placed it in your mouth, please place your mask back in position over your mouth and nose before proceeding back to your pew,” the video instructs the faithful.
However, the official archdiocesan “Guidelines for Resuming Public Masses and the Sacraments of Initiation” allow for the traditional way of receiving the Eucharist.
“Ministers of Holy Communion may not deny Communion to those who insist on receiving on the tongue,” the guidelines emphasize. “Should anyone choose to do so, the Minister of Communion must sanitize his/her hands prior to distributing Communion to the next individual.”
Recommended by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, guidelines prepared by the Thomistic Institute for restarting public Masses made clear that receiving Holy Communion directly on the tongue is possible “without unreasonable risk.”
“Opinions on this point are varied within the medical and scientific community: some believe Communion on the tongue involves an elevated and, in the light of all the circumstances, an unreasonable risk; others disagree,” the document pointed out. “If Communion on the tongue is provided, one could consider using hand sanitizer after each communicant who receives on the tongue.”
The guidelines specifically referred to Redemptionis Sacramentum, an Instruction published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2004. According to the document, “each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue.”
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lifesitenews--2020-05-28--New rules making healthy people self-isolate could ‘quickly’ become mandatory: UK health minister

LONDON , May 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The U.K. ’ s senior health minister has said a new “ test and trace ” system which will tell healthy people to quarantine for 14 days if they have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for the coronavirus , could “ quickly ” become “ mandatory.
” Matt Hancock , Secretary of State for Health and Social Care , made the remarks at yesterday ’ s daily coronavirus press briefing .
“ The instructions to people are clear , ” Hancock said .
“ If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a test .
If you are contacted by NHS tests and trace instructing you to isolate you must – it is your civic duty so you avoid unknowingly spreading the virus and you help to break the chain of transmission , ” he continued .
“ This will be voluntary at first because we trust everyone to do the right thing , but we can quickly make it mandatory if that 's what it takes.
” Hancock warned the British public that “ if we do n't collectively make this work , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lockdown.
” Hancock repeated the possibility of the system becoming mandatory in an interview this morning on Sky News , saying that “ there are powers that we took through parliament at the start of the crisis in the Coronavirus Act to be able to mandate this.
” People who test positive for the coronavirus will be interviewed by members of what is being widely described as an “ army of 25,000 contact tracers ” in order to learn of other people who they have been in close contact with .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the need to stay at home .
The NHS website explains that people who are told that they ’ ve been in contact with a person who has coronavirus must self-isolate for 14 days and not leave home for any reason .
“ If you need food or medicine , order it online or by phone , or ask friends and family to drop it off at your home , ” the website says .
Anyone who lives with someone who tests positive for the coronavirus must automatically self-isolate for 14 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been told to self-isolate because they have been in contact with someone else who has coronavirus , do not need to self-isolate if they do not have symptoms .
Baroness Dido Harding , executive chairwoman of NHS Test and Trace , explained that “ close contact ” means “ members of your household , or someone you 've been in two meters of for more than 15 minutes.
” Harding said that Britons need to follow instructions from the NHS to self-isolate for 14 days “ even if you do n't have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The U.K. is also in the process of developing a coronavirus tracking app which is expected to launch nationwide in June .
The app is currently on trial in the Isle of Wight and uses bluetooth signals on smartphones to monitor who people have been in close contact with in the past 28 days .
According to reports , messages will be sent to people asking them to self-isolate if they have been in close contact with individuals who test positive for the coronavirus .

Self-isolation ‘will be voluntary at first..., but we can quickly make it mandatory if that's what it takes,’ says Matt Hancock.
LONDON, May 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The U.K.’s senior health minister has said a new “test and trace” system which will tell healthy people to quarantine for 14 days if they have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for the coronavirus, could “quickly” become “mandatory.”
Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, made the remarks at yesterday’s daily coronavirus press briefing.
“The instructions to people are clear,” Hancock said.
“If you get symptoms, isolate immediately and get a test. If you are contacted by NHS tests and trace instructing you to isolate you must – it is your civic duty so you avoid unknowingly spreading the virus and you help to break the chain of transmission,” he continued.
“This will be voluntary at first because we trust everyone to do the right thing, but we can quickly make it mandatory if that's what it takes.”
Hancock warned the British public that “if we don't collectively make this work, then the only way forward is to keep the lockdown.”
Hancock repeated the possibility of the system becoming mandatory in an interview this morning on Sky News, saying that “there are powers that we took through parliament at the start of the crisis in the Coronavirus Act to be able to mandate this.”
People who test positive for the coronavirus will be interviewed by members of what is being widely described as an “army of 25,000 contact tracers” in order to learn of other people who they have been in close contact with.
The contact tracers will then inform those people of the need to stay at home. The NHS website explains that people who are told that they’ve been in contact with a person who has coronavirus must self-isolate for 14 days and not leave home for any reason. “If you need food or medicine, order it online or by phone, or ask friends and family to drop it off at your home,” the website says.
Anyone who lives with someone who tests positive for the coronavirus must automatically self-isolate for 14 days. But individuals living with people who have been told to self-isolate because they have been in contact with someone else who has coronavirus, do not need to self-isolate if they do not have symptoms.
Baroness Dido Harding, executive chairwoman of NHS Test and Trace, explained that “close contact” means “members of your household, or someone you've been in two meters of for more than 15 minutes.”
Harding said that Britons need to follow instructions from the NHS to self-isolate for 14 days “even if you don't have symptoms or you feel perfectly well.”
The U.K. is also in the process of developing a coronavirus tracking app which is expected to launch nationwide in June. The app is currently on trial in the Isle of Wight and uses bluetooth signals on smartphones to monitor who people have been in close contact with in the past 28 days. According to reports, messages will be sent to people asking them to self-isolate if they have been in close contact with individuals who test positive for the coronavirus.
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