lifesitenews--2020-03-23--UK govt allows women to abort children at home in response to coronavirus

UPDATE March 24 , 2020 , 10:39 a.m. EST : The U.K. government has reversed course and said the statement was published “ in error.
” LONDON , United Kingdom , March 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — The U.K. government has authorized women to kill their preborn children at home by using both stages of a chemical abortion process during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children ( SPUC ) has condemned the move , saying it poses dangers for women and is “ exploiting a time of national crisis to rush through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a dangerous and ill-thought-through move , ” said Antonia Tully , SPUC Director of Campaigns .
“ Mifepristone and misoprostol are powerful drugs designed to kill an unborn baby – the rules regulating them shouldn ’ t be changed in this way.
” “ The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists ( RCOG ) has been campaigning for these DIY abortions for months , as part of a propaganda campaign to assure women that abortion pills are safe and simple , when they are anything but .
Now they are exploiting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideological change.
” “ This hurried ‘ temporary ’ measure , has been pushed through at a time when the nation is grappling to cope with Covid 19 .
Under this new approval , medical practitioners can prescribe the pills from their home which now counts as ‘ a class of place for treatment ’ .
And the practitioner can prescribe these deadly drugs ‘ via video link , telephone conference or other electronic means ’ .
” Mrs Tully continued : “ The evidence is that home abortions increase the risks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living in a rural environment , found an increase in complications from 4.2 % in 2008 to 8.2 % in 2015 , for medical abortions at less than 12 weeks .
The authors said that a “ potential reason is that the proportion of induced abortions performed at home has risen.
” Mrs Tully went on : “ The RCOG recently released guidance which calls abortion ‘ essential ’ .
Ending the life of a child is never essential , and to try and claim this when the NHS is trying desperately to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is vital to conserve our core services for genuine health emergencies rather than see them lost on unnecessary elective procedures like abortion.
” John Smeaton , SPUC ’ s chief executive officer , has taken to Facebook to slam the move , describing the coronavirus as “ a chastisement for , amongst other things , the killing of innocent children in the womb.
” “ Boris Johnson 's government does not realize that the coronavirus is a chastisement for , amongst other things , the killing of innocent children in the womb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We need to pray for repentance and conversion on the part of all of us.
” Last week , pro-life doctors in the United States told LifeSite that continuing abortions during a pandemic is “ medically irresponsible.
” In a statement sent to LifeSite , the American Association of Prolife OB/GYNs ( AAPLOG ) stated that “ abortions offer zero health benefits to women and do not treat a disease process ” and issued a call for “ abortions to be suspended according to the current recommendations pertaining to elective procedures and office @ @ @

UPDATE March 24, 2020, 10:39 a.m. EST: The U.K. government has reversed course and said the statement was published “in error.”
LONDON, United Kingdom, March 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The U.K. government has authorized women to kill their preborn children at home by using both stages of a chemical abortion process during the coronavirus pandemic.
A statement on the U.K. government website reads:
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has approved 2 temporary measures in England to limit the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) and ensure continued access to early medical abortion services: women and girls will be able to take both pills for early medical abortion in their own homes, without the need to first attend a hospital or clinic
medical practitioners (doctors) will be able to prescribe both pills for the treatment of early medical abortion from their own homes
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) has condemned the move, saying it poses dangers for women and is “exploiting a time of national crisis to rush through an ideology-driven change”.
“This is a dangerous and ill-thought-through move,” said Antonia Tully, SPUC Director of Campaigns. “Mifepristone and misoprostol are powerful drugs designed to kill an unborn baby – the rules regulating them shouldn’t be changed in this way.”
“The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has been campaigning for these DIY abortions for months, as part of a propaganda campaign to assure women that abortion pills are safe and simple, when they are anything but. Now they are exploiting a time of national crisis to make this ideological change.”
“This hurried ‘temporary’ measure, has been pushed through at a time when the nation is grappling to cope with Covid 19. Under this new approval, medical practitioners can prescribe the pills from their home which now counts as ‘a class of place for treatment’. And the practitioner can prescribe these deadly drugs ‘via video link, telephone conference or other electronic means’.”
Mrs Tully continued: “The evidence is that home abortions increase the risks to women. One study, tracking women living in a rural environment, found an increase in complications from 4.2% in 2008 to 8.2% in 2015, for medical abortions at less than 12 weeks. The authors said that a “potential reason is that the proportion of induced abortions performed at home has risen.”
Mrs Tully went on: “The RCOG recently released guidance which calls abortion ‘essential’. Ending the life of a child is never essential, and to try and claim this when the NHS is trying desperately to save life is even more disgusting. It is vital to conserve our core services for genuine health emergencies rather than see them lost on unnecessary elective procedures like abortion.”
John Smeaton, SPUC’s chief executive officer, has taken to Facebook to slam the move, describing the coronavirus as “a chastisement for, amongst other things, the killing of innocent children in the womb.”
“Boris Johnson's government does not realize that the coronavirus is a chastisement for, amongst other things, the killing of innocent children in the womb. I fear he soon will. We need to pray for repentance and conversion on the part of all of us.”
Last week, pro-life doctors in the United States told LifeSite that continuing abortions during a pandemic is “medically irresponsible.”
In a statement sent to LifeSite, the American Association of Prolife OB/GYNs (AAPLOG) stated that “abortions offer zero health benefits to women and do not treat a disease process” and issued a call for “abortions to be suspended according to the current recommendations pertaining to elective procedures and office visits.”
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lifesitenews--2020-03-23--Pachamama destroyer stricken by COVID-19 released from hospital

PRAYER PLEDGE : Rally around the daily Rosary to stop the coronavirus Sign the petition here .
AUSTRIA , March 23 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― Alexander Tschugguel , the young man who removed pachamama idols from a Catholic church and threw them in the river during the Amazon Synod , is on the mend and returning home from the hospital , where he was being treated for the coronavirus .
“ On my way home from # hospital .
Will need a few days still but happy about being out of [ the ] hospital !
Deo Gratias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this morning underneath a photograph of himself , masked but clearly happy , in the back of a medical van .
Tschugguel , 26 , who became internationally known for removing and disposing of wooden pachamama figurines from a Roman church during the Amazon Synod last October , had been hospitalized with the COVID-19 coronavirus since March 17 .
Tschugguel , the founder of the St. Boniface Institute , is the highest-profile lay Catholic leader with the virus , with thousands of supporters praying for his complete recovery .
Tschugguel has used his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying that God “ demands sacrifices from us ” and that we have to “ repent for all the bad things in the world and especially for all the bad things that have happened in the Church.
” Referring to the civil and ecclesiastical restrictions on the public during the pandemic , Tshugguel has counselled meekness to God ’ s will .
“ God in His abundant providence has imposed these restrictions upon us and we must see them as a cross to bear , especially for all those who are fatally ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families that are torn apart , for all aborted children , for the destruction of our homelands , ” he wrote to LifeSiteNews .
“ For all this suffering we must now sacrifice our freedom , our prosperity and the lives we ’ re accustomed to living , ” he continued .
“ Let us do this together as believers .
We can rest assured that God will never abandon us.
” Tschugguel promised to make a video about his ordeal once he is well enough to do so .
He has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than expected and hits all age groups .
”

Alexander Tschugguel, the founder of the St. Boniface Institute, is the highest-profile lay Catholic leader with the virus, with thousands of supporters praying for his complete recovery.
PRAYER PLEDGE: Rally around the daily Rosary to stop the coronavirus Sign the petition here.
AUSTRIA, March 23, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― Alexander Tschugguel, the young man who removed pachamama idols from a Catholic church and threw them in the river during the Amazon Synod, is on the mend and returning home from the hospital, where he was being treated for the coronavirus.
“On my way home from #hospital. Will need a few days still but happy about being out of [the] hospital! Deo Gratias! #catholic,” he tweeted this morning underneath a photograph of himself, masked but clearly happy, in the back of a medical van.
On my way home from #hospital. Will need a few days still but happy about being out of hospital! Deo Gratias! #catholic pic.twitter.com/aVFFZnJARh — Alexander Tschugguel (@ATschugguel) March 23, 2020
Tschugguel, 26, who became internationally known for removing and disposing of wooden pachamama figurines from a Roman church during the Amazon Synod last October, had been hospitalized with the COVID-19 coronavirus since March 17.
Tschugguel, the founder of the St. Boniface Institute, is the highest-profile lay Catholic leader with the virus, with thousands of supporters praying for his complete recovery. Tschugguel has used his ordeal to send a Christian message, saying that God “demands sacrifices from us” and that we have to “repent for all the bad things in the world and especially for all the bad things that have happened in the Church.”
Referring to the civil and ecclesiastical restrictions on the public during the pandemic, Tshugguel has counselled meekness to God’s will.
“God in His abundant providence has imposed these restrictions upon us and we must see them as a cross to bear, especially for all those who are fatally ill with the virus, for all those families that are torn apart, for all aborted children, for the destruction of our homelands,” he wrote to LifeSiteNews.
“For all this suffering we must now sacrifice our freedom, our prosperity and the lives we’re accustomed to living,” he continued.
“Let us do this together as believers. We can rest assured that God will never abandon us.”
Tschugguel promised to make a video about his ordeal once he is well enough to do so. He has also stressed that COVID-19 “strikes much harder than expected and hits all age groups.”
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lifesitenews--2020-03-25--UK govt orders ‘places of worship’ shut down, Catholic bishops comply

EDINBURGH , Scotland , March 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced March 23 that Great Britain was being locked down and places of worship would be closed .
“ To ensure compliance with the government ’ s instruction to stay at home , we will immediately close all shops selling non-essential goods , including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries , playgrounds and outdoor gyms , and places of worship , ” Johnson said .
Mixed messages from the government , however , had British Catholics wondering if they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or not .
A government statement dated March 23 said places of worship should remain open for private prayer .
” Places of worship should remain open for solitary prayer .
Live streaming of a service without audience would be permissible , ” said the Ministry of Housing , Communities & Local Government .
The Diocese of Westminster addressed the confusion in a message it published late this morning .
“ Following some confusion in the guidance published by the Ministry of Housing , Communities and Local Government regarding the opening of churches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worship should remain open for solitary prayer , ' the bishops ' conference ( of England and Wales ) has clarified that churches must close and remain closed , ” the diocese stated .
“ The instruction is very clear on the occasions when someone can leave home ... and none of these four specific reasons for leaving home concur with the visiting of a church for solitary prayer , ” it continued .
“ In addition , keeping churches open could undermine the desire of the government for people to remain at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being open may draw people out of their homes , many of which would be the most vulnerable to infection.
” The diocese , for which Cardinal Vincent Nichols is the ordinary , indicated that a spokesman for the Church had explained to the government why churches must be shut .
“ Professor Jim McManus has spoken with a senior civil servant and it was quite clear they just had not thought through the issues of infection and security of churches and when he made these points clear , they were appalled and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the Westminster diocese ’ s document said .
“ Keeping churches open sends an utterly inconsistent message and therefore they must be closed for the benefit of others and stopping infection.
” Journalist Damian Thompson noticed that it could have been the Church , rather than the government , who was most interested in closing .
“ Is it possible that the bishops advised the government that the churches should be closed ?
Both the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales and the Catholic Bishops of Scotland had already announced that Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , president of the Catholic Bishops ’ Conference of England and Wales and Archbishop of Westminster , released a message saying that closing the churches was “ the right thing to do to save lives.
” First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon supported the British Prime Minister ’ s decision to suspend the freedom of Britons to assemble for at least the next three weeks , and the Catholic Bishops Conference of Scotland released a statement saying they had taken their cue from her .
“ The outbreak of COVID-19 virus in Scotland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which recognizes the serious threat to all people , especially the elderly and those with underlying illnesses , and our duty of care to them , ” they wrote .
“ Having given due consideration to the words of the First Minister this evening , we , the Bishops of Scotland , agree that our churches should be closed during this period of national emergency for the common good , ” they continued .
“ There will be no celebrations of baptism or marriage , but we will continue to offer prayers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families who mourn their passing.
” “ The Church is not only a building but the people of God at prayer wherever they may find themselves .
We encourage all Catholics and all people of faith to pray unceasingly in their homes for our nation at this time in particular for our political leaders , our healthcare professionals and all those suffering from the virus .
May this lived Lenten experience lead us to new life and healing at Easter.
” There was no indication , however , that there will be public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Archdiocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh told LifeSiteNews that they were taking their lead from the Bishops Conference of Scotland .
“ This is a national question , ” he said .
“ It is , of course , constantly under review – we all want our churches back open asap.
” A LifeSiteNews reporter attempted to enter a Catholic church in the archdiocese that was open for prayers earlier this week but found it locked .

Visiting a church to pray does not fit the criteria for leaving home.
EDINBURGH, Scotland, March 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced March 23 that Great Britain was being locked down and places of worship would be closed.
“To ensure compliance with the government’s instruction to stay at home, we will immediately close all shops selling non-essential goods, including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship,” Johnson said.
Mixed messages from the government, however, had British Catholics wondering if they were allowed to pray privately in their churches or not.
A government statement dated March 23 said places of worship should remain open for private prayer.
”Places of worship should remain open for solitary prayer. Live streaming of a service without audience would be permissible,” said the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
The Diocese of Westminster addressed the confusion in a message it published late this morning.
“Following some confusion in the guidance published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding the opening of churches, where it states that 'places of worship should remain open for solitary prayer,' the bishops' conference (of England and Wales) has clarified that churches must close and remain closed,” the diocese stated.
“The instruction is very clear on the occasions when someone can leave home … and none of these four specific reasons for leaving home concur with the visiting of a church for solitary prayer,” it continued.
“In addition, keeping churches open could undermine the desire of the government for people to remain at home, the very fact of them being open may draw people out of their homes, many of which would be the most vulnerable to infection.”
The diocese, for which Cardinal Vincent Nichols is the ordinary, indicated that a spokesman for the Church had explained to the government why churches must be shut.
“Professor Jim McManus has spoken with a senior civil servant and it was quite clear they just had not thought through the issues of infection and security of churches and when he made these points clear, they were appalled and agreed they had made a mistake,” the Westminster diocese’s document said.
“Keeping churches open sends an utterly inconsistent message and therefore they must be closed for the benefit of others and stopping infection.”
Journalist Damian Thompson noticed that it could have been the Church, rather than the government, who was most interested in closing.
“This is interesting,” he tweeted.
“Is it possible that the bishops advised the government that the churches should be closed?
Both the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales and the Catholic Bishops of Scotland had already announced that Catholic churches would be shut.
Cardinal Nichols, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and Archbishop of Westminster, released a message saying that closing the churches was “the right thing to do to save lives.”
First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon supported the British Prime Minister’s decision to suspend the freedom of Britons to assemble for at least the next three weeks, and the Catholic Bishops Conference of Scotland released a statement saying they had taken their cue from her.
“The outbreak of COVID-19 virus in Scotland demands from all of us a response which recognizes the serious threat to all people, especially the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, and our duty of care to them,” they wrote.
“Having given due consideration to the words of the First Minister this evening, we, the Bishops of Scotland, agree that our churches should be closed during this period of national emergency for the common good,” they continued.
“There will be no celebrations of baptism or marriage, but we will continue to offer prayers for those who have died and for their families who mourn their passing.”
“The Church is not only a building but the people of God at prayer wherever they may find themselves. We encourage all Catholics and all people of faith to pray unceasingly in their homes for our nation at this time in particular for our political leaders, our healthcare professionals and all those suffering from the virus. May this lived Lenten experience lead us to new life and healing at Easter.”
There was no indication, however, that there will be public liturgies to celebrate Easter.
A spokesman for the Archdiocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh told LifeSiteNews that they were taking their lead from the Bishops Conference of Scotland.
“This is a national question,” he said.
“It is, of course, constantly under review – we all want our churches back open asap.”
A LifeSiteNews reporter attempted to enter a Catholic church in the archdiocese that was open for prayers earlier this week but found it locked.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-24--Trump’s coronavirus response earns public’s respect, bump in poll numbers

March 24 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) — Political tectonic plates are shifting as progs like Ilhan Omar start praising Trump 's crisis management ( and as his polls rise ) .
At first , the growing wave of praise for President Trump 's handling of the coronavirus catastrophe seemed like pigs flying , an unexpected and rare event .
But now that the governors of deep blue California and New York have been joined by Ilhan Omar in admiring his handling of the crisis , we can see that forces far larger than individuals going rogue from Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being swamped by the reality of an existential crisis .
The latest Harris polls show rising approval for the federal government 's handling of the crisis : Conducted using a nationally representative sample of 2,050 Americans over two waves , March 14–15 and March 17-18 , the poll provided some quick feedback on how the public 's perception can change overnight even as the government shifts its response to a crisis in which the news seemingly changes by the hour .
Overall , both waves showed around 60 % of Americans `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has handled the coronavirus crisis so far .
Of the president 's performance , 56 % of the second wave approve of the way Trump has handled the COVID-19 crisis , with 44 % disapproving .
This is up five percentage points from the first wave , conducted only two days before .
Meanwhile , Trump 's overall approval jumped four percentage points between waves , from 49 % to 53 % .
Democrat politicians have access to far more granular polling data that must show them that Americans want a strong leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them and that President Trump is rising to the challenge of his office .
The smarter ones among them may also understand that the nonstop carping , criticizing every move that Trump has made since taking office , has created cynicism and doubt about the sincerity of the continuous nitpicking .
President Trump is not about to let them forget the wave of criticism denouncing his prescient ban on arrivals from China as racist , either , so they had better get on board and earn his favor , lest they be called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Video in the original post is here . ]
REPORTER : `` You did say a few days ago that you did have a sense that this was a pandemic that was coming .
So why was the United States not prepared with more testing — `` TRUMP : `` We were very prepared .
The only thing we were n't prepared for was the media .
The media has not treated it fairly .
I will tell you how prepared I was , I called for a ban from people coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was — in fact , it was your network , I believe they called me a racist because I did that .
It was many of the people in the room , they called me racist and other words because I did that , because I went so early .
So when you say we were n't prepared , had I let these tens of thousands of people come in from China a day , we would have had something right now that would have been — you would n't have even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
How many people have passed away ?
How many people have died as of this moment ?
You could multiply that by a factor of many , many , many .
So when you say that I was n't prepared , I was the first one to do the ban .
Now other countries are following what I did .
But the media does n't acknowledge that .
They know it 's true .
They know it 's true , but they do n't want to write about it .
Yeah , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that Americans rally behind their presidents when the nation is under attack , whether by a nation-state or a virus .
In recent adult memory , President George W. Bush reaped such support .
Those who appear to be hobbling the effectiveness of the president 's response to such as a personal and lethal threat earn contempt from the majority , who want to pull together to overcome the threat that faces us as a people .
Nothing unifies more powerfully than an external threat to the collectivity .
When Ilhan Omar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the message is sinking in for all but the thoroughly dysfunctional deranged ( who are still numerous on the left , to be sure ) .
It helps a lot that President Trump 's management style is well adapted to crisis management in the face of an unprecedented threat full of unknowable factors .
He is the very opposite of the traditional bureaucrat who appoints a task force and waits for a report on the best way to handle matters .
His style is to identify the best people ( in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move quickly and monitor the results closely , making changes as the situation warrants .
The top-down bureaucratic approach minimizes visible mistakes , at least when the situation is well understood , but at the cost of delay .
And bureaucrats loathe being held responsible for mistakes , so they instinctively go for a strategy that minimizes personal liabilities .
Trump , whose history includes a lot of scrambling to make , and then save , complex real estate deals , is comfortable with a looser , ad hoc approach , always trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take calculated risks and rapidly act when events go south .
And in his daily briefings with his team , he is unafraid to act and justify his actions on the basis of the best information available at the time , and then revise those decisions ( such as his characterization of the seriousness of the threat ) as data warrant .
To my eyes , he also seems to be getting his sea legs as a presidential crisis leader , backing his team strongly ( and receiving visible and effusive support back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public with them as they scramble to figure out together what is in the best interest of the nation .
Seven and a half months , the amount of time until the nation votes , is an eternity in politics , and a lot can happen .
But right now , President Trump is solidifying his role as our leader , who is doing his best to save his allies and his foes alike from a threat that could kill any or all of us .
Published with permission from the American Thinker @

March 24, 2020 (American Thinker) — Political tectonic plates are shifting as progs like Ilhan Omar start praising Trump's crisis management (and as his polls rise).
At first, the growing wave of praise for President Trump's handling of the coronavirus catastrophe seemed like pigs flying, an unexpected and rare event. But now that the governors of deep blue California and New York have been joined by Ilhan Omar in admiring his handling of the crisis, we can see that forces far larger than individuals going rogue from Trump Derangement Syndrome are at work. TDS is being swamped by the reality of an existential crisis.
Politics aside, this is incredible and the right response in this critical time. ���� https://t.co/MUzGkAxNaO — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) March 19, 2020
The latest Harris polls show rising approval for the federal government's handling of the crisis:
Conducted using a nationally representative sample of 2,050 Americans over two waves, March 14–15 and March 17-18, the poll provided some quick feedback on how the public's perception can change overnight even as the government shifts its response to a crisis in which the news seemingly changes by the hour. Overall, both waves showed around 60% of Americans “satisfied” with how the federal government has handled the coronavirus crisis so far. Of the president's performance, 56% of the second wave approve of the way Trump has handled the COVID-19 crisis, with 44% disapproving. This is up five percentage points from the first wave, conducted only two days before. Meanwhile, Trump's overall approval jumped four percentage points between waves, from 49% to 53%.
Democrat politicians have access to far more granular polling data that must show them that Americans want a strong leader in a time of mortal peril facing them and that President Trump is rising to the challenge of his office. The smarter ones among them may also understand that the nonstop carping, criticizing every move that Trump has made since taking office, has created cynicism and doubt about the sincerity of the continuous nitpicking. President Trump is not about to let them forget the wave of criticism denouncing his prescient ban on arrivals from China as racist, either, so they had better get on board and earn his favor, lest they be called out.
[Editor’s note: Video in the original post is here.]
REPORTER: “You did say a few days ago that you did have a sense that this was a pandemic that was coming. So why was the United States not prepared with more testing — “ TRUMP: “We were very prepared. The only thing we weren't prepared for was the media. The media has not treated it fairly. I will tell you how prepared I was, I called for a ban from people coming in from China long before anybody thought it was — in fact, it was your network, I believe they called me a racist because I did that. It was many of the people in the room, they called me racist and other words because I did that, because I went so early. So when you say we weren't prepared, had I let these tens of thousands of people come in from China a day, we would have had something right now that would have been — you wouldn't have even recognized it compared to where we are. How many people have passed away? How many people have died as of this moment? You could multiply that by a factor of many, many, many. So when you say that I wasn't prepared, I was the first one to do the ban. Now other countries are following what I did. But the media doesn't acknowledge that. They know it's true. They know it's true, but they don't want to write about it. Yeah, go ahead.”
The plain fact is that Americans rally behind their presidents when the nation is under attack, whether by a nation-state or a virus. In recent adult memory, President George W. Bush reaped such support. Those who appear to be hobbling the effectiveness of the president's response to such as a personal and lethal threat earn contempt from the majority, who want to pull together to overcome the threat that faces us as a people. Nothing unifies more powerfully than an external threat to the collectivity. When Ilhan Omar understands this, we can be sure that the message is sinking in for all but the thoroughly dysfunctional deranged (who are still numerous on the left, to be sure).
It helps a lot that President Trump's management style is well adapted to crisis management in the face of an unprecedented threat full of unknowable factors. He is the very opposite of the traditional bureaucrat who appoints a task force and waits for a report on the best way to handle matters. His style is to identify the best people (in his eyes) and give them room to move quickly and monitor the results closely, making changes as the situation warrants.
The top-down bureaucratic approach minimizes visible mistakes, at least when the situation is well understood, but at the cost of delay. And bureaucrats loathe being held responsible for mistakes, so they instinctively go for a strategy that minimizes personal liabilities.
Trump, whose history includes a lot of scrambling to make, and then save, complex real estate deals, is comfortable with a looser, ad hoc approach, always trying to minimize the downside but unafraid to take calculated risks and rapidly act when events go south. And in his daily briefings with his team, he is unafraid to act and justify his actions on the basis of the best information available at the time, and then revise those decisions (such as his characterization of the seriousness of the threat) as data warrant.
To my eyes, he also seems to be getting his sea legs as a presidential crisis leader, backing his team strongly (and receiving visible and effusive support back from them) while bringing along the public with them as they scramble to figure out together what is in the best interest of the nation.
Seven and a half months, the amount of time until the nation votes, is an eternity in politics, and a lot can happen. But right now, President Trump is solidifying his role as our leader, who is doing his best to save his allies and his foes alike from a threat that could kill any or all of us.
Published with permission from the American Thinker.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-24--Trump accuses mainstream media of ‘corrupt news’ over coronavirus coverage

March 24 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) — Chanel Rion , who is half-Korean , is the White House correspondent for One America Network ( AKA OAN ) , an openly conservative news station .
On Thursday , during President Trump ’ s now daily press briefing , she asked him why it was appropriate to use the phrase “ Chinese Virus ” when referring to the coronavirus .
President Trump seized the opportunity to say this was an accurate term and that the fake news media were parroting Chinese propaganda when they accused him of being racist .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ short of falling on the fainting couch with smelling salts at the horror of it all — and then by demonstrating that they are , in fact , repeating the Chinese party line .
Rion ’ s question didn ’ t pull punches about her pro-American , anti-Chinese-communism bias .
She first asked Trump whether the phrase “ Chinese food ” is racist .
Trump , after noting that he likes OAN , agreed that the phrase isn ’ t racist at all .
Then Rion got to the heart of the matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news media — even in this room — have teamed up with Chinese Communist Party narratives and they ’ re claiming you ’ re racist for making these claims about ‘ Chinese virus.
’ Is it alarming that major media players , just to oppose you , are consistently siding with foreign state propaganda , Islamic radicals and Latin gangs and cartels ?
And they work right here at the White House with direct access to you and your team ?
Given an opening , Trump took it : It amazes me when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It amazes me when I read the Wall Street Journal , which is always so negative .
It amazes me when I read the New York Times ... it ’ s not even , I don ’ t , barely read it .
You know , we don ’ t distribute it in the White House anymore and the same thing with the Washington Post .
Because , you see , I know the truth .
And people out there in the world , they really don ’ t know the truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is .
They use different slogans and different concepts for me almost every week , trying to catch something .
Last week it was all “ chaos.
” You see me .
There ’ s no chaos .
I have no chaos .
I ’ m the one telling everybody to be calm .
There ’ s no chaos in the White House .
We have unbelievable professionals .
It ’ s really — I mean , I think I came up with the term .
I hope I came up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News .
It ’ s more than Fake News .
It ’ s corrupt news .
They write stories without calling anybody .
They write a story today , they had a couple of stories , where they never call me .
Ever .
That I know of .
At least , nobody tells me .
They ’ ll write a story without even asking my opinion on something .
It ’ s totally fake .
The media were shocked .
Shocked !
Brian “ the human potato ” Stelter exemplify the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And then , for America ’ s media , it was right back to parroting the Chinese government ’ s party line .
The Washington Post angrily reported that Fox News is saying China is responsible for the pandemic : NBC News , in its turn , reported that China , which is pure of heart , is terrified that an irresponsible America , as well as other nations , will re-infect it : Trump is only partly right when he calls the mainstream media corrupt .
They ’ re also disgusting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly blank look as he discusses its anti-American dishonesty : Published with permission from the American Thinker .

'It's more than fake news. It's corrupt news. They write stories without calling anybody.'
March 24, 2020 (American Thinker) — Chanel Rion, who is half-Korean, is the White House correspondent for One America Network (AKA OAN), an openly conservative news station. On Thursday, during President Trump’s now daily press briefing, she asked him why it was appropriate to use the phrase “Chinese Virus” when referring to the coronavirus.
President Trump seized the opportunity to say this was an accurate term and that the fake news media were parroting Chinese propaganda when they accused him of being racist. The mainstream media responded by doing everything short of falling on the fainting couch with smelling salts at the horror of it all — and then by demonstrating that they are, in fact, repeating the Chinese party line.
Rion’s question didn’t pull punches about her pro-American, anti-Chinese-communism bias. She first asked Trump whether the phrase “Chinese food” is racist. Trump, after noting that he likes OAN, agreed that the phrase isn’t racist at all.
Then Rion got to the heart of the matter:
On that note, major left-wing news media — even in this room — have teamed up with Chinese Communist Party narratives and they’re claiming you’re racist for making these claims about ‘Chinese virus.’ Is it alarming that major media players, just to oppose you, are consistently siding with foreign state propaganda, Islamic radicals and Latin gangs and cartels? And they work right here at the White House with direct access to you and your team?
Given an opening, Trump took it:
It amazes me when I read the things that I read. It amazes me when I read the Wall Street Journal, which is always so negative. It amazes me when I read the New York Times … it’s not even, I don’t, barely read it. You know, we don’t distribute it in the White House anymore and the same thing with the Washington Post. Because, you see, I know the truth. And people out there in the world, they really don’t know the truth, they don’t know what it is. They use different slogans and different concepts for me almost every week, trying to catch something. Last week it was all “chaos.” You see me. There’s no chaos. I have no chaos. I’m the one telling everybody to be calm. There’s no chaos in the White House. We have unbelievable professionals. It’s really — I mean, I think I came up with the term. I hope I came up with the term. But it is Fake News. It’s more than Fake News. It’s corrupt news. They write stories without calling anybody. They write a story today, they had a couple of stories, where they never call me. Ever. That I know of. At least, nobody tells me. They’ll write a story without even asking my opinion on something. It’s totally fake.
The faces made in the room as @ChanelRion asks Trump: Is it alarming that major media players…are consistently siding with a foreign state propaganda, Islamic radicals, and Latin gangs and cartels and they work right here…with direct access to you and your team? pic.twitter.com/4eW8RHipY5 — Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) March 19, 2020
The media were shocked. Shocked! Brian “the human potato” Stelter exemplify the media’s all-out war on Trump:
CNN’s Brian Stelter: “It was incredibly disappointing to see [Trump's] conduct in this briefing today…he took three steps back today by assailing the media at a time when the media is empowering the public with information to stay safe.”pic.twitter.com/kYOE56LwTw — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 19, 2020
And then, for America’s media, it was right back to parroting the Chinese government’s party line. The Washington Post angrily reported that Fox News is saying China is responsible for the pandemic:
Fox News hosts join Trump in blame-shifting. “China has blood on its hands.” https://t.co/zN9vDYbpkf — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 19, 2020
NBC News, in its turn, reported that China, which is pure of heart, is terrified that an irresponsible America, as well as other nations, will re-infect it:
NBC's @KeirSimmons says that China “helped” the world by “delaying” the spread of coronavirus and that it is now “worrying that they may get re-infected…from the rest of the world”pic.twitter.com/WSkmGctnmt — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 19, 2020
Trump is only partly right when he calls the mainstream media corrupt. They’re also disgusting. Tucker Carlson gives the media his famously deadly blank look as he discusses its anti-American dishonesty:
Published with permission from the American Thinker.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-24--Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway deflects vicious media attack at coronavirus presser

March 24 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) — The mainstream media are disgusting .
That sentence could open every article about the mainstream media in a time of coronavirus .
The media 's hostility to Trump is so extreme that there is no lie they wo n't tell to damage him — never mind that doing so might destroy the American economy or cause other unimaginable harm to the American people .
In addition to lies , the media 's other line of attack is to call everything Trump says or does `` racist . ''
When it comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a friend in the Chinese Communist Party that started this epidemic .
The communists would also like Trump to be `` racist , '' because attacking him deflects attention from the party 's disgraceful and deadly behavior in hiding the coronavirus from the world to keep the Chinese government looking good .
This anti-Trump bias had led to the latest media meme , which is that the phrases `` Wuhan Virus '' and `` Chinese Virus '' are racist .
Naturally , Trump doubled down , for he now speaks only of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media is that they , just a month ago , used the words `` Chinese '' and `` Wuhan '' nonstop when referring to the virus .
Reporters , therefore , know they 're on shaky ground when attacking Trump on this point .
The only thing to be done is to lie .
In this case , the lie is that an unnamed White House official went beyond saying `` Wuhan '' or `` Chinese Virus . ''
Instead , speaking to an Asian reporter , the official called the coronavirus the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when Kellyanne Conway made herself available for questions from the media , the assembled press members , mostly women by the sound of their voices , did n't want to talk about things that might matter to the American people , such as plans for stemming the tide of the Chinese Virus or helping the financial hemorrhage the virus is causing .
Instead , the media 's shrieking harpies spoke in one voice : tell us how guilty the whole Trump administration is because an anonymous White House official allegedly made a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conway responded perfectly .
Without raising her voice or getting sharp , she demanded that those reporters identify the alleged `` senior White House official '' who spoke about the `` Kung Flu . ''
The resulting video is a little long ( over two minutes ) , but every second is a pleasure .
As Conway politely asks for information , the women before her become shriller and more incoherent , believing that they have no obligation to substantiate a crude rumor if it will help them in their self-righteous and insane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paying Conway , it 's not enough , based on that performance alone .
Interestingly , the media 's nonstop attacks on Trump , sadly , have affected how the public views his performance overall , lowering his polling numbers in the past week .
However , when pollsters ask people about Trump 's specific policies , people like them .
For example , according to Rasmussen Reports , `` 80 % of American Adults agree with the federal government 's decision to temporarily ban travelers from China and nearly all European countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Only 12 % disagree . ''
Matt Palumbo has other data about American support for coronavirus policies in Trump 's America .
We 've known for a long time that the media are morally corrupt .
It 's helpful to see them reveal themselves in their battle against Trump .
They 're all pretty , shiny , and articulate on TV , but behind those façades lurk debased , hate-filled people .
Each reporter has become his own picture of Dorian Gray .
Published with permission from the American Thinker .

When Kellyanne Conway made herself available for questions from the media, the assembled press members didn't want to talk about things that might matter to the American people.
March 24, 2020 (American Thinker) — The mainstream media are disgusting. That sentence could open every article about the mainstream media in a time of coronavirus. The media's hostility to Trump is so extreme that there is no lie they won't tell to damage him — never mind that doing so might destroy the American economy or cause other unimaginable harm to the American people.
In addition to lies, the media's other line of attack is to call everything Trump says or does “racist.” When it comes to the coronavirus, the media have a friend in the Chinese Communist Party that started this epidemic. The communists would also like Trump to be “racist,” because attacking him deflects attention from the party's disgraceful and deadly behavior in hiding the coronavirus from the world to keep the Chinese government looking good.
This anti-Trump bias had led to the latest media meme, which is that the phrases “Wuhan Virus” and “Chinese Virus” are racist. Naturally, Trump doubled down, for he now speaks only of the Chinese Virus. The problem for the media is that they, just a month ago, used the words “Chinese” and “Wuhan” nonstop when referring to the virus. Reporters, therefore, know they're on shaky ground when attacking Trump on this point.
The only thing to be done is to lie. In this case, the lie is that an unnamed White House official went beyond saying “Wuhan” or “Chinese Virus.” Instead, speaking to an Asian reporter, the official called the coronavirus the “Kung Flu.”
This morning a White House official referred to #Coronavirus as the “Kung-Flu” to my face. Makes me wonder what they’re calling it behind my back. — Weijia Jiang (@weijia) March 17, 2020
On Wednesday, when Kellyanne Conway made herself available for questions from the media, the assembled press members, mostly women by the sound of their voices, didn't want to talk about things that might matter to the American people, such as plans for stemming the tide of the Chinese Virus or helping the financial hemorrhage the virus is causing.
Instead, the media's shrieking harpies spoke in one voice: tell us how guilty the whole Trump administration is because an anonymous White House official allegedly made a joke that offended an Asian reporter.
Conway responded perfectly. Without raising her voice or getting sharp, she demanded that those reporters identify the alleged “senior White House official” who spoke about the “Kung Flu.”
The resulting video is a little long (over two minutes), but every second is a pleasure. As Conway politely asks for information, the women before her become shriller and more incoherent, believing that they have no obligation to substantiate a crude rumor if it will help them in their self-righteous and insane crusade against Trump:
@KellyannePolls BLASTS Media over ‘Kung Flu’ rumor: “I’m not dealing in hypotheticals” “Tell us all who it is” Yet they refuse to give a name. The media is focused on things like this while we’re trying to slow the spread of a Pandemic. Embarrassing pic.twitter.com/yKzTJZWLBi — Benny (@bennyjohnson) March 18, 2020
Whatever Trump is paying Conway, it's not enough, based on that performance alone.
Interestingly, the media's nonstop attacks on Trump, sadly, have affected how the public views his performance overall, lowering his polling numbers in the past week. However, when pollsters ask people about Trump's specific policies, people like them.
For example, according to Rasmussen Reports, “80% of American Adults agree with the federal government's decision to temporarily ban travelers from China and nearly all European countries to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus. Only 12% disagree.” Matt Palumbo has other data about American support for coronavirus policies in Trump's America.
We've known for a long time that the media are morally corrupt. It's helpful to see them reveal themselves in their battle against Trump. They're all pretty, shiny, and articulate on TV, but behind those façades lurk debased, hate-filled people. Each reporter has become his own picture of Dorian Gray.
Published with permission from the American Thinker.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-24--Leftist magazine runs China-critical piece after accusations of ‘pro-China’ loyalty

March 24 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) — The Atlantic Monthly has taken a beating for its China apologetics .
In the wake of the coronavirus — or , now , China virus — crisis , circumstantial evidence suggests it 's trying to find as many creative reasons as possible to justify Chinese propaganda .
The Federalist did a ferocious takedown of The Atlantic 's press apologetics and featured multiple examples from several of its most vaunted writers .
Instead of investigating or writing about China 's propaganda machine working in real time as we watch the virus rapidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Atlantic are more interested in writing their own pro-China , anti-American virus hot takes .
Here are the receipts .
Disputing the name `` Wuhan virus '' is China 's first big hurdle in distancing themselves from the virus .
They would much prefer `` coronavirus '' or the scientific name `` COVID-19 , '' despite the fact that scientists and doctors have a long-held practice of naming a new disease after a population or the site of its first major outbreak .
So of course one of the easiest positions for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ = bad , COVID-19 = good , and for good measure , blame the name discrepancy on `` conservatives '' deploying `` racist tropes . ''
It 's `` an extraordinarily shoddy piece of writing , '' sniffed Anne Applebaum on Twitter , despite the article 's classic essay structure — intro , thesis , three supporting points .
There was one ignorant-looking typo in it , but that 's hardly enough to call it `` extraordinarily shoddy . ''
Maybe plain shoddy , but does n't rise to even that with one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as though the essay stung .
Though she 's still ranting on about how America is the problem and has gotten its comeuppance with the coronavirus ( imagine her long face if the crisis ends earlier than projected ) , The Atlantic did do an about-face and ran a truly China-critical piece by one Shadi Hamid , who apparently also does columns .
Aside from a couple of obligatory shots at President Trump , it 's a terrific piece , one that outlines all the reasons the Chicoms are to blame for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of President Trump 's insistence on calling it the `` China virus . ''
He acknowledges the reality of Chinese propaganda , describes what the key points are , and then lays out the argument that China is solely to blame in a piece one can relish .
He begins bluntly with this and never backs down : The evidence of China 's deliberate cover-up of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan is a matter of public record .
In suppressing information about the virus , doing little to contain it , and allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early days and weeks , the regime imperiled not only its own country and its own citizens but also the more than 100 nations now facing their own potentially devastating outbreaks .
More perniciously , the Chinese government censored and detained those brave doctors and whistleblowers who attempted to sound the alarm and warn their fellow citizens when they understood the gravity of what was to come .
This represents a significant about-face for The Atlantic .
Suddenly , it 's changed its tune , coming right on the heels of the criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agent .
I am sure the NeverTrumps and Deep State–aligned Trump-haters over at the Atlantic will continue their chorus of disapproval of the U.S. president .
But it 's surprising indeed to see a hard finger of blame going to China from a magazine that has bent over backwards to praise and justify China .
All of a sudden , this sort of piece gets in , right after the Federalist criticism ?
Something tells me they 're scrambling at the Atlantic to shake the `` Chinese water boy '' designation .
Published @ @ @ @ @ @ @

March 24, 2020 (American Thinker) — The Atlantic Monthly has taken a beating for its China apologetics. In the wake of the coronavirus — or, now, China virus — crisis, circumstantial evidence suggests it's trying to find as many creative reasons as possible to justify Chinese propaganda.
The Federalist did a ferocious takedown of The Atlantic's press apologetics and featured multiple examples from several of its most vaunted writers.
Instead of investigating or writing about China's propaganda machine working in real time as we watch the virus rapidly spread across the globe, journalists at The Atlantic are more interested in writing their own pro-China, anti-American virus hot takes. Here are the receipts. Disputing the name “Wuhan virus” is China's first big hurdle in distancing themselves from the virus. They would much prefer “coronavirus” or the scientific name “COVID-19,” despite the fact that scientists and doctors have a long-held practice of naming a new disease after a population or the site of its first major outbreak. So of course one of the easiest positions for The Atlantic to publish was: Wuhan = bad, COVID-19 = good, and for good measure, blame the name discrepancy on “conservatives” deploying “racist tropes.”
It's “an extraordinarily shoddy piece of writing,” sniffed Anne Applebaum on Twitter, despite the article's classic essay structure — intro, thesis, three supporting points. There was one ignorant-looking typo in it, but that's hardly enough to call it “extraordinarily shoddy.” Maybe plain shoddy, but doesn't rise to even that with one typo. More likely, it sounds as though the essay stung.
Though she's still ranting on about how America is the problem and has gotten its comeuppance with the coronavirus (imagine her long face if the crisis ends earlier than projected), The Atlantic did do an about-face and ran a truly China-critical piece by one Shadi Hamid, who apparently also does columns.
Aside from a couple of obligatory shots at President Trump, it's a terrific piece, one that outlines all the reasons the Chicoms are to blame for the coronavirus, along with a hearty defense of President Trump's insistence on calling it the “China virus.” He acknowledges the reality of Chinese propaganda, describes what the key points are, and then lays out the argument that China is solely to blame in a piece one can relish. He begins bluntly with this and never backs down:
The evidence of China's deliberate cover-up of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan is a matter of public record. In suppressing information about the virus, doing little to contain it, and allowing it to spread unchecked in the crucial early days and weeks, the regime imperiled not only its own country and its own citizens but also the more than 100 nations now facing their own potentially devastating outbreaks. More perniciously, the Chinese government censored and detained those brave doctors and whistleblowers who attempted to sound the alarm and warn their fellow citizens when they understood the gravity of what was to come.
This represents a significant about-face for The Atlantic. Suddenly, it's changed its tune, coming right on the heels of the criticism of it as a de facto Chinese agent.
I am sure the NeverTrumps and Deep State–aligned Trump-haters over at the Atlantic will continue their chorus of disapproval of the U.S. president. But it's surprising indeed to see a hard finger of blame going to China from a magazine that has bent over backwards to praise and justify China. All of a sudden, this sort of piece gets in, right after the Federalist criticism?
Something tells me they're scrambling at the Atlantic to shake the “Chinese water boy” designation.
Published with permission from the American Thinker.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-24--Abortion industry resists order to stop non-essential procedures in Texas, Ohio

March 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – As hospitals across the United States prioritize coronavirus treatment ahead of less urgent matters , abortion facilities in Texas and Ohio are pushing back against suspension of their businesses , demanding that elective abortions be allowed to continue as usual .
PETITION : Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here .
U.S .
Surgeon General Jerome Adams and the federal Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) have advised healthcare facilities to reschedule non-urgent appointments and elective procedures , both to limit the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources to focus on patients afflicted by COVID-19 ( the illness caused by the coronavirus ) .
Compliance with this guidance has been mixed , leading some states to mandate that facilities halt “ non-essential ” procedures .
Among them , the attorneys general of Texas and Ohio have issued statements making it clear to abortionists that the suspension applies to elective abortions as well , NBC News reported .
“ The COVID-19 pandemic has increased demands for hospital beds and has created a shortage of personal protective equipment needed to protect healthcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote .
“ Postponing surgeries and procedures that are not immediately medically necessary will ensure that hospital beds are available for those suffering from COVID-19 and that PPEs are available for healthcare professionals.
” This includes “ any type of abortion that is not medically necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother , ” he said .
“ Failure to comply with an executive order issued by the governor related to the COVID-19 disaster can result in penalties of up to $ 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The abortion lobby has not taken kindly to these orders , with Planned Parenthood Federation of America declaring that abortion is an “ essential and time-sensitive ” procedure that “ must remain so , ” and NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio executive director Kellie Copeland accused the state of `` exploiting the COVID-19 crisis to further their agenda to close Ohio 's abortion clinics . ''
`` The priority of all Planned Parenthood health centers in Texas is the health and safety of our patients and staff , and ensuring that Texans can access essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read a statement signed by the heads of Planned Parenthood ’ s Greater Texas , South Texas , and Gulf Coast affiliates .
`` As recognized by medical experts , abortion is a time-sensitive medical procedure .
A delay of 30 days , or even less , can make abortion completely inaccessible . ''
At least one abortion facility in Ohio is openly defying the order , the Daily Caller reported .
“ WE ARE OPEN , ” the abortion center Preterm declared .
“ Abortion is legal in Ohio , and Preterm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you need.
” “ Preterm is continuing to provide the full range of abortion care services because it is essential health care , ” the center ’ s executive director , Chrisse France , told the Caller .
“ In compliance with the order from the Ohio Department of Health , our physicians will be making individualized determinations to ensure each person gets the health care they need and that all healthcare providers across the state have access to the supplies needed during this pandemic.
” France did not elaborate on how continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio Department of Health has so far declined to say whether it plans on taking legal action against Preterm .
The notion that abortion is “ essential care ” has the backing of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ( ACOG ) , which the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists ( AAPLOG ) excoriated in a statement .
“ Continuing to perform elective abortions during a pandemic is medically irresponsible , ” the statement read .
“ Elective abortion is neither ‘ essential ’ nor ‘ urgent , ’ but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks , gloves , and other personal protective equipment , and unnecessarily exposes patients and physicians to pathogens.
” “ Elective abortion , both surgical and drug induced , also generates more patients to be seen in already overburdened emergency rooms , ” ACOG continued .
“ Most abortion providers instruct women to go to an emergency room if they have any concerning symptoms after the abortion .
Approximately five percent of women who undergo medication abortions will require evaluation in an emergency room , most commonly for hemorrhage .
Surgical abortions can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personnel – who are already struggling to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic – will be further strained to provide care to these women.
” Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews ’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world .

March 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – As hospitals across the United States prioritize coronavirus treatment ahead of less urgent matters, abortion facilities in Texas and Ohio are pushing back against suspension of their businesses, demanding that elective abortions be allowed to continue as usual.
PETITION: Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here.
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams and the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have advised healthcare facilities to reschedule non-urgent appointments and elective procedures, both to limit the spread of the coronavirus and to free up time and resources to focus on patients afflicted by COVID-19 (the illness caused by the coronavirus).
Compliance with this guidance has been mixed, leading some states to mandate that facilities halt “non-essential” procedures. Among them, the attorneys general of Texas and Ohio have issued statements making it clear to abortionists that the suspension applies to elective abortions as well, NBC News reported.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has increased demands for hospital beds and has created a shortage of personal protective equipment needed to protect healthcare professionals and stop transmission of the virus,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote. “Postponing surgeries and procedures that are not immediately medically necessary will ensure that hospital beds are available for those suffering from COVID-19 and that PPEs are available for healthcare professionals.”
This includes “any type of abortion that is not medically necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother,” he said. “Failure to comply with an executive order issued by the governor related to the COVID-19 disaster can result in penalties of up to $1,000 or 180 days of jail time.”
The abortion lobby has not taken kindly to these orders, with Planned Parenthood Federation of America declaring that abortion is an “essential and time-sensitive” procedure that “must remain so,” and NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio executive director Kellie Copeland accused the state of “exploiting the COVID-19 crisis to further their agenda to close Ohio's abortion clinics.”
“The priority of all Planned Parenthood health centers in Texas is the health and safety of our patients and staff, and ensuring that Texans can access essential health care, including abortion,” read a statement signed by the heads of Planned Parenthood’s Greater Texas, South Texas, and Gulf Coast affiliates. “As recognized by medical experts, abortion is a time-sensitive medical procedure. A delay of 30 days, or even less, can make abortion completely inaccessible.”
At least one abortion facility in Ohio is openly defying the order, the Daily Caller reported.
“WE ARE OPEN,” the abortion center Preterm declared. “Abortion is legal in Ohio, and Preterm is still here providing the non-judgmental care you need.”
“Preterm is continuing to provide the full range of abortion care services because it is essential health care,” the center’s executive director, Chrisse France, told the Caller. “In compliance with the order from the Ohio Department of Health, our physicians will be making individualized determinations to ensure each person gets the health care they need and that all healthcare providers across the state have access to the supplies needed during this pandemic.”
France did not elaborate on how continuing elective abortions constitutes “compliance.” The Ohio Department of Health has so far declined to say whether it plans on taking legal action against Preterm.
The notion that abortion is “essential care” has the backing of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), which the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) excoriated in a statement.
“Continuing to perform elective abortions during a pandemic is medically irresponsible,” the statement read. “Elective abortion is neither ‘essential’ nor ‘urgent,’ but it does consume critical resources such as masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment, and unnecessarily exposes patients and physicians to pathogens.”
“Elective abortion, both surgical and drug induced, also generates more patients to be seen in already overburdened emergency rooms,” AAPLOG continued. “Most abortion providers instruct women to go to an emergency room if they have any concerning symptoms after the abortion. Approximately five percent of women who undergo medication abortions will require evaluation in an emergency room, most commonly for hemorrhage. Surgical abortions can also result in hemorrhage. Emergency room personnel – who are already struggling to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic – will be further strained to provide care to these women.”
Readers can click here for LifeSiteNews’ live updates on the coronavirus and its impact all over the world.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-25--State governments prioritizing abortionists over other workers as coronavirus rages

OHIO , March 25 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) — Thousands of restaurant and bar servers were abruptly unemployed Sunday night , March 15 , 2020 , and other business closed their doors immediately under orders from the Ohio Department of Health ( ODH ) .
But there is one group of people who have job security and are still working instead of applying for unemployment .
`` Our doors are open '' is the message when calling abortion facilities ( Planned Parenthood ) in the Cleveland , Ohio area .
Those people all continue to work and get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surgeries , abortions apparently do n't fall under that category .
Planned Parenthood 's motto should be `` Let no child stay alive . ''
The National Abortion Federation ( NAF ) sent out the following : As state and municipalities exact measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 , more non-essential businesses will be instructed — or required — to close .
At the same time , hospitals are preparing for a surge in COVID-19 cases and increased strain on their staff , resources , and systems , and will likely begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During this public health crisis , pregnancy care , including abortion care , remains an essential health service .
The NAF calls on leaders to ensure that outpatient abortion clinics can remain open and urges hospitals to continue to provide abortion care .
While schools and churches have been shuttered and longed-for graduation ceremonies have been canceled , apparently it is okay to congregate at an abortion facility or use limited hospital resources .
Planned Parenthood phone messages comfort the caller by adding that the abortionists are working with the CDC and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients and that the chance of catching the coronovirus remains low.
& nb '' Leave a message to make an appointment . ''
While Nancy Pelosi , speaker of the House , tried to pad a bill infusing more money into abortions , a bill that was designed to help fight the Chinese Virus , as President Trump calls it , her efforts failed .
Massachusetts hospitals are forbidden from performing non-essential procedures , but the abortions continue .
A state agency memorandum opines : `` Terminating a pregnancy is not considered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purpose of guidance .
However , the ultimate decision is based on clinical judgment by the caring physician . ''
President Mark Harrington of Created Equal , a pro-life organization , said : `` Clearly , the abortion industry will not 'allow this crisis to go to waste . '
'' Hundreds of thousands of people across the country are now unemployed and worried about paying the rent or buying food , but the government keeps the abortion industry workers employed doing the essential work of the killing of babies .
Susan Daniels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twenty-seven years .
She uncovered Barack Obama 's phony social security number in 2009 .
This post first appeared at the American Thinker on March 20 , 2020 .
It is published here with the author 's permission .

Hundreds of thousands of people across the country are now unemployed and worried about paying the rent or buying food, but the 'essential' work of killing babies continues.
PETITION: Urge state governors to stop abortions during coronavirus crisis Sign the petition here.
OHIO, March 25, 2020 (American Thinker) — Thousands of restaurant and bar servers were abruptly unemployed Sunday night, March 15, 2020, and other business closed their doors immediately under orders from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). But there is one group of people who have job security and are still working instead of applying for unemployment.
“Our doors are open” is the message when calling abortion facilities (Planned Parenthood) in the Cleveland, Ohio area. Those people all continue to work and get paid. While hospitals have canceled non-essential surgeries, abortions apparently don't fall under that category. Planned Parenthood's motto should be “Let no child stay alive.”
The National Abortion Federation (NAF) sent out the following:
As state and municipalities exact measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, more non-essential businesses will be instructed — or required — to close. At the same time, hospitals are preparing for a surge in COVID-19 cases and increased strain on their staff, resources, and systems, and will likely begin indefinite postponing non-essential or elective procedures. During this public health crisis, pregnancy care, including abortion care, remains an essential health service. The NAF calls on leaders to ensure that outpatient abortion clinics can remain open and urges hospitals to continue to provide abortion care.
While schools and churches have been shuttered and longed-for graduation ceremonies have been canceled, apparently it is okay to congregate at an abortion facility or use limited hospital resources. Planned Parenthood phone messages comfort the caller by adding that the abortionists are working with the CDC and the ODH to ensure the safety of their patients and that the chance of catching the coronovirus remains low.&nb”Leave a message to make an appointment.”
While Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House, tried to pad a bill infusing more money into abortions, a bill that was designed to help fight the Chinese Virus, as President Trump calls it, her efforts failed.
Massachusetts hospitals are forbidden from performing non-essential procedures, but the abortions continue. A state agency memorandum opines: “Terminating a pregnancy is not considered a nonessential, elective invasive procedure for the purpose of guidance. However, the ultimate decision is based on clinical judgment by the caring physician.”
President Mark Harrington of Created Equal, a pro-life organization, said: “Clearly, the abortion industry will not 'allow this crisis to go to waste.'”
Hundreds of thousands of people across the country are now unemployed and worried about paying the rent or buying food, but the government keeps the abortion industry workers employed doing the essential work of the killing of babies.
Susan Daniels has been an Ohio-licensed private investigator for twenty-seven years. She uncovered Barack Obama's phony social security number in 2009.
This post first appeared at the American Thinker on March 20, 2020. It is published here with the author's permission.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-25--Seeking Mary on the Feast of the Annunciation

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 !
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Watch Mother Miriam's Live show from 3.25.2020. Today, Mother asks listeners to pray for Dan Burke, founder of the Avila Institute and former President of EWTN. She also discusses the beauty and importance of the Feast of the Annunciation.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-25--Man who almost died from coronavirus tells Fox News how drug backed by Trump saved his life

March 25 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A 52-year-old man who thought he was going to die as a result of the coronavirus told Laura Ingraham of Fox News that he believes the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine saved his life .
Rio Giardinieri says he had been suffering with a fever for nine days , that his breathing became worse , speaking became difficult , and that he expected to die as a result of the coronavirus .
But Gardinieri decided to request hydroxychloroquine from medics after a friend of his from a prayer line told him about the drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covered recently on Ingraham ’ s show .
`` I 'm not a scientist .
I 'm not a doctor .
But I know when I 'm sitting here in pain and they 've tried all kinds of antibiotics sorting through me and I continue to get worse .
My breathing became worse .
Speaking became difficult , '' Giardinieri told Ingraham on Monday .
`` And a friend of mine from a prayer line reached out , a friend of 43 years and said , 'Hey , I saw this on Laura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take this medicine and you need to ask your doctor to give it to you now.
’ '' Giardinieri says that after taking the antiviral , he had a headache that lasted for a couple of days , but “ all the other symptoms were completely gone.
” Gardinieiri said he chose to pursue the experimental treatment , as he feared if he didn ’ t he would die .
” My feeling at that particular time was I thought I was at the end of my rope and I did n't see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ For me , it was a risk worth taking . ''
Ingraham covered the possibility of antivirals such as hydroxychloroquine being used to fight the coronavirus during her March 16 show , when she interviewed one of the co-authors of a small French trial that has used hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin as treatment for the virus .
That study has also been covered by fellow Fox News host Tucker Carlson .
On March 19 , President Donald Trump announced that the FDA had approved the use of a malaria drug to treat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovery that the drug could be used to combat coronavirus a “ tremendous breakthrough.
” On Saturday , Trump tweeted , HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE & AZITHROMYCIN , taken together , have a real chance to be one of the biggest game changers in the history of medicine .
The FDA has moved mountains - Thank You !
Hopefully they will BOTH ( H works better with A , International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents ) ... ... be put in use IMMEDIATELY .
PEOPLE ARE DYING , MOVE FAST , and GOD BLESS EVERYONE !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ingraham has continued to promote the French study in recent days , tweeting a link to the report on Sunday along with the message : “ Fact : Reports of successful use of hydroxychloroquine + azithromycin to treat COVID-19 are NOT merely “ anecdotal.
” Saying this dismisses findings of France ’ s top epidemiological researchers .
Dr. Fauci , meet Prof. Raoult Didier.
” On Monday Ingraham tweeted an article from Forbes highlighting the case of Margaret Novins , a 53-year-old nurse from New Jersey who reports that her fever was gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after testing positive for the coronavirus .
Yesterday , Ingraham interviewed Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and member of the White House coronavirus task force , and asked him if he were to test positive for the coronavirus if he would feel comfortable taking one of these new antivirals such as hydroxychloroquine .
Fauci responded that he “ might take one of those drugs ” but that he would “ do it within the auspices of a controlled clinical trial.
” Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explaining that there are at least three studies demonstrating the success of anti-malarial drugs containing chloroquine against the coronavirus .
On Sunday , The New York Times reported that scientists have identified 69 drugs to test against the coronavirus , including chloroquine .
Also on Sunday , a doctor based in Orange County , New York , claimed that he has had a 100 percent success rate after treating 350 coronavirus patients using hydroxychloroquine and zinc .
Dr. Vladimir Zelenko announced the results of his recent treatments by posting a video to YouTube @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covered by Fox News host Sean Hannity .
On Monday , the White House announced the launch of new supercomputing resources to help “ rapidly advance scientific research for treatments and a vaccine.
” During yesterday ’ s White House press conference , Dr. Deborah Birx , the top response coordinator for the White House ’ s coronavirus task force , told the press that there has been a massive increase in testing for the coronavirus in the United States , with more than 220,000 tests done in the past eight days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , telling a Fox News virtual town hall : “ I would love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter .
”

Rio Giardinieri felt like he was close to death but recovered after taking hydroxychloroquine.
March 25, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A 52-year-old man who thought he was going to die as a result of the coronavirus told Laura Ingraham of Fox News that he believes the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine saved his life.
Rio Giardinieri says he had been suffering with a fever for nine days, that his breathing became worse, speaking became difficult, and that he expected to die as a result of the coronavirus.
But Gardinieri decided to request hydroxychloroquine from medics after a friend of his from a prayer line told him about the drug. That friend had seen the drug covered recently on Ingraham’s show.
“I'm not a scientist. I'm not a doctor. But I know when I'm sitting here in pain and they've tried all kinds of antibiotics sorting through me and I continue to get worse. My breathing became worse. Speaking became difficult,” Giardinieri told Ingraham on Monday.
“And a friend of mine from a prayer line reached out, a friend of 43 years and said, 'Hey, I saw this on Laura Ingraham's show. You need to take this medicine and you need to ask your doctor to give it to you now.’”
Giardinieri says that after taking the antiviral, he had a headache that lasted for a couple of days, but “all the other symptoms were completely gone.”
Gardinieiri said he chose to pursue the experimental treatment, as he feared if he didn’t he would die. ”My feeling at that particular time was I thought I was at the end of my rope and I didn't see any other options,” he said. “For me, it was a risk worth taking.”
Ingraham covered the possibility of antivirals such as hydroxychloroquine being used to fight the coronavirus during her March 16 show, when she interviewed one of the co-authors of a small French trial that has used hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin as treatment for the virus. That study has also been covered by fellow Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
On March 19, President Donald Trump announced that the FDA had approved the use of a malaria drug to treat the COVID-19 coronavirus. He called the discovery that the drug could be used to combat coronavirus a “tremendous breakthrough.”
On Saturday, Trump tweeted, HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE & AZITHROMYCIN, taken together, have a real chance to be one of the biggest game changers in the history of medicine. The FDA has moved mountains – Thank You! Hopefully they will BOTH (H works better with A, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents)……be put in use IMMEDIATELY. PEOPLE ARE DYING, MOVE FAST, and GOD BLESS EVERYONE! @US_FDA @SteveFDA @CDCgov @DHSgov
Ingraham has continued to promote the French study in recent days, tweeting a link to the report on Sunday along with the message: “Fact: Reports of successful use of hydroxychloroquine + azithromycin to treat COVID-19 are NOT merely “anecdotal.” Saying this dismisses findings of France’s top epidemiological researchers. Dr. Fauci, meet Prof. Raoult Didier.”
Fact: Reports of successful use of hydroxychloroquine + azithromycin to treat COVID-19 are NOT merely “anecdotal.” Saying this dismisses findings of France’s top epidemiological researchers. Dr. Fauci, meet Prof. Raoult Didier. https://t.co/spk4TE9u0s — Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) March 22, 2020
On Monday Ingraham tweeted an article from Forbes highlighting the case of Margaret Novins, a 53-year-old nurse from New Jersey who reports that her fever was gone within a day of taking hydroxychloroquine, after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Yesterday, Ingraham interviewed Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and member of the White House coronavirus task force, and asked him if he were to test positive for the coronavirus if he would feel comfortable taking one of these new antivirals such as hydroxychloroquine. Fauci responded that he “might take one of those drugs” but that he would “do it within the auspices of a controlled clinical trial.”
Last week, James Delingpole of Breitbart wrote an article explaining that there are at least three studies demonstrating the success of anti-malarial drugs containing chloroquine against the coronavirus.
Delingpole explained:
The reason that Chloroquine works, I understand from an expert in viral pandemics, is that (it) enables the body to absorb more zinc. Zinc appears to be the most effective agent in disrupting the virus and preventing the ‘cytokine storm,’ which is the deadly phase in which the virus tricks the body’s immune system into attacking its own healthy tissue, with often fatal consequences.
On Sunday, The New York Times reported that scientists have identified 69 drugs to test against the coronavirus, including chloroquine.
Also on Sunday, a doctor based in Orange County, New York, claimed that he has had a 100 percent success rate after treating 350 coronavirus patients using hydroxychloroquine and zinc. Dr. Vladimir Zelenko announced the results of his recent treatments by posting a video to YouTube, and his claims have recently been covered by Fox News host Sean Hannity.
On Monday, the White House announced the launch of new supercomputing resources to help “rapidly advance scientific research for treatments and a vaccine.”
During yesterday’s White House press conference, Dr. Deborah Birx, the top response coordinator for the White House’s coronavirus task force, told the press that there has been a massive increase in testing for the coronavirus in the United States, with more than 220,000 tests done in the past eight days.
Trump expressed confidence yesterday about the ongoing pandemic, telling a Fox News virtual town hall: “I would love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter.”
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lifesitenews--2020-03-25--Virginians can now be jailed for a year for attending church services with 10 people

RICHMOND , Virginia , March 25 , 2020 ( CNS News ) — Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam issued an executive order on Monday that is aimed at stopping the new coronavirus — and , in the process , makes it a criminal offense to hold a church service attended by more than 10 people .
Yes , his order makes it a crime for more than 10 people to gather in a church .
There are two passages in the text of the governor 's order that are relevant to this .
Paragraph 1 says : `` Therefore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me by Article V , Section 7 of the Constitution of Virginia , by § 44-146.17 of the Code of Virginia and in furtherance of Executive Order 51 , I order the following : 1 .
Effective 11:59 p.m. , Tuesday , March 24 , 2020 until 11:59 p.m. , Thursday , April 23 , 2020 , all public and private in person gatherings of 10 or more individuals are prohibited . ''
This is a screen capture of paragraph 1 in Gov .
Ralph Northam 's executive order prohibiting `` all public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or more individuals . ''
The second relevant section of the order says : `` Violation of paragraphs 1 , 3 , 4 , and 6 of this Order shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor pursuant to § 44-146.17 of the Code of Virginia . ''
This is a screen capture of the paragraph in Gov .
Ralph Northam 's executive order that states it is a Class 1 misdemeanor to violate paragraph 1 of the order .
Indeed , the actual text of § 44-146.17 says : `` Executive orders , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and directing evacuation , shall have the force and effect of law and the violation thereof shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor in every case where the executive order declares that its violation shall have such force and effect . ''
Northam , in his executive order , declared , `` Violations of paragraph 1 '' — which states that `` all public and private in person gatherings of 10 or more individuals are prohibited '' — are Class 1 misdemeanors .
Thus , under Virginia law , they are Class @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do to you for committing one of these Class 1 misdemeanors ?
The Code of Virginia spells out the punishment in § 18.2-11 .
It says : `` The authorized punishments for conviction of a misdemeanor are : ( a ) For Class 1 misdemeanors , confinement in jail for not more than twelve months and a fine of not more than $ 2,500 , either or both . ''
Now , attending a typical church service — like , say , a Catholic Mass on Sunday — would seem to fall within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in person gatherings of 10 or more individuals . ''
Northam 's executive order does not use any terminology that specifically indicates it applies to churches or other places of worship .
Nor does it include language listing churches and other places of worship among those `` essential '' locations that are not subject to the ban on gatherings of 10 or more people .
But a `` Frequently Asked Questions '' sheet that his office published about the executive order does address the issue .
The fifth question it answers is : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I still go to my church , synagogue , or mosque ? ''
The answer : `` Virginians are strongly encouraged to seek alternative means of attending religious services , such as virtually or via 'drive-through ' worship .
Places of worship that do conduct in-person services must limit gatherings to 10 people , to comply with the statewide 10-person ban . ''
This is a screen capture of the question-and-answer in the `` Frequently Asked Questions '' sheet published by Gov .
Ralph Northam 's office that says places of worship `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to comply with the statewide 10-person ban . ''
To make certain that this meant that the law making it a misdemeanor criminal offense to have gatherings of more than 10 people applied to churches , I addressed a question to Northam 's press secretary , Alena Yarmosky .
I asked her via email : `` How about a simple yes or no : Are church attendees and churches exempted from the misdemeanor penalty that applies to other individuals and organizations that violate the governor 's Executive Order and have gatherings that bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She responded by email : `` The Governor 's EO 53 bans assemblies of more than 10 people , statewide .
That includes gatherings at private schools , private clubs , parties , as well as any other social get-together , and religious services . ''
Conclusion : The governor has issued an executive order that `` bans '' religious services that bring together more than 10 people .
His executive order expressly states that any `` violations '' of the paragraph in the order that bans `` gatherings of 10 or more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misdemeanor . ''
Virginia law says that when a governor 's executive order states that violating that order is a Class 1 misdemeanor , those violations are indeed Class 1 misdemeanors .
Virginians now live in a state where holding a church service attended by 11 people has been unilaterally declared a crime by the governor .
The same executive order that creates this church-attending crime also declares that Virginia 's state-owned liquor stores are `` essential retail businesses '' that `` may remain open during their normal business hours . ''
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store , exchange a glass bottle of whiskey and money with a clerk and keep his social distance ?
Could 11 people in a church — praying the rosary together — stay further apart physically than the buyers and sellers at a Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control store ?
The Catholic dioceses of Arlington and Richmond had already voluntarily determined to close their Masses to the public to limit the spread of the coronavirus — before the government ordered them to limit their gatherings to 10 people .
They gave witness to the virtue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the sort of edict Northam redundantly issued this week ordering churches to close under penalty of law .
What would St. Thomas More think of a government that made it a crime to gather and pray in church ?
What would the framers of the First Amendment think ?
What future `` emergencies '' will inspire future governors to act on Northam 's precedent ?

Gathering in a church is now punishable by up to 12 months in jail or up to a $2,500 fine, or both.
RICHMOND, Virginia, March 25, 2020 (CNS News) — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam issued an executive order on Monday that is aimed at stopping the new coronavirus — and, in the process, makes it a criminal offense to hold a church service attended by more than 10 people.
Yes, his order makes it a crime for more than 10 people to gather in a church.
There are two passages in the text of the governor's order that are relevant to this.
Paragraph 1 says: “Therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article V, Section 7 of the Constitution of Virginia, by § 44-146.17 of the Code of Virginia and in furtherance of Executive Order 51, I order the following: 1. Effective 11:59 p.m., Tuesday, March 24, 2020 until 11:59 p.m., Thursday, April 23, 2020, all public and private in person gatherings of 10 or more individuals are prohibited.”
This is a screen capture of paragraph 1 in Gov. Ralph Northam's executive order prohibiting “all public and private in person gatherings of 10 or more individuals.”
The second relevant section of the order says: “Violation of paragraphs 1, 3, 4, and 6 of this Order shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor pursuant to § 44-146.17 of the Code of Virginia.”
This is a screen capture of the paragraph in Gov. Ralph Northam's executive order that states it is a Class 1 misdemeanor to violate paragraph 1 of the order.
Indeed, the actual text of § 44-146.17 says: “Executive orders, to include those declaring a state of emergency and directing evacuation, shall have the force and effect of law and the violation thereof shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor in every case where the executive order declares that its violation shall have such force and effect.”
Northam, in his executive order, declared, “Violations of paragraph 1” — which states that “all public and private in person gatherings of 10 or more individuals are prohibited” — are Class 1 misdemeanors. Thus, under Virginia law, they are Class 1 misdemeanors.
What can the government do to you for committing one of these Class 1 misdemeanors?
The Code of Virginia spells out the punishment in § 18.2-11. It says: “The authorized punishments for conviction of a misdemeanor are: (a) For Class 1 misdemeanors, confinement in jail for not more than twelve months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.”
Now, attending a typical church service — like, say, a Catholic Mass on Sunday — would seem to fall within the scope of “public and private in person gatherings of 10 or more individuals.”
Northam's executive order does not use any terminology that specifically indicates it applies to churches or other places of worship. Nor does it include language listing churches and other places of worship among those “essential” locations that are not subject to the ban on gatherings of 10 or more people.
But a “Frequently Asked Questions” sheet that his office published about the executive order does address the issue.
The fifth question it answers is: “What about religious services? Can I still go to my church, synagogue, or mosque?”
The answer: “Virginians are strongly encouraged to seek alternative means of attending religious services, such as virtually or via 'drive-through' worship. Places of worship that do conduct in-person services must limit gatherings to 10 people, to comply with the statewide 10-person ban.”
This is a screen capture of the question-and-answer in the “Frequently Asked Questions” sheet published by Gov. Ralph Northam's office that says places of worship “must limit gatherings to 10 people, to comply with the statewide 10-person ban.”
To make certain that this meant that the law making it a misdemeanor criminal offense to have gatherings of more than 10 people applied to churches, I addressed a question to Northam's press secretary, Alena Yarmosky.
I asked her via email: “How about a simple yes or no: Are church attendees and churches exempted from the misdemeanor penalty that applies to other individuals and organizations that violate the governor's Executive Order and have gatherings that bring together more than 10 people?”
She responded by email: “The Governor's EO 53 bans assemblies of more than 10 people, statewide. That includes gatherings at private schools, private clubs, parties, as well as any other social get-together, and religious services.”
Conclusion: The governor has issued an executive order that “bans” religious services that bring together more than 10 people. His executive order expressly states that any “violations” of the paragraph in the order that bans “gatherings of 10 or more persons … shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor.” Virginia law says that when a governor's executive order states that violating that order is a Class 1 misdemeanor, those violations are indeed Class 1 misdemeanors.
Virginians now live in a state where holding a church service attended by 11 people has been unilaterally declared a crime by the governor.
The same executive order that creates this church-attending crime also declares that Virginia's state-owned liquor stores are “essential retail businesses” that “may remain open during their normal business hours.”
How can a person walk into a liquor store, exchange a glass bottle of whiskey and money with a clerk and keep his social distance? Could 11 people in a church — praying the rosary together — stay further apart physically than the buyers and sellers at a Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control store?
The Catholic dioceses of Arlington and Richmond had already voluntarily determined to close their Masses to the public to limit the spread of the coronavirus — before the government ordered them to limit their gatherings to 10 people. They gave witness to the virtue of prudence. But prudence also counsels against the sort of edict Northam redundantly issued this week ordering churches to close under penalty of law.
What would St. Thomas More think of a government that made it a crime to gather and pray in church?
What would the framers of the First Amendment think?
What future “emergencies” will inspire future governors to act on Northam's precedent?
(Terence P. Jeffrey is the editor in chief of CNSNews.com.)
Published with permission from CNS News.
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