thedailycaller--2020-03-18--Rep. Conor Lamb Supports Biden’s ‘No New Fracking’ Push. Here’s How That Impacts Pennsylvania

• Rep. Conor Lamb is supporting former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s plan for “ no new fracking ” projects , a move that walks the edge of what is acceptable in Pennsylvania , where fracking reigns supreme .
• Lamb ’ s 2020 re-election opponent , Sean Parnell , told the Daily Caller News Foundation that fracking in Western Pennsylvania would “ vanish ” under Biden ’ s plan .
• One of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich ’ s energy analysts argue Biden ’ s promise to stop new fracking projects is effectively the same as supporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lamb ’ s Republican opponent railed against the Democrat Tuesday after he tossed his support behind former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s promise to end new fracking projects if he wins in 2020 .
Lamb ’ s praise of the former vice president ’ s newfound fracking position comes as his state morphs into a leader in the booming natural gas industry .
The moderate Democrat is also running for re-election in a state that tilted heavily toward President Donald Trump in 2016 .
“ [ T ] he former vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that aligns with the views of Democrats in his area of the state , where fracking is a major industry , ” Lamb told The Wall Street Journal Monday .
His Republican opponent isn ’ t buying the new pitch .
“ The Democrats I ’ ve talked to– blue-collar union Democrats who work in the oil and gas industry– are scared to death by this rhetoric , ” Sean Parnell , a retired Army Ranger who is running for Lamb ’ s seat , told the DCNF .
He added : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Western PA would vanish ” under that plan .
Lamb ’ s remark came one day after Biden promised during Sunday ’ s CNN Democratic debate to stop new fracking projects after his presidential rival , Sen. Bernie Sanders , drilled the former vice president for not being tough enough on the oil industry .
“ No new fracking , ” he said in response to Sanders ’ hectoring .
( RELATED : ‘ No New Fracking ’ : Biden Calls For High Speed Rail To Move US Away From Oil Drilling ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would replace fossil fuels with “ high speed rail , taking millions of automobiles off the road .
Making sure we move in a direction where no more drilling on federal lands.
” Biden ’ s surrogates say the vice president is referring to his plan to stop fracking on public lands , but conservative natural gas supporters say Biden ’ s position is effectively a ban .
“ Saying no ‘ new ’ fracking is functionally the same as saying no fracking period , ” Steve Everley a former energy advisor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the DCNF .
The fracking process takes nearly a week , meaning it ’ s not something that occurs for months or years .
“ Wells that have already been fractured will now produce for years , ” said Everley , who is now the managing director at FTI Consulting , a business advisory firm that specializes in corporate finance and litigation consulting .
Biden ’ s proposal to prohibit fracking on federal lands could be catastrophic for New Mexico , which relies on fossil fuels for roughly 40 % of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was one of four Democrats in battleground states who neglected to reply to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s questions in February about Sanders ’ anti-fracking campaign .
They also declined to discuss Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ’ s ill-fated Green New Deal with the DCNF .
Lamb , who won a tight race in 2018 against former Rep. Rick Saccone , has also demonstrated a willingness to criticize his own caucus .
He wrote a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Feb. 15 rejecting a piece of legislation imposing a nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
Biden and Lamb going all in on a “ no new fracking ” agenda also comes as Sanders champions the issue .
Sanders , a self-avowed Democratic socialist , revealed his own Green New Deal in August 2019 , promising everything from “ virtually free ” electricity and a “ hunger-free ” transition to green energy from fossil fuels .
Some researchers suggest the proposal , if it became law , would take a sledgehammer to American households in swing states .
Households would have ponied up an average of between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Michigan and Pennsylvania , among other states , a February report from the Competitive Enterprise Institute noted .
Reports continue to show that such a policy would fracture the economy amid coronavirus fears and global oil wars .
Oil prices tumbled into the $ 30 range on March 9 as the Saudis pushed for a cut in output to prop up prices , while Russia went the other way , and decided to infuse the market with hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil .
The Trump administration is reportedly considering ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the downtime .
Fracking technology helps energy producers extract natural gas out of places like the Permian Basin in Texas , and the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania .
But the industry is facing some severe headwinds as Russian and Saudi Arabia push to rattle the oil markets while the U.S. and other European countries attempt to tackle the coronavirus pandemic , which has killed scores of people .
The U.S. became the world ’ s largest producer of fracked natural gas in 2012 , surpassing Russia despite former President Barack Obama ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on such production on public lands .
It also passed coal as the country ’ s leading source of electricity in July 2017 .
Still , some Democrats warn Biden might be treading too close to the barbwire ’ s edge in Pennsylvania .
The former vice president “ has got to become more careful in his language , ” Mike Mikus , a Pennsylvania Democratic strategist , told TheWSJ of Biden ’ s debate language .
“ There ’ s a reason why we ’ ve never had nominees run statewide here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding that Democrats will lose if they rely solely on urban and suburban areas of the state .
They must also cater to the rural areas , where fracking and other forms of fossil fuel production reign supreme , he noted .
Biden ’ s campaign has not responded to the DCNF ’ s request for comment .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact @ @ @ @

Rep. Conor Lamb is supporting former Vice President Joe Biden’s plan for “no new fracking” projects, a move that walks the edge of what is acceptable in Pennsylvania, where fracking reigns supreme.
Lamb’s 2020 re-election opponent, Sean Parnell, told the Daily Caller News Foundation that fracking in Western Pennsylvania would “vanish” under Biden’s plan.
One of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s energy analysts argue Biden’s promise to stop new fracking projects is effectively the same as supporting a fracking ban.
Pennsylvania Rep. Conor Lamb’s Republican opponent railed against the Democrat Tuesday after he tossed his support behind former Vice President Joe Biden’s promise to end new fracking projects if he wins in 2020.
Lamb’s praise of the former vice president’s newfound fracking position comes as his state morphs into a leader in the booming natural gas industry. The moderate Democrat is also running for re-election in a state that tilted heavily toward President Donald Trump in 2016.
“[T]he former vice president’s fracking proposal strikes a balance that aligns with the views of Democrats in his area of the state, where fracking is a major industry,” Lamb told The Wall Street Journal Monday. His Republican opponent isn’t buying the new pitch.
“The Democrats I’ve talked to– blue-collar union Democrats who work in the oil and gas industry– are scared to death by this rhetoric,” Sean Parnell, a retired Army Ranger who is running for Lamb’s seat, told the DCNF.
He added: “Over 100,000 oil and gas jobs in Western PA would vanish” under that plan.
Lamb’s remark came one day after Biden promised during Sunday’s CNN Democratic debate to stop new fracking projects after his presidential rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders, drilled the former vice president for not being tough enough on the oil industry.
“No new fracking,” he said in response to Sanders’ hectoring. (RELATED: ‘No New Fracking’: Biden Calls For High Speed Rail To Move US Away From Oil Drilling)
Biden also suggested during the debate that he would replace fossil fuels with “high speed rail, taking millions of automobiles off the road. Making sure we move in a direction where no more drilling on federal lands.”
Biden’s surrogates say the vice president is referring to his plan to stop fracking on public lands, but conservative natural gas supporters say Biden’s position is effectively a ban.
“Saying no ‘new’ fracking is functionally the same as saying no fracking period,” Steve Everley a former energy advisor to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, told the DCNF. The fracking process takes nearly a week, meaning it’s not something that occurs for months or years.
“Wells that have already been fractured will now produce for years,” said Everley, who is now the managing director at FTI Consulting, a business advisory firm that specializes in corporate finance and litigation consulting. Biden’s proposal to prohibit fracking on federal lands could be catastrophic for New Mexico, which relies on fossil fuels for roughly 40% of its state budget, he noted.
Lamb was one of four Democrats in battleground states who neglected to reply to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s questions in February about Sanders’ anti-fracking campaign. They also declined to discuss Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s ill-fated Green New Deal with the DCNF.
Lamb, who won a tight race in 2018 against former Rep. Rick Saccone, has also demonstrated a willingness to criticize his own caucus. He wrote a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Feb. 15 rejecting a piece of legislation imposing a nationwide ban on fracking within the next five years.
Biden and Lamb going all in on a “no new fracking” agenda also comes as Sanders champions the issue. Sanders, a self-avowed Democratic socialist, revealed his own Green New Deal in August 2019, promising everything from “virtually free” electricity and a “hunger-free” transition to green energy from fossil fuels.
Some researchers suggest the proposal, if it became law, would take a sledgehammer to American households in swing states. Households would have ponied up an average of between $74,287 and $76,683 in Colorado, Michigan and Pennsylvania, among other states, a February report from the Competitive Enterprise Institute noted.
Reports continue to show that such a policy would fracture the economy amid coronavirus fears and global oil wars. Oil prices tumbled into the $30 range on March 9 as the Saudis pushed for a cut in output to prop up prices, while Russia went the other way, and decided to infuse the market with hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil.
The Trump administration is reportedly considering ways to prop up the oil industry during the downtime.
Fracking technology helps energy producers extract natural gas out of places like the Permian Basin in Texas, and the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania.
But the industry is facing some severe headwinds as Russian and Saudi Arabia push to rattle the oil markets while the U.S. and other European countries attempt to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed scores of people.
The U.S. became the world’s largest producer of fracked natural gas in 2012, surpassing Russia despite former President Barack Obama’s decision in 2015 to place a moratorium on such production on public lands. It also passed coal as the country’s leading source of electricity in July 2017.
Still, some Democrats warn Biden might be treading too close to the barbwire’s edge in Pennsylvania. The former vice president “has got to become more careful in his language,” Mike Mikus, a Pennsylvania Democratic strategist, told TheWSJ of Biden’s debate language.
“There’s a reason why we’ve never had nominees run statewide here on banning fracking,” Mikus said, adding that Democrats will lose if they rely solely on urban and suburban areas of the state. They must also cater to the rural areas, where fracking and other forms of fossil fuel production reign supreme, he noted.
Biden’s campaign has not responded to the DCNF’s request for comment.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-03-18--FACT CHECK: Did Lindsey Graham Say That Trump ‘Probably Knows More About Medicine’ Than The ‘So-Call

FACT CHECK: Did Lindsey Graham Say That Trump ‘Probably Knows More About Medicine’ Than The ‘So-Called Scientists At The NIH And CDC’?

An image shared on Facebook claims South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said President Donald Trump “ probably knows more about medicine and specifically viruses ” than the “ so-called scientists at the NIH and CDC.
” There is no record of Graham ever making the comment .
It originated in a tweet from a user that has shared fake quotes in the past .
The tweet that appears to have started the claim has been deleted , but screen grabs of it continue to circulate on other social media platforms .
( RELATED : Did Trump Call The Coronavirus A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rally ) “ CAPITOL HILL : @ LindseyGrahamSC says @ realDonaldTrump ‘ probably knows more about medicine and specifically viruses than any of the so-called scientists at the NIH and CDC .
If anyone is going to eradicate this plague it ’ ll be the president , ' ” the screen grabbed tweet quotes Graham as saying .
The comment would have been picked up by the media if Graham had actually said the words , yet no news outlets have reported on it .
The quote does not appear on any of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did release a statement Feb. 26 praising the Trump administration ’ s handling of the coronavirus outbreak .
However , at no point did he suggest the president knows more than experts at the National Institutes of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
“ President Trump ’ s decision to put Vice President Pence in charge of our nation ’ s efforts to contain the coronavirus is an excellent idea , ” reads the statement .
“ And I have all the confidence in the world that the Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their power to contain this deadly virus.
” Dan Lyons , who describes himself as the “ inventor of fake news ” in his Twitter bio , tweeted the fabricated quote the same day Graham released that statement .
He has shared fake quotes in the past , according to Snopes .
Multiple Twitter users , including Princeton University history professor Kevin Kruse , called out Lyons for the fake quote attributed to Graham .

An image shared on Facebook claims South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said President Donald Trump “probably knows more about medicine and specifically viruses” than the “so-called scientists at the NIH and CDC.”
Verdict: False
There is no record of Graham ever making the comment. It originated in a tweet from a user that has shared fake quotes in the past.
Fact Check:
The tweet that appears to have started the claim has been deleted, but screen grabs of it continue to circulate on other social media platforms. (RELATED: Did Trump Call The Coronavirus A ‘Hoax’ At His South Carolina Rally)
“CAPITOL HILL: @LindseyGrahamSC says @realDonaldTrump ‘probably knows more about medicine and specifically viruses than any of the so-called scientists at the NIH and CDC. If anyone is going to eradicate this plague it’ll be the president,'” the screen grabbed tweet quotes Graham as saying.
The comment would have been picked up by the media if Graham had actually said the words, yet no news outlets have reported on it. The quote does not appear on any of his social media pages either.
Graham did release a statement Feb. 26 praising the Trump administration’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak. However, at no point did he suggest the president knows more than experts at the National Institutes of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“President Trump’s decision to put Vice President Pence in charge of our nation’s efforts to contain the coronavirus is an excellent idea,” reads the statement. “And I have all the confidence in the world that the Vice President and his team will do everything in their power to contain this deadly virus.”
Dan Lyons, who describes himself as the “inventor of fake news” in his Twitter bio, tweeted the fabricated quote the same day Graham released that statement. He has shared fake quotes in the past, according to Snopes.
Multiple Twitter users, including Princeton University history professor Kevin Kruse, called out Lyons for the fake quote attributed to Graham.
This is fake. Stop retweeting this account please. pic.twitter.com/9PEGwRimAV — Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) March 2, 2020
“This is fake,” Kruse tweeted. “Stop retweeting this account please.”


thedailycaller--2020-03-18--Facebook Users Look For Answers As Company’s AI Goes Haywire After Moderators Were Sent Home

Facebook said Tuesday a bug in the company ’ s anti-spam system that is randomly and mistakenly flagging user content is unrelated to any changes in the workforce due to the coronavirus .
Twitter users tweeted images of a warning they received from Facebook suggesting their content violated company policies against spam .
The content was flagged due to a bug rather than a lack of human oversight caused by social distancing , according to one Facebook security official .
“ We ’ re on this – this is a bug in an anti-spam system , unrelated to any changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re in the process of fixing and bringing all these posts back .
More soon , ” Guy Rosen , Facebook ’ s vice president of safety and integrity , said in a tweet addressing the complaints .
Rosen was responding to a tweet Tuesday night from Facebook ’ s former head of security , Alex Stamos , who said from his vantage point the problem looks like “ an anti-spam rule at FB is going haywire.
” Stamos added : “ We might be seeing the start of the ML going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also reminded people on Twitter that Facebook sent home their content moderators on Monday over concerns related to the coronavirus .
Facebook spokesman Andy Stone directed the Daily Caller News Foundation to Rosen ’ s tweet for further explanation .
( RELATED : Twitter Says Social-Distancing Will Likely Mean Giving AI Much More Control Over Regulating User Content ) Twitter and Google ’ s YouTube were among the big tech companies to announce Monday that their artificial intelligence tools will now be taking on more responsibility for content moderation due to social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improve our tech , ” Twitter noted in a statement , adding that “ this might result in some mistakes.
” Big tech companies often blame artificial intelligence system for mistakenly nixing or impacting user content that does not in any way violate Twitter ’ s policies .
Twitter , for instance , suggested in April 2019 that the auto system was partially to blame for the suspension of a pro-life group .
“ When an account violates the Twitter Rules , the system looks for linked accounts to mitigate things like ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Daily Caller News Foundation in April 2019 .
“ In this case , the account was mistakenly caught in our automated systems for ban evasion.
” The spokeswoman was referring to an account called “ Unplanned , ” which promoted a movie about a former abortion clinic director who became pro-life .
The system is designed to suspend so-called sock-puppet accounts connected to a profile that violated company policies , according to the spokeswoman .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Facebook said Tuesday a bug in the company’s anti-spam system that is randomly and mistakenly flagging user content is unrelated to any changes in the workforce due to the coronavirus.
Twitter users tweeted images of a warning they received from Facebook suggesting their content violated company policies against spam. The content was flagged due to a bug rather than a lack of human oversight caused by social distancing, according to one Facebook security official.
“We’re on this – this is a bug in an anti-spam system, unrelated to any changes in our content moderator workforce. We’re in the process of fixing and bringing all these posts back. More soon,” Guy Rosen, Facebook’s vice president of safety and integrity, said in a tweet addressing the complaints.
Rosen was responding to a tweet Tuesday night from Facebook’s former head of security, Alex Stamos, who said from his vantage point the problem looks like “an anti-spam rule at FB is going haywire.”
Stamos added: “We might be seeing the start of the ML going nuts with less human oversight.” He also reminded people on Twitter that Facebook sent home their content moderators on Monday over concerns related to the coronavirus.
Facebook spokesman Andy Stone directed the Daily Caller News Foundation to Rosen’s tweet for further explanation. (RELATED: Twitter Says Social-Distancing Will Likely Mean Giving AI Much More Control Over Regulating User Content)
Facebook decided that my posting of this Times of Israel article is spam. (It’s not spam.) pic.twitter.com/3NqUbiwmyi — Mike Godwin (@sfmnemonic) March 17, 2020
This is all over Facebook. @alexstamos do you know the explanation? So many people posting similar messages and distrust spreads very fast… pic.twitter.com/Drq9hmZjXv — Tamsin Shaw (@ProfessorShaw) March 17, 2020
All of @jdforward content has been taken down from @Facebook — from our institutional pages, from individual pages/organic shares — just as news breaking of #coronavirus in Hasidic neighborhoods in Brooklyn. People got messages saying we “violated community standards” 1/2 — Jodi Rudoren (@rudoren) March 17, 2020
Twitter and Google’s YouTube were among the big tech companies to announce Monday that their artificial intelligence tools will now be taking on more responsibility for content moderation due to social distancing.
“We’re working to improve our tech,” Twitter noted in a statement, adding that “this might result in some mistakes.” Big tech companies often blame artificial intelligence system for mistakenly nixing or impacting user content that does not in any way violate Twitter’s policies.
Twitter, for instance, suggested in April 2019 that the auto system was partially to blame for the suspension of a pro-life group.
“When an account violates the Twitter Rules, the system looks for linked accounts to mitigate things like ban evasion,” a company spokeswoman told the Daily Caller News Foundation in April 2019. “In this case, the account was mistakenly caught in our automated systems for ban evasion.”
The spokeswoman was referring to an account called “Unplanned,” which promoted a movie about a former abortion clinic director who became pro-life. The system is designed to suspend so-called sock-puppet accounts connected to a profile that violated company policies, according to the spokeswoman.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-03-18--Joe Biden Projected To Win Illinois Democratic Primary

Joe Biden is projected to win the Illinois Democratic primary , further solidifying his status as the frontrunner for his party ’ s presidential nomination .
Biden will win in Illinois , according to Fox News and other election forecasters , defeating his sole primary rival , Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
The decisive and quick victory was expected , given his strong lead in the polls ahead of Tuesday .
The former vice president also captured Florida .
Biden ’ s victory in Illinois comes as the election itself is marred with controversy , with many critics panning the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite the coronavirus pandemic .
Unlike in Ohio — where Republican Gov .
Mike DeWine ordered the postponement of his state ’ s primary — Democratic Gov .
JB Pritzker allowed Illinois ’ primary to move forward as planned on Tuesday , despite immense concerns about the spread of coronavirus .
The state experienced extremely low voter turnout , with reports of voters being turned away and even allegations of volunteers quitting ahead of Election Day .
Illinois officials also had to move polling places away from local nursing homes .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Pritzker said on Tuesday in a press event , responding to Chicago election officials who wanted him to delay the election , according to the Chicago Tribune .
“ It is not a time to complain that you ’ re being asked to do uncomfortable things , to make hard choices , to go above and beyond in your responsibilities , ” More than 100 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Illinois , and the state announced its first death on Tuesday .
Pritzker , nevertheless , carried on with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden Pledges To Undo Trump ’ s Public Charge Rule As Part Of Coronavirus Action Plan ) Biden ’ s win on Tuesday cements his status as the Democratic Party ’ s presumptive nominee .
While Sanders has remained in race , it ’ s not likely he could reach the threshold necessary to reclaim his frontrunner status .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact @ @ @ @

Joe Biden is projected to win the Illinois Democratic primary, further solidifying his status as the frontrunner for his party’s presidential nomination.
Biden will win in Illinois, according to Fox News and other election forecasters, defeating his sole primary rival, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. The decisive and quick victory was expected, given his strong lead in the polls ahead of Tuesday. The former vice president also captured Florida.
Biden’s victory in Illinois comes as the election itself is marred with controversy, with many critics panning the governor for allowing the election to continue despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Unlike in Ohio — where Republican Gov. Mike DeWine ordered the postponement of his state’s primary — Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker allowed Illinois’ primary to move forward as planned on Tuesday, despite immense concerns about the spread of coronavirus.
The state experienced extremely low voter turnout, with reports of voters being turned away and even allegations of volunteers quitting ahead of Election Day. Illinois officials also had to move polling places away from local nursing homes.
“It is not a time for political posturing,” Pritzker said on Tuesday in a press event, responding to Chicago election officials who wanted him to delay the election, according to the Chicago Tribune. “It is not a time to complain that you’re being asked to do uncomfortable things, to make hard choices, to go above and beyond in your responsibilities,”
More than 100 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Illinois, and the state announced its first death on Tuesday. Pritzker, nevertheless, carried on with the primary. (RELATED: Joe Biden Pledges To Undo Trump’s Public Charge Rule As Part Of Coronavirus Action Plan)
Biden’s win on Tuesday cements his status as the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee. While Sanders has remained in race, it’s not likely he could reach the threshold necessary to reclaim his frontrunner status.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-03-18--GOP Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart announced Wednesday that he has tested positive for coronavirus , making him the first national lawmaker to come down with the potentially deadly virus .
Diaz-Balart said in an announcement on Twitter that he was notified Wednesday that he has the virus .
He self-quarantined on Friday , and remained in his apartment in Washington , D.C. instead of traveling home to Florida .
( RELATED : Here Are All The Lawmakers Who Have Gone Into Self-Quarantine ) The Republican said that he came down with a fever and headache on Saturday .
“ I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much better , ” Diaz-Balart said in the statement .
“ However , it is important that everyone take this extremely seriously and follow CDC guidelines in order to avoid getting sick and mitigate the spread of this virus.
” At least 12 other lawmakers have gone into self-quarantine , including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham .
President Donald Trump was tested for coronavirus last Friday after several members of a Brazilian delegation who visited Mar-a-Lago were confirmed to have the virus .
Trump tested negative .
Content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart announced Wednesday that he has tested positive for coronavirus, making him the first national lawmaker to come down with the potentially deadly virus.
Diaz-Balart said in an announcement on Twitter that he was notified Wednesday that he has the virus. He self-quarantined on Friday, and remained in his apartment in Washington, D.C. instead of traveling home to Florida. (RELATED: Here Are All The Lawmakers Who Have Gone Into Self-Quarantine)
The Republican said that he came down with a fever and headache on Saturday.
I’m feeling much better. However, it’s important that everyone take this seriously and follow @CDCgov guidelines in order to avoid getting sick & mitigate the spread of this virus. We must continue to work together to emerge stronger as a country during these trying times. pic.twitter.com/g5W5vSQIyH — Mario Diaz-Balart (@MarioDB) March 18, 2020
“I want everyone to know that I am feeling much better,” Diaz-Balart said in the statement.
“However, it is important that everyone take this extremely seriously and follow CDC guidelines in order to avoid getting sick and mitigate the spread of this virus.”
At least 12 other lawmakers have gone into self-quarantine, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.
President Donald Trump was tested for coronavirus last Friday after several members of a Brazilian delegation who visited Mar-a-Lago were confirmed to have the virus. Trump tested negative.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-03-18--Conservative Groups Warn Against Pushing Medical Price Controls In Coronavirus Relief Bill

In a letter obtained by the Daily Caller , a group of 24 conservative groups , including Americans for Tax Reform , the Club for Growth , and Heritage Action , are warning Congress “ to reject any attempt to include any language that would seek to address surprise medical billing by creating a government-mandated benchmark ( i.e .
rate-setting ) to determine out-of-network rates for physicians.
” They warn , “ Government price controls for medical bills would be particularly devastating at a time of great stress for our nation ’ s patients and healthcare providers.
” ( RELATED @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The letter was in response to a report from Modern Healthcare Tuesday saying , “ Senate health committee Chair Lamar Alexander ( R-Tenn. ) and House Energy & Commerce Chair Frank Pallone ( D-N.J. ) are pushing for legislation banning surprise medical bills to be included in Congress ’ third bill responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
” ( RELATED : Don ’ t Let ‘ Surprise Medical Billing ’ Pave The Way For ‘ Medicare for All ’ ) Many Congressional Democrats have been pushing for legislation to impose controls on out-of-network charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ European-style price controls.
” At a hearing last month , Georgia Republican Congressman Richard Wayne Allen said , “ We can not go in the direction of rate setting.
” In their letter , the conservative groups said , “ It is critical that at a time of a national emergency you focus on the needs of the country and not use the pandemic as an opportunity to enact government rate-setting that would harm our patients and our healthcare system.
” No one yet knows what will end up being in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Modern Health reported , “ Hospitals and provider groups oppose ” the Alexander and Pallone proposal .

In a letter obtained by the Daily Caller, a group of 24 conservative groups, including Americans for Tax Reform, the Club for Growth, and Heritage Action, are warning Congress “to reject any attempt to include any language that would seek to address surprise medical billing by creating a government-mandated benchmark (i.e. rate-setting) to determine out-of-network rates for physicians.” They warn, “Government price controls for medical bills would be particularly devastating at a time of great stress for our nation’s patients and healthcare providers.” (RELATED: Senate Passes Coronavirus Aid Package)
Sen. Lamar Alexander and Rep. Frank Pallone are pushing for a surprise billing ban in Congress’ third COVID-19 legislative package, sources tell me. Provider groups, hospitals really don’t like their combination benchmark payment-arbitration approach https://t.co/80XJZzv2AD — Rachel Cohrs (@rachelcohrs) March 17, 2020
The letter was in response to a report from Modern Healthcare Tuesday saying, “Senate health committee Chair Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and House Energy & Commerce Chair Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) are pushing for legislation banning surprise medical bills to be included in Congress’ third bill responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.” (RELATED: Don’t Let ‘Surprise Medical Billing’ Pave The Way For ‘Medicare for All’)
Many Congressional Democrats have been pushing for legislation to impose controls on out-of-network charges, but Republicans have been opposing them as “European-style price controls.” At a hearing last month, Georgia Republican Congressman Richard Wayne Allen said, “We cannot go in the direction of rate setting.”
In their letter, the conservative groups said, “It is critical that at a time of a national emergency you focus on the needs of the country and not use the pandemic as an opportunity to enact government rate-setting that would harm our patients and our healthcare system.”
No one yet knows what will end up being in the final version of the bill, but Modern Health reported, “Hospitals and provider groups oppose” the Alexander and Pallone proposal.


thedailycaller--2020-03-18--Ronna McDaniel Tests Negative For Coronavirus

GOP Communications Director Michael Ahrens confirmed Wednesday that McDaniel ’ s test came back negative .
( RELATED : MSNBC @ @ @ @ @ Prosecute Trump For ‘ Negligent Homicide ’ — Gets An Assist From Former Democratic Candidate @ @ @ @ @ of her doctor , @ GOPChairwoman was administered a test for COVID-19 , ” Ahrens @ @ @ @ @ has fortunately come back negative.
” “ We encourage all Americans to follow @ CDCgov @ @ @ @ @ their communities , and applaud the Trump administration ’ s continued actions to keep our @ @ @ @ @ continued .
McDaniel announced last week that , after experiencing cold and flu-like symptoms , @ @ @ @ @ tested in order to rule out coronavirus .

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel tested negative for coronavirus.
GOP Communications Director Michael Ahrens confirmed Wednesday that McDaniel’s test came back negative. (RELATED: MSNBC Analyst Suggests Using Coronavirus To Prosecute Trump For ‘Negligent Homicide’ — Gets An Assist From Former Democratic Candidate)
“On the advice of her doctor, @GOPChairwoman was administered a test for COVID-19,” Ahrens tweeted. “That test has fortunately come back negative.”
On the advice of her doctor, @GOPChairwoman was administered a test for COVID-19. That test has fortunately come back negative. — Michael Ahrens (@michaelahrens) March 18, 2020
“We encourage all Americans to follow @CDCgov guidance to protect themselves and their communities, and applaud the Trump administration’s continued actions to keep our country safe,” Ahrens continued.
We encourage all Americans to follow @CDCgov guidance to protect themselves and their communities, and applaud the Trump administration’s continued actions to keep our country safe. — Michael Ahrens (@michaelahrens) March 18, 2020
McDaniel announced last week that, after experiencing cold and flu-like symptoms, she was going to be tested in order to rule out coronavirus.


thedailycaller--2020-03-18--Lack Of Internet, Technology, Meals: Teachers Detail Pitfalls Of Remote Teaching During Coronavirus

Lack Of Internet, Technology, Meals: Teachers Detail Pitfalls Of Remote Teaching During Coronavirus Crisis

• Schools across the United States are suspending classes due to the coronavirus pandemic and instead teaching students remotely .
• Teachers warn that remote teaching can be effective under certain circumstances , but factors like age or accessibility to internet , technology , and meals may be drawbacks .
• “ Remote teaching can work , but even under optimal conditions it requires considerable preparation and technology , which hasn ’ t been an option during this crisis , ” one teacher said .
Educators forced to switch to remote teaching because of the coronavirus crisis say such distance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face a number of hurdles that could hinder students ’ s schooling .
Thirty-eight states have shut down schools due to the pandemic as of Wednesday evening , and many of the affected schools are resorting to remote teaching , also known as distance learning .
Remote teaching requires significant preparation that wasn ’ t afforded in the fallout of the coronavirus outbreak , teachers told the Daily Caller News Foundation , and students ’ constraints , such as limited access to adequate technology , a lack of meals and unstable home lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More Than 30 States Have Closed Down All Public Schools ) Finnegan Schick , a public school high school teacher in a low-income south Boston neighborhood in Roxbury , Massachusetts , told the DCNF that transitioning to remote teaching “ at the drop of a dime ” is “ pure madness.
” “ It requires an immense amount of work , which is why teachers often spend years in professional development perfecting their remote lessons and virtual instruction , ” said Schick , who teaches English as a second language ( ESL ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking teachers to teach via digital classrooms , though individual teachers are free to do so if they wish .
This is largely “ because we lack the money and equipment to give each student a laptop to study from home , ” Schick said .
His school staff put together “ take home ” packets for two weeks of closure on March 13 , which were then posted on the school website .
“ Long story short : Yes , remote teaching can work , but even under optimal conditions it requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t been an option during this crisis , ” he said .
St. Rita ’ s Catholic School teacher Katie Buhai , who teaches second grade in a low-income New Orleans neighborhood , warned that it may be difficult to remotely teach young children who can not yet read .
“ I think it ’ ll be very challenging for second graders because , up until third grade , you ’ re teaching kids how to read , ” Buhai , whose school has moved to distance learning , told the DCNF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that ’ s when they ’ re supposed to be able to read to learn .
But right now , they can ’ t read.
” “ So all of the different things that I ’ ll be giving them to be taught alone at home or those workbooks or online things , they can ’ t do that by themselves because they can ’ t read yet , ” she continued .
Working parents may not be able to assist young children during this time , Buhai said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it easier for them where they can do their learning at any time of day , so whenever their parents might be home or whenever an older sibling might be able to help.
” Christine Cochran , who teaches first grade at Brookside Elementary in Milford , Massachusetts , said her principal and superintendent asked her to keep in touch with parents and students over email , through a school website and by contacting the students on a one-to-one basis .
“ So we ’ ve been sending them resources that they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DCNF .
“ We have two programs that we use in school that they ’ re able to use at home.
” “ One is a math program and one is a reading program , ” Cochran continued .
“ So I can watch what they do from home , and we are asked to kind of monitor what they ’ re doing at home , both 30 minutes of each subject a day.
” Christine can also check her students ’ progress on these programs and privately message students or parents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have forgotten them or if they need encouragement , she said .
But some students don ’ t have access to the technology or the internet required to participate in online learning , including some at her school , Cochran noted .
She added that certain teachers are taking initiative to provide options for those students .
“ I was in school today and some of the teachers were grabbing extra Chromebooks and Kindles and we ’ re going to reach out to those families so that they may be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said , noting that though she is unsure if parents will pick up the devices , at least the teachers have them in their possession .
Another obstacle students face as schools close due to the coronavirus pandemic is uncertainty about when they may get their next meal .
Many students who customarily receive free meals at school now face an undecided stretch of time where they will need breakfast and lunch .
Schools across the country are taking the initiative to offer meals to students — and sometimes others .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s district set up a program Monday for breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. “ where you just drive up , grab your lunch , breakfast , and go.
” Cochran said the program has been “ really , really well responded to.
” “ They ’ ve also asked teachers and citizens of our town to drop off non-perishable and other types of foods so that they can also make boxes for other families and perhaps elderly sick people that may not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
Buhai said her school also provides free lunch and breakfast to every single student every day during the normal school year .
“ We ’ re going to continue to do that during this time , ” she said .
Every weekday between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. , students can come and get fruit and cereal for breakfast and a compartment tray of packaged food for lunch , Buhai said .
The teacher noted that St. Rita ’ s is also extending the service to any neighborhood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food during this period and that any child under the age of 18 will be able to come and get meals for the foreseeable future .
“ It ’ s going to be packaged , though , so nobody will be able to get out of the car to get it , ” Buhai said .
“ And the child will have to be there in the car in order to get the food.
” Though the parents of her students work during the day , Buhai believes the community will still rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think it would be a very big hardship on our families to go without food , ” she said .
“ I ’ m hoping that parents can rely on each other .
There ’ s a big community in our school where I think they might be able to carpool or , you know , help each other out.
” Students in low-income areas also face the hardship of turbulent and sometimes dangerous home lives .
Schick told the DCNF that he can say “ anecdotally ” that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city of Boston are “ very concerned about students whose home lives are unsafe or otherwise already difficult.
” “ The coronavirus closures has not only taken away the few places where these students could feel safe and receive a free meal , but it has also put financial and psychological pressure on families who were already under significant duress , ” he said .
Buhai said she has personally been to the hospital with students who have been abused or neglected .
“ I ’ ve seen all of that before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It does frighten me that students are going to be having to deal with these situations at home and not be able to come back to a safe place at school or have a teacher to tell things to or to notice when something might mean something is wrong with them , ” Buhai continued .
The New Orleans-based teacher said she called all of her students ’ parents Monday , talked to them , and promised to be a resource for the remainder of this time .
She also told them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assignments or materials they could call her at any time during regular school hours .
“ So from 8 to 3:30 , I ’ m going to be available to them , ” she said .
“ I ’ m posting things on ClassDojo , which is a free application for all teachers that my parents are already connected to .
And I got to talk to several of my students on the phone and just assure them that they ’ re okay , and that I was thinking about them and praying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hear them on the other line.
” Despite some of the downsides to remote teaching and closures , there may yet be some good coming out of this for students , Montgomery County Maryland public school teacher Michael Calvert told the DCNF .
Modern day technology and simply being at home still allow children to experiences lots of opportunities for learning , Calvert said .
In fact , he says , taking time off from school may be good for children .
“ I don ’ t think that curriculum bureaucrats know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a great opportunity almost for revolution in the way kids work and learn , ” he said .
Since 2003 , Calvert has taught sixth grade science at Herbert Hoover Middle School , which Calvert says is one of the top schools in the state located in an affluent area of Maryland .
“ I just don ’ t feel like top-down systems are always best for students and they should have some input in what they ’ re doing.
” Calvert suggested that during school closures , students will have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mental health , experiment with at home science experiments like building balloon rockets , making roller coasters , kitchen chemistry like cooking , and more .
But what these students do with their time depends on how they are supervised and held accountable for what they do in terms of learning , Calvert added .
“ I think there might be a bonus from this , ” he said .
“ We ’ ll see.
” Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Schools across the United States are suspending classes due to the coronavirus pandemic and instead teaching students remotely.
Teachers warn that remote teaching can be effective under certain circumstances, but factors like age or accessibility to internet, technology, and meals may be drawbacks.
“Remote teaching can work, but even under optimal conditions it requires considerable preparation and technology, which hasn’t been an option during this crisis,” one teacher said.
Educators forced to switch to remote teaching because of the coronavirus crisis say such distance learning can be effective, but they face a number of hurdles that could hinder students’s schooling.
Thirty-eight states have shut down schools due to the pandemic as of Wednesday evening, and many of the affected schools are resorting to remote teaching, also known as distance learning.
Remote teaching requires significant preparation that wasn’t afforded in the fallout of the coronavirus outbreak, teachers told the Daily Caller News Foundation, and students’ constraints, such as limited access to adequate technology, a lack of meals and unstable home lives can hamper education. (RELATED: More Than 30 States Have Closed Down All Public Schools)
Finnegan Schick, a public school high school teacher in a low-income south Boston neighborhood in Roxbury, Massachusetts, told the DCNF that transitioning to remote teaching “at the drop of a dime” is “pure madness.”
“It requires an immense amount of work, which is why teachers often spend years in professional development perfecting their remote lessons and virtual instruction,” said Schick, who teaches English as a second language (ESL).
Schick’s school is not asking teachers to teach via digital classrooms, though individual teachers are free to do so if they wish. This is largely “because we lack the money and equipment to give each student a laptop to study from home,” Schick said.
His school staff put together “take home” packets for two weeks of closure on March 13, which were then posted on the school website.
“Long story short: Yes, remote teaching can work, but even under optimal conditions it requires considerable preparation and technology, which hasn’t been an option during this crisis,” he said.
St. Rita’s Catholic School teacher Katie Buhai, who teaches second grade in a low-income New Orleans neighborhood, warned that it may be difficult to remotely teach young children who cannot yet read.
“I think it’ll be very challenging for second graders because, up until third grade, you’re teaching kids how to read,” Buhai, whose school has moved to distance learning, told the DCNF. “Once they hit third grade, that’s when they’re supposed to be able to read to learn. But right now, they can’t read.”
“So all of the different things that I’ll be giving them to be taught alone at home or those workbooks or online things, they can’t do that by themselves because they can’t read yet,” she continued.
Working parents may not be able to assist young children during this time, Buhai said.
“We’re adapting our schedule to make it easier for them where they can do their learning at any time of day, so whenever their parents might be home or whenever an older sibling might be able to help.”
Christine Cochran, who teaches first grade at Brookside Elementary in Milford, Massachusetts, said her principal and superintendent asked her to keep in touch with parents and students over email, through a school website and by contacting the students on a one-to-one basis.
“So we’ve been sending them resources that they can use online,” she told the DCNF. “We have two programs that we use in school that they’re able to use at home.”
“One is a math program and one is a reading program,” Cochran continued. “So I can watch what they do from home, and we are asked to kind of monitor what they’re doing at home, both 30 minutes of each subject a day.”
Christine can also check her students’ progress on these programs and privately message students or parents to offer them passwords and usernames in case they have forgotten them or if they need encouragement, she said.
But some students don’t have access to the technology or the internet required to participate in online learning, including some at her school, Cochran noted. She added that certain teachers are taking initiative to provide options for those students.
“I was in school today and some of the teachers were grabbing extra Chromebooks and Kindles and we’re going to reach out to those families so that they may be able to pick them up after school,” she said, noting that though she is unsure if parents will pick up the devices, at least the teachers have them in their possession.
Another obstacle students face as schools close due to the coronavirus pandemic is uncertainty about when they may get their next meal. Many students who customarily receive free meals at school now face an undecided stretch of time where they will need breakfast and lunch.
Schools across the country are taking the initiative to offer meals to students — and sometimes others.
One of the elementary schools in Cochran’s district set up a program Monday for breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. “where you just drive up, grab your lunch, breakfast, and go.” Cochran said the program has been “really, really well responded to.”
“They’ve also asked teachers and citizens of our town to drop off non-perishable and other types of foods so that they can also make boxes for other families and perhaps elderly sick people that may not be able to go to the grocery store,” she said.
Buhai said her school also provides free lunch and breakfast to every single student every day during the normal school year. “We’re going to continue to do that during this time,” she said.
Every weekday between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., students can come and get fruit and cereal for breakfast and a compartment tray of packaged food for lunch, Buhai said. The teacher noted that St. Rita’s is also extending the service to any neighborhood children who may be in need of food during this period and that any child under the age of 18 will be able to come and get meals for the foreseeable future.
“It’s going to be packaged, though, so nobody will be able to get out of the car to get it,” Buhai said. “And the child will have to be there in the car in order to get the food.”
Though the parents of her students work during the day, Buhai believes the community will still rally to make sure the children are fed.
“I think it would be a very big hardship on our families to go without food,” she said. “I’m hoping that parents can rely on each other. There’s a big community in our school where I think they might be able to carpool or, you know, help each other out.”
Students in low-income areas also face the hardship of turbulent and sometimes dangerous home lives.
Schick told the DCNF that he can say “anecdotally” that he knows that teachers and school leaders across the city of Boston are “very concerned about students whose home lives are unsafe or otherwise already difficult.”
“The coronavirus closures has not only taken away the few places where these students could feel safe and receive a free meal, but it has also put financial and psychological pressure on families who were already under significant duress,” he said.
Buhai said she has personally been to the hospital with students who have been abused or neglected. “I’ve seen all of that before,” she told the DCNF.
“It does frighten me that students are going to be having to deal with these situations at home and not be able to come back to a safe place at school or have a teacher to tell things to or to notice when something might mean something is wrong with them,” Buhai continued.
The New Orleans-based teacher said she called all of her students’ parents Monday, talked to them, and promised to be a resource for the remainder of this time. She also told them that if their children needed help with assignments or materials they could call her at any time during regular school hours.
“So from 8 to 3:30, I’m going to be available to them,” she said. “I’m posting things on ClassDojo, which is a free application for all teachers that my parents are already connected to. And I got to talk to several of my students on the phone and just assure them that they’re okay, and that I was thinking about them and praying for them and it was very sweet to hear them on the other line.”
Despite some of the downsides to remote teaching and closures, there may yet be some good coming out of this for students, Montgomery County Maryland public school teacher Michael Calvert told the DCNF.
Modern day technology and simply being at home still allow children to experiences lots of opportunities for learning, Calvert said. In fact, he says, taking time off from school may be good for children.
“I don’t think that curriculum bureaucrats know it all. And I think this is a great opportunity almost for revolution in the way kids work and learn,” he said.
Since 2003, Calvert has taught sixth grade science at Herbert Hoover Middle School, which Calvert says is one of the top schools in the state located in an affluent area of Maryland. “I just don’t feel like top-down systems are always best for students and they should have some input in what they’re doing.”
Calvert suggested that during school closures, students will have the opportunity to get outside, improve physical and mental health, experiment with at home science experiments like building balloon rockets, making roller coasters, kitchen chemistry like cooking, and more.
But what these students do with their time depends on how they are supervised and held accountable for what they do in terms of learning, Calvert added.
“I think there might be a bonus from this,” he said. “We’ll see.”
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-03-18--Clinical Trial Raises Hopes That Malaria Drug Could Be Coronavirus Cure

• A drug used to treat malaria is showing promise in lab and clinical studies for coronavirus , leading to reserved enthusiasm for some scientists .
• French researchers found that hydroxychloroquine lowered virus levels in most patients who took part in a clinical study this month .
• President Donald Trump asked his coronavirus task force about the drug during a briefing on Wednesday .
The results of a clinical trial in France and studies conducted in lab settings are building hope that a drug usually used to treat malaria and arthritis can treat and possibly cure coronavirus patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed before drawing a firm conclusion .
“ It has a lot of potential , though we ’ re not going on a lot of data yet , ” Dr. Peter Hotez , the dean for the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor School of Medicine , said of early studies of hydroxycholoroquine , a malaria drug developed in the 1940s .
President Donald Trump asked the White House ’ s coronavirus task force about possibly using the drug , task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said Wednesday .
Birx said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very carefully , ” as are several other potential therapeutics .
On Tuesday , a team of French scientists released the first results of a clinical study of the use of hydroxychloroquine on 24 coronavirus patients from southeast France .
The research team , led by Didier Raoult , a renowned infectious disease expert from l ’ Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire in Marseille , administered the drug for 10 days along with azithromycin , a common antibiotic .
Researchers said the drugs cleared the virus in the nose and throat of most observed patients in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found that after six days of treatment , 70 percent of patients administered hydroxychloroquine were clear of the virus , compared to just 12.5 percent of patients who were not given drugs .
( RELATED : Fauci On Coronavirus In US : ‘ It ’ s Going To Get Worse ’ ) Azithromycin boosted the effect of hydroxychloroquine , according to the study .
After six days of treatment , all patients treated with the drug combination “ were virologically cured , ” compared to 57.1 percent of patients treated with hydroxycholorquine by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 patients be treated with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin to cure their infection and to limit the transmission of the virus to other people in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the world , ” wrote researchers , who acknowledged the small sample size of the study .
Lab studies have shown that hydroxychloroquine , which was developed in the 1940s , inhibited coronavirus .
A study published in Cell Discovery on Wednesday by three Chinese scientists found that hydroxychloroquine inhibited coronavirus in vitro , or in a lab culture .
Hotez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Daily Caller News Foundation he was “ enthusiastic ” about early results of studies involving hydroxychloroquine , though he said more data is needed to determine if the drug can effectively treat coronavirus .
“ We urgently need to accelerate new antimicrobial therapies .
If hydroxychloroquine could be approved in therapy it would be a game-changer , ” Hotez said .
“ The important next step is to show that it has an impact on reducing severity of symptoms in clinical disease.
” Hotez said that an ideal study would be conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as the Lombardy region in Italy .
More clinical trials are underway .
A researcher at Asan Medical Center , a top research hospital in South Korea , is conducting a clinical trial of 150 patients with mild cases of coronavirus .
The lead researcher , Sung-Han Kim , estimates that the trial will be completed in May .
According to NBC News , French drug maker Sanofi is working with health authorities to study whether hydroxychloroquine can help with coronavirus .
The company is encouraged by preliminary findings , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have enough data to determine its efficacy .
Health officials in Belgium and South Korea have recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine patients displaying either severe or mild symptoms from COVID-19 , the disease caused by coronavirus .
The United Kingdom appears to have some hope for the drug .
On Sunday , government officials there banned the export and hoarding of hydroxychloroquine and two other drugs that could be useful as therapeutics , according to Pharmaceutical Technology .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

A drug used to treat malaria is showing promise in lab and clinical studies for coronavirus, leading to reserved enthusiasm for some scientists.
French researchers found that hydroxychloroquine lowered virus levels in most patients who took part in a clinical study this month.
President Donald Trump asked his coronavirus task force about the drug during a briefing on Wednesday.
The results of a clinical trial in France and studies conducted in lab settings are building hope that a drug usually used to treat malaria and arthritis can treat and possibly cure coronavirus patients, though scientists say more data is needed before drawing a firm conclusion.
“It has a lot of potential, though we’re not going on a lot of data yet,” Dr. Peter Hotez, the dean for the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor School of Medicine, said of early studies of hydroxycholoroquine, a malaria drug developed in the 1940s.
President Donald Trump asked the White House’s coronavirus task force about possibly using the drug, task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said Wednesday.
Birx said that the drug is being studied “very carefully,” as are several other potential therapeutics.
On Tuesday, a team of French scientists released the first results of a clinical study of the use of hydroxychloroquine on 24 coronavirus patients from southeast France.
The research team, led by Didier Raoult, a renowned infectious disease expert from l’Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire in Marseille, administered the drug for 10 days along with azithromycin, a common antibiotic.
Researchers said the drugs cleared the virus in the nose and throat of most observed patients in three to six days. The study found that after six days of treatment, 70 percent of patients administered hydroxychloroquine were clear of the virus, compared to just 12.5 percent of patients who were not given drugs. (RELATED: Fauci On Coronavirus In US: ‘It’s Going To Get Worse’)
Azithromycin boosted the effect of hydroxychloroquine, according to the study. After six days of treatment, all patients treated with the drug combination “were virologically cured,” compared to 57.1 percent of patients treated with hydroxycholorquine by itself.
“We therefore recommend that COVID-19 patients be treated with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin to cure their infection and to limit the transmission of the virus to other people in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the world,” wrote researchers, who acknowledged the small sample size of the study.
Lab studies have shown that hydroxychloroquine, which was developed in the 1940s, inhibited coronavirus. A study published in Cell Discovery on Wednesday by three Chinese scientists found that hydroxychloroquine inhibited coronavirus in vitro, or in a lab culture.
Hotez, the infectious disease expert, told The Daily Caller News Foundation he was “enthusiastic” about early results of studies involving hydroxychloroquine, though he said more data is needed to determine if the drug can effectively treat coronavirus.
“We urgently need to accelerate new antimicrobial therapies. If hydroxychloroquine could be approved in therapy it would be a game-changer,” Hotez said.
“The important next step is to show that it has an impact on reducing severity of symptoms in clinical disease.”
Hotez said that an ideal study would be conducted in areas with high rates of transmission, such as the Lombardy region in Italy.
More clinical trials are underway. A researcher at Asan Medical Center, a top research hospital in South Korea, is conducting a clinical trial of 150 patients with mild cases of coronavirus. The lead researcher, Sung-Han Kim, estimates that the trial will be completed in May.
According to NBC News, French drug maker Sanofi is working with health authorities to study whether hydroxychloroquine can help with coronavirus. The company is encouraged by preliminary findings, according to NBC News, but still does not have enough data to determine its efficacy.
Health officials in Belgium and South Korea have recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine patients displaying either severe or mild symptoms from COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.
The United Kingdom appears to have some hope for the drug. On Sunday, government officials there banned the export and hoarding of hydroxychloroquine and two other drugs that could be useful as therapeutics, according to Pharmaceutical Technology.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-03-18--How China Corrupted The World Health Organization

The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has received criticism for badly bungling the early stages of the novel coronavirus and what appears to be too-close-for-comfort ties to China .
The novel coronavirus COVID-19 has officially infected over 209,300 people as of March 18 , according to a continuously updating map from the New York Times .
The virus has killed at least 8,787 people around the world so far , and many of them have been from China , where the virus originated .
Throughout this global pandemic , China has been at the center since the very beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group that has continued to praise the country where the novel coronavirus outbreak began .
To start with , the virus is believed to have started as early as October .
Chinese officials , however , have claimed that it began weeks later .
Chinese whistleblowers were arrested and silenced as they attempted to sound alarms about the virus , Business Insider previously reported .
Amid all of that , a Chinese official even tried to pin the blame on America for the outbreak of the virus .
As reports have continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims about the novel coronavirus and the country has tried to shift blame , WHO has had its back .
The organization has praised the country for its “ transparency ” and for how they have handled the virus .
“ We appreciate the seriousness with which China is taking this outbreak , especially the commitment from top leadership , and the transparency they have demonstrated , including sharing data and genetic sequence of the virus , ” WHO ’ s director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said .
“ WHO is working closely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus and limit transmission .
WHO will keep working side-by-side with China and all other countries to protect health and keep people safe.
” Tedros has doubled down on his China praise , saying the country “ has done many good things to slow down the virus.
” WHO has gone further than just praising China .
The organization , which the U.S. has helped fund , has even been caught parroting talking points from the very same country that allegedly tried to suppress certain news about the virus .
The World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 14 , telling everyone that the novel coronavirus wasn ’ t contagious among humans .
This tweet has been proven false , as the novel coronavirus can be spread through humans .
It still remains on WHO ’ s official Twitter .
“ Preliminary investigations conducted by the Chinese authorities have found no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission of the novel # coronavirus ( 2019-nCoV ) identified in # Wuhan , # China , ” WHO tweeted .
WHO pushed back on President Donald Trump and American outlets attaching “ locations or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Wuhan Virus , ” for example , has been used often by Trump and some journalists who say this is not a racist term , as the virus did originate in Wuhan .
( RELATED : ‘ Not Racist At All ’ : Trump Defends Calling Coronavirus The ‘ Chinese Virus ’ ) This pushback came even though it has been common to name viruses after the area in which they originated .
In addition , China itself reportedly used to refer to the virus as the “ Wuhan Virus ” in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mary Hui .
After numerous blunders and consistent attempts to praise and back China despite the country ’ s misleading information about the novel coronavirus , WHO ’ s handling of the situation has sparked criticism .
Even the Council on Foreign Relations ( CFR ) , a non-profit think tank , bashed the organization over its “ weak response to China ’ s mishandling ” of the novel coronavirus .
“ The WHO Director-General ( DG ) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has been an outspoken advocate for the Chinese government ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CFR ’ s blog wrote in February .
( RELATED : NBC News Correspondent Says Coronavirus ‘ Is A Bat Virus , Not A China Virus ’ ) “ Despite growing evidence of China ’ s mishandling of the outbreak and rising domestic Chinese outrage over the government ’ s censorship , Tedros remains unmoved.
” CFR suggested that WHO ’ s newfound love for China could be attributed to money .
The article noted that China ’ s contributions to the organization has grown by 52 % since 2014 .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tedros ’ s allies during WHO ’ s 2017 election .
“ The day after his electoral victory , Tedros confirmed to Chinese state-media that he and the WHO will continue to support the ‘ One China ’ principle , which recognizes the government in Beijing as the legitimate Chinese government , ” according to CFR .
“ Three years later , Tedros ’ enduring support of China ’ s response to COVID-19 shows that their early support for him is still paying dividends.
” Whether it is because of China or for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the novel coronavirus spread has been troubling .
In addition to repeating false claims about the virus from the very country where it began , WHO only named coronavirus as a global pandemic March 11 – months after the virus had very clearly spread across the world .
Following this response , the virus has infected all 50 states in America with at least 140 reported deaths across the country .
Over 1,000 new cases were announced in New York alone Wednesday , according to the NYT .
Still , WHO has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country who has perhaps been one of the most dishonest regarding this deadly virus .
“ China ’ s bold approach to contain the rapid spread of this new respiratory pathogen has changed the course of a rapidly escalating and deadly epidemic , ” a February 2020 report from WHO reads .
“ This decline in COVID-19 cases across China is real .
”

The World Health Organization (WHO) has received criticism for badly bungling the early stages of the novel coronavirus and what appears to be too-close-for-comfort ties to China.


thedailycaller--2020-03-18--Google Employee Who Allegedly Assaulted Pro-Life Activist Countersues Him for $5 Million

• A senior Google employee who allegedly assaulted a pro-life activist has countersued the activist for $ 5 million .
• Google employee Quinn Chasan accuses pro-life activist Michael Gribbin of battery , intentional negligent infliction of emotional distress , libel and slander , and of committing a hate crime against him .
• “ I don ’ t have 5 mil on me right now so I hope we get a fair jury , ” Gribbin said .
A senior Google employee who allegedly assaulted a pro-life activist countersued him for $ 5 million .
Twenty-eight-year-old engineer Michael Gribbin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sidewalk near a Washington , D.C. , Planned Parenthood on Aug. 31 , 2019 , when Quinn Chasan , the head of customer analytics for Google Cloud physically assaulted him .
Video footage of the incident posted to YouTube by Gribbin allegedly shows Gribbin following Chasan and demanding that Chasan give his chalk back .
The footage then shows Chasan throw the chalk , walk to his bike and unlock it , and Gribbin grab the bike and say he will not allow Chasan to leave until police arrive .
Chasan then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground , according to Gribbin .
A September 2019 police report obtained by the Daily Caller says that the victim called for police assistance “ after he was punched and pushed by S-1 [ suspect ] after a heated argument turned physical in the 400 block of M street , ” and that “ N.E .
M.P.D Officers arrived on scene where V-1 flagged Officers down to give his account of events.
” An MPD spokesperson told the Daily Caller at the time that no further information was available and that the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily Caller News Foundation Tuesday that the “ United States Attorney ’ s Office declined to prosecute in this case.
” When prosecutors did not press charges against Chasan , Gribbin filed a civil lawsuit against him .
( RELATED : Senior Google Employee Appears To Have Assaulted Pro-Life Activist Near DC Planned Parenthood ) Chasen has responded to Gribbin ’ s lawsuit by counter suing Gribbin for $ 5 million , according to Gribbin ’ s representation .
In a counter-claim dated Feb. 7 , Chasan accused Gribbin of battery , intentional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and slander , and of committing a hate crime against him based on “ perceived religion and political affiliation.
” “ I don ’ t have 5 mil [ million ] on me right now so I hope we get a fair jury , ” Gribbin told the DCNF .
The claim alleges that Gribbin “ brashly yelled , mocked , cursed & threatened to physically assault ” Chasan after the Google employee used a sponge to wipe out Gribbin ’ s chalk messages .
The claim says that Gribbin followed Chasan home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to physically assault ” Chasan , and proceed to grab and kick Chasan ’ s bike , prevent Chasan from leaving , and began “ kicking , punching and wrestling ” with Chasan .
The Google employee also alleges that Gribbin bit him on the shoulder and calf , bites that required medical attention and left a scar .
Chasan also accuses of Gribbin of lying about the encounter in media appearances , as well as posting edited videos .
“ As a direct and proximate result of Counter-Defendant Gribbin ’ s deliberate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe and extreme pain , emotional distress , and mental anguish as a result of the battery , causing actual , consequential , and incidental damages , ” the claim says .
“ Getting attacked was bad , ” Gribbins told the DCNF .
“ Having to pay $ 5 million to get attacked would be somewhat worse .
Luckily , most of Quinn Chasan ’ s claims are completely fabricated , and we will be able prove it.
” Gribbin ’ s lawyer , John R. Garza , told the DCNF that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no merit.
” “ This is absurd , ” Washington , D.C. 40 Days for Life campaign coordinator Michael New said in a statement provided to the DCNF .
New also is a visiting associate professor at the Catholic University of America .
“ Michael Gribbin is a victim , not an assailant .
There is no way his actions after before , during , or after the assault caused Chasan $ 5 million in damages .
Furthermore , any negative consequences incurred by Chasan are the direct result of his own misconduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge dismisses Chasan ’ s countersuit as frivolous , ” New said .
“ Once again , I want to reiterate the fact I hope Michael Gribbin ’ s civil lawsuit is successful , ” New added .
“ Pro-life activists are not targets .
No one should have to fear physical violence for espousing pro-life views in public .
A ruling in Gribbin ’ s favor will make it clear that individuals who harm peaceful pro-life activists will be punished.
” Chasan ’ s lawyer did not respond to repeated requests for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not return requests for comment .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

A senior Google employee who allegedly assaulted a pro-life activist has countersued the activist for $5 million.
Google employee Quinn Chasan accuses pro-life activist Michael Gribbin of battery, intentional negligent infliction of emotional distress, libel and slander, and of committing a hate crime against him.
“I don’t have 5 mil on me right now so I hope we get a fair jury,” Gribbin said.
A senior Google employee who allegedly assaulted a pro-life activist countersued him for $5 million.
Twenty-eight-year-old engineer Michael Gribbin said he was chalking pro-life messages on the sidewalk near a Washington, D.C., Planned Parenthood on Aug. 31, 2019, when Quinn Chasan, the head of customer analytics for Google Cloud physically assaulted him.
Video footage of the incident posted to YouTube by Gribbin allegedly shows Gribbin following Chasan and demanding that Chasan give his chalk back. The footage then shows Chasan throw the chalk, walk to his bike and unlock it, and Gribbin grab the bike and say he will not allow Chasan to leave until police arrive. Chasan then punches Gribbin and pushes him to the ground, according to Gribbin.
A September 2019 police report obtained by the Daily Caller says that the victim called for police assistance “after he was punched and pushed by S-1 [suspect] after a heated argument turned physical in the 400 block of M street,” and that “N.E. M.P.D Officers arrived on scene where V-1 flagged Officers down to give his account of events.”
An MPD spokesperson told the Daily Caller at the time that no further information was available and that the case remained under investigation.
MPD told the Daily Caller News Foundation Tuesday that the “United States Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute in this case.”
When prosecutors did not press charges against Chasan, Gribbin filed a civil lawsuit against him. (RELATED: Senior Google Employee Appears To Have Assaulted Pro-Life Activist Near DC Planned Parenthood)
Chasen has responded to Gribbin’s lawsuit by counter suing Gribbin for $5 million, according to Gribbin’s representation. In a counter-claim dated Feb. 7, Chasan accused Gribbin of battery, intentional negligent infliction of emotional distress, libel and slander, and of committing a hate crime against him based on “perceived religion and political affiliation.”
“I don’t have 5 mil [million] on me right now so I hope we get a fair jury,” Gribbin told the DCNF.
The claim alleges that Gribbin “brashly yelled, mocked, cursed & threatened to physically assault” Chasan after the Google employee used a sponge to wipe out Gribbin’s chalk messages.
The claim says that Gribbin followed Chasan home, “mocking, cursing and threatening to physically assault” Chasan, and proceed to grab and kick Chasan’s bike, prevent Chasan from leaving, and began “kicking, punching and wrestling” with Chasan. The Google employee also alleges that Gribbin bit him on the shoulder and calf, bites that required medical attention and left a scar. Chasan also accuses of Gribbin of lying about the encounter in media appearances, as well as posting edited videos.
“As a direct and proximate result of Counter-Defendant Gribbin’s deliberate actual hate intent, Counter-Plaintiff Chasan suffered severe and extreme pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish as a result of the battery, causing actual, consequential, and incidental damages,” the claim says.
“Getting attacked was bad,” Gribbins told the DCNF. “Having to pay $5 million to get attacked would be somewhat worse. Luckily, most of Quinn Chasan’s claims are completely fabricated, and we will be able prove it.”
Gribbin’s lawyer, John R. Garza, told the DCNF that they believe the counter complaint has “no merit.”
“This is absurd,” Washington, D.C. 40 Days for Life campaign coordinator Michael New said in a statement provided to the DCNF. New also is a visiting associate professor at the Catholic University of America.
“Michael Gribbin is a victim, not an assailant. There is no way his actions after before, during, or after the assault caused Chasan $5 million in damages. Furthermore, any negative consequences incurred by Chasan are the direct result of his own misconduct. It is my hope that the judge dismisses Chasan’s countersuit as frivolous,” New said.
“Once again, I want to reiterate the fact I hope Michael Gribbin’s civil lawsuit is successful,” New added.
“Pro-life activists are not targets. No one should have to fear physical violence for espousing pro-life views in public. A ruling in Gribbin’s favor will make it clear that individuals who harm peaceful pro-life activists will be punished.”
Chasan’s lawyer did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Planned Parenthood and Google also did not return requests for comment.
WATCH:
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-03-18--Joy-Anna Duggar Shares Life-Changing News Nine Months After Suffering A Miscarriage

Joy-Anna Duggar and her husband Austin Forsyth shared the very happy news on Wednesday that the couple was indeed expecting after suffering a miscarriage nine months ago .
“ Yes… it ’ s true !
@ austin4site and I are PREGNANT again !
” Joy-Anna announced in a post she shared on Instagram Wednesday , along with a great family photo .
The post was noted by E !
News .
( RELATED : Country Star Granger Smith ’ s Wife Opens Up After Losing 3-Year-Old Son : ‘ Every Single Thing Reminds Me Of Him ’ ) “ Ahhh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ star added .
“ It ’ s been quite the crazy journey these last few months , but we are so thankful that mom and baby are healthy !
” ( RELATED : Jill Duggar Gives Marriage Advice : Refrain From Masturbation ) Duggar continued , “ We will give a more detailed update soon , but for now , go to our YouTube channel to find out the GENDER and to watch this journey we ’ ve been on.
” In the video the “ Counting On ” star shared on YouTube @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her pregnancy to date , including when she shared the news with her husband .
“ I can not believe it , ” Joy-Anna shared .
“ If it ’ s true , I ’ m shocked .
I ’ m not as scared as I thought I ’ d be after miscarrying at 20 weeks .
I thought I was going to be so nervous , but I ’ m not .
I ’ m excited .
It ’ s crazy.
” And she was happy to share that the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week of August .
“ I could not believe it , ” she added .
“ I just started crying .
I didn ’ t even know what to say .
We ’ re super excited , nervous and thankful all at the same time.
” It all comes after the reality star shared the heartbreaking news last summer that she had suffered a miscarriage with her second child .
The couple named their unborn Annabell Elise .
“ Annabell means ‘ God has favored me , ’ and Elise means ‘ God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What a precious thing to know that when our daughter opened her eyes , the first thing she saw was the face of Jesus .
Please pray for continued healing , not only physically but for our hearts as well.
” As previously reported , the couple had announced news they were expecting once again after she gave birth to a son , Gideon , in February 2018 .
Joy-Anna and Austin tied the knot in May 2017 .

Joy-Anna Duggar and her husband Austin Forsyth shared the very happy news on Wednesday that the couple was indeed expecting after suffering a miscarriage nine months ago.
“Yes… it’s true! @austin4site and I are PREGNANT again!” Joy-Anna announced in a post she shared on Instagram Wednesday, along with a great family photo. The post was noted by E! News. (RELATED: Country Star Granger Smith’s Wife Opens Up After Losing 3-Year-Old Son: ‘Every Single Thing Reminds Me Of Him’)
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Austin Joy Forsyth (@austinandjoyforsyth) on Mar 18, 2020 at 8:59am PDT
“Ahhh!!! ” the 22-year-old reality star added. “It’s been quite the crazy journey these last few months, but we are so thankful that mom and baby are healthy!” (RELATED: Jill Duggar Gives Marriage Advice: Refrain From Masturbation)
Duggar continued, “We will give a more detailed update soon, but for now, go to our YouTube channel to find out the GENDER and to watch this journey we’ve been on.”
In the video the “Counting On” star shared on YouTube, she captioned all of the moments of her pregnancy to date, including when she shared the news with her husband.
WATCH:
“I cannot believe it,” Joy-Anna shared. “If it’s true, I’m shocked. I’m not as scared as I thought I’d be after miscarrying at 20 weeks. I thought I was going to be so nervous, but I’m not. I’m excited. It’s crazy.”
And she was happy to share that the two are expecting a little girl the second week of August.
“I could not believe it,” she added. “I just started crying. I didn’t even know what to say. We’re super excited, nervous and thankful all at the same time.”
It all comes after the reality star shared the heartbreaking news last summer that she had suffered a miscarriage with her second child. The couple named their unborn Annabell Elise.
“Annabell means ‘God has favored me,’ and Elise means ‘God satisfies,'” Joy-Anna said. “What a precious thing to know that when our daughter opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the face of Jesus. Please pray for continued healing, not only physically but for our hearts as well.”
As previously reported, the couple had announced news they were expecting once again after she gave birth to a son, Gideon, in February 2018.
Joy-Anna and Austin tied the knot in May 2017.
Congratulations!


thedailycaller--2020-03-18--Graham Mertz Tweets He’d ‘Do Anything’ To Have Spring Football Practice

Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz isn ’ t happy with spring football practice being put on hold .
As of this moment , there is no set timetable for when football activities will return because coronavirus has pretty shut everything down .
( RELATED : David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football ) The man expected to push for the starting job wants to start getting reps immediately .
He tweeted , “ Literally would do anything to have spring ball right now.
” Yeah , Graham , I think I speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ d all do just about anything for spring practice to be underway .
Spring practice is the perfect kind of thing to wet the whistle going into fall camp and the season .
Right now , we haven ’ t had any for Wisconsin .
On top of that , spring camp being put on hold indefinitely really hurts Mertz .
He ’ s entering the 2020 campaign with the weight of the worlds on his shoulders as he pushes to take the starting quarterback job from Jack Coan .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s not even on the field because of the damn coronavirus .
He needs every rep he can get , and he can ’ t get any right now .
For the sake of football fans everywhere , let ’ s all hope Mertz and every other player is back out on the field sooner than later .

Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz isn’t happy with spring football practice being put on hold.
As of this moment, there is no set timetable for when football activities will return because coronavirus has pretty shut everything down. (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
The man expected to push for the starting job wants to start getting reps immediately. He tweeted, “Literally would do anything to have spring ball right now.”
Literally would do anything to have spring ball right now — Graham Mertz (@GrahamMertz5) March 17, 2020
Yeah, Graham, I think I speak for football fans everywhere when I say we’d all do just about anything for spring practice to be underway.
Spring practice is the perfect kind of thing to wet the whistle going into fall camp and the season. Right now, we haven’t had any for Wisconsin.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Graham Mertz (@graham_mertz5) on Jan 3, 2020 at 2:26pm PST
On top of that, spring camp being put on hold indefinitely really hurts Mertz. He’s entering the 2020 campaign with the weight of the worlds on his shoulders as he pushes to take the starting quarterback job from Jack Coan.
He can’t really do that if he’s not even on the field because of the damn coronavirus. He needs every rep he can get, and he can’t get any right now.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Graham Mertz (@graham_mertz5) on Sep 8, 2019 at 9:34am PDT
For the sake of football fans everywhere, let’s all hope Mertz and every other player is back out on the field sooner than later.