bipartisanreport--2020-03-14--Republican Party Chair Falls Ill After Mar-a-Lago Visit

As the Coronavirus continues to spread throughout the United States and world , another prominent political figure is in the spotlight for possible illness : Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel , who has fallen ill after a recent visit to President Donald Trump ’ s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida .
At least three individuals who visited the resort recently , including a close aide to the president of Brazil , have tested positive for the Coronavirus , and now , according to Washington Post correspondent Josh Dawsey , McDaniel is getting tested too .
According to GOP Communications Director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for common ailments including the flu that may have explained the symptoms that she has .
She and her family members are keeping themselves isolated while awaiting Coronavirus test results , he added .
‘ Last night , Chairwoman McDaniel began experiencing a fever and flu like symptoms , and she went to her local hospital in Michigan for treatment… Her doctor determined a test for COVID-19 was necessary given her symptoms .
As she awaits the results , out of an abundance of caution , we are contacting everyone the Chairwoman remembers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will provide an update when test results are available.
’ One of those people who McDaniel came into contact with is the president — on Monday , she met with Trump himself .
Initially , although Trump himself was also at Mar-a-Lago recently among other run-ins with the virus like the recent Conservative Political Action Conference , he wasn ’ t slated to get tested — he told reporters at one point recently that he was not “ concerned.
” But at a Saturday press conference at the White House about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had gotten tested after all , even though literally the night before , a personal physician for the president issued a letter claiming that Trump supposedly did not need the test .
In reality , Trump — who ’ s well into his 70s — is in a vulnerable population and was repeatedly exposed to the virus recently , and thus , he warranted a test .
A broader problem is that Americans in the general public who ’ ve been sick and worried about possible Coronavirus infection have struggled to actually get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first person in Trump ’ s orbit to get a test under questionable circumstances — Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida also got one , as did Mark Meadows , the North Carolina Congressman who Trump tapped as his incoming new White House chief of staff .
Neither of them apparently showed any symptoms nor are in apparent high-risk populations , but they — like McDaniel — were able to nab tests anyway , apparently .
Currently , the U.S. has around 2,500 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus , with about 55 deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial bursts in China , in locales like Italy , where authorities reported some 3,500 new confirmed cases within the last about 24 hours alone .
Italy has seen almost 1,500 deaths overall from the virus , with 175 or so newly announced just today .

As the Coronavirus continues to spread throughout the United States and world, another prominent political figure is in the spotlight for possible illness: Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, who has fallen ill after a recent visit to President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. At least three individuals who visited the resort recently, including a close aide to the president of Brazil, have tested positive for the Coronavirus, and now, according to Washington Post correspondent Josh Dawsey, McDaniel is getting tested too.
He shared:
‘RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel was tested for coronavirus today after not feeling well. She was at MAL for some of last weekend.’
RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel was tested for coronavirus today after not feeling well. She was at MAL for some of last weekend. — Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) March 14, 2020
According to GOP Communications Director Michael Ahrens, McDaniel already tested negative for common ailments including the flu that may have explained the symptoms that she has. She and her family members are keeping themselves isolated while awaiting Coronavirus test results, he added.
Ahrens explained:
‘Last night, Chairwoman McDaniel began experiencing a fever and flu like symptoms, and she went to her local hospital in Michigan for treatment… Her doctor determined a test for COVID-19 was necessary given her symptoms. As she awaits the results, out of an abundance of caution, we are contacting everyone the Chairwoman remembers coming into contact with in recent days… We will provide an update when test results are available.’
Last night, @GOPChairwoman's doctor determined a test for COVID-19 was necessary given her symptoms. We will provide an update when the test results are available. pic.twitter.com/oLla7pLaDH — Michael Ahrens (@michaelahrens) March 14, 2020
One of those people who McDaniel came into contact with is the president — on Monday, she met with Trump himself. Initially, although Trump himself was also at Mar-a-Lago recently among other run-ins with the virus like the recent Conservative Political Action Conference, he wasn’t slated to get tested — he told reporters at one point recently that he was not “concerned.” But at a Saturday press conference at the White House about the situation, Trump claimed that he actually had gotten tested after all, even though literally the night before, a personal physician for the president issued a letter claiming that Trump supposedly did not need the test.
In reality, Trump — who’s well into his 70s — is in a vulnerable population and was repeatedly exposed to the virus recently, and thus, he warranted a test.
A broader problem is that Americans in the general public who’ve been sick and worried about possible Coronavirus infection have struggled to actually get a test.
McDaniel is not the first person in Trump’s orbit to get a test under questionable circumstances — Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida also got one, as did Mark Meadows, the North Carolina Congressman who Trump tapped as his incoming new White House chief of staff. Neither of them apparently showed any symptoms nor are in apparent high-risk populations, but they — like McDaniel — were able to nab tests anyway, apparently.
Currently, the U.S. has around 2,500 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus, with about 55 deaths. Major outbreaks have been concentrated, after initial bursts in China, in locales like Italy, where authorities reported some 3,500 new confirmed cases within the last about 24 hours alone. Italy has seen almost 1,500 deaths overall from the virus, with 175 or so newly announced just today.


bipartisanreport--2020-03-14--WH Accused Of Hiding Trump’s COVID-19 Test Results

The Coronavirus has spread far and wide around the United States and globe , and as concern has mounted over President Donald Trump ’ s own repeated exposure to the virus , he abruptly announced at a weekend press conference that he ’ d been tested… supposedly .
Literally the night before , a personal Trump physician had released a letter claiming Trump didn ’ t even need a test , and this Saturday afternoon , he claimed there were still no results from the test the previous evening — but some say that his team might be hiding something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than that .
On Saturday , after Trump ’ s reveal that he ’ d supposedly been tested , virologist and epidemiologist Joseph Fair commented on MSNBC : So where are they ?
Trump was apparently not even originally scheduled to attend the weekend press conference in question , so perhaps he wasn ’ t supposed to reveal that information yet ?
Besides his claim that he ’ d been tested the previous evening , Trump also complained — among other things — about criticism of his personal behavior , which one reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s been publicly shaking hands and interacting in other ways even while touting the dangers of the virus and importance of so-called social distancing .
Ironically , this situation is not the first in which the president ’ s personal medical state has been in question .
Some have also cast a suspicious eye on past proclamations from White House doctors that Trump was in tip-top shape during routine physical exams .
This time , one commenter broke it down : Check out more Twitter reactions below .
Trump is far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get exposed or tested — three cases have already been confirmed in people who recently visited Trump ’ s own Florida Mar-a-Lago resort , where he ’ s spent a lot of time .

The Coronavirus has spread far and wide around the United States and globe, and as concern has mounted over President Donald Trump’s own repeated exposure to the virus, he abruptly announced at a weekend press conference that he’d been tested… supposedly. Literally the night before, a personal Trump physician had released a letter claiming Trump didn’t even need a test, and this Saturday afternoon, he claimed there were still no results from the test the previous evening — but some say that his team might be hiding something because results come around a lot quicker than that.
A reporter asks @realDonaldTrump if his temperature was normal. He turned around right before leaving the briefing rooms and said: "Totally normal." #coronavirus #covid19 — Liz Kreutz (@ABCLiz) March 14, 2020
On Saturday, after Trump’s reveal that he’d supposedly been tested, virologist and epidemiologist Joseph Fair commented on MSNBC:
‘Yeah, I mean, typically a test like this… takes around two hours completely. And I would think if the president was tested, it would be a two-hour turn around on the assay. I’m surprised that there are no results yet.’
So where are they? Trump was apparently not even originally scheduled to attend the weekend press conference in question, so perhaps he wasn’t supposed to reveal that information yet? Besides his claim that he’d been tested the previous evening, Trump also complained — among other things — about criticism of his personal behavior, which one reporter suggested sends “mixed messages” because he’s been publicly shaking hands and interacting in other ways even while touting the dangers of the virus and importance of so-called social distancing.
President Trump says he was tested for the coronavirus: “I also took the test last night … and I decided I should based on the press conference yesterday” https://t.co/C3zbIzmSM7 pic.twitter.com/UPaEZcVaaM — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) March 14, 2020
Ironically, this situation is not the first in which the president’s personal medical state has been in question. Some have also cast a suspicious eye on past proclamations from White House doctors that Trump was in tip-top shape during routine physical exams.
This time, one commenter broke it down:
‘Get this: Last night Trump was tested for coronavirus. The test he took provides results within 2 hours. So he knew the results by midnight of last night. This morning Trump said the results will be out in 1-2 days. Another lie. What is he hiding?’
Get this: Last night Trump was tested for coronavirus. The test he took provides results within 2 hours. So he knew the results by midnight of last night. This morning Trump said the results will be out in 1-2 days. Another lie. What is he hiding? — Nicholas Ponticello (@NickPonticello) March 14, 2020
Check out more Twitter reactions below. Trump is far from the first prominent public official to get exposed or tested — three cases have already been confirmed in people who recently visited Trump’s own Florida Mar-a-Lago resort, where he’s spent a lot of time.
Trump clearly has a problem with telling the truth, so I’m gonna need to see the test results before I take him at his word. We really don’t know what the health impact here is, because his administration was not prepared, and tests have been hard to come by. #coronavirusupdates — Aaron Black (@BlackCatUnloads) March 14, 2020
Trump took the test. The results will be held with his taxes and Deutsche Bank records #coronavirus — Sandi Bachom (@sandibachom) March 14, 2020
I trust the results of the @realDonaldTrump Covid-19 test about as much as I trust the scale used to weigh him in at his annual physical. #Resist #COVID19 — Wrath of Khan (@WrathOfKhan2016) March 14, 2020
Trump is at the podium now. He looks & sounds horrible- twitching & jerking. The microphone placement looks new- it’s 2 feet from his face. Google images show no set up like this. He says he took the COVID-19 test, results are coming. Something is sticking out behind his L ear pic.twitter.com/0o8725Nnov — Tom Joseph (@TomJChicago) March 14, 2020
I don't believe he took the test.
I don't believe he took his temp before entering.
I won't believe whatever results of the test he claims.
I don't believe ANYTHING this self-serving pathologically-lying sociopath says.
Ever.#Trump #CoronaVirus — Andy Ostroy (@AndyOstroy) March 14, 2020
TRUMP: "I also took the test last night." He's awaiting results. Last night, the WH put out a letter from his doctor stating he didn't need to do so. — Eli Stokols (@EliStokols) March 14, 2020
Turnaround time for #COVID19 test results in many other countries is as low as 4 hours. More than 12 hours later and Trump still doesn't haven't the results? Yes we need more tests but we also need tests with results in hours not days. We are way behind. https://t.co/0nrgzG7Adq — Simon Rosenberg (@SimonWDC) March 14, 2020
So he deserves a medal? In typical Trump fashion, he’ll hide the true results and either lie or say it’s none of our business. https://t.co/diRzZpj70h — Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) March 14, 2020
I figured it out: Trump did take the coronavirus test, but he can’t release the results till the audit is over. — Joshua A. Geltzer (@jgeltzer) March 14, 2020


bipartisanreport--2020-03-14--Trump Humiliated Online After Wild All Caps Virus Tweet

Throughout the Coronavirus outbreak , President Donald Trump has consistently seemed unaware of some of the basic facts surrounding the situation — for example , he seemed surprised at the piece of information that the common flu kills significant numbers of people every year .
The problem is that now is not the time for an egomaniacal real estate owner to learn some basic public health facts — now is the time for a leader to coordinate U.S. responses to a public health crisis .
After Trump tweeted an all caps message proclaiming “ SOCIAL DISTANCING ” early this Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the concept that people had been discussing for weeks , he faced steep mockery .
That ’ s literally all that his original tweet said — “ SOCIAL DISTANCING !
” The message came right after he wrote on the platform that he was “ Attending meetings on Covid-19 in the White House ” and “ Working with States and local governments , many of whom have done a great job.
” ( He also soon after announced that he ’ d be hosting yet another press conference at the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing concept refers to people keeping themselves as apart as feasibly possible in order to help stem the spread of the virus .
With that virus spread prevention mechanism in mind , the pace of closures of major venues and events across the United States has unfolded wildly rapidly in recent days .
For example , at this point , essentially all professional sports are postponed until further notice , many school districts around the country have indefinitely postponed in-person classes , and some locales , like the Seattle-area , have even seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outright banned .
Overall , the crisis is still rapidly developing .
The U.S. has around 2,500 confirmed cases of the virus at present , and there have been at least 51 deaths , including the newly announced first death from the virus in New York .
Next week , after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) calls the Senate back from their weekend break that he inexplicably left in place , Congress is set to send a new Coronavirus funding relief package to the president for a signature .

Throughout the Coronavirus outbreak, President Donald Trump has consistently seemed unaware of some of the basic facts surrounding the situation — for example, he seemed surprised at the piece of information that the common flu kills significant numbers of people every year. The problem is that now is not the time for an egomaniacal real estate owner to learn some basic public health facts — now is the time for a leader to coordinate U.S. responses to a public health crisis. After Trump tweeted an all caps message proclaiming “SOCIAL DISTANCING” early this Saturday as if he’d just heard of the concept that people had been discussing for weeks, he faced steep mockery.
That’s literally all that his original tweet said — “SOCIAL DISTANCING!” The message came right after he wrote on the platform that he was “Attending meetings on Covid-19 in the White House” and “Working with States and local governments, many of whom have done a great job.” (He also soon after announced that he’d be hosting yet another press conference at the White House this Saturday afternoon.)
Attending meetings on Covid-19 in the White House. Working with States and local governments, many of whom have done a great job. Full report latter! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2020
SOCIAL DISTANCING! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2020
The social distancing concept refers to people keeping themselves as apart as feasibly possible in order to help stem the spread of the virus. With that virus spread prevention mechanism in mind, the pace of closures of major venues and events across the United States has unfolded wildly rapidly in recent days. For example, at this point, essentially all professional sports are postponed until further notice, many school districts around the country have indefinitely postponed in-person classes, and some locales, like the Seattle-area, have even seen all events with more than 250 people outright banned.
Overall, the crisis is still rapidly developing. The U.S. has around 2,500 confirmed cases of the virus at present, and there have been at least 51 deaths, including the newly announced first death from the virus in New York. Next week, after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) calls the Senate back from their weekend break that he inexplicably left in place, Congress is set to send a new Coronavirus funding relief package to the president for a signature.
Check out Twitter’s response to Trump’s incompetence


bipartisanreport--2020-03-14--Trump Gets Into Spat With Reporter Over Handshaking

This weekend , as the United States could have really used some good news and leadership from the U.S. president , Donald Trump resorted to getting into a spat with a reporter at a White House press conference who asked about handshaking .
MSNBC ’ s Kelly O ’ Donnell asked him about the “ mixed messages ” he ’ s been sending — after all , as all observers could easily see on camera , at a press conference announcing a national emergency declaration over the Coronavirus , Trump shook hands and even touched the microphone that speakers shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cutting off O ’ Donnell that actually , he ’ s just getting out of a habit and doing just fine — although it ’ s worth noting that he himself has been repeatedly exposed to the virus recently .
Those exposed could become carriers .
At the press conference , which Trump briefly took over from the Coronavirus response team helmed by Vice President Mike Pence , O ’ Donnell addressed the president : ‘ Mr .
President , respectfully , you ’ ve been sending mixed messages .
We watched as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have talked about five million tests being available , even though we probably won ’ t need that many .
Has your own sense of urgency evolved and have you been changing what you ’ re doing ?
’ Laughably , Trump claimed in response that the situation has been “ urgent for me right from the beginning.
” Although it ’ s true that as he noted , his administration suspended travel from China , where the virus originated , what ’ s also true is that in the early days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ hoax.
” That ’ s not “ urgency.
” It ’ s the opposite .
And Trump explained it as some kind of immutable force of nature — or something .
He commented : ‘ Because it almost becomes a habit , and you get out of that habit .
Frankly , I was a non-hand shaker for the most part .
I never believed that shaking hands once you become a politician .
And I notice it too , political people walk up to me ; they want to shake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – ‘ After O ’ Donnell attempted to interject , Trump brusquely cut her off , pompously insisting : ‘ Wait a minute , wait a minute , just take it nice and easy , okay ?
Just relax .
People come up to me ; they shake hands , they put their hand out .
It ’ s sort of a natural reflex and we ’ re all getting out of it — all of us have that problem .
Somebody comes up to you , they put their hand out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and we ’ re all getting out of that .
Shaking hands is not a great thing to be doing , right now , I agree.
’ Trump went on to also defend his repeated handling of that shared microphone from the press conference — he claimed that he did so just so that speakers of various heights could reach the mic .
The Saturday back-and-forth is not the first time that he ’ s gotten into it with a reporter recently over the Coronavirus response .
He also recently mockingly insisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ nasty question ” for a simple query about his take on his administration ’ s recent , pre-Coronavirus decision to completely eliminate National Security Council positions for dealing with global health emergencies .

This weekend, as the United States could have really used some good news and leadership from the U.S. president, Donald Trump resorted to getting into a spat with a reporter at a White House press conference who asked about handshaking. MSNBC’s Kelly O’Donnell asked him about the “mixed messages” he’s been sending — after all, as all observers could easily see on camera, at a press conference announcing a national emergency declaration over the Coronavirus, Trump shook hands and even touched the microphone that speakers shared. Trump insisted to the point of cutting off O’Donnell that actually, he’s just getting out of a habit and doing just fine — although it’s worth noting that he himself has been repeatedly exposed to the virus recently. Those exposed could become carriers.
At the press conference, which Trump briefly took over from the Coronavirus response team helmed by Vice President Mike Pence, O’Donnell addressed the president:
‘Mr. President, respectfully, you’ve been sending mixed messages. We watched as you shook hands with people yesterday; you have talked about five million tests being available, even though we probably won’t need that many. Has your own sense of urgency evolved and have you been changing what you’re doing?’
Laughably, Trump claimed in response that the situation has been “urgent for me right from the beginning.”
Although it’s true that as he noted, his administration suspended travel from China, where the virus originated, what’s also true is that in the early days, Trump called concern about the situation a “hoax.” That’s not “urgency.” It’s the opposite.
O’Donnell followed up:
‘So why are you shaking hands, sir?’
And Trump explained it as some kind of immutable force of nature — or something. He commented:
‘Because it almost becomes a habit, and you get out of that habit. Frankly, I was a non-hand shaker for the most part. I never believed that shaking hands once you become a politician. And I notice it too, political people walk up to me; they want to shake my hand. I say, well – ‘
After O’Donnell attempted to interject, Trump brusquely cut her off, pompously insisting:
‘Wait a minute, wait a minute, just take it nice and easy, okay? Just relax. People come up to me; they shake hands, they put their hand out. It’s sort of a natural reflex and we’re all getting out of it — all of us have that problem. Somebody comes up to you, they put their hand out, you probably tend to just shake it — and we’re all getting out of that. Shaking hands is not a great thing to be doing, right now, I agree.’
Watch:
Trump went on to also defend his repeated handling of that shared microphone from the press conference — he claimed that he did so just so that speakers of various heights could reach the mic.
The Saturday back-and-forth is not the first time that he’s gotten into it with a reporter recently over the Coronavirus response. He also recently mockingly insisted that PBS reporter Yamiche Alcindor asked a “nasty question” for a simple query about his take on his administration’s recent, pre-Coronavirus decision to completely eliminate National Security Council positions for dealing with global health emergencies.


bipartisanreport--2020-03-14--Trump Tweets Bizarre Video As Coronavirus Crisis Rages

President Donald Trump doesn ’ t appear to know what he ’ s doing in attempting to manage the U.S. response to the Coronavirus outbreak .
Is concern over the virus a hoax ?
Is it a national emergency ?
Is it like the flu ?
Will a vaccine be available within weeks ?
Months ?
Trump has struggled through each one of these questions and many more in recent public appearances .
This Saturday afternoon , he took to Twitter with a new tactic — tweeting an old video of an apparently Italian Air Force team putting on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italian flag .
Nice , Trump — but some actual answers to the questions that Americans have would be nice too !
Video of the event that Trump posted seems to have been on the internet since at least July 2019 and seems to depict the Freece Tricolori stunt pilot team of the Italian Air Force putting on a display at a British air show .
Italy has been hit particularly hard by the Coronavirus outbreak , second only to China , where the virus originated .
In Italy , over 21,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and almost 1,500 have died — and the numbers are quickly climbing .
In the last 24 hours or so alone , the country announced a stunning 3,500 or so additional cases and 175 deaths .
Around the same time , Trump also posted a video and recap of some of the latest administration updates on the Coronavirus response .
At a Saturday afternoon press conference , the announcement came out that — among other things — the U.K. and Ireland would soon be added to the travel ban meant to try and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
U.S. citizens are exempt and free to return home , with precautions in place .
Next on the agenda for the U.S. — besides dealing with the continually growing case count — is a Coronavirus relief funding package that the House passed late into the night as the weekend dawned .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) has left the Senate on a recess until Monday evening , despite the acutely pressing situation .

President Donald Trump doesn’t appear to know what he’s doing in attempting to manage the U.S. response to the Coronavirus outbreak. Is concern over the virus a hoax? Is it a national emergency? Is it like the flu? Will a vaccine be available within weeks? Months? Trump has struggled through each one of these questions and many more in recent public appearances. This Saturday afternoon, he took to Twitter with a new tactic — tweeting an old video of an apparently Italian Air Force team putting on a ceremonial display of the colors of the Italian flag. Nice, Trump — but some actual answers to the questions that Americans have would be nice too!
Video of the event that Trump posted seems to have been on the internet since at least July 2019 and seems to depict the Freece Tricolori stunt pilot team of the Italian Air Force putting on a display at a British air show. Italy has been hit particularly hard by the Coronavirus outbreak, second only to China, where the virus originated. In Italy, over 21,000 people have been infected with the virus, and almost 1,500 have died — and the numbers are quickly climbing. In the last 24 hours or so alone, the country announced a stunning 3,500 or so additional cases and 175 deaths.
Trump captioned his video post:
‘THE UNITED STATES LOVES ITALY!’
THE UNITED STATES LOVES ITALY! pic.twitter.com/DESUJ4QM41 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2020
Around the same time, Trump also posted a video and recap of some of the latest administration updates on the Coronavirus response. At a Saturday afternoon press conference, the announcement came out that — among other things — the U.K. and Ireland would soon be added to the travel ban meant to try and help stem the spread of the virus. U.S. citizens are exempt and free to return home, with precautions in place.
Next on the agenda for the U.S. — besides dealing with the continually growing case count — is a Coronavirus relief funding package that the House passed late into the night as the weekend dawned. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has left the Senate on a recess until Monday evening, despite the acutely pressing situation.
Check out Twitter’s response


bipartisanreport--2020-03-14--Trump Doc Contradicts Donald’s COVID-19 Test Claims

People in leadership positions like President Donald Trump don ’ t have some kind of special immunity to the Coronavirus just because of the work they happen to do , and throughout recent weeks , Trump himself has repeatedly been exposed to the virus — but for now , his personal White House physician Sean Conley says that the president supposedly doesn ’ t need to be getting tested for the disease .
That ’ s despite his membership in an especially high-risk population , since he ’ s 73 years old .
Trump ’ s encounters with Coronavirus sufferers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent Mar-a-Lago summit with an infected aide to Brazil ’ s president .
Conley claimed that the president ’ s absence of symptoms warranted the lack of need for testing .
Eventually , at a Saturday press conference , Trump claimed that he did take the test after all .
Still , these kinds of strict lockdowns on testing could help artificially keep infection numbers down because some cases simply won ’ t be officially reported .
Conley claimed , referring first to a pair of individuals with the virus who were at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposure to the first individual was extremely limited ( photograph , handshake ) , and though he spent more time in close proximity to the second case , all interactions occurred before any symptom onset .
These interactions would be categorized as LOW risk for transmission per CDC guidelines , and as such , there is no indication for home quarantine at this time .
Additionally , given the president himself remains without symptoms , testing for COVID-19 is not currently indicated.
’ So — Trump seemingly ate with someone who has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t initially slated to be getting tested .
The virus does appear to have been transmitted during the Brazilian delegation ’ s travel to Florida , because Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has tested positive for the virus after repeated close interactions with Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro ’ s team .
Others who interacted with or were around the Brazilian delegation around that time , including Sens .
Rick Scott ( R-Fla. ) and Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) , have placed themselves under self-quarantine out of an abundance of caution because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but still , little for the president .
Trump has repeatedly sought to downplay the effects of the disease , even as cases and deaths have piled up .
He ’ s even derided the idea that the deaths are anything to be overly concerned about , tweeting : Now , there are about 2,200 confirmed Coronavirus cases in the U.S. , and about 50 deaths .
The cases stretch across every single state but West Virginia , with high population density areas like California , Washington , and New York hit especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slated to get tested and told reporters that he was not “ concerned.
” Conley ’ s statement came after a White House press conference where Trump seemed to suggest otherwise .
Around that same conference , Trump finally got around to declaring a national emergency over the Coronavirus , weeks after the virus first appeared in the U.S .
The emergency declaration , like those in times of other potential disasters , helps legally free up funds and other resources for responding to the situation .

People in leadership positions like President Donald Trump don’t have some kind of special immunity to the Coronavirus just because of the work they happen to do, and throughout recent weeks, Trump himself has repeatedly been exposed to the virus — but for now, his personal White House physician Sean Conley says that the president supposedly doesn’t need to be getting tested for the disease. That’s despite his membership in an especially high-risk population, since he’s 73 years old. Trump’s encounters with Coronavirus sufferers include his attendance at CPAC and a recent Mar-a-Lago summit with an infected aide to Brazil’s president.
Conley claimed that the president’s absence of symptoms warranted the lack of need for testing. Eventually, at a Saturday press conference, Trump claimed that he did take the test after all. Still, these kinds of strict lockdowns on testing could help artificially keep infection numbers down because some cases simply won’t be officially reported. Conley claimed, referring first to a pair of individuals with the virus who were at Mar-a-Lago:
‘The President’s exposure to the first individual was extremely limited (photograph, handshake), and though he spent more time in close proximity to the second case, all interactions occurred before any symptom onset. These interactions would be categorized as LOW risk for transmission per CDC guidelines, and as such, there is no indication for home quarantine at this time. Additionally, given the president himself remains without symptoms, testing for COVID-19 is not currently indicated.’
So — Trump seemingly ate with someone who has the Coronavirus, and yet, he wasn’t initially slated to be getting tested.
The virus does appear to have been transmitted during the Brazilian delegation’s travel to Florida, because Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has tested positive for the virus after repeated close interactions with Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro’s team. Others who interacted with or were around the Brazilian delegation around that time, including Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), have placed themselves under self-quarantine out of an abundance of caution because of their apparent exposure to the virus — but still, little for the president.
Trump has repeatedly sought to downplay the effects of the disease, even as cases and deaths have piled up. He’s even derided the idea that the deaths are anything to be overly concerned about, tweeting:
‘So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that!’
So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2020
Now, there are about 2,200 confirmed Coronavirus cases in the U.S., and about 50 deaths. The cases stretch across every single state but West Virginia, with high population density areas like California, Washington, and New York hit especially hard.
Initially, Trump was not slated to get tested and told reporters that he was not “concerned.” Conley’s statement came after a White House press conference where Trump seemed to suggest otherwise. Around that same conference, Trump finally got around to declaring a national emergency over the Coronavirus, weeks after the virus first appeared in the U.S. The emergency declaration, like those in times of other potential disasters, helps legally free up funds and other resources for responding to the situation.


bipartisanreport--2020-03-14--Infectious Disease Expert Calls Trump ‘International Embarrassment’

Throughout the spread of the Coronavirus in the United States , President Donald Trump has consistently failed to inspire any sort of confidence .
While his administration has struggled to get basic large-scale testing capabilities off the ground , he has veered from lying that concern about the virus is a “ hoax ” to majorly bungling important policy change announcements .
When he revealed that most passenger travel from Europe would be suspended for a month , repeated corrections had to follow because he ’ d even failed to indicate that American citizens could return home .
During an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irwin Redlener from Columbia University ’ s National Center for Disaster Preparedness memorably derided the Trump admin ’ s Coronavirus response as an “ international embarrassment.
” The issue certainly fits in with past grim highlights of the Trump administration , like the occasion when the crowd at the United Nations laughed in Trump ’ s face when he spouted off some campaign rhetoric .
In this situation , the president ’ s vapidness is like a smoke and mirrors distraction from incompetence .
‘ You were talking about the ability to control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ et cetera .
It ’ s not just because they have a controlled society .
These are the places where they started early testing and separating people .
I just want to give you one piece of data : the United States of America has tested 5 people per 1 million as of a couple of days ago compared to 3,600 people per million in South Korea.
’ It ’ s true — official figures for the number of those tested are wildly low , although some tests have been distributed privately , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use the language on television that I actually think about this , but let ’ s just say , this is a phenomenal disaster for us .
Not only did we start late , which got me worked up eight weeks ago , but it ’ s still not fixed .
This is a level of incompetence in our public health system that Americans have never seen before .
You know , you remember whatever his name was ?
Michael Brown around Katrina — and the Feds ’ job there was questionable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems we ’ re having right now in messaging , in getting our technology together… This has been an international embarrassment.
’ It ’ s true — the Trump team has even largely failed to come together on basic issues like messaging .
Trump has claimed the virus was contained , but it ’ s not — the number of cases keeps sharply climbing .
Only this past Friday did Trump finally declare a national emergency over the situation after weeks of waiting — although it ’ s worth noting that at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s been exposed to the virus — shook hands and more .
Redlener quipped : From here , Congress seems set to send a new Coronavirus relief funding package to the president for a signature next week .
He ’ s already announced that he supports the measure , which sparked a wave of Republican support when it passed the House .

Throughout the spread of the Coronavirus in the United States, President Donald Trump has consistently failed to inspire any sort of confidence. While his administration has struggled to get basic large-scale testing capabilities off the ground, he has veered from lying that concern about the virus is a “hoax” to majorly bungling important policy change announcements. When he revealed that most passenger travel from Europe would be suspended for a month, repeated corrections had to follow because he’d even failed to indicate that American citizens could return home. During an MSNBC panel discussion this weekend, Dr. Irwin Redlener from Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness memorably derided the Trump admin’s Coronavirus response as an “international embarrassment.”
The issue certainly fits in with past grim highlights of the Trump administration, like the occasion when the crowd at the United Nations laughed in Trump’s face when he spouted off some campaign rhetoric. In this situation, the president’s vapidness is like a smoke and mirrors distraction from incompetence.
Redlener noted to host Ali Velshi:
‘You were talking about the ability to control this in Hong Kong and Singapore, et cetera. It’s not just because they have a controlled society. These are the places where they started early testing and separating people. I just want to give you one piece of data: the United States of America has tested 5 people per 1 million as of a couple of days ago compared to 3,600 people per million in South Korea.’
It’s true — official figures for the number of those tested are wildly low, although some tests have been distributed privately, apparently.
Redlener continued:
‘I wish I could use the language on television that I actually think about this, but let’s just say, this is a phenomenal disaster for us. Not only did we start late, which got me worked up eight weeks ago, but it’s still not fixed. This is a level of incompetence in our public health system that Americans have never seen before. You know, you remember whatever his name was? Michael Brown around Katrina — and the Feds’ job there was questionable. That was nothing compared compared to the problems we’re having right now in messaging, in getting our technology together… This has been an international embarrassment.’
Watch:
It’s true — the Trump team has even largely failed to come together on basic issues like messaging. Trump has claimed the virus was contained, but it’s not — the number of cases keeps sharply climbing. Only this past Friday did Trump finally declare a national emergency over the situation after weeks of waiting — although it’s worth noting that at the press conference, Trump — who’s been exposed to the virus — shook hands and more. Redlener quipped:
‘From the public health point of view, how do I survive listening to this? I don’t know, but here I am.’
From here, Congress seems set to send a new Coronavirus relief funding package to the president for a signature next week. He’s already announced that he supports the measure, which sparked a wave of Republican support when it passed the House.


bipartisanreport--2020-03-14--Trump Walloped Over Saturday COVID-19 Funding Tweet

Late into the night as this weekend dawned , the Democrat-led House passed a new Coronavirus relief funding package , which is set to “ provide free testing , extend unemployment insurance and ensure paid leave for some workers , ” CNN ’ s Manu Raju notes .
Each of these elements and the others included in the bill could be very relevant for many Americans who end up temporarily out of work because of fears about possible Coronavirus spread .
This Saturday morning , President Donald Trump tweeted about the new relief funding package like Republicans had anything to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House , the GOP petulantly held back their support as long as possible and , like loyal minions , only ceded after Trump said he ’ d support the bill .
And it doesn ’ t end there — Senate Republicans originally also insisted that they wouldn ’ t support the measure , and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) derided the legislation as an “ ideological wish list , ” although it was set to tangibly protect struggling American families .
Trump and the GOP can not take pretty much any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Trump also tweeted about one of his favorite pastimes : watching the stock market .
He noted the impressive spike in the stock market ’ s value on Friday — and he completely ignored the also historical plummet in value that had come just the day before .
He simply completely ignored that Coronavirus-induced panic drop .
One would be hard-pressed to make up that level of detached ignorance .
Check out more from the president , who also retweeted a slew of propaganda messages from and about conservative activist Candace Owens @

Late into the night as this weekend dawned, the Democrat-led House passed a new Coronavirus relief funding package, which is set to “provide free testing, extend unemployment insurance and ensure paid leave for some workers,” CNN’s Manu Raju notes. Each of these elements and the others included in the bill could be very relevant for many Americans who end up temporarily out of work because of fears about possible Coronavirus spread. This Saturday morning, President Donald Trump tweeted about the new relief funding package like Republicans had anything to do with it, although in the House, the GOP petulantly held back their support as long as possible and, like loyal minions, only ceded after Trump said he’d support the bill.
363-40, House approves economic aid bill to provide relief from coronavirus outbreak. The 110-page bill, which was released right before midnight, would in part provide free testing, extend unemployment insurance and ensure paid leave for some workers. Justin Amash voted present — Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 14, 2020
And it doesn’t end there — Senate Republicans originally also insisted that they wouldn’t support the measure, and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) derided the legislation as an “ideological wish list,” although it was set to tangibly protect struggling American families. Trump and the GOP can not take pretty much any credit for this — but he tweeted:
‘Good teamwork between Republicans & Democrats as the House passes the big CoronaVirus Relief Bill. People really pulled together. Nice to see!’
Good teamwork between Republicans & Democrats as the House passes the big CoronaVirus Relief Bill. People really pulled together. Nice to see! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2020
Trump also tweeted about one of his favorite pastimes: watching the stock market. He noted the impressive spike in the stock market’s value on Friday — and he completely ignored the also historical plummet in value that had come just the day before. He simply completely ignored that Coronavirus-induced panic drop. One would be hard-pressed to make up that level of detached ignorance.
BIGGEST STOCK MARKET RISE IN HISTORY YESTERDAY! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2020
Check out more from the president, who also retweeted a slew of propaganda messages from and about conservative activist Candace Owens.
Check out Twitter’s response below..


bipartisanreport--2020-03-15--Trump Sees Mockery On Sunday TV & Erupts Into Fit Of Rage

Within the last 24 hours or so , the United States has reported an additional 369 cases of the Coronavirus and 6 deaths , bringing the country ’ s respective totals up to about 3,200 cases and 63 deaths , all of which are spread across the country .
This weekend , where are Trump ’ s priorities as this rages ?
With belittling those who ’ ve dared to challenge him or his allies at any point in the past .
Americans are dying preventable deaths , not to mention the struggles around the world , and Trump is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FBI , among other targets .
After announcing that there ’ d be another press conference held by the Coronavirus response team this Sunday afternoon , Trump raged : Wrong !
In complete contrast to Trump ’ s flimsy claim of a “ late response time ” to the swine flu outbreak , FactCheck.org notes that Obama administration officials “ declared a public health emergency early in the H1N1 outbreak , secured funding from Congress and ultimately declared a national emergency , ” among other steps .
It ’ s also worth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus — which was more ubiquitous than the Coronavirus , since it was a strain of the flu — was significantly lower than that of the presently spreading illness .
If a recent World Health Organization 3.4 percent estimate for the Coronavirus fatality rate had been in effect then , over two million Americans may have died .
The two situations are very different — they ’ re not a one-to-one comparison or a contest .
This Saturday , Trump also complained about Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) — who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justices had “ released the whirlwind ” “ will pay the price ” — and he also announced he was considering a pardon for his former aide Michael Flynn , who ’ s faced criminal charges for lying to investigators during the Russia investigation .
He dinged the FBI for supposedly “ destroying ” Flynn ’ s life and that of his family — although all they ’ ve done is hold him accountable for his duly documented behavior in line with the rule of law .
Also — hey , remember the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responding to , Trump !

Within the last 24 hours or so, the United States has reported an additional 369 cases of the Coronavirus and 6 deaths, bringing the country’s respective totals up to about 3,200 cases and 63 deaths, all of which are spread across the country. This weekend, where are Trump’s priorities as this rages? With belittling those who’ve dared to challenge him or his allies at any point in the past. Americans are dying preventable deaths, not to mention the struggles around the world, and Trump is still tweeting angrily about Hillary Clinton and the FBI, among other targets.
After announcing that there’d be another press conference held by the Coronavirus response team this Sunday afternoon, Trump raged:
‘The USA was never set up for this, just look at the catastrophe of the H1N1 Swine Flu (Biden in charge, 17,000 people lost, very late response time), but it soon will be. Great decision to close our China, and other, borders early. Saved many lives!’
We are doing very precise Medical Screenings at our airports. Pardon the interruptions and delays, we are moving as quickly as possible, but it is very important that we be vigilant and careful. We must get it right. Safety first! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2020
….The USA was never set up for this, just look at the catastrophe of the H1N1 Swine Flu (Biden in charge, 17,000 people lost, very late response time), but it soon will be. Great decision to close our China, and other, borders early. Saved many lives! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2020
Wrong! In complete contrast to Trump’s flimsy claim of a “late response time” to the swine flu outbreak, FactCheck.org notes that Obama administration officials “declared a public health emergency early in the H1N1 outbreak, secured funding from Congress and ultimately declared a national emergency,” among other steps. It’s also worth noting that the fatality rate from that virus — which was more ubiquitous than the Coronavirus, since it was a strain of the flu — was significantly lower than that of the presently spreading illness. If a recent World Health Organization 3.4 percent estimate for the Coronavirus fatality rate had been in effect then, over two million Americans may have died. The two situations are very different — they’re not a one-to-one comparison or a contest.
This Saturday, Trump also complained about Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) — who recently said Trump’s Supreme Court justices had “released the whirlwind” “will pay the price” — and he also announced he was considering a pardon for his former aide Michael Flynn, who’s faced criminal charges for lying to investigators during the Russia investigation. He dinged the FBI for supposedly “destroying” Flynn’s life and that of his family — although all they’ve done is hold him accountable for his duly documented behavior in line with the rule of law. Also — hey, remember the pandemic you’re supposed to be responding to, Trump!
Can’t believe they are not going after Schumer for the threats he made to our cherished United States Supreme Court, and our two great Justices. If a Republican did that, there would be an endless price to pay. Pathetic! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2020
So now it is reported that, after destroying his life & the life of his wonderful family (and many others also), the FBI, working in conjunction with the Justice Department, has “lost” the records of General Michael Flynn. How convenient. I am strongly considering a Full Pardon! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2020
Check out Twitter’s response below…


bipartisanreport--2020-03-15--Nunes Gives Horrific COVID-19 Advice During ‘Sunday TV’ Humiliation

Public health officials have been admonishing people to dial back their social interaction , and in some cases , through means like abrupt bans on travel to and from Europe , that dialing back has been enforced pretty strictly — but Devin Nunes apparently missed that memo .
This Sunday during an appearance on Fox News , the California Congressman insisted that observers should go on out and support their local businesses during this economically trying time enacted by the Coronavirus .
He made no apparent mention of the grave dangers of that called for social interaction , especially for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , even if those going out are healthy !
They could still transmit .
‘ What the American people need to understand is we need to stop panicking .
There ’ s no shortage of food in this country .
People don ’ t need to go to the store and fight over a bottle of water or toilet paper… We want you to buy food !
..
There ’ s a lot of concerns with the economy here because people are scared to go out .
But I will just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can do if you ’ re healthy , you and your family , it ’ s a great time to just go out , go to a local restaurant , likely you can get in easily .
Let ’ s not hurt the working people in this country that are relying on wages and tips to keep their small business going.
’ You know , Devin , there ’ s government assistance available for individuals struggling through the economic upheaval of Coronavirus prep , but Senate Republicans decided to take a long weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It would probably be easier for people to avoid panic if those in charge seemed fazed in the slightest by what was going on rather than sticking to hiding inside their partisanship turtle shells .
It was not long ago at all that Trump was insisting , in contrast to the then-available evidence , that the Coronavirus would quickly disappear and wasn ’ t an issue .
He even called concern a “ hoax.
” In the meantime — why does Nunes think that many locales in the U.S. and abroad have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contingent upon whether or not Nunes thinks one is healthy enough to go out .
The Seattle area completely banned gatherings of 250 or more people for the time being , and schools across the country , in both red and blue states , are closed .
In Spain , where authorities have reported some 1,300 new cases in the last 24 hours alone , residents “ have been ordered to stay at home , allowed out only to buy food and medicine or travel to work , health centres or banks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that ’ s all just some kind of liberal conspiracy ?
In reality , the virus is continuing to spread throughout the community , and the more interconnected that community is , the farther it goes .
The virus has been documented in every single state but West Virginia so far , and case numbers are rapidly increasing , meaning it ’ s possible that it ’ s present undetected in locales with those restaurants that Nunes wants people to visit .

Public health officials have been admonishing people to dial back their social interaction, and in some cases, through means like abrupt bans on travel to and from Europe, that dialing back has been enforced pretty strictly — but Devin Nunes apparently missed that memo. This Sunday during an appearance on Fox News, the California Congressman insisted that observers should go on out and support their local businesses during this economically trying time enacted by the Coronavirus. He made no apparent mention of the grave dangers of that called for social interaction, especially for those especially susceptible to the effects of the virus, even if those going out are healthy! They could still transmit.
Nunes commented:
‘What the American people need to understand is we need to stop panicking. There’s no shortage of food in this country. People don’t need to go to the store and fight over a bottle of water or toilet paper… We want you to buy food!.. There’s a lot of concerns with the economy here because people are scared to go out. But I will just say, one of the things you can do if you’re healthy, you and your family, it’s a great time to just go out, go to a local restaurant, likely you can get in easily. Let’s not hurt the working people in this country that are relying on wages and tips to keep their small business going.’
Watch:
You know, Devin, there’s government assistance available for individuals struggling through the economic upheaval of Coronavirus prep, but Senate Republicans decided to take a long weekend break rather than passing it already.
It would probably be easier for people to avoid panic if those in charge seemed fazed in the slightest by what was going on rather than sticking to hiding inside their partisanship turtle shells. It was not long ago at all that Trump was insisting, in contrast to the then-available evidence, that the Coronavirus would quickly disappear and wasn’t an issue. He even called concern a “hoax.”
In the meantime — why does Nunes think that many locales in the U.S. and abroad have been enforcing lockdowns? These lockdowns are not contingent upon whether or not Nunes thinks one is healthy enough to go out. The Seattle area completely banned gatherings of 250 or more people for the time being, and schools across the country, in both red and blue states, are closed. In Spain, where authorities have reported some 1,300 new cases in the last 24 hours alone, residents “have been ordered to stay at home, allowed out only to buy food and medicine or travel to work, health centres or banks,” The Guardian reports. Does Nunes think that’s all just some kind of liberal conspiracy?
In reality, the virus is continuing to spread throughout the community, and the more interconnected that community is, the farther it goes. The virus has been documented in every single state but West Virginia so far, and case numbers are rapidly increasing, meaning it’s possible that it’s present undetected in locales with those restaurants that Nunes wants people to visit.


bipartisanreport--2020-03-15--Schiff Makes Staffer Coronavirus Announcement During Sunday Tweet

A former staffer in the office of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff ( D-Calif. ) has tested positive for Coronavirus , he ’ s revealed .
According to his explanation , the staffer left the Schiff office ten days prior to the diagnosis reveal , and they ’ re believed to have contracted the illness after their departure .
Still , he says , his district events and meetings will continue to be postponed , and Schiff ’ s staffers will continue to work from home , all of which he says was set up before the diagnosis of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement , he noted that he ’ ll provide further updates as appropriate .
He also used the spotlight opportunity to subtly but surely chastise those who — like President Donald Trump — have stuck at least as often to their own “ hunches ” about the situation as they ’ ve engaged with competent public health professionalism .
As Schiff put it : And that is not what Trump has been doing .
During one recent interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News , he even claimed that he had a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate from the World Health Organization was false .
There was no evidence — he ’ s just spitting out what comes to mind , while lives hang in the balance .
This weekend , Schiff also admonished his colleagues to continue to seek to protect vulnerable Americans who don ’ t have access to health care or job support , even as the Coronavirus crisis rages .
As he put it : ‘ I ’ m also distinctly aware that , as a member of Congress , I have access to affordable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I were sick and needed to take time off work , I would not lose a paycheck .
Many Americans don ’ t have the same assurances , and fear the economic pains of Coronavirus , not just the potential deleterious health effects .
It ’ s incumbent on Congress to continue to act in their interests.
’ House Democrats helped pass a Coronavirus relief funding package , but Senate Republicans went on a long weekend break and aren ’ t considering it until late Monday .

A former staffer in the office of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) has tested positive for Coronavirus, he’s revealed. According to his explanation, the staffer left the Schiff office ten days prior to the diagnosis reveal, and they’re believed to have contracted the illness after their departure. Still, he says, his district events and meetings will continue to be postponed, and Schiff’s staffers will continue to work from home, all of which he says was set up before the diagnosis of the former Schiff staffer.
I was informed that a former staffer who left our office 10 days ago has tested positive for COVID-19. Although doctors believe the staffer contracted the virus after leaving my office, I'm taking additional distancing precautions, including postponing meetings and teleworking: pic.twitter.com/EfwsDo1BZG — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) March 15, 2020
In his statement, he noted that he’ll provide further updates as appropriate. He also used the spotlight opportunity to subtly but surely chastise those who — like President Donald Trump — have stuck at least as often to their own “hunches” about the situation as they’ve engaged with competent public health professionalism. As Schiff put it:
‘Throughout this public health crisis, I feel that the job of elected officials is to push out the best information possible, listen to the advice of public health professionals and scientists, and be cautious.’
And that is not what Trump has been doing. During one recent interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, he even claimed that he had a “hunch” that the reported Coronavirus fatality rate from the World Health Organization was false. There was no evidence — he’s just spitting out what comes to mind, while lives hang in the balance.
This weekend, Schiff also admonished his colleagues to continue to seek to protect vulnerable Americans who don’t have access to health care or job support, even as the Coronavirus crisis rages.
As he put it:
‘I’m also distinctly aware that, as a member of Congress, I have access to affordable and quality healthcare, and that if I were sick and needed to take time off work, I would not lose a paycheck. Many Americans don’t have the same assurances, and fear the economic pains of Coronavirus, not just the potential deleterious health effects. It’s incumbent on Congress to continue to act in their interests.’
WATCH: Coronavirus relief response is "a crisis on Capitol Hill" as emergency legislation stalls in the Senate. #MTP@kasie: "The eye is not on the ball, right now, in the Senate." pic.twitter.com/BoIvXp7QlO — Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) March 15, 2020
House Democrats helped pass a Coronavirus relief funding package, but Senate Republicans went on a long weekend break and aren’t considering it until late Monday.
Every minute, hour, & day that Fed action is delayed on Coronavirus puts lives at risk. The House has been hammering away at a coronavirus relief package. We just called in every member to vote on & pass a deal at almost 1am.#WheresMitch McConnell? Taking the weekend off. — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 14, 2020
Check out Twitter’s response to Schiff’s reveal…


bipartisanreport--2020-03-15--Trump Has All Caps Sunday Conniption Fit Over Coronavirus

President Donald Trump is consistently failing to inspire confidence in his handling of the Coronavirus outbreak in the United States , even as the number of confirmed cases — and deaths — continue to rise .
This weekend , he resorted to an all-caps Twitter message about the “ National Day of Prayer ” that he ’ d proclaimed , although — like in situations when Republicans resort to touting “ thoughts and prayers ” after incidents like mass shootings — it would be nice if Trump followed up all this blustering talk with substantively helpful action .
Except the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have said that care for Coronavirus infection won ’ t be counted against immigrants trying to prove that they wouldn ’ t become a “ public charge ” after getting a green card , the administration also at one point recently demanded that all posters about preventing the spread of and dealing with the Coronavirus should be removed from all immigration courts .
The reasoning behind the order has yet to become clear — and shortly after it was revealed in a Miami Herald story , the administration decided that the basic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after all .
Besides his all-caps shouting about the national day of prayer , Trump also tweeted about — wait for it — Hillary Clinton .
Years after facing her in an election , he ’ s still obsessed — and , apparently , in favor of deposing her in a court battle over her long ago private email usage .
Check out more from the president .
Like before , his insistence that the fake news “ never covers ” the administration decision to waive collection on student loan interest is ridiculous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story in Forbes , POLITICO , The Washington Post , and countless other outlets .
He ’ s lying .

President Donald Trump is consistently failing to inspire confidence in his handling of the Coronavirus outbreak in the United States, even as the number of confirmed cases — and deaths — continue to rise. This weekend, he resorted to an all-caps Twitter message about the “National Day of Prayer” that he’d proclaimed, although — like in situations when Republicans resort to touting “thoughts and prayers” after incidents like mass shootings — it would be nice if Trump followed up all this blustering talk with substantively helpful action.
Trump tweeted:
‘TODAY IS A NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER. GOD BLESS EVERYONE!’
TODAY IS A NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER. GOD BLESS EVERYONE! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2020
Except the immigrants, right Trump? Although authorities have said that care for Coronavirus infection won’t be counted against immigrants trying to prove that they wouldn’t become a “public charge” after getting a green card, the administration also at one point recently demanded that all posters about preventing the spread of and dealing with the Coronavirus should be removed from all immigration courts. The reasoning behind the order has yet to become clear — and shortly after it was revealed in a Miami Herald story, the administration decided that the basic and acutely relevant health info could stay up after all.
Besides his all-caps shouting about the national day of prayer, Trump also tweeted about — wait for it — Hillary Clinton. Years after facing her in an election, he’s still obsessed — and, apparently, in favor of deposing her in a court battle over her long ago private email usage.
Great Job by Judicial Watch. Potentially a treasure trove. Too bad you are not given more help, but it will all work out! https://t.co/rTYq9YCj2Q — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2020
Check out more from the president. Like before, his insistence that the fake news “never covers” the administration decision to waive collection on student loan interest is ridiculous. A quick Google search reveals the story in Forbes, POLITICO, The Washington Post, and countless other outlets. He’s lying.
This took place in the Rose Garden, just coming out of a cold Winter! https://t.co/bjHEC9zZkC — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2020
Amazing how the Fake News never covers this. No Interest on Student Loans. The Dems are just talk! https://t.co/IexVDSYosP — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2020
Thank you Sara. Keep writing, great talent! https://t.co/ZMYHzicBcR — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2020
Check out Twitter’s reaction below:


bipartisanreport--2020-03-15--Kudlow Embarrasses Himself Over Coronavirus During ‘CBS Sunday’ Appearance

While confirmed Coronavirus cases and deaths continue to rise , top Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow would apparently like Americans to think that the Trump administration ’ s response is coming along just fine — although we can all see what they ’ re really doing .
This weekend on CBS ’ s Face The Nation , Kudlow even claimed that the Trump team has pushed an “ urgency ” for Coronavirus response from the “ beginning ” — but that ’ s a lie !
It ’ s not long ago at all that Trump himself was publicly declaring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisting that negative coverage of the situation was some kind of conspiracy to make him look bad .
Kudlow was discussing a new Coronavirus relief funding bill when he made the claim otherwise .
He told host Margaret Brennan : Again though — that ’ s just incorrect .
It took Trump weeks to even formally declare a national emergency over the Coronavirus , in part , reportedly , because he was concerned about the effect of the optics of an emergency declaration on his administration .
But an earlier declaration could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current schedule .
Pandemics aren ’ t about optics !
They ’ re about health !
Does Trump care ?
His own actual malpractice mirrors what Senate Republicans have done , despite Kudlow ’ s self-confident claims of a sense of urgency .
Originally , the Senate wasn ’ t even going to consider that new relief package until after a recess of almost two weeks .
After outcry , that got cancelled , but Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) still kept a long weekend break in the session in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been struggling .
This weekend , Kudlow also addressed the rash of reports of stores who ’ ve seen drastically depleted stocks because of people panic-buying large quantities of goods .
‘ I ’ ve read about some situations where this is a difficulty , but most of our supply lines are working pretty well in the domestic United States .
In fact , let me make a point — there ’ s a huge economic challenge here : do not get me wrong , a huge economic challenge .
On the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working… Factories are not shutting down across the country , at least not yet .
The employment story , which may become more tenuous in the weeks ahead… nonetheless , a lot of CEOs I talked to , they ’ re doing everything they can not to lay off anybody.
’ That last part , about CEOs doing “ everything they can , ” doesn ’ t exactly match up with reality — to say the least .
For example , stories have spread far and wide of Whole Foods ’ suggestion to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off with each other as needed — rather than , you know , giving them any more time off .
If an employee heads into work while sick because they need the money and haven ’ t actually had time off provided for , they could spread the Coronavirus .

While confirmed Coronavirus cases and deaths continue to rise, top Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow would apparently like Americans to think that the Trump administration’s response is coming along just fine — although we can all see what they’re really doing. This weekend on CBS’s Face The Nation, Kudlow even claimed that the Trump team has pushed an “urgency” for Coronavirus response from the “beginning” — but that’s a lie! It’s not long ago at all that Trump himself was publicly declaring Coronavirus concern a “hoax” and insisting that negative coverage of the situation was some kind of conspiracy to make him look bad.
Kudlow was discussing a new Coronavirus relief funding bill when he made the claim otherwise. He told host Margaret Brennan:
‘I think there’s an urgency to this, something we’ve pushed from the very beginning. Again, it’s about helping families and middle income and blue collar-type folks. They should not be penalized financially. And we don’t want to force them to go outdoors when they should be indoors.’
Watch:
#CORONAVIRUS STIMULUS BILL: “I think the Senate’s going to work on it tomorrow,” @Larry_Kudlow tells @margbrennan, noting “it may not be a perfect bill,” but says it will help average Americanshttps://t.co/2sQJOuXIpf pic.twitter.com/bZ53ZFFRJ3 — Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) March 15, 2020
Again though — that’s just incorrect. It took Trump weeks to even formally declare a national emergency over the Coronavirus, in part, reportedly, because he was concerned about the effect of the optics of an emergency declaration on his administration. But an earlier declaration could have freed up important resources weeks ahead of the current schedule. Pandemics aren’t about optics! They’re about health! Does Trump care?
His own actual malpractice mirrors what Senate Republicans have done, despite Kudlow’s self-confident claims of a sense of urgency. Originally, the Senate wasn’t even going to consider that new relief package until after a recess of almost two weeks. After outcry, that got cancelled, but Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) still kept a long weekend break in the session in place anyway.
Meanwhile, Americans have been struggling. This weekend, Kudlow also addressed the rash of reports of stores who’ve seen drastically depleted stocks because of people panic-buying large quantities of goods.
Kudlow insisted:
‘I’ve read about some situations where this is a difficulty, but most of our supply lines are working pretty well in the domestic United States. In fact, let me make a point — there’s a huge economic challenge here: do not get me wrong, a huge economic challenge. On the other hand, most of America is still working… Factories are not shutting down across the country, at least not yet. The employment story, which may become more tenuous in the weeks ahead… nonetheless, a lot of CEOs I talked to, they’re doing everything they can not to lay off anybody.’
Watch:
Despite some grocery store shelves running empty, @Larry_Kudlow tells @margbrennan that “most of our supply lines are working pretty well.” https://t.co/2nQ5a7NMHA pic.twitter.com/rkwVcZe4LP — Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) March 15, 2020
That last part, about CEOs doing “everything they can,” doesn’t exactly match up with reality — to say the least. For example, stories have spread far and wide of Whole Foods’ suggestion to employees that they share their allotted time off with each other as needed — rather than, you know, giving them any more time off. If an employee heads into work while sick because they need the money and haven’t actually had time off provided for, they could spread the Coronavirus.
Whole Foods, which is owned by Amazon, wants employees to "donate" paid time off to each other during the coronavirus outbreak. At the same time, Amazon paid a 1.2% tax rate on $13B in profits last year. If this isn't the epitome of corporate greed, I don't know what is. — Robert Reich (@RBReich) March 14, 2020


bipartisanreport--2020-03-15--Mnuchin Humiliated After ‘ABC Sunday’ Corona Defense Goes Horribly Wrong

As the Coronavirus outbreak continues to spread across the U.S. and the economic costs of public health responses keep piling up , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin appeared this weekend on ABC ’ s This Week , where he offered what turned out to be outlandish , rapidly shifting defenses of the president ’ s response to the crisis .
Although Trump ’ s address was broadcast to the nation , Mnuchin even claimed that Trump was actually perfectly clear in an Oval Office speech last week when he claimed that cargo shipments from Europe would be banned , although they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The president said several things : he said that cargo would be banned coming in from Europe , he failed to mention that American citizens would not be subject to the ban… these were all false statements .
How in a Oval Office address do statements about the president ’ s own proposals end up being wrong ?
’ Mnuchin did not actually initially answer the question .
Instead , he commented : ‘ As it relates to the Oval Office address , the president was very clear , he wanted to address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he made the decision to shut down travel so that we shut down more cases coming in .
He wanted to reassure the American public — I don ’ t think in an Oval Office address , you can address every single issue as you ’ re discussing it.
’ Observers weren ’ t asking the president to address “ every single issue.
” Did seriously no one in his inner circle foresee the problem of him announcing a travel ban without clarifying that American citizens would be exempt ?
Perhaps not , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago ’ s O ’ Hare airport , which is one of those set up to receive returning Americans .
Karl eventually pressed Mnuchin about the points that Trump got brazenly wrong .
He asked : It ’ s not listeners ’ fault !
Trump said — and this is a direct quote : And yet , Mnuchin has the gall to say that Trump was actually perfectly clear from the get-go .
Karl also asked him about Trump ’ s incessant praise for the stock market — which he only seems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The host asked : Incredibly , just moments later , when Karl brought up the stock market drop after the president ’ s bungled Oval Office speech , Mnuchin did a complete turnaround , commenting : These are the folks in charge of Coronavirus response .
How reassuring !

As the Coronavirus outbreak continues to spread across the U.S. and the economic costs of public health responses keep piling up, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin appeared this weekend on ABC’s This Week, where he offered what turned out to be outlandish, rapidly shifting defenses of the president’s response to the crisis. Although Trump’s address was broadcast to the nation, Mnuchin even claimed that Trump was actually perfectly clear in an Oval Office speech last week when he claimed that cargo shipments from Europe would be banned, although they will actually not be banned.
Host Jonathan Karl commented:
‘The president said several things: he said that cargo would be banned coming in from Europe, he failed to mention that American citizens would not be subject to the ban… these were all false statements. How in a Oval Office address do statements about the president’s own proposals end up being wrong?’
Mnuchin did not actually initially answer the question. Instead, he commented:
‘As it relates to the Oval Office address, the president was very clear, he wanted to address a very important point, which was he made the decision to shut down travel so that we shut down more cases coming in. He wanted to reassure the American public — I don’t think in an Oval Office address, you can address every single issue as you’re discussing it.’
Observers weren’t asking the president to address “every single issue.” Did seriously no one in his inner circle foresee the problem of him announcing a travel ban without clarifying that American citizens would be exempt? Perhaps not, because hours-long lines have been reported at Chicago’s O’Hare airport, which is one of those set up to receive returning Americans.
Karl eventually pressed Mnuchin about the points that Trump got brazenly wrong. He asked:
‘How does he get things wrong about his own proposals?’
Mnuchin replied, incredulously:
‘I don’t think he got things wrong at all… We were very clear that people misinterpreted the comment on cargo, and we immediately put out a statement to clarify that.’
Here’s Steve Mnuchin blaming Trump’s mistaken claim about banning cargo from Europe that the White House had to immediately walk back on listeners: “We were very clear that people misinterpreted the comment on cargo.” pic.twitter.com/kRFtOjdoIc — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 15, 2020
It’s not listeners’ fault! Trump said — and this is a direct quote:
‘These prohibitions will not only apply to the tremendous amount of trade and cargo, but various other things as we get approval. Anything coming from Europe to the United States is what we are discussing.’
And yet, Mnuchin has the gall to say that Trump was actually perfectly clear from the get-go.
Karl also asked him about Trump’s incessant praise for the stock market — which he only seems to notice when its on an upswing. The host asked:
‘Is it kind of odd to hear the president talk about how great the stock market is doing when we are by any definition in a bear market?’
Mnuchin insisted in reply:
‘Well, the president is focused on the stock market, because it’s just one indication of the economy that gives people confidence. And I think what you saw is the stock market reacted very positively to the bipartisan bill, to also the fact that we’re ramping up testing dramatically.’
Incredibly, just moments later, when Karl brought up the stock market drop after the president’s bungled Oval Office speech, Mnuchin did a complete turnaround, commenting:
‘The stock market is gonna go up; it’s gonna do down — we can’t focus on every day the move.’
These are the folks in charge of Coronavirus response. How reassuring!


bipartisanreport--2020-03-15--Fauci Exposes Trump As Incompetent  During ‘ABC Sunday’ Corona Update

In a time of national and even global public health emergency , one might hope that a top public health official for the United States could focus on some topic other than getting the president to stop publicly shaking hands and conducting similar physical interactions while a highly communicable virus spreads .
But lo and behold — Trump is the one in charge , and this weekend , top infectious disease specialist Dr. Anthony Fauci from the National Institutes of Health subtly but surely criticized Trump ’ s behavior during an appearance on ABC ’ s This Week .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s face at a Saturday press conference , his incessant handshaking and more is sending “ mixed messages ” to observers , and that ’ s perhaps particularly relevant for his own followers , who might already be thinking that concern over the Coronavirus is a “ hoax ” anyway , since that ’ s the terminology Trump used at a recent rally .
Asked about Trump ’ s behavior , Fauci told host Jonathan Karl , in reference to greeting some way other than a handshake : ‘ I ’ m working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I may not be successful , but I ’ m working on it… Sometimes there are things you have to do — if I didn ’ t put the microphone down , you would ’ ve seen the microphone in front of my face like that… I ’ m practicing as much social distancing as I possibly can .
I don ’ t go out — I have a job that ’ s a 19 hour a day job , I have no interest in going to the movies , to restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ The thing is — quite recently , Trump himself was encouraging listeners that in some cases where they might have the Coronavirus , they could still go into work anyway !
But , that ’ s not true .
The virus is highly communicable , and it ’ s especially threatening to plenty of physically vulnerable populations , even if many carriers might be fine .
Trump so brazenly claimed otherwise during an appearance on Sean Hannity ’ s Fox News show , at which time he also claimed — among other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s then-documented fatality rate for the virus was wrong , on the basis of what he called a “ hunch.
” This weekend , Fauci also addressed some of those broader issues .
He joined the chorus of those calling on people to limit their social interactions in an attempt to stop the Coronavirus spread .
That idea has sparked closures across the country .
Fauci commented : ‘ What we should be doing is absolutely making it much , much different , not making it business as usual — you got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the country , particularly the areas where it ’ s clear you ’ re having a lot of community spread , may be more vigorous in shutting things down… We don ’ t want to lose sight of the fact that when you ’ re doing that interpersonal interaction that you ’ re trying to calm down… we got ta make sure that the vulnerable ones are the ones we protect… the elderly and those with underlying conditions.
’ Fauci has directly contradicted the Trump administration before , although he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congressional hearing , he acknowledged , for instance , that the state of Coronavirus testing in the U.S. was a “ failing.
” Currently , the U.S. is at just over 3,000 confimed cases of the Coronavirus , with some 60 deaths .

In a time of national and even global public health emergency, one might hope that a top public health official for the United States could focus on some topic other than getting the president to stop publicly shaking hands and conducting similar physical interactions while a highly communicable virus spreads. But lo and behold — Trump is the one in charge, and this weekend, top infectious disease specialist Dr. Anthony Fauci from the National Institutes of Health subtly but surely criticized Trump’s behavior during an appearance on ABC’s This Week.
As one reporter pointed out to Trump’s face at a Saturday press conference, his incessant handshaking and more is sending “mixed messages” to observers, and that’s perhaps particularly relevant for his own followers, who might already be thinking that concern over the Coronavirus is a “hoax” anyway, since that’s the terminology Trump used at a recent rally.
Asked about Trump’s behavior, Fauci told host Jonathan Karl, in reference to greeting some way other than a handshake:
‘I’m working on getting the boss to do this. I may not be successful, but I’m working on it… Sometimes there are things you have to do — if I didn’t put the microphone down, you would’ve seen the microphone in front of my face like that… I’m practicing as much social distancing as I possibly can. I don’t go out — I have a job that’s a 19 hour a day job, I have no interest in going to the movies, to restaurants, or to getting on a plane.’
“I’m working on getting the boss to do this,” Dr. Anthony Fauci tells @jonkarl, making an elbow knocking motion, when asked about President Trump continuing to shake hands amid coronavirus threat. “I may not be successful, but we’re working on it.” https://t.co/b3vhObQa4c pic.twitter.com/TmOxsn6MxD — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) March 15, 2020
The thing is — quite recently, Trump himself was encouraging listeners that in some cases where they might have the Coronavirus, they could still go into work anyway! But, that’s not true. The virus is highly communicable, and it’s especially threatening to plenty of physically vulnerable populations, even if many carriers might be fine. Trump so brazenly claimed otherwise during an appearance on Sean Hannity’s Fox News show, at which time he also claimed — among other things — that the World Health Organization’s then-documented fatality rate for the virus was wrong, on the basis of what he called a “hunch.”
This weekend, Fauci also addressed some of those broader issues. He joined the chorus of those calling on people to limit their social interactions in an attempt to stop the Coronavirus spread. That idea has sparked closures across the country. Fauci commented:
‘What we should be doing is absolutely making it much, much different, not making it business as usual — you gotta just chill down. Some areas of the country, particularly the areas where it’s clear you’re having a lot of community spread, may be more vigorous in shutting things down… We don’t want to lose sight of the fact that when you’re doing that interpersonal interaction that you’re trying to calm down… we gotta make sure that the vulnerable ones are the ones we protect… the elderly and those with underlying conditions.’
Watch:
Dr. Anthony Fauci says it can’t be “business as usual” amid coronavirus threat and you need to "chill down" social interactions. “We gotta make sure that the vulnerable ones are the ones we protect — the elderly and those with underlying conditions.” https://t.co/YJ2h02tqtA pic.twitter.com/BUKIC8AzWs — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) March 15, 2020
Fauci has directly contradicted the Trump administration before, although he’s hardly a partisan. At a recent Congressional hearing, he acknowledged, for instance, that the state of Coronavirus testing in the U.S. was a “failing.” Currently, the U.S. is at just over 3,000 confimed cases of the Coronavirus, with some 60 deaths.


bipartisanreport--2020-03-15--Trump’s Bizarre Message During Sunday Coronavirus Update

This Sunday , President Donald Trump made an appearance at the White House Coronavirus response team ’ s latest press conference , where he admonished observers to “ relax ” — although that may be a little difficult when he himself remains in charge following weeks of dragging his feet .
It wasn ’ t that long ago at all when he proclaimed that Coronavirus concern was supposedly a hoax — and now he ’ s pompously insisting that people should “ relax ” as if he himself isn ’ t giving observers plenty of reasons to do the exact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the context of reported rash purchases of large amounts of items off grocery store shelves around the country in possible anticipation of some kind of further lockdown on movement that may or may not ever actually happen , let alone warrant the sheer volume of purchases that some people have been making .
This Sunday , Trump had a conversation with some grocery chain executives about the issue .
At the press conference , he commented : Some observers joked that only now were they beginning to truly worry .
As journalist Molly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notes , Trump added that “ senior officials from firms such as Walmart had said people were buying three to five times the usual amount ” in a move “ comparable to Christmas , ” although again , there ’ s no particular reason that these rash purchases are actually necessary .
In fact , some have noted , the quicker that Americans help stem the spread of the Coronavirus through social distancing — in other words , the opposite of crowding into a packed grocery store — the quicker that people can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some officials have begun to roll out forced closures as the Coronavirus has spread across the U.S. All restaurants and bars in Ohio will soon be closing off their seating areas indefinitely , and in California , which was one of the first states with Coronavirus cases , the governor is calling for a similar closure of bars and nightclubs , along with urging elderly people , who are at a high risk from the virus , to mostly stay home altogether .
With increases in testing capacity and a simply continuing viral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases reported daily in the U.S. is continuing to climb and has hit about 3,500 overall .
There ’ ve been about 63 deaths in the country from the virus .
In response , the Trump administration has imposed steps like travel bans covering journeys to and from most of Europe , and there ’ s a new Coronavirus relief funding package awaiting Republican Senate action and the president ’ s presumed signature later this week .
That includes measures like unemployment insurance expansion , mandated paid sick leave for some workers , @ @ @

This Sunday, President Donald Trump made an appearance at the White House Coronavirus response team’s latest press conference, where he admonished observers to “relax” — although that may be a little difficult when he himself remains in charge following weeks of dragging his feet. It wasn’t that long ago at all when he proclaimed that Coronavirus concern was supposedly a hoax — and now he’s pompously insisting that people should “relax” as if he himself isn’t giving observers plenty of reasons to do the exact opposite.
He offered his comments in the context of reported rash purchases of large amounts of items off grocery store shelves around the country in possible anticipation of some kind of further lockdown on movement that may or may not ever actually happen, let alone warrant the sheer volume of purchases that some people have been making. This Sunday, Trump had a conversation with some grocery chain executives about the issue. At the press conference, he commented:
‘They’ve been there for 24 hours around the clock, keeping their stores stocked… Relax. You’re doing great. There’s no need for anybody in the country to hoard essential food supplies, they said to me. Have a nice dinner, relax. because there’s plenty. You don’t have to buy the quantities, because it’s hard to refill.’
After a phone call with more than two dozen grocery store and supply chain executives, Trump discourages buying groceries in bulk. He urges people to "relax" and says there's no need to hoard food supplies. — Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) March 15, 2020
Some observers joked that only now were they beginning to truly worry. As journalist Molly Jong-Fast put it:
‘The president said, “just relax” and that “we’re all doing great.” I’ve never been more convinced we’re doomed.’
The president said, “just relax” and that “we’re all doing great.” I’ve never been more convinced we’re doomed. — Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) March 15, 2020
Others also disagreed.
Trump’s message is the opposite of Fauci’s. Look st the quotes pic.twitter.com/SXmwoj6QMc — Frida Ghitis (@FridaGhitis) March 15, 2020
As The Independent notes, Trump added that “senior officials from firms such as Walmart had said people were buying three to five times the usual amount” in a move “comparable to Christmas,” although again, there’s no particular reason that these rash purchases are actually necessary. In fact, some have noted, the quicker that Americans help stem the spread of the Coronavirus through social distancing — in other words, the opposite of crowding into a packed grocery store — the quicker that people can get back to their normal lives.
Some officials have begun to roll out forced closures as the Coronavirus has spread across the U.S. All restaurants and bars in Ohio will soon be closing off their seating areas indefinitely, and in California, which was one of the first states with Coronavirus cases, the governor is calling for a similar closure of bars and nightclubs, along with urging elderly people, who are at a high risk from the virus, to mostly stay home altogether.
With increases in testing capacity and a simply continuing viral spread in general, the number of cases reported daily in the U.S. is continuing to climb and has hit about 3,500 overall. There’ve been about 63 deaths in the country from the virus. In response, the Trump administration has imposed steps like travel bans covering journeys to and from most of Europe, and there’s a new Coronavirus relief funding package awaiting Republican Senate action and the president’s presumed signature later this week. That includes measures like unemployment insurance expansion, mandated paid sick leave for some workers, and more.