crooksandliars--2020-06-16--Is It Safe To Stay In A Hotel Yet?

Is It Safe To Stay In A Hotel Yet?

Elizabeth Marder , University of California , Davis and Paloma Beamer , University of Arizona After nearly three months of quarantine , millions of Americans are ready to travel – an overnight trip , a weekend getaway , a summer sojourn .
With states reopening , that ’ s now possible , with a caveat .
Before coronavirus , few people likely thought twice about staying in a hotel room , rental home or cabin in the woods .
But now , we have to factor in the potential for coronavirus exposure .
Even if you ’ re OK with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destination – plane , train or automobile – what about the risks of the destination spot itself ?
We are both exposure scientists .
One of us feels comfortable booking a “ no-contact ” stay ; the other still isn ’ t sure whether to take an overnight trip anytime soon .
But we agree on two things : Traveling these days brings increased risk , yet ways exist to minimize that risk .
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance is clear that travel heightens your chance of getting or spreading COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously .
Both the American Hotel & Lodging Association and Vacation Rental Management Association have released best practice guidelines and standards .
No matter what type of stay you ’ re planning , the primary concern is coming into close contact ( less than six feet ) with an infected person .
That probability is higher when you travel .
Keep in mind a person with COVID-19 can spread the virus before developing symptoms .
From the start , you must assume that everyone around you may be infected .
Including yourself .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern , but still something to consider .
We are learning more about the potential for infections from them , but we do know coronavirus has been detected on guest room surfaces .
Try to minimize your contact with surfaces – tabletops , chairs , bathroom sinks , duvet covers – that haven ’ t been cleaned or disinfected .
A further complication : The pattern and extent of COVID-19 can vary between communities , even in the same region .
Laws and public health guidelines vary as well , so make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s no way to make a stay 100 % safe , but there are certainly ways to make a stay safer .
Remember each lodging scenario is different ; for example , unlike hotels or rental homes , campgrounds typically have only shared bathrooms .
But wherever you may stay , start by checking out the establishment ’ s website , or call to ask what management is doing to reduce transmission risk .
Make sure to ask about : • Air quality .
Cleaning with approved products should be frequent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanitizing stations are available in common areas .
Engineering controls , like increasing air exchange or HEPA filters in the ventilation system , should be in place .
If that ’ s not the case , consider bringing a portable air purifier with a HEPA filter .
On the low-tech side : Can windows be opened for better air flow ?
A fan can help bring in more outdoor air and increase the mixing rate if used near an open window .
• Policies on masks and health screenings for guests and staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity to promote distance ?
That is , are they booking only every other room ?
And are they preventing one-night stays , which would bring in more people and therefore introduce more risk ?
Avoid lodgings with same-day turnovers .
Once you ’ ve determined the management is doing all it can , you need to do all you can to minimize exposure .
Wear a face covering and practice social distancing in common areas .
Minimize time in enclosed , less ventilated spaces , like elevators .
Avoid contact with “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the elevator call button , door handles , and dining tables and chairs ; they are less likely to have been disinfected between each individual ’ s touch .
Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after spending time in common areas .
If gyms and pools are open , remember to social distance , wear your mask , and wipe down equipment before and after use .
Use plastic zip bags for personal items that others may handle .
That includes your driver ’ s license , credit card and key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things in after you disinfect them .
Handle your own luggage , or arrange for no-contact delivery .
Disinfect surfaces following CDC guidance .
If housekeeping is available , opt out .
Request that decorative pillows and duvet covers be removed before your arrival .
Lowest-risk options for dining : bring your own food or do room service or no-contact delivery .
Outdoor dining can be a reasonable option , but if you dine inside , make sure there ’ s reasonable ventilation and adequately spaced tables .
Bring enough masks or face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detergent to wash between uses .
You ’ ll also need hand sanitizer or hand wipes , a surface disinfectant , paper towels and disposable disinfectant wipes .
All this helps , but remember : Even doing everything on this substantial list still may not eliminate your chance of getting the virus .
The bottom line is , we don ’ t recommend nonessential travel for everyone right now .
You may need a vacation , but COVID-19 never takes one .
[ Get facts about coronavirus and the latest research .
Sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ]
Elizabeth Marder , Instructor , Department of Environmental Toxicology , University of California , Davis and Paloma Beamer , Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences , University of Arizona This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

Elizabeth Marder, University of California, Davis and Paloma Beamer, University of Arizona
After nearly three months of quarantine, millions of Americans are ready to travel – an overnight trip, a weekend getaway, a summer sojourn. With states reopening, that’s now possible, with a caveat. Before coronavirus, few people likely thought twice about staying in a hotel room, rental home or cabin in the woods. But now, we have to factor in the potential for coronavirus exposure. Even if you’re OK with the travel risks taking you to your destination – plane, train or automobile – what about the risks of the destination spot itself?
We are both exposure scientists. One of us feels comfortable booking a “no-contact” stay; the other still isn’t sure whether to take an overnight trip anytime soon. But we agree on two things: Traveling these days brings increased risk, yet ways exist to minimize that risk.
Getty Images / PeopleImages
The issues
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance is clear that travel heightens your chance of getting or spreading COVID-19. The travel industry is taking this seriously. Both the American Hotel & Lodging Association and Vacation Rental Management Association have released best practice guidelines and standards.
No matter what type of stay you’re planning, the primary concern is coming into close contact (less than six feet) with an infected person. That probability is higher when you travel. Keep in mind a person with COVID-19 can spread the virus before developing symptoms. From the start, you must assume that everyone around you may be infected. Including yourself.
Contact with contaminated surfaces is of less concern, but still something to consider. We are learning more about the potential for infections from them, but we do know coronavirus has been detected on guest room surfaces. Try to minimize your contact with surfaces – tabletops, chairs, bathroom sinks, duvet covers – that haven’t been cleaned or disinfected.
A further complication: The pattern and extent of COVID-19 can vary between communities, even in the same region. Laws and public health guidelines vary as well, so make sure you check for updates before traveling.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images
Before you book
There’s no way to make a stay 100% safe, but there are certainly ways to make a stay safer. Remember each lodging scenario is different; for example, unlike hotels or rental homes, campgrounds typically have only shared bathrooms. But wherever you may stay, start by checking out the establishment’s website, or call to ask what management is doing to reduce transmission risk.
Make sure to ask about:
Air quality. Cleaning with approved products should be frequent. Ask if hand washing or hand sanitizing stations are available in common areas. Engineering controls, like increasing air exchange or HEPA filters in the ventilation system, should be in place. If that’s not the case, consider bringing a portable air purifier with a HEPA filter. On the low-tech side: Can windows be opened for better air flow? A fan can help bring in more outdoor air and increase the mixing rate if used near an open window.
No-contact options, like digital keys.
Policies on masks and health screenings for guests and staff.
Is the rental business limiting capacity to promote distance? That is, are they booking only every other room? And are they preventing one-night stays, which would bring in more people and therefore introduce more risk? Avoid lodgings with same-day turnovers.
Strategies for a safer stay
Once you’ve determined the management is doing all it can, you need to do all you can to minimize exposure. Wear a face covering and practice social distancing in common areas. Minimize time in enclosed, less ventilated spaces, like elevators. Avoid contact with “high-touch” surfaces in shared spaces, like the elevator call button, door handles, and dining tables and chairs; they are less likely to have been disinfected between each individual’s touch. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after spending time in common areas. If gyms and pools are open, remember to social distance, wear your mask, and wipe down equipment before and after use.
Use plastic zip bags for personal items that others may handle. That includes your driver’s license, credit card and key. Bring extra bags to put these things in after you disinfect them. Handle your own luggage, or arrange for no-contact delivery.
Disinfect surfaces following CDC guidance. If housekeeping is available, opt out. Request that decorative pillows and duvet covers be removed before your arrival.
Lowest-risk options for dining: bring your own food or do room service or no-contact delivery. Outdoor dining can be a reasonable option, but if you dine inside, make sure there’s reasonable ventilation and adequately spaced tables.
Bring enough masks or face coverings for each day, or bring detergent to wash between uses. You’ll also need hand sanitizer or hand wipes, a surface disinfectant, paper towels and disposable disinfectant wipes.
All this helps, but remember: Even doing everything on this substantial list still may not eliminate your chance of getting the virus. The bottom line is, we don’t recommend nonessential travel for everyone right now. You may need a vacation, but COVID-19 never takes one.
[Get facts about coronavirus and the latest research. Sign up for The Conversation’s newsletter.]
Elizabeth Marder, Instructor, Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis and Paloma Beamer, Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Arizona
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Open thread below...


crooksandliars--2020-06-16--Woman & 15 Friends All Test Positive After Night Out At Jacksonville Bar

Gov .
Ron DeSantis opened Florida to phase 2 of reopening on June 3 , allowing bars , movie theaters , off-track betting spaces , and other places to reopen .
We 're now beginning to see the folly of that decision , as Florida recorded its highest numbers of cases of COVID-19 today .
As for this incident , the fact that several other bars in the Jacksonville area have shown to be infection hotspots and also had to be shut down after reopening , the fact that fewer people are wearing masks in Florida , and the fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , should give everyone pause .
The only bright spot in all this gross stupidity is that the Republican National Convention will be held in Jacksonville later this summer and that the same non-existent simple precautions wo n't be used there either .
Here 's hoping everyone who attends gets sick .
Erika Crisp has been short of breath for several days and has tested positive for COVID-19 .
So have more than a dozen of her friends .
The one thing they all had in common : a night out at Lynch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jacksonville Beach .
Crisp , a 40-year-old health care worker from Jacksonville , said she ’ s been sick for eight days , and 15 of her friends have also tested positive for COVID-19 .
Lynch ’ s learned some of its customers had tested positive for coronavirus after visiting the pub and the general manager opted to shut down voluntarily over the weekend for a deep cleaning .
Crisp said she and her friends had been careful with social distancing and had stayed indoors for months “ doing everything the right way.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we go out , Murphy ’ s Law , I guess , ” Crisp said .
“ The only thing we have in common is that one night at that one bar .
”

Gov. Ron DeSantis opened Florida to phase 2 of reopening on June 3, allowing bars, movie theaters, off-track betting spaces, and other places to reopen. We're now beginning to see the folly of that decision, as Florida recorded its highest numbers of cases of COVID-19 today.
As for this incident, the fact that several other bars in the Jacksonville area have shown to be infection hotspots and also had to be shut down after reopening, the fact that fewer people are wearing masks in Florida, and the fact that for some social-distancing is now non-existent, should give everyone pause.
The only bright spot in all this gross stupidity is that the Republican National Convention will be held in Jacksonville later this summer and that the same non-existent simple precautions won't be used there either. Here's hoping everyone who attends gets sick.
Source: News4, Jacksonville
Erika Crisp has been short of breath for several days and has tested positive for COVID-19. So have more than a dozen of her friends. The one thing they all had in common: a night out at Lynch's Irish Pub on June 6 in Jacksonville Beach. Crisp, a 40-year-old health care worker from Jacksonville, said she’s been sick for eight days, and 15 of her friends have also tested positive for COVID-19. Lynch’s learned some of its customers had tested positive for coronavirus after visiting the pub and the general manager opted to shut down voluntarily over the weekend for a deep cleaning. Crisp said she and her friends had been careful with social distancing and had stayed indoors for months “doing everything the right way.” “And then the first night we go out, Murphy’s Law, I guess,” Crisp said. “The only thing we have in common is that one night at that one bar.”


crooksandliars--2020-06-16--Chris Wallace Gives Fox News Cohost Dose Of Reality On Dangers Of MAGA Rallies

I do n't consider Chris Wallace a journalist , and I do n't consider Fox a `` news '' channel , but as far as Trump 's propaganda network goes , Wallace is one one the better ones on there who regularly raises the ire of our so-called president , and this Monday was no exception when Wallace was the `` One Lucky Guy '' on one of their daytime panel shows , Outnumbered .
Wallace and his fellow cohost and token liberal , former State Department spokesperson , Marie Harf did a nice job of taking another Fox regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hemmingway , when she made the ridiculous assertion that public health officials and journalists have not expressed concern over the potential spread of the coronavirus due to these protests taking place in cities all across the country .
Sadly for Hemmingway , Wallace had one of those health experts on his show the previous day talking about that very subject , and he was n't about to allow her to minimize the dangers that these MAGA rallies pose to the health and safety of the people attending them , and anyone unfortunate enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks following the rallies .
Harris Faulkner started things off asking Wallace about the spike in cases in Oklahoma , where Trump plans to hold his first rally this week , and has asked those participating to sign waivers not to sue .
FAULKNER : Reuters is reporting Oklahoma saw a record spike in coronavirus cases over the past several weeks , and tells us top health officials is not urging the campaign to postpone the rally .
Saying this .
`` I 'm concerned about our ability to protect anyone who attends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm also concerned about our ability to ensure the president stays safe as well . ''
Chris Wallace , I come to you on this .
These events are not going to be small , just if we look at how they have been in the past .
Even with social distancing , is this a problem for the White House ?
WALLACE : : Well , there are two points I want to make here , that you had in your intro .
In terms of enthusiasm , and he saw it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 800,000 people trying to get into this rally , the president does in fact have a huge advantage when it comes to enthusiasm over Joe Biden .
In a Washington Post poll over the weekend , 53 % of Trump supporter said they were very enthusiastic about voting for the president .
Only 24 % , less than half as many Biden supporters , said they were enthusiastic about voting for Joe Biden .
So the president clearly has an advantage there .
Now we get to the rally .
It 's going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19,000 people .
I 'm sure it 'll be filled to the rafters , because the president does have enthusiastic support .
WALLACE : And every health official I 've heard from his putting up a huge red flag about this .
You 've got Bruce Dart , the top health official in Tulsa saying that we ca n't protect people .
You know that it 's dangerous , because the campaign and the people in Tulsa are saying anybody who goes in is going to have to sign a waiver that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID .
And on Sunday , yesterday , on Fox News Sunday , we had Dr. Bruce Osterholm , one of the top of top epidemiologists of University of Minnesota , one of the top experts in the country , he said , `` I would not allow a member of my family go to an event like that .
We have 20,000 people in a close space , many of them without masks , shouting , which is a way to project the virus . ''
I just do n't understand it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get out ...
When Harris tried to interrupt and go to Mollie Hemmingway , Wallace insisted on finishing his point : WALLACE : Can i just say this quickly ?
Harris , it 's one thing to social distance , to have masks on , to be in not big groups .
It 's a different thing to have 20,000 people in a closed arena , most of them shouting without masks .
Harris then asked Hemmingway the same question , whether this presents a problem for the White House , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give Trump his out for endangering the health of his constituents .
HEMMINGWAY : The way I look at this is we 've had weeks upon weeks of large massive protests in the cities throughout the country , really can be viewed in some ways is anti-lockdown protests in addition to their political aims aims .
And we had pretty much everybody in the media and all public health officials being like , `` yeah , that 's fine . ''
They lost their credibility in doing that if they wanted to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can say , `` oh , people wo n't wear masks , or it 's indoors , '' or whatnot , but I do n't think those arguments are as persuasive to people who are still being subjected to lockdowns in many states , or shutdowns .
They ca n't go to funerals of their loved ones , their kids ca n't play on playgrounds , but they are looking around and just seeing tens of thousands of people day after day in cities across the country with public health officials cheering it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just been a complete loss of credibility when it comes to our government officials , our public health officials , and our media and terms of how they treat gatherings by people based on whether they share the political motivation of the people involved .
FAULKNER : Marie , I want to give a chance to respond to that .
I 've seen the media take their focus off of the pandemic to cover the protests , but I 've yet to see a single health official say that there are n't dangers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or try to minimize the fact that people are putting their lives and health at risk by choosing to participate .
To his credit , Wallace interrupted and made the same point as well , with an assist by Marie Harf who whacked Trump for wanting to pretend that the pandemic is over , despite the fact that cases are rising in states all across the country : WALLACE : First of all , a lot of public health officials were very much opposed to the protests .
They were a bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , we do n't know the impact they are going to have , because incubation period back is two weeks .
So let 's wait and see .
A week from now.. you know there are 14 states -- FRANCIS : Nobody 's being forced to go anywhere or do any of this .
WALLACE : – that have seen on increase in the coronavirus , and this is something to be very concerned about .
HARF : And Harris , the president wants to pretend like – FAULKNER : We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so we will start to see what this testing results are like .
If people actually get tested , if they choose to do that .
Marie ?
HARF : Yeah , I 'm sorry , Harris .
I did n't mean to step on your toes there .
The president wants to pretend like coronavirus is no longer a threat .
And we see in numerous states , including Oklahoma , that the numbers are rising .
They 've had the highest rates of infection over the past few days ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The president wants to pretend like we won this battle , and we have n't , and this is his demonstration of that .
But if people come away from this rally sick , when you have health officials pleading with him not to have this rally , it is indicative of the fact that he wants to move on .
He wants to talk about anything else , and unfortunately the virus has a mind of its own .
And we ca n't .
FAULKNER : I 'm going to move on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say , we 'll have to leave it there .
Time to change the subject when a couple of them go off script .
We 'll see how enthusiastic his supporters are if these rallies start filling up emergency rooms around the country .
They 'll try to lie about it and hide the numbers like they 're doing in Florida , but if it gets bad enough , there 's a breaking point where their dangerous games do n't work any more .

I don't consider Chris Wallace a journalist, and I don't consider Fox a "news" channel, but as far as Trump's propaganda network goes, Wallace is one one the better ones on there who regularly raises the ire of our so-called president, and this Monday was no exception when Wallace was the "One Lucky Guy" on one of their daytime panel shows, Outnumbered.
Wallace and his fellow cohost and token liberal, former State Department spokesperson, Marie Harf did a nice job of taking another Fox regular and contributor at The Federalist, Mollie Hemmingway, when she made the ridiculous assertion that public health officials and journalists have not expressed concern over the potential spread of the coronavirus due to these protests taking place in cities all across the country.
Sadly for Hemmingway, Wallace had one of those health experts on his show the previous day talking about that very subject, and he wasn't about to allow her to minimize the dangers that these MAGA rallies pose to the health and safety of the people attending them, and anyone unfortunate enough to be exposed to them in the weeks following the rallies.
Harris Faulkner started things off asking Wallace about the spike in cases in Oklahoma, where Trump plans to hold his first rally this week, and has asked those participating to sign waivers not to sue.
FAULKNER: Reuters is reporting Oklahoma saw a record spike in coronavirus cases over the past several weeks, and tells us top health officials is not urging the campaign to postpone the rally. Saying this. "I'm concerned about our ability to protect anyone who attends a large indoor event, and I'm also concerned about our ability to ensure the president stays safe as well." Chris Wallace, I come to you on this. These events are not going to be small, just if we look at how they have been in the past. Even with social distancing, is this a problem for the White House? WALLACE: :Well, there are two points I want to make here, that you had in your intro. In terms of enthusiasm, and he saw it with the huge fund-raising and deceit with 800,000 people trying to get into this rally, the president does in fact have a huge advantage when it comes to enthusiasm over Joe Biden. In a Washington Post poll over the weekend, 53% of Trump supporter said they were very enthusiastic about voting for the president. Only 24%, less than half as many Biden supporters, said they were enthusiastic about voting for Joe Biden. So the president clearly has an advantage there. Now we get to the rally. It's going to be in an indoor arena, 19,000 people. I'm sure it'll be filled to the rafters, because the president does have enthusiastic support. FAULKNER: Yes, he does. WALLACE: And every health official I've heard from his putting up a huge red flag about this. You've got Bruce Dart, the top health official in Tulsa saying that we can't protect people. You know that it's dangerous, because the campaign and the people in Tulsa are saying anybody who goes in is going to have to sign a waiver that they can't sue us if they get COVID. And on Sunday, yesterday, on Fox News Sunday, we had Dr. Bruce Osterholm, one of the top of top epidemiologists of University of Minnesota, one of the top experts in the country, he said, "I would not allow a member of my family go to an event like that. We have 20,000 people in a close space, many of them without masks, shouting, which is a way to project the virus." I just don't understand it. I understand the president wanting to get out...
When Harris tried to interrupt and go to Mollie Hemmingway, Wallace insisted on finishing his point:
WALLACE: Can i just say this quickly? Harris, it's one thing to social distance, to have masks on, to be in not big groups. It's a different thing to have 20,000 people in a closed arena, most of them shouting without masks.
Harris then asked Hemmingway the same question, whether this presents a problem for the White House, and that's when Hemmingway did her best to give Trump his out for endangering the health of his constituents.
HEMMINGWAY: The way I look at this is we've had weeks upon weeks of large massive protests in the cities throughout the country, really can be viewed in some ways is anti-lockdown protests in addition to their political aims aims. And we had pretty much everybody in the media and all public health officials being like, "yeah, that's fine." They lost their credibility in doing that if they wanted to keep events like this from happening. You can say, "oh, people won't wear masks, or it's indoors," or whatnot, but I don't think those arguments are as persuasive to people who are still being subjected to lockdowns in many states, or shutdowns. They can't go to funerals of their loved ones, their kids can't play on playgrounds, but they are looking around and just seeing tens of thousands of people day after day in cities across the country with public health officials cheering it on. And again, there's just been a complete loss of credibility when it comes to our government officials, our public health officials, and our media and terms of how they treat gatherings by people based on whether they share the political motivation of the people involved. FAULKNER: Marie, I want to give a chance to respond to that.
I've seen the media take their focus off of the pandemic to cover the protests, but I've yet to see a single health official say that there aren't dangers there for the people on the streets, or try to minimize the fact that people are putting their lives and health at risk by choosing to participate.
To his credit, Wallace interrupted and made the same point as well, with an assist by Marie Harf who whacked Trump for wanting to pretend that the pandemic is over, despite the fact that cases are rising in states all across the country:
WALLACE: First of all, a lot of public health officials were very much opposed to the protests. They were a bad idea in terms of public health, and, we don't know the impact they are going to have, because incubation period back is two weeks. So let's wait and see. A week from now.. you know there are 14 states --
FRANCIS: Nobody's being forced to go anywhere or do any of this. WALLACE: – that have seen on increase in the coronavirus, and this is something to be very concerned about. HARF: And Harris, the president wants to pretend like – FAULKNER: We are better than two weeks into this process, so we will start to see what this testing results are like. If people actually get tested, if they choose to do that. Marie? HARF: Yeah, I'm sorry, Harris. I didn't mean to step on your toes there. The president wants to pretend like coronavirus is no longer a threat. And we see in numerous states, including Oklahoma, that the numbers are rising. They've had the highest rates of infection over the past few days... Oklahoma, Arizona, South Carolina. The president wants to pretend like we won this battle, and we haven't, and this is his demonstration of that. But if people come away from this rally sick, when you have health officials pleading with him not to have this rally, it is indicative of the fact that he wants to move on. He wants to talk about anything else, and unfortunately the virus has a mind of its own. And we can't. FAULKNER: I'm going to move on myself.
Or as Chuck Todd would say, we'll have to leave it there. Time to change the subject when a couple of them go off script.
We'll see how enthusiastic his supporters are if these rallies start filling up emergency rooms around the country. They'll try to lie about it and hide the numbers like they're doing in Florida, but if it gets bad enough, there's a breaking point where their dangerous games don't work any more.


crooksandliars--2020-05-13--Virologist Joseph Fair Hospitalized With COVID-19

No one is immune .
Prominent U.S. virologist Joseph Fair has fallen sick with the coronavirus , he said Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ , also a contributor for NBC News , has been hospitalized and said he was @ @ @ @ @ woods yet , '' as he urged Americans to continue social distancing .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ still managed to contract it .
Back as soon as I ’ m able , @ @ @ @ @ '' he tweeted .

No one is immune.
Source: NBC News
Prominent U.S. virologist Joseph Fair has fallen sick with the coronavirus, he said Wednesday on Twitter.
The scientist, also a contributor for NBC News, has been hospitalized and said he was "not out of the woods yet," as he urged Americans to continue social distancing.
"I used max precautions, but still managed to contract it. Back as soon as I’m able, friends. #StaySafe," he tweeted.


crooksandliars--2020-03-11--Tomi Lahren Puts Stepping On Heroin Needle Above COVID-19

Like all Fox outlets , the conservative propaganda pay-for-view outlet considers California ( home , they claim , of Trump 's ENTIRE popular vote defeat ) as an apocalyptic hellscape of nothing but homeless heroin addicts pooping on the street .
It 's also the home of Tomi Lahren , a Fox Nation headliner .
So Tomi has to pretend that being a Cali girl means dodging drug needles on the street 24-7 .
And it 's HER JOB to play down Donald Trump 's failure to do any of his job .
But Tomi is a trooper .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her fave hair extensions and gets to work !
Transcript via Media Matters : TOMI LAHREN ( HOST ) : Look , I do n't want to get coronavirus any more than the next guy , but where is the hysteria over the California business-as-usual homeless epidemic , complete with your standard trash , rats , needles and feces on our streets and beaches .
I mean , Californians , let 's put this in perspective , shall we ?
It 's time for Final Thoughts .
China is ground zero for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Californians are acting , you 'd think Armageddon was coming .
For starters , we 've got 21 confirmed coronavirus cases on a cruise ship docked in Oakland Harbor , on which quarantined passengers are reportedly fighting over rotten food .
Now , I 'm not saying that does n't sound absolutely miserable , and I 'm definitely not saying those passenger should be allowed to mingle with the general public , but goodness gracious , when did Californians suddenly become concerned with vetting anyone for any reason ?
I mean , last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at our southern border , people from God knows where here for God knows what reason , but I believe our illustrious governor greasy called that a `` manufactured crisis , '' am I right ?
But now , the sky is falling because we have a few dozen cases of coronavirus on a cruise ship ?
And now we have a shortage of masks , we have toilet paper , hand sanitizer and cleaning products flying off the shelves as people prepare for impending doom .
Did y'all not wash your hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it took a coronavirus outbreak to motivate people to practice basic hygiene .
My goodness .
Oh , and P.S.
, Californians -- if you 're worried about hygiene , health and sanitation , I would n't leave your doorstep given the fact we have much , much bigger issues with cleanliness all across this wonderful state .
We have n't always had a toilet paper shortage in the Golden State , but you 'd think so , given the fact we have a rather serious issue with public defecation .
And call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more concerned with stepping on a used heroin needle than I am getting the coronavirus , but maybe that 's just me .
Yeah , I do think we have far bigger problems in this state than a docked cruise ship and some coronavirus .

Fox Nation has a conflict.
Like all Fox outlets, the conservative propaganda pay-for-view outlet considers California (home, they claim, of Trump's ENTIRE popular vote defeat) as an apocalyptic hellscape of nothing but homeless heroin addicts pooping on the street.
It's also the home of Tomi Lahren, a Fox Nation headliner.
So Tomi has to pretend that being a Cali girl means dodging drug needles on the street 24-7. And it's HER JOB to play down Donald Trump's failure to do any of his job.
But Tomi is a trooper. She dons a metallic zebra tube top, her fave hair extensions and gets to work! Transcript via Media Matters:
TOMI LAHREN (HOST): Look, I don't want to get coronavirus any more than the next guy, but where is the hysteria over the California business-as-usual homeless epidemic, complete with your standard trash, rats, needles and feces on our streets and beaches. I mean, Californians, let's put this in perspective, shall we? It's time for Final Thoughts. China is ground zero for the coronavirus epidemic, but with the way Californians are acting, you'd think Armageddon was coming. For starters, we've got 21 confirmed coronavirus cases on a cruise ship docked in Oakland Harbor, on which quarantined passengers are reportedly fighting over rotten food. Now, I'm not saying that doesn't sound absolutely miserable, and I'm definitely not saying those passenger should be allowed to mingle with the general public, but goodness gracious, when did Californians suddenly become concerned with vetting anyone for any reason? I mean, last Spring we averaged 100,000 apprehensions a month at our southern border, people from God knows where here for God knows what reason, but I believe our illustrious governor greasy called that a "manufactured crisis," am I right? ... But now, the sky is falling because we have a few dozen cases of coronavirus on a cruise ship? And now we have a shortage of masks, we have toilet paper, hand sanitizer and cleaning products flying off the shelves as people prepare for impending doom. Did y'all not wash your hands before? I'm actually rather disturbed it took a coronavirus outbreak to motivate people to practice basic hygiene. My goodness. Oh, and P.S., Californians -- if you're worried about hygiene, health and sanitation, I wouldn't leave your doorstep given the fact we have much, much bigger issues with cleanliness all across this wonderful state. We haven't always had a toilet paper shortage in the Golden State, but you'd think so, given the fact we have a rather serious issue with public defecation. And call me crazy, but I am far more concerned with stepping on a used heroin needle than I am getting the coronavirus, but maybe that's just me. Yeah, I do think we have far bigger problems in this state than a docked cruise ship and some coronavirus.


crooksandliars--2020-03-12--Stable Genius Responds To Serious Question: 'That's CNN, Fake News'

Donald Trump continues to be a failure of a human being and an even worse President* .
His ability to @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic has been pathetic , weak and delusional .
While schools , religious centers @ @ @ @ @ worldwide , Trump continues to say `` everything is fine '' to the public .
@ @ @ @ @ Acosta had a chance to ask Donald Trump a question .
Trump had a totally @ @ @ @ @ Kidding .
CNN 's Jim Acosta : `` What do you say to Americans who @ @ @ @ @ not taking this seriously enough and that some of your statements do n't match what @ @ @ @ @ ? ''

Donald Trump continues to be a failure of a human being and an even worse President*. His ability to manage the response to the coronavirus pandemic has been pathetic, weak and delusional. While schools, religious centers and sports arenas shutting down worldwide, Trump continues to say "everything is fine" to the public.
On Wednesday afternoon, Jim Acosta had a chance to ask Donald Trump a question. Trump had a totally logical and serious response. Kidding.
CNN's Jim Acosta: "What do you say to Americans who are concerned that you're not taking this seriously enough and that some of your statements don't match what your health experts are saying?" President Trump: "That’s CNN. Fake news."
CNN's Jim Acosta: "What do you say to Americans who are concerned that you're not taking this seriously enough and that some of your statements don't match what your health experts are saying?"
President Trump: "That’s CNN. Fake news." pic.twitter.com/c9T3ZhRIcP — Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) March 11, 2020
Twitter responded to Trump's ridiculous and nasty attitude:


crooksandliars--2020-06-23--MSNBC Reporter Can't Get A Straight Answer Why Phoenix Trump Fans Won't Wear Masks

Trump 's rally in Phoenix has the cultists lined up faithfully for hours .
When asked by an MSNBC reporter why they refused to wear a mask , despite Phoenix being one of the hotter spots in the country right now for the outbreak , the same childish replies came back .
Vaughn Hillyard was in Phoenix on Tuesday to cover the crowds that lined up for Trump ’ s event later in the day .
Arizona has seen a particularly acute spike in Covid-19 cases this week , and Trump ’ s event there comes days after his under-attended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As Hillyard reported on the health hazards at the Arizona event , he was heckled by a number of Trump supporters , and he eventually moved to ask them questions about why they aren ’ t wearing masks .
“ It ’ s not about the mask , ” one supporter told him .
“ It ’ s about the hypocrisy that it ’ s okay for tens of thousands of people to go and riot , to go and protest , but you can not have a group of a group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know how many people are here , this is not okay ?
” ... After some more dialogue , a heckler was heard saying , “ You talkin ’ about that Covid-1984 bullsh*t ?
” That prompted Hillyard to throw the broadcast back to Craig Melvin .

Trump's rally in Phoenix has the cultists lined up faithfully for hours. When asked by an MSNBC reporter why they refused to wear a mask, despite Phoenix being one of the hotter spots in the country right now for the outbreak, the same childish replies came back.
Source: Mediaite
Vaughn Hillyard was in Phoenix on Tuesday to cover the crowds that lined up for Trump’s event later in the day. Arizona has seen a particularly acute spike in Covid-19 cases this week, and Trump’s event there comes days after his under-attended rally in Tulsa that reportedly enraged him.
As Hillyard reported on the health hazards at the Arizona event, he was heckled by a number of Trump supporters, and he eventually moved to ask them questions about why they aren’t wearing masks.
“It’s not about the mask,” one supporter told him. “It’s about the hypocrisy that it’s okay for tens of thousands of people to go and riot, to go and protest, but you cannot have a group of a group of a thousand people… I don’t know how many people are here, this is not okay?”
...
After some more dialogue, a heckler was heard saying, “You talkin’ about that Covid-1984 bullsh*t?” That prompted Hillyard to throw the broadcast back to Craig Melvin.


crooksandliars--2020-03-31--CNN's Chris Cuomo Tests Positive For Coronavirus

His brother , Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York , took the opportunity to talk about his brother ( who , he assured his press conference , would be `` fine . ''
) He also said that this virus is `` the great equalizer '' and that the Cuomo family had not been using good practices when it comes to protecting their mother , Matilda Cuomo .
Mrs. Cuomo has visited the Chris Cuomo house since the pandemic began .
GOV .
ANDREW CUOMO : ...
Mom is lonely and she does not want to be in the house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apartment .
I feel bad but you bring her to your house , you expose her to a lot of things .
you have the kids there and wife there and you are coming and going and your wife is coming and going .
And , you can expose mom to the virus .
a=And , the law sometimes needs to be a little smarter and reactive .
We had a whole discussion and he 's informed and I am informed .
Was it dangerous or was it not dangerous ?
We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
how does this work ?
That 's when I came up with Matilda 's Law .
We wish Chris Cuomo and all who are infected with this horrific virus a speedy recovery .

Chris Cuomo has tested positive for Coronavirus.
His brother, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York, took the opportunity to talk about his brother (who, he assured his press conference, would be "fine.") He also said that this virus is "the great equalizer" and that the Cuomo family had not been using good practices when it comes to protecting their mother, Matilda Cuomo. Mrs. Cuomo has visited the Chris Cuomo house since the pandemic began.
GOV. ANDREW CUOMO: ...Mom is lonely and she does not want to be in the house and she's cooped up in the apartment. I feel bad but you bring her to your house, you expose her to a lot of things. you have the kids there and wife there and you are coming and going and your wife is coming and going. And, you can expose mom to the virus. a=And, the law sometimes needs to be a little smarter and reactive. We had a whole discussion and he's informed and I am informed. Was it dangerous or was it not dangerous? We have to tell people what are the rules. how does this work? That's when I came up with Matilda's Law.
Matilda's Law - it takes personal discipline. And we all need to be on the same page. NY's new law #Cuomo #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/4vOFa9fOub — Hour-Zero (@hourzero) March 31, 2020
We wish Chris Cuomo and all who are infected with this horrific virus a speedy recovery.


crooksandliars--2020-03-31--Of Course Diamond And Silk Are Peddling Viral Disinformation

Diamond and Silk are more interested in grifting from gullible white people than in telling truth that might save lives .
Here they are promoting the lie told often on Fox in the past two months , that the pandemic is being inflated by mainstream media to hurt Donald Trump .
They do n't believe the numbers because numbers do n't grow that way .
( Diamond and Silk do n't understand the term , `` exponentially . ''
) Transcript via Media Matters : SILK : In a matter of two weeks , over 1,000 people supposedly died from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time period , over 1,000 people after being tested positive have died from the coronavirus .
But it took 39 days , from January all the way up to February the 29th I believe -- DIAMOND : For the first person .
SILK : For the first person to die .
Here 's another thing -- SILK : Here 's another thing .
My president said on March the 24th , Tuesday this past week , my president said that he would love for America to be back up and running .
DIAMOND @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen .
I knew after he said this this was going to happen .
Go ahead .
SILK : At the time he said it there was 25,489 cases with 307 deaths .
Instantaneously , you had the media calling President Trump out , he wanted open by Easter , he want this open by Easter - me and you was talking , I said now watch the number of deaths go up -- SILK : Watch everything increase because they wanted to make it look bad in front of our eyes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ IamShaneMorris about the origins of the Diamond and Silk grift :

Diamond and Silk are more interested in grifting from gullible white people than in telling truth that might save lives.
Here they are promoting the lie told often on Fox in the past two months, that the pandemic is being inflated by mainstream media to hurt Donald Trump.
They don't believe the numbers because numbers don't grow that way. (Diamond and Silk don't understand the term, "exponentially.") Transcript via Media Matters:
SILK: In a matter of two weeks, over 1,000 people supposedly died from the coronavirus. In a two weeks time period, over 1,000 people after being tested positive have died from the coronavirus. But it took 39 days, from January all the way up to February the 29th I believe -- DIAMOND: For the first person. SILK: For the first person to die. Here's another thing -- DIAMOND: Come on. SILK: Here's another thing. My president said on March the 24th, Tuesday this past week, my president said that he would love for America to be back up and running. DIAMOND: I knew this was going to happen. I knew after he said this this was going to happen. Go ahead. SILK: At the time he said it there was 25,489 cases with 307 deaths. Instantaneously, you had the media calling President Trump out, he wanted open by Easter, he want this open by Easter - me and you was talking, I said now watch the number of deaths go up -- DIAMOND: Right. SILK: Watch everything increase because they wanted to make it look bad in front of our eyes.
Recommended: This Twitter thread from @IamShaneMorris about the origins of the Diamond and Silk grift:


crooksandliars--2020-05-04--John Oliver Explains Why We Need More Testing To Get Out Of This Mess

John Oliver 's Last Week Tonight details exactly why we are so far behind in testing for coronavirus .
Via Deadline : He points out how badly we are in need of testing in order to open society — as nearly every public health official is pointing out .
“ There ’ s almost nothing more important than widespread effective testing , ” he said .
It is important in order for us to track and contain the spread — and testing is alarmingly scarce despite what Donald Trump says .
Many are calling the lack of testing “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Had testing caught the cases in this country early we could ’ ve managed the virus through contact tracing and targeted quarantine but that did not happen so the virus spread widely forcing us to use the blunt instrument of making everyone stay at home , ” said Oliver .
He adds that lack of testing goes to the “ very heart of how we got into this situation ” and “ the fact is that broad testing is the only safe way out.
” Oliver goes on to give us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for testing for the country , at a low estimate , is 500,000 a day .
A good target is 35 million a day .
The U.S. is currently at about 200,000 a day .
It is here where Oliver asks the question : “ What the fuck happened ?
” He then unpacks diagnostic tests and antibody tests .

John Oliver's Last Week Tonight details exactly why we are so far behind in testing for coronavirus. Via Deadline:
He points out how badly we are in need of testing in order to open society — as nearly every public health official is pointing out.
“There’s almost nothing more important than widespread effective testing,” he said. It is important in order for us to track and contain the spread — and testing is alarmingly scarce despite what Donald Trump says.
Many are calling the lack of testing “the original sin” of American pandemic failure. “Had testing caught the cases in this country early we could’ve managed the virus through contact tracing and targeted quarantine but that did not happen so the virus spread widely forcing us to use the blunt instrument of making everyone stay at home,” said Oliver.
He adds that lack of testing goes to the “very heart of how we got into this situation” and “the fact is that broad testing is the only safe way out.”
Oliver goes on to give us some startling figures. A good day for testing for the country, at a low estimate, is 500,000 a day. A good target is 35 million a day. The U.S. is currently at about 200,000 a day.
It is here where Oliver asks the question: “What the fuck happened?” He then unpacks diagnostic tests and antibody tests.


crooksandliars--2020-05-03--Gretchen Whitmer: Michigan Protests 'Depicted Some Of The Worst Racism And Awful Parts Of Our Histor

Gretchen Whitmer: Michigan Protests 'Depicted Some Of The Worst Racism And Awful Parts Of Our History'

Michigan 's Governor has earned herself widespread praise for her state 's response to the coronavirus .
But the last couple of weeks have seen a loud vocal minority try to intimidate her into opening Michigan back up prematurely .
Michigan has been hit harder than almost any area outside of New York City and the surrounding vicinity .
Whitmer is having none of their bullshit , and rightly sees her job as doing what 's best for public health .
Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ( D ) said protests inside the state capitol last week , featuring demonstrators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flags , depicted some of the “ worst racism and awful parts ” of the nation ’ s history .
“ Some of the outrageousness of what happened at our capitol depicted some of the worst racism and awful parts of our history in this country , ” she said Sunday on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union.
” “ The behavior you 've seen in all of the clips is not representative of who we are in Michigan , ” she added .
The protesters were demonstrating against Whitmer ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid the coronavirus pandemic in an effort to mitigate the spread of the potentially fatal virus .
President Trump tweeted Friday in defense of the protesters and said they are “ very good people.
” Yes , `` very good people '' .
Just like the Nazis in Charlotte , right ?
Speaking of Nazis , this is the type of signage those `` very good people '' were carrying around in Michigan while protesting Michigan 's stay-at-home orders .
Most people with even an ounce of common sense have seen these stay-at-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or at least safer than the knuckleheads carrying those type of signs and walking around out in public with their AR-15 's .
Jennifer Rubin , the conservative columnist for the Washington Post wrote a column this morning praising the Democratic Governor .
Whitmer has consistently displayed her toughness , courage and level-headedness in navigating the pandemic .
Her state is among the hardest hit , but she has neither panicked nor let transient public opinion push her one way or another .
She has put health and safety first , relied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rationale to the public and exhibited remarkable restraint in dealing with angry , thoughtless protesters who put others at risk .
( Perhaps she should have responded even more forcefully at the statehouse , but to her credit , she avoided a dangerous escalation between police and agitators . )
For showing poise under fire , fidelity to science and organizational prowess , we can say , well done , Gov .
Whitmer .

Michigan's Governor has earned herself widespread praise for her state's response to the coronavirus. But the last couple of weeks have seen a loud vocal minority try to intimidate her into opening Michigan back up prematurely. Michigan has been hit harder than almost any area outside of New York City and the surrounding vicinity. Whitmer is having none of their bullshit, and rightly sees her job as doing what's best for public health.
Source: The Hill
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) said protests inside the state capitol last week, featuring demonstrators with assault weapons, swastikas and Confederate flags, depicted some of the “worst racism and awful parts” of the nation’s history. “Some of the outrageousness of what happened at our capitol depicted some of the worst racism and awful parts of our history in this country,” she said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “The behavior you've seen in all of the clips is not representative of who we are in Michigan,” she added. The protesters were demonstrating against Whitmer’s statewide stay-at-home order put in place amid the coronavirus pandemic in an effort to mitigate the spread of the potentially fatal virus. President Trump tweeted Friday in defense of the protesters and said they are “very good people.”
Yes, "very good people". Just like the Nazis in Charlotte, right?
The Governor of Michigan should give a little, and put out the fire. These are very good people, but they are angry. They want their lives back again, safely! See them, talk to them, make a deal. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 1, 2020
Speaking of Nazis, this is the type of signage those "very good people" were carrying around in Michigan while protesting Michigan's stay-at-home orders.
Credit: Getty Images
Most people with even an ounce of common sense have seen these stay-at-home orders as essential to keeping people safe, or at least safer than the knuckleheads carrying those type of signs and walking around out in public with their AR-15's.
Jennifer Rubin, the conservative columnist for the Washington Post wrote a column this morning praising the Democratic Governor.


crooksandliars--2020-03-21--Dr. Joseph Fair: Trump Speaks To His 'Cult-like Followers' Instead Of All Americans

Dr. Fair did n't mince his words this morning with Ali Velshi .
The crisis in leadership in the United States fundamentally undermines our ability to deal with the very real threat of the Coronavirus , COVID-19 .
And in many ways , Trump is as much a threat as the virus itself because he 's spreading disinformation at this critical moment , making Americans more unsafe .
Fair 's saying Trump is speaking to his `` cult-like followers '' instead of being straight with the American public will no doubt raise ire of State Television .
And Fair showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without the proper equipment to fight this war .
Unconscionable , he called it .
On MSNBC Saturday , medical expert Dr. Joseph Fair suggested that President Donald Trump ’ s pressers themselves are putting America at risk — because he is misinforming the public and a number of his supporters will believe every word of his speeches .
“ We get conflicting messages between what ’ s happening on the ground versus what you see in a White House briefing , ” said Fair , speaking with host Ali Velshi .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , half of the people not taking this seriously because , you know , there are cult-like followers of every White House briefing , they take every word of that for truth.
” “ All you have to do is walk into a hospital to see that that is not the reality on the ground , and so you listen to your troops on the ground if you ’ re in a war , and we ’ re in a wartime situation with this disease , ” added Fair .
The entire segment @ @ @

Dr. Fair didn't mince his words this morning with Ali Velshi. The crisis in leadership in the United States fundamentally undermines our ability to deal with the very real threat of the Coronavirus, COVID-19. And in many ways, Trump is as much a threat as the virus itself because he's spreading disinformation at this critical moment, making Americans more unsafe.
Fair's saying Trump is speaking to his "cult-like followers" instead of being straight with the American public will no doubt raise ire of State Television. And Fair showed contempt for sending medical staff out there without the proper equipment to fight this war. Unconscionable, he called it.
Source: Raw Story
On MSNBC Saturday, medical expert Dr. Joseph Fair suggested that President Donald Trump’s pressers themselves are putting America at risk — because he is misinforming the public and a number of his supporters will believe every word of his speeches. “We get conflicting messages between what’s happening on the ground versus what you see in a White House briefing,” said Fair, speaking with host Ali Velshi. “And that leads to, you know, half of the people not taking this seriously because, you know, there are cult-like followers of every White House briefing, they take every word of that for truth.” “All you have to do is walk into a hospital to see that that is not the reality on the ground, and so you listen to your troops on the ground if you’re in a war, and we’re in a wartime situation with this disease,” added Fair.
The entire segment is below.


crooksandliars--2020-03-21--Why Aren't Social Media Companies Policing Pandemic Denialism?

After Vanessa Hudgens went live on Instagram on Monday , her comments about the coronavirus went viral — the bad kind of viral .
Presumably in response to a question about the outbreak lasting into the summer , Hudgens said , “ Yeah , til July sounds like a bunch of bulls— , I ’ m sorry .
It ’ s a virus , I get it .
I respect it.
” “ But at the same time , like , even if everybody gets it — like , yeah , people are gon na die .
Which is terrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t know , maybe I shouldn ’ t be doing this right now , ” she said with a laugh .
On Tuesday , Hudgens posted an Instagram story responding to the backlash ... .
“ Hey , guys , ” Hudgens said .
“ Yesterday I did an Instagram Live , and I realized today that some of my comments are being taken out of context .
It ’ s a crazy time .
It ’ s a crazy , crazy time !
And I am at home and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what I hope that ’ s what you guys are doing , too — in full quarantine !
And staying safe and sane .
Yeah , I don ’ t take this situation lightly by any means .
I am home .
So stay inside , y ’ all.
” Later on Twitter , she offered an actual apology , calling her comments “ insensitive , ” and saying the response has been “ a huge wake-up call.
” Hudgens is chastened .
These guys ?
Not so much : In a 27,000-member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support President Donald Trump , firefighters and paramedics have posted thousands of comments in recent weeks downplaying the coronavirus pandemic that they are responsible for helping to handle .
Posts in the group , which is called IAFF Union Firefighters for Trump and has been endorsed by Trump , scoffed at the seriousness of the virus , echoing false assertions by Trump and his allies comparing it to the seasonal flu .
“ Every election year has a disease , ” read one meme , purporting to be written on a doctor ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a viral-pneumonia being hyped as The Black Plague before an election.
” ... “ I believe this is all by design , ” wrote a Texas firefighter whose identity was corroborated by ProPublica .
“ Democrats have wanted to slow down and even kill the economy .
It ’ s the only hope they have of beating Trump .
Sad and disgusting the depths of shit the Democrats will descend to in order to gain power.
” ...
The group ’ s founder , Kelly Hallman , told ProPublica he doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he can understand why many emergency professionals share his skepticism about the coronavirus .
He said previous outbreaks such as SARS , the H1N1 “ swine flu ” and Ebola didn ’ t prompt such a big response , and he thinks the reason is politics .
“ There ’ s never been this much hoopla given to the other things , ” Hallman said .
“ They ’ re doing it to crash the economy and make Trump look bad.
” The government should n't censor speech , but social media companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and whatever they want .
Or they can sanction speech on the platforms they own in other ways .
Twitter , for instance , will put you in a twelve-hour lockout for a tweet it deems beyond the pale .
It happened to me for a joke I admit was tasteless , a response to this tweet : Was that `` abuse and harassment , '' as Twitter described it ?
I do n't think so , but to get back into my account , I took it down .
Why are n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook go after those firefighters ?
( Facebook became more willing to ban some hate speech a while back but still allows Holocaust denial . )
And what about this right-wing rabble-rouser ?
Forgive me if I think this is a tad more dangerous than my joke .
Maybe at least a twelve-hour suspension for some of this denialism , @ jack Dorsey ?
Published with permission of No More Mr. Nice Blog

High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens apologized, at least:
After Vanessa Hudgens went live on Instagram on Monday, her comments about the coronavirus went viral — the bad kind of viral. Presumably in response to a question about the outbreak lasting into the summer, Hudgens said, “Yeah, til July sounds like a bunch of bulls—, I’m sorry. It’s a virus, I get it. I respect it.” “But at the same time, like, even if everybody gets it — like, yeah, people are gonna die. Which is terrible. But, like, inevitable? I don’t know, maybe I shouldn’t be doing this right now,” she said with a laugh. On Tuesday, Hudgens posted an Instagram story responding to the backlash.... “Hey, guys,” Hudgens said. “Yesterday I did an Instagram Live, and I realized today that some of my comments are being taken out of context. It’s a crazy time. It’s a crazy, crazy time! And I am at home and in lockdown, and that’s what I hope that’s what you guys are doing, too — in full quarantine! And staying safe and sane. Yeah, I don’t take this situation lightly by any means. I am home. So stay inside, y’all.” Later on Twitter, she offered an actual apology, calling her comments “insensitive,” and saying the response has been “a huge wake-up call.”
Hudgens is chastened. These guys? Not so much:
In a 27,000-member private Facebook group for first responders who support President Donald Trump, firefighters and paramedics have posted thousands of comments in recent weeks downplaying the coronavirus pandemic that they are responsible for helping to handle. Posts in the group, which is called IAFF Union Firefighters for Trump and has been endorsed by Trump, scoffed at the seriousness of the virus, echoing false assertions by Trump and his allies comparing it to the seasonal flu. “Every election year has a disease,” read one meme, purporting to be written on a doctor’s office whiteboard. “This is a viral-pneumonia being hyped as The Black Plague before an election.” ... “I believe this is all by design,” wrote a Texas firefighter whose identity was corroborated by ProPublica. “Democrats have wanted to slow down and even kill the economy. It’s the only hope they have of beating Trump. Sad and disgusting the depths of shit the Democrats will descend to in order to gain power.” ... The group’s founder, Kelly Hallman, told ProPublica he doesn’t speak for everyone who posts, but he can understand why many emergency professionals share his skepticism about the coronavirus. He said previous outbreaks such as SARS, the H1N1 “swine flu” and Ebola didn’t prompt such a big response, and he thinks the reason is politics. “There’s never been this much hoopla given to the other things,” Hallman said. “They’re doing it to crash the economy and make Trump look bad.”
The government shouldn't censor speech, but social media companies are private -- they can ban whomever and whatever they want. Or they can sanction speech on the platforms they own in other ways. Twitter, for instance, will put you in a twelve-hour lockout for a tweet it deems beyond the pale. It happened to me for a joke I admit was tasteless, a response to this tweet:
At this point can someone explain to me a realistic path to the nomination for Klobuchar, Steyer and Buttigieg? — Matthew Dowd (@matthewjdowd) February 29, 2020
Was that "abuse and harassment," as Twitter described it? I don't think so, but to get back into my account, I took it down.
Why aren't these sites targeting virus denialists? Will Facebook go after those firefighters? (Facebook became more willing to ban some hate speech a while back but still allows Holocaust denial.)
And what about this right-wing rabble-rouser?
One day, we will look back and study the impact of the coronavirus.
Not the virus itself of course, but the mass global mental breakdown that it inspired.
Because people think it’s novel that 80 year olds are dying at a high rate from a flu.
This tweet will age well. — Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) March 10, 2020
Good news on the #coronavirus that you won’t find anywhere else!
-Australia reporting HIV drugs have been effective in treating dire cases.
-Perspective: 6700 deaths worldwide. On average, 7500 people die everyday in U.S alone.
-93% of all world cases are in MILD condition. — Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) March 16, 2020
News from the #Coronavirus you won’t find anywhere else!
The US Surgeon General says the average age for death is 80 years old and children and young adults are MORE LIKELY to die from the flu.
So how come we never shut down society to protect children from the flu? — Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) March 17, 2020
This is asinine:
1) The flu shot is not a cure.
2) You can still get the flu and die from it, even if you get the vaccine.
3) 750 million people are infected with the flu annually (5 million, severely). It will kill more children & young people, than the coronavirus will. https://t.co/N2UyNvfwmB — Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) March 17, 2020
Forgive me if I think this is a tad more dangerous than my joke. Maybe at least a twelve-hour suspension for some of this denialism, @jack Dorsey?
Published with permission of No More Mr. Nice Blog


crooksandliars--2020-03-21--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

Crooked Timber : How to get to a universal basic income .
Wonkette : Fox News is bad for the @ @ @ @ @ Famous lines of poetry revised for the age of coronavirus .
This installment by Batocchio @ @ @ @ @ AT crooksandliars DOT com .

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crooksandliars--2020-02-04--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

The Mahablog : A look at prospects for retaking the Senate .
Tell Me a Story : Perhaps we 've @ @ @ @ @ .
Michael in Norfolk : The coronavirus outbreak highlights the incompetence inherent in authoritarian regimes @ @ @ @ @ .
To recommend a post , send link to mbru [ at ] crooksandliars [ @ @ @ @ @ do check it !

The Mahablog: A look at prospects for retaking the Senate.
Tell Me a Story: Perhaps we've overlooked the ideal presidential candidate.
Michael in Norfolk: The coronavirus outbreak highlights the incompetence inherent in authoritarian regimes.
JoAnn Williams: A blogger's cat discovers a strange orange monstrosity.
Blog round-up by Infidel753. To recommend a post, send link to mbru [at] crooksandliars [dot] com -- I do check it!


crooksandliars--2020-04-03--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

No More Mister Nice Blog : Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis won ’ t cancel church services even as some @ @ @ @ @ , speak in tongues and spread Coronavirus .
SCOTUSblog : Will the global pandemic lead @ @ @ @ @ oral arguments ?
EPI Blog : Three and a half million American workers likely lost @ @ @ @ @ the past two weeks .
Speaking of which , your quote of the day : @ @ @ @ @ access to healthcare for everybody .
It 's called the emergency room.
” ( Senator @ @ @ @ @ , March 12 , 2014 . )
Guest blogging Mike 's Blog Round Up this @ @ @ @ @ Perrspectives .
Send your tips , recommendations , comments and angst to mbru AT crooksandliars @ @ @

No More Mister Nice Blog: Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis won’t cancel church services even as some continue to lay on hands, speak in tongues and spread Coronavirus.
Alas, A Blog: Social distancing over the years.
SCOTUSblog: Will the global pandemic lead the Supreme Court to streaming oral arguments?
EPI Blog: Three and a half million American workers likely lost their health insurance over just the past two weeks.
Speaking of which, your quote of the day:
"The American system has access to healthcare for everybody. It's called the emergency room.” (Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), March 12, 2014.)
Guest blogging Mike's Blog Round Up this week is Jon Perr from Perrspectives. Send your tips, recommendations, comments and angst to mbru AT crooksandliars DOT com.


crooksandliars--2020-06-21--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

What a week of highs and lows !
Today we look at the Friday Night Coup , speculate about the fall-out from Prznint Stupid 's Saturday Super-spreader event in Tulsa , dive into the deep state , and wrap up with some news from the US Postal Service .
Spocko 's Brain wonders what happens next , you know , if a person with the Trump-Virus attends the rally .
( As I write this , Axios reports that `` Six of President Trump 's staffers , who were part of the campaign 's advance team for the president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been quarantined after testing positive for the novel coronavirus . )
The Propaganda Professor digs up the `` Seep State . ''
Bonus Track : TYWKIWDBI tells us about a free service from the USPS ( USPS has the best package tracking system in the business , too . )
GO POSTAL UNIONS !
Thanks for letting me be part of your week .
It 's an honor and a privilege !
Thanks also to the 28+ bloggers who gave us the best takes and a few laughs along the way .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Paper , Scissors .
You can follow Tengrain on the Twitters , too .
Send tips , requests , and suggestions to mbru @ crooksandliars.com ( with For MBRU in the subject line ) .

What a week of highs and lows! Today we look at the Friday Night Coup, speculate about the fall-out from Prznint Stupid's Saturday Super-spreader event in Tulsa, dive into the deep state, and wrap up with some news from the US Postal Service.
Hackwhackers examines the Friday Night Coup Attempt in SDNY.
Spocko's Brain wonders what happens next, you know, if a person with the Trump-Virus attends the rally. (As I write this, Axios reports that "Six of President Trump's staffers, who were part of the campaign's advance team for the president's Saturday rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, have been quarantined after testing positive for the novel coronavirus.)
The Propaganda Professor digs up the "Seep State."
Bonus Track: TYWKIWDBI tells us about a free service from the USPS (USPS has the best package tracking system in the business, too.) GO POSTAL UNIONS!
Thanks for letting me be part of your week. It's an honor and a privilege! Thanks also to the 28+ bloggers who gave us the best takes and a few laughs along the way.
Round-up by Tengrain who blogs at Mock, Paper, Scissors. You can follow Tengrain on the Twitters, too. Send tips, requests, and suggestions to mbru@crooksandliars.com (with For MBRU in the subject line).


crooksandliars--2020-06-21--Sanjay Gupta Reacts To Trump's Call To Slow Down Testing For COVID-19

Dr Sanjay Gupta , usually one of the more careful doctors on cable news in his comments about the response to COVID-19 pandemic in the United States could n't contain his disdain for what Trump said last night at his rally in Tulsa , that he told `` his people '' to slow the testing down .
Gupta called Trump 's remarks `` a travesty '' , `` a level of ignorance that I 'm dumbfounded by , '' and that Trump was complicit in the worst public health crisis of a lifetime .
The Trump campaign later said Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I suppose that 's what sociopaths do in times of national crisis if they 're not real leaders , make jokes while people die .
WOLF BLITZER : Sanjay , what 's very disturbing about what the president just told his supporters and anyone who was listening is there 's too much testing going on .
We 've got to slow down on the testing for people who might have coronavirus .
it 's pretty outrageous to hear that , you want to find out who has this disease and who might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Yeah , no question , Wolf .
I think that particular statement sort of took my breath away , certainly people in the public health world , the idea that I told them to slow down testing .
I mean , it 's -- you ca n't think of a better metaphor for burying your head in the sand on this .
I told people to stop doing colonoscopies , they 're finding too much colon cancer .
it 's a level of ignorance that I 'm dumbfounded by five months into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still not doing enough testing , I told them to slow down testing , that 's the only thing we have , Wolf .
testing and masks .
There 's no super effective medicine and no vaccine .
Countries around the world their death counts number in the hundreds , not hundreds of thousands like we have in the united states .
Why ?
Because they tested .
They tested early .
they did enough testing and they were able to isolate people and stop the transmission of the virus .
To suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down testing .
first of all , who did he tell to slow down testing ?
Is this the coronavirus task force ?
this is something we have to dig into .
this is suggesting a complicity in the worst public health travesty of a lifetime .
It 's criminal to say that that was the right answer .
That was the directive given to people around the country to slow down testing .
we 've done 25 million tests so far .
We 've done 25 million in 4.5 months .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
now 20 million a day by the middle of July according to the Harvard roadmap to global health .
I mean , that is how we get to the point where we can start to get our arms around this thing .
right now we have a situation because of slowed down inadequate testing that , you know , is spiralling out of control , Wolf .

Dr Sanjay Gupta, usually one of the more careful doctors on cable news in his comments about the response to COVID-19 pandemic in the United States couldn't contain his disdain for what Trump said last night at his rally in Tulsa, that he told "his people" to slow the testing down. Gupta called Trump's remarks "a travesty", "a level of ignorance that I'm dumbfounded by," and that Trump was complicit in the worst public health crisis of a lifetime.
The Trump campaign later said Trump was "obviously kidding." But I suppose that's what sociopaths do in times of national crisis if they're not real leaders, make jokes while people die.
WOLF BLITZER: Sanjay, what's very disturbing about what the president just told his supporters and anyone who was listening is there's too much testing going on. We've got to slow down on the testing for people who might have coronavirus. it's pretty outrageous to hear that, you want to find out who has this disease and who might be able to spread it.
SANJAY GUPTA: Yeah, no question, Wolf. I think that particular statement sort of took my breath away, certainly people in the public health world, the idea that I told them to slow down testing. I mean, it's -- you can't think of a better metaphor for burying your head in the sand on this. I told people to stop doing colonoscopies, they're finding too much colon cancer. it's a level of ignorance that I'm dumbfounded by five months into this. The idea that we're still not doing enough testing, I told them to slow down testing, that's the only thing we have, Wolf. testing and masks. There's no super effective medicine and no vaccine. Countries around the world their death counts number in the hundreds, not hundreds of thousands like we have in the united states. Why? Because they tested. They tested early. they did enough testing and they were able to isolate people and stop the transmission of the virus. To suggest now that I told them to slow down testing. first of all, who did he tell to slow down testing? Is this the coronavirus task force? this is something we have to dig into. this is suggesting a complicity in the worst public health travesty of a lifetime. It's criminal to say that that was the right answer. That was the directive given to people around the country to slow down testing. we've done 25 million tests so far. We've done 25 million in 4.5 months. We should be doing 5 million a day. now 20 million a day by the middle of July according to the Harvard roadmap to global health. I mean, that is how we get to the point where we can start to get our arms around this thing. right now we have a situation because of slowed down inadequate testing that, you know, is spiralling out of control, Wolf.


crooksandliars--2020-06-21--'No Justice, No Sleep!': Protestors Arrive At Mitch McConnell's House At Dawn

Dozens of youth protesters descended on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 's home Louisville Friday morning armed with bullhorns and banners to disrupt the Kentucky Republican 's sleep in order to call for justice for Breonna Taylor and for new leadership .
`` I do n't think , especially with our generation , that we 've ever had this chance to take over our future , '' 23-year-old Bowling Green for Peace organizer Derik Overstreet told the Courier Journal .
`` And it 's really important that this does n't turn into a summer trend .
It 's really important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' BREAKING : It ’ s 6am and we are live at Mitch McConnell ’ s house on # Juneteenth demanding justice for # BreonnaTaylor and for all of us .
Every single problem in our country , Mitch McConnell stands in the way of solving .
Wake up , or get ready to get voted out .
# WakeUpMitch pic.twitter.com/vyS0YOUS6O Demonstrators arrived at McConnell 's home in the upscale Cherokee Road area of the Highlands district in Louisville just before 6am .
Carrying signs calling for the police officers who killed Breonna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raid in March to be arrested , the protesters made commotion and delivered speeches outside of the majority leader 's home .
Local Sunrise Movement organizer Maxwell Farrar , 29 , said that the demonstration was aimed not only at calling attention to the problems but also the solutions faced by the public in an age of police brutality and racism , the coronavirus pandemic , and economic and climate crisis .
`` We 're not here to just complain on the internet , '' said Farrar .
`` We 're here to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know , from the hood to the holler , Kentuckians know we need change right now . ''
It was unclear at press time whether McConnell was at home at the time of the demonstration .
Sunrise Movement on Twitter called on Kentuckians to support progressive state legislator Charles Booker in the state 's primary on June 23 to defeat McConnell in the general election set for November .
`` We 've got four days to make him the Democratic nominee , '' the group tweeted .

Dozens of youth protesters descended on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's home Louisville Friday morning armed with bullhorns and banners to disrupt the Kentucky Republican's sleep in order to call for justice for Breonna Taylor and for new leadership.
"I don't think, especially with our generation, that we've ever had this chance to take over our future," 23-year-old Bowling Green for Peace organizer Derik Overstreet told the Courier Journal. "And it's really important that this doesn't turn into a summer trend. It's really important that this doesn't fade away."
BREAKING: It’s 6am and we are live at Mitch McConnell’s house on #Juneteenth demanding justice for #BreonnaTaylor and for all of us. Every single problem in our country, Mitch McConnell stands in the way of solving. Wake up, or get ready to get voted out. #WakeUpMitch pic.twitter.com/vyS0YOUS6O — Sunrise Movement (@sunrisemvmt) June 19, 2020
Demonstrators arrived at McConnell's home in the upscale Cherokee Road area of the Highlands district in Louisville just before 6am.
No justice, no sleep Mitch. You let our economy tumble into free-fall, our people be gunned down in the streets by killer cops, & our planet be ravaged by your oil CEO friends. This #Juneteenth , we’re wide awake. In November when we vote you out, maybe you’ll wake up, too. pic.twitter.com/M6sRiNbFDu — Sunrise Movement (@sunrisemvmt) June 19, 2020
Carrying signs calling for the police officers who killed Breonna Taylor in the city during a no-knock raid in March to be arrested, the protesters made commotion and delivered speeches outside of the majority leader's home.
Local Sunrise Movement organizer Maxwell Farrar, 29, said that the demonstration was aimed not only at calling attention to the problems but also the solutions faced by the public in an age of police brutality and racism, the coronavirus pandemic, and economic and climate crisis.
"We're not here to just complain on the internet," said Farrar. "We're here to get the solutions we need. We know, from the hood to the holler, Kentuckians know we need change right now."
It was unclear at press time whether McConnell was at home at the time of the demonstration.
Sunrise Movement on Twitter called on Kentuckians to support progressive state legislator Charles Booker in the state's primary on June 23 to defeat McConnell in the general election set for November.
"We've got four days to make him the Democratic nominee," the group tweeted.
Republished from Common Dreams (Eoin Higgins, staff writer) under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.


crooksandliars--2020-04-24--Trump Loyalist Michael Caputo Spread Racist Conspiracy Theories About COVID-19

According to CNN 's KFile , Caputo deleted more than 1300 tweets and retweets that were “ littered with conspiracy theories and controversial language to go after perceived critics of the Trump administration.
” Much of that “ controversial language ” is downright racist .
For example , in response to the conspiracy theory that the U.S. brought the coronavirus to China , Caputo tweeted : `` Sure , millions of Chinese suck the blood out of rabid bats as an appetizer and eat the ass out of anteaters but some foreigner snuck in a bottle of the good stuff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 28 , Caputo responded to MSNBC 's Chris Hayes saying that no other country on Earth was doing a worse job handling the crisis , with `` Who knew @ chrislhayes is Chinese ? ''
On March 18 : Caputo tweeted , `` Double down on # ChineseVirus .
Leftists lost the true meaning of 'racism ' long ago .
And polls show they 've beaten this dead horse so badly that GOP , independent , and soft Dem voters ignore them . ''
He adds , `` Nobody should let Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party talking points .
Democrats + Media = CCP . ''
Caputo may work for all taxpayers but he clearly hates a large number of them , maybe more than he hates the virus .
In fact , Trish Regan could have gotten her bonkers “ coronavirus impeachment scam ” rant , which got her fired from Fox Business , directly from Caputo .
On March 8 , one day before Regan 's rant , Caputo tweeted : `` Coronavirus is the Democrats ' new Russia , their new Ukraine .
And nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But know this : The Dems ' strategy to defeat @ realDonaldTrump requires 100s of thousands of American deaths .
Will one of their nutjobs make it happen , a la Hodgkinson ? ''
( James Hodgkinson is the would-be assassin of Rep. Steve Scalise ) Seething hatred for his fellow citizens is not exactly a good look for an HHS spokesperson in the middle of a pandemic .
But Caputo defended his tweets by calling himself a “ spirited ” “ defender of the President ” and claimed that the mass deletion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his recent appointment to public office .
He told KFile that he deletes his tweets `` every month and I do it because it drives people mad . ''
Just another one of Trump ’ s “ best people .
”

According to CNN's KFile, Caputo deleted more than 1300 tweets and retweets that were “littered with conspiracy theories and controversial language to go after perceived critics of the Trump administration.”
Much of that “controversial language” is downright racist. For example, in response to the conspiracy theory that the U.S. brought the coronavirus to China, Caputo tweeted: "Sure, millions of Chinese suck the blood out of rabid bats as an appetizer and eat the ass out of anteaters but some foreigner snuck in a bottle of the good stuff. That's it."
On March 28, Caputo responded to MSNBC's Chris Hayes saying that no other country on Earth was doing a worse job handling the crisis, with "Who knew @chrislhayes is Chinese?"
On March 18: Caputo tweeted, "Double down on #ChineseVirus. Leftists lost the true meaning of 'racism' long ago. And polls show they've beaten this dead horse so badly that GOP, independent, and soft Dem voters ignore them." He adds, "Nobody should let Democrats and their conjugal media popularize Chinese Communist Party talking points. Democrats + Media = CCP."
Caputo may work for all taxpayers but he clearly hates a large number of them, maybe more than he hates the virus. In fact, Trish Regan could have gotten her bonkers “coronavirus impeachment scam” rant, which got her fired from Fox Business, directly from Caputo.
On March 8, one day before Regan's rant, Caputo tweeted: "Coronavirus is the Democrats' new Russia, their new Ukraine. And nobody will believe them except their zombies. But know this: The Dems' strategy to defeat @realDonaldTrump requires 100s of thousands of American deaths. Will one of their nutjobs make it happen, a la Hodgkinson?" (James Hodgkinson is the would-be assassin of Rep. Steve Scalise)
Seething hatred for his fellow citizens is not exactly a good look for an HHS spokesperson in the middle of a pandemic. But Caputo defended his tweets by calling himself a “spirited” “defender of the President” and claimed that the mass deletion of his tweets had nothing to do with his recent appointment to public office. He told KFile that he deletes his tweets "every month and I do it because it drives people mad."
Just another one of Trump’s “best people.”