crooksandliars--2020-03-14--Anti-Warren Troll Actively Endangers Lives With Right-Wing Quackery

SEAN HANNITY : ...
There 's an MIT guy I noticed on Twitter ... he does research nearly every single day on immune systems he said quote `` coronavirus fear-mongering by the Deep State will go down in history as one of the biggest frauds to manipulate economies , suppress dissent , and push mandated medicines . ''
May be true .
It 's Shiva Ayyadurai , a Mumbai-born Massachusetts resident who ran for Elizabeth Warren 's Senate seat in 2018 , promoting himself with this slogan : He lost -- but he got more than 90,000 votes .
Ayyadurai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Until the past few years , he was best known for claiming that he invented email -- and suing people who said he did n't .
Here 's a 2016 Techdirt story about this : ... Shiva Ayyadurai 's claim that he invented email is complete bullshit .
It 's not true .
Not even remotely .
What does appear to be true is that as a fairly bright kid , Ayyadurai was working for a small college in New Jersey and he wrote an electronic messaging program for the school , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Ayyadurrai did was new -- even if he came up with the ideas entirely on his own .
Basically every feature that he put in the application was previously discussed on open mailing lists and RFCs about the internet and the messaging systems that would be grafted onto it -- sometimes many years earlier ... .
Ayyadurai has spent many years falsely claiming to have invented email and trying to tarnish the obituaries of Ray Tomlinson who was critical in the creation of email ( though was humble enough to admit that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email ) .
And now he was getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for suing a news site that correctly explained the actual truth : Shiva Ayyadurai did not invent email .
That lawsuit was against Gawker , which paid Ayyadurai $ 750,000 to settle the case .
After this story appeared , Ayyadurai sued Techdirt for $ 15 million , but he lost that suit .
Ayyadurai is also an anti-vaxxer , for good measure .
( The reference to `` MANDATED medicine '' in the tweet above is a giveaway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and as with most right-wing menaces , it 's impossible to get rid of him .
This year he 's running for the Senate again , in the hope of taking on Ed Markey .
And he 's only 56 , which means that he 'll probably be a menace for many years to come .
Published with permission of No More Mr. Nice Blog

Media Matters quotes Sean Hannity dispensing dangerous coronavirus quackery on his radio show today:
SEAN HANNITY: ... There's an MIT guy I noticed on Twitter ... he does research nearly every single day on immune systems he said quote "coronavirus fear-mongering by the Deep State will go down in history as one of the biggest frauds to manipulate economies, suppress dissent, and push mandated medicines." May be true.
Here's the tweet he's quoting.
As an MIT PhD in Biological Engineering who studies & does research nearly every day on the Immune System, the #coronavirus fear mongering by the Deep State will go down in history as one of the biggest fraud to manipulate economies, suppress dissent, & push MANDATED Medicine! https://t.co/Q5VeOqzWEp — Dr.SHIVA Ayyadurai, MIT PhD. Inventor of Email (@va_shiva) March 9, 2020
Recognize the name?
It's Shiva Ayyadurai, a Mumbai-born Massachusetts resident who ran for Elizabeth Warren's Senate seat in 2018, promoting himself with this slogan:
Credit: Screen Shot
He lost -- but he got more than 90,000 votes.
Ayyadurai is a real piece of work. Until the past few years, he was best known for claiming that he invented email -- and suing people who said he didn't. Here's a 2016 Techdirt story about this:
... Shiva Ayyadurai's claim that he invented email is complete bullshit. It's not true. Not even remotely. What does appear to be true is that as a fairly bright kid, Ayyadurai was working for a small college in New Jersey and he wrote an electronic messaging program for the school, which he named Email.... Nothing about what Ayyadurrai did was new -- even if he came up with the ideas entirely on his own. Basically every feature that he put in the application was previously discussed on open mailing lists and RFCs about the internet and the messaging systems that would be grafted onto it -- sometimes many years earlier.... Ayyadurai has spent many years falsely claiming to have invented email and trying to tarnish the obituaries of Ray Tomlinson who was critical in the creation of email (though was humble enough to admit that no one individual actually "invented" email). And now he was getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for suing a news site that correctly explained the actual truth: Shiva Ayyadurai did not invent email.
That lawsuit was against Gawker, which paid Ayyadurai $750,000 to settle the case. After this story appeared, Ayyadurai sued Techdirt for $15 million, but he lost that suit.
Ayyadurai is also an anti-vaxxer, for good measure. (The reference to "MANDATED medicine" in the tweet above is a giveaway.)
Ayyadurai is a menace -- and as with most right-wing menaces, it's impossible to get rid of him. This year he's running for the Senate again, in the hope of taking on Ed Markey. And he's only 56, which means that he'll probably be a menace for many years to come.
Published with permission of No More Mr. Nice Blog


crooksandliars--2020-03-14--Fox News Is So Focused On Dear Leader's Needs It Ignores Its Own Viewers' Lives

In the critical early weeks , the conservative media 's top-paid mouthhavers responded to the outbreak of a new potential pandemic in the usual , now-rote way .
The thought of a new deadly virus touching down in America was deemed to be possibly a hoax , intended to damage Donald Trump by intentionally harming the national economy .
The coronavirus was thought to be a foreign bio-weapon , not because there was even a stitch of evidence but because much of the movement is now so wrapped around conspiracy theories that they can no longer view any news event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was thought to be an exaggeration peddled by Democrats and Dear Leader 's other enemies to make Dear Leader look weak .
The result is the expected one : Americans who follow conservative news sources are now far less likely to take the warnings of public officials seriously .
The drive to insist on Dear Leader 's brilliance will now be killing people , potentially in great numbers , and you can give Fox News and other conservative crank outlets the blame .
New polling ( conducted before Trump 's Wednesday speech ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus will become a pandemic .
Only 28 % of Republicans do .
55 % of Democrats believe more than 1,000 Americans will die from the virus ; for Republicans , it 's 34 % .
58 % of Republicans claim the threat of the virus is being `` exaggerated '' ; for Democrats , it ’ s 29 % .
One day later , most major sports leagues are putting their seasons on hold , Broadway shows are shuttered , conventions are being postponed , schools and universities are closing , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise , likely far slower than a `` true '' count would show because even now this nation can not test more than handfuls of suspected cases .
In Ohio , the Health Department director warns that community spread analysis indicates 1 % of Ohio 's residents may now be carrying the virus .
There has never been any accountability for the conspiracy pushers of Fox News , no matter how much damage their malevolent bending of facts to benefit their own ideological interests does .
There will likely be none this time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will only be due to falling advertising rates as their most loyal viewers ignore coronavirus precautions , on their say-so , and die .
Meanwhile , Fox News itself will now be reducing staffing levels in network offices and `` instituting telecommuting starting Monday '' in response to the virus ' very real threat .
For weeks , Fox News host Greg Gutfeld attacked those that warned of the failing U.S. response , saying `` the Times and CNN ca n't be trusted on any topic '' and boasting that Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's great ability to handle this threat . ''
The Greg Gutfeld Show will now be broadcasting without a live audience , after Fox News executives barred that audience from the building .
As is also now rote for the conservative movement , the perpetually sketchy Media Research Center has been insisting that virus fears are being overblown in an attempt to damage Trump—while partnering with advertisers to sell a scammy-sounding `` financial planning guide '' to conservative subscribers under the pretense that the government intended to use the crisis to wipe out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be up to us to enforce consequences for the widespread disinformation campaign that has been peddled to the American public by Fox News , richly-paid and now wealthy Fox News hosts , and the wide , greasy underbelly of the conservative conspiracy movement .
That is on their own conservative audiences .
They will have to realize who has lied to them and who has not , and assign blame , and get angry , and seek punishments .
In the meantime , social distancing may mean avoiding not just crowds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identifiable segment of the population is not taking the threat of the virus seriously even now , due to the blustering of wealthy , pompous hosts who do n't give a particular damn which of their own audience members are put at risk by their false information , `` conservative '' becomes a disease vector .
That is not an exaggeration .
You know it , and I know it .

In the critical early weeks, the conservative media's top-paid mouthhavers responded to the outbreak of a new potential pandemic in the usual, now-rote way. The thought of a new deadly virus touching down in America was deemed to be possibly a hoax, intended to damage Donald Trump by intentionally harming the national economy. The coronavirus was thought to be a foreign bio-weapon, not because there was even a stitch of evidence but because much of the movement is now so wrapped around conspiracy theories that they can no longer view any news event except through that lens. The virus was thought to be an exaggeration peddled by Democrats and Dear Leader's other enemies to make Dear Leader look weak.
The result is the expected one: Americans who follow conservative news sources are now far less likely to take the warnings of public officials seriously. The drive to insist on Dear Leader's brilliance will now be killing people, potentially in great numbers, and you can give Fox News and other conservative crank outlets the blame.
New polling (conducted before Trump's Wednesday speech) shows that 58% of Democrats believe coronavirus will become a pandemic. Only 28% of Republicans do. 55% of Democrats believe more than 1,000 Americans will die from the virus; for Republicans, it's 34%. 58% of Republicans claim the threat of the virus is being "exaggerated"; for Democrats, it’s 29%.
One day later, most major sports leagues are putting their seasons on hold, Broadway shows are shuttered, conventions are being postponed, schools and universities are closing, and the numbers of infected Americans continue to rise, likely far slower than a "true" count would show because even now this nation cannot test more than handfuls of suspected cases. In Ohio, the Health Department director warns that community spread analysis indicates 1% of Ohio's residents may now be carrying the virus.
There has never been any accountability for the conspiracy pushers of Fox News, no matter how much damage their malevolent bending of facts to benefit their own ideological interests does. There will likely be none this time either; if they suffer damage, it will only be due to falling advertising rates as their most loyal viewers ignore coronavirus precautions, on their say-so, and die.
Meanwhile, Fox News itself will now be reducing staffing levels in network offices and "instituting telecommuting starting Monday" in response to the virus' very real threat.
For weeks, Fox News host Greg Gutfeld attacked those that warned of the failing U.S. response, saying "the Times and CNN can't be trusted on any topic" and boasting that Trump's "feistiness will not slow our country's great ability to handle this threat."
The Greg Gutfeld Show will now be broadcasting without a live audience, after Fox News executives barred that audience from the building.
As is also now rote for the conservative movement, the perpetually sketchy Media Research Center has been insisting that virus fears are being overblown in an attempt to damage Trump—while partnering with advertisers to sell a scammy-sounding "financial planning guide" to conservative subscribers under the pretense that the government intended to use the crisis to wipe out their retirement savings.
It will unfortunately not be up to us to enforce consequences for the widespread disinformation campaign that has been peddled to the American public by Fox News, richly-paid and now wealthy Fox News hosts, and the wide, greasy underbelly of the conservative conspiracy movement. That is on their own conservative audiences. They will have to realize who has lied to them and who has not, and assign blame, and get angry, and seek punishments.
In the meantime, social distancing may mean avoiding not just crowds, but Fox News viewers. If that identifiable segment of the population is not taking the threat of the virus seriously even now, due to the blustering of wealthy, pompous hosts who don't give a particular damn which of their own audience members are put at risk by their false information, "conservative" becomes a disease vector.
That is not an exaggeration. You know it, and I know it.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-03-15--Migrants Are In For A COVID-19 Massacre Thanks To Trump

A horrifying discussion on AM Joy today revealed how Donald Trump ’ s cruelty means migrants face extra dangers from the coronavirus pandemic .
Given the cramped conditions at detention centers , if one detained migrant gets COVID-19 , “ It ’ s going to be a massacre , because everyone will get it at the same time , ” host Joy Reid said , quoting the fears of a Cuban asylum seeker .
Guest Maria Teresa Kumar pointed out that the dangerous cruelty began before the coronavirus , when detainees died of the flu because the Trump administration refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s cold-bloodedness is endangering the rest of us .
People from the outside go to the detention centers and then back into society , Kumar said .
Also , there is additional danger posed by un-detained immigrants who are afraid to get tested or go to a medical facility .
Trump could help ward off disaster but it would mean finding an ounce of human decency .
KUMAR : The American public is at risk if the president does not create a protocol from the White House and says if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals living in this country , we are going to provide you a reprieve .
We are not going to have any ICE agents located at any medical facility .
We want you to get tested .
The reason this is so important is that these 11 million people , they are the backbones of our economy .
They ’ re the ones that are taking care of our elderly , they ’ re the ones that are picking our food , they 're the ones that are in restaurants , they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The list goes on .
It is a public safety measure for the president to use his Oval Office to do the right thing , to ensure that every American is safe and everybody living within our borders are safe .
… I want to ensure that in the event that something happens that our government has the system to make sure that if I am in contact with them that it is not transmitted .
But that can only happen if the president does the right thing and declares that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regardless of status .
Reid said that releasing vulnerable detainees who don ’ t threaten public safety could also help alleviate the risks .
But neither of those solutions are likely to happen .
Trump wants to keep the number of coronavirus cases low ( for his own political health ) but he also wants to keep detention numbers high , Reid said .
“ Part of the psychology of Trumpism ” is his base likes seeing “ a lot of brown people getting locked up and being mistreated , ” she added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t sickening enough ( pardon the pun ) , guest Dean Obeidallah noted that Trump has used the pandemic to further his white nationalism .
OBEIDALLAH : If you were wondering how an incompetent white supremacist would deal with a global pandemic , we are seeing it with Donald Trump .
His Oval Office speech included such dog whistles as calling the COVID-19 a “ foreign virus ” that is being “ seeded ” in the U.S. by foreigners , Obeidallah said .
Also , Trump is exploiting fears to claim that building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect us from the “ Chinese ” virus .

A horrifying discussion on AM Joy today revealed how Donald Trump’s cruelty means migrants face extra dangers from the coronavirus pandemic. Given the cramped conditions at detention centers, if one detained migrant gets COVID-19, “It’s going to be a massacre, because everyone will get it at the same time,” host Joy Reid said, quoting the fears of a Cuban asylum seeker.
Guest Maria Teresa Kumar pointed out that the dangerous cruelty began before the coronavirus, when detainees died of the flu because the Trump administration refused to provide flu shots.
Now, Trump’s cold-bloodedness is endangering the rest of us. People from the outside go to the detention centers and then back into society, Kumar said. Also, there is additional danger posed by un-detained immigrants who are afraid to get tested or go to a medical facility.
Trump could help ward off disaster but it would mean finding an ounce of human decency.
KUMAR: The American public is at risk if the president does not create a protocol from the White House and says if you are one of the 11 million undocumented individuals living in this country, we are going to provide you a reprieve. We are not going to have any ICE agents located at any medical facility. We want you to get tested. The reason this is so important is that these 11 million people, they are the backbones of our economy. They’re the ones that are taking care of our elderly, they’re the ones that are picking our food, they're the ones that are in restaurants, they’re the ones in the hotel industry. The list goes on. It is a public safety measure for the president to use his Oval Office to do the right thing, to ensure that every American is safe and everybody living within our borders are safe. … I want to ensure that in the event that something happens that our government has the system to make sure that if I am in contact with them that it is not transmitted. But that can only happen if the president does the right thing and declares that this is a public emergency for everyone, regardless of status.
Reid said that releasing vulnerable detainees who don’t threaten public safety could also help alleviate the risks.
But neither of those solutions are likely to happen. Trump wants to keep the number of coronavirus cases low (for his own political health) but he also wants to keep detention numbers high, Reid said. “Part of the psychology of Trumpism” is his base likes seeing “a lot of brown people getting locked up and being mistreated,” she added.
In case all that isn’t sickening enough (pardon the pun), guest Dean Obeidallah noted that Trump has used the pandemic to further his white nationalism.
OBEIDALLAH: If you were wondering how an incompetent white supremacist would deal with a global pandemic, we are seeing it with Donald Trump.
His Oval Office speech included such dog whistles as calling the COVID-19 a “foreign virus” that is being “seeded” in the U.S. by foreigners, Obeidallah said. Also, Trump is exploiting fears to claim that building his wall on the Mexican border will protect us from the “Chinese” virus.


crooksandliars--2020-03-15--Dr. Anthony Fauci Refutes Trump Lie Blaming Obama For COVID-19 Testing Failures

Dr. Anthony Fauci , the federal government 's top infectious disease expert , on Sunday declined to back up President Donald Trump 's assertion that Obama administration decisions caused delays in testing for COVID-19 .
During an interview on Fox News Sunday , host Chris Wallace asked Fauci if he agreed with President Donald Trump 's statement blaming former President Barack Obama .
`` To be honest with you , I 'm not sure what regulations and what they 're talking about , '' Fauci replied , referring to the president 's recent Rose Garden address .
`` I really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure out what it is that these things were in place that were able to or inhibiting . ''
`` But one thing that I do know now is that the ability to get a test had some regulatory and other restrictions on it but the FDA now has just gotten rid of , '' he added .
`` They could have done that day one , '' Wallace observed .
`` They could have but that fact is it was n't , '' Fauci agreed .
`` So instead of looking back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal government's top infectious disease expert, on Sunday declined to back up President Donald Trump's assertion that Obama administration decisions caused delays in testing for COVID-19.
During an interview on Fox News Sunday, host Chris Wallace asked Fauci if he agreed with President Donald Trump's statement blaming former President Barack Obama.
"To be honest with you, I'm not sure what regulations and what they're talking about," Fauci replied, referring to the president's recent Rose Garden address. "I really mean that. I'm trying to figure out what it is that these things were in place that were able to or inhibiting."
"But one thing that I do know now is that the ability to get a test had some regulatory and other restrictions on it but the FDA now has just gotten rid of," he added.
"They could have done that day one," Wallace observed.
"They could have but that fact is it wasn't," Fauci agreed. "So instead of looking back, look at where we're going."


crooksandliars--2020-03-15--Steve Mnuchin: Trump Didn't Lie, Everyone Just 'Misinterpreted' His Oval Office Address

This is another edition of Trump surrogates having to reinterpret Trump 's words so the American public understands what he means and not what he says when he says it .
Donald Trump gave an Oval Office address this past Wednesday that was put together by Stephen Miller and Jared Kushner at the last second .
It was inaccurate , confusing , filled with misinformation and xenophobia that caused worldwide panic and the stock markets to crash in real time .
It also caused total chaos within his own administration .
On ABC 's This Week , host Jonathan Karl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address and what caused the errors .
KARL : The market , and not just the market , also reacted fairly negatively to the Oval Office address .
Can you help me understand what happened there ?
I mean , the president said several things .
He said that cargo would be banned coming in from Europe .
He said -- he failed to mention that American citizens would not be subject to the ban .
He said that insurance companies were going to cover all costs associated with treatment of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How , in a -- in an Oval Office address , do statements about the president 's own proposals end up being wrong ?
Yes , how is it possible that a president can so misinform the American public at such a critical time during a pandemic ?
MNUCHIN : Well , let me just first comment on your reaction to the stock market .
Because the stock market is going to go up ; it 's going to go down .
We ca n't focus on , every day , the move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office address , the president was very clear .
He wanted to address a very important point , which was he made the move to shut down travel to that , shut down more cases coming in .
He wanted to reassure the American public .
I do n't think , in an Oval Office address , you 're going to address every single issue as you 're discussing it .
And I think , you know , we saw people -- Yes , you can address every single issue during an Oval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point of having it .
It 's not to spread misinformation and lies , but to speak truth to the situation and explain what steps a president is taking to combat the issue .
JONATHAN KARL , ABC NEWS : How does he get things wrong about his own proposal ?
Exactly !
How ?
because the narcissistic imbecile has to show his face on television every chance he gets no matter if he lies , ( which is most of the time ) if he 's unprepared , ( which is all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just crashes somebody else 's presser just to hog the spotlight for himself .
Mnuchin then explains it 's not Trumps words that are the issue but your lying ears that do n't understand what he is saying .
Trump was not clear .
He is never very clear .
And he 's made this situation hundred times worse .
It 's an odd thing that I do n't hear Trump surrogates or their sycophants on Fox News and other Trump supporting outlets saying the coronavirus is a hoax any longer .

This is another edition of Trump surrogates having to reinterpret Trump's words so the American public understands what he means and not what he says when he says it.
Donald Trump gave an Oval Office address this past Wednesday that was put together by Stephen Miller and Jared Kushner at the last second. It was inaccurate, confusing, filled with misinformation and xenophobia that caused worldwide panic and the stock markets to crash in real time.
It also caused total chaos within his own administration.
On ABC's This Week, host Jonathan Karl questioned Steve Mnuchin about the Oval Office address and what caused the errors.
KARL: The market, and not just the market, also reacted fairly negatively to the Oval Office address. Can you help me understand what happened there? I mean, the president said several things. He said that cargo would be banned coming in from Europe. He said -- he failed to mention that American citizens would not be subject to the ban. He said that insurance companies were going to cover all costs associated with treatment of the coronavirus. These were all false statements. How, in a -- in an Oval Office address, do statements about the president's own proposals end up being wrong?
Yes, how is it possible that a president can so misinform the American public at such a critical time during a pandemic?
MNUCHIN: Well, let me just first comment on your reaction to the stock market. Because the stock market is going to go up; it's going to go down. We can't focus on, every day, the move. As is relates to the Oval Office address, the president was very clear. He wanted to address a very important point, which was he made the move to shut down travel to that, shut down more cases coming in. He wanted to reassure the American public. I don't think, in an Oval Office address, you're going to address every single issue as you're discussing it. And I think, you know, we saw people --
Yes, you can address every single issue during an Oval Office press conference. That's the point of having it. It's not to spread misinformation and lies, but to speak truth to the situation and explain what steps a president is taking to combat the issue.
JONATHAN KARL, ABC NEWS: How does he get things wrong about his own proposal?
Exactly! How? because the narcissistic imbecile has to show his face on television every chance he gets no matter if he lies, (which is most of the time) if he's unprepared, (which is all of the time) or if he just crashes somebody else's presser just to hog the spotlight for himself.
MNUCHIN: I don't -- I don't think he got things wrong at all. KARL: I mean cargo's not banned.
Mnuchin then explains it's not Trumps words that are the issue but your lying ears that don't understand what he is saying.
MNUCHIN: And we were very clear that people misinterpreted the comments on cargo and we immediately put out a statement to clarify that. So the president said this is similar to China and China cargo is not banned.
Trump was not clear. He is never very clear. And he's made this situation hundred times worse.
It's an odd thing that I don't hear Trump surrogates or their sycophants on Fox News and other Trump supporting outlets saying the coronavirus is a hoax any longer.


crooksandliars--2020-03-15--Devin Nunes Says Pandemic Is A 'Great Time' To Go To Restaurants And Pubs: 'You Can Get In Easily'

Rep. Devin Nunes ( R-CA ) asserted on Sunday that the coronavirus pandemic is a perfect time to frequent gathering places like restaurants and pubs .
Nunes made the remarks during an appearance on the Fox News program Sunday Morning Futures with host Maria Bartiromo .
`` What the American people need to understand is we need to stop panicking , '' Nunes advised .
`` There 's no shortage of food in this country .
People do n't need to go to the store and fight over a bottle of water or toilet paper . ''
`` We want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued .
`` 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 . ''
Nunes observed that patrons could likely `` get in easily '' at their favorite restaurant .
`` Just do n't run to the grocery store and buy $ 4,000 of food !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ your local pub . ''

Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) asserted on Sunday that the coronavirus pandemic is a perfect time to frequent gathering places like restaurants and pubs.
Nunes made the remarks during an appearance on the Fox News program Sunday Morning Futures with host Maria Bartiromo.
"What the American people need to understand is we need to stop panicking," Nunes advised. "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!" he continued. "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."
Nunes observed that patrons could likely "get in easily" at their favorite restaurant.
"Just don't run to the grocery store and buy $4,000 of food!" he exclaimed. "Go to your local pub."


crooksandliars--2020-03-15--Steve Mnuchin Brags 'Businesses Are Booming' Because Of Panicked Consumers

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin on Sunday insisted that COVID-19 fears have not impacted overall consumer spending .
On Fox News Sunday , host Chris Wallace noted that Americans are concerned about their retirement savings after losses in the stock market .
`` According to one estimate , the market has lost almost $ 8 trillion dollars in value , '' Wallace noted .
`` How much further are the markets going to drop ? ''
`` I ca n't predict where the market is this week , '' Mnuchin replied .
`` But what I can tell you is people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '87 , people who bought stocks after the financial crisis did really well . ''
`` But you talk about people who bought after the crash , '' Wallace pressed .
`` But when is after the crash ? ''
`` We ca n't ever predict the bottom of the market or the top of the market , '' Mnuchin said .
`` There 's no question there are businesses that will be severely impacted .
We are focused on helping those businesses that need liquidity . ''
`` There 's some businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary continued .
`` I mean , you look at the stores and the people that are buying certain consumer products .
What we 've seen from the credit card data , travel is down extraordinary [ sic ] . ''
Mnuchin added : `` Almost corresponding is an increase in purchases of food pharmacy goods and supplies . ''

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin on Sunday insisted that COVID-19 fears have not impacted overall consumer spending.
On Fox News Sunday, host Chris Wallace noted that Americans are concerned about their retirement savings after losses in the stock market.
"According to one estimate, the market has lost almost $8 trillion dollars in value," Wallace noted. "How much further are the markets going to drop?"
"I can't predict where the market is this week," Mnuchin replied. "But what I can tell you is people who bought stock after the crash in '87, people who bought stocks after the financial crisis did really well."
"But you talk about people who bought after the crash," Wallace pressed. "But when is after the crash?"
"We can't ever predict the bottom of the market or the top of the market," Mnuchin said. "There's no question there are businesses that will be severely impacted. We are focused on helping those businesses that need liquidity."
"There's some businesses that are booming," the Treasury secretary continued. "I mean, you look at the stores and the people that are buying certain consumer products. What we've seen from the credit card data, travel is down extraordinary [sic]."
Mnuchin added: "Almost corresponding is an increase in purchases of food pharmacy goods and supplies."


crooksandliars--2020-03-15--Alveda King Tells Fox News: The Bible Says COVID-19 Is 'Biological Warfare'

Evangelist Alveda King told Fox News viewers on Sunday that the novel coronavirus is part of a `` plot '' to unleash `` biological warfare '' on the planet .
On Sunday , King appeared on Fox & Friends to praise President Donald Trump for declaring a national day of prayer to combat the pandemic .
`` President Trump is reminding us to be wise , '' King told Fox News host Pete Hegseth .
`` I think he said that a vaccine is on the verge and some other types of precautions ... That should be very comforting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In my prayer , [ I say ] , 'God is this you doing this for judgement ? '
And then I went to Psalms 2 and it says the rulers and the kings of the Earth get together and plot and do certain kind of things . ''
`` So , evil people -- it seems as though biological warfare was involved in this to some degree , '' she added .
`` I 'm not a conspiracy theorist and I do n't want to make up anything . ''
`` Yeah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Hegseth interrupted .
`` I get that . ''
`` We do n't , '' King agreed .
`` I think this is human error , not God trying to [ punish ] America . ''
Ed .
note : This virus was not bioengineered .
Scientists are unsure who `` Patient Zero '' is , but the earliest documented case was on November 17 , 2019 in China , after the virus was transferred from an animal to a human .

Evangelist Alveda King told Fox News viewers on Sunday that the novel coronavirus is part of a "plot" to unleash "biological warfare" on the planet.
On Sunday, King appeared on Fox & Friends to praise President Donald Trump for declaring a national day of prayer to combat the pandemic.
"President Trump is reminding us to be wise," King told Fox News host Pete Hegseth. "I think he said that a vaccine is on the verge and some other types of precautions... That should be very comforting for us."
(In fact, a COVID-19 vaccine will take at least 18 months to develop, according to the World Health Organization.)
King continued: "In my prayer, [I say], 'God is this you doing this for judgement?' And then I went to Psalms 2 and it says the rulers and the kings of the Earth get together and plot and do certain kind of things."
"So, evil people -- it seems as though biological warfare was involved in this to some degree," she added. "I'm not a conspiracy theorist and I don't want to make up anything."
"Yeah, we don't know that," Hegseth interrupted. "I get that."
"We don't," King agreed. "I think this is human error, not God trying to [punish] America."
Ed. note:This virus was not bioengineered. Scientists are unsure who "Patient Zero" is, but the earliest documented case was on November 17, 2019 in China, after the virus was transferred from an animal to a human.


crooksandliars--2020-03-15--Report: Russian Intelligence Services May Be Sponsoring Neo-Nazi Paramilitaries In The U.S.

We ’ ve known for some time that Russia ’ s authoritarian regime has played a key role in spreading far-right white-nationalist ideology around the globe .
We ’ ve also known for some time that Russian intelligence interfered in the 2016 U.S. election , mainly through disinformation campaigns .
The inevitable next step is apparently here : American intelligence officials , according to The New York Times , now believe that neo-Nazi paramilitary operations such as The Base and its Northwest-based training operations , used to plan and train for terrorist acts in the United States , including possibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being underwritten and overseen by Russian intelligence services .
The Times ’ report cites seven unnamed intelligence officials who briefed the paper ’ s reporters on Russia ’ s updated tactics in interfering with the 2020 election .
One of the new tactics appears to involve activating neo-Nazi terrorists , radicalized online and organized through the internet .
The FBI is currently investigating Russian intelligence ties to The Base , which began operating a paramilitary training camp in eastern Washington state last year .
Several members of The Base were arrested in January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally in Richmond , Virginia , where they reportedly intended to wreak violent havoc .
The Guardian revealed in January that the founder of The Base was a man named Rinaldo Nazzaro , originally from New Jersey , who now makes his home in Russia and appears to have at least peripheral connections to Russian intelligence .
From there , he ’ s been able to organize The Base under the nom de plume “ Norman Spear , ” though he has apparently made several trips to the U.S. to secure the rural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , these kinds of operations are primarily intended to sow chaos and fear—to which a common human response is to embrace authoritarianism and its surety .
Such responses become acute in the event of real terrorist violence .
“ One of Russia ’ s goals is weakening institutions and the weaponization of race is a way they can do that , ” Laura Rosenberger , the director of the Alliance for Securing Democracy , told the Times .
“ A divided America is a weaker America .
When we are unable to solve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to flex its power around the world.
” Russian intelligence operatives have been forced to adapt their tactics because social media companies are now on the lookout for the ad-fueled disinformation efforts that cropped up in 2016 , according to the report .
Instead , they ’ re now manipulating spaces that are more difficult to monitor and to mask their operations , including message boards like 4chan , private Facebook groups , and closed chat rooms .
The story cites FBI agent David Porter ’ s remarks at a recent election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is willing to conduct more brazen and disruptive influence operations because of how it perceives its conflict with the West … To put it simply , in this space , Russia wants to watch us tear ourselves apart .
”

We’ve known for some time that Russia’s authoritarian regime has played a key role in spreading far-right white-nationalist ideology around the globe. We’ve also known for some time that Russian intelligence interfered in the 2016 U.S. election, mainly through disinformation campaigns.
The inevitable next step is apparently here: American intelligence officials, according to The New York Times, now believe that neo-Nazi paramilitary operations such as The Base and its Northwest-based training operations, used to plan and train for terrorist acts in the United States, including possibly during the coming election season, are being underwritten and overseen by Russian intelligence services.
The Times’ report cites seven unnamed intelligence officials who briefed the paper’s reporters on Russia’s updated tactics in interfering with the 2020 election. One of the new tactics appears to involve activating neo-Nazi terrorists, radicalized online and organized through the internet.
The FBI is currently investigating Russian intelligence ties to The Base, which began operating a paramilitary training camp in eastern Washington state last year. Several members of The Base were arrested in January just prior to a planned right-wing gun rally in Richmond, Virginia, where they reportedly intended to wreak violent havoc.
The Guardian revealed in January that the founder of The Base was a man named Rinaldo Nazzaro, originally from New Jersey, who now makes his home in Russia and appears to have at least peripheral connections to Russian intelligence. From there, he’s been able to organize The Base under the nom de plume “Norman Spear,” though he has apparently made several trips to the U.S. to secure the rural Washington property.
From a foreign-intelligence perspective, these kinds of operations are primarily intended to sow chaos and fear—to which a common human response is to embrace authoritarianism and its surety. Such responses become acute in the event of real terrorist violence.
“One of Russia’s goals is weakening institutions and the weaponization of race is a way they can do that,” Laura Rosenberger, the director of the Alliance for Securing Democracy, told the Times. “A divided America is a weaker America. When we are unable to solve our challenges together, Russia is more able to flex its power around the world.”
Russian intelligence operatives have been forced to adapt their tactics because social media companies are now on the lookout for the ad-fueled disinformation efforts that cropped up in 2016, according to the report. Instead, they’re now manipulating spaces that are more difficult to monitor and to mask their operations, including message boards like 4chan, private Facebook groups, and closed chat rooms.
The story cites FBI agent David Porter’s remarks at a recent election security conference: “We see Russia is willing to conduct more brazen and disruptive influence operations because of how it perceives its conflict with the West … To put it simply, in this space, Russia wants to watch us tear ourselves apart.”
Posted with permission from Daily Kos


crooksandliars--2020-03-15--Jerry Falwell Jr. Whines To Fox News That Only Landowners Should Run Virginia

Famous 20th century American televangelist Jerry Falwell has a son , Jerry Falwell Jr. Falwell Jr. has been tied to the Trump campaign not only as a supporter , but as one of the many guys Trump ’ s former personal attorney and criminal , Michael Cohen , helped when strange salacious materials began circulating that included Falwell and his wife and a blackmailer .
Anyway , Falwell Jr. was on Fox News this Friday morning to talk about how Virginia , now turned “ blue ” due to an election where Virginians came out and voted for NOT Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landowners like Falwell Jr. “ The Washington D.C. suburbs now control every Virginia statewide election and that ’ s the result of the radical government in Richmond .
And they 're passing all kinds of bills that are just contrary to what the majority of Virginians—not the majority of Virginians , but most Virginians as far as land mass , support , ” Fallwell Jr. said on Fox News .
Wow .
Just .
Wow .
Jerry Falwell Jr. believes that democracy must really go way back to ancient Rome , where only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes sense for someone as backward and corrupt as Jerry Falwell Jr. , who , you might remember , has been accused of all kinds of corrupt self-dealings .
“ More than two dozen ” Liberty University officials have called his handling of the school ’ s scholarships and finances dubious , saying , `` We 're not a school , we 're a real estate hedge fund . ''
What is really happening is that Falwell Jr. and others are trying to secede from Virginia to join West Virginia .
The issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ larger , increasingly more racially diverse , and younger .
As a result , the more conservative politics of rural communities have begun to feel sad face emoji .
Here ’ s a deal : you get rid of the Electoral College and stop trying to take away people ’ s voting rights , and we will consider letting you secede from your state .

Famous 20th century American televangelist Jerry Falwell has a son, Jerry Falwell Jr. Falwell Jr. has been tied to the Trump campaign not only as a supporter, but as one of the many guys Trump’s former personal attorney and criminal, Michael Cohen, helped when strange salacious materials began circulating that included Falwell and his wife and a blackmailer. Anyway, Falwell Jr. was on Fox News this Friday morning to talk about how Virginia, now turned “blue” due to an election where Virginians came out and voted for NOT Republicans, was going to hell … for landowners like Falwell Jr.
“The Washington D.C. suburbs now control every Virginia statewide election and that’s the result of the radical government in Richmond. And they're passing all kinds of bills that are just contrary to what the majority of Virginians—not the majority of Virginians, but most Virginians as far as land mass, support,” Fallwell Jr. said on Fox News.
Wow. Just. Wow. Jerry Falwell Jr. believes that democracy must really go way back to ancient Rome, where only landowners could vote on laws. Which makes sense for someone as backward and corrupt as Jerry Falwell Jr., who, you might remember, has been accused of all kinds of corrupt self-dealings. “More than two dozen” Liberty University officials have called his handling of the school’s scholarships and finances dubious, saying, "We're not a school, we're a real estate hedge fund."
What is really happening is that Falwell Jr. and others are trying to secede from Virginia to join West Virginia. The issue being that northern Virginia has been becoming larger, increasingly more racially diverse, and younger. As a result, the more conservative politics of rural communities have begun to feel sad face emoji. Here’s a deal: you get rid of the Electoral College and stop trying to take away people’s voting rights, and we will consider letting you secede from your state.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-03-15--This Coronavirus Is Unlike Anything In Our Lifetime, And We Have To Stop Comparing It To The Flu

ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom .
Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox .
As a longtime health care reporter , the unfolding coronavirus pandemic represents everything I ’ ve read about — from the early days of epidemiology to the staggering toll of the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic — but had not covered in my lifetime .
And still , I have been caught off guard by the pushback from top elected officials and even some friends and acquaintances who keep comparing it to the flu .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the common Flu , ” President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter on March 9 .
“ 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 !
” By Friday , Trump had declared coronavirus a national emergency , freeing up resources and removing hurdles for a faster response .
In the meantime , not one public health expert I trust — not one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valid or that we ’ re overdoing it .
Every single one , from former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb to Harvard professor Ashish Jha , has said we ’ re not doing enough , that this is far more serious than it is being taken .
Here ’ s why that is : This is far deadlier than the flu .
As Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , and others have said , COVID-19 is deadlier than the flu .
It ’ s deadlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadlier for older adults .
In China , early data shows that it was 10 times deadlier .
This chart from Business Insider compares U.S. flu deaths to deaths in China from COVID-19 .
The flu kills less than 1 % of infected people who are over age 65 .
By comparison , in China , COVID-19 killed 8 % of those infected who were 70-79 and almost 15 % of those infected who were age 80 or older .
That ’ s a staggering difference .
Even for younger people , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of infected patients age 18-49 .
It ’ s 10 times that for COVID-19 .
In other countries , such as South Korea , the death rate has been far lower .
But if 1 in 12 people age 70-79 who get the virus and 1 in 7 people age 80 or older who get the virus die , and the virus spreads to 20 % , 40 % or 70 % of the population , we ’ re talking massive death tolls , the likes of which we have never seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean , people always say , well , the flu does this , the flu does that , ” Fauci said Wednesday during congressional testimony .
“ The flu has a mortality of 0.1 % .
This has a mortality rate of 10 times that .
That ’ s the reason I want to emphasize we have to stay ahead of the game in preventing this.
” Our health care system doesn ’ t have the capacity to deal with this .
Epidemiological experts keep talking about the need to “ flatten the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that we need to slow the speed at which new cases are reported .
We may not be able to stop the spread of the coronavirus , but we have to try to manage it .
If 1,000 new cases happen over a month instead of a week , the health care system is more able to handle them .
Here ’ s why this is a worry : Overall , our hospitals have fewer beds than other developed countries , according to recent data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beds per 1,000 residents .
By comparison , Germany had 8 beds and China 4.3 per 1,000 .
The United States looks better when it comes to intensive care beds , but there ’ s tremendous variation between regions and states .
If we experience what parts of China and Italy saw , we won ’ t have anywhere for sick patients to go .
We will quickly run out of capacity .
Even if we have the capacity , we may not have enough supplies .
In a crisis moment , supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be key .
But as National Geographic and other media have reported , the United States has only a fraction of the medical supplies it needs .
“ Three hundred million respirators and face masks .
That ’ s what the United States needs as soon as possible to protect health workers against the coronavirus threat .
But the nation ’ s emergency stockpile has less than 15 percent of these supplies , ” the magazine reported .
Others have reported shortfalls as well , and ProPublica has been hearing from health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own institutions are running short of supplies .
( Share your story here . )
U.S .
Surgeon General Jerome Adams tweeted at the end of February , “ Seriously people- STOP BUYING MASKS !
They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching # Coronavirus , but if healthcare providers can ’ t get them to care for sick patients , it puts them and our communities at risk !
” Another challenge : Hospital staff have been exposed too .
And if that weren ’ t enough , there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have been exposed to the virus are now quarantining themselves , further reducing available staff at hospitals .
Kaiser Health News reported on the effects of this : “ In Vacaville , California , alone , one case — the first documented instance of community transmission in the U.S. — left more than 200 hospital workers under quarantine and unable to work for weeks .
“ Across California , dozens more health care workers have been ordered home because of possible contagion in response to more than 80 confirmed cases as of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more than a quarter of the city ’ s fire department was quarantined after exposure to a handful of infected patients at the Life Care Center nursing home.
” This week , Banner Health in Colorado informed employees that a co-worker is among those with the coronavirus , The Colorado Sun reported .
“ People who came into prolonged , close contact with the woman in a Banner Health emergency room are being notified and asked to home-quarantine for 14 days , according to a source close to the investigation who spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anonymity.
” And my ProPublica colleagues reported Friday how some EMS workers are also being quarantined because of exposure .
( It didn ’ t help , of course , that the EMS system was slow to get up to speed on the threat . )
More than that , many health care workers have children and as schools begin to close , they have to figure out how to care for their own families .
People in rural areas will have little care nearby should they be affected by COVID-19 .
Rural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals entirely , and residents are having to travel hours for care .
According to the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , 126 rural hospitals have closed since 2010 , including six so far this year .
That ’ s about 6 % .
An analysis by the Chartis Center for Rural Health and iVantage Health Analytics this year found that about a quarter of the nation ’ s 1,844 open rural hospitals are vulnerable .
As The Washington Post described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fairfax Community [ in Oklahoma ] treat patients that are on average six years older and 40 percent poorer than those in urban hospitals , which means rural hospitals have suffered disproportionately from government cuts to Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement rates .
They also treat a higher percentage of uninsured patients , resulting in unpaid bills and rising debts .
“ A record 46 percent of rural hospitals lost money last year .
More than 400 are classified by health officials as being at ‘ high risk of imminent failure.
’ Hundreds more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to outside ownership groups in an attempt to stave off closure.
” This is serious , and I ’ m making changes to the way I live and work .
I ’ m working from home , trying to get enough sleep and avoiding crowds of any kind .
And watching events unfold in what I hope is a once-in-a-lifetime event .

by Charles Ornstein
ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.
As a longtime health care reporter, the unfolding coronavirus pandemic represents everything I’ve read about — from the early days of epidemiology to the staggering toll of the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic — but had not covered in my lifetime.
And still, I have been caught off guard by the pushback from top elected officials and even some friends and acquaintances who keep comparing it to the flu.
“So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu,” President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter on March 9. “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!”
By Friday, Trump had declared coronavirus a national emergency, freeing up resources and removing hurdles for a faster response.
In the meantime, not one public health expert I trust — not one — has said this flu comparison is valid or that we’re overdoing it. Every single one, from former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb to Harvard professor Ashish Jha, has said we’re not doing enough, that this is far more serious than it is being taken.
Here’s why that is:
This is far deadlier than the flu.
As Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and others have said, COVID-19 is deadlier than the flu. It’s deadlier for young adults. It’s deadlier for older adults. In China, early data shows that it was 10 times deadlier. This chart from Business Insider compares U.S. flu deaths to deaths in China from COVID-19.
Credit: Ruobing Su/Business Insider
The flu kills less than 1% of infected people who are over age 65. By comparison, in China, COVID-19 killed 8% of those infected who were 70-79 and almost 15% of those infected who were age 80 or older. That’s a staggering difference.
Even for younger people, the difference was striking. Flu killed .02% of infected patients age 18-49. It’s 10 times that for COVID-19.
In other countries, such as South Korea, the death rate has been far lower.
But if 1 in 12 people age 70-79 who get the virus and 1 in 7 people age 80 or older who get the virus die, and the virus spreads to 20%, 40% or 70% of the population, we’re talking massive death tolls, the likes of which we have never seen before in our lives.
“I mean, people always say, well, the flu does this, the flu does that,” Fauci said Wednesday during congressional testimony. “The flu has a mortality of 0.1%. This has a mortality rate of 10 times that. That’s the reason I want to emphasize we have to stay ahead of the game in preventing this.”
Our health care system doesn’t have the capacity to deal with this.
Epidemiological experts keep talking about the need to “flatten the curve.” What they mean by that is that we need to slow the speed at which new cases are reported. We may not be able to stop the spread of the coronavirus, but we have to try to manage it. If 1,000 new cases happen over a month instead of a week, the health care system is more able to handle them.
Here’s why this is a worry: Overall, our hospitals have fewer beds than other developed countries, according to recent data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The United States had 2.8 beds per 1,000 residents. By comparison, Germany had 8 beds and China 4.3 per 1,000.
The United States looks better when it comes to intensive care beds, but there’s tremendous variation between regions and states. If we experience what parts of China and Italy saw, we won’t have anywhere for sick patients to go. We will quickly run out of capacity.
Even if we have the capacity, we may not have enough supplies.
In a crisis moment, supplies like ventilators and N95 face masks will be key. But as National Geographic and other media have reported, the United States has only a fraction of the medical supplies it needs.
“Three hundred million respirators and face masks. That’s what the United States needs as soon as possible to protect health workers against the coronavirus threat. But the nation’s emergency stockpile has less than 15 percent of these supplies,” the magazine reported.
Others have reported shortfalls as well, and ProPublica has been hearing from health care professionals across the country who say their own institutions are running short of supplies. (Share your story here.)
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams tweeted at the end of February, “Seriously people- STOP BUYING MASKS! They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!”
Another challenge: Hospital staff have been exposed too.
And if that weren’t enough, there’s another problem. Health care workers who have been exposed to the virus are now quarantining themselves, further reducing available staff at hospitals. Kaiser Health News reported on the effects of this:
“In Vacaville, California, alone, one case — the first documented instance of community transmission in the U.S. — left more than 200 hospital workers under quarantine and unable to work for weeks.
“Across California, dozens more health care workers have been ordered home because of possible contagion in response to more than 80 confirmed cases as of Sunday afternoon. In Kirkland, Washington, more than a quarter of the city’s fire department was quarantined after exposure to a handful of infected patients at the Life Care Center nursing home.”
This week, Banner Health in Colorado informed employees that a co-worker is among those with the coronavirus, The Colorado Sun reported. “People who came into prolonged, close contact with the woman in a Banner Health emergency room are being notified and asked to home-quarantine for 14 days, according to a source close to the investigation who spoke to The Sun on the condition of anonymity.”
And my ProPublica colleagues reported Friday how some EMS workers are also being quarantined because of exposure. (It didn’t help, of course, that the EMS system was slow to get up to speed on the threat.)
More than that, many health care workers have children and as schools begin to close, they have to figure out how to care for their own families.
People in rural areas will have little care nearby should they be affected by COVID-19.
Rural areas in the U.S. are losing their hospitals entirely, and residents are having to travel hours for care. According to the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 126 rural hospitals have closed since 2010, including six so far this year. That’s about 6%.
An analysis by the Chartis Center for Rural Health and iVantage Health Analytics this year found that about a quarter of the nation’s 1,844 open rural hospitals are vulnerable.
As The Washington Post described it last year, “Hospitals like Fairfax Community [in Oklahoma] treat patients that are on average six years older and 40 percent poorer than those in urban hospitals, which means rural hospitals have suffered disproportionately from government cuts to Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement rates. They also treat a higher percentage of uninsured patients, resulting in unpaid bills and rising debts.
“A record 46 percent of rural hospitals lost money last year. More than 400 are classified by health officials as being at ‘high risk of imminent failure.’ Hundreds more have cut services or turned over control to outside ownership groups in an attempt to stave off closure.”
What I’m doing.
This is serious, and I’m making changes to the way I live and work. I’m working from home, trying to get enough sleep and avoiding crowds of any kind. And watching events unfold in what I hope is a once-in-a-lifetime event.


crooksandliars--2020-03-16--Joe Biden Says If He's The Nominee, His VP Pick Will Be A Woman

It 's not a big surprise in political circles , where it 's been assumed that if Biden wins the nomination , not only would he pick a female running mate , she is likely to be black .
( Last night , he also promised to put a black female judge on the Supreme Court . )
But Biden made headlines last night when he went public with his decision .
Via the New York Times : “ I commit that I will , in fact , appoint a woman to be vice president , ” Mr. Biden said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women qualified to be president tomorrow.
” Mr. Biden made his commitment in response to a videotaped question from a voter posed first to Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont about how he would ensure his cabinet would be equipped to offer the best possible advice about women ’ s physical and financial health .
A transcript of their initial exchange is below .
Shortly after this exchange , Mr. Sanders was pressed on whether he , too , would commit to selecting a woman as his running made .
“ In all likelihood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

It's not a big surprise in political circles, where it's been assumed that if Biden wins the nomination, not only would he pick a female running mate, she is likely to be black. (Last night, he also promised to put a black female judge on the Supreme Court.) But Biden made headlines last night when he went public with his decision. Via the New York Times:
“I commit that I will, in fact, appoint a woman to be vice president,” Mr. Biden said. “There are a number of women qualified to be president tomorrow.”
Mr. Biden made his commitment in response to a videotaped question from a voter posed first to Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont about how he would ensure his cabinet would be equipped to offer the best possible advice about women’s physical and financial health.
A transcript of their initial exchange is below. Shortly after this exchange, Mr. Sanders was pressed on whether he, too, would commit to selecting a woman as his running made. “In all likelihood, I will,” he said.


crooksandliars--2020-03-16--John Oliver Walks Us Through How To Live In The Age Of Coronavirus

On Last Week Tonight , John Oliver last night offered more information , leadership , and encouragement than the man who 's allegedly the leader of the free world .
Via the Daily Beast : “ We are clearly in the midst of a rapidly escalating outbreak , and it ’ s very difficult to say exactly where things stand—especially because , despite Trump repeatedly claiming otherwise , tests for this virus are still not available in most places to those who need them , which means that we can ’ t properly track the virus , or know how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained Oliver .
Indeed , the Trump administration delayed the production and distribution of novel coronavirus tests—even though , according to reports , the White House knew it was going to be a “ major threat , ” but Trump “ did not push to do aggressive additional testing… partly because more testing might have led to more cases being discovered of coronavirus outbreak , and the president had made clear—the lower the numbers on coronavirus , the better for the president , the better for his potential re-election this fall.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s also deeply frustrating , especially when you see how quickly other countries , including South Korea , ramped up their testing capabilities , ” said Oliver , continuing , “ Nothing is fine here .
The president ’ s response has sadly been characterized by disorganization and lies.
” The “ all-time low , ” according to Oliver , was Trump ’ s Rose Garden speech on the novel coronavirus , where he shouted out—and shook the hands of—a number of CEOs , despite the fact that he ’ d been exposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though has allegedly tested negative for it since ) .
In 2018 , Trump disbanded the National Security Council ’ s pandemic unit—the very unit that would have helped contain the novel coronavirus outbreak .
Nevertheless , Trump has said “ I don ’ t take responsibility at all ” for the virus ’ rapid spread , and when he was asked by Yamiche Alcindor of PBS Newshour about that statement , he called it a “ nasty question ” before blaming other people in his administration for the move .
“ Perfect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a level of dodging responsibility that Trump has been perfecting ever since he was very much not in Vietnam.
” After giving Trump ( and Fox News ) the business , Oliver ended on an emotional note : “ We ’ re gon na need to look out for one another… and not just in terms of containing the transmission of this virus , but also the economic impact that this is going to have for people who aren ’ t prepared to weather it .
”

On Last Week Tonight, John Oliver last night offered more information, leadership, and encouragement than the man who's allegedly the leader of the free world. Via the Daily Beast:
“We are clearly in the midst of a rapidly escalating outbreak, and it’s very difficult to say exactly where things stand—especially because, despite Trump repeatedly claiming otherwise, tests for this virus are still not available in most places to those who need them, which means that we can’t properly track the virus, or know how quickly it’s spreading,” explained Oliver.
Indeed, the Trump administration delayed the production and distribution of novel coronavirus tests—even though, according to reports, the White House knew it was going to be a “major threat,” but Trump “did not push to do aggressive additional testing… partly because more testing might have led to more cases being discovered of coronavirus outbreak, and the president had made clear—the lower the numbers on coronavirus, the better for the president, the better for his potential re-election this fall.”
“That is not only catastrophic… it’s also deeply frustrating, especially when you see how quickly other countries, including South Korea, ramped up their testing capabilities,” said Oliver, continuing, “Nothing is fine here. The president’s response has sadly been characterized by disorganization and lies.”
The “all-time low,” according to Oliver, was Trump’s Rose Garden speech on the novel coronavirus, where he shouted out—and shook the hands of—a number of CEOs, despite the fact that he’d been exposed to the virus himself at Mar-a-Lago (though has allegedly tested negative for it since).
In 2018, Trump disbanded the National Security Council’s pandemic unit—the very unit that would have helped contain the novel coronavirus outbreak. Nevertheless, Trump has said “I don’t take responsibility at all” for the virus’ rapid spread, and when he was asked by Yamiche Alcindor of PBS Newshour about that statement, he called it a “nasty question” before blaming other people in his administration for the move.
“Perfect,” replied Oliver. “That is a level of dodging responsibility that Trump has been perfecting ever since he was very much not in Vietnam.”
After giving Trump (and Fox News) the business, Oliver ended on an emotional note: “We’re gonna need to look out for one another… and not just in terms of containing the transmission of this virus, but also the economic impact that this is going to have for people who aren’t prepared to weather it.”


crooksandliars--2020-03-16--Norwegian University Warns Students About 'Poorly Developed Health Services' In USA: Report

A Norwegian university has reportedly backtracked after calling health services in the United States poorly developed .
In a post on Facebook , the Norwegian University of Science and Technology advised some international students students to return home .
`` This applies especially if you are staying in a country with poorly developed health services and infrastructure , for example the USA , '' the post said , according to reports .
By Sunday afternoon , the reference to the United States had been removed from the Facebook posting .
`` This applies especially if you are staying in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infrastructure and/or collective infrastructure , '' the updated post said .
But commenters had already responded to the initial post .
`` Can ’ t wait to when the Americans wake up , '' one person wrote .
`` As an American I ca n't wait for Americans to wake up either , '' another replied .
`` I laughed so loud with 'for example , USA ' , that I think I woke my neighbours up 😂😂😂 , '' a commenter noted .
`` Oh my god this is great 😂😂😂 , @ @ @ @ @ @

A Norwegian university has reportedly backtracked after calling health services in the United States poorly developed.
In a post on Facebook, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology advised some international students students to return home.
"This applies especially if you are staying in a country with poorly developed health services and infrastructure, for example the USA," the post said, according to reports.
Norway with the accuracy. pic.twitter.com/8Cchc0SyXk — Tammi Gaw (@tammigaw) March 15, 2020
By Sunday afternoon, the reference to the United States had been removed from the Facebook posting.
"This applies especially if you are staying in a country with poorly developed health services and infrastructure and/or collective infrastructure," the updated post said.
But commenters had already responded to the initial post.
"Can’t wait to when the Americans wake up," one person wrote.
"As an American I can't wait for Americans to wake up either," another replied.
"I laughed so loud with 'for example, USA', that I think I woke my neighbours up 😂😂😂," a commenter noted.
"Oh my god this is great 😂😂😂," another Facebook user laughed.


crooksandliars--2020-03-16--Winning Back The Senate

Winning Back The Senate

Just as he 's done in Colorado , North Carolina , Arizona , New Mexico , etc , Brooklyn 's Chuck Schumer has decided to choose who Maine 's U.S. Senate nominee for the Susan Collins seat will be .
This is bad enough on the face , but Schumer almost always gets it .
He picks losers , and then , Republicans win seats .
And when he does manage to come up with someone who can win , they always turn out to be the worst members of the Senate , like Kyrsten Sinema and Jackie Rosen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sara Gideon as the Maine candidate , someone who shies away from anything that ever 'rocks the boat ' and opposes Medicare for All and the Green New Deal -- inexplicably -- just at a time of an existential tipping point for the country .
The word `` bold '' is like a curse word for Gideon who has tried to present herself as similar to Susan Collins as she can without being Susan Collins .
The alternative to Collins and Gideon is progressive Democrat Betsy Sweet , who has been endorsed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus outbreak in the United States , '' Betsy told us this week , `` has not only dominated the American news cycle but it has also remained a pivotal worry in the minds of millions of Americans .
Each day , the fear grows greater that these hardworking Americans will contract the virus , left with no safety net to heal without concern .
Most vividly , the coronavirus is showing the holes in our systems of care .
It showcases the vulnerability of working families and single moms like me who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing costs for COVID-19 as well as those who have no insurance at all .
People without insurance are not going to be able to get the care they desperately need until it is too late .
We have to do better . ''
`` The coronavirus outbreak in the United States , '' she continued , `` highlights two things most prominently -- the need for paid family leave and paid sick leave .
When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are actively advocating for Americans to stay home from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that their livelihoods aren ’ t threatened .
Without paid family leave and paid sick leave , parents risk spreading the virus to their friends , their coworkers , their children .
More so , we need a health care system that works for all Americans so that they have access to the care and treatment they need .
By implementing Medicare for All , every single American would have access to the tests for COVID-19 without worrying about being unable to afford their rent and groceries . ''
We need representatives who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation .
What do we get instead ?
Trump refusing to acknowledge the reality of the rapid spread of coronavirus throughout the country .
McConnell recessing Congress when a reasonable bill finally passes , Biden relying on private insurance companies to overcharge hardworking Americans and price gouge in a time of dire straits .
Candidates like Sara Gideon , Schumer 's candidate in Maine , who refuse to acknowledge that health care is a human right .
Mainers deserve better .
Americans deserve better .
That leaves one clear path forwards -- Maine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that direct , immediate action is needed to counter the spread of COVID-19 but who also pushes forward bold ideas like paid family leave , paid sick leave , and Medicare for All that ensure that Americans can safely continue their lives and heal from coronavirus without astronomical medical bills .
If we want candidates like Betsy to prevail , we need to help .
We need to donate so that Betsy can push forward these bold progressive policies on a national stage .
That 's what the Blue America 2020 Senate thermometer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and contribute what you can .
Thank you !

Just as he's done in Colorado, North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, etc, Brooklyn's Chuck Schumer has decided to choose who Maine's U.S. Senate nominee for the Susan Collins seat will be.
This is bad enough on the face, but Schumer almost always gets it wrong . He picks losers, and then, Republicans win seats. And when he does manage to come up with someone who can win, they always turn out to be the worst members of the Senate, like Kyrsten Sinema and Jackie Rosen.
He's decided he wants establishment hack Sara Gideon as the Maine candidate, someone who shies away from anything that ever 'rocks the boat' and opposes Medicare for All and the Green New Deal -- inexplicably-- just at a time of an existential tipping point for the country. The word "bold" is like a curse word for Gideon who has tried to present herself as similar to Susan Collins as she can without being Susan Collins.
The alternative to Collins and Gideon is progressive Democrat Betsy Sweet, who has been endorsed by Blue America.
"News of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States," Betsy told us this week, "has not only dominated the American news cycle but it has also remained a pivotal worry in the minds of millions of Americans. Each day, the fear grows greater that these hardworking Americans will contract the virus, left with no safety net to heal without concern.
Most vividly, the coronavirus is showing the holes in our systems of care. It showcases the vulnerability of working families and single moms like me who have high deductibles that far surpass the testing costs for COVID-19 as well as those who have no insurance at all. People without insurance are not going to be able to get the care they desperately need until it is too late. We have to do better."
"The coronavirus outbreak in the United States," she continued, "highlights two things most prominently-- the need for paid family leave and paid sick leave. When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are actively advocating for Americans to stay home from their places of work, Americans need reassurance that their livelihoods aren’t threatened.
Without paid family leave and paid sick leave, parents risk spreading the virus to their friends, their coworkers, their children. More so, we need a health care system that works for all Americans so that they have access to the care and treatment they need. By implementing Medicare for All, every single American would have access to the tests for COVID-19 without worrying about being unable to afford their rent and groceries."
We need representatives who recognize the urgency and gravity of the situation. What do we get instead? Trump refusing to acknowledge the reality of the rapid spread of coronavirus throughout the country. McConnell recessing Congress when a reasonable bill finally passes, Biden relying on private insurance companies to overcharge hardworking Americans and price gouge in a time of dire straits. Candidates like Sara Gideon, Schumer's candidate in Maine, who refuse to acknowledge that health care is a human right. Mainers deserve better. Americans deserve better.
That leaves one clear path forwards-- Maine needs a Senator who not only recognizes that direct, immediate action is needed to counter the spread of COVID-19 but who also pushes forward bold ideas like paid family leave, paid sick leave, and Medicare for All that ensure that Americans can safely continue their lives and heal from coronavirus without astronomical medical bills.
Betsy Sweet is that candidate.
If we want candidates like Betsy to prevail, we need to help. We need to donate so that Betsy can push forward these bold progressive policies on a national stage. That's what the Blue America 2020 Senate thermometer is for. Please click on it and contribute what you can. Thank you!


crooksandliars--2020-03-16--Illinois Governor Complains That White House Staffer 'Yelled At Him' After Tweet

After all of the talk about social distancing , the scene at Chicago O'Hare airport and other international airports was chaotic and dangerous , due to new federal restrictions on international travel , a situation which alarmed and angered Illinois governor JB Pritzker .
Out of frustration , Pritzker turned to Twitter : He went on to say that the Trumpsters need to get their `` s @ # t together now . ''
So , what does a responsible White House do ?
Not what Trump 's White House did .
According to Pritzker on Meet the Press , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yell about the tweet .
“ I got a call at about 11:00 last night after that tweet from a White House staffer who yelled at me about the tweet , '' he told Chuck Todd .
`` That is what I got . ''
Apparently he also got the attention of the CBP for half a minute to deal with the mess at the airport , as well as senators , who are now working on solutions to a problem that should have been foreseen before it became a problem .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @

After all of the talk about social distancing, the scene at Chicago O'Hare airport and other international airports was chaotic and dangerous, due to new federal restrictions on international travel, a situation which alarmed and angered Illinois governor JB Pritzker.
Out of frustration, Pritzker turned to Twitter:
The crowds & lines O’Hare are unacceptable & need to be addressed immediately.@realDonaldTrump @VP since this is the only communication medium you pay attention to—you need to do something NOW.
These crowds are waiting to get through customs which is under federal jurisdiction — Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) March 15, 2020
He went on to say that the Trumpsters need to get their "s@#t together now."
The federal government needs to get its s@#t together. NOW. — Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) March 15, 2020
So, what does a responsible White House do? Not what Trump's White House did. According to Pritzker on Meet the Press, the response to his tweet was to yell about the tweet.
“I got a call at about 11:00 last night after that tweet from a White House staffer who yelled at me about the tweet," he told Chuck Todd. "That is what I got."
Apparently he also got the attention of the CBP for half a minute to deal with the mess at the airport, as well as senators, who are now working on solutions to a problem that should have been foreseen before it became a problem.
Instead, this is what they did:
Attention travelers: customs processing is taking longer than usual inside the Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facility owing to enhanced #COVID19 screening for passengers arriving from Europe. Thank you for your patience. — O'Hare Intl. Airport (@fly2ohare) March 15, 2020
Thank you for your patience during a sensitive and rapidly evolving situation. We have strongly encouraged our federal partners to increase staffing to meet demand. — O'Hare Intl. Airport (@fly2ohare) March 15, 2020
Ya think?


crooksandliars--2020-03-15--Democratic Debate: Biden V. Sanders

Democratic Debate: Biden V. Sanders

Tonight is the final Democratic debate of the primary season , with the field pared down to Senator Bernie Sanders @ @ @ @ @ Biden .
It is sponsored by CNN and Univision .
The debate can be viewed @ @ @ @ @ they will be streaming it online for free .
They 're not allowing embeds , @ @ @ @ @ a new tab and settle in to share your thoughts with us here .

Tonight is the final Democratic debate of the primary season, with the field pared down to Senator Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden. It is sponsored by CNN and Univision.
The debate can be viewed online at CNN.com, where they will be streaming it online for free. They're not allowing embeds, so open it up in a new tab and settle in to share your thoughts with us here.


crooksandliars--2020-03-16--Narcissist Trump Gives Himself A Perfect 10 For COVID-19 Response As Markets Crash To All-Time Lows.

Please , how do we keep this man off the television ?
He 's killing the markets and the economy .
Knowing that the Dow futures were in the tank , was he still high because of a Friday bounce-back that he could magically think he would show his orange face and the markets would respond ?
Last week Trump said he takes `` no responsibility '' whatsoever for the federal government 's response to this pandemic and instead blamed Obama .
This has been his only political move : Attack previous administrations when he fails .
As Trump began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market tickers plummeted all the time he was talking .
As the markets were closing , a reporter yelled at the podium and was able to get in this question .
`` Mr. President , the other day you said you were not responsible for the testing shortfall .
Very simple question , does the buck stop with you ?
On a scale of 1 to 10 , how would you rate your response to this crisis ? ''
Trump did not respond to `` does the buck stop with him , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his response to this crisis .
`` I 'd rate it a 10 , '' he said .
I think we 've done a great job .
It started with the fact that we kept a very highly infected country , despite all of the -- even the professionals saying , no , it 's too early to do that , we were very , very early with respect to China .
We would have a whole different situation in this country if we did n't do that .
I would rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate ourselves and the professionals , I think the professionals have done a fantastic job .
As far as the testing , you heard the Admiral .
I think the testing that we 've done , we really took over an obsolete system or put it maybe in a different way a system that was n't meant to do anything like this , we took it over and we 're doing something that 's never been done in this country .
I think that we are doing very well .
We took the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we had and we broke down the system purposely , we broke it down in order to do what we 're doing now .
And within a short period of time and even now we 're testing tremendous numbers of people and ultimately you 're saying it will be , what , it will be up to how many people will we be able to test ?
He keeps attacking Pres .
Obama 's H1N1 crisis response , but that is not relevant at all because he 's president and Obama is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Obama put in place a pandemic response team that Trump dissolved because he hates Obama .
And Obama did really well with the outbreak as Factcheck writers , `` While that death toll may sound high , it ’ s over an entire year and , in fact , ended up being far lower than was initially expected .
The strain of influenza also turned out to have a case fatality rate of just 0.02 % — well below even many typical seasonal influenzas . ''
This imbecile keeps flailing away with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does nothing absolutely nothing because confusion and chaos is the way he likes things .
He thought he could fluff the markets like he did on Friday and instead the opposite happened .

Please, how do we keep this man off the television?
He's killing the markets and the economy.
Knowing that the Dow futures were in the tank, was he still high because of a Friday bounce-back that he could magically think he would show his orange face and the markets would respond?
I thought Mike Pence was running the virus task force.
What about Dr. Fauci?
Last week Trump said he takes "no responsibility" whatsoever for the federal government's response to this pandemic and instead blamed Obama. This has been his only political move: Attack previous administrations when he fails.
As Trump began today's press conference, the stock market tickers plummeted all the time he was talking.
As the markets were closing, a reporter yelled at the podium and was able to get in this question.
"Mr. President, the other day you said you were not responsible for the testing shortfall. Very simple question, does the buck stop with you? On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your response to this crisis?"
Trump did not respond to "does the buck stop with him," but quickly gave himself a perfect 10 on his response to this crisis.
"I'd rate it a 10," he said.
I think we've done a great job. It started with the fact that we kept a very highly infected country, despite all of the -- even the professionals saying, no, it's too early to do that, we were very, very early with respect to China. We would have a whole different situation in this country if we didn't do that. I would rate it very, very -- I would rate ourselves and the professionals, I think the professionals have done a fantastic job. As far as the testing, you heard the Admiral. I think the testing that we've done, we really took over an obsolete system or put it maybe in a different way a system that wasn't meant to do anything like this, we took it over and we're doing something that's never been done in this country. I think that we are doing very well. We took the system, we worked with the system we had and we broke down the system purposely, we broke it down in order to do what we're doing now. And within a short period of time and even now we're testing tremendous numbers of people and ultimately you're saying it will be, what, it will be up to how many people will we be able to test?
He keeps attacking Pres. Obama's H1N1 crisis response, but that is not relevant at all because he's president and Obama is not. The biggest problem now is that President Obama put in place a pandemic response team that Trump dissolved because he hates Obama.
And Obama did really well with the outbreak as Factcheck writers, "While that death toll may sound high, it’s over an entire year and, in fact, ended up being far lower than was initially expected. The strain of influenza also turned out to have a case fatality rate of just 0.02% — well below even many typical seasonal influenzas."
This imbecile keeps flailing away with inaccurate talking points and improvised puffery that does nothing absolutely nothing because confusion and chaos is the way he likes things. He thought he could fluff the markets like he did on Friday and instead the opposite happened.


crooksandliars--2020-03-16--Senate To Take Up House Coronavirus Bill ... Sometime

After a long weekend at home , the Senate is coming back to work Monday and will get around to passing the House ’ s coronavirus relief package … sometime this week , probably .
The House plan includes free coronavirus testing , paid sick leave for workers at companies with fewer than 500 workers ( a huge hole , with 80 % of workers at large companies ) , and stronger unemployment insurance .
The House will issue a “ technical correction ” on Monday after its bill was put together quickly for passage early Saturday .
As for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particular hurry , as that long weekend clearly showed , and are ready to pick some fights to further weaken what the bill does for workers .
When you read that Sen. Ron Johnson is very concerned that giving people paid sick leave in a pandemic would be a bad idea because it might hurt businesses—even though the House bill includes a tax credit for the businesses to cover the sick leave—remember that just one senator can hold up a bill .
“ Although mandating that all employers must pay for sick leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider the unintended consequences of this legislation , ” Johnson said in a statement .
He added , “ I fear that rather than offering a workable solution , the House bill will exacerbate the problem by forcing small businesses to pay wages they can not afford and ‘ helping ’ them go further into debt.
” Whereas , to Johnson , giving people the choice between going to work while sick in a pandemic or not getting paid and potentially becoming homeless is apparently a great idea , because at least it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems for any businesses .
Shoot , not giving people paid sick leave is business as usual in the United States .
Since the bill includes tax credits for the affected businesses , though , Johnson ’ s position is especially outrageous .
And he even suggested that it might be better for the Senate to “ pass nothing at all.
” As for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , he said that he and other Republicans “ feel strongly that this bill must only be the beginning of Congress ’ s efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stand with American families.
” Which presumably means lots of tax cuts for rich people .
But the real issue right this minute is when “ only the beginning ” starts , and how much people like Johnson—or Sen. Marco Rubio , who wants to add some stuff to the bill , at a cost of who knows how many days—are going to hold up the need U.S. workers so urgently need right now .

After a long weekend at home, the Senate is coming back to work Monday and will get around to passing the House’s coronavirus relief package … sometime this week, probably. The House plan includes free coronavirus testing, paid sick leave for workers at companies with fewer than 500 workers (a huge hole, with 80% of workers at large companies), and stronger unemployment insurance. The House will issue a “technical correction” on Monday after its bill was put together quickly for passage early Saturday.
As for the Senate, Republicans are in no particular hurry, as that long weekend clearly showed, and are ready to pick some fights to further weaken what the bill does for workers. When you read that Sen. Ron Johnson is very concerned that giving people paid sick leave in a pandemic would be a bad idea because it might hurt businesses—even though the House bill includes a tax credit for the businesses to cover the sick leave—remember that just one senator can hold up a bill.
“Although mandating that all employers must pay for sick leave might sound good, we need to consider the unintended consequences of this legislation,” Johnson said in a statement. He added, “I fear that rather than offering a workable solution, the House bill will exacerbate the problem by forcing small businesses to pay wages they cannot afford and ‘helping’ them go further into debt.”
Whereas, to Johnson, giving people the choice between going to work while sick in a pandemic or not getting paid and potentially becoming homeless is apparently a great idea, because at least it doesn’t (immediately) cause problems for any businesses. Shoot, not giving people paid sick leave is business as usual in the United States.
Since the bill includes tax credits for the affected businesses, though, Johnson’s position is especially outrageous. And he even suggested that it might be better for the Senate to “pass nothing at all.”
As for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, he said that he and other Republicans “feel strongly that this bill must only be the beginning of Congress’s efforts to support our nation’s economy and stand with American families.” Which presumably means lots of tax cuts for rich people. But the real issue right this minute is when “only the beginning” starts, and how much people like Johnson—or Sen. Marco Rubio, who wants to add some stuff to the bill, at a cost of who knows how many days—are going to hold up the need U.S. workers so urgently need right now.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos


crooksandliars--2020-03-16--Florida Trump-Loving Pastor Demands Followers Come To Church To Fight 'Demonic' COVID19

A Trump-loving Florida pastor told his parishioners to ignore the CDC and the federal government 's warnings and to come to church so that we may `` live '' or `` die for Christ . ''
Pastor Guillermo Maldonado has hosted events for Donald Trump in the past , as the Miami Herald reported , left a now-deleted Facebook video to his followers advising parishioners who were thinking of skipping the Sunday service who might feel sick .
“ You have two choices .
Come in and receive your healing , or stay home and miss out.
” Is he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit empty this week ?
The pastor of a megachurch in South Florida warned his parishioners Sunday that fears of exposure to COVID-19 was a “ demonic spirit , ” and he encouraged his parishioners to show up to worship and not heed warnings from officials to avoid crowded spaces .
“ Do you believe God would bring his people to his house to be contagious with the virus ?
Of course not , ” said pastor Guillermo Maldonado , who goes by the term of “ apostle , ” at a service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International Ministry in Kendall .
“ This service is usually packed .
So now they ’ re home in a cave afraid of the virus , that you want to transmit the virus , ” Maldonado said to a venue that appeared half empty , as some churchgoers left seats between them .
“ If we die , we die for Christ .
If we live , we live for Christ , so what do you lose ?
” Religious right leaders , who vociferously defend and support everything Trump says or does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liars and fear mongers that instead of counseling members of their community to help them get through this pandemic , are putting them in danger by calling COVID-19 `` a liberal plot . ''

A Trump-loving Florida pastor told his parishioners to ignore the CDC and the federal government's warnings and to come to church so that we may "live" or "die for Christ."
Pastor Guillermo Maldonado has hosted events for Donald Trump in the past, as the Miami Herald reported, left a now-deleted Facebook video to his followers advising parishioners who were thinking of skipping the Sunday service who might feel sick. “You have two choices. Come in and receive your healing, or stay home and miss out.”
Is he afraid his collection baskets will be a bit empty this week?
Bianca Padro Ocasio breaks this news:
The pastor of a megachurch in South Florida warned his parishioners Sunday that fears of exposure to COVID-19 was a “demonic spirit,” and he encouraged his parishioners to show up to worship and not heed warnings from officials to avoid crowded spaces. “Do you believe God would bring his people to his house to be contagious with the virus? Of course not,” said pastor Guillermo Maldonado, who goes by the term of “apostle,” at a service on Sunday morning at the King Jesus International Ministry in Kendall. “This service is usually packed. So now they’re home in a cave afraid of the virus, that you want to transmit the virus,” Maldonado said to a venue that appeared half empty, as some churchgoers left seats between them. “If we die, we die for Christ. If we live, we live for Christ, so what do you lose?”
Religious right leaders, who vociferously defend and support everything Trump says or does are populated with buffoons, grifters, liars and fear mongers that instead of counseling members of their community to help them get through this pandemic, are putting them in danger by calling COVID-19 "a liberal plot."