thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-19--New Coronavirus Package Could Unravel Protections For Students With Disabilities

Advocates of children with special needs are sounding the alarm on Senate Republicans ’ proposed “ Phase 3 ” coronavirus stimulus package , saying that it may eventually give the government power to absolve schools of at least some of their legal obligation to educate students with disabilities .
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( IDEA ) , the federal education law that governs special education , schools are required to provide an equal education for students with disabilities .
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 , federally funded programs are prohibited from discriminating based on disability .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ which still has to be passed by Congress , says Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos can soon tell Congress whether or not she thinks schools should be temporarily exempt from some of these requirements .
The proposal says that within 30 days of its enactment , DeVos should prepare a report for Senate committees “ with recommendations on any additional waivers the Secretary believes are necessary to be enacted into law … to provide limited flexibility to States and local educational agencies to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities.
” Civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying Republicans are using the complicated crisis as an opportunity to potentially scale back some protections for vulnerable groups .
As of the 2017-2018 school year , 7 million students ― or 14 % of all children ages 3 to 21 ― received special education services under IDEA , according to the National Center for Education Statistics .
“ It ’ s people using the coronavirus crisis basically to get what they want anyway in terms of weakening civil rights protections for vulnerable children .
It ’ s just sad , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Education Civil Rights Alliance at the National Center for Youth Law .
Earlier discussions about the legislation went even further , said Liz King , director of Education Policy for the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights .
According to reports she heard of those efforts , states would be given the freedom “ to request permission from the secretary to waive their requirements of IDEA , ” King said .
However , once disability rights advocates and parents got wind of it , they flooded congressional Republicans with complaints .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ version “ suggests that children ’ s rights are a hindrance to their own education , and that is nonsensical , ” said King .
“ This still continues to be a distraction from their fundamental responsibility to ensure the health , nutritional and educational needs of all children are met during this national crisis.
” At least 95,000 public and private schools have shut down in an effort to combat coronavirus , affecting about 44 million students , according to EdWeek .
Most schools have continued providing virtual academics , but some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with special needs .
Previous guidance from the U.S. Department of Education said that schools are not required to provide IDEA services if they close to stop the spread of COVID-19 and do not provide any services to other students .
“ The first things [ schools ] are thinking of is ‘ Are we going to get ourselves in trouble ?
’ ” Phyllis Wolfram , the executive director of the Council of Administrators of Special Education , previously told EdWeek .
“ No one is going to hold schools to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in classrooms ] .
This is a crisis .
People recognize that .
But schools can ’ t just do nothing .
They need to do what they can do , ” Rollin said .

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Advocates of disabled children are sounding the alarm on Senate Republicans’ proposed “Phase 3” coronavirus stimulus package, saying that it may eventually give the government power to absolve schools of at least some of their legal obligation to educate students with disabilities.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal education law that governs special education, schools are required to provide an equal education for students with disabilities. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federally funded programs are prohibited from discriminating based on disability.
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However, the new Senate package, which still has to be passed by Congress, says Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos can soon tell Congress whether or not she thinks schools should be temporarily exempt from some of these requirements.
The proposal says that within 30 days of its enactment, DeVos should prepare a report for Senate committees “with recommendations on any additional waivers the Secretary believes are necessary to be enacted into law … to provide limited flexibility to States and local educational agencies to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities.”
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos speaks at a Senate subcommittee hearing. Michael Brochstein / Echoes Wire/Barcroft Media via Getty Images
Civil rights advocates are calling the provision shameful, saying Republicans are using the complicated crisis as an opportunity to potentially scale back some protections for vulnerable groups. As of the 2017-2018 school year, 7 million students ― or 14% of all children ages 3 to 21 ― received special education services under IDEA, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
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“It’s people using the coronavirus crisis basically to get what they want anyway in terms of weakening civil rights protections for vulnerable children. It’s just sad,” said Miriam Rollin, director of the Education Civil Rights Alliance at the National Center for Youth Law.
Earlier discussions about the legislation went even further, said Liz King, director of Education Policy for the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. According to reports she heard of those efforts, states would be given the freedom “to request permission from the secretary to waive their requirements of IDEA,” King said. However, once disability rights advocates and parents got wind of it, they flooded congressional Republicans with complaints. It was soon scaled back.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the earlier discussions.
The current version “suggests that children’s rights are a hindrance to their own education, and that is nonsensical,” said King. “This still continues to be a distraction from their fundamental responsibility to ensure the health, nutritional and educational needs of all children are met during this national crisis.”
A spokeswoman for Betsy DeVos pushed back, saying, “The Department takes seriously its responsibility to protect the rights of all students.”
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“We are working to provide schools with the flexibilities they will need to serve students throughout this national emergency,” said Education Department spokesperson Morabito in a statement.
At least 95,000 public and private schools have shut down in an effort to combat coronavirus, affecting about 44 million students, according to EdWeek. Most schools have continued providing virtual academics, but some have struggled to provide education for disabled students. Previous guidance from the U.S. Department of Education said that schools are not required to provide IDEA services if they close to stop the spread of COVID-19 and do not provide any services to other students.
Indeed, some districts have admitted to struggling amid equity concerns. If they don’t serve children with disabilities equitably, they run the risk of violating federal law.
“The first things [schools] are thinking of is ‘Are we going to get ourselves in trouble?’” Phyllis Wolfram, the executive director of the Council of Administrators of Special Education, previously told EdWeek.
But Rollin says potentially exempting schools from civil rights law would send the wrong signal, giving schools cover to do nothing.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-20--'Lock Them Up': Twitter Users Rip Senators For Dumping Stock Ahead Of Outbreak

Twitter uses are calling out Republican senators Richard Burr ( N.C. ) and Kelly Loeffler ( Georgia ) following reports that the two dumped stocks after receiving intelligence briefings about the coronavirus threat .
Both were able to sell their investments before this month ’ s market crash .
Neither lawmaker warned the public about the true nature of what the nation was facing ; Burr even co-wrote an opinion piece for Fox News in early February crowing that the United States was “ better prepared than ever before to face emerging public health threats , like the coronavirus.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of the Senate Intelligence Committee ― sold off between $ 628,000 and $ 1.72 million in stock in 33 separate transactions documented by ProPublica .
Loeffler not only sold off stock in dozens of transactions but also invested in a company that provides teleworking software , The Daily Beast reported on Thursday .
Publicly , however , she accused Democrats of misleading the public about the threat and said Trump and his administration were “ doing a great job working to keep Americans healthy & safe.
” Speaking before the allegations against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carlson said Burr should resign and face prosecution if he doesn ’ t have a good explanation for his actions .
“ There is no greater moral crime than betraying your country in a time of crisis , and that appears to be what happened , ” Carlson said .
It is stomach-churning that the first thoughts these Senators had to a dire & classified # COVID briefing was how to profit off this crisis .
They didn ’ t mobilize to help families , or prep response .
They dumped stock .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
https : //t.co/3lx1Bjt4be — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( @ AOC ) March 20 , 2020 Senators Burr and Loeffler should be investigated by authorities and the Senate Ethics Committee .
If the evidence suggests they engaged in insider trading , they should be charged and stand trial .
— Julián Castro ( @ JulianCastro ) March 20 , 2020 I 'm confused .
Trump says `` if only we 'd known , '' but his lackeys , Richard Burr and Kelly Loeffler , knew well enough to dump millions in stocks ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Randi Mayem Singer ( @ rmayemsinger ) March 20 , 2020 Let me be clear : ANYONE - Republican or Democrat - who sold stock after the Senate intelligence briefing belongs in jail .
This is a non-partisan Issue .
If you used your position for insider trading , you should resign , confess and go to jail .
— Don Winslow ( @ donwinslow ) March 20 , 2020 Whether your last name is Burr or Loeffler , and are an R or D , if your immediate reaction upon learning of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage of your privilege to put yourself in a better position than other Americans , you ’ re no public servant .
You ’ re self-serving jerk .
— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas ( @ ananavarro ) March 20 , 2020 they should be forced to give their profits to the Americans who are losing their jobs .
then # LockThemUp.
# InsiderTraitor https : //t.co/6J9hxs23C5 — Bobby Sands ( @ kaoconnor ) March 20 , 2020 I am so disgusted .
I don ’ t care if he is a Republican , this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We should hold # Burr and # Loeffler accountable .
# InsiderTrading https : //t.co/kDiMxedv4Y — Kylie Jane Kremer ( @ KylieJaneKremer ) March 20 , 2020 Here are the names of the GOPers that we know of so far who violated the STOCK Act just before markets crashed ... Richard Burr Jim Inhofe Ron Johnson Kelly Loeffler In short , they all committed insider trading , which is crime .
Lock them up .
It was never about Hunter Biden .
— Ricky Davila ( @ TheRickyDavila ) March 20 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senator Burr were the only ones who engaged in # InsiderTrading .
I want my fears and assumptions to be proven wrong .
I really do .
This level of debased villainy during a pandemic is too much , even for Republicans .
That being said ... — Wajahat `` Please Stay Home If You Can '' Ali ( @ WajahatAli ) March 20 , 2020 While Trump was reassuring Americans about this pandemic in early February , both he and Senate Intelligence Chair Richard Burr had received classified Intelligence briefings about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Streisand ( @ BarbraStreisand ) March 20 , 2020 They could have gotten ahead of this .
Instead they were lying and selling their stocks .
Vote them the fuck out .
— Adam Parkhomenko ( @ AdamParkhomenko ) March 20 , 2020 Remember when we learned that you can detect the spread of the flu by tracking google searches on symptoms ?
Now we know to track pandemics by looking at Senators ’ stock portfolios .
— Bethany Albertson ( @ AlbertsonB2 ) March 20 , 2020 Well done GA governor Kemp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate .
Well done @ senatemajldr McConnell for giving her that plum assignment regulating her own husband .
And kudos Senate Intel chairman Richard Burr for great briefings to your investor pals in and out of the Senate .
pic.twitter.com/Tc8w5c47sO — Joy Reid ( @ JoyAnnReid ) March 20 , 2020 The potential insider trading is dreadful and possibly criminal , but what could elevate this to a historic scandal is the idea that senators may have known enough to be alarmed for themselves yet still projected rosy scenarios to the public AND @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
https : //t.co/PeMktkEPFA — David French ( @ DavidAFrench ) March 20 , 2020 GOP Senators Burr and Loeffler need to resign immediately and then be arrested .
They both sold off stocks while lying to the American people about the coronavirus .
This is the kind corruption that Chris Collins went to prison for .
But this is so much worse .
They belong in prison .
— Scott Dworkin ( @ funder ) March 20 , 2020

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Twitter uses are calling out Republican senators Richard Burr (N.C.) and Kelly Loeffler (Georgia) following reports that the two dumped stocks after receiving briefings about the coronavirus threat.
Both were able to sell investments before this month’s market crash.
Neither lawmaker warned the public about the true nature of what the nation was facing; Burr even co-wrote an opinion piece for Fox News in early February crowing that the United States was “better prepared than ever before to face emerging public health threats, like the coronavirus.”
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Days later, Burr ― who heads the Senate Intelligence Committee ― sold off between $628,000 and $1.72 million in stock in 33 separate transactions, according to ProPublica.
Loeffler sold off stock in dozens of transactions and also invested in a company that provides teleworking software, The Daily Beast reported on Thursday. Publicly, however, she accused Democrats of misleading the public about the threat and said Trump and his administration were “doing a great job working to keep Americans healthy & safe.”
She wrote on Twitter this week that investment decisions for her portfolio “are made by multiple third-party advisors without my or my husband’s knowledge or involvement.”
Speaking before the allegations against Loeffler surfaced, Fox News host Tucker Carlson said Burr should resign and face prosecution if he doesn’t have a good explanation for his actions.
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“There is no greater moral crime than betraying your country in a time of crisis, and that appears to be what happened,” Carlson said.
People on Twitter were livid:
It is stomach-churning that the first thoughts these Senators had to a dire & classified #COVID briefing was how to profit off this crisis.
They didn’t mobilize to help families, or prep response. They dumped stock.
Sen. Loeffler needs to resign, too. https://t.co/3lx1Bjt4be — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 20, 2020
Senators Burr and Loeffler should be investigated by authorities and the Senate Ethics Committee.
If the evidence suggests they engaged in insider trading, they should be charged and stand trial. — Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) March 20, 2020
I'm confused. Trump says "if only we'd known," but his lackeys, Richard Burr and Kelly Loeffler, knew well enough to dump millions in stocks ahead of the outbreak? 'Splain me. — Randi Mayem Singer (@rmayemsinger) March 20, 2020
Let me be clear: ANYONE - Republican or Democrat - who sold stock after the Senate intelligence briefing belongs in jail.
This is a non-partisan Issue.
If you used your position for insider trading, you should resign, confess and go to jail. — Don Winslow (@donwinslow) March 20, 2020
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The Great Betrayal. https://t.co/viwEr9WYT8 — Waj S Khan (@WajSKhan) March 20, 2020
Whether your last name is Burr or Loeffler, and are an R or D, if your immediate reaction upon learning of an impending pandemic, is to take advantage of your privilege to put yourself in a better position than other Americans, you’re no public servant. You’re self-serving jerk. — Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) March 20, 2020
they should be forced to give their profits to the Americans who are losing their jobs.
then #LockThemUp.#InsiderTraitor https://t.co/6J9hxs23C5 — Bobby Sands (@kaoconnor) March 20, 2020
They couldn’t even wait a few days before they dumped their stock.#LockThemUp #GOPBetrayedAmerica https://t.co/lcV8LJCP7U — Nicolas Falacci (@NickFalacci) March 20, 2020
I am so disgusted. I don’t care if he is a Republican, this is a betrayal of the American people. We should hold #Burr and #Loeffler accountable. #InsiderTrading https://t.co/kDiMxedv4Y — Kylie Jane Kremer (@KylieJaneKremer) March 20, 2020
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Here are the names of the GOPers that we know of so far who violated the STOCK Act just before markets crashed...
Richard Burr
Jim Inhofe
Ron Johnson
Kelly Loeffler
In short, they all committed insider trading, which is crime. Lock them up.
It was never about Hunter Biden. — Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) March 20, 2020
I refuse to believe Senator Loeffler and Senator Burr were the only ones who engaged in #InsiderTrading. I want my fears and assumptions to be proven wrong. I really do. This level of debased villainy during a pandemic is too much, even for Republicans. That being said... — Wajahat "Please Stay Home If You Can" Ali (@WajahatAli) March 20, 2020
Senator Richard Burr needs to resign. This is such a shocking betrayal of the public trust https://t.co/7wBdVfETSz — Michael Cohen (@speechboy71) March 19, 2020
Imagine being a senator and calling your broker before trying to save your constituents lives? — Molly Jong-Fast🏡 (@MollyJongFast) March 20, 2020
While Trump was reassuring Americans about this pandemic in early February, both he and Senate Intelligence Chair Richard Burr had received classified Intelligence briefings about the threat of the virus. — Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) March 20, 2020
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They could have gotten ahead of this. Instead they were lying and selling their stocks. Vote them the fuck out. — Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) March 20, 2020
Remember when we learned that you can detect the spread of the flu by tracking google searches on symptoms? Now we know to track pandemics by looking at Senators’ stock portfolios. — Bethany Albertson (@AlbertsonB2) March 20, 2020
Well done GA governor Kemp, who appointed this woman to the Senate. Well done @senatemajldr McConnell for giving her that plum assignment regulating her own husband. And kudos Senate Intel chairman Richard Burr for great briefings to your investor pals in and out of the Senate. pic.twitter.com/Tc8w5c47sO — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) March 20, 2020
How’s your 401k? Senator Burr? Well, he’s doing just fine.
Infuriating! https://t.co/oPDsdPsIX4 — Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) March 20, 2020
The potential insider trading is dreadful and possibly criminal, but what could elevate this to a historic scandal is the idea that senators may have known enough to be alarmed for themselves yet still projected rosy scenarios to the public AND failed to make sure we were ready. https://t.co/PeMktkEPFA — David French (@DavidAFrench) March 20, 2020
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GOP Senators Burr and Loeffler need to resign immediately and then be arrested. They both sold off stocks while lying to the American people about the coronavirus. This is the kind corruption that Chris Collins went to prison for. But this is so much worse. They belong in prison. — Scott Dworkin (@funder) March 20, 2020
So let me get this straight. Senator Richard Burr, Senator Kelly Loeffler, and who knows how many other Congresspeople sold millions of dollars in securities, possibly violating the STOCK Act and literally robbing everyone’s 401K for profit, yet call themselves “public servants.” — Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) March 20, 2020
If reports are true, Sens. Burr and Loeffler must answer to the hard working Americans who’ve been hit the hardest by the virus, esp. as we negotiate a stimulus package.
Will they put the American people first? Or their self interest?
We deserve answers.https://t.co/WQ3p1UEoLI — Rep. Sylvia Garcia (@RepSylviaGarcia) March 20, 2020
“Lol” National betrayal and insider trading is hilarious. https://t.co/IOQgnsCCJY — Krystal Ball (@krystalball) March 20, 2020
Correction: An earlier version of this report incorrectly stated that the senators were given the information in an intelligence briefing.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-20--Ex-Trump Adviser Asks What Could Be Most Heartless Question About Coronavirus Lockdowns Yet

If this goes on , where we have people locked down , they can ’ t go to work for @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re talking about economic damage that would be in the trillions of dollars @ @ @ @ @ this question , is it worth trillions of dollars of losses ?
Think of the @ @ @ @ @ , in terms of the lost income , the lost life savings .
Is that @ @ @ @ @ with this ?
It ’ s a question worth asking , because I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ should get people to work as fast as we can .

If this goes on, where we have people locked down, they can’t go to work for more than three weeks, you’re talking about economic damage that would be in the trillions of dollars and we have to ask this question: Is it worth trillions of dollars of losses? Think of the human suffering, from the, in terms of the lost income, the lost life savings. Is that worth it, to deal with this? It’s a question worth asking, because I’m starting to think maybe we should get people to work as fast as we can.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-20--Jeremy Lin Delivers Scathing Rebuke Of Donald Trump’s Racist Coronavirus Rhetoric

Former NBA star Jeremy Lin has joined the growing chorus of criticism that is being leveled at President Donald Trump over his xenophobic description of the coronavirus as the “ Chinese Virus.
” The point guard , who now plays for the Chinese Basketball Association ’ s Beijing Ducks , told Trump via Twitter earlier this week that he wished he ’ d “ powerfully support the vulnerable people that will suffer due to our mismanagement of this virus , including those that will be affected by the racism you ’ re empowering.
” “ And I dont wan na @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyday Asian-Americans inc ppl I know are threatened and physically attacked , ” Lin continued .
Trump has defended his language , claiming he is being factually accurate by saying where the virus was first detected .
World Health Organization guidelines , however , warn not to use geographical descriptors to avoid stigmatization .
“ I dont give a crap about the history of names rn , ” added Lin .
“ What I do know is this subtle anti-Chinese message only empowers more hate towards asians.
” 🤦🏻♂I wish you would powerfully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to our mismanagement of this virus , including those that will be affected by the racism you ’ re empowering https : //t.co/QfRHiOFGEm — Jeremy Lin ( @ JLin7 ) March 17 , 2020 And I dont wan na hear about no German measles/Spanish flu bc everyday Asian-Americans inc ppl I know are threatened and physically attacked .
I dont give a crap about the history of names rn .
What I do know is this subtle anti-Chinese message only empowers more hate towards asians — Jeremy Lin ( @ JLin7 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good with the old school Asian model minority stigma where we wo n't speak up or stand up for ourselves .
In times like now , we truly truly need to stay united .
Lets fight this virus TOGETHER !
!
Wash your hands , practice social distancing , take this seriously , stay safe ❤ — Jeremy Lin ( @ JLin7 ) March 17 , 2020 Can you honestly tell me there is ZERO anti-Chinese sentiment in all his characterizations of the virus ?
Can you honestly tell me Asians are n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US ?
Is it that hard to use coronavirus or COVID-19 ?
We playin the blame game in a crisis https : //t.co/OsGo5wvW1k — Jeremy Lin ( @ JLin7 ) March 17 , 2020 On Thursday , Lin announced on Instagram that he ’ d returned to Beijing from the San Francisco Bay Area , to where he ’ d retreated following the outbreak of the public health crisis in China and the temporary suspension of the CBA .
“ Excited to hoop again , but leaving the bay worried and with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobless and all those fighting fear , anxiety and stress over the unknown future , ” he wrote .
“ It ’ s been an awesome 2 months camped out in the gym ... basketball has never been more meaningful .
The world needs basketball now more than ever , ” Lin concluded .
“ I still remember when I went through my toughest moments and worst injuries , you guys were there for me .
I hope to return the favor .
As all you beloved fans told me the day after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re # NeverDone .
”

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Former NBA star Jeremy Lin has joined the growing chorus of criticism that is being leveled at President Donald Trump over his xenophobic description of the coronavirus as the “Chinese Virus.”
The point guard, who now plays for the Chinese Basketball Association’s Beijing Ducks, told Trump via Twitter earlier this week that he wished the president would “powerfully support the vulnerable people that will suffer due to our mismanagement of this virus, including those that will be affected by the racism you’re empowering.”
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Trump has defended his language, claiming he is being factually accurate by saying where the virus was first detected. World Health Organization guidelines, however, say not to use geographical descriptors to avoid stigmatization.
“I dont give a crap about the history of names rn. What I do know is this subtle anti-Chinese message only empowers more hate towards asians,” Lin said, noting that people of Asian descent are being “threatened and physically attacked.”
Check out Lin’s tweets here:
🤦🏻♂I wish you would powerfully support the vulnerable people that will suffer due to our mismanagement of this virus, including those that will be affected by the racism you’re empowering https://t.co/QfRHiOFGEm — Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) March 17, 2020
And I dont wanna hear about no German measles/Spanish flu bc everyday Asian-Americans inc ppl I know are threatened and physically attacked. I dont give a crap about the history of names rn. What I do know is this subtle anti-Chinese message only empowers more hate towards asians — Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) March 17, 2020
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I'm not good with the old school Asian model minority stigma where we won't speak up or stand up for ourselves. In times like now, we truly truly need to stay united. Lets fight this virus TOGETHER!! Wash your hands, practice social distancing, take this seriously, stay safe ❤ — Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) March 17, 2020
Can you honestly tell me there is ZERO anti-Chinese sentiment in all his characterizations of the virus? Can you honestly tell me Asians aren't being unfairly physically attacked today in the US? Is it that hard to use coronavirus or COVID-19? We playin the blame game in a crisis https://t.co/OsGo5wvW1k — Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) March 17, 2020
On Thursday, Lin announced on Instagram that he’d returned to Beijing from the San Francisco Bay Area. He’d gone to California following the outbreak of the public health crisis in China and the temporary suspension of the CBA.
“Excited to hoop again, but leaving the bay worried and with a heavy heart for the sick, the jobless and all those fighting fear, anxiety and stress over the unknown future,” he wrote.
Check out that post here:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-19--Uninsured And Worried About COVID-19? You May Be Able To Get Covered.

The open enrollment period for health insurance on state and federally run exchanges , which are for people obtaining coverage on their own rather than through employers , ended months ago .
But people looking for insurance , either because they lost coverage or because they suddenly decided to get it , have opportunities to buy ― although the exact circumstances will vary depending on the state .
The exchanges in Colorado , Connecticut , Maryland , Massachusetts , Nevada , New York , Rhode Island and Washington state have reopened under “ special enrollment periods ” in response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or may have contracted COVID-19 .
Enrollment is underway in each of those states except Colorado , where it begins Friday .
In addition , California already was accepting new sign-ups to help people avoid paying tax penalties for not adhering to the state ’ s new individual mandate to get coverage , and the District of Columbia ’ s exchange already had been reactivated to enable uninsured people to get insurance at the same time of year they file their income taxes .
Enrollment Not Happening In Most States The federal government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period for the people in the 38 states that use HealthCare.gov for enrollment , and neither have the state-run exchanges Your Health Idaho , Minnesota ’ s MNSure and Vermont Health Connect .
But it might still be possible to get covered in those states .
“ Special enrollment periods are part of the ACA and are required for all marketplaces , state-based as well as the federal marketplaces , ” said Jennifer Tolbert , director of state health reform at the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation in Washington .
“ There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case of a number of state-based marketplaces ― these are states that run their own marketplaces , have their own websites ― they have made this decision to create a special enrollment period in response to the coronavirus.
” In the states that have taken this action , exchange coverage is available to any uninsured people who would otherwise qualify to use the marketplace : U.S. citizens or lawful residents who are not incarcerated .
People who bought alternative forms of health coverage , such as short-term plans , may also be eligible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who earn between the poverty level and 250 % of that , or up to $ 31,900 for a single person , may qualify for extra assistance that reduces out-of-pocket costs , such as deductibles and copayments .
Anyone who is offered employer health benefits that meet the ACA ’ s standards for affordability is not permitted to receive tax credit subsidies on exchange policies .
In other states , people may also still have a chance to get coverage if they need it .
The same special enrollment periods under the ACA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also permit customers everywhere to enroll in health coverage under certain circumstances , even though HealthCare.gov and the state-run exchanges in Idaho , Minnesota and Vermont remain closed .
With a growing number of workers unemployed or otherwise unable to work because of the coronavirus outbreak , this could apply to a substantial number of people .
Other life changes ― such as getting married , having a baby , getting divorced , moving , or involuntarily losing health insurance for any reason ― also would allow people to use an exchange right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition to access to private insurance from the health insurance exchange , people with low incomes may qualify for Medicaid coverage , and enrollment in the joint federal-state program is open year-round .
The income limits are different among the states and vary for different populations , such as children , pregnant women , people with disabilities , parents and adults without children .
Typically , Medicaid only is available to adults earning up to 133 % of the federal poverty level , which is $ 16,971 for a single person , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as children , in families with higher incomes .
Children from households with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid may be eligible for the Children ’ s Health Insurance Program .
The federal government has taken two actions to bolster Medicaid during the coronavirus emergency .
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has invited states to seek permission to waive certain Medicaid rules to facilitate enrolling eligible people who need coverage , such as relaxing income documentation requirements and fast-tracking applications .
In addition , the coronavirus relief legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for state Medicaid programs .
“ CMS is not currently offering a special enrollment period specifically designated for COVID-19 .
However , consumers who are not currently enrolled in coverage can see if they qualify for other special enrollment periods by visiting HealthCare.gov .
We will continue to work closely with states and health plans around the country to assess what additional actions are necessary to ensure the American people have coverage for and access to the services they need during this time , ” the agency said .

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As the novel coronavirus continues its spread across the United States, Americans are understandably worried about the high costs of treatment. Most vulnerable are those without health insurance, and some states are stepping up to offer assistance.
The open enrollment period for health insurance on state and federally run exchanges, which are for people obtaining coverage on their own rather than through employers, ended months ago. But people looking for insurance, either because they lost coverage or because they suddenly decided to get it, have opportunities to buy ― although the exact circumstances will vary depending on the state.
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The exchanges in Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington state have reopened under “special enrollment periods” in response to the growing number of Americans who have or may have contracted COVID-19. As of Monday, enrollment was underway in each of those states.
In addition, California, which was already accepting new sign-ups to help people avoid paying tax penalties for not adhering to the state’s new individual mandate to get coverage, has extended its deadline to accommodate people needing coverage during the coronavirus outbreak. The District of Columbia’s exchange already had been reactivated to enable uninsured people to get insurance at the same time of year they file their income taxes.
The special enrollment periods allow residents of those states who are uninsured an opportunity to protect themselves from high medical costs, but time is limited, and every jurisdiction except California and the District of Columbia has April deadlines to sign up.
Enrollment Not Happening In Most States
The federal government hasn’t announced a special enrollment period for the people in the 38 states that use HealthCare.gov for enrollment, and neither has the state-run exchange Your Health Idaho. But it might still be possible to get covered in those states.
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The Affordable Care Act, which created the exchanges, allows states that run their own insurance marketplaces and the federal government in other cases to enact special enrollment periods like this under certain circumstances.
“Special enrollment periods are part of the ACA and are required for all marketplaces, state-based as well as the federal marketplaces,” said Jennifer Tolbert, director of state health reform at the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation in Washington. “There is discretion, however, and in the case of a number of state-based marketplaces ― these are states that run their own marketplaces, have their own websites ― they have made this decision to create a special enrollment period in response to the coronavirus.”
In the states that have taken this action, exchange coverage is available to any uninsured people who would otherwise qualify to use the marketplace: U.S. citizens or lawful residents who are not incarcerated. People who bought alternative forms of health coverage, such as short-term plans, may also be eligible to shop on the exchanges.
People with incomes between the federal poverty level and 400% of that amount ― a range from $12,760 to $51,040 for a single person ― may be eligible for tax credits that reduce monthly premiums.
Those who earn between the poverty level and 250% of that, or up to $31,900 for a single person, may qualify for extra assistance that reduces out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles and copayments. Anyone who is offered employer health benefits that meet the ACA’s standards for affordability is not permitted to receive tax credit subsidies on exchange policies.
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As of Monday, the deadlines to sign up in those 11 states and the District of Columbia that are running special enrollment periods are:
In other states, people may also still have a chance to get coverage if they need it. The same special enrollment periods under the ACA that enable states to reopen their exchanges also permit customers everywhere to enroll in health coverage under certain circumstances, even though HealthCare.gov and the state-run exchange in Idaho remain closed.
Covered California's open enrollment, which kicked off with special events in November, is continuing until June 30. Casey Rogers/Invision for Covered California/AP Images
One of the main reasons a person would become eligible to shop for insurance outside of the annual open enrollment period is when she loses her job.
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With a growing number of workers unemployed or otherwise unable to work because of the coronavirus outbreak, this could apply to a substantial number of people. Other life changes ― such as getting married, having a baby, getting divorced, moving, or involuntarily losing health insurance for any reason ― also would allow people to use an exchange right now.
Medicaid Is Always Available
In addition to access to private insurance from the health insurance exchange, people with low incomes may qualify for Medicaid coverage, and enrollment in the joint federal-state program is open year-round. The income limits are different among the states and vary for different populations, such as children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, parents and adults without children.
Typically, Medicaid only is available to adults earning up to 133% of the federal poverty level, which is $16,971 for a single person, although coverage may be available for some groups, such as children, in families with higher incomes. Children from households with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid may be eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Adults who don’t have a disability and don’t have minor children living at home cannot qualify for Medicaid, no matter how low their incomes are, in the 14 states that refused to participate in the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of the program.
The federal government has taken two actions to bolster Medicaid during the coronavirus emergency. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has invited states to seek permission to waive certain Medicaid rules to facilitate enrolling eligible people who need coverage, such as relaxing income documentation requirements and fast-tracking applications. In addition, the coronavirus relief legislation Congress passed last week boosts federal funding for state Medicaid programs.
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is “looking closely at all its policies and across all its programs” to assist with the federal coronavirus response, the agency said in an email to HuffPost.
“CMS is not currently offering a special enrollment period specifically designated for COVID-19. However, consumers who are not currently enrolled in coverage can see if they qualify for other special enrollment periods by visiting HealthCare.gov. We will continue to work closely with states and health plans around the country to assess what additional actions are necessary to ensure the American people have coverage for and access to the services they need during this time,” the agency said.
Coronavirus is “not currently considered grounds for a Special Enrollment Period in Idaho,” a Your Health Idaho spokesperson wrote in an email.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-19--Idaho Bill Banning Transgender Women From Athletics Heads To Governor's Desk

BOISE , Idaho ( AP ) — An Idaho bill banning transgender women from competing in women ’ s sports despite warnings that such a law is unconstitutional headed to the governor ’ s desk on Wednesday .
The measure would apply to all sports teams sponsored by public schools , colleges and universities .
A girls ’ or women ’ s team would not be open to transgender students who identify as female .
Backers say the law is needed because transgender female athletes have physical advantages .
They say that allowing transgender women to compete can limit athletic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports made possible by Title IX .
The 1972 law bars sex discrimination in education and is credited with opening up athletic competition for girls and women .
“ Do not take us backward , ” Republican Rep. Barbara Ehardt told fellow lawmakers shortly before the vote .
“ This legislation is about continuing to provide opportunities for girls and women in sports.
” Opponents say it discriminates against transgender girls and women , and it will subject athletes to invasive tests to prove their gender , likely causing some potential athletes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law easily passed in the House last month .
The Senate amended the bill in an attempt to alleviate concerns about invasive tests .
But opponents were unconvinced , arguing anyone from a parent to an opposing player or someone with a grudge could require a student to take a humiliating test .
“ What we are doing is codifying in state statute a government-mandated gynecological exam of our young women , ” Democratic Rep. Brooke Green said .
The ban , if it ’ s signed into law by Republican Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in court , opponents said , and end up costing Idaho expensive attorney fees it would have to pay to the winning side .
Democratic Rep. John Gannon said that ’ s because the measure is clearly discriminatory .
“ All this bill , in the end , is doing is picking on a vulnerable group of people who need our support and help , ” Gannon said .
On another front , legislation banning transgender people from changing the sex listed on their birth certificates despite a federal court ruling declaring such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s desk on Tuesday .
If signed into law , Idaho would be one of less than a handful of states with such a restriction .

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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho bill banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports despite warnings that such a law is unconstitutional headed to the governor’s desk on Wednesday.
The House voted 54-16 to approve an amended version from the Senate.
The measure would apply to all sports teams sponsored by public schools, colleges and universities. A girls’ or women’s team would not be open to transgender students who identify as female.
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Backers say the law is needed because transgender female athletes have physical advantages. They say that allowing transgender women to compete can limit athletic, economic and self-growth opportunities provided through sports made possible by Title IX.
The 1972 law bars sex discrimination in education and is credited with opening up athletic competition for girls and women.
“Do not take us backward,” Republican Rep. Barbara Ehardt told fellow lawmakers shortly before the vote. “This legislation is about continuing to provide opportunities for girls and women in sports.”
Opponents say it discriminates against transgender girls and women, and it will subject athletes to invasive tests to prove their gender, likely causing some potential athletes to avoid sports.
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The original version of the law easily passed in the House last month. The Senate amended the bill in an attempt to alleviate concerns about invasive tests. But opponents were unconvinced, arguing anyone from a parent to an opposing player or someone with a grudge could require a student to take a humiliating test.
“What we are doing is codifying in state statute a government-mandated gynecological exam of our young women,” Democratic Rep. Brooke Green said.
The ban, if it’s signed into law by Republican Gov. Brad Little, could be challenged in court, opponents said, and end up costing Idaho expensive attorney fees it would have to pay to the winning side.
Democratic Rep. John Gannon said that’s because the measure is clearly discriminatory. “All this bill, in the end, is doing is picking on a vulnerable group of people who need our support and help,” Gannon said.
On another front, legislation banning transgender people from changing the sex listed on their birth certificates despite a federal court ruling declaring such a law unconstitutional headed to the governor’s desk on Tuesday.
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A federal judge in 2018 scrapped the ban and warned against Idaho making new rules.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-20--If We Bail Out Airlines, It Better Come With Climate Rules

Profit forecasts in 2019 plunged to the lowest in five years as fuel costs rose and the trade war between the United States and China tanked the cargo business .
Airline bankruptcies increased at their fastest ever rate last year , with at least 18 companies going under , and Boeing , the top U.S. plane manufacturer , grounded its new 737 Max jetliner after two deadly crashes .
Meanwhile , airlines had to apologize over and over and over and over again for mistreating customers in bizarre , humiliating or discriminatory ways .
The White House plan to offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industries , including airlines , hotels and cruise lines , is already facing pressure from Senate Democrats to include strict limits on executive bonuses and stock buybacks .
It ’ s an understandable priority , given that five of the top U.S. airlines asking for a $ 50 billion bailout returned $ 45 billion to shareholders over the past five years , according to a Guardian analysis .
But on Wednesday , eight Senate Democrats , led by climate hawks Sens .
Sheldon Whitehouse ( D-R.I. ) and Ed Markey ( D-Mass .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ strict new emissions reductions as part of the bailout .
Other incentives could focus on the manufacturing sector .
Borrowing from a policy already under consideration for the seafaring cargo industry , the federal government could tax fuel and direct the revenues to fund research into electric engines or more fuel-efficient aircraft .
Lawmakers could find ways to incentivize production of new plane designs altogether , pushing the industry away from “ re-engining , ” the cost-saving strategy by which manufacturers make tweaks to existing models , as was the case with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces such as the Koch brothers and the oil industry folks who will oppose any effort to lessen the reliance on their foul substances .
Daniel Becker , director of the D.C.-based Safe Climate Campaign ’ s Center for Auto Safety The problem , said Rutherford , is that supersonic jets produce up to six times the carbon dioxide emissions as regular planes .
While U.S. leaders wax nostalgic for the days when Concorde turbojets ferried passengers from New York to Paris in just three hours , European aviation officials zeroed in on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the European Union Aviation Safety Agency hosted its first conference with manufacturers on low-emissions aircraft engines .
In January , the agency took a step forward , proposing new rules to start certifying the safety of electric and hybrid engines .
It ’ s not fair to say to the airlines that , “ when things are great , you get to make all your money and any decision you want , even if it ’ s bad for the environment , but when things are tough , I ’ m going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in return , ” Ganzarski said by phone Thursday .

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Even before air travel took a serious hit from the novel coronavirus pandemic, the airline industry was in trouble.
Profit forecasts in 2019 plunged to the lowest in five years as fuel costs rose and the trade war between the United States and China tanked the cargo business. Airline bankruptcies increased at their fastest ever rate last year, with at least 18 companies going under, and Boeing, the top U.S. plane manufacturer, grounded its new 737 Max jetliner after two deadly crashes. Meanwhile, airlines had to apologize over and over and over and over again for mistreating customers in bizarre, humiliating or discriminatory ways.
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Now, as the COVID-19 pandemic causes the industry’s worst economic shock since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, airlines are asking Congress for a $50 billion bailout, while Boeing requested a “minimum” of $60 billion to keep the aerospace manufacturing sector afloat. Experts say such aid packages are a golden opportunity to reform an industry whose surging emissions of planet-heating gases threaten to inflame the world’s other deadly crisis: climate change.
“Any use of taxpayer funds to bail out any industry should come with conditions that are going to advance the broader public interest,” said Brad Schallert, director of carbon market governance and aviation at the World Wildlife Fund for Nature. “This is a moment to put the industry on a sustainable pathway.”
Global air travel made up less than 3% of global emissions in 2018, spewing 900 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, according to a United Nations estimate. Those emissions were expected to triple by 2050, which would make the industry responsible for as much as one-quarter of global greenhouse gases, a reality that recently spurred climate activists to quit flying over “flight shame.”
Even that may be a conservative forecast; an analysis that the nonprofit International Council on Clean Transportation published last year suggested emissions are increasing more than 1.5% faster than the U.N. assessment.
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This chart compares fuel use by U.S. domestic passenger airlines from 2005 to 2018 with the revenue passenger miles, or RPM, a measurement of how many miles paying customers fly that is typically used as an air traffic metric. ICCT
Flights originating in the United States account for nearly one-quarter of global transport-related emissions, and two-thirds of those were domestic trips. In 2018, air traffic in the U.S. increased three times faster than fuel efficiency improved. Over the past decade, the percentage of revenue aircraft manufacturers spent on research and development plummeted by more than half. Once-promising electric airplane startups downsized as industry incumbents shied away from investment, while the Trump administration focused federal efforts on developing high-speed gas guzzlers.
The White House plan to offer billions in secured loans to financially faltering industries, including airlines, hotels and cruise lines, is already facing pressure from Senate Democrats to include strict limits on executive bonuses and stock buybacks. It’s an understandable priority, given that five of the top U.S. airlines asking for a $50 billion bailout returned $45 billion to shareholders over the past five years, according to a Guardian analysis. But on Wednesday, eight Senate Democrats, led by climate hawks Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), urged congressional leaders to include strict new emissions reductions as part of the bailout.
“We believe that any such financial assistance should be paired with requirements that companies act in a more responsible manner,” read the letter. “Given the large carbon footprint of commercial aviation, requiring reductions in carbon emissions would represent a major step in curbing our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.”
Airlines for America, the industry’s main trade group, praised Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for including $50 billion in loans and loan guarantees in the Senate bill released Thursday night.
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“We continue to review details of the proposed legislation,” Katherine Estep, a spokesperson for the group, said by email. “However, loans alone are not sufficient and should be coupled with a worker payroll assistance program and targeted tax relief.”
She declined to comment on questions about climate provisions and directed a HuffPost reporter to the industry’s sustainability site.
Boeing did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.
Flight Paths To Cutting Emissions
Carbon offsets, programs that allow polluters to pay for renewable energy or tree-planting projects, are one way for the industry to balance its contributions to climate change. Last Friday, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the U.N. agency that oversees air travel issues, agreed to restrict which offsets airlines can buy under the industry’s two-year pilot program to offset emissions, which is set to start next year. The market-based program excluded older offsets with dubious accounting.
“Carbon offsets should be a condition for any such bailouts,” Whitehouse wrote in a tweet Tuesday. “Airlines that want public support should live public values.”
Airlines typically favor offsets. Delta Air Lines announced one of the most ambitious, if leerily light on details, climate strategies in the industry to date last month, vowing to go carbon-neutral by 2050, largely with the help of offsets.
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But in a tweet thread of his own, International Council on Clean Transportation aviation director Dan Rutherford outlined a range of policies that Congress could include as provisions for a bailout package. Lawmakers could offer tax incentives to retire older, less fuel-efficient aircraft, he said. The federal government could subsidize the cost difference for using synthetic fuels or biofuels derived from plants or algae, which are more expensive but produce fewer total emissions than fossil-based jet fuel.
Delta Air Lines vowed to go carbon-neutral by 2050. TF-Images via Getty Images
Under the Obama administration, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed rules to require fuel efficiency from U.S. airplanes in line with the U.N.’s recommendations. The Trump administration quietly scrapped that initiative in 2017. But Congress could renew the effort by adopting a carbon dioxide standard for airlines under the Clean Air Act, which Rutherford said could help improve fuel efficiency by 2.5% yearly.
Other incentives could focus on the manufacturing sector. Borrowing from a policy already under consideration for the seafaring cargo industry, the federal government could tax fuel and direct the revenues to fund research into electric engines or more fuel-efficient aircraft. Lawmakers could find ways to incentivize production of new plane designs altogether, pushing the industry away from “re-engining,” the cost-saving strategy by which manufacturers make tweaks to existing models, as was the case with the grounded 737 Max.
Bailout legislation could, in theory, pressure the White House to reconsider its focus on reviving commercial air travel on supersonic jets that go faster than the speed of sound. In 2018, President Donald Trump signed legislation authorizing the Federal Aviation Administration to increase research into civilian supersonic flight. Last summer, the agency proposed new rules to encourage supersonic testing and simplify the permitting process for companies.
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“Since 1903, the United States has led the world in flight,” Michael Kratsios, the White House’s chief technology officer, wrote in a Washington Post op-ed. “By removing innovation-killing regulations, the president will continue that legacy for years to come.”
The effort is yielding results. There are at least three major startups working on supersonic jets. Last year, Boeing invested in one of them, the Nevada-based company Aerion. In October, NASA unveiled its production of a new supersonic jet designed to quiet the loud boom at takeoff that plagued past iterations of the aircraft.
“There are right-wing forces such as the Koch brothers and the oil industry folks who will oppose any effort to lessen the reliance on their foul substances.” - Daniel Becker, director of the D.C.-based Safe Climate Campaign’s Center for Auto Safety
The problem, said Rutherford, is that supersonic jets produce up to six times the carbon dioxide emissions as regular planes. While U.S. leaders wax nostalgic for the days when Concorde turbojets ferried passengers from New York to Paris in just three hours, European aviation officials zeroed in on electric and hybrid planes. Last year, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency hosted its first conference with manufacturers on low-emissions aircraft engines. In January, the agency took a step forward, proposing new rules to start certifying the safety of electric and hybrid engines.
Norway, which is not a member of the European Union, mandated that all short-haul air travel must be done by electric planes by 2040. It’s not just European countries. The Canadian province of British Columbia enacted tax incentives for electric planes just last month.
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“Supersonics are very bad for the environment,” Rutherford said by phone. “Yet as European aerospace is prioritizing hybrid and electric aircraft, the U.S. industry is spending more of its efforts on trying to bring back supersonics.”
Lessons From The Auto Bailout
Lawmakers don’t have to look back far to find examples of the federal government requiring emissions cuts as part of an industry bailout. As the economy tanked in 2008, Congress authorized the Troubled Asset Relief Program, known as TARP, a $426 billion spending package to prop up banks and corporations. Roughly 20% of that program went to bailing out the auto industry.
When President Barack Obama came into office, his administration leveraged the federal government’s stake in Detroit carmakers to enact new fuel-economy rules that required improved fuel mileage aimed at reducing annual oil consumption by an estimated 12 million barrels.
The Trump administration has spent the last three years undoing much of that rule, even as it struggled to defend shoddy math behind its rollbacks.
But Daniel Becker, an expert in the Obama-era fuel-economy program, said the opponents to a fuel-efficiency program for airlines will be considerable. Automakers who in 2012 agreed to the Obama administration’s standards started lobbying Trump to weaken the rules through trade associations before the administration even took office. The oil industry, meanwhile, waged a covert campaign to gut the standards, a New York Times investigation found in 2018.
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Artist renderings of the startup Boom Technology's design for the XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator jet. Helen H. Richardson via Getty Images
“The airlines are not going to want to provide a quo for the quid,” Becker, the director of the D.C.-based Safe Climate Campaign’s Center for Auto Safety, said by phone. “There are right-wing forces such as the Koch brothers and the oil industry folks who will oppose any effort to lessen the reliance on their foul substances.”
Obama’s fuel economy standards excluded demands California regulators had proposed to require automakers to produce a certain percentage of all-electric vehicles per year. Some in the electric aviation industry hope a federal bailout won’t make the same compromise with airlines.
While most of the nearly 200 electric aviation companies are working on vertical-takeoff passenger drones, firms like the Seattle-based magniX, which produces all-electric propulsion systems for traditiona passenger planes, would benefit from federal tax breaks for airlines that invest in electric engines, similar to the ones states like California gave to buyers of electric cars. Other policies on the nascent sector’s wish list include incentives for airports to build plane-charging stations, and looming bans, like Norway’s, on using traditional aircraft for short flights.
Roei Ganzarski, the chief executive of magniX, said bailing out airlines goes “against the grain of the open, capitalist economy, where companies are supposed to be able to fend for themselves.” If the government is going to bail them out, he said, “it should put in place something that says, ‘I am going to keep you alive because your future is important, but you have to make your future better by going hybrid or going electric.’”
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It’s not fair to say to the airlines that, “when things are great, you get to make all your money and any decision you want, even if it’s bad for the environment, but when things are tough, I’m going to help you and not require anything in return,” Ganzarski said by phone Thursday.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-20--Trump Responds To Question About Coronavirus Fears By Bashing 'Terrible Reporter'

President Donald Trump lambasted an NBC reporter who asked what he would say to Americans who are fearful of the coronavirus pandemic , calling the question “ nasty ” and telling the reporter he should be “ ashamed.
” On Friday , Trump addressed the nation in a press briefing about COVID-19 and the administration ’ s efforts to stop its spread .
Upon opening the floor for questions , NBC ’ s Peter Alexander asked the president , “ What do you say to Americans who are watching you right now who are scared ?
” “ I say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s what I say .
It ’ s a very nasty question .
It ’ s a very bad signal that you ’ re putting out to the American people , ” Trump responded .
“ The American people are looking for answers and looking for hope .
You ’ re doing sensationalism.
” He then criticized NBC and Comcast , telling Alexander , “ You might want to get back to reporting ” and “ You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
” ( NBC is a subsidiary of Comcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American people is that there is a very low incidence of death ― you understand that ― and we ’ re going to come through this stronger than ever before , ” he said .
“ If you happen to get it , it is highly unlikely ― it ’ s looking like it ’ s getting to a number that is much smaller than people originally thought in terms of the ultimate problem , which would be death .
My message to the American people is number one , you ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is tremendous hope.
” Earlier in the conference , Trump closed the U.S.-Mexico border to all nonessential traffic in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
The move follows Trump ’ s earlier decision alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to temporarily close the U.S.-Canada border as of Friday at midnight .
Outside of border closures , measures to slow the virus ’ spread have shuttered schools , workplaces , and much more all around the globe .
The disease has killed more than 10,000 people worldwide as of Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updates on the coronavirus at our live blog .

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President Donald Trump lambasted an NBC reporter who asked what he would say to Americans who are fearful of the coronavirus pandemic, calling the question “nasty” and telling the reporter he should be “ashamed.”
On Friday, Trump addressed the nation in a press briefing about COVID-19 and the administration’s efforts to stop its spread.
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Upon opening the floor for questions, NBC’s Peter Alexander asked the president, “What do you say to Americans who are watching you right now who are scared?”
“I say that you are a terrible reporter, that’s what I say. It’s a very nasty question. It’s a very bad signal that you’re putting out to the American people,” Trump responded. “The American people are looking for answers and looking for hope. You’re doing sensationalism.”
He then criticized NBC and Comcast, telling Alexander, “You might want to get back to reporting” and “You ought to be ashamed of yourself.” (NBC is a subsidiary of Comcast.)
NBC's @PeterAlexander asks Trump what he'd say to Americans who are frightened.
Trump goes on rant against Alexander, says he asked a "nasty question," calls him a "terrible reporter" and attacks NBC and Comcast. pic.twitter.com/vZAk3M4mqR — Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) March 20, 2020
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Moments later, another reporter asked the question again and Trump offered a more measured response:
“My message to the American people is that there is a very low incidence of death ― you understand that ― and we’re going to come through this stronger than ever before,” he said.
“If you happen to get it, it is highly unlikely ― it’s looking like it’s getting to a number that is much smaller than people originally thought in terms of the ultimate problem, which would be death. My message to the American people is number one, you’ve done an incredible job. ... There is tremendous hope.”
Earlier in the conference, Trump closed the U.S.-Mexico border to all nonessential traffic in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The move follows Trump’s earlier decision alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to temporarily close the U.S.-Canada border as of Friday at midnight.
Outside of border closures, measures to slow the virus’ spread have shuttered schools, workplaces, and much more all around the globe. The disease has killed more than 10,000 people worldwide as of Friday morning.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-20--How Did Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden Screw This Up?

Tasos Katopodis via Getty Images With the coronavirus body count rising , lawmakers in Washington have yet to pass a serious response to the crisis .
While other places — Hong Kong , Singapore , Taiwan , South Korea and others — prepared for the coronavirus and took proactive measures to prevent its spread , Trump did nothing .
He dismantled the White House task force responsible for pandemic responses , sat on his hands while the death toll escalated in other countries , called the virus a “ hoax , ” repeatedly claimed it would “ miraculously ” go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intensity of the virus by comparing it to the seasonal flu and insisted for months that the situation was “ totally under control ” while his administration failed even to procure basic tests .
But Trump does not have a monopoly on political malpractice .
As the crisis has spread , Democratic Party leaders ― House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) and presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden ― have either been missing in action or short on solutions .
Their silence has ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans to take public credit for advancing the popular , progressive idea of just sending every household a large check for the duration of the crisis .
Pelosi explicitly rejected that very idea in early talks among House Democrats , overruling pleas from Democratic economists .
With Democratic leaders thinking small , a majority of the public now actually approves of Trump ’ s catastrophic pandemic management , according to a new poll .
The leader of one party has caused a national calamity , while the leaders of the other have nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant block of committed partisans in both parties has lost the capacity for self-reflection .
Among Republicans , this manifests as the maniacal cult of personality surrounding Trump .
In the Democratic Party , it registers as widespread loyalty to a leadership that is increasingly obviously unfit for the emergency at hand .
We face not only a crisis of leadership , but a crisis of democracy in which members of both parties accept calamitous government as normal and inevitable .
And so , with the body count rising , lawmakers in Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the crisis .
At this point , there can be no avoiding a devastating economic crash ― everything that can be done to slow the spread of the virus will essentially shut down commercial activity ― but lawmakers can help working families and , yes , American businesses weather the storm .
Unfortunately , the most practical plans ― like those from Sens .
Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) and Mitt Romney ( R-Utah ) for the government to just send every household thousands of dollars a month in straight cash ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The gears of government are moving too slow , and the debate over what to do seems largely confined to Senate Republicans as Josh Hawley ( Mo . )
, Tom Cotton ( Ark . )
and Romney harangue their colleagues not to limit federal aid to the poor .
Democratic leaders pride themselves on getting things done .
They extoll compromise as the highest of all political virtues and boast about reaching across the aisle ― even when the party across the aisle is run by wannabe authoritarians .
An endless parade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination not by talking about ideas , but by talking about competence , leadership and other intangibles while warning that candidates that did talk about ideas were too dangerous and scary .
One of those centrists , Biden , has now all but sewn up the nomination — and made himself all but invisible as the worst economic and public health crisis in generations has blossomed .
Meeting the other guy halfway is a nice idea , but to do it , you have to start from somewhere yourself .
A party that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have a hard time putting up serious proposals in a crisis .

With the coronavirus body count rising, lawmakers in Washington have yet to pass a serious response to the crisis. Tasos Katopodis via Getty Images
President Donald Trump has unleashed a humanitarian and economic disaster on his own people. There is no way to escape this fact.
While other places — Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea and others — prepared for the coronavirus and took proactive measures to prevent its spread, Trump did nothing. He dismantled the White House task force responsible for pandemic responses, sat on his hands while the death toll escalated in other countries, called the virus a “hoax,” repeatedly claimed it would “miraculously” go away on its own, downplayed the intensity of the virus by comparing it to the seasonal flu and insisted for months that the situation was “totally under control” while his administration failed even to procure basic tests.
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As a result, the United States now faces a domestic crisis unseen since the Great Depression. This is the result of political malpractice, not merely biological bad luck.
But Trump does not have a monopoly on political malpractice. As the crisis has spread, Democratic Party leaders ― House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden ― have either been missing in action or short on solutions.
Incredibly, a handful of arch-conservative Republicans have been able to take public credit for advancing the popular, progressive idea of just sending every household a large check for the duration of the crisis. Pelosi explicitly rejected that very idea in early talks among House Democrats, overruling pleas from Democratic economists. With Democratic leaders thinking small, a majority of the public now actually approves of Trump’s catastrophic pandemic management, according to a new poll.
The leader of one party has caused a national calamity, while the leaders of the other have nothing much to say.
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“We face not only a crisis of leadership, but a crisis of democracy in which members of both parties accept calamitous government as normal and inevitable.”
Unfortunately, a significant block of committed partisans in both parties has lost the capacity for self-reflection. Among Republicans, this manifests as the maniacal cult of personality surrounding Trump. In the Democratic Party, it registers as widespread loyalty to a leadership that is increasingly obviously unfit for the emergency at hand. We face not only a crisis of leadership, but a crisis of democracy in which members of both parties accept calamitous government as normal and inevitable.
And so, with the body count rising, lawmakers in Washington have yet to pass a serious response to the crisis. At this point, there can be no avoiding a devastating economic crash ― everything that can be done to slow the spread of the virus will essentially shut down commercial activity ― but lawmakers can help working families and, yes, American businesses weather the storm.
Unfortunately, the most practical plans ― like those from Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah) for the government to just send every household thousands of dollars a month in straight cash ― aren’t getting much traction. The gears of government are moving too slow, and the debate over what to do seems largely confined to Senate Republicans as Josh Hawley (Mo.), Tom Cotton (Ark.) and Romney harangue their colleagues not to limit federal aid to the poor.
And where is Biden? What, exactly, would Pelosi want to see happen?
What does the Democratic Party even stand for?
Democratic leaders pride themselves on getting things done. They extoll compromise as the highest of all political virtues and boast about reaching across the aisle ― even when the party across the aisle is run by wannabe authoritarians.
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An endless parade of centrists vied for the 2020 Democratic nomination not by talking about ideas, but by talking about competence, leadership and other intangibles while warning that candidates that did talk about ideas were too dangerous and scary.
One of those centrists, Biden, has now all but sewn up the nomination — and made himself all but invisible as the worst economic and public health crisis in generations has blossomed. Meeting the other guy halfway is a nice idea, but to do it, you have to start from somewhere yourself. A party that doesn’t really believe in anything will have a hard time putting up serious proposals in a crisis.
The coronavirus pandemic should have sounded the death knell for Trumpism as a political project. Democrats have instead given it new life.
Which would be fine, if Trump could govern. But the man who called this a hoax is unfit for office and cannot be trusted with power in a crisis. It’s a shame Pelosi and Biden can’t be, either.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-20--New York State Orders All Nonessential Workers To Stay Home

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) on Friday issued the state ’ s strictest and most grave policy yet to stem the spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
Cuomo ordered the entire state to “ remain indoors to the greatest extent , ” mandating all workers stay home unless they are performing essential functions , like providing food , utilities and health care .
The order , called NYS on Pause , appears similar to the shelter-in-place and safe-at-home mandates enacted by officials in California earlier this week , though Cuomo said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It will go into effect on Sunday evening .
Any “ nonessential gatherings of individuals of any size ” should be canceled or postponed .
Getting exercise outside is permitted , but individuals should socially distance , remaining 6 feet away from others .
Essential businesses , such as grocery stores , pharmacies , banks and the media , must also practice social distancing .
Members of more vulnerable populations , such as seniors over the age of 70 and immuno-compromised individuals , will have even more stringent provisions , under Matilda ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his mother .
The order will be enforced with fines and mandatory closures for businesses , Cuomo said , stressing that these are “ not helpful hints.
” All eviction proceedings in New York will be suspended for 90 days as well , he said .
In recent days , Cuomo has been working with the governors of Connecticut , New Jersey and Pennsylvania to implement uniform policies to slow the spread of the coronavirus throughout the region .
On Thursday night , California Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D ) became the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called a “ safe-at-home ” order , that implements similar restrictions .
Cuomo said he consulted with state , national and international experts to impose the order .
Several countries have essentially locked down in order to slow the spread of the virus .
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio ( D ) has been calling for a shelter-in-place measure all week , after San Francisco became the first major metropolitan area in the U.S. to impose such an order on Monday .
But the order had to come from Cuomo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear that it may cause .
On Friday , Cuomo particularly urged young people to practice social distancing , stressing that they too can contract the virus , and even if they do not show symptoms , they can still transmit it to older and more vulnerable individuals .
“ Even if you ’ re young and strong , and everybody is Superman or Superwoman — ‘ I can deal with it.
’ Oh yeah ?
” Cuomo said .
“ You can give it to your grandparent or your parent .
”

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) on Friday issued the state’s strictest and most grave policy yet to stem the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Cuomo ordered the entire state to “remain indoors to the greatest extent,” mandating all workers stay home unless they are performing essential functions, like providing food, utilities and health care.
The order, called NYS on Pause, appears similar to the shelter-in-place and safe-at-home mandates enacted by officials in California earlier this week, though Cuomo said it was not a shelter-in-place order. It will go into effect on Sunday evening.
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Any “nonessential gatherings of individuals of any size” should be canceled or postponed. Getting exercise outside is permitted, but individuals should socially distance, remaining 6 feet away from others. Essential businesses, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, banks and the media, must also practice social distancing.
Members of more vulnerable populations, such as seniors over the age of 70 and immuno-compromised individuals, will have even more stringent provisions, under Matilda’s Law, which Cuomo named after his mother.
The order will be enforced with fines and mandatory closures for businesses, Cuomo said, stressing that these are “not helpful hints.”
He said later that individuals would not be fined.
All eviction proceedings in New York will be suspended for 90 days as well, he said.
Cuomo also suggested that neighboring states will soon implement similar orders.
“We’re talking,” he said.
In recent days, Cuomo has been working with the governors of Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to implement uniform policies to slow the spread of the coronavirus throughout the region.
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On Thursday night, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) became the first statewide official to issue what he called a “safe-at-home” order, that implements similar restrictions.
Cuomo said he consulted with state, national and international experts to impose the order. Several countries have essentially locked down in order to slow the spread of the virus.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) has been calling for a shelter-in-place measure all week, after San Francisco became the first major metropolitan area in the U.S. to impose such an order on Monday. But the order had to come from Cuomo, who had initially resisted, citing the fear that it may cause.
On Friday, Cuomo particularly urged young people to practice social distancing, stressing that they too can contract the virus, and even if they do not show symptoms, they can still transmit it to older and more vulnerable individuals.
“Even if you’re young and strong, and everybody is Superman or Superwoman — ‘I can deal with it.’ Oh yeah?” Cuomo said. “You can give it to your grandparent or your parent.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-20--Goldman Sachs Predicts ‘Unprecedented’ 24% Drop In U.S. GDP Next Quarter

Economists from Goldman Sachs are forecasting a dramatic 24 % drop in the nation ’ s gross domestic product in the coming months , as governments , businesses , schools and more announce increasingly strict measures to keep people at home and apart to try to slow the spread of coronavirus nationwide .
In an analysis released Friday , economists with the major bank revised their previous forecast of a 5 % drop in U.S. GDP for the second quarter ( April through June ) to a 24 % drop , citing expected declines in manufacturing activity and services consumption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be historic : In modern history , the largest quarterly decline in U.S. GDP was a 10 % drop in the first quarter of 1958 .
“ The sudden stop in U.S. economic activity in response to the virus is unprecedented , ” the economists wrote , adding that in just the last few days , “ social distancing ” measures across the country have “ shut down normal life ” and have already led to a rise in layoffs and a “ collapse ” in consumer spending .
Since Thursday , California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people to remain at home , other than seeking “ essential ” services .
Cities and counties across the country have banned large gatherings or events and told bars , restaurants and other businesses to shutter .
Major workplaces across the country have mandated that employees work from home and school districts have cancelled classes .
Meanwhile , President Donald Trump closed the borders with Canada and Mexico .
The Goldman Sachs economists said their dramatic new projections reflected expected declines in spending in areas “ that require face-to-face interaction , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in sports and entertainment spending , a 75 % decline in transportation , and a 65 % decline in hotels and restaurants .
The economists ’ forecast predicts an increase in GDP for the second half of the year , up 12 % and 10 % in the third and fourth quarters respectively , making the full-year growth down about 4 % overall compared to annual averages .
The economists based their later-quarter projected increases on the potential effectiveness of mitigation measures ; more testing for the virus ; changes in weather ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that the exact timing of these is “ highly uncertain ” and “ relapses are plausible.
” They also predicted future unemployment reaching up to 9 % in the coming quarters , in part modeling the projection on data from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 , calling it a “ modern natural disaster that had the largest impact on a regional U.S. labor market .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Economists from Goldman Sachs are forecasting a dramatic 24% drop in the nation’s gross domestic product in the coming months, as governments, businesses, schools and more announce increasingly strict measures to keep people at home and apart to try to slow the spread of coronavirus nationwide.
In an analysis released Friday, economists with the major bank revised their previous forecast of a 5% drop in U.S. GDP for the second quarter (April through June) to a 24% drop, citing expected declines in manufacturing activity and services consumption. If that materializes, it would be historic: In modern history, the largest quarterly decline in U.S. GDP was a 10% drop in the first quarter of 1958.
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“The sudden stop in U.S. economic activity in response to the virus is unprecedented,” the economists wrote, adding that in just the last few days, “social distancing” measures across the country have “shut down normal life” and have already led to a rise in layoffs and a “collapse” in consumer spending.
Since Thursday, California and New York have issued statewide orders for people to remain at home, other than seeking “essential” services. Cities and counties across the country have banned large gatherings or events and told bars, restaurants and other businesses to shutter. Major workplaces across the country have mandated that employees work from home and school districts have cancelled classes. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump closed the borders with Canada and Mexico.
The Goldman Sachs economists said their dramatic new projections reflected expected declines in spending in areas “that require face-to-face interaction,” assuming an 85% drop in spending in sports and entertainment spending, a 75% decline in transportation, and a 65% decline in hotels and restaurants.
The economists’ forecast predicts an increase in GDP for the second half of the year, up 12% and 10% in the third and fourth quarters respectively, making the full-year growth down about 4% overall compared to annual averages. The economists based their later-quarter projected increases on the potential effectiveness of mitigation measures; more testing for the virus; changes in weather; and possible medical breakthroughs, though they noted that the exact timing of these is “highly uncertain” and “relapses are plausible.”
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