thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-17--4 Down-Ballot Races To Watch In Illinois And Ohio

How many people actually turn out to vote in any of the states is an open question , as people stay in their homes to help slow the spread of the coronavirus .
In Florida , which has a large elderly population , many people have already voted early or by mail , but it has not gone as far as Ohio in moving all polling places out of areas like nursing homes and senior centers .
But although the Democratic presidential race is getting top billing and attention , there are a number of House , Senate and local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Here are four HuffPost is watching , assuming voting happens in Ohio : Emmons , who is Black , faces long odds against Rush , who is also Black and is known for his years of fighting for civil rights in the 1960s .
Rush won reelection in 2018 with more than 73 % of the vote .
Emmons , however , garnered a major endorsement last month from the Chicago Tribune , which knocked Rush for having “ low visibility ” in the community and credited Emmons for his “ enthusiasm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Illinois ’ s 3rd Congressional District spans the southwest suburbs of Chicago , over Midway airport and encompassing parts of Cook and Will counties .
It used to be known for its conservativism ― a number of veterans , an older population , a Catholic community .
And Lipinski is a household name in this district ; his father , William , held the seat for 22 years , before passing it to his son , Dan , in 2005 .
Lipinski is hoping that conservatism is still dominant in the community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record of being staunchly to the right of his party .
He voted against the Affordable Care Act out of concern for the debt and its mandate that employers cover birth control .
He has supported defunding Planned Parenthood and clinics that offer abortion services , and he sided with Republicans on bills that ban abortions at 20 weeks .
He also voted against the 2010 bill , known as the DREAM Act , to offer legal status to some undocumented residents ( though he ’ s come around to that ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBTQ Americans in 2019 .
According to exit polling from 2018 , 18 % of his primary support came from Donald Trump supporters .
Newman couldn ’ t be more different .
Her platform is somewhere between Sens .
Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) and Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass. )
.
She supports Medicare for All , a $ 15 minimum wage and partial student debt cancellation .
She backs a Green New Deal and a wealth tax .
She ’ s won the endorsements of Sanders , Warren and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EMILY ’ s List and NARAL but has struggled to work within a Democratic Party that ’ s prioritized incumbents .
Harper faces a tough battle against Beatty , who has been unchallenged until now .
The 36-year-old newcomer is pushing a progressive platform of a Green New Deal , Medicare for All and swift action on reparations for racial injustice .
She ’ s garnered the backing of the Working Families Party and Justice Democrats , the group that supported Ocasio-Cortez in her 2018 upset against a longtime Democratic incumbent in Queens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 became the state ’ s attorney for the second-largest prosecutor ’ s office in the country , is facing three opponents .
Former Assistant State ’ s Attorney Bill Conway is her biggest contender and has much deeper pockets after his billionaire father donated $ 10 million to his campaign .
The two candidates have raised almost $ 16 million combined , making it the most expensive Cook County state ’ s attorney race in history .

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Four states were set to hold presidential primaries on Tuesday, but at the last minute, the governor in one of them tried to put a stop to election day due to the coronavirus.
Voters in Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio were set to head to the polls on Tuesday, with Illinois and Ohio also holding down-ballot elections.
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But on Monday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) tried to move the state’s primary to June.
DeWine argued that holding the election would break federal guidelines that older and at-risk Americans stay home.
“We should not be in a situation where the votes of these individuals who are conflicted are suppressed,” he said.
After a judge denied his request, DeWine tweeted Monday night that the state director of the Department of Health would be ordering the polls closed as a “health emergency.”
As such, @DrAmyActon will order the polls closed as a health emergency. While the polls will be closed tomorrow, Secretary of State @FrankLaRose will seek a remedy through the courts to extend voting options so that every voter who wants to vote will be granted that opportunity. — Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 17, 2020
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How many people actually turn out to vote in any of the states is an open question, as people stay in their homes to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Georgia, Kentucky and Louisiana have already delayed their primaries.
The Arizona secretary of state’s office has recommended that voters either cast a ballot by mail or drop off a mail ballot at a designated location on Tuesday.
In Florida, which has a large elderly population, many people have already voted early or by mail, but it has not gone as far as Ohio in moving all polling places out of areas like nursing homes and senior centers.
In two of the largest voting jurisdictions in Illinois, officials have received a court order allowing them to issue vote-by-mail ballots to nursing home residents.
But although the Democratic presidential race is getting top billing and attention, there are a number of House, Senate and local primaries that are worth paying attention to. Here are four HuffPost is watching, assuming voting happens in Ohio:
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Illinois’s 1st Congressional District Primary
Robert Emmons Jr., here with his wife, Brittani, on June 30, is trying to unseat Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.). Eli Jenkinson, Friends to Elect Robert Emmons Jr.
Robert Emmons Jr., 27, is running in Illinois’s 1st Congressional District as a progressive alternative to Rep. Bobby Rush (D), who’s been in office for 27 years.
In the heavily Democratic, lower-income district that includes the South Side of Chicago, Emmons thinks he can defeat the longtime congressman with his focus on ending gun violence and with progressive policies like a Green New Deal and “Medicare for All.”
Emmons, who is Black, faces long odds against Rush, who is also Black and is known for his years of fighting for civil rights in the 1960s. Rush won reelection in 2018 with more than 73% of the vote. Emmons, however, garnered a major endorsement last month from the Chicago Tribune, which knocked Rush for having “low visibility” in the community and credited Emmons for his “enthusiasm and energy.”
Other contenders in the race are University of Chicago law student Sarah Gad and anti-violence activist Ameena Nuur Matthews. In the solidly blue district, the election outcome will likely be decided in Tuesday’s primary.
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Illinois’s 3rd Congressional District Primary
Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) has angered many progressives for his more conservative positions and is facing a challenge from the left. J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press
Two years ago, Rep. Dan Lipsinski (D-Ill.), a staunch moderate known for being one of the last anti-abortion Democrats in the House, eked out a 2-percentage-point victory over progressive challenger Marie Newman, a first-time candidate and virtual unknown.
Newman wants a rematch. Illinois’s 3rd Congressional District spans the southwest suburbs of Chicago, over Midway airport and encompassing parts of Cook and Will counties. It used to be known for its conservativism ― a number of veterans, an older population, a Catholic community. And Lipinski is a household name in this district; his father, William, held the seat for 22 years, before passing it to his son, Dan, in 2005.
But the district has changed. It’s younger (the median age is 38) and it’s more diverse, with a roughly 30% Latino population. It’s strongly middle class, with the median household income roughly $66,800, according to the latest census numbers.
Lipinski is hoping that conservatism is still dominant in the community. He’s had a long record of being staunchly to the right of his party. He voted against the Affordable Care Act out of concern for the debt and its mandate that employers cover birth control. He has supported defunding Planned Parenthood and clinics that offer abortion services, and he sided with Republicans on bills that ban abortions at 20 weeks.
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He also voted against the 2010 bill, known as the DREAM Act, to offer legal status to some undocumented residents (though he’s come around to that) and only came to support non-discrimination legislation for LGBTQ Americans in 2019. According to exit polling from 2018, 18% of his primary support came from Donald Trump supporters.
Newman couldn’t be more different. Her platform is somewhere between Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). She supports Medicare for All, a $15 minimum wage and partial student debt cancellation. She backs a Green New Deal and a wealth tax. She’s won the endorsements of Sanders, Warren and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as well as the backing of EMILY’s List and NARAL but has struggled to work within a Democratic Party that’s prioritized incumbents.
Ohio’s 3rd Congressional District Primary
Morgan Harper is running to unseat Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio). Paul Vernon/Associated Press
Progressive newcomer Morgan Harper is hoping to unseat Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty, who’s been in office since 2013 in Ohio’s 3rd District, which includes much of Columbus.
Harper faces a tough battle against Beatty, who has been unchallenged until now. The 36-year-old newcomer is pushing a progressive platform of a Green New Deal, Medicare for All and swift action on reparations for racial injustice. She’s garnered the backing of the Working Families Party and Justice Democrats, the group that supported Ocasio-Cortez in her 2018 upset against a longtime Democratic incumbent in Queens, New York.
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While Harper has refused to accept any corporate PAC money in her campaign, Beatty, 70, who is a member of the House Financial Services Committee, has raised funds from corporate PACs, including from the insurance industry, commercial banks, and securities and investments.
In the solidly blue district, the election outcome will likely be decided in Tuesday’s primary.
Kim Foxx, the first Black woman to serve as chief prosecutor in Illinois's Cook County, is facing a fight for reelection. Scott Olson/Getty Images
Kim Foxx, the first Black woman to serve as chief prosecutor in Illinois’s Cook County, which includes Chicago, is seeking reelection in the state’s primary. Though incumbents in reelection races usually hold a heavy advantage, Foxx faces a difficult battle.
Foxx, who in 2016 became the state’s attorney for the second-largest prosecutor’s office in the country, is facing three opponents. Former Assistant State’s Attorney Bill Conway is her biggest contender and has much deeper pockets after his billionaire father donated $10 million to his campaign. The two candidates have raised almost $16 million combined, making it the most expensive Cook County state’s attorney race in history.
Foxx has also faced heavy criticism for choosing to drop charges against actor Jussie Smollett, who was accused of staging a racist and homophobic hate attack against himself last year in Chicago. Foxx, who’s widely known as a criminal justice reformer, dropped the 16 felony charges against Smollett in keeping with her promise to send fewer nonviolent offenders to prison.
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The case took an unprecedented turn when a local judge reversed Foxx’s judgment and appointed an outside prosecutor to reexamine the case. Critics, including Trump, denounced Foxx’s decision, claiming she let Smollett off the hook because he’s famous. The wave of criticism also spurred explicitly racist threats from white nationalists groups, including the Proud Boys.
Foxx has been endorsed by a number of prominent politicians, including Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), as well as Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.).
Although there are two Republican candidates looking to take on the Democratic primary winner, the district hasn’t had a Republican chief prosecutor in nearly 30 years.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-17--Dr. Anthony Fauci, 79, Has An Insane 19-Hour-A-Day Schedule Right Now

Dr. Anthony Fauci is maintaining a punishing schedule as he helps lead the fight against the coronavirus as it spreads across the nation .
The 79-year-old director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has long been known in Washington for both his running and his grueling work schedules .
He ’ s even run in marathons .
Now , the real marathon is in his work hours : Fauci told The New York Times he ’ s sleeping just five hours a night and working most of the other 19 .
And he told both the Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to run : When he was in midst of the fight against HIV/AIDS , Dr. Fauci was known to run 7 miles daily .
I just asked him if he still keeps to that exercise regimen .
No , he says , noting that he is working 19 hour days to fight the coronavirus .
He is down to 3.5 miles -- at the age of 79 .
— Alexander Nazaryan ( @ alexnazaryan ) March 16 , 2020 In a video posted in 2016 by the National Institute On Aging , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about five or six times a week to help keep his weight down and because it makes him feel good .
But there was another reason , too .
“ Mostly I think the benefit for me is a stress-reliever because I have a pretty high-stress job , ” he said in the clip .
At the time , Fauci was already working 15 hours a day .
Now , he ’ s working even longer hours in the wake of the new pandemic threat facing the nation that ’ s no doubt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ m not worried about myself , ” he told the Times .
“ I ’ m worried about the job I have to do.
” Twitter users were inspired by his work ethic and his dedication to running : Dr. Fauci is fighting the virus and still running miles a day while we ’ re bitching about sitting on the damn couch with a laptop for a few weeks .
https : //t.co/NFrZDLiXsW — Cassandra ( @ CassandraTx ) March 17 , 2020 If this Patriot can run 3.5 miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can get off the couch and walk 1+ miles .
Rock on Dr .
Fauci !
!
https : //t.co/MPr49zwS2q — Sue Cottingham ( @ cottingham_sue ) March 16 , 2020

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Dr. Anthony Fauci is maintaining a punishing schedule as he helps lead the fight against the coronavirus as it spreads across the nation.
Yet he still finds time to run.
The 79-year-old director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has long been known in Washington for both his running and his grueling work schedules. He’s even run in marathons. Now, the real marathon is in his work hours: Fauci told The New York Times he’s sleeping just five hours a night and working most of the other 19.
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And he told both the Times and Yahoo News that he still finds time to run:
When he was in midst of the fight against HIV/AIDS, Dr. Fauci was known to run 7 miles daily.
I just asked him if he still keeps to that exercise regimen.
No, he says, noting that he is working 19 hour days to fight the coronavirus.
He is down to 3.5 miles -- at the age of 79. — Alexander Nazaryan (@alexnazaryan) March 16, 2020
In a video posted in 2016 by the National Institute On Aging, Fauci said that he runs an hour about five or six times a week to help keep his weight down and because it makes him feel good. But there was another reason, too.
“Mostly I think the benefit for me is a stress-reliever because I have a pretty high-stress job,” he said in the clip.
At the time, Fauci was already working 15 hours a day. Now, he’s working even longer hours in the wake of the new pandemic threat facing the nation that’s no doubt leading to even higher stress levels.
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“I’m not worried about myself,” he told the Times. “I’m worried about the job I have to do.”
Twitter users were inspired by his work ethic and his dedication to running:
Dr. Fauci is 79! Still runs 3+ miles a day and is a national hero. https://t.co/lLiomJmLVo — Tracy Green (@tracygreen) March 17, 2020
Dr. Fauci is 79 and runs 3.5 miles a day? 👀👍 #Goals — Rob Gomez (@robertgmz5) March 17, 2020
Dr. Fauci is fighting the virus and still running miles a day while we’re bitching about sitting on the damn couch with a laptop for a few weeks. https://t.co/NFrZDLiXsW — Cassandra (@CassandraTx) March 17, 2020
If this Patriot can run 3.5 miles a day while dealing with this shitstorm I can get off the couch and walk 1+ miles.
Rock on Dr. Fauci!! https://t.co/MPr49zwS2q — Sue Cottingham (@cottingham_sue) March 16, 2020
If Fauci is running 3.5 miles a day, I’m running 3.5 miles a day. https://t.co/vvoLDYW0jq — Batman (@marisaannn) March 17, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-16--Ohio Governor Postpones Primary Election By Declaring Coronavirus Health Emergency

Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine ( R ) said Monday night that he is declaring a statewide health emergency in order to postpone Tuesday ’ s primary election due to the coronavirus , essentially overriding a judge ’ s ruling just hours earlier that blocked the governor ’ s request to delay the election until June 2 .
“ During this time when we face an unprecedented public health crisis , to conduct an election tomorrow would force poll workers and voters to place themselves at an unacceptable health risk of contracting coronavirus , ” DeWine tweeted .
DeWine said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of State Frank LaRose will “ seek a remedy through the courts to extend voting options so that every voter who wants to vote will be granted that opportunity.
” DeWine said earlier on Monday that he wanted to move Ohio ’ s primary election amid concerns about the health risks that come with in-person voting during the pandemic , particularly for older and immunocompromised residents .
“ It is clear that tomorrow ’ s in-person voting does not conform and can not conform with these CDC guidelines .
We can not conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance about COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus .
Because the governor doesn ’ t have the power to change the election date , he first needs a judge ’ s approval to move the date of the primary .
Former Ohio Department of Aging Director Judith Brachman , 81 , filed a lawsuit Monday in Franklin County so that elderly voters don ’ t need to choose between their health and voting , according to the Columbus Dispatch .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Dewine recommended we move the election .
A lawsuit was filed to do that .
Some folks running in the election challenged that .
A municipal judge in Columbus was like “ We can ’ t move the election .
It will be tomorrow.
” — Paige Southwick Pfleger ( @ PaigePfleger ) March 16 , 2020 With DeWine ’ s new health emergency announcement , the back-and-forth on whether polls will be open Tuesday has left many poll workers and voters in Ohio wondering whether to cast their ballot in person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC ’ s guidance that large events across the country , consisting of 50 people or more , be canceled or postponed to prevent the disease ’ s spread .
To help this effort , DeWine said all of Ohio ’ s gyms , fitness centers , recreation centers , bowling alleys , indoor water parks , movie theaters and trampoline parks have been ordered to close , indefinitely , starting at the end of Monday ’ s workday .
Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine said Monday that he wants to postpone his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Tuesday .
Primaries are also scheduled on Tuesday for Arizona , Florida and Illinois .
At the time of DeWine ’ s press conference , they had not been postponed .
Asked about that decision , DeWine said his focus is not on them but on his own constituents .
“ Everybody has to make their own call about what they think is the right thing to do , ” he said .
The Ohio Department of Health has confirmed 50 cases of COVID-19 in the state , 14 of which led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CORRECTION : An earlier version of this article said DeWine postponed Tuesday ’ s primary , but he does not have that power .
He was requesting the primary be postponed and plans to file a lawsuit to make it happen .

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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) said Monday night that he is declaring a statewide health emergency in order to postpone Tuesday’s primary election due to the coronavirus, essentially overriding a judge’s ruling just hours earlier that blocked the governor’s request to delay the election until June 2.
“During this time when we face an unprecedented public health crisis, to conduct an election tomorrow would force poll workers and voters to place themselves at an unacceptable health risk of contracting coronavirus,” DeWine tweeted.
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DeWine said in his health emergency announcement that Secretary of State Frank LaRose will “seek a remedy through the courts to extend voting options so that every voter who wants to vote will be granted that opportunity.”
During this time when we face an unprecedented public health crisis, to conduct an election tomorrow would force poll workers and voters to place themselves at an unacceptable health risk of contracting coronavirus. — Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 17, 2020
After DeWine’s announcement, LaRose issued a directive postponing the primaries to June 2.
DeWine said earlier on Monday that he wanted to move Ohio’s primary election amid concerns about the health risks that come with in-person voting during the pandemic, particularly for older and immunocompromised residents.
“It is clear that tomorrow’s in-person voting does not conform and cannot conform with these CDC guidelines. We cannot conduct this election tomorrow,” he said, referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance about COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
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Because the governor doesn’t have the power to change the election date, he first needs a judge’s approval to move the date of the primary. Former Ohio Department of Aging Director Judith Brachman, 81, filed a lawsuit Monday in Franklin County so that elderly voters don’t need to choose between their health and voting, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Richard A. Frye denied that request on Monday evening.
For folks who are confused:
Governor Mike Dewine recommended we move the election.
A lawsuit was filed to do that.
Some folks running in the election challenged that.
A municipal judge in Columbus was like “We can’t move the election. It will be tomorrow.” — Paige Southwick Pfleger (@PaigePfleger) March 16, 2020
With DeWine’s new health emergency announcement, the back-and-forth on whether polls will be open Tuesday has left many poll workers and voters in Ohio wondering whether to cast their ballot in person.
DeWine’s recommendation follows the CDC’s guidance that large events across the country, consisting of 50 people or more, be canceled or postponed to prevent the disease’s spread.
To help this effort, DeWine said all of Ohio’s gyms, fitness centers, recreation centers, bowling alleys, indoor water parks, movie theaters and trampoline parks have been ordered to close, indefinitely, starting at the end of Monday’s workday.
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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said Monday that he wants to postpone his state's primary election that was scheduled for Tuesday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Primaries are also scheduled on Tuesday for Arizona, Florida and Illinois. At the time of DeWine’s press conference, they had not been postponed. Asked about that decision, DeWine said his focus is not on them but on his own constituents.
“Everybody has to make their own call about what they think is the right thing to do,” he said.
The Ohio Department of Health has confirmed 50 cases of COVID-19 in the state, 14 of which led to hospitalizations, as of Monday.
DeWine declared a state of emergency in his state on March 9 to help contain the spread of the disease.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article said DeWine postponed Tuesday’s primary, but he does not have that power. He was requesting the primary be postponed and plans to file a lawsuit to make it happen.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-17--200 Connecticut Nurses Exposed To Coronavirus Sidelined Due To Lack Of Testing

Some 200 nurses at one hospital in Connecticut are currently in isolation and unable to do their jobs because they can ’ t get tested for the coronavirus , the state ’ s Democratic Gov .
Ned Lamont announced Monday .
“ I can tell you Danbury Hospital is already at capacity , and they have 200 nurses who are on furlough because they were in contact ( with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 ) , ” Lamont told MSNBC ’ s Chris Hayes .
“ If I could test those nurses , I could potentially get them back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he added .
Hayes had earlier asked Lamont what resources the state ( which has 26 reported cases ) would need to alleviate pressure on its hospital emergency rooms and intensive care units .
“ Wait a second , ” Hayes responded .
“ You ’ ve got 200 nurses sitting on the sidelines right now who can ’ t get back to work because they can ’ t be tested to confirm whether or not they have the virus ?
” “ Exactly , ” Lamont replied .
“ We got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going up and I ’ m losing nurses by the day who have to furlough themselves for a period of time.
” “ That ’ s a priority for testing for me , ” he added .
“ Our testing capacity is going up but it ’ s going up very incrementally and that ’ s dangerous.
” Hospital representatives did not immediately respond to HuffPost ’ s request for comment on the governor ’ s claim .
The 371-bed hospital did appear to reassure people on Twitter , however : We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and injury including COVID-19 .
We continue to take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our staff and patients .
Specimen collections from pre-screened individuals for those that meet criteria will continue .
— Danbury Hospital ( @ DanburyHospital ) March 17 , 2020 President Donald Trump , whose administration ’ s response to the pandemic has been widely criticized , on Friday declined to be held accountable for testing delays .
“ I don ’ t take responsibility at all , ” he said .

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Some 200 nurses at one hospital in Connecticut are in isolation and unable to do their jobs because they can’t get tested for the coronavirus, the state’s Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said on MSNBC Monday.
“I can tell you Danbury Hospital is already at capacity, and they have 200 nurses who are on furlough because they were in contact [with someone who tested positive for COVID-19],” Lamont told host Chris Hayes.
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“If I could test those nurses, I could potentially get them back into the game a lot sooner,” he said.
Hayes had asked Lamont earlier what resources the state — which has 26 reported cases — would need to alleviate pressure on its hospital emergency rooms and intensive care units. The news anchor appeared stunned by the governor’s response.
“Wait a second,” Hayes said. “You’ve got 200 nurses sitting on the sidelines right now who can’t get back to work because they can’t be tested to confirm whether or not they have the virus?”
“Exactly,” Lamont said. “We got a surge in use, demand is going up and I’m losing nurses by the day who have to furlough themselves for a period of time.”
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“That’s a priority for testing for me,” he added. “Our testing capacity is going up, but it’s going up very incrementally and that’s dangerous.”
Hospital representatives did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment. The 371-bed hospital did appear to reassure people on Twitter, however:
We have capacity at Danbury Hospital to treat illness and injury including COVID-19. We continue to take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our staff and patients. Specimen collections from pre-screened individuals for those that meet criteria will continue. — Danbury Hospital (@DanburyHospital) March 17, 2020
President Donald Trump’s administration has been widely criticized for its response to the pandemic. But Trump on Friday declined to be held accountable for testing shortages.
“I don’t take responsibility at all,” he said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-17--Connecticut Man Charged With Threatening To Murder Rep. Adam Schiff

A Connecticut man was arrested and charged last week for threatening to murder Rep. Adam Schiff , the California Democrat who led the prosecution in President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
Robert Michael Phelps , 62 , was arrested Friday and later released on a $ 25,000 bond , the U.S. Attorney ’ s office for Connecticut said in a Monday press release .
Prosecutors allege Phelps sent a death threat to Schiff via the congressman ’ s website on Nov. 12 , 2019 , the eve of the first public impeachment hearing .
Phelps allegedly said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schiff “ so I can spit in your face and I want to kill you with my bare hands and smash your sick little round fat lying face in.
” Phelps later admitted to investigators that he ’ d sent the message , but “ did not see the message as threatening , ” according to a criminal complaint .
“ Phelps stated he had a right to contact members of Congress and defend ‘ his president , ’ ” Daniel Heether , an FBI special agent , said in the complaint .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ corrupt ” and said the congressman had not yet “ paid the price ” for his role in the impeachment trial .
Shifty Adam Schiff is a CORRUPT POLITICIAN , and probably a very sick man .
He has not paid the price , yet , for what he has done to our Country !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) January 26 , 2020 Prosecutors said Phelps was charged with threatening to assault and murder a U.S. official , which carries a maximum prison term of 10 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which carries a maximum jail term of five years .
As The New York Times noted , Phelps is at least the third person who ’ s been charged with threatening Schiff ’ s life .

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A Connecticut man was arrested and charged last week for threatening to murder Rep. Adam Schiff, the California Democrat who led the prosecution in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial.
Robert Michael Phelps, 62, was arrested Friday and later released on a $25,000 bond, the U.S. Attorney’s office for Connecticut said in a Monday press release.
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Prosecutors allege Phelps sent a death threat to Schiff via the congressman’s website on Nov. 12, 2019, the eve of the first public impeachment hearing. Phelps allegedly said in his message that he wanted to visit Schiff “so I can spit in your face and I want to kill you with my bare hands and smash your sick little round fat lying face in.”
Phelps later admitted to investigators that he’d sent the message, but “did not see the message as threatening,” according to a criminal complaint.
“Phelps stated he had a right to contact members of Congress and defend ‘his president,’” Daniel Heether, an FBI special agent, said in the complaint.
Trump repeatedly attacked Schiff during and after the impeachment proceedings.
In January, the president lambasted Schiff as “corrupt” and said the congressman had not yet “paid the price” for his role in the impeachment trial.
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Shifty Adam Schiff is a CORRUPT POLITICIAN, and probably a very sick man. He has not paid the price, yet, for what he has done to our Country! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020
Prosecutors said Phelps was charged with threatening to assault and murder a U.S. official, which carries a maximum prison term of 10 years, and with making interstate threats, which carries a maximum jail term of five years.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-17--Republicans, White House Gut Paid Sick Leave In Coronavirus Bill

Democrats had already vastly scaled back their proposals for paid sick leave and paid family leave .
Instead of covering all workers , millions were left out of the version of the bill passed over the weekend .
Still , the original compromise bill included 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave for workers with COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , symptoms of COVID-19 or those caring for others who are sick .
Now , after the legislative text was updated , those family leave provisions in the bill are much weaker .
Paid family leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are home with kids due to school closure .
The extended leave wouldn ’ t be available for people who are sick with COVID-19 .
Those workers would only be able to take 10 days of paid sick leave ― and only if they work at a company with less than 500 employees .
What ’ s more : Companies with fewer than 50 workers can apply for hardship relief and get out of providing both sick and family leave .
“ The carve-outs that came in last night through pressure from Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what started out as a strong paid leave proposal that would ’ ve made a difference to tens of millions of families during this crisis , ” said Jessica Mason , senior policy analyst at the National Partnership for Women and Families .
“ The so-called corrections actually gut those policies and weaken our nation ’ s response to this pandemic.
” The bill is a disappointment to advocates who ’ d hoped the pandemic would finally push lawmakers to enact universal paid sick leave in the U.S .
However , it still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicaid expansion that will be helpful .
“ There are other parts of the bill , provisions related to Medicaid , that are incredibly important and that is why we continue to support passage of the bill , ” Mason said .
“ but Congress needs to understand that the paid sick days and paid leave provisions do not begin to address the needs of families right now.
” It could ’ ve been worse , said a senior Democratic aide familiar with the negotiations .
The White House actually wanted to weaken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unpaid time off during a medical emergency .
The administration sought to get rid of part of the 30-year-old Family and Medical Leave Act , which ensures workers can get health insurance while they ’ re on long-term leave .
“ This was a nonstarter for the speaker , ” the aide said , referring to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) , who was also able to get a tax credit for small businesses to make it easier for them to offer the paid time off .
House Democrats said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bipartisan bill that would stand a greater chance of passage in the Republican-controlled Senate .
Many GOP lawmakers voiced concern that the paid leave provisions would place further stress on small businesses that are slashing jobs due to anemic demand amid the crisis .
Congress is scrambling to do something bigger to deal with the coronavirus epidemic .
They ’ ve already passed , and the president signed , an $ 8.5 billion package dealing with medical issues .
The Senate this week is discussing a much larger stimulus package , up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fight the spread of the disease and prop up the economy .
“ It is my intention that the Senate will not adjourn until we have passed significant and bold new steps , above and beyond what the House passed , to help our strong nation and our strong underlying economy weather this storm , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) said in a floor speech on Tuesday .

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Under pressure from the White House and business groups, House Democrats agreed to further water down paid sick and family leave provisions in the coronavirus emergency bill currently awaiting a Senate vote.
Democrats had already vastly scaled back their proposals for paid sick leave and paid family leave. Instead of covering all workers, millions were left out of the version of the bill passed over the weekend. Still, the original compromise bill included 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave for workers with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, symptoms of COVID-19 or those caring for others who are sick.
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Now, after the legislative text was updated, those family leave provisions in the bill are much weaker. Paid family leave would only be available to parents who are home with kids due to school closure. The extended leave wouldn’t be available for people who are sick with COVID-19. Those workers would only be able to take 10 days of paid sick leave ― and only if they work at a company with less than 500 employees. What’s more: Companies with fewer than 50 workers can apply for hardship relief and get out of providing both sick and family leave.
“The carve-outs that came in last night through pressure from Republicans and the White House have dramatically weakened what started out as a strong paid leave proposal that would’ve made a difference to tens of millions of families during this crisis,” said Jessica Mason, senior policy analyst at the National Partnership for Women and Families. “The so-called corrections actually gut those policies and weaken our nation’s response to this pandemic.”
Employers are also allowed to secure exemptions for individual employees who are first responders and health care professionals who may have to deal with emergency issues.
“Politicians like to talk a good game about providing paid sick days to everyone, including Trump,” said Vicki Shabo, a senior fellow and paid leave expert at New America.
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Trump touted the bill’s paid sick leave provisions on Tuesday in an update about the pandemic.
The bill is a disappointment to advocates who’d hoped the pandemic would finally push lawmakers to enact universal paid sick leave in the U.S. However, it still does contain provisions for COVID-19 testing and Medicaid expansion that will be helpful.
“There are other parts of the bill, provisions related to Medicaid, that are incredibly important and that is why we continue to support passage of the bill,” Mason said. “but Congress needs to understand that the paid sick days and paid leave provisions do not begin to address the needs of families right now.”
It could’ve been worse, said a senior Democratic aide familiar with the negotiations. The White House actually wanted to weaken a longstanding law that provides Americans with unpaid time off during a medical emergency. The administration sought to get rid of part of the 30-year-old Family and Medical Leave Act, which ensures workers can get health insurance while they’re on long-term leave.
“This was a nonstarter for the speaker,” the aide said, referring to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who was also able to get a tax credit for small businesses to make it easier for them to offer the paid time off.
House Democrats said the changes were necessary in order to secure a bipartisan bill that would stand a greater chance of passage in the Republican-controlled Senate. Many GOP lawmakers voiced concern that the paid leave provisions would place further stress on small businesses that are slashing jobs due to anemic demand amid the crisis.
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Congress is scrambling to do something bigger to deal with the coronavirus epidemic. They’ve already passed, and the president signed, an $8.5 billion package dealing with medical issues. The Senate this week is discussing a much larger stimulus package, up to at least $850 billion, to fight the spread of the disease and prop up the economy.
Congressional Republicans also seem to be getting behind the idea of simply sending Americans cash to deal with the economic downturn sparked by the epidemic.
“It is my intention that the Senate will not adjourn until we have passed significant and bold new steps, above and beyond what the House passed, to help our strong nation and our strong underlying economy weather this storm,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a floor speech on Tuesday.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-17--Here's Video Of Trump Trying To Explain Why He Cut The Pandemic Response Team

President Donald Trump dismantled the National Security Council ’ s pandemic response unit in 2018 ― a subject he claims to know nothing about now that the U.S. is being buffeted by the coronavirus pandemic .
Trump explicitly denied any responsibility for mishandling the COVID-19 crisis at a news conference on Friday , where he told PBS reporter Yamiche Alcindor he didn ’ t “ know anything about ” his former national security adviser ’ s elimination of the White House global health security team .
“ I just think it ’ s a nasty question , ” Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ’ I didn ’ t do it ... You say we did that , I don ’ t know anything about it.
” He did do it .
And there ’ s video of him discussing his justification last month .
( Watch it above . )
“ I ’ m a business person , ” the president said in a Feb. 26 White House press briefing .
“ I don ’ t like having thousands of people around when you don ’ t need them.
” “ Some of the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t been used for many , many years , and if we ever need them we can get them very quickly and rather than spending the money.
” The National Security Council ’ s Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense was created under President Barack Obama after the 2014 Ebola outbreak , The New York Times pointed out .
It included health and biodefense experts to coordinate the U.S. response to global health threats .
Sen. Sherrod Brown ( D-Ohio ) called out Trump for claiming ignorance of his actions to disband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brown circulated a letter he sent the White House in 2018 questioning the wisdom of eliminating the global health security office : “ The administration ’ s proposed budget cuts threaten our ability to respond to a public health emergency , ” Brown warned at the time .
“ In our globalized world , where diseases are never more than a plane ride away , we must do all we can to prepare for the next , inevitable outbreak and keep Americans safe from disease .
“ I urge you to act swiftly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security by taking immediate action to designate senior-level NSC personnel to focus on global health security , supporting adequate and appropriate funding for global health security initiatives , and leading the way in preparing for the next pandemic threat .
”

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President Donald Trump dismantled the National Security Council’s pandemic response unit in 2018 ― a subject he claims to know nothing about now that the U.S. is being buffeted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump explicitly denied any responsibility for mishandling the COVID-19 crisis at a news conference on Friday, where he told PBS reporter Yamiche Alcindor he didn’t “know anything about” his former national security adviser’s elimination of the White House global health security team.
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Instead, he called Alcindor’s question “nasty” and moved on.
“I just think it’s a nasty question,” Trump said. “When you say ‘me,’ I didn’t do it ... You say we did that, I don’t know anything about it.”
He did do it. And there’s video of him discussing his justification last month. (Watch it above.)
“I’m a business person,” the president said in a Feb. 26 White House press briefing. “I don’t like having thousands of people around when you don’t need them.”
“Some of the people we’ve cut they haven’t been used for many, many years, and if we ever need them we can get them very quickly and rather than spending the money.”
The National Security Council’s Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense was created under President Barack Obama after the 2014 Ebola outbreak, The New York Times pointed out. It included health and biodefense experts to coordinate the U.S. response to global health threats.
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Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) called out Trump for claiming ignorance of his actions to disband the pandemic team. Last week, Brown circulated a letter he sent the White House in 2018 questioning the wisdom of eliminating the global health security office:
Not true, @realDonaldTrump. I wrote to you more than 600 days ago demanding answers after you fired the entire White House pandemic team. https://t.co/ICbHOkyeyY pic.twitter.com/71OF9gKA3N — Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) March 13, 2020
“The administration’s proposed budget cuts threaten our ability to respond to a public health emergency,” Brown warned at the time. “In our globalized world, where diseases are never more than a plane ride away, we must do all we can to prepare for the next, inevitable outbreak and keep Americans safe from disease.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-17--Steve Mnuchin Says He's Working To Get Checks To Americans 'Immediately'

The Trump administration said Tuesday that it is examining several options for issuing money to Americans in an effort to help address economic concerns related to the coronavirus outbreak .
There are at least four different ways to get money in the hands of American workers , President Donald Trump said during a press briefing at the White House .
Issuing a payroll tax is one way , he said , but it would take too long .
Such a tax credit “ would get people money over the next six to eight months .
We ’ re looking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin .
“ Americans need cash now , and the president wants to get cash now , ” he said .
“ And I mean now , in the next two weeks.
” Mnuchin said he will discuss with Republicans exactly how much would be provided to Americans later in the day .
Trump added that “ obviously some people shouldn ’ t be getting checks.
” “ We don ’ t need to send people who make a million dollars a year checks , ” Mnuchin said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts include payments to small businesses , loan guarantees to certain industries , and a stimulus package for American workers .

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The Trump administration said Tuesday that it is examining several options for issuing money to Americans in an effort to help address economic concerns related to the coronavirus outbreak.
There are at least four different ways to get money in the hands of American workers, President Donald Trump said during a press briefing at the White House. Issuing a payroll tax is one way, he said, but it would take too long.
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Such a tax credit “would get people money over the next six to eight months. We’re looking to send checks to Americans, immediately,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
“Americans need cash now, and the president wants to get cash now,” he said. “And I mean now, in the next two weeks.”
Mnuchin said he will discuss with Republicans exactly how much would be provided to Americans later in the day.
Trump added that “obviously some people shouldn’t be getting checks.”
“We don’t need to send people who make a million dollars a year checks,” Mnuchin said.
The administration’s current financial efforts include payments to small businesses, loan guarantees to certain industries, and a stimulus package for American workers.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-17--Workers At These Companies Say They Can’t Get Sick Leave

Workers at Target , Walmart , Kroger , Taco Bell , Subway , Burger King and a slew of other well-known businesses say they don ’ t get paid sick leave , according to a survey of workers from The Shift Project , a joint research effort from two sociologists at the University of California , Berkeley , and the University of California , San Francisco .
The survey was first published in The New York Times editorial pages .
Universal sick leave policy is crucial to reducing the spread of illnesses such as COVID-19 , the disease caused by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now urging Americans to stay home if they ’ re not feeling well and to practice social distancing , at a minimum .
But many of these workers , who are working paycheck to paycheck , often in jobs that involve frequent interaction with customers , can ’ t follow that advice .
The United States stands alone among the most developed economies in the world in offering no paid sick leave guarantee .
Congress is now making some efforts to mandate paid sick leave .
This weekend , the House of Representatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for increasing access to sick leave , among other measures , to combat the spread of the coronavirus — but it leaves out workers at large employers .
It ’ s very unusual for a fast-food restaurant to offer paid sick [ leave ] .
You can connect the dots there and think about how dangerous that is .
Kristin Harknett , sociology professor at the University of California , San Francisco It ’ s apparently even more common at large , high-touch retail and fast-food outlets .
Sixty percent of the workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve come to work sick , said Kristin Harknett , the sociology professor at the University of California , San Francisco , who conducted the research with Daniel Schneider of the University of California , Berkeley .
The survey ’ s findings are a good corollary to data from the Labor Department , which tracks who gets sick leave in the aggregate .
While 93 % of workers at the top of the income ladder do get paid sick time , only 30 % of the lowest-wage earners do , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The workers least likely to have paid sick leave are the ones most likely to be interacting with lots of people — typically , hourly employees in constant contact with the public , serving and preparing food or selling groceries .
Only 64 % of retail workers get paid sick leave .
Even if companies have paid sick leave policies on the books , workers may not be able to take sick days in practice .
Walmart started offering sick pay to all full- time workers last year , but according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 73 % of Walmart employees said they can actually take sick days .
Legowski , the Walmart associate , showed up for a shift a few weeks ago even after she was diagnosed with influenza A because she ’ d already taken a few sick days and didn ’ t have the option of taking another without being penalized .
She believed she ’ d be fired .
The Shift Project research found that some workers at large companies did report being able to take paid leave when they ’ re sick .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Costco and Stop & Shop all said they were able to get paid sick leave , Harknett said , which is a signal to their competitors that this is a policy they might be able to afford .

Many of the country’s largest retailers and fast-food chains don’t pay employees when they’re sick ― a policy that could put those workers, their families and the public at risk as the coronavirus sweeps through the U.S.
Workers at Target, Walmart, Kroger, Taco Bell, Subway, Burger King and a slew of other well-known businesses say they don’t get paid sick leave, according to a survey of workers from The Shift Project, a joint research effort from two sociologists at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of California, San Francisco. The survey was first published in The New York Times editorial pages.
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Universal sick leave policy is crucial to reducing the spread of illnesses such as COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Public health officials are now urging Americans to stay home if they’re not feeling well and to practice social distancing, at a minimum. But many of these workers, who are working paycheck to paycheck, often in jobs that involve frequent interaction with customers, can’t follow that advice.
And while some restaurants and fast-food outlets are closing up shop in response to the epidemic, at large grocery stores like Target, Kroger and Walmart, hourly workers must face an anxious public eager to stock up on food, toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
“It’s impossible to avoid contact with people while I’m working,” said Brittany Legowski, a 21-year-old Walmart associate in Menomonie, Wisconsin, who recently worked while she had the flu and fears she will contract the coronavirus at work.
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The United States stands alone among the most developed economies in the world in offering no paid sick leave guarantee. Congress is now making some efforts to mandate paid sick leave. This weekend, the House of Representatives and the White House made a deal for increasing access to sick leave, among other measures, to combat the spread of the coronavirus — but it leaves out workers at large employers.
“It’s very unusual for a fast-food restaurant to offer paid sick [leave]. You can connect the dots there and think about how dangerous that is.” - Kristin Harknett, sociology professor at the University of California, San Francisco
Across the board, coming to work sick is very common. About half of Americans say they have gone to work sick in the past year, according to a recent HuffPost/YouGov survey.
It’s apparently even more common at large, high-touch retail and fast-food outlets. Sixty percent of the workers in the Shift Project study said they’ve come to work sick, said Kristin Harknett, the sociology professor at the University of California, San Francisco, who conducted the research with Daniel Schneider of the University of California, Berkeley.
The data published in The New York Times was based on surveys in 2018 and 2019 of about 35,000 workers at slightly fewer than 100 big employers, said Harknett. The researchers plan to put out a report expanding on their research in the future.
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More than half of the workers surveyed say they can’t take a sick day. Fast-food restaurant workers were the most likely to say they didn’t get paid sick leave, Harknett said.
She and Schneider estimate that more than a half-million McDonald’s workers don’t have access to sick pay; 165,000 workers at Burger King and 95,000 at Dunkin’ Donuts.
“It’s very unusual for a fast-food restaurant to offer paid sick [leave],” Harknett said. “You can connect the dots there and think about how dangerous that is.”
The survey’s findings are a good corollary to data from the Labor Department, which tracks who gets sick leave in the aggregate. While 93% of workers at the top of the income ladder do get paid sick time, only 30% of the lowest-wage earners do, according to 2019 data from the Labor Department.
The workers least likely to have paid sick leave are the ones most likely to be interacting with lots of people — typically, hourly employees in constant contact with the public, serving and preparing food or selling groceries. Only 64% of retail workers get paid sick leave.
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Part-time workers are even worse off. More than half do not get paid sick time.
Even if companies have paid sick leave policies on the books, workers may not be able to take sick days in practice. Walmart started offering sick pay to all full- time workers last year, but according to the survey cited in the Times, only 73% of Walmart employees said they can actually take sick days.
Target and Walmart have both announced emergency coronavirus sick leave policies recently, offering expanded leave to those who are diagnosed with COVID-19.
A spokeswoman from Walmart said all associates can earn up to 48 hours of paid sick time if they’re ill, to take care of a family member or for any other reason — including for last-minute emergencies.
“It’s important to keep in mind that we are reporting on what workers report about their access to paid sick, which is different from official company policy,” Harknett said.
“With my beat-up immune system, with coronavirus coming around, if I get sick, I lose my job. There’s no way around it.” - Brittany Legowski, 21-year-old Walmart associate
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Some workers may be part-time or new; others might be unaware they’re entitled to paid sick leave. Some companies require documentation from a doctor or health practitioner ― not always easy to access for low-income workers with poor health insurance or none at all.
On the flip side, Harknett said, some workers might luck out and have a manager who gives them paid time off.
Legowski, the Walmart associate, showed up for a shift a few weeks ago even after she was diagnosed with influenza A because she’d already taken a few sick days and didn’t have the option of taking another without being penalized. She believed she’d be fired.
“I had to work through the shift having influenza,” Legowski, who is a member of the group United For Respect, told HuffPost. “So now with my beat-up immune system, with coronavirus coming around, if I get sick, I lose my job. There’s no way around it.”
The Shift Project research found that some workers at large companies did report being able to take paid leave when they’re sick. Most workers at Ikea, Home Depot, Costco and Stop & Shop all said they were able to get paid sick leave, Harknett said, which is a signal to their competitors that this is a policy they might be able to afford.
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Still, the matter of Congress forcing companies to offer paid leave is complicated. As the country heads into an economic downturn sparked by the coronavirus, it’s not a great time to force major companies worried about a downturn in revenue to offer paid sick leave.
Legislation that offers businesses a tax credit to do sick leave actually could put workers’ jobs at some companies in danger. For example, some companies might lay off workers in anticipation of a new requirement to give paid sick leave, said Claudia Sahm, director of macroeconomic policy at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth.
“Why do you want to impose a new cost on McDonald’s at the same time their revenue ... is being hit hard by this? Do you think that is good for the low-income people they employ?” former Obama administration economic adviser Jason Furman tweeted recently. “I agree sick leave is important, we should be pushing Congress to pay for it,” he wrote.
That idea is unlikely to get through Congress, at least for now.
“I don’t support U.S. taxpayer money subsidizing corporations to provide benefits to workers that they should already be providing,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), tweeted over the weekend, defending the deal she made with Republicans on sick leave.
Are you a Walmart or Target associate who’s used, or tried to use, emergency coronavirus sick leave? Email: emily.peck@huffpost.com.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-17--Trump Says He’s ‘Always’ Taken The Coronavirus Pandemic Seriously. He Hasn't.

For the second day in a row , President Donald Trump painted a strangely rosy picture of his response to the coronavirus pandemic .
“ I ’ ve always known this was a real ― this is a pandemic , ” Trump said at a press conference Tuesday .
“ I felt it was a pandemic long before it was called a pandemic.
” Trump was responding to a question about his more somber tone on Monday when he advised Americans to avoid crowds of more than 10 people , a sudden departure from his previous characterizations of the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always viewed it as very serious , ” he retorted .
“ There was no difference yesterday from days before .
I feel the tone is similar , but some people said it wasn ’ t. ” In reality , Trump has been downplaying the threat of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus , up until this week .
Just over two weeks ago at a campaign rally in South Carolina , he posited that Democrats were fabricating the coronavirus threat to undermine his presidency .
“ They tried the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
... And this is their new hoax , ” Trump told the crowd .
That day , officials had already confirmed 64 coronavirus cases in the U.S. ― likely a small fraction of the actual number of people infected at the time .
Trump had also been repeatedly telling Americans the coronavirus situation in the U.S. was much better than it actually was .
Two days before calling the coronavirus threat a hoax , Trump falsely said of domestic COVID-19 cases : “ We ’ re going down , not up .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not up.
” The next day , he claimed of the virus : “ One day — it ’ s like a miracle — it will disappear.
” Global health officials , meanwhile , were warning that it was just the opposite and that world leaders needed to take immediate action .
Last Monday , Trump drew false parallels by comparing a year ’ s worth of influenza deaths to a few months of COVID-19 deaths , deeply misleading Americans about the disease ’ s severity .
In reality , the fatality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , while the fatality rate for the flu in the U.S. is about 0.1 % .
That day , the total number of confirmed infections in the U.S. surpassed 700 ― again , likely a fraction of the actual count ― and the official death toll hit 26 .

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For the second day in a row, President Donald Trump painted a strangely rosy picture of his response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’ve always known this was a real ― this is a pandemic,” Trump said at a press conference Tuesday. “I felt it was a pandemic long before it was called a pandemic.”
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Trump was responding to a question about his more somber tone on Monday when he advised Americans to avoid crowds of more than 10 people, a sudden departure from his previous characterizations of the outbreak.
“No, I’ve always viewed it as very serious,” he retorted. “There was no difference yesterday from days before. I feel the tone is similar, but some people said it wasn’t.”
In reality, Trump has been downplaying the threat of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, up until this week.
Trump has downplayed the coronavirus outbreak for weeks. Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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Just over two weeks ago at a campaign rally in South Carolina, he posited that Democrats were fabricating the coronavirus threat to undermine his presidency.
“They tried the impeachment hoax. ... They tried anything. ... And this is their new hoax,” Trump told the crowd.
That day, officials had already confirmed 64 coronavirus cases in the U.S. ― likely a small fraction of the actual number of people infected at the time.
Trump had also been repeatedly telling Americans the coronavirus situation in the U.S. was much better than it actually was. Two days before calling the coronavirus threat a hoax, Trump falsely said of domestic COVID-19 cases: “We’re going down, not up. We’re going very substantially down, not up.”
The next day, he claimed of the virus: “One day — it’s like a miracle — it will disappear.” Global health officials, meanwhile, were warning that it was just the opposite and that world leaders needed to take immediate action.
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Last Monday, Trump drew false parallels by comparing a year’s worth of influenza deaths to a few months of COVID-19 deaths, deeply misleading Americans about the disease’s severity. In reality, the fatality rate for COVID-19 has been about 2-3%, while the fatality rate for the flu in the U.S. is about 0.1%.
That day, the total number of confirmed infections in the U.S. surpassed 700 ― again, likely a fraction of the actual count ― and the official death toll hit 26.
Just two days later, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-17--Donald Trump, Jim Justice Are Failing West Virginians On The Coronavirus

“ I just see West Virginia is the only one without reported cases , ” Trump said on Tuesday morning .
“ Big Jim , the governor there , he must be doing a good job.
” Even “ Big Jim ” previously acknowledged there were certainly residents of his state who had the virus , but officials hadn ’ t “ found it yet ” because of a lack of testing in West Virginia .
Still , Trump wrote off the state several times Tuesday , first in a tweet and then at the press conference with the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said field hospitals wouldn ’ t be needed in West Virginia because there had been no confirmed cases there .
“ We ’ re not going to need them in West Virginia where so far , I guess , they have none .
Still none ?
Still none , West Virginia , ” Trump said , noting that “ obviously ” the state should be treated differently than New York or California because no one in West Virginia had officially been diagnosed .
While it ’ s true that with 1.8 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than New York or California , many who live there are among the most vulnerable when it comes to the coronavirus .
According to the U.S. Census Bureau , almost 20 % of the state ’ s population is age 65 and over .
That ’ s the fastest-growing segment of West Virginia ’ s population , in part due to a flood of younger people moving elsewhere .
The number of West Virginia grandparents ― many of whom fall in that 65-and-older category ― responsible for raising their grandchildren has doubled since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 .
Many are in that situation thanks to the opioid crisis , which has also strained the state ’ s health care system .
West Virginia often ranks in the top among states whose citizens are in poor health or suffer from chronic illnesses like diabetes , heart disease and lung disease , all of which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says put a person in the high-risk category for COVID-19 , the illness caused by the coronavirus .
“ We have a high-risk population .
If we don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] right here now , that ’ s great .
If you send them [ tests and supplies ] now , we act now , give a chance to really , really reduce it much more , ” Slemp said during a press conference Monday .
“ If you ’ re going to just where it ’ s already happening , you ’ ll be too late.
” West Virginia ’ s Department of Health and Human Resources issued guidance Monday on conducting COVID-19 tests , noting that the state ’ s public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing as commercial labs “ develop testing capacity.
” A spokesperson from WVU Medicine told HuffPost they are working to develop their own in-house testing and hope to establish collection centers in five towns over the next few days .
Eriel Scott , marketing and public relations manager for Thomas Health , said that six tests had been performed at Thomas Memorial and St. Francis Hospitals in Charleston , West Virginia , as of Monday and that the hospitals have been receiving five test kits at a time .
And despite his recognition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , Justice has doled out his own share of bad advice and information .
On Monday , as Trump was encouraging people to avoid restaurants and gatherings of 10 or more people , Big Jim was encouraging his citizens to “ keep on living , in some way living , and doing what we ’ re doing .
”

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. ― President Donald Trump praised West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) at a press conference on Tuesday for doing a “good job” on the grounds that his state was the last without a confirmed case of the coronavirus.
“I just see West Virginia is the only one without reported cases,” Trump said on Tuesday morning. “Big Jim, the governor there, he must be doing a good job.”
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That changed later on Tuesday when Justice announced that a person living in the state’s eastern panhandle had been diagnosed with the virus.
Even “Big Jim” previously acknowledged there were certainly residents of his state who had the virus, but officials hadn’t “found it yet” because of a lack of testing in West Virginia.
“Where we are is just plain simply this: We’ve got a monster that’s looming,” Justice said during a press conference last week.
As of Monday, only 84 tests had been given in the state. By Tuesday, the state had tested 137 people, with 122 negative results, 14 pending and one confirmed case.
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Failing to recognize the full risk facing West Virginians, particularly the elderly, could put lives at risk.
Still, Trump wrote off the state several times Tuesday, first in a tweet and then at the press conference with the White House coronavirus task force, when he said field hospitals wouldn’t be needed in West Virginia because there had been no confirmed cases there.
“We’re not going to need them in West Virginia where so far, I guess, they have none. Still none? Still none, West Virginia,” Trump said, noting that “obviously” the state should be treated differently than New York or California because no one in West Virginia had officially been diagnosed.
While it’s true that with 1.8 million people West Virginia has a much smaller population than New York or California, many who live there are among the most vulnerable when it comes to the coronavirus. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, almost 20% of the state’s population is age 65 and over. That’s the fastest-growing segment of West Virginia’s population, in part due to a flood of younger people moving elsewhere.
The number of West Virginia grandparents ― many of whom fall in that 65-and-older category ― responsible for raising their grandchildren has doubled since 2005, WV Public Broadcasting reported in 2018. Many are in that situation thanks to the opioid crisis, which has also strained the state’s health care system.
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West Virginia often ranks in the top among states whose citizens are in poor health or suffer from chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease and lung disease, all of which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says put a person in the high-risk category for COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.
Dr. Cathy Slemp, West Virginia’s commissioner on public health, argues that states should be prioritized based on risk, not just on the number of cases.
“We have a high-risk population. If we don’t have a lot [of cases] right here now, that’s great. If you send them [tests and supplies] now, we act now, give a chance to really, really reduce it much more,” Slemp said during a press conference Monday. “If you’re going to just where it’s already happening, you’ll be too late.”
West Virginia’s Department of Health and Human Resources issued guidance Monday on conducting COVID-19 tests, noting that the state’s public lab has been the primary facility for testing as commercial labs “develop testing capacity.” A spokesperson from WVU Medicine told HuffPost they are working to develop their own in-house testing and hope to establish collection centers in five towns over the next few days.
Eriel Scott, marketing and public relations manager for Thomas Health, said that six tests had been performed at Thomas Memorial and St. Francis Hospitals in Charleston, West Virginia, as of Monday and that the hospitals have been receiving five test kits at a time.
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That same day, Slemp said the state has enough “tests and supplies of everything else for maybe 500 people.”
And despite his recognition that the coronavirus is present in the state, Justice has doled out his own share of bad advice and information. On Monday, as Trump was encouraging people to avoid restaurants and gatherings of 10 or more people, Big Jim was encouraging his citizens to “keep on living, in some way living, and doing what we’re doing.”
“If you want to go to Bob Evans and eat,” Justice said during a press conference, “go to Bob Evans and eat.”
Just 24 hours later, the governor changed his tune, announcing that all bars, restaurants and casinos in the state would close, though restaurants would still be permitted to fill takeout and delivery orders.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-17--Conservatives Worry Too Much Coronavirus Relief Will Make People Lazy

Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-Wis. ) is chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee and is concerned about giving people too much relief from an economic downturn caused by the spread of the coronavirus .
Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-Wis. ) is concerned that if the federal government steps in too much to help workers affected by the coronavirus crisis , it will make people lazy .
The House has passed legislation that would offer paid leave for some workers if they or their families are affected by COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
Johnson , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he was worried about “ incentivizing people to not show up for work.
” “ You have to think this thing through in terms of what are the unintended consequences of good intentions , ” he said .
A group of conservative economists put out a similar statement Tuesday , saying such benefits ― like allowing people to take time off , without penalty , if they are sick , so they don ’ t die or infect others ― would “ discourage work.
” This is a common refrain from conservatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a factor .
Basically any government assistance besides tax breaks ― food stamps , housing aid , unemployment benefits ― are believed to encourage sloth and greed .
People are not taking time off right now by choice , or because they are lazy .
They are sick .
Their families are sick .
Their jobs are temporarily on hold because everything is getting shut down to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
Or , in a growing number of cases , they are simply getting laid off .
People are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants , movie theaters , shops and schools are all closed .
Johnson also said he was worried about the effect of the legislation , known as the Families First Act , on small businesses that would be forced to “ pay wages they can not afford.
” But the bill ― which House Democrats have watered down under pressure from the White House and business groups ― does make accommodations for small businesses .
Companies with fewer than 50 workers can apply for hardship relief and get out of providing paid sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump ’ s administration .
Companies that have to offer leave would receive a tax credit , although some Republicans are concerned the benefit would reach employers too late .
The original bill provided 12 weeks of paid leave for workers who have COVID-19 , are forced to quarantine , show symptoms , are exposed to the virus or are trying to get tested .
But Democrats agreed to weaken the provision so that now , paid family leave will only be available to parents who are home with children due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 days , people who are sick would get only 10 days of paid sick leave ― which is even farther from the 14 days of self-quarantine recommended under federal guidelines .
People at companies with more than 500 employees would get no extra relief .
Although 89 % of workers at these large companies have access to some paid sick leave , it is , on average , just eight days .

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Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) is chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee and is concerned about giving people too much relief from an economic downturn caused by the spread of the coronavirus. Samuel Corum/Getty Images
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) is concerned that if the federal government steps in too much to help workers affected by the coronavirus crisis, it will make people lazy.
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The House has passed legislation that would offer paid leave for some workers if they or their families are affected by COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Johnson, in comments in USA Today on Monday, said he was worried about “incentivizing people to not show up for work.”
“You have to think this thing through in terms of what are the unintended consequences of good intentions,” he said.
A group of conservative economists put out a similar statement Tuesday, saying such benefits ― like allowing people to take time off, without penalty, if they are sick, so they don’t die or infect others ― would “discourage work.”
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Joint statement by conservatives Stephen Moore, Art Laffer, Steve Forbes: "Don’t expand welfare and other income redistribution benefits like paid leave and unemployment benefits that will inhibit growth and discourage work" — Jeffrey Stein (@JStein_WaPo) March 17, 2020
This is a common refrain from conservatives, even when the coronavirus is not a factor. Basically any government assistance besides tax breaks ― food stamps, housing aid, unemployment benefits ― are believed to encourage sloth and greed.
People are not taking time off right now by choice, or because they are lazy. They are sick. Their families are sick. Their jobs are temporarily on hold because everything is getting shut down to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Or, in a growing number of cases, they are simply getting laid off. People are not being allowed to work because places like restaurants, movie theaters, shops and schools are all closed.
Johnson also said he was worried about the effect of the legislation, known as the Families First Act, on small businesses that would be forced to “pay wages they cannot afford.”
But the bill ― which House Democrats have watered down under pressure from the White House and business groups ― does make accommodations for small businesses. Companies with fewer than 50 workers can apply for hardship relief and get out of providing paid sick and family leave, if approved by President Donald Trump’s administration.
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Companies that have to offer leave would receive a tax credit, although some Republicans are concerned the benefit would reach employers too late.
The original bill provided 12 weeks of paid leave for workers who have COVID-19, are forced to quarantine, show symptoms, are exposed to the virus or are trying to get tested.
But Democrats agreed to weaken the provision so that now, paid family leave will only be available to parents who are home with children due to school closures. And instead of 12 days, people who are sick would get only 10 days of paid sick leave ― which is even farther from the 14 days of self-quarantine recommended under federal guidelines.
People at companies with more than 500 employees would get no extra relief. Although 89% of workers at these large companies have access to some paid sick leave, it is, on average, just eight days.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-17--Duncan Hunter Sentenced To 11 Months In Prison

Sandy Huffaker via Getty Images SAN DIEGO , CA - DECEMBER 03 : Rep. Duncan Hunter ( R-CA ) walks into Federal Courthouse on December 3 , 2019 in San Diego , California .
Congressman Hunter is expected to plead guilty to charges that he violated federal campaign finance laws by using campaign funds for extensive personal expenses .
( Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images ) SAN DIEGO ( AP ) — A federal judge Tuesday sentenced former California Republican Rep. Duncan to 11 months in prison after pleading guilty for stealing his campaign funds and spending the money on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter ’ s birthday party .
The ex-Marine ’ s defense attorneys had asked for home confinement , citing his military service including fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan , and his nearly six terms in Congress .
Hunter resigned from Congress in January after representing one of Southern California ’ s last solidly Republican districts .
Prosecutors submitted 87 pages of details to U.S. District Court Judge Thomas J. Whelan ahead of Tuesday ’ s sentencing that showed a corrupt congressman who intentionally and repeatedly stole from his campaign funds for a decade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cavalierly spent campaign money on small things , such as a tin of chewing tobacco , and a copy of the book , “ Why We Suck : A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat , Loud , Lazy and Stupid , ” according to prosecutors .
And after he was caught , he ran for reelection and tried to convince voters in the district east of San Diego that as a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump , he was the victim of a political witch hunt by left-leaning prosecutors trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California .
A year after winning a sixth term , Hunter pleaded guilty to a single corruption charge .
He and his wife , who served as his campaign manager , each faces up to five years in jail .
Prosecutors said a 14-month prison sentence is needed to punish a lawmaker who misled his constituents and whose wrongdoing has now left the 50th congressional district without a representative .
Hunter resigned from Congress in January .
A Democrat and Republican are headed to a November runoff for his seat .
“ As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people about his guilt .
Not once , but countless times .
In doing so , he conned voters into electing a soon-to-be-convict , ” prosecutors wrote in their arguments for the prison term .
The Hunters were accused in a 60-count indictment of stealing more than $ 250,000 in campaign contributions and trying to hide it on financial disclosure records , listing some personal expenses as contributions to wounded warriors .
Defense attorneys say he deserves 11 months in home confinement because of his military and public service .
They said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the chopping block and helped craft laws to better the lives of veterans .
His parents wrote a letter pointing out his bravery in signing up for the Marine Corps the day after the Sept. 11 attacks , and a Democratic colleague , San Diego Rep. Juan Vargas , penned that “ Mr .
Hunter needs special counseling and treatment after fighting our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
” Hunter is not the first congressmen accused of the illegal use of campaign money .
Prosecutors compared Hunter ’ s case to that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jr. , who got 30 months for stealing $ 750,000 in campaign funds .
Hunter ’ s defense lawyers compare him to former California Rep. Jay Kim , who was spared prison time in 1998 and sentenced to two months home confinement after he admitted to taking more than $ 250,000 in illegal campaign contributions .

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SAN DIEGO (AP) — A federal judge Tuesday sentenced former California Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter to 11 months in prison after pleading guilty for stealing his campaign funds and spending the money on everything from outings with friends to his daughter’s birthday party.
The ex-Marine’s defense attorneys had asked for home confinement, citing his military service including fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, and his nearly six terms in Congress. Hunter resigned from Congress in January after representing one of Southern California’s last solidly Republican districts.
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Prosecutors submitted 87 pages of details to U.S. District Court Judge Thomas J. Whelan ahead of Tuesday’s sentencing that showed a corrupt congressman who intentionally and repeatedly stole from his campaign funds for a decade.
Whelan also sentenced him to three years of supervised release.
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 03: Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) walks into Federal Courthouse on December 3, 2019 in San Diego, California. Congressman Hunter is expected to plead guilty to charges that he violated federal campaign finance laws by using campaign funds for extensive personal expenses.(Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) Sandy Huffaker via Getty Images
The funds bankrolled private school tuition for his children, his wife’s shopping sprees, weekend trips with his mistress and drinking parties in Washington.
A broke and debt-saddled Hunter also cavalierly spent campaign money on small things, such as a tin of chewing tobacco, and a copy of the book, “Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid,” according to prosecutors.
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And after he was caught, he ran for reelection and tried to convince voters in the district east of San Diego that as a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, he was the victim of a political witch hunt by left-leaning prosecutors trying to drive him out of office in Democratic California.
A year after winning a sixth term, Hunter pleaded guilty to a single corruption charge. He and his wife, who served as his campaign manager, each faces up to five years in jail.
Prosecutors said a 14-month prison sentence is needed to punish a lawmaker who misled his constituents and whose wrongdoing has now left the 50th congressional district without a representative. Hunter resigned from Congress in January. A Democrat and Republican are headed to a November runoff for his seat.
“As we now know, Hunter lied to the people about his guilt. Not once, but countless times. In doing so, he conned voters into electing a soon-to-be-convict,” prosecutors wrote in their arguments for the prison term.
The Hunters were accused in a 60-count indictment of stealing more than $250,000 in campaign contributions and trying to hide it on financial disclosure records, listing some personal expenses as contributions to wounded warriors.
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Each pleaded guilty to a single count in separate plea agreements last year.
Defense attorneys say he deserves 11 months in home confinement because of his military and public service. They said he saved thousands of San Diego jobs on the chopping block and helped craft laws to better the lives of veterans.
His parents wrote a letter pointing out his bravery in signing up for the Marine Corps the day after the Sept. 11 attacks, and a Democratic colleague, San Diego Rep. Juan Vargas, penned that “Mr. Hunter needs special counseling and treatment after fighting our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.”
Hunter is not the first congressmen accused of the illegal use of campaign money. Prosecutors compared Hunter’s case to that of former Illinois Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr., who got 30 months for stealing $750,000 in campaign funds.
Hunter’s defense lawyers compare him to former California Rep. Jay Kim, who was spared prison time in 1998 and sentenced to two months home confinement after he admitted to taking more than $250,000 in illegal campaign contributions.
Hunter’s conviction ended his family’s political dynasty in the 50th congressional district. Hunter won the seat after his father. Hunter L. Duncan, represented the area of suburbs and farm towns for 28 years before retiring.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-17--Oklahoma Governor Says He'll Still Take Family Out To Dinner Despite Coronavirus

Oklahoma Gov .
Kevin Stitt ( R ) , who has been embroiled in a controversy this week after tweeting ( and then deleting ) an image of himself and his family in a crowded restaurant during a global pandemic , has said he will continue to go out “ without living in fear.
” On Saturday , Stitt tweeted a photo of his family with the caption : “ Eating with my kids and all my fellow Oklahomans at the @ CollectiveOKC .
It ’ s packed tonight !
” The governor , who on Sunday declared a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus outbreak , was lambasted for not practicing social distancing and avoiding crowds to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus .
The governor ’ s position “ has not changed from the instructions he gave Oklahomans on Thursday : Use good common sense , follow the recommended health precautions , protect the elderly and vulnerable populations , but continue to remain calm , live your life and support local businesses , ” his chief of communications , Charlie Hannema , said in an email sent Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to take his family out to dinner and to the grocery store without living in fear and encourages Oklahomans to do the same , ” Hannema added .
COVID-19 has killed more than 7,000 people worldwide and has caused leaders around the world to take various measures to flatten the curve to help slow transmission .
In addition to wide-scale events being canceled en masse , many local governments have shut down everything from public buses to restaurants , bars and cultural centers .

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Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R), who has been embroiled in a controversy this week after tweeting (and then deleting) an image of himself and his family in a crowded restaurant during a global pandemic, has said he will continue to go out “without living in fear.”
On Saturday, Stitt tweeted a photo of his family with the caption: “Eating with my kids and all my fellow Oklahomans at the @CollectiveOKC. It’s packed tonight!”
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The governor, who on Sunday declared a state of emergency in Oklahoma in light of the coronavirus outbreak, was lambasted for not practicing social distancing and avoiding crowds to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.
The governor’s position “has not changed from the instructions he gave Oklahomans on Thursday: Use good common sense, follow the recommended health precautions, protect the elderly and vulnerable populations, but continue to remain calm, live your life and support local businesses,” his chief of communications, Charlie Hannema, said in an email sent Monday to CNN.
“The governor will continue to take his family out to dinner and to the grocery store without living in fear and encourages Oklahomans to do the same,” Hannema added.
COVID-19 has killed more than 7,000 people worldwide and has caused leaders around the world to take various measures to flatten the curve to help slow transmission. In addition to wide-scale events being canceled en masse, many local governments have shut down everything from public buses to restaurants, bars and cultural centers.