thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-16--3 States Move Forward With Primaries Despite Coronavirus

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. ( AP ) — Florida , Illinois , Ohio and Arizona are pushing forward with Tuesday ’ s primary election , although the coronavirus is causing headaches as polling places need to be moved and workers afraid of catching the disease drop out .
The governors ’ offices in those states said Monday they are not planning to delay the primary despite the viral outbreak .
Georgia already postponed next week ’ s primary and Louisiana has postponed its scheduled April 4 primary .
“ This is unprecedented so it ’ s not clear exactly what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though it likely would involve a request to the attorney general to seek a court order , ” Dietrich said .
As of Monday morning , Ohio ’ s primary election was on , according to Jon Keeling , a spokesman for Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose .
LaRose , however , postponed a Monday morning press briefing until the afternoon , when he will appear with GOP Gov .
Mike DeWine .
( Update : Ohio governor announced Monday afternoon that the state would postpone Tuesday ’ s primary elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the polling places is already expected to be light Tuesday as only the Democrats have a contested presidential primary and that is down to two contenders : Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders .
Add in that the states were pushing early voting and vote-by-mail even before the outbreak and many fewer voters are expected to appear Tuesday at their neighborhood precinct .
In Florida and Arizona , the states moved polling places located in nursing homes and assisted living facilities to avoid exposing the residents to outsiders .
For some counties like Volusia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — by far that state ’ s largest — that became a benefit .
The counties combined those polling places with others nearby , meaning they needed fewer workers .
Republican Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose previously ordered all county boards of elections to offer curbside voting Tuesday to any voter “ concerned about coming inside a polling location.
” His latest order also required the boards to accept absentee ballots from hospitalized voters and others who are self-quarantined until 3 p.m. on Election Day .
One Ohio county , Cincinnati ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own ink pens , blue or black only , to mark their ballots and urges people to bring their own hand sanitizer to the polls .
In Arizona , the Republican governor and Democratic secretary of state released a video early Monday outlining the steps they ’ re taking to keep voters safe .
Those include measures to keep distance between people , frequent hand washing by poll workers and disinfecting equipment regularly .
They also asked voters to wash hands before and after visiting the polls .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s well worth it because our democracy is worth it , ” Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said in the video .
“ We ’ ve purchased gallons of rubbing alcohol and are having them transferred to spray bottles , ” said spokesperson Steve Vancore .
“ We ’ ve ordered cases upon case of Clorox wipes so polls workers can frequently wipe down the equipment and wipe down the voting booths.
” The states have also been pushing early voting and voting by mail as a way to curtail any crowds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say the effort paid off with 118,000 voters casting ballots in the mail in the city , which is an all-time record , according to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority of people recover .
According to the World Health Organization , people with mild illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover .

PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 08: A Maricopa County Elections Department sign directs voters to a polling station on November 8, 2016 in Cave Creek, Arizona. Ralph Freso via Getty Images
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida, Illinois, Ohio and Arizona are pushing forward with Tuesday’s primary election, although the coronavirus is causing headaches as polling places need to be moved and workers afraid of catching the disease drop out.
The governors’ offices in those states said Monday they are not planning to delay the primary despite the viral outbreak. Georgia already postponed next week’s primary and Louisiana has postponed its scheduled April 4 primary.
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In Illinois, there’s no process for canceling or postponing the vote, said Matt Dietrich, spokesman for the State Board of Elections.
“This is unprecedented so it’s not clear exactly what the process would be for changing it, though it likely would involve a request to the attorney general to seek a court order,” Dietrich said.
As of Monday morning, Ohio’s primary election was on, according to Jon Keeling, a spokesman for Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose. LaRose, however, postponed a Monday morning press briefing until the afternoon, when he will appear with GOP Gov. Mike DeWine. (Update: Ohio governor announced Monday afternoon that the state would postpone Tuesday’s primary elections until June 2).
Turnout at the polling places is already expected to be light Tuesday as only the Democrats have a contested presidential primary and that is down to two contenders: Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. Add in that the states were pushing early voting and vote-by-mail even before the outbreak and many fewer voters are expected to appear Tuesday at their neighborhood precinct.
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The states are taking steps to limit voter and poll worker exposure to the coronavirus.
In Florida and Arizona, the states moved polling places located in nursing homes and assisted living facilities to avoid exposing the residents to outsiders. For some counties like Volusia, Florida, and Maricopa, Arizona — by far that state’s largest — that became a benefit. The counties combined those polling places with others nearby, meaning they needed fewer workers.
Republican Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose previously ordered all county boards of elections to offer curbside voting Tuesday to any voter “concerned about coming inside a polling location.” His latest order also required the boards to accept absentee ballots from hospitalized voters and others who are self-quarantined until 3 p.m. on Election Day.
One Ohio county, Cincinnati’s Hamilton, invited voters to use their own ink pens, blue or black only, to mark their ballots and urges people to bring their own hand sanitizer to the polls.
In Arizona, the Republican governor and Democratic secretary of state released a video early Monday outlining the steps they’re taking to keep voters safe. Those include measures to keep distance between people, frequent hand washing by poll workers and disinfecting equipment regularly. They also asked voters to wash hands before and after visiting the polls.
“It’s been a lot of work but it’s well worth it because our democracy is worth it,” Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said in the video.
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Broward County, Florida, is stocking its 421 polling locations with extra supplies, including 4,000 rolls of paper towels, gloves and more than 400 bars of soap.
“We’ve purchased gallons of rubbing alcohol and are having them transferred to spray bottles,” said spokesperson Steve Vancore. “We’ve ordered cases upon case of Clorox wipes so polls workers can frequently wipe down the equipment and wipe down the voting booths.”
The states have also been pushing early voting and voting by mail as a way to curtail any crowds at the polls. Chicago election officials say the effort paid off with 118,000 voters casting ballots in the mail in the city, which is an all-time record, according to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-16--Supreme Court Postpones Arguments Because Of Coronavirus

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The Supreme Court announced Monday that it is postponing arguments for late March and early April because of the coronavirus , including fights over subpoenas for President Donald Trump ’ s financial records .
Other business will go on as planned , including the justices ’ private conference on Friday and the release of orders in a week ’ s time .
Some justices may participate by telephone , the court said in a statement .
Six of the nine justices are 65 and older , at higher risk of getting very sick from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disease Control and Prevention .
Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg , 87 , and Stephen Breyer , 81 , are the oldest members of the court .
There is no new date set for the postponed arguments .
The building has been closed to the public since last week .
The only other time the 85-year-old court building was closed for arguments was in October 2001 , when anthrax was detected in the court mailroom .
That led the justices to hold arguments in the federal courthouse about a half mile from the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a thorough cleaning , the court reopened .
In 1918 , when the court still met inside the Capitol , arguments were postponed for a month because of the flu pandemic .
In the nation ’ s early years , in August 1793 and August 1798 , adjustments were made because of yellow fever outbreaks , the court said .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court announced Monday that it is postponing arguments for late March and early April because of the coronavirus, including fights over subpoenas for President Donald Trump’s financial records.
Other business will go on as planned, including the justices’ private conference on Friday and the release of orders in a week’s time. Some justices may participate by telephone, the court said in a statement.
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Six of the nine justices are 65 and older, at higher risk of getting very sick from the illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 87, and Stephen Breyer, 81, are the oldest members of the court.
There is no new date set for the postponed arguments. The building has been closed to the public since last week.
The only other time the 85-year-old court building was closed for arguments was in October 2001, when anthrax was detected in the court mailroom. That led the justices to hold arguments in the federal courthouse about a half mile from the Supreme Court,
Within a week and after a thorough cleaning, the court reopened.
In 1918, when the court still met inside the Capitol, arguments were postponed for a month because of the flu pandemic. In the nation’s early years, in August 1793 and August 1798, adjustments were made because of yellow fever outbreaks, the court said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-16--Chuck Schumer Calls For At Least $750 Billion To Help Economy And Fight Coronavirus

Schumer said the proposal , which he plans to unveil in detail on Tuesday , would get money into the hands of the American people and include federal funding to fight the spread of the disease .
“ We will need big , bold , urgent federal action to deal with this crisis , ” Schumer said in a statement .
“ The kinds of targeted measures we are putting together will mainline money into the economy and directly into the hands of families that need it most.
” Schumer said the bill would “ ensure our medical professionals have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and equipment – they need to provide treatment and keep Americans safe , among other people-focused initiatives.
” The proposal represents the opening bid from Democrats for a larger federal response to the crisis .
However , what the package ultimately looks like will depend on Senate Republicans , who control the chamber .
“ The Senate stands with you .
We stand with American workers and families , ” McConnell said in a speech on the floor , acknowledging the many Americans across the country who are unable to telework to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Kentucky Republican did not take a stance on more modest legislation the House passed last week that included provisions to stem the financial fallout for families affected by the spread of the virus , including instituting paid sick leave for some employees .
He said the Senate would consider the bill when the House formally transmits it , something that is expected later on Monday after some last-minute changes .
“ We can not consider the legislation until we get it , ” McConnell said , adding that the bill “ can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government ’ s response to the crisis .
Some Senate Republicans have expressed concerns about the House bill , however , particularly with its provisions regarding paid sick leave .
Sen. Rick Scott ( R-Fla. ) , for example , said the way the bill would reimburse businesses for the cost of sick leave ― via tax credits issued by the government ― “ could take too long to get to small businesses that are struggling now to keep their doors open.
” Other Republicans floated more urgent and direct ways to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the economic effects of the virus .
Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-Utah ) said Monday that he supported the House bill , even as he urged further action by the Senate , like sending all adult Americans a $ 1,000 check .
Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-Ark . )
also endorsed giving Americans “ cash stipends.
” However , he warned the House bill didn ’ t go far enough and suggested he wanted to see changes before he got on board .
Asked about the House bill during a press conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump suggested broadening paid sick leave to employers with more than 500 employees ― something House Republicans and his own treasury secretary , who helped negotiate the bill , have opposed .
If the Senate does decide to make changes to the House bill , that could significantly delay its passage .
That ’ s why Democrats are calling on Republicans to focus on additional measures after the House bill has been signed into law .

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WASHINGTON ― Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced that Democrats are preparing a relief bill totaling at least $750 billion in response to the growing coronavirus outbreak that is battering the nation.
Schumer said the proposal, which he plans to unveil in detail on Tuesday, would get money into the hands of the American people and include federal funding to fight the spread of the disease.
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“We will need big, bold, urgent federal action to deal with this crisis,” Schumer said in a statement. “The kinds of targeted measures we are putting together will mainline money into the economy and directly into the hands of families that need it most.”
The plan includes measures that would boost hospital capacity, unemployment insurance, affordability of coronavirus treatments, forbearance of all federal loans, small business assistance, child care, remote learning, food delivery and public transportation costs, among other provisions.
Schumer said the bill would “ensure our medical professionals have all the resources – including physical space and equipment – they need to provide treatment and keep Americans safe, among other people-focused initiatives.”
The proposal represents the opening bid from Democrats for a larger federal response to the crisis. However, what the package ultimately looks like will depend on Senate Republicans, who control the chamber.
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Monday that the Senate will take steps to assist Americans facing financial challenges, secure the economy, and bolster the nation’s health care system.
“The Senate stands with you. We stand with American workers and families,” McConnell said in a speech on the floor, acknowledging the many Americans across the country who are unable to telework to help fight the spread of the disease.
The Kentucky Republican did not take a stance on more modest legislation the House passed last week that included provisions to stem the financial fallout for families affected by the spread of the virus, including instituting paid sick leave for some employees. He said the Senate would consider the bill when the House formally transmits it, something that is expected later on Monday after some last-minute changes.
“We cannot consider the legislation until we get it,” McConnell said, adding that the bill “can only be the beginning” of the government’s response to the crisis.
Some Senate Republicans have expressed concerns about the House bill, however, particularly with its provisions regarding paid sick leave. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), for example, said the way the bill would reimburse businesses for the cost of sick leave ― via tax credits issued by the government ― “could take too long to get to small businesses that are struggling now to keep their doors open.”
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Other Republicans floated more urgent and direct ways to get money into the hands of people suffering from the economic effects of the virus. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said Monday that he supported the House bill, even as he urged further action by the Senate, like sending all adult Americans a $1,000 check. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) also endorsed giving Americans “cash stipends.” However, he warned the House bill didn’t go far enough and suggested he wanted to see changes before he got on board.
Asked about the House bill during a press conference at the White House, President Donald Trump suggested broadening paid sick leave to employers with more than 500 employees ― something House Republicans and his own treasury secretary, who helped negotiate the bill, have opposed.
“I think they may make it even better,” Trump said Monday of the Senate’s potential changes to the bill.
If the Senate does decide to make changes to the House bill, that could significantly delay its passage. That’s why Democrats are calling on Republicans to focus on additional measures after the House bill has been signed into law.
“The Senate should take up this bill and pass it immediately by consent today,” Schumer said Monday in a speech on the floor.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-16--White House Cancels Annual Easter Egg Roll Out Of COVID-19 Concerns

The White House Easter Egg Roll , scheduled for April 13 , will not take place this year out because @ @ @ @ @ The annual event was officially canceled Monday morning in a statement by first lady Melania @ @ @ @ @ and safety of all Americans must be the first priority , especially right now , @ @ @ @ @ I deeply regret this cancellation , but we need to make difficult decisions in the @ @ @ @ @ country for the long-term .
“ During this time , I encourage everyone to listen @ @ @ @ @ and follow ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ) guidelines in order to help @ @ @ @ @ of everyone.
” The White House Easter Egg Roll has been a tradition since 1878 @ @ @ @ @ was in office .
The White House website says it was canceled between 1917-20 because @ @ @ @ @ again in 1943-45 because of World War II .
In addition , no Egg Rolls @ @ @ @ @ of food conservation concerns and White House construction , according to the website .

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The White House Easter Egg Roll, scheduled for April 13, will not take place this year out because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The annual event was officially canceled Monday morning in a statement by first lady Melania Trump. “The health and safety of all Americans must be the first priority, especially right now,” she said. “I deeply regret this cancellation, but we need to make difficult decisions in the short-term to ensure a healthy country for the long-term.
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“During this time, I encourage everyone to listen to state and local officials and follow (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines in order to help protect the health and well-being of everyone.”
White House Easter Egg Roll cancelled... pic.twitter.com/XM40VvmlDY — Paul Bedard (@SecretsBedard) March 16, 2020
The White House Easter Egg Roll has been a tradition since 1878, when Rutherford B. Hayes was in office. The White House website says it was canceled between 1917-20 because of World War 1 and again in 1943-45 because of World War II.
In addition, no Egg Rolls were held between 1946-52 because of food conservation concerns and White House construction, according to the website.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-16--The Only Way To Protect Elderly Prisoners From Coronavirus Is To Release Them

COVID-19 has officially entered the United States prison system .
Prisoners and prison employees have tested positive for the coronavirus in Pennsylvania and Washington , and a police investigator in New York died from the virus on Sunday , according to the New York City Department of Corrections .
Public health officials have warned of the dangers of the coronavirus spreading in prisons and jails after more than 500 prisoners were infected in China on the onset of the outbreak last month , and now , correctional facilities in the U.S. are faced with the exact circumstances for which they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of concern is the fastest-growing prison population in the United States : people over the age of 55 .
There are currently nearly 125,000 prisoners in this age group ― a number that has quadrupled in the last two decades .
Of those prisoners , more than 26,000 are also over the age of 65 .
And many of them are in crowded facilities where it ’ s nearly impossible to practice the social distancing experts say is vital to slow the spread of the virus .
Compassionate release ― the release of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compelling ” reasons to be released before they ’ ve formally served their time — happens already , but it ’ s rare .
Typically , compassionate release is granted in cases of terminal illness or old age , but exceptionally few cases ― just 6 % ― are actually approved .
“ Biological age is one thing , ” he said , “ but these are people who have had a lot of struggles .
They have the burden of disease of a population that ’ s about 10 years older … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s a risk factor , but other diseases put them at a higher risk of disease outcomes .
It ’ s a very unhealthy population.
” “ It ’ s very clear that the people that are sick and older are at the lowest risk of trouble when they get out if they have enough support , ” he said .
“ We have an opportunity to get a lot of these people out of prisons.
” Judges in Ohio are already taking steps to make this happen .
The Cuyahoga @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday morning to decide how to best move forward with guilty pleas , and whether to release the most vulnerable ( and least dangerous ) inmates .
During a public health crisis , mandatory minimums can be a death sentence for that fast-growing population of prisoners over the age of 55 .
In fact , between the years of 2001 and 2007 alone , nearly 8,500 people over the age of 55 died behind bars .
Now , when the best way to combat the spread of infectious disease is through preventive health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing ― all tough thing to achieve in an overcrowded prison ― advocates are concerned that correctional departments won ’ t act fast enough to halt the spread of COVID-19 among the most vulnerable prison population .
Prisoners and their families are often unaware that this is an option in the first place , and when they do inquire about the process , they are often met with “ walls of ignorance or silence or hostility and unkindness , ” said Mary Price , the general counsel of FAMM , a criminal justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act passed in 2018 , compassionate release functioned through the Federal Bureau of Prisons ― a “ toxic set of circumstances , ” according to Price .
But the First Step Act changed the process by which incarcerated people can request compassionate release , namely by allowing prisoners to file their own motions directly to their district courts .
“ For the people who are going to die from this , I don ’ t think there ’ s any way that they could possibly move with the speed that they would need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Price noted .
“ The compassionate release program is not set up for this.
” Meanwhile , prisoner advocates and some prison officials are desperately trying to protect the elderly inmates who remain inside .
The Federal Bureau Of Prisons announced Friday that it would be halting outside visits at all 122 federal facilities .
In Rhode Island , Rich is working to get temporary release for some inmates , and at the very least , get those arrested screened before they ’ re incarcerated .

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COVID-19 has officially entered the United States prison system. Prisoners and prison employees have tested positive for the coronavirus in Pennsylvania and Washington, and a police investigator in New York died from the virus on Sunday, according to the New York City Department of Corrections.
Public health officials have warned of the dangers of the coronavirus spreading in prisons and jails after more than 500 prisoners were infected in China on the onset of the outbreak last month, and now, correctional facilities in the U.S. are faced with the exact circumstances for which they are openly unprepared.
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A major source of concern is the fastest-growing prison population in the United States: people over the age of 55. There are currently nearly 125,000 prisoners in this age group ― a number that has quadrupled in the last two decades. Of those prisoners, more than 26,000 are also over the age of 65. And many of them are in crowded facilities where it’s nearly impossible to practice the social distancing experts say is vital to slow the spread of the virus.
Given the mortal threat to many of these elderly prisoners, an idea that may have seemed radical only weeks ago is now being considered: Just release them.
“We have an opportunity to get a lot of these people out of prisons.” - Dr. Josiah Rich, Brown University
Compassionate release ― the release of prisoners who have developed “extraordinary and compelling” reasons to be released before they’ve formally served their time — happens already, but it’s rare. Typically, compassionate release is granted in cases of terminal illness or old age, but exceptionally few cases ― just 6% ― are actually approved.
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Experts say the doors need to be opened, and now, to avoid mass death inside U.S. prisons and jails.
“We have an aging, highly susceptible population that we’re keeping incarcerated,” Dr. Josiah Rich, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Brown University in Rhode Island, told HuffPost. Rich works in the Rhode Island correctional system, researching infectious disease and providing medical care for HIV-positive inmates and inmates with addiction issues.
“Biological age is one thing,” he said, “but these are people who have had a lot of struggles. They have the burden of disease of a population that’s about 10 years older … Not only are they aging, and that’s a risk factor, but other diseases put them at a higher risk of disease outcomes. It’s a very unhealthy population.”
It is precisely this demographic of older and immunocompromised people who are most likely to die of COVID-19.
Because of this, Rich believes that Iran, which released nearly 54,000 incarcerated people earlier this month, had the right idea.
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“It’s very clear that the people that are sick and older are at the lowest risk of trouble when they get out if they have enough support,” he said. “We have an opportunity to get a lot of these people out of prisons.”
Judges in Ohio are already taking steps to make this happen. The Cuyahoga County Court held a special hearing on Saturday morning to decide how to best move forward with guilty pleas, and whether to release the most vulnerable (and least dangerous) inmates.
A Growing Geriatric Prison Population
In 1993, there were 26,300 prisoners over the age of 55, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. By 2013, there were over 130,000.
That’s an increase of 400%.
This tremendous spike in older and elderly prisoners is the result of harsh sentencing laws passed in the 1990s. Mandatory minimums have resulted in decadeslong sentences and overcrowding in America’s jails and prisons.
During a public health crisis, mandatory minimums can be a death sentence for that fast-growing population of prisoners over the age of 55. In fact, between the years of 2001 and 2007 alone, nearly 8,500 people over the age of 55 died behind bars.
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Now, when the best way to combat the spread of infectious disease is through preventive health care measures, good hygiene and social distancing ― all tough thing to achieve in an overcrowded prison ― advocates are concerned that correctional departments won’t act fast enough to halt the spread of COVID-19 among the most vulnerable prison population.
Compassionate Release And COVID-19
Requesting and securing compassionate release is normally a monthslong process, at the very least.
Prisoners and their families are often unaware that this is an option in the first place, and when they do inquire about the process, they are often met with “walls of ignorance or silence or hostility and unkindness,” said Mary Price, the general counsel of FAMM, a criminal justice reform organization.
Before the First Step Act passed in 2018, compassionate release functioned through the Federal Bureau of Prisons ― a “toxic set of circumstances,” according to Price. But the First Step Act changed the process by which incarcerated people can request compassionate release, namely by allowing prisoners to file their own motions directly to their district courts.
Police stormed a demonstration near the Ministry of Justice building in Rome as people protested the suspension of family visits to prisons due to coronavirus last week. Yara Nardi / Reuters
Because of the lengthy bureaucratic process ― and the speed with which coronavirus is progressing ― it’s unlikely that geriatric prisoners could apply for compassionate release under the current circumstances alone.
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“For the people who are going to die from this, I don’t think there’s any way that they could possibly move with the speed that they would need to move to be released,” Price noted. “The compassionate release program is not set up for this.”
The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana has already called for expedited parole hearings for elderly prisoners to encourage early releases, as well as for the release of people awaiting trial who aren’t considered a risk to public safety.
Meanwhile, prisoner advocates and some prison officials are desperately trying to protect the elderly inmates who remain inside. The Federal Bureau Of Prisons announced Friday that it would be halting outside visits at all 122 federal facilities. In Rhode Island, Rich is working to get temporary release for some inmates, and at the very least, get those arrested screened before they’re incarcerated.
“There are some things that can be done and some things that can’t,” Rich said, before mentioning the deadly prison riots in Italy that followed attempts to contain the coronavirus there. “We saw what happened in Italy … they know they’re sitting ducks, and they’re not happy about it.”
Keep up with the latest updates on the coronavirus at our live blog.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-16--Trump Sends Hateful ‘Chinese Virus’ Tweet, But He Praised The Country’s Response For Weeks

President Donald Trump sent a xenophobic tweet Monday evening , noting that he plans to bail out airlines and other industries “ that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus.
” Only a few hours earlier , Trump held a White House news conference on the emerging coronavirus outbreak and was praised for finally offering a relatively sober assessment of the emerging disaster .
But the president unleashed the real Trump online not long after , calling COVID-19 the “ China virus ” for the first time and giving voice to a hateful blame game that has been simmering among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News voices like Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham have been intoning for weeks that the dangerous virus was China ’ s fault and decrying any criticism they faced for tying the infection to one country .
“ On the left , you ’ ve heard them tell you that the real worry is you might use the wrong word to describe what ’ s happening to the country , ” Carlson said in late February .
“ Wokeness is a cult .
They would let you die before they admitted that diversity is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later say .
Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-Ark . )
, a close Trump ally , even suggested in January that the coronavirus was the product of a Chinese “ super laboratory that works with the world ’ s most deadly pathogens.
” It would also be hypocritical .
For weeks beginning in late January , Trump praised Chinese officials profusely for their response to the virus , even as some global observers were raising reasonable concerns about early Chinese efforts to downplay the severity of the crisis .
Time and again , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his handling of the outbreak and even boasted of a U.S. partnership in helping China fight the virus — until Trump seemed to find a useful scapegoat .
Three days later , on Feb. 7 , a reporter on the White House lawn asked Trump if he was concerned that China might be covering up the extent of the coronavirus .
The World Health Organization has consistently praised China for sharing information with the global health community early and often , but inside the country , it was a different story , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and downplaying the severity of the coronavirus spread until it could no longer be denied ― and after many thousands of people had already been infected .
Questions about the Chinese government ’ s handling of the emerging global crisis soiled a talking point Trump was keen to push as the presidential election drew closer : that the economy was doing great , with no signs of trouble .
In January Trump “ signaled to advisers that he wanted to play it down ” because he didn ’ t want to rattle financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times .
Trump also wanted to boast about a new trade deal with China and his former rival Xi .
That was apparent at a Feb. 10 campaign rally in Manchester , New Hampshire .
“ Last month , we signed a groundbreaking trade agreement with China that will defeat so many of our opponents .
The money that ’ s pouring in , people don ’ t even believe it , ” Trump said at the rally .
“ And , by the way , the virus , they ’ re working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know , in theory , when it gets a little warmer , it miraculously goes away.
” That same day , he did an interview with Fox News .
“ Well , I think China is very , you know , professionally run in the sense that they have everything under control .
I really believe they are going to have it under control fairly soon , ” Trump said .
“ You know in April , supposedly , it dies with the hotter weather .
And that ’ s a beautiful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , I can tell you , is working very hard.
” Three days after that , on Feb. 13 , reporter Geraldo Rivera again asked Trump if China was being honest about the damage being wrought there by the coronavirus .
Trump granted maybe not — but sympathized with Xi .
“ I think they want to put the best face on it .
So , you know , I mean , if somebody ― if you were running it , you ’ d probably ― you wouldn ’ t want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crazy and start saying whatever it is because you don ’ t want to create a panic , ” Trump said .
“ But , no , I think they ’ ve handled it professionally and I think they ’ re extremely capable and I think President Xi is extremely capable and I hope that it ’ s going to be resolved.
” Trump repeated these lines again and again in the following days .
“ I know this : President Xi loves the people of China , he loves his country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good job with a very , very tough situation , ” Trump told a reporter on the White House lawn on Feb. 18 .
The next day , he told a local reporter in Arizona , “ I mean , I know President Xi ― I get along with him very well .
We ’ ve just made a great trade deal , which is going to be a lot of business for Arizona and every other place .
But they are trying very , very hard , and I think the numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we go along.
” Five days later : “ President Xi loves his country .
He ’ s working very hard to solve the problem and he will solve the problem .
OK ?
” As the novel coronavirus spread around the globe and looked to threaten the United States , Trump ’ s praise ceased .
The first hint in public comments that Trump might seek to blame China came at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 29 .
“ In our efforts to keep America safe , my administration has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history to control our borders and protect Americans from the coronavirus , ” Trump said .
The virus , he added curtly , “ Came from China.
” Early , constructive pressure from Trump on China to be honest with its people about the outbreak might have helped slow its spread .
But Trump declined because lavishing praise on Xi Jinping and the deal they struck helped Trump ’ s politics .
At the time , it was also in Trump ’ s interest to minimize the risk of a global pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks to be pulling a 180-degree turn and looking to blame the entire outbreak on China .
It again suits his politics — and they are very dark .

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President Donald Trump sent a xenophobic tweet Monday evening, noting that he plans to bail out airlines and other industries “that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus.” Only a few hours earlier, Trump held a White House news conference on the emerging coronavirus outbreak and was praised for finally offering a relatively sober assessment of the emerging disaster. But the president unleashed the real Trump online not long after, calling COVID-19 the “China virus” for the first time and giving voice to a hateful blame game that has been simmering among hardcore right-wingers for weeks. He used the phrase in a tweet again Tuesday morning.
Prominent Fox News voices like Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham have been intoning for weeks that the dangerous virus was China’s fault and decrying any criticism they faced for tying the infection to one country. “On the left, you’ve heard them tell you that the real worry is you might use the wrong word to describe what’s happening to the country,” Carlson said in late February. “Wokeness is a cult. They would let you die before they admitted that diversity is not our strength,” he would later say. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), a close Trump ally, even suggested in January that the coronavirus was the product of a Chinese “super laboratory that works with the world’s most deadly pathogens.”
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There have been anti-Asian hate crimes in several places affected by the outbreak, and they appeared in New York City over the past week. It would be a dangerous development if the U.S. president decided to elevate that xenophobia.
It would also be hypocritical. For weeks beginning in late January, Trump praised Chinese officials profusely for their response to the virus, even as some global observers were raising reasonable concerns about early Chinese efforts to downplay the severity of the crisis. Time and again, Trump praised Chinese President Xi Jinping for his handling of the outbreak and even boasted of a U.S. partnership in helping China fight the virus — until Trump seemed to find a useful scapegoat.
In an interview with Sean Hannity that aired right before the Super Bowl on Feb. 2, Trump declared: “We have a tremendous relationship with China, which is a very positive thing... . We’re offering them tremendous help. We have the best in the world for that.”
Three days later, on Feb. 7, a reporter on the White House lawn asked Trump if he was concerned that China might be covering up the extent of the coronavirus. The World Health Organization has consistently praised China for sharing information with the global health community early and often, but inside the country, it was a different story, with Chinese officials keeping citizens in the dark and downplaying the severity of the coronavirus spread until it could no longer be denied ― and after many thousands of people had already been infected.
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President Donald Trump holds a news briefing Monday on the coronavirus outbreak while accompanied by members of the coronavirus task force at the White House Leah Millis/Reuters
“No. China is working very hard,” Trump said in response to the reporter’s question. “They’re working really hard, and I think they are doing a very professional job.”
Questions about the Chinese government’s handling of the emerging global crisis soiled a talking point Trump was keen to push as the presidential election drew closer: that the economy was doing great, with no signs of trouble. In January Trump “signaled to advisers that he wanted to play it down” because he didn’t want to rattle financial markets, according to The New York Times. Trump also wanted to boast about a new trade deal with China and his former rival Xi. That was apparent at a Feb. 10 campaign rally in Manchester, New Hampshire.
“Last month, we signed a groundbreaking trade agreement with China that will defeat so many of our opponents. The money that’s pouring in, people don’t even believe it,” Trump said at the rally. “And, by the way, the virus, they’re working hard. Looks like by April, you know, in theory, when it gets a little warmer, it miraculously goes away.”
That same day, he did an interview with Fox News. “Well, I think China is very, you know, professionally run in the sense that they have everything under control. I really believe they are going to have it under control fairly soon,” Trump said. “You know in April, supposedly, it dies with the hotter weather. And that’s a beautiful date to look forward to. But China, I can tell you, is working very hard.”
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Three days after that, on Feb. 13, reporter Geraldo Rivera again asked Trump if China was being honest about the damage being wrought there by the coronavirus. Trump granted maybe not — but sympathized with Xi. “I think they want to put the best face on it. So, you know, I mean, if somebody ― if you were running it, you’d probably ― you wouldn’t want to run out to the world and go crazy and start saying whatever it is because you don’t want to create a panic,” Trump said. “But, no, I think they’ve handled it professionally and I think they’re extremely capable and I think President Xi is extremely capable and I hope that it’s going to be resolved.”
Trump repeated these lines again and again in the following days. “I know this: President Xi loves the people of China, he loves his country, and he’s doing a very good job with a very, very tough situation,” Trump told a reporter on the White House lawn on Feb. 18. The next day, he told a local reporter in Arizona, “I mean, I know President Xi ― I get along with him very well. We’ve just made a great trade deal, which is going to be a lot of business for Arizona and every other place. But they are trying very, very hard, and I think the numbers are going to get progressively better as we go along.” Five days later: “President Xi loves his country. He’s working very hard to solve the problem and he will solve the problem. OK?”
By this time, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was already criticizing China publicly for failing to let medical personnel in the country speak freely about the virus in the early days of the outbreak.
As the novel coronavirus spread around the globe and looked to threaten the United States, Trump’s praise ceased. The first hint in public comments that Trump might seek to blame China came at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 29. “In our efforts to keep America safe, my administration has taken the most aggressive action in modern history to control our borders and protect Americans from the coronavirus,” Trump said. The virus, he added curtly, “Came from China.”
Early, constructive pressure from Trump on China to be honest with its people about the outbreak might have helped slow its spread. But Trump declined because lavishing praise on Xi Jinping and the deal they struck helped Trump’s politics. At the time, it was also in Trump’s interest to minimize the risk of a global pandemic, which would spook investors. Now Trump looks to be pulling a 180-degree turn and looking to blame the entire outbreak on China. It again suits his politics — and they are very dark.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-16--Gov. Cuomo Issues Dire Warning: Coronavirus Wave Is About To Become 'A Tsunami'

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) is warning that the worst of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak is yet to come .
And the health care system , he said , simply isn ’ t ready for what ’ s about to happen .
Cuomo told CNN ’ s Chris Cuomo , his brother , that the notion of “ flattening the curve ” to slow unmanageable spikes in the spread of the virus may not be enough for his state ’ s hospitals .
“ I don ’ t see a curve ; I see a wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wave is going to break on the health care system , and I am telling you , my little brother , it is going to be a tsunami.
” He said the system doesn ’ t have the capacity to deal with any of the projected models on the number of people who will need care .
Cuomo is calling on President Donald Trump to send the Army Corps of Engineers in and help build hospital capacity rapidly , “ and let ’ s do it quickly so we have some backup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care system.
” The governor also wrote an editorial in The New York Times making the case for military intervention .
See more of his conversation with his brother below , in which he predicted the system will need this increased capacity in a matter of weeks : “ They all talk about flattening the curve ...
I don ’ t see a curve .
I see a wave .
And the wave is going to break on the health care system and… it is going to be a tsunami , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ChrisCuomo of what could be in store as coronavirus crisis intensifies .
pic.twitter.com/xITT8VXJln — Cuomo Prime Time ( @ CuomoPrimeTime ) March 17 , 2020

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) is warning that the worst of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak is yet to come.
And the health care system, he said, simply isn’t ready for what’s about to happen.
Cuomo told CNN’s Chris Cuomo, his brother, that the notion of “flattening the curve” to slow unmanageable spikes in the spread of the virus may not be enough for his state’s hospitals.
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“I don’t see a curve; I see a wave,” he said. “And the wave is going to break on the health care system, and I am telling you, my little brother, it is going to be a tsunami.”
He said the system doesn’t have the capacity to deal with any of the projected models on the number of people who will need care.
Cuomo is calling on President Donald Trump to send the Army Corps of Engineers in and help build hospital capacity rapidly, “and let’s do it quickly so we have some backup space when the wave crashes on the health care system.”
The governor also wrote an editorial in The New York Times making the case for military intervention.
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See more of his conversation with his brother below, in which he predicted the system will need this increased capacity in a matter of weeks:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-17--Historic Market Plunge Amid Global Scramble To Contain 'Invisible Enemy'

March 16 ( Reuters ) - Coronavirus fears led to a historic drop in U.S. stocks , shut borders and disrupted daily life around the world , as governments took increasingly drastic measures to try to reduce the severity of the global outbreak .
Financial markets had their worst day in 30 years despite emergency action by global central banks to try to prevent a recession , with U.S. stock markets falling 12 % to 13 % , wiping out trillions of dollars in market value .
Just a month ago , financial markets were hitting record highs on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China and not cause disruptions beyond what was seen with earlier viral outbreaks of Ebola , SARS and MERS .
There have now been more cases and more deaths outside mainland China than inside , with 180,000 cases worldwide and over 7,000 deaths .
Canada , Chile and other countries closed their borders to visitors .
Peru deployed masked military personnel to block major roads , while Ireland launched a campaign to recruit more healthcare workers .
Airlines slashed flights , shed jobs and asked governments for billions of dollars in loans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world , Mexico and Brazil still held large political rallies and the United Kingdom kept its schools open .
U.S. states pleaded with the Trump administration on Monday to coordinate a national response to the outbreak , saying patchwork measures enacted by state and local authorities were insufficient to confront the coast-to-coast emergency that has killed at least 74 Americans .
A few hours later , President Donald Trump urged Americans to halt most social activities for 15 days and not congregate in groups larger than 10 people in a newly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
Calling the highly contagious virus an “ invisible enemy , ” Trump said the worst of the outbreak could be over by July , August or later and warned a recession was possible .
However , the United States was not yet closing its borders or mandating curfews or business closures on a national scale .
Many states and cities had already taken those steps or were preparing to .
San Francisco area residents will be urged to shelter in place for three weeks starting on Tuesday , the San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser said the United States could pump $ 800 billion or more into the economy to minimize economic damage .
EU finance ministers were planning a coordinated economic response to the virus , which the European Commission says could push the European Union into recession .

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March 16 (Reuters) - Coronavirus fears led to a historic drop in U.S. stocks, shut borders and disrupted daily life around the world, as governments took increasingly drastic measures to try to reduce the severity of the global outbreak.
Financial markets had their worst day in 30 years despite emergency action by global central banks to try to prevent a recession, with U.S. stock markets falling 12% to 13%, wiping out trillions of dollars in market value.
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Just a month ago, financial markets were hitting record highs on the assumption the outbreak would largely be contained in China and not cause disruptions beyond what was seen with earlier viral outbreaks of Ebola, SARS and MERS. There have now been more cases and more deaths outside mainland China than inside, with 180,000 cases worldwide and over 7,000 deaths.
Canada, Chile and other countries closed their borders to visitors. Peru deployed masked military personnel to block major roads, while Ireland launched a campaign to recruit more healthcare workers. Airlines slashed flights, shed jobs and asked governments for billions of dollars in loans and grants.
In contrast to much of the world, Mexico and Brazil still held large political rallies and the United Kingdom kept its schools open.
U.S. states pleaded with the Trump administration on Monday to coordinate a national response to the outbreak, saying patchwork measures enacted by state and local authorities were insufficient to confront the coast-to-coast emergency that has killed at least 74 Americans.
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A few hours later, President Donald Trump urged Americans to halt most social activities for 15 days and not congregate in groups larger than 10 people in a newly aggressive effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
Calling the highly contagious virus an “invisible enemy,” Trump said the worst of the outbreak could be over by July, August or later and warned a recession was possible.
However, the United States was not yet closing its borders or mandating curfews or business closures on a national scale.
Many states and cities had already taken those steps or were preparing to. San Francisco area residents will be urged to shelter in place for three weeks starting on Tuesday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
A White House adviser said the United States could pump $800 billion or more into the economy to minimize economic damage.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-16--Twitter Deletes Dangerous Coronavirus Tweets By Former Sheriff David Clarke

Twitter deleted reckless tweets about coronavirus on Monday that were posted by conservative former Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke .
Clarke then claimed he was leaving the social media platform because of its “ conservative speech control.
” Twitter removed at least three of Clarke ’ s messages because they violated the company ’ s policies against messages encouraging self-harm , The Washington Post reported .
The company has also pledged to “ protect the public conversation around Covid-19.
” Donald Trump talks with with then-Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke during his presidential campaign in August 2016 .
In one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followers that the closure of bars and restaurants to prevent the spread of the virus were part of an “ orchestrated attempt to destroy capitalism , ” and urged businesses to “ defy the order.
” He called the illness nothing more than the “ damn flu.
” Another tweet called on Americans to “ TAKE ... TO ...
THE ...
STREETS .
That is the battlefield the LEFT has defined .
I will no longer sit back and watch the destruction of this great republic over the FLU.
” Yet other Clarke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one , he suggested that “ hysteria ” over the pandemic was being fueled by Jewish billionaire George Soros .
The liberal philanthropist is a frequent target of anti-Semitic attacks .
Not ONE media outlet has asked about George Soros ’ s involvement in this FLU panic .
He is SOMEWHERE involved in this .
— David A. Clarke , Jr. ( @ SheriffClarke ) March 15 , 2020 Clarke also urged people to go to bars and restaurants and to demand that schools remain open , directly contradicting advice from national health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of COVID-19 .
GO INTO THE STREETS FOLKS .
Visit bars , restaurants , shopping malls , CHURCHES and demand that your schools re-open .
NOW !
If government doesn ’ t stop this foolishness ... STAY IN THE STREETS .
END GOVERNEMNT CONTROL OVER OUR LIVES .
IF NOT NOW , WHEN ?
THIS IS AN EXPLOITATION OF A CRISIS .
— David A. Clarke , Jr. ( @ SheriffClarke ) March 15 , 2020 Clarke , a favorite of President Donald Trump , infamously called in 2016 for “ pitchforks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential election was rigged against Trump .
It 's incredible that our institutions of gov , WH , Congress , DOJ , and big media are corrupt & all we do is bitch .
Pitchforks and torches time pic.twitter.com/8G5G0daGVN — David A. Clarke , Jr. ( @ SheriffClarke ) October 15 , 2016 Keep up with the latest updates on the coronavirus at our live blog .

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Twitter deleted reckless tweets about coronavirus on Monday that were posted by conservative former Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke. Clarke then claimed he was leaving the social media platform because of its “conservative speech control.”
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Donald Trump talks with with then-Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke during his presidential campaign in August 2016. ASSOCIATED PRESS
In one deleted tweet, Clarke told his 900,000 followers that the closure of bars and restaurants to prevent the spread of the virus were part of an “orchestrated attempt to destroy capitalism,” and urged businesses to “defy the order.” He called the illness nothing more than the “damn flu.”
Another tweet called on Americans to “TAKE...TO ...THE...STREETS. That is the battlefield the LEFT has defined. I will no longer sit back and watch the destruction of this great republic over the FLU.”
Yet other Clarke tweets promoting conspiracy theories remained. In one, he suggested that “hysteria” over the pandemic was being fueled by Jewish billionaire George Soros. The liberal philanthropist is a frequent target of anti-Semitic attacks.
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Not ONE media outlet has asked about George Soros’s involvement in this FLU panic. He is SOMEWHERE involved in this. — David A. Clarke, Jr. (@SheriffClarke) March 15, 2020
Clarke also urged people to go to bars and restaurants and to demand that schools remain open, directly contradicting advice from national health experts on how to help stem the spread of COVID-19.
GO INTO THE STREETS FOLKS. Visit bars, restaurants, shopping malls, CHURCHES and demand that your schools re-open. NOW!
If government doesn’t stop this foolishness...STAY IN THE STREETS.
END GOVERNEMNT CONTROL OVER OUR LIVES. IF NOT NOW, WHEN?
THIS IS AN EXPLOITATION OF A CRISIS. — David A. Clarke, Jr. (@SheriffClarke) March 15, 2020
Clarke, a favorite of President Donald Trump, infamously called in 2016 for “pitchforks and torches” as he claimed the presidential election was rigged against Trump.
It's incredible that our institutions of gov, WH, Congress, DOJ, and big media are corrupt & all we do is bitch. Pitchforks and torches time pic.twitter.com/8G5G0daGVN — David A. Clarke, Jr. (@SheriffClarke) October 15, 2016
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-17--George Conway Nails Fox News For Its Terrible Coronavirus Coverage With ‘1984’ Quote

Conservative attorney George Conway highlighted Fox News ’ shift in tone on the coronavirus pandemic with lines from George Orwell ’ s classic dystopian novel “ 1984.
” Personalities on the widely watched conservative network have in recent days begun to acknowledge the severity of the crisis , having previously used it to attack Democrats and the media .
Only last week , primetime anchor Sean Hannity claimed Donald Trump ’ s alleged foes were “ weaponizing ” its spread “ to bludgeon ” him .
Conway , who is a fierce critic of the president despite his wife Kellyanne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration , shared a Washington Post article detailing the apparent about-turn of Trump ’ s favorite network : “ He accepted everything .
The past was alterable .
The past never had been altered .
Oceania was at war with Eastasia .
Oceania had always been at war with Eastasia.
” https : //t.co/Fm70C6ecHf — George Conway ( @ gtconway3d ) March 16 , 2020 “ He accepted everything .
The past was alterable .
The past never had been altered .
Oceania was at war with Eastasia .
Oceania had always been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conway , referencing Orwell ’ s 1949 classic .
Many agreed with the lawyer ’ s assessment : Less than a week ago , # Hannity was still calling it a `` hoax '' .
pic.twitter.com/k7iZA1hbwZ — Sargasm ( @ EyHol ) March 16 , 2020 I just re-read 1984 ( Brave New World is next up ) and it is eerily accurate ... Newspeak is everywhere in this administration — Engine Doctor Andrea ( @ ProfessorStrz ) March 16 , 2020 Every single day something else hapoens which reminds me that Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beki Knott ( @ lotsofuss ) March 17 , 2020

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Conservative attorney George Conway highlighted Fox News’ shift in tone on the coronavirus pandemic with lines from George Orwell’s classic dystopian novel “1984.”
Personalities on the widely watched conservative network have in recent days begun to acknowledge the severity of the crisis, after previously downplaying it and accusing Democrats and the media of hype.
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Only last week, prime time anchor Sean Hannity claimed Donald Trump’s foes were “weaponizing” the outbreak “to bludgeon” him.
Conway, a fierce critic of the president despite his wife Kellyanne Conway’s senior position within the administration, shared a Washington Post article detailing the apparent about-turn of Trump’s favorite cable network:
“He accepted everything. The past was alterable. The past never had been altered. Oceania was at war with Eastasia. Oceania had always been at war with Eastasia.” https://t.co/Fm70C6ecHf — George Conway (@gtconway3d) March 16, 2020
“He accepted everything. The past was alterable. The past never had been altered. Oceania was at war with Eastasia. Oceania had always been at war with Eastasia,” tweeted Conway, referencing Orwell’s 1949 classic.
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Many agreed with the lawyer’s assessment:
Less than a week ago, #Hannity was still calling it a "hoax". pic.twitter.com/k7iZA1hbwZ — Sargasm (@EyHol) March 16, 2020
I just re-read 1984 (Brave New World is next up) and it is eerily accurate... Newspeak is everywhere in this administration — Engine Doctor Andrea (@ProfessorStrz) March 16, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-16--Justice Department Moves To Drop Charges Against Russian Firms Implicated By Mueller

The Department of Justice filed a motion to drop all charges against two Russian shell companies accused of interfering in the 2016 presidential election , saying the firms were attempting to exploit the court system to gain access to sensitive information that could hurt U.S. national security .
Federal prosecutors said Monday that Concord Management and Concord Consulting were charged in a 2018 indictment by special counsel Robert Mueller alongside 13 Russians and a troll farm known as the Internet Research Agency .
But the two firms consistently fought the charges in court and at times refused to comply with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reap the benefits of the Court ’ s jurisdiction while positioning itself to evade any real obligations or responsibility.
” “ Upon careful consideration of all of the circumstances , and particularly in light of recent events … the government has concluded that further proceedings as to Concord .
... promotes neither the interests of justice nor the nation ’ s security , ” prosecutors wrote in the motion .
“ The better course is to cease litigation.
” The motion , if granted , would abruptly end a two-year effort to hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in elevating President Donald Trump in the 2016 election .
Prosecutors also noted Monday that it would be almost impossible to punish Concord , which has no presence in the United States .
Concord was charged by Mueller in the special counsel ’ s first major indictments of Kremlin-linked individuals and groups .
The two companies were accused of engaging in “ ‘ information warfare against the United States of America ’ ― a systematic effort to sow political discord and influence the outcome of the 2016 ” presidential election .
The New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , investigators found that the companies and the Internet Research Agency were arms of the Russian government working to influence voter turnout and sow division within America .
Last year , prosecutors said they were worried documents shared with the company ’ s attorneys would be weaponized and made public , including U.S. government sources and investigation methods .
“ Concord has been eager and aggressive in using the judicial system to gather information about how the United States detects and prevents foreign election interference , ” prosecutors wrote .
They later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weight the potential risks to national security that are necessarily associated with a trial of this nature.
” The Times also reported that the Justice Department was not moving to undermine Mueller ’ s work and that the government is still pursuing charges against the others cited in the special counsel ’ s indictment .

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The Department of Justice filed a motion to drop all charges against two Russian shell companies accused of interfering in the 2016 presidential election, saying the firms were attempting to exploit the court system to gain access to sensitive information that could hurt U.S. national security.
Federal prosecutors said Monday that Concord Management and Concord Consulting were charged in a 2018 indictment by special counsel Robert Mueller alongside 13 Russians and a troll farm known as the Internet Research Agency. But the two firms consistently fought the charges in court and at times refused to comply with court orders, instead seeking to “reap the benefits of the Court’s jurisdiction while positioning itself to evade any real obligations or responsibility.”
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The case was set to go to trial next month.
“Upon careful consideration of all of the circumstances, and particularly in light of recent events … the government has concluded that further proceedings as to Concord. ... promotes neither the interests of justice nor the nation’s security,” prosecutors wrote in the motion. “The better course is to cease litigation.”
The motion, if granted, would abruptly end a two-year effort to hold the Russian-tied organizations accountable for their role in elevating President Donald Trump in the 2016 election. Prosecutors also noted Monday that it would be almost impossible to punish Concord, which has no presence in the United States.
Concord was charged by Mueller in the special counsel’s first major indictments of Kremlin-linked individuals and groups. The two companies were accused of engaging in “‘information warfare against the United States of America’ ― a systematic effort to sow political discord and influence the outcome of the 2016” presidential election.
The New York Times notes that, at the time, investigators found that the companies and the Internet Research Agency were arms of the Russian government working to influence voter turnout and sow division within America. Last year, prosecutors said they were worried documents shared with the company’s attorneys would be weaponized and made public, including U.S. government sources and investigation methods.
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The Justice Department echoed those concerns in its motion on Monday.
“Concord has been eager and aggressive in using the judicial system to gather information about how the United States detects and prevents foreign election interference,” prosecutors wrote. They later added: “The government must also weight the potential risks to national security that are necessarily associated with a trial of this nature.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-17--Newt Gingrich Slams 'Totally Dishonest' Coronavirus News That He Helped Spread

In just a few short weeks , Newt Gingrich has gone from downplaying the coronavirus threat to urging swift action to stop the spread of the infection .
First , he dismissed the virus , saying COVID-19 was not nearly as bad as the flu .
Now , he ’ s warning Americans to pay attention to the tragedy unfolding in Italy .
Yet he ’ s also blaming his own shifting attitude on “ a totally dishonest left wing news media.
” A reporter asked me today why conservatives were initially so skeptical of the threat of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the dangerous consequences of having a totally dishonest left wing news media was that most Americans discounted their hysteria as phony .
— Newt Gingrich ( @ newtgingrich ) March 16 , 2020 In reality , the misinformation problem in coronavirus coverage came from Gingrich ― who spent much of February downplaying the threat ― and others in the right-wing media .
Fox Business host Trish Regan claimed the infection was Democrats trying to “ create mass hysteria to encourage a market selloff.
” As she spoke , the graphic on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ I ’ m dead right on this .
The coronavirus is the common cold , folks , ” Limbaugh said last month .
Last week , he claimed it was being “ exaggerated ” and “ lied about ” in an attempt to make President Donald Trump look bad .
And less than three weeks ago , Gingrich slammed San Francisco for being “ irresponsible ” because it declared a state of emergency before the city ’ s first coronavirus case was confirmed : Newt Gingrich , Feb 27 : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its usual irresponsible way , has already declared an emergency ... '' Newt Gingrich , today : `` Faced with a pandemic threat , history teaches us it is far better to be over prepared than underprepared .
`` https : //t.co/Z3TSqB6eON pic.twitter.com/5oL4U0C95g — Matt Novak ( @ paleofuture ) March 16 , 2020 “ Part of what bothers me as historian is , this is much less currently than the flu is every single year , ” Gingrich said in a Feb. 26 appearance on Fox Business .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single year , and the scale of the reaction has been horrendous.
” In a separate appearance on Fox News last month , Gingrich said the biggest threat to the United States wasn ’ t the virus , but Chinese factories shutting down , which he warned could lead to an economic recession .
“ I would worry about that more than I worry about the epidemic , ” he told Laura Ingraham .
Gingrich is now urging the United States to take the coronavirus threat seriously , writing in Newsweek that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than underprepared.
” Gingrich , who is in Italy ― his wife , Callista Gingrich , is U.S. ambassador to the Holy See ― said the near-shutdown in that country as it grapples with a mounting death toll was “ not an overreaction .
”

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In just a few short weeks, Newt Gingrich has gone from downplaying the coronavirus threat to urging swift action to stop the spread of the infection.
First, he dismissed the virus, saying COVID-19 was not nearly as bad as the flu. Now, he’s warning Americans to pay attention to the tragedy unfolding in Italy. Yet he’s also blaming his own shifting attitude on “a totally dishonest left wing news media.”
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The former House speaker tweeted:
A reporter asked me today why conservatives were initially so skeptical of the threat of the coronavirus. I tried to explain that one of the dangerous consequences of having a totally dishonest left wing news media was that most Americans discounted their hysteria as phony. — Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) March 16, 2020
In reality, the misinformation problem in coronavirus coverage came from Gingrich ― who spent much of February downplaying the threat ― and others in the right-wing media.
Fox Business host Trish Regan claimed the infection was Democrats trying to “create mass hysteria to encourage a market selloff.” As she spoke, the graphic on the screen read: “coronavirus impeachment scam.”
Right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh claimed the coronavirus was just a cold.
“I’m dead right on this. The coronavirus is the common cold, folks,” Limbaugh said last month. Last week, he claimed it was being “exaggerated” and “lied about” in an attempt to make President Donald Trump look bad.
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And less than three weeks ago, Gingrich slammed San Francisco for being “irresponsible” because it declared a state of emergency before the city’s first coronavirus case was confirmed:
Newt Gingrich, Feb 27: "The city of San Francisco, in its usual irresponsible way, has already declared an emergency..."
Newt Gingrich, today: "Faced with a pandemic threat, history teaches us it is far better to be over prepared than underprepared."https://t.co/Z3TSqB6eON pic.twitter.com/5oL4U0C95g — Matt Novak (@paleofuture) March 16, 2020
“Part of what bothers me as historian is, this is much less currently than the flu is every single year,” Gingrich said in a Feb. 26 appearance on Fox Business. “It’s less deadly than the flu is every single year, and the scale of the reaction has been horrendous.”
In a separate appearance on Fox News last month, Gingrich said the biggest threat to the United States wasn’t the virus, but Chinese factories shutting down, which he warned could lead to an economic recession.
“I would worry about that more than I worry about the epidemic,” he told Laura Ingraham.
Gingrich is now urging the United States to take the coronavirus threat seriously, writing in Newsweek that it was “far better to be over-prepared than underprepared.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-16--Liberty University Moves Classes Online Despite Falwell's Initial Coronavirus Skepticism

Falwell , a close ally of President Donald Trump , downplayed the seriousness of the coronavirus outbreak , speculated whether it was a political stunt from Trump ’ s opponents and wondered aloud if the virus was part of a secret plot concocted by North Korea and China ― all in the span of one “ Fox & Friends ” appearance on Friday .
“ We originally believed it was safest to return our students following their spring break instead of having them return following greater exposure opportunities from leaving them in different parts of the country for longer periods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Governor ’ s recent decision to limit certain gatherings has left us no practical choice because we have so many classes of more than 100 students.
” “ Liberty is taking into account the sometimes conflicting orders and guidance of government officials and public health experts regarding higher education and our unique population .
As this dynamic situation changes again , the university will continue to reassess , ” he added .
The university ’ s change in course was announced as the Trump administration released new guidelines for containing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young and healthy people avoid groups of more than 10 people and “ engage in schooling from home , when possible.
” Virginia now has more than 50 cases of COVID-19 , the illness caused by the novel strain of coronavirus that first emerged in China last year .
None of those cases are in Lynchburg .
That morning , Falwell seemed to be viewing media coverage of the virus with a skeptical eye .
He announced on Fox News that his school would remain open and suggested that people were “ overreacting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous flu pandemics .
“ It makes you wonder if there ’ s a political reason for that .
Impeachment didn ’ t work , and the Mueller report didn ’ t work , and Article 25 didn ’ t work .
And so maybe now this is their next attempt to get Trump , ” Falwell said on “ Fox & Friends , ” without providing any evidence for his claims .
“ Could it be that they got together with China and this is that present , I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strange going on , ” Falwell said , without presenting any other details .
Liberty University was founded by Falwell ’ s father , a televangelist whose activism helped cement white evangelicals ’ ties to the Republican Party in the 1980s .
The younger Falwell is a longtime , loyal Trump supporter who has often stepped in to defend the president ’ s controversial behavior and statements .
Over the weekend , Liberty University took several steps to curb large gatherings at its Lynchburg campus and restrict international travel in light of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its student body that undergraduate students are required to attend , has been moved online .
Around the same time that Northam was issuing his ban on gatherings of over 100 people , Falwell defended the university ’ s decision to remain open in a post on Twitter .
He said Liberty would move classes to larger rooms , gyms , arenas and outdoors , “ so students won ’ t be sitting elbow to elbow.
” Meals would be “ staggered to minimize crowding.
” The school ’ s plan to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backlash from some students and Lynchburg residents ― especially since Liberty has the capacity to serve large numbers of students online .
Under Falwell ’ s watch , the university has become one of America ’ s largest providers of online education , attracting as many as 100,000 online-only students .

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As schools and universities across the country moved classes online to combat a pandemic, Liberty University’s president, Jerry Falwell Jr., tried to stand defiantly against the tide.
Falwell, a close ally of President Donald Trump, downplayed the seriousness of the coronavirus outbreak, speculated whether it was a political stunt from Trump’s opponents and wondered aloud if the virus was part of a secret plot concocted by North Korea and China ― all in the span of one “Fox & Friends” appearance on Friday.
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And despite Liberty University’s robust online education program, Falwell staunchly defended the school’s attempt to have 15,000 residential students return to its Lynchburg, Virginia, campus after spring break ― calling one parent who questioned the university’s approach a “dummy” on Twitter.
But by Monday afternoon, after backlash from some students and Lynchburg residents, the evangelical university reversed course, agreeing to move most classes online.
In a statement, Falwell pinned the reversal on a decision by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) a day earlier to ban gatherings of more than 100 people in the state.
“We originally believed it was safest to return our students following their spring break instead of having them return following greater exposure opportunities from leaving them in different parts of the country for longer periods,” Falwell said. “But, the Governor’s recent decision to limit certain gatherings has left us no practical choice because we have so many classes of more than 100 students.”
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“Liberty is taking into account the sometimes conflicting orders and guidance of government officials and public health experts regarding higher education and our unique population. As this dynamic situation changes again, the university will continue to reassess,” he added.
Jerry Falwell Jr. is the president of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Ethan Miller via Getty Images
The university’s change in course was announced as the Trump administration released new guidelines for containing the spread of the virus, including having young and healthy people avoid groups of more than 10 people and “engage in schooling from home, when possible.”
Virginia now has more than 50 cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel strain of coronavirus that first emerged in China last year. None of those cases are in Lynchburg.
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On Friday, Northam ordered all K-12 schools in the state to close for a minimum of two weeks.
That morning, Falwell seemed to be viewing media coverage of the virus with a skeptical eye. He announced on Fox News that his school would remain open and suggested that people were “overreacting” to the outbreak, compared with previous flu pandemics.
“It makes you wonder if there’s a political reason for that. Impeachment didn’t work, and the Mueller report didn’t work, and Article 25 didn’t work. And so maybe now this is their next attempt to get Trump,” Falwell said on “Fox & Friends,” without providing any evidence for his claims.
Jerry Falwell Jr. advertises his "Fox & Friends" interview on Twitter. Twitter Screenshot
Falwell also speculated that the outbreak was a “Christmas gift” for America from North Korea. He attributed the theory to the “owner of a restaurant” that he spoke to the previous night.
“Could it be that they got together with China and this is that present, I don’t know, but it really is something strange going on,” Falwell said, without presenting any other details.
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HuffPost has reached out to Liberty University and Falwell for elaboration on these claims and further details about the school’s updated policy. University spokesperson Scott Lamb declined to answer specific questions, instead referring HuffPost to the school’s press release.
Fox ought to be ashamed of itself for giving this charlatan a platform to talk about how the virus is a political hoax. Remember this. https://t.co/wLGMSeaLt8 — Rod Dreher (@roddreher) March 13, 2020
Liberty University was founded by Falwell’s father, a televangelist whose activism helped cement white evangelicals’ ties to the Republican Party in the 1980s. The younger Falwell is a longtime, loyal Trump supporter who has often stepped in to defend the president’s controversial behavior and statements.
Over the weekend, Liberty University took several steps to curb large gatherings at its Lynchburg campus and restrict international travel in light of COVID-19. Convocation, a biweekly gathering of its student body that undergraduate students are required to attend, has been moved online.
Around the same time that Northam was issuing his ban on gatherings of over 100 people, Falwell defended the university’s decision to remain open in a post on Twitter. He said Liberty would move classes to larger rooms, gyms, arenas and outdoors, “so students won’t be sitting elbow to elbow.” Meals would be “staggered to minimize crowding.”
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″@LibertyU will become the model for others to follow in the future,” he wrote.
He also derided a man claiming to be the parent of Liberty University students.
Jerry Falwell Jr.'s Twitter conversation with a man claiming to be a parent of Liberty University students is captured in this screenshot. Twitter Screenshot
The school’s plan to continue to operate campus classes as normal elicited backlash from some students and Lynchburg residents ― especially since Liberty has the capacity to serve large numbers of students online. Under Falwell’s watch, the university has become one of America’s largest providers of online education, attracting as many as 100,000 online-only students.
More than 11,000 people signed a Change.org petition asking Liberty to reverse course and move its on-campus classes online.
Residents of Lynchburg were also upset about the prospect of 15,000 students returning to campus. Penny Millson-Martula, a 71-year-old registered nurse who lives in the city, complained that Falwell doesn’t understand “how an epidemic works.”
“Liberty students are everywhere as students in the hospitals, servers in restaurants and other close-contact jobs,” Millson-Martula wrote in a letter to the editors of Lynchburg’s News & Advance. “I am being put significantly more at risk of death by Falwell’s not following infection control guidelines.”
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Liberty’s about-turn means that when spring break ends on March 23, students can choose to take online classes from their homes or from dorms. Students in labs, or in certain programs such as aviation and nursing, will still attend in-person classes. However, the university pledged that the classes won’t involve gatherings of more than 100 people.
Faculty and staff were still expected to report to work as normal. Those with concerns about COVID-19′s effect on older relatives or children were instructed to use their vacation or sick days.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-17--Donald Trump Torched Over Racist 'Chinese Virus' Tweet: 'Dog Whistle Politics'

Does Don know that there 's only a smidgen of unwell Americans liking his tweets & still supporting him ?
@ @ @ @ @ using his tweets as a verbal dart board while others are pasting his orange mug @ @ @ @ @ it 2 play Pin The Tail on the Ass , or wiping theirs with it @ @ @

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President Donald Trump called COVID-19 “the Chinese Virus” in a xenophobic tweet on Monday and faced an immediate backlash.
Trump, echoing a right-wing talking point that the spread of the coronavirus is the fault of China, where it originated, wrote that the U.S. will support industries “that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus.”
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“We will be stronger than ever before,” he bragged.
The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, like Airlines and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus. We will be stronger than ever before! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 16, 2020
Trump repeated the term in another tweet on Tuesday morning:
Cuomo wants “all states to be treated the same.” But all states aren’t the same. Some are being hit hard by the Chinese Virus, some are being hit practically not at all. New York is a very big “hotspot”, West Virginia has, thus far, zero cases. Andrew, keep politics out of it.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 17, 2020
Politicians, actors and commentators denounced Trump’s description of the virus, which has sickened more than 182,000 people worldwide and killed more than 7,100. World Health Organization guidelines for naming infectious diseases say leaders should not use geographic locations to avoid stigmatizing a location or ethnic group.
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) warned Trump that Asian Americans “will likely encounter more discrimination because of your tweet below.”
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“Please stop your unnecessary rhetoric,” Lieu added. ”#COVID-19 is now an American virus, an Italian virus, a Spanish virus. We all are impacted & we all need to work together.”
Dear @realDonaldTrump: Asian Americans will likely encounter more discrimination because of your tweet below. Please stop your unnecessary rhetoric.#COVID19 is now an American virus, an Italian virus, a Spanish virus. We all are impacted & we all need to work together. https://t.co/yLzNmpJZHs — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) March 17, 2020
Its called the Coronavirus and its now as American as apple pie so stop racist comments. — Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) March 16, 2020
You know what the world calls the "American virus"? YOU. https://t.co/YVa5WTovi8 — George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) March 17, 2020
There it is. I’ve been deathly afraid of this exact moment where Trump turns to racism and xenophobia and calls COVID-19 the “Chinese Virus.” We are in deep trouble as a nation now that President of the United States makes the conscious decision to go down this dark path of hate. — Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) March 16, 2020
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"Chinese virus."
American jackass. — John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) March 16, 2020
DOG
WHISTLE
POLITICS https://t.co/6fWpUHIUsS — Jimmy Wong (@jfwong) March 17, 2020
Of course he called it "Chinese Virus," because he doesn't care that Asians and Asian Americans are subjected to hate violence because of this racist description of #coronavirus. https://t.co/g5ewbNhteE — 𝖠𝗌𝗂𝖺𝗇 𝖠𝗆𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝖫𝖾𝗀𝖺𝗅 (@aaldef) March 16, 2020
Nice racist dog whistle there, POTUS.
Asian American Trump supporters, after he's done throwing you under the bus, please feel free to come over to the side that will vote this awful human being out of office. https://t.co/rGOIkao6zw — Dan Slott (@DanSlott) March 16, 2020
I really don't like this tendency to blame all Chinese for the coronavirus. There's a long and brutal xenophobic history of blaming foreigners for diseases, and we bungled our own response to #COVID19 so badly that we shouldn't make scapegoats of others. https://t.co/XBpuykgSLt — Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) March 17, 2020
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What a president! By labeling the COVID-19 “Chinese virus,” Trump tries to hide his administration's lack of prevention & control measures against the #coronavirus. He passes the buck to China, trying to prove that he is NOT responsible for the current situation the US is facing. https://t.co/LubdzY1G1y — Global Times (@globaltimesnews) March 17, 2020
The US stock market crash dealt a heavy blow to Trump’s team. They have no efficient way to fight the pandemic and all they can do in the panic is to save themselves by making China a scapegoat. https://t.co/Zfm27xqQ8u — Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) March 17, 2020
Mr. President: This is not acceptable. Calling it the "Chinese virus" only instigates blame, racism, and hatred against Asians - here and abroad. We need leadership that speaks clearly against racism; Leadership that brings the nation and world together. Not further divides. https://t.co/wPTcnoO5QU — Eugene Cho (@EugeneCho) March 17, 2020
This is racist, full stop.
You can't rename COVID-19 to distract from your own administration's too-little, too-late response. https://t.co/a0Mdy85AxM — Dr. Arati Kreibich (@Arati4Congress) March 16, 2020
Pres Trump changed his entire tone during today's WH briefing on coronavirus. He was somber. He said U.S. & world had no control over it. He said U.S. might see a recession.
Now, just 4 hrs later, he is back to leaning on cultural wars & calling coronavirus the "Chinese virus." https://t.co/LIvosx1oyH — Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) March 16, 2020
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Does Don know that there's only a smidgen of unwell Americans liking his tweets & still supporting him? The rest of us are using his tweets as a verbal dart board while others are pasting his orange mug on a wall & using it 2 play Pin The Tail on the Ass, or wiping theirs with it https://t.co/lVLsLmXoLT — Nancy Lee Grahn (@NancyLeeGrahn) March 16, 2020
Trump now calling #COVID19 the "Chinese virus." Soon Trump will call the coronavirus the "Muslim flu" or "Mexican influenza" since demonizing both groups played great with his base in 2016. https://t.co/rCC0oybu2i — (((DeanObeidallah))) (@DeanObeidallah) March 17, 2020
the racism has no end. https://t.co/MykkGXGpRk — deray (@deray) March 17, 2020
Let's get a few things correct, @realDonaldTrump:
1.) It's called #COVID19 or #coronavirus, you racist xenophobe.
2.) The US must support the working and poor people, not major billion dollar corporations.
3.) When you lose the 2020 election, we will be stronger than ever before. https://t.co/KfN6ZCG39X — Sema (@_SemaHernandez_) March 17, 2020
People are literally fleeing the United States to get treatment in China because it's safer there, you incompetent racist fool. https://t.co/lmbMVsCHcN — Meena Harris (@meenaharris) March 17, 2020
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Your racism is the OPPOSITE of what we need to defeat this GLOBAL virus.
This is a time for coming together as a global family to defeat #covid19.
Then, in November, Americans will defeat YOU. https://t.co/rmPjHRMTZG — Carolyn B. Maloney (@CarolynBMaloney) March 17, 2020
Remember last week when I said "Please don't call it the Chinese coronavirus" and a bunch of you said "no one is calling it that except for super racists" https://t.co/TRGq1DKPdb — Geraldine (@everywhereist) March 16, 2020