thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-15--Get Your 'S@#t Together,' Ill. Gov. Blasts Trump Administration As Screening Jams Airports

People were sharing appalling photos on Twitter Saturday of jam-packed airports as hordes of Americans flying home from overseas were being screened for coronavirus under new federal travel requirements instituted by President Donald Trump .
The crowds and hours-long waits were exactly what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have warned against as a dangerous way to spread the illness .
Photos revealed stalled wall-to-wall passengers in particular at New York City ’ s John F. Kennedy , Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago ’ s O ’ Hare International Airports .
Officials at O ’ Hare were handing out disinfectant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to witnesses .
American flying home from all countries under travel restrictions have been routed through 13 airports .
The crowds snaking slowly through U.S. Customs there — which is controlled by the federal government — are “ unacceptable & need to be addressed immediately , Pritzker tweeted .
He used Twitter , he told Trump in his tweet , “ since this is the only communication medium you pay attention to.
” Pritzker added : “ You need to do something NOW.
” The federal government needs to get its “ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
The crowds & lines O ’ Hare are unacceptable & need to be addressed immediately .
@ realDonaldTrump @ VP since this is the only communication medium you pay attention to—you need to do something NOW .
These crowds are waiting to get through customs which is under federal jurisdiction — Governor JB Pritzker ( @ GovPritzker ) March 15 , 2020 To the frustrated people trying to get home , I have spoken with the mayor and our Senators and we are working together to get the federal government to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do everything within our power to get relief .
— Governor JB Pritzker ( @ GovPritzker ) March 15 , 2020 This is unreal .
A Governor being forced to tweet at the incompetent president and VP who created a public health disaster while supposedly trying to protect us from one.
# COVID19 pic.twitter.com/LivMioMdyn — Autarkh ( @ Autarkh ) March 15 , 2020 Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot complained that the situation at O ’ Hare was placing thousands of travelers at greater health risk .
“ No one has time for your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Fully staff our airport right now , and stop putting Americans in danger.
” O ’ Hare officials apologized for the nightmare on Twitter , explaining that U.S. Customs “ processing is taking longer than usual ... owing to enhanced COVID-19 screening.
” Another tweet noted : “ We have strongly encouraged our federal partners to increase staffing to meet demand.
” Under the new regulations that went into effect Friday at midnight Americans flying in from most of Europe , China and Iran now face “ enhanced entry screening.
” They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and current condition , and must provide contact information for local health authorities , according to a Department of Homeland Security statement .
They are then expected to self-quarantine at home for 14 days .
Passengers waited in line for hours at customs at @ DFWAirport .
Many concerned about being so close to others during the # COVIDー19 outbreak .
The airport saying “ CBP officers and the CDC are following federal guidelines to conduct enhanced screening for passengers ” @ FOX4 pic.twitter.com/4BFUEau0Hg — Steven Dial ( @ StevenDialFox4 ) March 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of airports that are absolutely overwhelmed tonight .
New restrictions were added without adequate staff to implement them , causing crushes of people at DFW , O'Hare , Dulles .
https : //t.co/j7wFsFCXpK — Charles Ornstein ( @ charlesornstein ) March 15 , 2020 Over 4 hours later ... back in the large hall , not sure where the # Covid19 screening happens .
They 've handed out snacks , water & r/r breaks .
Def missing my flight home tonight .
Not sure what 's next # ohare # StillStanding # BreathingLessons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ Michael_Sadler ) March 15 , 2020 In contact with @ GovPritzker about arriving passenger delays at @ fly2ohare of up to eight hours waiting for luggage , immigration , customs , & possible medical screening .
Appears source of delays all federal and Admin was unprepared after Presidential ban on travel from Europe .
— Senator Dick Durbin ( @ SenatorDurbin ) March 15 , 2020

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People were sharing appalling photos on Twitter Saturday of jam-packed airports as crowds of Americans flying home from overseas were being screened for the novel coronavirus under new federal travel requirements instituted by President Donald Trump.
The crowds and hourslong waits were exactly what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have warned against as a way to spread the illness.
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Photos revealed stalled wall-to-wall passengers in particular at New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Officials at O’Hare were handing out disinfectant wipes among the mobbed travelers, according to witnesses.
Americans flying home from all countries under travel restrictions have been routed through 13 airports.
This is what travel restrictions can do: create situations perfect for super-spreading events. https://t.co/ROwzfsCpoj — Dr. Seema Yasmin (@DoctorYasmin) March 15, 2020
Angry Democratic Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker was particularly expressive about the situation at mobbed O’Hare.
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The crowds snaking slowly through U.S. Customs — which is controlled by the federal government — at the airport are “unacceptable & need to be addressed immediately,” Pritzker tweeted. He used Twitter, he told Trump in his tweet, “since this is the only communication medium you pay attention to.” Pritzker added: “You need to do something NOW.” The federal government needs to get its “s@#t together,” he added.
The crowds & lines O’Hare are unacceptable & need to be addressed immediately.@realDonaldTrump @VP since this is the only communication medium you pay attention to—you need to do something NOW.
These crowds are waiting to get through customs which is under federal jurisdiction — Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) March 15, 2020
To the frustrated people trying to get home, I have spoken with the mayor and our Senators and we are working together to get the federal government to act to solve this.
We will do everything within our power to get relief. — Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) March 15, 2020
The federal government needs to get its s@#t together. NOW. — Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) March 15, 2020
This is unreal. A Governor being forced to tweet at the incompetent president and VP who created a public health disaster while supposedly trying to protect us from one.#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/LivMioMdyn — Autarkh (@Autarkh) March 15, 2020
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Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot complained that the situation at O’Hare was placing thousands of travelers at greater health risk. “No one has time for your incompetence,” she tweeted at Trump. “Fully staff our airport right now, and stop putting Americans in danger.”
O’Hare officials apologized for the nightmare on Twitter, explaining that U.S. Customs “processing is taking longer than usual ... owing to enhanced COVID-19 screening.” Another tweet noted: “We have strongly encouraged our federal partners to increase staffing to meet demand.”
Under the new regulations that went into effect Friday at midnight, Americans flying in from most of Europe, China and Iran now face “enhanced entry screening.” They must answer questions about their medical history and current condition, and must provide contact information for local health authorities, according to a Department of Homeland Security statement. They are then expected to self-quarantine at home for 14 days.
Passengers waited in line for hours at customs at @DFWAirport. Many concerned about being so close to others during the #COVIDー19 outbreak. The airport saying “CBP officers and the CDC are following federal guidelines to conduct enhanced screening for passengers” @FOX4 pic.twitter.com/4BFUEau0Hg — Steven Dial (@StevenDialFox4) March 15, 2020
This is customs at DFW. Current wait time over 3 hours.
Coughing and sneezing... pic.twitter.com/TyFeYthKUG — Jeffrey Barnett (@holajefe) March 14, 2020
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Add Dulles to the list of airports that are absolutely overwhelmed tonight. New restrictions were added without adequate staff to implement them, causing crushes of people at DFW, O'Hare, Dulles. https://t.co/j7wFsFCXpK — Charles Ornstein (@charlesornstein) March 15, 2020
this is the scene from JFK, Dulles, O'Hare & DFW airports right now. pic.twitter.com/7xj8TfxrL8 — Jesse Lehrich (@JesseLehrich) March 15, 2020
Over 4 hours later...back in the large hall, not sure where the #Covid19 screening happens. They've handed out snacks, water & r/r breaks. Def missing my flight home tonight. Not sure what's next #ohare #StillStanding #BreathingLessons #MouseInAMaze pic.twitter.com/iT9jYvNKoN — Michael A Sadler (@Michael_Sadler) March 15, 2020
In contact with @GovPritzker about arriving passenger delays at @fly2ohare of up to eight hours waiting for luggage, immigration, customs, & possible medical screening. Appears source of delays all federal and Admin was unprepared after Presidential ban on travel from Europe. — Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) March 15, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-15--Top U.S. Health Official: Americans Should 'Hunker Down Significantly More'

Anthony Fauci , one of the top U.S. health officials leading the country ’ s response to the coronavirus , urged Americans on Sunday to “ hunker down significantly more ” as the virus continues to spread across the country .
“ Whatever it takes to do that , that ’ s what I ’ d like to see , ” Fauci , a medical doctor , said during an appearance on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union , ” adding that elderly and immunocompromised individuals are not the only people at risk .
“ Younger people should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not immune or safe from getting seriously ill , ” he said .
“ So protect yourself .
But remember : You could also be a vector or a carrier .
... That ’ s why everybody ’ s got to take this seriously.
” '' I would like to see a dramatic diminution of the personal interaction we see in restaurants and in bars , '' Dr. Fauci says about the coronavirus .
Young people are not immune : `` There are going to be people who are young who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' # CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/iF5J2gccta — CNN Politics ( @ CNNPolitics ) March 15 , 2020 Earlier Sunday , Fauci told NBC ’ s “ Meet the Press ” that he would prefer the U.S. be “ overly aggressive and get criticized for overreacting ” rather than see the spread of the virus continue to jump .
“ I think Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing , ” he said .
“ Everybody has got to get involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
“ If you are in an area where there is clearer community spread , you have to be much , much more intense about how you do that.
” Fauci stopped short of calling for an outright national shutdown similar to what has been implemented in Italy , France and Spain , but said he has made his opinion on the matter known to the Trump administration .
He denied that the administration has pushed back on his suggestions .
There have been over 152,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the U.S. , there have been more than 1,600 confirmed cases with at least 41 deaths .
Those numbers were expected to jump as access to testing increases over the next few weeks .
Though some Americans have heeded the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are practicing social distancing , as evidenced by how stocking up on supplies has led to empty shelves in grocery stores across the country , others have decided not to scale back their interactions with others .
“ What we should be doing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different ― not business as usual , ” Fauci told ABC ’ s “ This Week ” on Sunday , adding that Americans should “ slow down ” their social interactions .
“ We got to make sure that the vulnerable ones are the ones we protect , ” he continued .
Most people should consider staying home and avoiding public places like movie theaters and restaurants , but especially the elderly and those with underlying conditions such as heart disease and diabetes , he said .
Fauci has been thrust into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus first documented in China .
He has spoken alongside President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence , who is heading the White House ’ s coronavirus task force , at news conferences about the virus .
Fauci has , at times , had to publicly correct misinformation spread by Trump , including the timeline of the creation of a possible vaccine .
The president has said it could be ready in a couple of months .
In fact , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be available for at least a year .

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Anthony Fauci, one of the top U.S. health officials leading the country’s response to the coronavirus, urged Americans on Sunday to “hunker down significantly more” as the virus continues to spread across the country.
The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, while making the rounds on Sunday morning political shows, called on a “dramatic diminution” in personal interactions at restaurants and bars.
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“Whatever it takes to do that, that’s what I’d like to see,” Fauci, a medical doctor, said during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” adding that elderly and immunocompromised individuals are not the only people at risk.
“Younger people should be concerned for two reasons: You are not immune or safe from getting seriously ill,” he said. “So protect yourself. But remember: You could also be a vector or a carrier. ... That’s why everybody’s got to take this seriously.”
"I would like to see a dramatic diminution of the personal interaction we see in restaurants and in bars," Dr. Fauci says about the coronavirus. Young people are not immune: "There are going to be people who are young who are going to wind up getting seriously ill" #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/iF5J2gccta — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) March 15, 2020
Earlier Sunday, Fauci told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that he would prefer the U.S. be “overly aggressive and get criticized for overreacting” rather than see the spread of the virus continue to jump.
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“I think Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing,” he said.
“Everybody has got to get involved in distancing themselves socially,” he added. “If you are in an area where there is clearer community spread, you have to be much, much more intense about how you do that.”
Fauci stopped short of calling for an outright national shutdown similar to what has been implemented in Italy, France and Spain, but said he has made his opinion on the matter known to the Trump administration. He denied that the administration has pushed back on his suggestions.
There have been over 152,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus across the world and more than 5,700 deaths. In the U.S., there have been more than 1,600 confirmed cases with at least 41 deaths. Those numbers were expected to jump as access to testing increases over the next few weeks.
Though some Americans have heeded the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are practicing social distancing, as evidenced by how stocking up on supplies has led to empty shelves in grocery stores across the country, others have decided not to scale back their interactions with others.
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“What we should be doing is absolutely making it much, much more different ― not business as usual,” Fauci told ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday, adding that Americans should “slow down” their social interactions.
“We got to make sure that the vulnerable ones are the ones we protect,” he continued. Most people should consider staying home and avoiding public places like movie theaters and restaurants, but especially the elderly and those with underlying conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, he said.
Fauci said it could take “several weeks to a few months” for life to return to “normal” across the country.
Dr. Anthony Fauci says it can’t be “business as usual” amid coronavirus threat and you need to "chill down" social interactions.
“We gotta make sure that the vulnerable ones are the ones we protect — the elderly and those with underlying conditions.” https://t.co/YJ2h02tqtA pic.twitter.com/BUKIC8AzWs — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) March 15, 2020
Fauci has been thrust into the national spotlight in recent weeks amid the global spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus first documented in China. He has spoken alongside President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, who is heading the White House’s coronavirus task force, at news conferences about the virus.
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Fauci has, at times, had to publicly correct misinformation spread by Trump, including the timeline of the creation of a possible vaccine. The president has said it could be ready in a couple of months. In fact, according to Fauci, a vaccine likely wouldn’t be available for at least a year.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-15--GOP Rep. Devin Nunes, Bucking Advice Of Health Experts, Says 'Go To Your Local Pub'

There ’ s a lot of concerns with the economy here because people are scared to go out .
One @ @ @ @ @ do , if you ’ re healthy , you and your family , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ just go out , go to a local restaurant ― likely you can get in @ @ @ @ @ not hurt the working people in this country that are relying on wages and tips @ @ @ @ @ going .
Just don ’ t run to the grocery store and buy $ 4,000 @ @ @ @ @ your local pub .

There’s a lot of concerns with the economy here because people are scared to go out. One of the things you can do, if you’re healthy, you and your family, it’s a great time to just go out, go to a local restaurant ― likely you can get in easily.
Let’s not hurt the working people in this country that are relying on wages and tips to keep their small business going. Just don’t run to the grocery store and buy $4,000 of food. Go to your local pub.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-15--Trump Says He Is Considering Pardoning Ex-Adviser Michael Flynn

President Donald Trump on Sunday said he is “ strongly considering ” pardoning his former national security adviser Michael Flynn , suggesting that Flynn was unfairly targeted and prosecuted .
“ So now it is reported that , after destroying his life & the life of his wonderful family ( and many others also ) , the FBI , working in conjunction with the Justice Department , has ‘ lost ’ the records of General Michael Flynn , ” Trump tweeted .
“ How convenient .
I am strongly considering a Full Pardon !
” Trump , whose complaint was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unrelated complaints and concerns , didn ’ t expand on what he meant by Flynn ’ s missing records .
Michael T. Flynn introduces then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in 2016 .
Flynn went on to become a senior adviser to Trump in the White House .
Last month , Attorney General William Barr ordered outside prosecutors to review Flynn ’ s criminal case , raising speculation that Barr may be seeking a more lenient sentence for him .
Senior Department of Justice officials in February walked back federal prosecutors ’ sentencing recommendation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump publicly called their proposed sentence a “ miscarriage of justice.
” Flynn had pleaded guilty in 2017 to lying to the FBI about his conversations with Russian officials prior to Trump taking office .
He filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea in January , however , after federal prosecutors recommended he serve up to six months in prison .
Flynn ’ s lead counsel , Sidney Powell , accused the government of going back on a promise , made as part of his plea deal , to give him probation @ @ @ @

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President Donald Trump on Sunday said he is “strongly considering” pardoning his former national security adviser Michael Flynn, suggesting that Flynn was unfairly targeted and prosecuted.
“So now it is reported that, after destroying his life & the life of his wonderful family (and many others also), the FBI, working in conjunction with the Justice Department, has ‘lost’ the records of General Michael Flynn,” Trump tweeted. “How convenient. I am strongly considering a Full Pardon!”
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Trump, whose complaint was fired off within minutes of several other unrelated complaints and concerns, didn’t expand on what he meant by Flynn’s missing records.
Michael T. Flynn introduces then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in 2016. Flynn went on to become a senior adviser to Trump in the White House. Mark Makela via Getty Images
Last month, Attorney General William Barr ordered outside prosecutors to review Flynn’s criminal case, raising speculation that Barr may be seeking a more lenient sentence for him. Senior Department of Justice officials in February walked back federal prosecutors’ sentencing recommendation for longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone after Trump publicly called their proposed sentence a “miscarriage of justice.”
Flynn had pleaded guilty in 2017 to lying to the FBI about his conversations with Russian officials prior to Trump taking office. He filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea in January, however, after federal prosecutors recommended he serve up to six months in prison. Flynn’s lead counsel, Sidney Powell, accused the government of going back on a promise, made as part of his plea deal, to give him probation instead of prison.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-15--NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo Calls On Trump To Use Military In Coronavirus Fight

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) , in an opinion piece published in The New York Times on Sunday , called on President Donald Trump to use the military to expand hospital capacity as the coronavirus continues to spread across the United States .
Cuomo warned that the U.S. must take significant action now or risk experiencing an even worse situation than what is unfolding in Italy , which has seen its health care system completely overwhelmed amid the pandemic .
“ You must anticipate that , without immediate action , the imminent failure of hospital systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
“ Ask your experts , how many intensive-care beds do we need for our vulnerable populations , and how many do we have now ?
” There have been more than 1,600 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the U.S. with at least 41 deaths .
Those numbers are expected to jump as access to testing increases over the next few weeks .
U.S. health officials warn that hundreds of thousands , if not millions , of Americans could be hospitalized by COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s an average of just 2.8 hospital beds per 1,000 people in the U.S. , according to the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development .
In New York state alone , which has a population of about 20 million , there are 53,470 hospital beds , only 3,186 of which are intensive-care beds , according to Cuomo .
“ States can not build more hospitals , acquire ventilators or modify facilities quickly enough , ” he wrote .
“ At this point , our best hope is to utilize the Army Corps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment and people power to retrofit and equip existing facilities — like military bases or college dormitories — to serve as temporary medical centers .
Then we can designate existing hospital beds for the acutely ill. ” He added that mobilizing the Army Corps of Engineers would be legal in this situation because Trump has already declared a national emergency in response to the coronavirus .
This action allows the federal government to allocate certain funds and removes some legal barriers .
“ Doing so still won ’ t provide enough intensive care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the military for help , “ but it is our best hope.
” The Democratic governor also urged Trump to decrease regulation of COVID-19 tests and authorize states to take more control of the process .
He also called on the president to create a “ uniform federal standard for when cities and states should shut down commerce and schools , or cancel events .
”

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), in an opinion piece published in The New York Times on Sunday, called on President Donald Trump to use the military to expand hospital capacity as the coronavirus continues to spread across the United States.
Cuomo warned that the U.S. must take significant action now or risk experiencing an even worse situation than what is unfolding in Italy, which has seen its health care system completely overwhelmed amid the pandemic.
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“You must anticipate that, without immediate action, the imminent failure of hospital systems is all but certain,” Cuomo wrote. “Ask your experts, how many intensive-care beds do we need for our vulnerable populations, and how many do we have now?”
There have been more than 1,600 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the U.S. with at least 41 deaths. Those numbers are expected to jump as access to testing increases over the next few weeks.
U.S. health officials warn that hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Americans could be hospitalized by COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, over the next several months.
“This would crush the nation’s medical system,” Cuomo wrote.
There’s an average of just 2.8 hospital beds per 1,000 people in the U.S., according to the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
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In New York state alone, which has a population of about 20 million, there are 53,470 hospital beds, only 3,186 of which are intensive-care beds, according to Cuomo.
“States cannot build more hospitals, acquire ventilators or modify facilities quickly enough,” he wrote. “At this point, our best hope is to utilize the Army Corps of Engineers to leverage its expertise, equipment and people power to retrofit and equip existing facilities — like military bases or college dormitories — to serve as temporary medical centers. Then we can designate existing hospital beds for the acutely ill.”
He added that mobilizing the Army Corps of Engineers would be legal in this situation because Trump has already declared a national emergency in response to the coronavirus. This action allows the federal government to allocate certain funds and removes some legal barriers.
“Doing so still won’t provide enough intensive care beds,” Cuomo said of tapping the military for help, “but it is our best hope.”
The Democratic governor also urged Trump to decrease regulation of COVID-19 tests and authorize states to take more control of the process. He also called on the president to create a “uniform federal standard for when cities and states should shut down commerce and schools, or cancel events.”
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The White House did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
The Defense Department held a news conference Monday, where spokesman Jonathan Hoffman answered questions about Cuomo’s call for military support.
“We’re aware of the governor’s comments, but have not received a request to do any construction,” Hoffman told reporters. “At this time, I think there are some other options out there. We’ve seen private companies that can do some of the construction.”
Cuomo’s office did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-15--Trump Reportedly Sees Upside To Coronavirus: Promoting His Closed Borders Agenda

At his resort that evening , Trump told the donors that “ nobody is blaming us ” for the virus @ @ @ @ @ from another guest who asked for anonymity to quote the president ’ s private remarks @ @ @ @ @ the stock markets , the president seemed eager to spin the potential upside — that @ @ @ @ @ the world would promote his “ America First ” agenda .
“ Certain industries are @ @ @ @ @ hard — cruise ships and airlines and certain industries , ” the president said , @ @ @ @ @ “ But at the same time , I ’ ve been saying for a long @ @ @ @ @ our country and travel in our country , and that ’ s going to happen @ @

At his resort that evening, Trump told the donors that “nobody is blaming us” for the virus, according to an account from another guest who asked for anonymity to quote the president’s private remarks. Despite big drops in the stock markets, the president seemed eager to spin the potential upside — that the closing of borders around the world would promote his “America First” agenda.
“Certain industries are going to be hit very hard — cruise ships and airlines and certain industries,” the president said, according to the guest. “But at the same time, I’ve been saying for a long time people should stay in our country and travel in our country, and that’s going to happen.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-15--People Most Vulnerable To Coronavirus Are Urging Others To Stay Home. Here’s Why.

As the coronavirus outbreak continues , some people are using social media to put a face to those who are most vulnerable and encourage healthy individuals to practice social distancing for the sake of public health .
On Saturday , the hashtag # HighRiskCOVID19 starting trending on Twitter as people used it to share selfies and talk about the disabilities , immunocompromised status and underlying health conditions that put them at even higher risk of getting COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus , than others .
COVID-19 is primarily characterized by a fever , dry cough and shortness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the respiratory system .
The disease has infected more than 150,000 people globally and killed at least 5,600 people , and there ’ s no known cure or vaccine for it .
There ’ s mounting concern from public health experts that people who feel fine and have no symptoms can still potentially be a carrier for the coronavirus — which means they could be unknowingly spreading it to other people who are more vulnerable and more likely to be hospitalized if they get it .
And significant testing shortages mean it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether they ’ re infected .
Social distancing refers to a strategy for helping to combat the coronavirus , in which people avoid interactions with others — particularly large crowds — to keep it from spreading .
As # HighRiskCOVID19 tweets calling for people to stay home went viral on Saturday , Twitter was also filled with photos of bars and restaurants packed with people who are seemingly unperturbed by the pandemic .
“ Please think of me before you go out .
Please help flatten the curve , ” she added , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slowing down the number of coronavirus cases over time so the health care system isn ’ t overwhelmed all at once .
Other people tweeted about their career goals and the lengths they ’ ve gone to in order to socially distance themselves and their families , such as delaying birthday parties .
My name is Sarah and I am # HighRiskCovid19 .
I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy , and my lung capacity is extremely limited .
In January I got a cold and was home for 3 weeks .
Please think of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # SocialDistancing seriously .
# CripTheVote pic.twitter.com/4wmbfL8JXE — Sarah Jean👩🏼🦼 ( @ schwegs14 ) March 15 , 2020 I have Osteogenesis Imperfecta , which restricts my breathing .
I have scarring in my lungs from frequent bouts of pneumonia .
I also have heart arrhythmia when I have fevers .
I am # HighRiskCovid19 .
Think abt me when you break # SocialDistancing .
pic.twitter.com/3N05zPE4Ke — See Mia Wash Her Hands 🧼👏🏼 🦮👩🏻🦽 ( @ SeeMiaRoll ) March 15 , 2020 I have chronic lung disease as a complication of rhematoid arthritis My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance of dying if I get COVID 19 Please think of me before you go out .
Please help flatten the curve # StayHome # HighRiskCovid19 pic.twitter.com/v9h2A9YCE8 — Rafia Zakaria ( @ rafiazakaria ) March 15 , 2020 Heyo !
I have an autoimmune disease and I ’ m on immune suppressant meds .
I ’ m currently applying to law school and work really hard ( sometimes in the ICU ) despite my physical limits .
Please stay home for me # HighRiskCovid19 pic.twitter.com/fkbgxYk7DB — Sara Covelli ( @ CovelliSara ) March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9th birthday .
🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY🎂 Grace is immune deficient and among the 20 % that are # HighRiskCovid19 We are delaying her B-day party till it ’ s safe for family-friends to be together .
Wish her a happy-healthy b-day , stay home - spread the word !
pic.twitter.com/UefYlfH63d — Rachel , Patron Saint of Ratchet ( @ Rachels_Ratchet ) March 15 , 2020 My name is Imani Barbarin , I have cerebral palsy , diabetes and sleep apnea .
All of these things affect my breathing in their own way .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I get this virus , it ’ s life and death .
# HighRiskCovid19 pic.twitter.com/mSzayeazda — Crutches & Spice ♿ : Rude For A Disabled Person ( @ Imani_Barbarin ) March 15 , 2020 # HighRiskCovid19 I ’ m 38 and currently having chemotherapy for the second time in 6 years .
There are lots of us who would never describe ourselves as vulnerable but it seems in this # COVIDー19 situation , we are .
Please think of us if you ’ re feeling unwell and # StayAtHome pic.twitter.com/MWOBOC24S7 — Gill Slatter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 I ’ m 27 , I have # SpinalMuscularAtrophy and about 20 % lung capacity .
I ’ ve already been in the hospital twice in two months for respiratory infections despite normally being healthy .
Im a news producer , a writer , I like clothes and making joke on twitter .
I am # HighRiskCovid19 pic.twitter.com/PB2olKt8I2 — Shelby Hintze ( @ ShelbyHintze ) March 15 , 2020

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As the coronavirus outbreak continues, some people are using social media to put a face to those who are most vulnerable and encourage healthy individuals to practice social distancing for the sake of public health.
On Saturday, the hashtag #HighRiskCOVID19 starting trending on Twitter as people used it to share selfies and talk about the disabilities, immunocompromised status and underlying health conditions that put them at even higher risk of getting COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, than others. The hashtag was first created by Molly Schreiber and Charis Hill — both members of CreakyJoints, an organization that supports people with arthritis — before it was picked up by dozens of other people.
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COVID-19 is primarily characterized by a fever, dry cough and shortness of breath, and it significantly affects the respiratory system. The disease has infected more than 150,000 people globally and killed at least 5,600 people, and there’s no known cure or vaccine for it.
There’s mounting concern from public health experts that people who feel fine and have no symptoms can still potentially be a carrier for the coronavirus — which means they could be unknowingly spreading it to other people who are more vulnerable and more likely to be hospitalized if they get it. And significant testing shortages mean it’s impossible for some people to know whether they’re infected.
Social distancing refers to a strategy for helping to combat the coronavirus, in which people avoid close physical contact with others — particularly large crowds — to keep it from spreading.
As #HighRiskCOVID19 tweets calling for people to stay home went viral on Saturday, Twitter was also filled with photos of bars and restaurants packed with people who are seemingly unperturbed by the pandemic.
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“I have chronic lung disease as a complication of rhematoid arthritis,” one Twitter user wrote.
“Please think of me before you go out. Please help flatten the curve,” she added, referring to the public health goal of slowing down the number of coronavirus cases over time so the health care system isn’t overwhelmed all at once.
Other people tweeted about their career goals and the lengths they’ve gone to in order to socially distance themselves and their families, such as delaying birthday parties.
Here are a few of the tweets:
I am immunocompromised and my life counts. #HighRiskCovid19
Please join us in putting a face to those who are vulnerable to the #coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/GaCZPUfxyi — Molly Schreiber (@mollyschreiber) March 15, 2020
My name is Sarah and I am #HighRiskCovid19. I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and my lung capacity is extremely limited. In January I got a cold and was home for 3 weeks. Please think of me when you don’t take #SocialDistancing seriously. #CripTheVote pic.twitter.com/4wmbfL8JXE — Sarah Jean👩🏼🦼 (@schwegs14) March 15, 2020
I have Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which restricts my breathing. I have scarring in my lungs from frequent bouts of pneumonia. I also have heart arrhythmia when I have fevers. I am #HighRiskCovid19. Think abt me when you break #SocialDistancing. pic.twitter.com/3N05zPE4Ke — See Mia Wash Her Hands 🧼👏🏼 🦮👩🏻🦽 (@SeeMiaRoll) March 15, 2020
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I have chronic lung disease as a complication of rhematoid arthritis My doctor says I have a 70 percent chance of dying if I get COVID 19 Please think of me before you go out. Please help flatten the curve #StayHome #HighRiskCovid19 pic.twitter.com/v9h2A9YCE8 — Rafia Zakaria (@rafiazakaria) March 15, 2020
Heyo! I have an autoimmune disease and I’m on immune suppressant meds. I’m currently applying to law school and work really hard (sometimes in the ICU) despite my physical limits. Please stay home for me #HighRiskCovid19 pic.twitter.com/fkbgxYk7DB — Sara Covelli (@CovelliSara) March 15, 2020
Today is our daughters 9th birthday.
🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY🎂
Grace is immune deficient and among the 20% that are #HighRiskCovid19
We are delaying her B-day party till it’s safe for family-friends to be together.
Wish her a happy-healthy b-day, stay home - spread the word! pic.twitter.com/UefYlfH63d — Rachel, Patron Saint of Ratchet (@Rachels_Ratchet) March 15, 2020
My name is Imani Barbarin, I have cerebral palsy, diabetes and sleep apnea. All of these things affect my breathing in their own way.
I have increased risk factors. If I get this virus, it’s life and death. #HighRiskCovid19 pic.twitter.com/mSzayeazda — Crutches&Spice ♿ : Rude For A Disabled Person (@Imani_Barbarin) March 15, 2020
#HighRiskCovid19 I’m 38 and currently having chemotherapy for the second time in 6 years. There are lots of us who would never describe ourselves as vulnerable but it seems in this #COVIDー19 situation, we are. Please think of us if you’re feeling unwell and #StayAtHome pic.twitter.com/MWOBOC24S7 — Gill Slatter (@gibigill) March 15, 2020
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I’m 27, I have #SpinalMuscularAtrophy and about 20% lung capacity. I’ve already been in the hospital twice in two months for respiratory infections despite normally being healthy. Im a news producer, a writer, I like clothes and making joke on twitter. I am #HighRiskCovid19 pic.twitter.com/PB2olKt8I2 — Shelby Hintze (@ShelbyHintze) March 15, 2020
I’m immune compromised. I am an advanced stage leukemia patient awaiting a match for a bone marrow transplant. This makes me #HighRiskCovid19. My life& the lives of other disabled ppl matters & is deserving of community protection. Please practice social solidarity in this time. pic.twitter.com/PLXUyw7HEA — Text ITSWALELA to 61474 (@itswalela) March 15, 2020
I’m Leah Grace. I’m 16 and have EDS and an awful immune system. I don’t want to die. This is who you’re protecting. #HighRiskCovid19 pic.twitter.com/eR7LQGX3k7 — Leah Grace Roberts♿🏳🌈 (@lgroberts608) March 15, 2020
i have a terrible immune system and any kind of illness takes me 3x as long to recover from, leaving me open to contracting further infections. i am high risk. i am disabled. i am worthy. #HighRiskCovid19 pic.twitter.com/T2QvGk55Wh — 🌸ru🌸{she/her} (@chr0nicallycute) March 15, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-15--Steven Mnuchin Doesn’t Expect A Coronavirus Recession, As Experts Say Otherwise

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he doesn ’ t expect the coronavirus pandemic will trigger a U.S. recession , even as others ― including President Donald Trump ’ s former economic adviser ― say we ’ re likely already in one .
“ We ’ re clearly going to have a slowdown , ” Mnuchin said on ABC ’ s “ This Week ” on Sunday .
“ Later in the year , obviously the economic activity will pick up as we confront this virus.
” Mnuchin said the real issue at hand is not today ’ s economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we going to use to make sure we get through this.
” Trump ’ s former National Economic Council director , Gary Cohn , offered a bleaker immediate assessment of the economy on Friday because of a major halt in travel and consumer spending due to the virus .
Fortunately , he believes there ’ s a light at the end of the tunnel .
NEW : Despite forecasting an economic slowdown , Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin tells @ jonkarl he does not think the coronavirus pandemic will cause a recession : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic activity will pick up as we confront this virus . ''
https : //t.co/XkLFkSaaAp pic.twitter.com/sBm0lCojMh — This Week ( @ ThisWeekABC ) March 15 , 2020 “ Most likely , I ’ d be willing to say , we are in a recession right now , ” he said on CNN .
“ We are having negative growth right now and the market is pricing in that uncertainty .
The good news is that we are starting from a very strong start , just three weeks ago , and when we get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I ’ m convinced we will get done with it , no one knows how long ― the market will be resilient enough to recover.
” Former Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Alan Blinder has also said that he “ wouldn ’ t be one bit surprised ” if data shows that a recession started this month .
“ It takes months to get the data that would be relevant to a call like that .
But it wouldn ’ t be a bit surprising to me , ” he said on CNBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic plans amid the outbreak have included a proposed payroll tax cut , loans for businesses affected by the virus , and pressure on the Federal Reserve to further cut interest rates .
The president ’ s declaration of a national emergency on Friday also freed up $ 50 billion in federal resources .
The House of Representatives on Saturday also passed a sweeping coronavirus financial aid package , which will provide free testing for the virus as well as paid leave to workers infected or needing to provide care to others and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food assistance .
The bill now goes to the Senate for its approval .
As of Friday , the stock market remains in a bear market , with the market having its worst week since October 2008 .
The U.S. unemployment rate remains at 3.5 % , which is a half-century low .

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U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he doesn’t expect the coronavirus pandemic will trigger a U.S. recession, even as others ― including President Donald Trump’s former economic adviser ― say we’re likely already in one.
“We’re clearly going to have a slowdown,” Mnuchin said on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday. “Later in the year, obviously the economic activity will pick up as we confront this virus.”
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Mnuchin said the real issue at hand is not today’s economic situation but “what economic tools are we going to use to make sure we get through this.”
Trump’s former National Economic Council director, Gary Cohn, offered a bleaker immediate assessment of the economy on Friday because of a major halt in travel and consumer spending due to the virus. Fortunately, he believes there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
NEW: Despite forecasting an economic slowdown, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin tells @jonkarl he does not think the coronavirus pandemic will cause a recession: "Later in the year, obviously the economic activity will pick up as we confront this virus." https://t.co/XkLFkSaaAp pic.twitter.com/sBm0lCojMh — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) March 15, 2020
“Most likely, I’d be willing to say, we are in a recession right now,” he said on CNN. “We are having negative growth right now and the market is pricing in that uncertainty. The good news is that we are starting from a very strong start, just three weeks ago, and when we get done with this public health crisis ― and I’m convinced we will get done with it, no one knows how long ― the market will be resilient enough to recover.”
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Former Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Alan Blinder has also said that he “wouldn’t be one bit surprised” if data shows that a recession started this month.
“It takes months to get the data that would be relevant to a call like that. But it wouldn’t be a bit surprising to me,” he said on CNBC Wednesday.
The Trump administration’s economic plans amid the outbreak have included a proposed payroll tax cut, loans for businesses affected by the virus, and pressure on the Federal Reserve to further cut interest rates. The president’s declaration of a national emergency on Friday also freed up $50 billion in federal resources.
The House of Representatives on Saturday also passed a sweeping coronavirus financial aid package, which will provide free testing for the virus as well as paid leave to workers infected or needing to provide care to others and an expansion on unemployment insurance and emergency food assistance. The bill now goes to the Senate for its approval.
As of Friday, the stock market remains in a bear market, with the market having its worst week since October 2008. The U.S. unemployment rate remains at 3.5%, which is a half-century low.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-15--New York City, The Largest School District In The Country, To Close Its Schools

Pool via Getty Images New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio reads to children in a prekindergarten class at P.S .
130 in 2014 in New York City .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Sunday that New York City schools would close Monday in an attempt to combat the spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
Public schools on Long Island and Westchester County are also going to close .
New York City schools will be closed until at least April 20 , according to de Blasio .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the year .
A remote learning system is getting set up for later in March , though the mayor acknowledged that a lot of kids do not have computers or internet access at home .
“ We ’ re going to be doing the best we can to supply those kids .
...
I am distraught at having to take this action , ” de Blasio said at a press conference .
New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza estimated that about 300,000 kids in the district do not have access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city is working with partners to serve those children and will prioritizing students without devices , students in temporary housing , and students living in poverty , he said .
Over the next few days , school locations will be open for grab-and-go meals .
In general , breakfast and lunch will be made available to students through April 8 , said Carranza .
Nearly three-quarters of students in New York City schools are considered economically disadvantaged .
The closures could pose a particular hardship for these families .
Parents who can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find child care , or give up wages .
Many families rely on schools to provide their children with breakfast and lunch .
De Blasio expressed concern over the possibility of children going unsupervised and said the city was looking into the possibility of holding some youth programming going forward .
The city had previously been closing specific schools for 24 hours if a student or staff member was confirmed to have the coronavirus .
There are 1,866 public schools in New York City , including public charter schools .
The mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the schools , even under pressure , calling it a last resort .
Around the country , a growing number of school districts have been closing in recent days .
On Friday , the second-largest school district in the nation , the Los Angeles Unified School District , announced it would be closing for at least two weeks .
More than a dozen states including Ohio , Maryland and Pennsylvania have also announced that they would be shutting down schools for several weeks .
The New York City teachers union ― the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city to shut down schools , saying keeping schools open “ poses a greater lasting threat than the disruption that will result from school closings.
” “ We don ’ t suggest this lightly .
We understand the immense disruption this will create for our families , ” said a statement from UFT President Michael Mulgrew on Friday .
“ But right now more than a million students and staff crisscross the city every day on their way to schools , putting themselves and others at risk of exposure and increasing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and communities.
” On Friday , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidance saying closing schools for two to four weeks at a time does not appear to impact the rate of the virus ’ s spread .
However , it said that longer-term closures ― eight weeks or more ― could have some impact .

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Sunday that New York City schools would close Monday in an attempt to combat the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Public schools on Long Island and Westchester County are also going to close.
New York City schools will be closed until at least April 20, according to de Blasio. At maximum, schools would close the rest of the year. A remote learning system is getting set up for later in March, though the mayor acknowledged that a lot of kids do not have computers or internet access at home.
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“We’re going to be doing the best we can to supply those kids. ... I am distraught at having to take this action,” de Blasio said at a press conference.
New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza estimated that about 300,000 kids in the district do not have access to a computer or internet. The city is working with partners to serve those children and will prioritizing students without devices, students in temporary housing, and students living in poverty, he said.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio reads to children in a prekindergarten class at P.S. 130 in 2014 in New York City. Pool via Getty Images
Closing the schools is “a decision we call the last resort. We’re at the last resort,” said Carranza at the press conference.
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Over the next few days, school locations will be open for grab-and-go meals. In general, breakfast and lunch will be made available to students through April 8, said Carranza.
New York City public schools serve over 1.1 million students. It is by far the largest school system in the country, by hundreds of thousands of students.
Nearly three-quarters of students in New York City schools are considered economically disadvantaged. The closures could pose a particular hardship for these families. Parents who cannot telecommute for work may have to scramble to find child care, or give up wages. Many families rely on schools to provide their children with breakfast and lunch.
De Blasio expressed concern over the possibility of children going unsupervised and said the city was looking into the possibility of holding some youth programming going forward.
The city had previously been closing specific schools for 24 hours if a student or staff member was confirmed to have the coronavirus. There are 1,866 public schools in New York City, including public charter schools. The mayor and governor had held off on closing the schools, even under pressure, calling it a last resort.
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“We are going to fight tooth and nail to protect our school system,” de Blasio said on Thursday.
Around the country, a growing number of school districts have been closing in recent days. On Friday, the second-largest school district in the nation, the Los Angeles Unified School District, announced it would be closing for at least two weeks. More than a dozen states including Ohio, Maryland and Pennsylvania have also announced that they would be shutting down schools for several weeks.
As of Saturday, 57,000 schools nationwide had closed ― affecting at least 25.8 million students, according to a count by EdWeek.
The New York City teachers union ― the United Federation of Teachers ― has been urging the city to shut down schools, saying keeping schools open “poses a greater lasting threat than the disruption that will result from school closings.”
“We don’t suggest this lightly. We understand the immense disruption this will create for our families,” said a statement from UFT President Michael Mulgrew on Friday. “But right now more than a million students and staff crisscross the city every day on their way to schools, putting themselves and others at risk of exposure and increasing the likelihood of bringing exposure into their homes and communities.”
On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidance saying closing schools for two to four weeks at a time does not appear to impact the rate of the virus’s spread. However, it said that longer-term closures ― eight weeks or more ― could have some impact.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-15--Trump Rule All But Encourages Industry To Kill Birds

It ’ s the kind of incident that the federal agency charged with protecting wildlife would historically have investigated , because killing many species of migratory birds ― either on purpose or unintentionally ― violates the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act ( MBTA ) .
But months earlier , in December 2017 , Daniel Jojani , the top lawyer at the Department of the Interior and a longtime former adviser to the fossil fuel moguls Charles and David Koch , issued a highly controversial legal opinion that allowed all unintentional migratory bird deaths , including those caused by oil and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lines and wind turbines .
As long as the birds die when a company or individual means to do something else , it isn ’ t an issue , according to the opinion .
“ You indicated that due to the new solicitors opinion regarding incidental take , if these were mortalities incidental to an oil spill , their may be no need to hold the carcasses as there would be no need for an enforcement response , ” the employee wrote April 5 ( names and personal information have been redacted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that someone had mentioned the birds may have “ died from gunshot wounds ” and that there was “ still uncertainty about the cause of death.
” It ’ s easy to see how that might allow someone to falsely claim that removing the nests was an accident and that their sole focus was giving the bridge a fresh coat of paint .
The question then is what prevents someone from , say , cutting down a tree where a nuisance bird of prey has its nest and then telling authorities they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unwanted tree ?
At what point would FWS launch an investigation ?
( Again , FWS did not respond to HuffPost ’ s specific questions . )

In April 2018, a pipeline belonging to Texas-based petroleum company Andeavor ruptured near the small town of Buhl, Idaho, spilling about 7,000 gallons of diesel fuel across an area the size of five football fields, much of it ending up in a small creek and a pond used for livestock.
During the cleanup, workers discovered dead birds, internal U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service communications show. But no one appears to have looked into why the birds died, much less pursued action against anyone.
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It’s the kind of incident that the federal agency charged with protecting wildlife would historically have investigated, because killing many species of migratory birds ― either on purpose or unintentionally ― violates the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). But months earlier, in December 2017, Daniel Jojani, the top lawyer at the Department of the Interior and a longtime former adviser to the fossil fuel moguls Charles and David Koch, issued a highly controversial legal opinion that allowed all unintentional migratory bird deaths, including those caused by oil and gas operations, chemical spills, power lines and wind turbines. As long as the birds die when a company or individual means to do something else, it isn’t an issue, according to the opinion.
The move broke from decades of legal precedent, and the Trump administration has since introduced a rule to codify that change and permanently slash protections for hundreds of species of migratory birds.
It’s “an absurd, incorrect and illegal interpretation” of the law, made even more outrageous by the fact that it comes amid a global biodiversity crisis that has pushed up to 1 million species to the brink of extinction, said Erik Schneider, a policy analyst at Audubon, one of several wildlife organizations challenging Trump’s controversial policy in court.
And it has led the Trump administration to largely abandon investigating migratory bird deaths ― even in cases in which officials are unsure if the killings are unintentional, according to a batch of documents that American Bird Conservancy and other environmental groups obtained through public records requests and that were shared with HuffPost.
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A pelican coated in oil stands on the beach in Ship Island, Mississippi, in July 2010, weeks after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill started. Staff Photographer / Reuters
A few days after the Andeavor spill was discovered, an employee of Fish and Wildlife’s Ecological Services Program in Boise emailed an agency law enforcement officer to provide an update on two coolers that someone dropped off at a government office that “were indicated to contain bird carcasses.” A card left with the containers included contact information for an Andeavor employee.
“You indicated that due to the new solicitors opinion regarding incidental take, if these were mortalities incidental to an oil spill, their may be no need to hold the carcasses as there would be no need for an enforcement response,” the employee wrote April 5 (names and personal information have been redacted in the documents). The staffer added that someone had mentioned the birds may have “died from gunshot wounds” and that there was “still uncertainty about the cause of death.”
The FWS special agent responded eight hours later to say that, in accordance with the new policy, the agency’s law enforcement arm is “no longer involved” in Migratory Bird Treaty Act cases involving incidental deaths.
“Please retain/dispose of the birds” as the agency’s ecological services office sees fit, the agent wrote.
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Katie Merx, a spokesperson for Marathon Petroleum Corp., which later merged with Andeavor, told HuffPost via email that “2 or 3 ducks″ were found at the spill site, but it was “very clear” they had died of gunshot wounds before the incident. The dead birds were turned over to state and federal wildlife officials, but “there was no follow up because their deaths were not related to the spill,” she said
As for the coolers, Merx claims they were filled not with birds but rather dead fish.
Were they birds? Were they fish? How many and how did they die? The Fish and Wildlife Service doesn’t seem to know or to care. The agency did not respond to HuffPost’s specific questions about the Idaho case, the broader effects of the policy change or what now triggers an investigation.
The agency is “currently working on a scientific analysis to assess the potential impacts our proposed rule could have on bird populations,” an FWS spokesperson said in an email statement. Any claims that populations will be negatively impacted, they said, “would be speculative and irresponsible.”
A western kingbird, one of more than 1,000 species of birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, perches on a fence post near a wind farm in northern Colorado. milehightraveler via Getty Images
The MBTA was enacted a century ago to combat overhunting of bird species fueled in part by the commercial trade of feathers for high-end hats. In the 1970s, the federal government began prosecuting timber, fossil fuel and mining companies under the law for unintentional but often avoidable bird deaths caused by industrial activity. The most notable example is the $100 million in fines that BP agreed to pay over damage from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which killed an estimated 1 million birds.
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Jorjani’s sweeping reinterpretation means MBTA now prohibits only the purposeful hunting, capturing or killing of bird species. In other words, if an activity or operation ― drilling for oil, constructing a building, spraying chemicals or cutting down trees ― is not intended to kill birds, then any resulting bird deaths are not a violation of the law.
The effects have been far-reaching.
In July 2017, FWS opened an investigation into the death of an osprey that was found electrocuted and dangling from a power line in Paris, Tennessee. In a report on Jan. 3, 2018, less than two weeks after Jorjani’s legal opinion, an FWS official wrote that “due to recent Solicitor’s opinion M-37050 no further investigative action is needed and [special agent] recommends closing case.”
Similarly, when the U.S. Coast Guard notified FWS in January 2018 of a tugboat that spilled oil off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, killing at least 29 birds, a wildlife officer responded that the agency is operating under the new opinion and “there is currently no enforcement action planned.”
In the five years before the Trump policy change, FWS law enforcement completed 152 investigations into MBTA-protected bird deaths from industrial activities including oil, gas, solar and wind energy, according to agency law enforcement data. Since the legal opinion in late 2017, FWS has closed at least seven industrial investigations, only one of which was opened after the policy took effect and which was later closed without prosecution.
Snow geese wintering in Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in Rio Grande, New Mexico. Barcroft via Getty Images
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It’s not just that investigations have come to a halt. Agencies have also discouraged companies from taking precautionary measures to prevent bird deaths and from reporting fatalities to officials, a recent New York Times investigation found.
In rolling out the rule to cement the changes last month, FWS Director Aurelia Skipwith said a primary goal is to ensure private industry can “operate without the fear and uncertainty that the unintentional consequences of their actions will be prosecuted.”
Fossil fuel, mining and agricultural interests will no doubt be the biggest beneficiaries, a reality that was confirmed by an FWS press release last month that included 28 glowing reactions, many of them from industry organizations that lobbied for the changes. David Klinger, a former FWS public affairs official, sent a letter to Skipwith urging her to disavow and withdraw the release, calling it a “blatant attempt to ‘steer’ a rulemaking action to a predetermined conclusion.” A 45-day public comment period on the proposed rule ends March 19.
The proposed rule itself acknowledges that some companies are likely to “reduce or curtail” current efforts to prevent bird deaths in response to the change, as E&E News first reported. Still, the industry-friendly administration trusts industry to do right by birds.
“Many businesses will continue to take actions to reduce effects on birds because these actions are best management practices for their industry or are required by other Federal or State regulations, there is a public desire to continue them, or the businesses simply desire to reduce their effects on migratory birds,” the 43-page rule states.
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That prediction appears to be based on little more than a hunch. FWS notes in its proposal that it has not tracked the extent to which companies have continued or scrapped mitigation efforts in the three years since Jorjani’s legal opinion.
A pit containing fresh water or fresh water with chemicals sits next to a drill site in Butler County, Penn. MCT via Getty Images
Critics argue that the Trump administration’s overhaul muddies MBTA enforcement and opens the door to gross negligence ― or worse. The proof, they say, can be found in the agency’s own guidance.
In an April 2018 memo, FWS attempted to clarify how staff should implement Jorjani’s opinion by providing several hypothetical situations. One example given is a state transportation department pressure-washing barn swallow nests off a bridge before painting it. While purposefully removing the nests would require a permit, FWS added that “if the intent was to simply paint the bridge and the nests were accidentally destroyed incidental to that process, that destruction would not violate the MBTA.”
It’s easy to see how that might allow someone to falsely claim that removing the nests was an accident and that their sole focus was giving the bridge a fresh coat of paint. The question then is what prevents someone from, say, cutting down a tree where a nuisance bird of prey has its nest and then telling authorities they were simply trying to get rid of an unwanted tree? At what point would FWS launch an investigation? (Again, FWS did not respond to HuffPost’s specific questions.)
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In addition to creating confusion among government employees about how to respond to incidents, the policy change has placed the burden on underfunded federal agencies to prove intent, said Schneider, the Audubon policy analyst. And not only when it comes to large industrial hazards.
“In cases where someone might know that they’re killing birds, how do you actually prove it was truly some unintentional act?” he asked.
Audubon believes more birds will die because of the policy change, although putting a number on it is difficult, Schneider said.
Perhaps most significant, the rollback strips government of a key tool to leverage against industry, leaving companies with little incentive to work with wildlife officials and proactively mitigate bird deaths that, while unintentional, may not be unforeseeable. Though fossil fuel, agriculture and other industries claim MBTA has been used as a “weapon” to target and delay their activities, it is those very industries that pose some of the biggest threats to birds.
Poisoning from pesticides and other toxic chemicals kills an estimated 72 million birds per year in the U.S., according to FWS data. More than 25 million die annually in collisions with electrical lines, while an estimated 750,000 are killed after landing on fluid-filled waste pits at oil production operations. Wind turbines kill a much smaller number, about 234,000 birds each year, still, Trump has repeatedly overstated their harm, calling turbines “bird graveyards” that “destroy” populations.
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Trump’s nuts rant about wind energy: “I never understood wind. You know, I know windmills very much... Gases are spewing into the atmosphere. You know we have a world, right? So the world is tiny compared to the universe. So tremendous, tremendous amount of fumes & everything.” pic.twitter.com/DvkJq9NbWg — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 23, 2019
William Woody, who for 16 years served as the top law enforcement chief at both FWS and the Bureau of Land Management before the Trump administration removed him as director of BLM’s Office of Law Enforcement last June, said enforcement under MBTA has long been about promoting compliance and working with industry to avoid criminal prosecution. And though he hopes that private industry continues to implement best practices to avoid killing birds, only time will tell.
“You’re going to have some bad actors in there, no doubt about it,” Woody said.
An FWS spokesperson said the “overwhelming majority” of the agency’s work with industry on MBTA issues has been voluntary.
“Together, we have developed industry best practices and helped proponents of numerous, diverse projects reduce their impacts to birds,” they said. “This work will still continue.”
Like many of the Trump administration’s priorities, weakening MBTA was at the top of the oil industry’s wish list. Trump has even parroted a story about dead birds that oil billionaire Harold Hamm has been telling for years, as The Washington Post reported back in 2016. Hamm’s firm, Continental Resources Inc., faced criminal charges in 2011 after dead birds were discovered in unlined oil waste pits. A federal judge ultimately tossed out the case in 2012, ruling that inadvertent bird deaths from legal industry activities do not violate the MBTA ― a decision that the Trump administration highlights in its proposed MBTA rule. Other courts, however, have held that the law does criminalize the incidental killing or harming of birds.
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Three years after Jorjani’s legal opinion, top administration officials are still struggling to answer basic questions about what the MBTA change would mean in the event of a catastrophic oil spill.
At a congressional hearing this month, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) asked Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, a former oil and gas lobbyist, if it is true that the proposed rule would have made it impossible for the federal government to collect the $100 million in fines from BP for bird deaths related to Deepwater Horizon.
“I’d have to go back and look at that particular settlement agreement,” Bernhardt said. “I wasn’t here when it was done.”
Perplexed at Bernhardt’s response, Van Hollen accused the agency chief of “acting like BP’s lawyer.”
“You’re eliminating the legal basis that was used for getting this fine,” Van Hollen said. “That’s a reality.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-15--Former Impeachment Investigator Tests Positive For COVID-19, Slams Testing Process

The upshot of my experience is that there are almost certainly hundreds of thousands ( if not millions ) of @ @ @ @ @ States with COVID19 .
I didn ’ t take no for an answer to get @ @ @ @ @ people might .
And they go home to transmit it unknowingly .
And because I @ @ @ @ @ contact with a “ known positive , ” docs said my family could go about @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t know if people are positive if they can ’ t get a @ @ @ @ @ administration ’ s great failing — the only way to stop this is to test @ @ @ @ @ I may be the first you know who tested positive , but I won ’ @ @ @ @ @ Let ’ s take care of each other , listen to the experts and the @ @ @ @ @ who are taking the lead in the absence of the fed government , and get @ @ @ @

The upshot of my experience is that there are almost certainly hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of people walking around the United States with # COVID19. I didn’t take no for an answer to get a test, but many people might. And they go home to transmit it unknowingly.
And because I did not knowingly come into contact with a “known positive,” docs said my family could go about their business. But we can’t know if people are positive if they can’t get a test! This is the administration’s great failing — the only way to stop this is to test.
One final note: I may be the first you know who tested positive, but I won’t be the last. Let’s take care of each other, listen to the experts and the cities, states and corporations who are taking the lead in the absence of the fed government, and get through this together.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-15--Joe Biden Endorses Warren And Sanders Plans Ahead Of Democratic Debate

Former Vice President Joe Biden is endorsing two signature ideas offered by his Democratic primary rivals ― Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) , who remains in the race , and Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
, who dropped out earlier this month .
The move from Biden , which comes just hours before Sunday night ’ s highly anticipated one-on-one Democratic debate with Sanders , is viewed as a gesture to progressives as he hopes to unify the Democratic Party ahead of the November election , in which Biden will likely be the nominee facing President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign announced that the former vice president was adopting part of a bill Sanders and Rep. Pramila Jayapal ( D-Wash. ) unveiled in 2017 that would make public colleges and universities free to those with family incomes below $ 125,000 .
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton similarly backed the idea as she sought to consolidate the Vermont senator ’ s support in her 2016 campaign for president .
In his second run for the White House , Sanders went further and proposed free college for all and the cancellation of all student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great that Joe Biden is now supporting a position that was in the Democratic platform four years ago , ” Sanders said in a statement on Sunday , suggesting he was late to the party .
A senior Biden campaign official said the former vice president is making it clear to supporters of other candidates that there is “ space for them , ” adding that he “ welcomes their ideas , passion and their commitment to the issues they care so deeply about.
” The Biden campaign did not immediately offer information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the college tuition plan .
After his string of primary losses earlier this month , Sanders said he intended to remain in the race to argue on behalf of a progressive agenda , acknowledging the race was effectively over .
He offered a preview of what he would ask Biden in Sunday night ’ s debate , urging him to adopt more progressive stances on the economy , health care and climate change .
Biden over the weekend also endorsed Warren ’ s signature bankruptcy plan even though the two clashed over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Capitol Hill , when she was a Harvard Law professor and he served as a senator from Delaware .
The Massachusetts senator skewered Biden over the issue in a primary debate earlier this year .
“ I ’ ve endorsed Elizabeth Warren ’ s bankruptcy proposal , which in fact goes further , allows for student debt to be relieved in bankruptcy , ” Biden told supporters in a virtual town hall on Friday .
Warren ’ s plan would repeal portions of the 2005 bankruptcy law in order to make it easier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debt and start over .
Warren has not yet made an endorsement in the presidential race .
According to The New York Times , she is unlikely to do so , opting instead to let the process play out .
Biden on Friday received another big endorsement from organized labor when the National Education Association threw its weight behind his campaign .
The powerful teachers union called Biden a “ tireless advocate for public education ” and “ the partner that students and educators need now in the White House ” in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

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Former Vice President Joe Biden is endorsing two signature ideas offered by his Democratic primary rivals ― Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who remains in the race, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who dropped out earlier this month.
The move from Biden, which comes just hours before Sunday night’s highly anticipated one-on-one Democratic debate with Sanders, is viewed as a gesture to progressives as he hopes to unify the Democratic Party ahead of the November election, in which Biden will likely be the nominee facing President Donald Trump.
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On Sunday, the Biden campaign announced that the former vice president was adopting part of a bill Sanders and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) unveiled in 2017 that would make public colleges and universities free to those with family incomes below $125,000. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton similarly backed the idea as she sought to consolidate the Vermont senator’s support in her 2016 campaign for president.
In his second run for the White House, Sanders went further and proposed free college for all and the cancellation of all student loan debt.
“It’s great that Joe Biden is now supporting a position that was in the Democratic platform four years ago,” Sanders said in a statement on Sunday, suggesting he was late to the party.
A senior Biden campaign official said the former vice president is making it clear to supporters of other candidates that there is “space for them,” adding that he “welcomes their ideas, passion and their commitment to the issues they care so deeply about.” The Biden campaign did not immediately offer information as to how he intended to pay for the college tuition plan.
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After his string of primary losses earlier this month, Sanders said he intended to remain in the race to argue on behalf of a progressive agenda, acknowledging the race was effectively over. He offered a preview of what he would ask Biden in Sunday night’s debate, urging him to adopt more progressive stances on the economy, health care and climate change.
Biden over the weekend also endorsed Warren’s signature bankruptcy plan even though the two clashed over the issue over a decade ago on Capitol Hill, when she was a Harvard Law professor and he served as a senator from Delaware. The Massachusetts senator skewered Biden over the issue in a primary debate earlier this year.
“I’ve endorsed Elizabeth Warren’s bankruptcy proposal, which in fact goes further, allows for student debt to be relieved in bankruptcy,” Biden told supporters in a virtual town hall on Friday.
Warren’s plan would repeal portions of the 2005 bankruptcy law in order to make it easier for families to find relief from crushing debt and start over.
Warren has not yet made an endorsement in the presidential race. According to The New York Times, she is unlikely to do so, opting instead to let the process play out.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-15--Why Late-Deciding Democratic Voters Swung To Joe Biden

Former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s presidential campaign was resurrected in South Carolina when Black voters propelled him to a 30 point blowout victory .
A torrent of positive media followed , two major candidates dropped out of the Democratic race and endorsed Biden , and three days after the South Carolina win , his under-funded and under-manned campaign stomped to victories across Super Tuesday states to build a delegate lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) .
The big story of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary is the thousands of voters who in those three days decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden won 40 % of late deciders , according to Super Tuesday exit polls .
The surge of late-deciding voters for Biden appears to have come , in large part , from the suburban communities that have been the center of the “ resistance ” since President Donald Trump ’ s election .
The suburbs also fueled the Democratic takeover of the House in the 2018 midterm elections .
A number of these late-deciding voters spoke to HuffPost about why they picked Biden .
They made their decisions for multiple reasons , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race .
But at the front of all their minds was who they thought had the best chance to defeat Trump in November .
Biden turned out to be that candidate .
“ The number one , overriding concern among everyone was who can beat Donald Trump , ” said Shauna Johnson , a 44-year-old resident of Castle Pines , Colorado , speaking about herself and her group of friends .
She voted for Biden in her first primary on Super Tuesday .
Many of Biden ’ s late-deciders had been supporters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ex-South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( Minn. ) , who both dropped out after their poor showing in South Carolina and endorsed Biden .
Others supported Sen. Kamala Harris ( Calif. ) and were looking for signs of whom to support ( Harris came out for Biden after Super Tuesday ) .
The giant field of candidates the Democrats started out with also created confusion for those looking for guidance from earlier primaries and caucuses .
“ It was disappointing after Iowa and New Hampshire to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coalesce , ” said a 43-year-old Fairfax , Virginia , woman who decided to vote for Biden after South Carolina ( and did not want her name revealed because she works for the federal government ) .
“ It ’ s a snapback if somebody tells you they ’ re dead and then they win the Boston Marathon ― that tells you something , ” Matt Bertuzzi , a 42-year-old Massachusetts voter who works for a consulting company and previously supported Buttigieg , said about Biden ’ s win in South Carolina following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ When the exit poll results came out for South Carolina , that for me was the signal that Joe Biden was the one who could build a diverse coalition , ” said Brendan , a 28-year-old state government employee in Boston who initially backed Harris .
“ I was not issue-driven in my primary vote , ” the Virginia woman said .
“ I don ’ t see a vast difference in the outcomes that are likely to come about depending on who ’ s ultimately nominated.
” Late deciders were also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nominee .
Some felt they did not align ideologically with him , others did not like his style , but all thought he would perform worse in the general election and could hurt congressional candidates .
“ It seemed to me like Bernie was not the preferred candidate at least for a lot of the House members who were in swing districts , ” the Virginia woman said .
Johnson was most concerned about nominating someone who would be palatable to her Republican-leaning neighbors , friends and family members in suburban Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she believed , while even her Democratic-leaning friends told her that if Sanders won the nomination , they would vote for down-ballot Republicans to balance his potential administration .
“ The reason I wasn ’ t all about Joe in the beginning was I did want something different , ” said Lisa Oatts , a 69-year-old unemployed certified medical assistant in Indiana who supported Harris and then Buttigieg before deciding she would vote for Biden after South Carolina .
“ It ’ s been an old white guys game until Obama .
@

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Former Vice President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign was resurrected in South Carolina when Black voters propelled him to a 30 point blowout victory. A torrent of positive media followed, two major candidates dropped out of the Democratic race and endorsed Biden, and three days after the South Carolina win, his under-funded and under-manned campaign stomped to victories across Super Tuesday states to build a delegate lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
The big story of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary is the thousands of voters who in those three days decided to pull the lever for Biden. Biden won 40% of late deciders, according to Super Tuesday exit polls.
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The surge of late-deciding voters for Biden appears to have come, in large part, from the suburban communities that have been the center of the “resistance” since President Donald Trump’s election. The suburbs also fueled the Democratic takeover of the House in the 2018 midterm elections.
A number of these late-deciding voters spoke to HuffPost about why they picked Biden. They made their decisions for multiple reasons, including that their preferred candidates had exited the race. But at the front of all their minds was who they thought had the best chance to defeat Trump in November. Biden turned out to be that candidate.
“The number one, overriding concern among everyone was who can beat Donald Trump,” said Shauna Johnson, a 44-year-old resident of Castle Pines, Colorado, speaking about herself and her group of friends. She voted for Biden in her first primary on Super Tuesday.
Many of Biden’s late-deciders had been supporters of his former rivals. Some had backed ex-South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), who both dropped out after their poor showing in South Carolina and endorsed Biden. Others supported Sen. Kamala Harris (Calif.) and were looking for signs of whom to support (Harris came out for Biden after Super Tuesday). The giant field of candidates the Democrats started out with also created confusion for those looking for guidance from earlier primaries and caucuses.
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Sen. Amy Klobuchar joins former Vice President Joe Biden on stage during a campaign event in Texas ahead of the Super Tuesday vote. Ron Jenkins via Getty Images
“It was disappointing after Iowa and New Hampshire to have no clarity about where voters might coalesce,” said a 43-year-old Fairfax, Virginia, woman who decided to vote for Biden after South Carolina (and did not want her name revealed because she works for the federal government).
But Biden’s strong performance in South Carolina made undecided voters take notice.
“When I saw how lopsided the result was [in South Carolina], it gave me comfort that Biden was the right choice,” the Virginia woman said.
“It’s a snapback if somebody tells you they’re dead and then they win the Boston Marathon ― that tells you something,” Matt Bertuzzi, a 42-year-old Massachusetts voter who works for a consulting company and previously supported Buttigieg, said about Biden’s win in South Carolina following losses in the three previous contests.
“When the exit poll results came out for South Carolina, that for me was the signal that Joe Biden was the one who could build a diverse coalition,” said Brendan, a 28-year-old state government employee in Boston who initially backed Harris.
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These voters were united in choosing Biden based on electability concerns. His particular issue positions or policy plans were not important.
“Issue? No,” Bertuzzi said when asked if there were any issues that swung his vote to Biden.
“I was not issue-driven in my primary vote,” the Virginia woman said. “I don’t see a vast difference in the outcomes that are likely to come about depending on who’s ultimately nominated.”
Biden talks with supporters at a campaign rally on March 2, 2020, at Texas Southern University in Houston. Michael Wyke/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Late deciders were also united in not wanting Sanders to be the nominee. Some felt they did not align ideologically with him, others did not like his style, but all thought he would perform worse in the general election and could hurt congressional candidates.
“Sanders was never an option,” Bertuzzi said, noting that his own policy views might get him derisively labeled a “neoliberal” on Twitter.
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“It seemed to me like Bernie was not the preferred candidate at least for a lot of the House members who were in swing districts,” the Virginia woman said.
Johnson was most concerned about nominating someone who would be palatable to her Republican-leaning neighbors, friends and family members in suburban Colorado. They would be amenable to Biden, she believed, while even her Democratic-leaning friends told her that if Sanders won the nomination, they would vote for down-ballot Republicans to balance his potential administration.
And while Biden wasn’t everyone’s first choice from the beginning, they liked him enough.
“The reason I wasn’t all about Joe in the beginning was I did want something different,” said Lisa Oatts, a 69-year-old unemployed certified medical assistant in Indiana who supported Harris and then Buttigieg before deciding she would vote for Biden after South Carolina. “It’s been an old white guys game until Obama.”
“I’ve always liked Joe Biden,” Bertuzzi said. “Never loved him. But I’ve liked him.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-15--Illinois Governor Blasts Trump Administration As Screening Jams Airports

People were sharing appalling photos on Twitter Saturday of jam-packed airports as crowds of Americans flying home from overseas were being screened for the novel coronavirus under new federal travel requirements instituted by President Donald Trump .
The crowds and hourslong waits were exactly what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have warned against as a way to spread the illness .
Photos revealed stalled wall-to-wall passengers in particular at New York City ’ s John F. Kennedy International Airport , Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Chicago ’ s O ’ Hare International Airport .
Officials at O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mobbed travelers , according to witnesses .
Americans flying home from all countries under travel restrictions have been routed through 13 airports .
The crowds snaking slowly through U.S. Customs — which is controlled by the federal government — at the airport are “ unacceptable & need to be addressed immediately , ” Pritzker tweeted .
He used Twitter , he told Trump in his tweet , “ since this is the only communication medium you pay attention to.
” Pritzker added : “ You need to do something NOW.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s @ # t together , ” he added .
The crowds & lines O ’ Hare are unacceptable & need to be addressed immediately .
@ realDonaldTrump @ VP since this is the only communication medium you pay attention to—you need to do something NOW .
These crowds are waiting to get through customs which is under federal jurisdiction — Governor JB Pritzker ( @ GovPritzker ) March 15 , 2020 To the frustrated people trying to get home , I have spoken with the mayor and our Senators and we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to act to solve this .
We will do everything within our power to get relief .
— Governor JB Pritzker ( @ GovPritzker ) March 15 , 2020 This is unreal .
A Governor being forced to tweet at the incompetent president and VP who created a public health disaster while supposedly trying to protect us from one.
# COVID19 pic.twitter.com/LivMioMdyn — Autarkh ( @ Autarkh ) March 15 , 2020 Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot complained that the situation at O ’ Hare was placing thousands of travelers at greater health risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your incompetence , ” she tweeted at Trump .
“ Fully staff our airport right now , and stop putting Americans in danger.
” O ’ Hare officials apologized for the nightmare on Twitter , explaining that U.S. Customs “ processing is taking longer than usual ... owing to enhanced COVID-19 screening.
” Another tweet noted : “ We have strongly encouraged our federal partners to increase staffing to meet demand.
” Under the new regulations that went into effect Friday at midnight , Americans flying in from most of Europe , China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screening.
” They must answer questions about their medical history and current condition , and must provide contact information for local health authorities , according to a Department of Homeland Security statement .
They are then expected to self-quarantine at home for 14 days .
Passengers waited in line for hours at customs at @ DFWAirport .
Many concerned about being so close to others during the # COVIDー19 outbreak .
The airport saying “ CBP officers and the CDC are following federal guidelines to conduct enhanced screening for passengers ” @ FOX4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) March 15 , 2020 Add Dulles to the list of airports that are absolutely overwhelmed tonight .
New restrictions were added without adequate staff to implement them , causing crushes of people at DFW , O'Hare , Dulles .
https : //t.co/j7wFsFCXpK — Charles Ornstein ( @ charlesornstein ) March 15 , 2020 Over 4 hours later ... back in the large hall , not sure where the # Covid19 screening happens .
They 've handed out snacks , water & r/r breaks .
Def missing my flight home tonight .
Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ StillStanding # BreathingLessons # MouseInAMaze pic.twitter.com/iT9jYvNKoN — Michael A Sadler ( @ Michael_Sadler ) March 15 , 2020 In contact with @ GovPritzker about arriving passenger delays at @ fly2ohare of up to eight hours waiting for luggage , immigration , customs , & possible medical screening .
Appears source of delays all federal and Admin was unprepared after Presidential ban on travel from Europe .
— Senator Dick Durbin ( @ SenatorDurbin ) March 15 , 2020