thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Kellyanne Conway Raises Eyebrows With 'COVID-1' Remark On Fox News

Top White House aide Kellyanne Conway made a baffling ― and misleading ― statement during an appearance Wednesday on Fox News , suggesting COVID-19 ’ s name is derived in part from the number of known coronavirus diseases .
“ This is COVID-19 ― not COVID-1 , folks , ” Conway said during an appearance on “ Fox & Friends.
” “ And so you would think the people charged with the World Health Organization would be on top of that.
” But COVID-19 stands for “ coronavirus disease 2019 ” and is reflective of the year it was identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diseases .
It seemed as though Conway , a high-ranking adviser to the president , was either alarmingly unaware of this or she feigned ignorance in front of the show ’ s more than 1 million average daily viewers .
“ It is called COVID-19 – not COVID-20 ― yet it took WHO until March to call it a global pandemic , ” she said .
Conway later tweeted that she knows the “ 19 refers to the year ” in response to Rep. Bobby Rush ( D-Ill. ) , who called on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her “ COVID-1 ” remark .
President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced the U.S. is placing a hold on funding to the organization while his administration investigates what he claimed was the group ’ s mismanagement of the crisis .
“ The WHO failed in its basic duty and must be held accountable , ” Trump , who has been sharply criticized for initially downplaying the threat of the pandemic , said during a news conference at the White House .
“ So much death has been caused by their mistakes.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deferential to China , even as the country initially concealed news about the coronavirus and failed to disclose alarming data about infections among health care workers for more than a month .
Conway on Wednesday tore into the agency for being reluctant to support travel restrictions as the virus continues to spread across the world .
“ The president took decisive and immediate action in the end of January to shut down flights from China that was criticized by the WHO , it was criticized by other people , as xenophobic and racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , ’ ” she said .
“ Well , this one sure did.
” In fact , scientists believe most coronavirus cases came into the U.S. from Europe , not Asia .
Trump did not impose travel restrictions on Europe until March 11 .
Of the world ’ s more than 2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 , roughly 30 % ― or about 600,000 people ― are in the U.S. , making it the country with the most known infections .
Spain is a distant second with more than 177,000 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and doctors say there could be other strains later on , ” Conway said Wednesday .
“ This could come back in the fall in a limited way.
” “ Limited ” may prove to be an understatement .
Some experts have suggested a possible second wave could be even deadlier than the first .
Others have suggested outbreaks will emerge sporadically until there is a vaccine .

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Top White House aide Kellyanne Conway made a baffling ― and misleading ― statement during an appearance Wednesday on Fox News, suggesting COVID-19’s name is derived in part from the number of known coronavirus diseases.
“This is COVID-19 ― not COVID-1, folks,” Conway said during an appearance on “Fox & Friends.” “And so you would think the people charged with the World Health Organization would be on top of that.”
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But COVID-19 stands for “coronavirus disease 2019” and is reflective of the year it was identified, not the number of previously documented diseases.
It seemed as though Conway, a high-ranking adviser to the president, was either alarmingly unaware of this or she feigned ignorance in front of the show’s more than 1 million average daily viewers.
Kellyanne Conway: "This is COVID-19, not COVID-1 folks, and so you would think the people in charge of the World Health Organization, facts and figures, would be on top of that." pic.twitter.com/losQ3H4ZhW — Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) April 15, 2020
In a subsequent interview on the Fox Business Network, Conway acknowledged that the disease’s name partially refers to the year 2019.
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“It is called COVID-19 – not COVID-20 ― yet it took WHO until March to call it a global pandemic,” she said.
Conway later tweeted that she knows the “19 refers to the year” in response to Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), who called on her to “do better” after her “COVID-1” remark.
“Which felt better: insulting me or endorsing Bloomberg for president?” Conway tweeted at the congressman. “God bless.”
“It’s telling that you perceive the truth as an insult,” Rush tweeted back.
Dear @RepBobbyRush: I know 19 refers to year. I’m in Task Force daily (Congress is out until May 4). Point: WHO has received billion$ from USA for decades; it should see pandemics coming & be honest
Which felt better:insulting me or endorsing Bloomberg for President?
God bless https://t.co/3LpvkoQERb — Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) April 15, 2020
Conway’s eyebrow-raising comments Wednesday were part of a larger attack against the World Health Organization’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
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President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced the U.S. is placing a hold on funding to the organization while his administration investigates what he claimed was the group’s mismanagement of the crisis.
“The WHO failed in its basic duty and must be held accountable,” Trump, who has been sharply criticized for initially downplaying the threat of the pandemic, said during a news conference at the White House. “So much death has been caused by their mistakes.”
The WHO has faced criticism for being overly deferential to China, even as the country initially concealed news about the coronavirus and failed to disclose alarming data about infections among health care workers for more than a month.
However, public health experts have warned against freezing WHO funding in the middle of a pandemic.
Conway on Wednesday tore into the agency for being reluctant to support travel restrictions as the virus continues to spread across the world.
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“The president took decisive and immediate action in the end of January to shut down flights from China that was criticized by the WHO, it was criticized by other people, as xenophobic and racist and ‘travel bans don’t work,’” she said. “Well, this one sure did.”
In fact, scientists believe most coronavirus cases came into the U.S. from Europe, not Asia. Trump did not impose travel restrictions on Europe until March 11.
Of the world’s more than 2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, roughly 30% ― or about 600,000 people ― are in the U.S., making it the country with the most known infections. Spain is a distant second with more than 177,000 confirmed cases.
“Some of the scientists and doctors say there could be other strains later on,” Conway said Wednesday. “This could come back in the fall in a limited way.”
“Limited” may prove to be an understatement. Some experts have suggested a possible second wave could be even deadlier than the first. Others have suggested outbreaks will emerge sporadically until there is a vaccine.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--SSI Recipients Will Now Get Coronavirus Payments Automatically

Instead of having to file a tax return or give the government their bank account number , the government will use the information it already has to deliver the $ 1,200 payments to SSI recipients .
The new policy should make life easier for the 5 million Americans who get by solely on SSI , which provides a meager monthly benefit to people with disabilities and limited work histories .
Congress created the coronavirus payments to help people survive the social distancing measures taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus , which has killed more than 24,000 Americans as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 75,000 is eligible for $ 1,200 , plus $ 500 per child under 17 .
The Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act said that Treasury should use Social Security information to pay people who hadn ’ t filed a tax return for 2019 or 2018 , but the Trump administration initially said everyone had to file one anyway .
Wednesday ’ s announcement is the second time the administration has relaxed the tax return requirement for Social Security beneficiaries , which Democrats have fiercely criticized .
The Treasury Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retirement benefits or Social Security Disability Insurance would get their coronavirus payments automatically .
But that announcement left out SSI recipients , even though their benefits are also paid by the Social Security Administration .
“ SSI recipients with no qualifying children do not need to take any action in order to receive their $ 1,200 economic impact payment .
The payments will be automatic , ” Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said .
Sen. Sherrod Brown ( D-Ohio ) said he was glad the IRS listened to Democratic demands that SSI beneficiaries receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to jump through bureaucratic hoops to get their stimulus checks , ” Brown tweeted .
“ This is a huge win for SSI beneficiaries.
” If SSI recipients have children under 17 , however , they still need to enter basic information on a new IRS web page in order to get an extra $ 500 per child .
And that could prove difficult for some .
Tira Williams , a 43-year-old SSI beneficiary in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , said she couldn ’ t figure out how to create an account to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The agency created the site with the help of tax preparation companies like Intuit , the maker of TurboTax .
Since she has a 12-year-old son at home , Williams ’ inability to figure out the site could stop her from receiving an extra $ 500 ― and volunteer tax clinics are all closed due to the pandemic .
Williams had a double lung transplant in 2014 and can ’ t work .
She said the extra income would help with bills and books for her son , whose school is closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Community Legal Services of Philadelphia , recently helped Williams prove to the Social Security Administration , during a periodic review of her disability , that she is still unable to work .
But Burdick ’ s organization is still evaluating whether it has the resources and expertise to help with what is essentially a tax filing issue .
Burdick commended the IRS and Social Security Administration for speeding the coronavirus payments to SSI recipients , but said every level of government should make sure non-tax filers “ get the information and help they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which they ’ re eligible .
”

People who receive Supplemental Security Income benefits will automatically receive coronavirus stimulus payments, the Trump administration announced Wednesday.
Instead of having to file a tax return or give the government their bank account number, the government will use the information it already has to deliver the $1,200 payments to SSI recipients.
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The new policy should make life easier for the 5 million Americans who get by solely on SSI, which provides a meager monthly benefit to people with disabilities and limited work histories.
Congress created the coronavirus payments to help people survive the social distancing measures taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus, which has killed more than 24,000 Americans as of Wednesday afternoon. Everyone earning less than $75,000 is eligible for $1,200, plus $500 per child under 17.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act said that Treasury should use Social Security information to pay people who hadn’t filed a tax return for 2019 or 2018, but the Trump administration initially said everyone had to file one anyway.
People with low incomes generally aren’t required to file federal tax returns. Non-tax filers who aren’t Social Security beneficiaries still have to do so to get a coronavirus rebate.
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Wednesday’s announcement is the second time the administration has relaxed the tax return requirement for Social Security beneficiaries, which Democrats have fiercely criticized. The Treasury Department previously said that people receiving Social Security retirement benefits or Social Security Disability Insurance would get their coronavirus payments automatically. But that announcement left out SSI recipients, even though their benefits are also paid by the Social Security Administration.
“SSI recipients with no qualifying children do not need to take any action in order to receive their $1,200 economic impact payment. The payments will be automatic,” Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said.
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) said he was glad the IRS listened to Democratic demands that SSI beneficiaries receive automatic payments. “People should not have to jump through bureaucratic hoops to get their stimulus checks,” Brown tweeted. “This is a huge win for SSI beneficiaries.”
If SSI recipients have children under 17, however, they still need to enter basic information on a new IRS web page in order to get an extra $500 per child. And that could prove difficult for some.
Tira Williams, a 43-year-old SSI beneficiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, said she couldn’t figure out how to create an account to get the new IRS site to work. The agency created the site with the help of tax preparation companies like Intuit, the maker of TurboTax.
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“After I realized I couldn’t make an account, I just left it alone,” Williams said. “It’s kind of complicated.”
Since she has a 12-year-old son at home, Williams’ inability to figure out the site could stop her from receiving an extra $500 ― and volunteer tax clinics are all closed due to the pandemic.
Williams had a double lung transplant in 2014 and can’t work. She said the extra income would help with bills and books for her son, whose school is closed.
Jennifer Burdick, an attorney with Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, recently helped Williams prove to the Social Security Administration, during a periodic review of her disability, that she is still unable to work. But Burdick’s organization is still evaluating whether it has the resources and expertise to help with what is essentially a tax filing issue.
Burdick commended the IRS and Social Security Administration for speeding the coronavirus payments to SSI recipients, but said every level of government should make sure non-tax filers “get the information and help they need to get the full payments for which they’re eligible.”
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Williams, for her part, doesn’t want to leave her apartment with a dangerous respiratory illness lurking outside.
“It’s really scary because I already have a weakened immune system, so with the coronavirus attacking the lungs, I don’t come outside at all.”
A HuffPost Guide To Coronavirus


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--The Rich Are Having Themselves A Fine Coronavirus

Last week , Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell quietly said something outrageous .
Asked whether the biggest banks in the country would continue making cash payments to their shareholders amid the worst economic breakdown in recorded history , Powell said yes .
The world stands at the brink of financial catastrophe .
Congress has passed a massive corporate bailout , and Powell himself has initiated the most aggressive financial rescue operation ever contemplated by the American central bank .
These things do not happen when the banking system is hunky dory .
And yet Powell continues to let the biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their shareholders ― aka “ rich people , ” in the parlance of our times ― as a matter of routine .
Almost half of all dividend income flows to the top 1 % of income-earning households , while less than 8 % of households in the bottom 60 % earn any dividend income at all .
And when the terms of the emergency coronavirus legislation were being debated in Congress last month , nobody lifted a finger to halt this miscarriage of capital ― not Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( D-Calif. ) , not even populist firebrands Sens .
Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
or Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) .
Back in The Bad Old Days of the last financial crisis , regulators allowed the 19 largest banks to pass out $ 80 billion in dividends to their shareholders as the banking system was collapsing .
The Fed even allowed AIG to pay a dividend to shareholders after it was bailed out by the Fed .
Of course , $ 80 billion wouldn ’ t have saved the financial system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More importantly , there is something fundamentally rotten about a financial order in which top government officials allow the super rich to keep cashing in as working people are thrown to the bread lines .
And it ’ s not just bank shareholders who are going to feast on cash payouts while millions of Americans find themselves unemployed .
The restrictions on dividend payouts to shareholders ― even for companies that receive a bailout from the coronavirus bill ― only apply to airlines and “ national-security-critical ” businesses .
A lot of firms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of workers to cut costs while sending checks to their shareholders .
Congress and the Trump administration are letting it happen .
We live in a democracy , not a mathematical equation .
Who does your government fight for ― you , or the super rich ?
Today , as unemployment has skyrocketed to the highest level since the Great Depression almost overnight , the top economic regulator in America is protecting the rights of big banks to keep funneling cash to the wealthiest people in the country .
Congress has done nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of the recent coronavirus rescue package , Powell can do almost anything he wants with a $ 4.5 trillion allocation blessed by literally every single senator who showed up to vote .
In the House , many didn ’ t even bother to say aye or nay ― Pelosi blocked efforts to approve remote voting , ensuring that McConnell ’ s Republican-controlled Senate would have the upper-hand in legislative talks .
Rank-and-file members of the Democratic-controlled House had almost no influence over the final package , at Pelosi ’ s dictat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ distraction from the public health crisis killing our friends and neighbors .
They ’ re one example of the way our leaders ― Democrat , Republican and technocrat ― are using this crisis to bend the world toward a future of deeper inequality and diminished political power for working people .
It is and ought only to be understood as an outrage .

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Last week, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell quietly said something outrageous. Asked whether the biggest banks in the country would continue making cash payments to their shareholders amid the worst economic breakdown in recorded history, Powell said yes.
“That’s a perfectly normal thing in our capitalist system,” he told David Wessell, a former Wall Street Journal reporter turned monetary policy guru at the nonpartisan Brookings Institution.
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The world stands at the brink of financial catastrophe. Congress has passed a massive corporate bailout, and Powell himself has initiated the most aggressive financial rescue operation ever contemplated by the American central bank. These things do not happen when the banking system is hunky dory.
And yet Powell continues to let the biggest banks in the country cut checks to their shareholders ― aka “rich people,” in the parlance of our times ― as a matter of routine. Almost half of all dividend income flows to the top 1% of income-earning households, while less than 8% of households in the bottom 60% earn any dividend income at all. And when the terms of the emergency coronavirus legislation were being debated in Congress last month, nobody lifted a finger to halt this miscarriage of capital ― not Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), not House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), not even populist firebrands Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) or Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
Back in The Bad Old Days of the last financial crisis, regulators allowed the 19 largest banks to pass out $80 billion in dividends to their shareholders as the banking system was collapsing. The Fed even allowed AIG to pay a dividend to shareholders after it was bailed out by the Fed.
Of course, $80 billion wouldn’t have saved the financial system. But it would have helped. More importantly, there is something fundamentally rotten about a financial order in which top government officials allow the super rich to keep cashing in as working people are thrown to the bread lines.
Advertisement
And it’s not just bank shareholders who are going to feast on cash payouts while millions of Americans find themselves unemployed. The restrictions on dividend payouts to shareholders ― even for companies that receive a bailout from the coronavirus bill ― only apply to airlines and “national-security-critical” businesses. A lot of firms are about to lay off a bunch of workers to cut costs while sending checks to their shareholders. Congress and the Trump administration are letting it happen.
We live in a democracy, not a mathematical equation. Who does your government fight for ― you, or the super rich? Today, as unemployment has skyrocketed to the highest level since the Great Depression almost overnight, the top economic regulator in America is protecting the rights of big banks to keep funneling cash to the wealthiest people in the country.
Congress has done nothing to tie his hands. Under the terms of the recent coronavirus rescue package, Powell can do almost anything he wants with a $4.5 trillion allocation blessed by literally every single senator who showed up to vote. In the House, many didn’t even bother to say aye or nay ― Pelosi blocked efforts to approve remote voting, ensuring that McConnell’s Republican-controlled Senate would have the upper-hand in legislative talks. Rank-and-file members of the Democratic-controlled House had almost no influence over the final package, at Pelosi’s dictat.
Big bank dividends aren’t a distraction from the public health crisis killing our friends and neighbors. They’re one example of the way our leaders ― Democrat, Republican and technocrat ― are using this crisis to bend the world toward a future of deeper inequality and diminished political power for working people. It is and ought only to be understood as an outrage.
Zach Carter is the author of “The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy, and the Life of John Maynard Keynes,” available now for pre-order from Random House.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Senate Democrats To Trump: You Failed At Managing National Stockpile

Vermont , a state with a population of 623,989 , received the same amount of N95 masks as Texas , which has a population of 28.9 million .
Both states received 120,900 of the masks , which filter 95 % of air particles .
The Democrats also expressed concern over Trump ’ s son-in-law and White House adviser Jared Kushner ’ s remarks earlier this month , claiming that the supplies in the federal stockpile were not meant for states to use .
Trump later defended Kushner ’ s comments by saying that the federal government was “ not an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fend for themselves , ” Trump said of the states .
After Kushner ’ s comment , the HHS had updated its description of the national stockpile on its website to match the adviser ’ s claim .
The senators sent the president five questions to clarify what the administration ’ s strategy was when sending stockpile supplies to states , including how they prioritized states ’ requests , what role Kushner plays in the coronavirus task force and why the HHS ’ s definition of the stockpile was changed on its website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his administration would ensure that the distribution of supplies to states would not be politicized .

Vermont, a state with a population of 623,989, received the same amount of N95 masks as Texas, which has a population of 28.9 million. Both states received 120,900 of the masks, which filter 95% of air particles.
The Democrats also expressed concern over Trump’s son-in-law and White House adviser Jared Kushner’s remarks earlier this month, claiming that the supplies in the federal stockpile were not meant for states to use.
Trump later defended Kushner’s comments by saying that the federal government was “not an ordering clerk.”
“They have to fend for themselves,” Trump said of the states.
After Kushner’s comment, the HHS had updated its description of the national stockpile on its website to match the adviser’s claim.
The senators sent the president five questions to clarify what the administration’s strategy was when sending stockpile supplies to states, including how they prioritized states’ requests, what role Kushner plays in the coronavirus task force and why the HHS’s definition of the stockpile was changed on its website.
The Democrats also asked Trump how his administration would ensure that the distribution of supplies to states would not be politicized.
How is the Administration prioritizing requests from states? Who is making decisions about current distribution practices?
Recent reporting indicates that Senior Advisor Jared Kushner is now charged with overseeing the distribution of supplies from the stockpile and additional supplies obtained by the federal government. What is the role of Jared Kushner and how does it interact with other established efforts, including the Coronavirus Task Force led by Vice President Pence and the Supply Chain Stabilization Task Force led by Admiral Polowczyk?
Why were significant changes made to the stockpile’s website on April 3 to align with inaccurate statements made by Mr. Kushner, and who in the Administration requested that the changes be made? Is this change indicative of a larger shift in the management of the stockpile?
What is the current process to replenish the stockpile and how is this coordinated with FEMA’s procurement process?
How is the Administration is working to ensure that the distribution of life-saving supplies is free from political interference?
Read the full letter here:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Nancy Pelosi Pledges To Challenge Trump's 'Illegal' WHO Funding Freeze

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) says President Donald Trump ’ s decision to withhold funding to the World Health Organization is “ illegal ” and will be “ swiftly challenged ” by Democrats .
Trump announced Tuesday he intended to at least temporarily halt U.S. funding to the United Nations public health agency over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
The president claimed the WHO promoted China ’ s “ disinformation ” about the severity of the outbreak , which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year .
The U.S. is the biggest overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency , contributing more than $ 400 million in 2019 ― about 15 % of its budget ― according to Reuters .
The money goes to public health programs throughout the world , from war-torn countries like Yemen to those dedicated to fighting Ebola .
Pelosi slammed Trump ’ s decision on Wednesday .
She and other House Democratic leaders maintain Trump does not have unilateral authority to freeze congressionally appropriated funding to the WHO over a policy disagreement .
They ’ re pointing to a similar decision from a federal watchdog that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law when it withheld assistance to Ukraine , which led to the president ’ s impeachment .
Trump ’ s targeting of the WHO , Pelosi charged , is an effort by him to shift blame for the rise of the deadly epidemic in the U.S. , which has cost more than 25,000 lives so far .
“ Sadly , as he has since Day One , the president is ignoring global health experts , disregarding science and undermining the heroes fighting on the frontline , at great risk to the lives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , ” the speaker said in a statement .
“ This is another case , as I have said , of the President ’ s ineffective response , that ‘ a weak person , a poor leader , takes no responsibility .
A weak person blames others.
’ ” Beijing has been accused of understating the coronavirus epidemic by censoring and vastly undercounting its official death toll .
The nation ’ s public figures alarmed the CIA in early February , which at that time warned the White House about understated infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information from the WHO about its communications with Chinese officials , and they ’ re pushing to grill its leaders at a future congressional hearing .
Some Democrats acknowledge that the WHO could have handled the coronavirus outbreak better , but they maintain now is not the time to cripple the only agency in charge of public health on a global scale .
“ It needs to be reformed .
There are problems .
It was too soft on China here , ” Ron Klain , who oversaw the Obama administration ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday in a Twitter conversation with Sen. Chris Murphy ( D-Conn. ) .
“ But let ’ s be clear , the mess we have in America right now is not because of the WHO , it ’ s because of what Trump did with the information he was getting .
”

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) says President Donald Trump’s decision to withhold funding to the World Health Organization is “illegal” and will be “swiftly challenged” by Democrats.
Trump announced Tuesday he intended to at least temporarily halt U.S. funding to the United Nations public health agency over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. The president claimed the WHO promoted China’s “disinformation” about the severity of the outbreak, which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.
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“The WHO failed in this basic duty and must be held accountable,” Trump said.
The U.S. is the biggest overall donor to the Geneva-based global world health agency, contributing more than $400 million in 2019 ― about 15% of its budget ― according to Reuters. The money goes to public health programs throughout the world, from war-torn countries like Yemen to those dedicated to fighting Ebola.
Pelosi slammed Trump’s decision on Wednesday. She and other House Democratic leaders maintain Trump does not have unilateral authority to freeze congressionally appropriated funding to the WHO over a policy disagreement. They’re pointing to a similar decision from a federal watchdog that found that the Trump administration broke the law when it withheld assistance to Ukraine, which led to the president’s impeachment.
Trump’s targeting of the WHO, Pelosi charged, is an effort by him to shift blame for the rise of the deadly epidemic in the U.S., which has cost more than 25,000 lives so far.
“Sadly, as he has since Day One, the president is ignoring global health experts, disregarding science and undermining the heroes fighting on the frontline, at great risk to the lives and livelihoods of Americans and people around the world,” the speaker said in a statement. “This is another case, as I have said, of the President’s ineffective response, that ‘a weak person, a poor leader, takes no responsibility. A weak person blames others.’”
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Beijing has been accused of understating the coronavirus epidemic by censoring and vastly undercounting its official death toll. The nation’s public figures alarmed the CIA in early February, which at that time warned the White House about understated infection numbers from China.
Republicans are demanding information from the WHO about its communications with Chinese officials, and they’re pushing to grill its leaders at a future congressional hearing.
Some Democrats acknowledge that the WHO could have handled the coronavirus outbreak better, but they maintain now is not the time to cripple the only agency in charge of public health on a global scale.
“It needs to be reformed. There are problems. It was too soft on China here,” Ron Klain, who oversaw the Obama administration’s response to the Ebola outbreak, said Wednesday in a Twitter conversation with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). “But let’s be clear, the mess we have in America right now is not because of the WHO, it’s because of what Trump did with the information he was getting.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Anthony Fauci: White House Coronavirus Briefings Are 'Really Draining'

The White House ’ s daily coronavirus briefings are wearing out one of its star attractions , Dr. Anthony Fauci .
Fauci , a top infectious disease expert , said Tuesday that the televised news conferences with President Donald Trump are “ important , ” but a time-suck .
( See the video below . )
“ The downtime that we have there is really draining , ” Fauci told The Associated Press in the clip .
He described the waiting around , the preparation , the lengthy briefings themselves and the late hours he ’ s been keeping to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Being there , to be able to answer the questions of the media , I think is really important , ” Fauci said .
“ Because we ’ re going through a real public health crisis in our country.
” Fauci did not appear at Tuesday ’ s briefing .
Monday ’ s nearly 2 1/2-hour session featured Trump blasting reporters and showing a video montage suggesting he took forceful action on the approaching pandemic while the media downplayed it .
Many of the briefings have run for hours .
“ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few comments and then go to work , that would have really been much better , ” Fauci said .
“ It ’ s the downtime .
It isn ’ t the idea of being there and answering questions , which I really think is important.
” Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , has often corrected Trump ’ s false or rosy statements .
He ’ s tempered the president ’ s urgency to restart the economy and his promotion of an old malaria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also angered some conservatives over the weekend by telling CNN that the mortality rate could have been reduced if the government had acted sooner with social distancing guidelines and other measures to slow the pandemic .
Trump later raised eyebrows by retweeting a # FireFauci message that circulated on social media .
But the next day , Trump said he won ’ t fire Fauci and called him “ a wonderful guy .
”

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The White House’s daily coronavirus briefings are wearing out one of its star attractions, Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Fauci, a top infectious disease expert, said Tuesday that the televised news conferences with President Donald Trump are “important,” but a time-suck. (See the video below.)
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“The downtime that we have there is really draining,” Fauci told The Associated Press in the clip. He described the waiting around, the preparation, the lengthy briefings themselves and the late hours he’s been keeping to perform other aspects of his job.
Fauci also tells @AP that the daily press briefings are important but "really draining." pic.twitter.com/rwa9xoLM2y — Kelly Daschle (@kellydaschle) April 14, 2020
“Being there, to be able to answer the questions of the media, I think is really important,” Fauci said. “Because we’re going through a real public health crisis in our country.”
Fauci did not appear at Tuesday’s briefing. Monday’s nearly 2 1/2-hour session featured Trump blasting reporters and showing a video montage suggesting he took forceful action on the approaching pandemic while the media downplayed it. Many of the briefings have run for hours.
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“If I had been able to just make a few comments and then go to work, that would have really been much better,” Fauci said. “It’s the downtime. It isn’t the idea of being there and answering questions, which I really think is important.”
Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has often corrected Trump’s false or rosy statements. He’s tempered the president’s urgency to restart the economy and his promotion of an old malaria drug as a coronavirus treatment.
Fauci also angered some conservatives over the weekend by telling CNN that the mortality rate could have been reduced if the government had acted sooner with social distancing guidelines and other measures to slow the pandemic.
Trump later raised eyebrows by retweeting a #FireFauci message that circulated on social media. But the next day, Trump said he won’t fire Fauci and called him “a wonderful guy.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Kentucky Republicans Pass Voter ID Law In Midst Of Coronavirus Pandemic

Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP Kentucky Gov .
Andy Beshear ( D ) speaks about the novel coronavirus during a media conference in Frankfort on April 5 , 2020 .
The bill requires people to show government-issued photo identification in order to cast a ballot , starting in November .
A key race ― the reelection of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R ) ― will be on the ballot .
This legislation comes at a time when people are already struggling to vote in primary elections because of the coronavirus pandemic .
While many officials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easier for people to vote ― through absentee ballots and other measures ― some Republicans are using the crisis to further suppress voting .
They ’ ve blocked vote-by-mail measures ― openly complaining that such initiatives would mean more people could vote ― created commissions to crack down on supposed voter fraud , and pushed legislation putting up more hurdles to dissuade people from voting .
“ I think that this is a decision being made in a world like we don ’ t have an international health pandemic , ” Beshear said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Can ’ t [ Republicans ] at least wait until the next session when we ’ re not facing this ?
.
.
.
If you want to pass a voter ID bill , that ’ s fine , but let ’ s do it outside the coronavirus.
” Government offices ― such as the Department of Motor Vehicles , where many people would obtain a photo ID ― are closed for the foreseeable future due to the coronavirus .
State Sen. Robby Mills ( R ) , the lead sponsor of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we will have those clerks ’ offices open and doing business later in the spring or summer.
” “ And there ’ s going to be ample opportunities for folks that do not have a valid photo ID to obtain that free photo ID that is allowed in this piece of legislation , ” he added .
“ At a time when officials of both parties throughout the country are working together to ensure every eligible voter can safely participate in their elections , the Kentucky General Assembly is making it more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shapiro , the group ’ s legal director .
“ They have pushed this voter suppression measure in the name of election security , yet not a single proponent of this law has ever provided any instance of in-person voter fraud in Kentucky.
” Shapiro added that under this new law , starting in July , voters will have to have a photocopy of a photo ID to obtain an absentee ballot .
“ This will force thousands of Kentuckians to leave home to get new IDs and make photocopies during a pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year , ” Shapiro said .
“ This law will make voting more difficult , and potentially dangerous , for any Kentuckian who does not feel safe leaving their home during this pandemic – even for those who currently have a valid photo ID.
” Voter fraud is extremely rare , yet voter ID bills are popular with Republicans .
The elderly , students and people of color ― who often vote for Democrats ― are the groups that are most likely to lack proper ID .

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) speaks about the novel coronavirus during a media conference in Frankfort on April 5, 2020. Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP
Kentucky’s GOP-controlled legislature successfully overrode Gov. Andy Beshear’s (D) veto of a voter ID bill on Tuesday night, a move that adds an extra hurdle for people to vote in November.
The bill requires people to show government-issued photo identification in order to cast a ballot, starting in November. A key race ― the reelection of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) ― will be on the ballot.
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The legislature originally passed the bill in late March, but Beshear vetoed it.
This legislation comes at a time when people are already struggling to vote in primary elections because of the coronavirus pandemic. While many officials in both parties are trying to make it easier for people to vote ― through absentee ballots and other measures ― some Republicans are using the crisis to further suppress voting.
They’ve blocked vote-by-mail measures ― openly complaining that such initiatives would mean more people could vote ― created commissions to crack down on supposed voter fraud, and pushed legislation putting up more hurdles to dissuade people from voting.
“I think that this is a decision being made in a world like we don’t have an international health pandemic,” Beshear said Tuesday during a news briefing. “Can’t [Republicans] at least wait until the next session when we’re not facing this? . . . If you want to pass a voter ID bill, that’s fine, but let’s do it outside the coronavirus.”
Government offices ― such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, where many people would obtain a photo ID ― are closed for the foreseeable future due to the coronavirus.
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State Sen. Robby Mills (R), the lead sponsor of the bill, said he was “sure that we will have those clerks’ offices open and doing business later in the spring or summer.”
“And there’s going to be ample opportunities for folks that do not have a valid photo ID to obtain that free photo ID that is allowed in this piece of legislation,” he added.
State Sen. Damon Thayer (R), one of the bill’s sponsors, tweeted that it was a “great day” for Republicans.
Today was a great day for the @KYSenateGOP & @KYHouseGOP supermajorities. We overrode five vetoed bills by Gov. Andy Beshear including two Senate priority bills (SB2&SB5). Conservative agendas are still winning, & elections matter!@KYGOP @KentuckySRCCC @FayetteKYGOP — damon thayer (@damon_thayer) April 15, 2020
The ACLU of Kentucky said it was considering filing a lawsuit to block the law.
“At a time when officials of both parties throughout the country are working together to ensure every eligible voter can safely participate in their elections, the Kentucky General Assembly is making it more difficult to vote,” said Corey Shapiro, the group’s legal director. “They have pushed this voter suppression measure in the name of election security, yet not a single proponent of this law has ever provided any instance of in-person voter fraud in Kentucky.”
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Shapiro added that under this new law, starting in July, voters will have to have a photocopy of a photo ID to obtain an absentee ballot.
“This will force thousands of Kentuckians to leave home to get new IDs and make photocopies during a pandemic that many experts believe will continue throughout the year,” Shapiro said. “This law will make voting more difficult, and potentially dangerous, for any Kentuckian who does not feel safe leaving their home during this pandemic – even for those who currently have a valid photo ID.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Elizabeth Warren Endorses Joe Biden For President

Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
on Wednesday endorsed presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , the last of his major rivals in the Democratic primary to do so .
In a video posted to Twitter , Warren called Biden a “ selfless public servant ” who will lead “ a government that works for the American people.
” “ He is committed to the fight for social , racial and economic justice , ” she said .
“ Now it ’ s up to all of us to help make Joe Biden the next president of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , it ’ s more important than ever that the next president restores Americans ’ faith in good , effective government—and I ’ ve seen Joe Biden help our nation rebuild .
Today , I ’ m proud to endorse @ JoeBiden as President of the United States .
pic.twitter.com/VrfBtJvFee — Elizabeth Warren ( @ ewarren ) April 15 , 2020 Warren held out throwing her support behind Biden even after fellow progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) endorsed him earlier this week .
Sanders made the surprise endorsement Monday during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , saying that it was vital to put aside policy and ideological differences and come together in a time of crisis .
In an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press , Sanders said it would be “ irresponsible ” for his followers not to support Biden .
He warned that progressives who “ sit on their hands ” in the months ahead would help Trump ’ s reelection .
After exiting the race in early March , Warren notably did not endorse either Biden or Sanders .
Her endorsement now , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Biden to bridge fissures in the Democratic Party and win over the support of progressives .
Many progressives have felt Biden hasn ’ t done enough to move in their direction — for example , by potentially demonstrating a willingness to consider their policy positions .
“ The whole process of coming together should be uncomfortable for everyone involved — that ’ s how you know it ’ s working , ” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) told The New York Times .
“ And if Biden is only doing things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s not enough.
” Sen. Elizabeth Warren has endorsed Joe Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination .

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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Wednesday endorsed presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, the last of his major rivals in the Democratic primary to do so.
In a video posted to Twitter, Warren called Biden a “selfless public servant” who will lead “a government that works for the American people.”
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“He is committed to the fight for social, racial and economic justice,” she said. “Now it’s up to all of us to help make Joe Biden the next president of the United States.”
In this moment of crisis, it’s more important than ever that the next president restores Americans’ faith in good, effective government—and I’ve seen Joe Biden help our nation rebuild. Today, I’m proud to endorse @JoeBiden as President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/VrfBtJvFee — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) April 15, 2020
Warren held out throwing her support behind Biden even after fellow progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) endorsed him earlier this week.
Sanders made the surprise endorsement Monday during a livestream event with the former vice president, saying that it was vital to put aside policy and ideological differences and come together in a time of crisis.
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In an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press, Sanders said it would be “irresponsible” for his followers not to support Biden. He warned that progressives who “sit on their hands” in the months ahead would help Trump’s reelection.
After exiting the race in early March, Warren notably did not endorse either Biden or Sanders.
Her endorsement now, along with Sanders’, marks another opportunity for Biden to bridge fissures in the Democratic Party and win over the support of progressives.
Many progressives have felt Biden hasn’t done enough to move in their direction — for example, by potentially demonstrating a willingness to consider their policy positions.
“The whole process of coming together should be uncomfortable for everyone involved — that’s how you know it’s working,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) told The New York Times. “And if Biden is only doing things he’s comfortable with, then it’s not enough.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Fox Host: Conservative Heads Would've Exploded If Obama Claimed Trump's Total Authority

Speaking on Tuesday ’ s broadcast of “ The Daily Briefing , ” Baier noted the hypocrisy .
“ If President Obama had said those words that you heard from President Trump ― that the authority is total with the presidency ― you know , conservatives ’ heads would ’ ve exploded across the board.
” WOW !
Fox News ' Bret Baier just called Republicans out on their hypocrisy , saying `` conservatives ’ heads would 've exploded '' if Obama claimed `` total authority '' .
# KingTrump would hate it if this went viral !
pic.twitter.com/sYUzopiQgu — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 , 2020 Trump ’ s outlandish and false assertion came during Monday ’ s daily White House coronavirus task force briefing , when reporters asked how he would make governors restart activities shuttered during the public health crisis .
Baier noted there ’ d been “ a lot of coverage ” and criticism of why Trump has resisted a nationwide stay-at-home order , but said the coverage had now changed to ” ‘ No , he can ’ t open up.
’ ” “ The bottom line is that the president can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , ” the host added .
“ As far as the top-down order , by the Constitution , you can ’ t do that .
So it ’ s working with these governors to open it up in a rolling kind of open is what I imagine would happen.
” Trump ’ s claim about presidential authority attracted its fair share of criticism , but Baier ’ s Fox colleague Brit Hume described it as just “ another of his serial exaggerations.
” POTUS claims of absolute power in Covid 19 emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serial exaggerations .
The reaction to them are another case of media ’ s insistent focus on the stuff he says , as if that is more important than what he actually does .
( cont ’ d ) — Brit Hume ( @ brithume ) April 14 , 2020 He constantly blusters and threatens all sorts of things , most of which never come to pass .
In this instance , he is claiming supreme executive authority , but there is no sign he will try to exercise it .
Indeed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deferential to governors & mayors .
— Brit Hume ( @ brithume ) April 14 , 2020

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Speaking on Tuesday’s broadcast of “The Daily Briefing,” Baier noted the hypocrisy. “If President Obama had said those words that you heard from President Trump ― that the authority is total with the presidency ― you know, conservatives’ heads would’ve exploded across the board.”
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Check out the clip here:
WOW! Fox News' Bret Baier just called Republicans out on their hypocrisy, saying "conservatives’ heads would've exploded" if Obama claimed "total authority".#KingTrump would hate it if this went viral! pic.twitter.com/sYUzopiQgu — Ms. Krassenstein (@HKrassenstein) April 14, 2020
Trump’s outlandish and false assertion came during Monday’s daily White House coronavirus task force briefing, when reporters asked how he would make governors restart activities shuttered during the public health crisis.
Baier noted there’d been “a lot of coverage” and criticism of why Trump has resisted a nationwide stay-at-home order, but said the coverage had now changed to ”‘No, he can’t open up.’”
“The bottom line is that the president can really influence these governors and work with them,” the host added. “As far as the top-down order, by the Constitution, you can’t do that. So it’s working with these governors to open it up in a rolling kind of open is what I imagine would happen.”
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Trump’s claim about presidential authority attracted its fair share of criticism, but Baier’s Fox colleague Brit Hume described it as just “another of his serial exaggerations.”
POTUS claims of absolute power in Covid 19 emergency are constitutional nonsense, another of his serial exaggerations. The reaction to them are another case of media’s insistent focus on the stuff he says, as if that is more important than what he actually does. (cont’d) — Brit Hume (@brithume) April 14, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Donald Trump’s 3-Month-Old Tweet About China And The Coronavirus Comes Back To Haunt Him

A tweet that President Donald Trump posted in January praising China ’ s response to the coronavirus outbreak has already come back to haunt him , after he again attempted to shift blame for his own administration ’ s failures in addressing the pandemic .
Trump on Tuesday announced the U.S. would suspend funding to the World Health Organization , accusing the body of being “ very China-centric ” and of “ severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of coronavirus ” by taking the word of officials in China , where the virus is believed to have originated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this Jan. 24 tweet , in which he hailed China for “ working very hard to contain the Coronavirus.
” China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus .
The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency .
It will all work out well .
In particular , on behalf of the American People , I want to thank President Xi !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) January 24 , 2020 “ The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency , ” Trump wrote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out well.
” Worldwide , the contagion has now sickened more than 2 million people and killed upwards of 126,000 .
In the U.S. , some 26,000 people have died from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus .
CNN ’ s John King noted Trump ’ s hypocrisy on Tuesday ’ s broadcast of “ Outfront.
” He pointed out that the WHO ’ s response was “ flat-footed ” and “ did overly trust China , ” but urged host Erin Burnett to “ look at the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were working with the World Health Organization back in the early days and things were fantastic , ” King noted , adding : “ He said the World Health Organization is responsible for deaths around the world because it cozied up to China .
He did the same thing.
” And the response to Trump ’ s old tweet here : FACT-CHECK : Pres .
Trump is trying to blame the WHO for its early coronavirus response and basically `` taking China 's word '' - here was Pres .
Trump in *January* @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ AriMelber ) April 14 , 2020 President Trump says U.S. is pulling funding to WHO because the group praised China 's `` transparency . ''
Below is President Trump 's tweet from January 24 praising China 's transparency .
https : //t.co/zVew3c212c — Yamiche Alcindor ( @ Yamiche ) April 14 , 2020 Trump is now trying to blame the coronavirus on the World Health Organization and complaining that the WHO praised China for its transparency .
Guess who else praised China for its transparency ?
https : //t.co/QOQDEGjZ3H — Keith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 Just in case anybody was confused as to why a reporter might claim Donald Trump said a thing , which he then strongly denies ever having said .
`` He strongly denies it , '' is , on a side note , the phrase he uses when defending friends he has employed who are accused of crimes .
https : //t.co/J4tZw1xnol — Dylan Brody ( @ dylanbrody ) April 14 , 2020 Trump today : `` The WHO willingly took China 's assurances at face value and defended the actions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for its so-called 'transparency . '
'' Trump on Jan. 24 : https : //t.co/iovU3A6KFm — Zach Basu ( @ zacharybasu ) April 14 , 2020

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A tweet that President Donald Trump posted in January praising China’s response to the coronavirus outbreak has already come back to haunt him, after he again attempted to shift blame for his own administration’s failures in addressing the pandemic.
Trump on Tuesday announced the U.S. would suspend funding to the World Health Organization, accusing the body of being “very China-centric” and of “severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of coronavirus” by taking the word of officials in China, where the virus is believed to have originated.
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Critics of Trump immediately hammered the president for this Jan. 24 tweet, in which he hailed China for “working very hard to contain the Coronavirus.”
China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2020
“The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency,” Trump wrote, adding: “It will all work out well.”
Worldwide, the contagion has now sickened more than 2 million people and killed upwards of 126,000. In the U.S., some 26,000 people have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.
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CNN’s John King noted Trump’s hypocrisy on Tuesday’s broadcast of “Outfront.” He pointed out that the WHO’s response was “flat-footed” and “did overly trust China,” but urged host Erin Burnett to “look at the president’s own words.”
“He said we were working with the World Health Organization back in the early days and things were fantastic,” King noted, adding: “He said the World Health Organization is responsible for deaths around the world because it cozied up to China. He did the same thing.”
Check out the segment here:
And the response to Trump’s old tweet here:
FACT-CHECK:
Pres. Trump is trying to blame the WHO for its early coronavirus response and basically "taking China's word" - here was Pres. Trump in *January*: https://t.co/7SGRmX3xrp — Ari Melber (@AriMelber) April 14, 2020
President Trump says U.S. is pulling funding to WHO because the group praised China's "transparency."
Below is President Trump's tweet from January 24 praising China's transparency. https://t.co/zVew3c212c — Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) April 14, 2020
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Trump, tonight: "I don't talk about China's transparency."
Trump, in January: "The United States greatly appreciates [China's] efforts and transparency." https://t.co/AvL2GJhgWk — Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) April 14, 2020
Trump just denied that he ever said this below... https://t.co/QOQDEGjZ3H — Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) April 14, 2020
Trump is now trying to blame the coronavirus on the World Health Organization and complaining that the WHO praised China for its transparency.
Guess who else praised China for its transparency? https://t.co/QOQDEGjZ3H — Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) April 14, 2020
A president who never takes responsibility. https://t.co/CrQetOQ9Lv — EDWARD Israel-Ayide (@wildeyeq) April 15, 2020
Here's the President praising China's transparency, the very thing he's accusing the @WHO of. https://t.co/kRhvqAUOQq — Bill Neely (@BillNeelyNBC) April 14, 2020
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Lest we forget https://t.co/6QXcFdWnxx — Tom Miles (@tgemiles) April 15, 2020
Just in case anybody was confused as to why a reporter might claim Donald Trump said a thing, which he then strongly denies ever having said.
"He strongly denies it," is, on a side note, the phrase he uses when defending friends he has employed who are accused of crimes. https://t.co/J4tZw1xnol — Dylan Brody (@dylanbrody) April 14, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--GOP Lawmaker Goes Full Death Cult: 'Always Choose' Economy Over Lives

Rep. Trey Hollingsworth ( R-Ind . )
became the latest conservative voice to say it ’ s time to end the shutdowns and reopen the economy , even if it means people die from the coronavirus infection .
Hollingsworth told WIBC radio that keeping shutdowns in place to protect lives would “ insult the Americans that voted us into office.
” He noted that either decision would lead to harm ― one to the economy , one to lives ― but said it ’ s clear to him which side the government should take : “ [ I ] t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position to say , in the choice between the loss of our way of life as Americans and the loss of life of American lives , we have to always choose the latter , ” he said .
Hollingsworth didn ’ t dispute the warnings from scientists but said the GDP could shrink by 20 percent this quarter .
“ It is policymakers ’ decision to put on our big boy and big girl pants and say it is the lesser of these two evils , ” he said .
“ It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lesser of these two evils and we intend to move forward that direction .
That is our responsibility and to abdicate that is to insult the Americans that voted us into office.
” Hollingsworth , who RollCall described as the 12th wealthiest member of Congress with a net worth of more than $ 50 million , joins a number of prominent conservatives who insist that widespread death from COVID-19 is an acceptable price for restoring the economy .
Last month , Texas Lt. Gov .
Dan Patrick ( R ) said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the line if it meant “ keeping the America that all America loves ” for future generations .
“ And if that ’ s the exchange , I ’ m all in , ” Patrick said on Fox News , adding that “ lots of grandparents ” agree with him .
“ I would rather have my children stay home and all of us who are over 50 go in and keep this economy going and working , ” Beck said .
“ Even if we all get sick , I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ You can ’ t volunteer yourself as tribute , ” Oliver said .
“ And what you ’ re doing is actually much darker : You are actively volunteering others , including people of all ages with health conditions , to die .
”

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Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (R-Ind.) became the latest conservative voice to say it’s time to end the shutdowns and reopen the economy, even if it means people die from the coronavirus infection.
Hollingsworth told WIBC radio that keeping shutdowns in place to protect lives would “insult the Americans that voted us into office.” He noted that either decision would lead to harm ― one to the economy, one to lives ― but said it’s clear to him which side the government should take:
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“[I]t is always the American government’s position to say, in the choice between the loss of our way of life as Americans and the loss of life of American lives, we have to always choose the latter,” he said.
Hollingsworth didn’t dispute the warnings from scientists but said the GDP could shrink by 20 percent this quarter.
“It is policymakers’ decision to put on our big boy and big girl pants and say it is the lesser of these two evils,” he said. “It is not zero evil, but it is the lesser of these two evils and we intend to move forward that direction. That is our responsibility and to abdicate that is to insult the Americans that voted us into office.”
Hollingsworth, who RollCall described as the 12th wealthiest member of Congress with a net worth of more than $50 million, joins a number of prominent conservatives who insist that widespread death from COVID-19 is an acceptable price for restoring the economy.
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Last month, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) said he was willing to put his own life on the line if it meant “keeping the America that all America loves” for future generations.
Conservative talk radio host Glenn Beck echoed that sentiment.
“I would rather have my children stay home and all of us who are over 50 go in and keep this economy going and working,” Beck said. “Even if we all get sick, I’d rather die than kill the country.”
“Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver called it a “death cult” for the economy, and warned that real life wasn’t like “The Hunger Games.”
“You can’t volunteer yourself as tribute,” Oliver said. “And what you’re doing is actually much darker: You are actively volunteering others, including people of all ages with health conditions, to die.”
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Twitter users weren’t too thrilled with Hollingsworth’s comments:
Look, do you want a bounteous harvest or not? pic.twitter.com/wxx1gZlY9J — Schooley (@Rschooley) April 14, 2020
Indiana congressman Trey Hollingsworth says letting more Americans die of coronavirus is the "lesser of two evils" compared to the GDP going down and the economy tanking. Hope his constituents take note. https://t.co/qzI55ITZ70 — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) April 15, 2020
“Pro-life” Congressman Trey Hollingsworth (Joseph Albert Hollingsworth III) is a 36-year-old who used daddy’s money to start a business & buy a congressional seat. He thinks you, your siblings, parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors are all expendable. https://t.co/PH3rtjtPq2 — Jim Messina (@Messina2012) April 15, 2020
"Good news, Rep. Hollingsworth, our computer models show that the stock market will break 40k after we drop this piano on your head" https://t.co/UuTcQSMNo4 — Art Of Coop (@ARTofCOOP) April 15, 2020
Republican Rep. Trey Hollingsworth is welcome to pick up a grocery store shift. https://t.co/9hK0eASgGS — Doug Hageman 🍞📈 (@DougHageman) April 15, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Health Experts Condemn Donald Trump's WHO Funding Freeze: 'Crime Against Humanity'

Trump announced the move on Tuesday , accusing the WHO of failing “ in its basic duty ” to initially warn the world of the burgeoning public health crisis that is believed to have originated in China .
Trump failed to acknowledge his own refusal to take action on pandemic warnings .
Lawrence Gostin , a global health law expert from Georgetown University , told MSNBC ’ s Ari Melber that “ there ’ ll be many more deaths ” without a WHO that ’ s empowered .
Gostin also predicted a further loss of U.S. global influence as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I predict the world will step into leadership vacuum @ POTUS created by cutting @ WHO funding .
China , Europe etc will increase funding .
Only loser is US b/c we will lose all our influence .
In global health & amidst a pandemic , America will lose its voicehttps : //t.co/ETl1DUexS3 — Lawrence Gostin ( @ LawrenceGostin ) April 15 , 2020 Richard Horton , the editor-in-chief of the Lancet medical journal , described Trump ’ s decision as “ a crime against humanity , ” tweeting “ every scientist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resist and rebel against this appalling betrayal of global solidarity.
” President Trump ’ s decision to defund WHO is simply this—a crime against humanity .
Every scientist , every health worker , every citizen must resist and rebel against this appalling betrayal of global solidarity .
https : //t.co/7hTwUZ4lJV — richard horton ( @ richardhorton1 ) April 14 , 2020 “ The president ’ s decision makes Americans less safe , let ’ s be clear about that , ” Thomas Bollyky , the director of the Global Health Program at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN ’ s Don Lemon : '' The President 's decision makes Americans less safe , '' says Tom Bollyky , director of the Global Health program at the Council on Foreign Relations , about President Trump 's decision to halt funding to the World Health Organization .
`` This is a big mistake to go this route . ''
pic.twitter.com/HRKXJpZxuW — CNN Tonight ( @ CNNTonight ) April 15 , 2020 Dr. Amesh Adalja , a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security , told Reuters that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But “ it ’ s not the middle of a pandemic that you do this type of thing.
” CNN ’ s Dr. Sanjay Gupta acknowledged the WHO made “ missteps , ” but warned cutting funds amid the pandemic would end up penalizing countries with weaker health care systems : “ Who are you really penalizing by these cuts ?
” @ DrSanjayGupta says the World Health Organization made serious missteps in its coronavirus response but that cutting their funding in the middle of a pandemic could be costly .
pic.twitter.com/pkom3Xx09N @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) April 15 , 2020 “ Fighting a global pandemic requires international cooperation and reliance on science and data , ” Harris said in a statement shared online .
“ Cutting funding to the WHO – rather than focusing on solutions – is a dangerous move at a precarious moment for the world.
” “ The AMA is deeply concerned by this decision and its wide-ranging ramifications , and we strongly urge the President to reconsider , ” Harris added .
Dr. Nahid Bhadelia , an infectious disease doctor and associate professor at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tweeted that cutting the funding “ is an absolute disaster.
” Cutting 15 % ( US Contribution ) of WHO budget during the biggest projected pandemic of the last century is an absolute disaster .
@ WHO is a global technical partner , the platform through which sovereign countries share data/technology , our eyes on the global scope of this pandemic .
— Dr. Nahid Bhadelia ( @ BhadeliaMD ) April 14 , 2020 And Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates , who warned of a pandemic in a 2015 TED @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as dangerous as it sounds.
” “ Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organization can replace them , ” Gates wrote , adding : “ The world needs @ WHO more than ever.
” Halting funding for the World Health Organization during a world health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds .
Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organization can replace them .
The world needs @ WHO now more than ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) April 15 , 2020

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Leading health experts denounced President Donald Trump’s decision to halt U.S. funding for the World Health Organization amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump announced the move on Tuesday, accusing the WHO of failing “in its basic duty” to initially warn the world of the burgeoning public health crisis that is believed to have originated in China. Trump failed to acknowledge his own refusal to take action on pandemic warnings.
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Lawrence Gostin, a global health law expert from Georgetown University, told MSNBC’s Ari Melber that “there’ll be many more deaths” without a WHO that’s empowered.
Check out the segment here:
Gostin also predicted a further loss of U.S. global influence as a consequence of Trump’s move:
I predict the world will step into leadership vacuum @POTUS created by cutting @WHO funding. China, Europe etc will increase funding. Only loser is US b/c we will lose all our influence. In global health & amidst a pandemic, America will lose its voicehttps://t.co/ETl1DUexS3 — Lawrence Gostin (@LawrenceGostin) April 15, 2020
Richard Horton, the editor-in-chief of the Lancet medical journal, described Trump’s decision as “a crime against humanity,” tweeting “every scientist, every health worker, every citizen must resist and rebel against this appalling betrayal of global solidarity.”
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President Trump’s decision to defund WHO is simply this—a crime against humanity. Every scientist, every health worker, every citizen must resist and rebel against this appalling betrayal of global solidarity. https://t.co/7hTwUZ4lJV — richard horton (@richardhorton1) April 14, 2020
“The president’s decision makes Americans less safe, let’s be clear about that,” Thomas Bollyky, the director of the Global Health Program at the Council on Foreign Relations, explained to CNN’s Don Lemon:
"The President's decision makes Americans less safe," says Tom Bollyky, director of the Global Health program at the Council on Foreign Relations, about President Trump's decision to halt funding to the World Health Organization. "This is a big mistake to go this route." pic.twitter.com/HRKXJpZxuW — CNN Tonight (@CNNTonight) April 15, 2020
Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, told Reuters that the WHO may indeed need to be reformed. But “it’s not the middle of a pandemic that you do this type of thing.”
CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta acknowledged the WHO made “missteps,” but warned cutting funds amid the pandemic would end up penalizing countries with weaker health care systems:
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“Who are you really penalizing by these cuts?”@DrSanjayGupta says the World Health Organization made serious missteps in its coronavirus response but that cutting their funding in the middle of a pandemic could be costly. pic.twitter.com/pkom3Xx09N — Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) April 15, 2020
American Medical Association President Dr. Patrice Harris warned halting funding “is a dangerous step in the wrong direction that will not make defeating COVID-19 easier.”
“Fighting a global pandemic requires international cooperation and reliance on science and data,” Harris said in a statement shared online. “Cutting funding to the WHO – rather than focusing on solutions – is a dangerous move at a precarious moment for the world.”
“The AMA is deeply concerned by this decision and its wide-ranging ramifications, and we strongly urge the President to reconsider,” Harris added.
Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, an infectious disease doctor and associate professor at Boston University’s school of medicine, tweeted that cutting the funding “is an absolute disaster.”
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Cutting 15% (US Contribution) of WHO budget during the biggest projected pandemic of the last century is an absolute disaster. @WHO is a global technical partner, the platform through which sovereign countries share data/technology, our eyes on the global scope of this pandemic. — Dr. Nahid Bhadelia (@BhadeliaMD) April 14, 2020
And Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates, who warned of a pandemic in a 2015 TED talk, said halting funding is “as dangerous as it sounds.”
“Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organization can replace them,” Gates wrote, adding: “The world needs @WHO more than ever.”
Halting funding for the World Health Organization during a world health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds. Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organization can replace them. The world needs @WHO now more than ever. — Bill Gates (@BillGates) April 15, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Most Democratic Voters Are Satisfied With Biden, But Fewer Say He Was The Best Option

Most Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters are satisfied to see former Vice President Joe Biden as their presumptive nominee , a new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds , but they ’ re split on whether he was the party ’ s best option .
The poll was taken after Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) , Biden ’ s last remaining rival for the party ’ s nomination , dropped out of the race , but prior to Sanders ’ official endorsement of Biden this week .
Two-thirds of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters say they ’ re at least satisfied to have Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % describing themselves as enthusiastic .
Meanwhile , 28 % are dissatisfied or worse , with 13 % calling themselves upset .
They ’ re close to evenly divided on whether Biden was Democrats ’ best option , with 40 % saying he was , 44 % that he was not , and the rest unsure .
Views are sharply divided along generational lines .
Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters ages 45 and older are roughly four times likelier than those under 45 to call themselves enthusiastic about Biden , and more than twice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best choice .
Self-described moderates are also far more likely to be enthusiastic than are self-described liberals .
Democratic voters ’ divided views of Biden as his party ’ s presumed nominee are similar to Republicans ’ views of Donald Trump after the crowded 2016 GOP primary .
Republican and Republican-leaning voters that year were evenly split on whether Trump was the best choice .
By contrast , in June 2016 , 56 % of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters said that Hillary Clinton was their party ’ s best option , and only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was .
As with the 2016 GOP race , the latest poll also finds no evidence of voters belatedly coalescing around any of the winning candidate ’ s former rivals .
Asked which of the lengthy slate of presidential hopefuls they would most like to see chosen if they could restart the primaries , a modest 24 % plurality of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters picked Biden , 18 % picked Sanders , 16 % chose Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
, and 5 % or fewer gravitated toward another candidate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , close to evenly divided on the current cohesiveness of their own party ― 39 % say it ’ s united , while 36 % call it divided .
By contrast , about two-thirds of Republican and Republican-leaning voters see the GOP as mostly united .
About two-thirds of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters say they ’ re at least satisfied with the future they see for their party , though just 28 % call themselves enthusiastic .
A 64 % majority say they ’ re at least somewhat confident that the Democratic primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very confident .
Use the widget below to further explore the results of the HuffPost/YouGov survey , using the menu at the top to select survey questions and the buttons at the bottom to filter the data by subgroups : The HuffPost/YouGov poll consisted of 1,000 completed interviews conducted April 8-10 among U.S. adults , using a sample selected from YouGov ’ s opt-in online panel to match the demographics and other characteristics of the adult U.S. population .
HuffPost has teamed up with YouGov to conduct daily opinion polls .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part in YouGov ’ s nationally representative opinion polling .
More details on the polls ’ methodology are available here .
Most surveys report a margin of error that represents some but not all potential survey errors .
YouGov ’ s reports include a model-based margin of error , which rests on a specific set of statistical assumptions about the selected sample rather than the standard methodology for random probability sampling .
If these assumptions are wrong , the model-based margin of error may also be inaccurate .
Click here for a more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ error .

Former Vice President Joe Biden prepares for a Democratic presidential primary debate with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) at CNN Studios in Washington on March 15, 2020. AP Photo/Evan Vucci
Most Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters are satisfied to see former Vice President Joe Biden as their presumptive nominee, a new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds, but they’re split on whether he was the party’s best option. The poll was taken after Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Biden’s last remaining rival for the party’s nomination, dropped out of the race, but prior to Sanders’ official endorsement of Biden this week.
Two-thirds of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters say they’re at least satisfied to have Biden as their likely nominee, with 35% describing themselves as enthusiastic. Meanwhile, 28% are dissatisfied or worse, with 13% calling themselves upset. They’re close to evenly divided on whether Biden was Democrats’ best option, with 40% saying he was, 44% that he was not, and the rest unsure.
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Views are sharply divided along generational lines. Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters ages 45 and older are roughly four times likelier than those under 45 to call themselves enthusiastic about Biden, and more than twice as likely to regard him as the best choice. Self-described moderates are also far more likely to be enthusiastic than are self-described liberals.
In a new HuffPost/YouGov poll, older voters and moderates within the Democratic Party express more enthusiasm for Joe Biden. Ariel Edwards-Levy/HuffPost
Democratic voters’ divided views of Biden as his party’s presumed nominee are similar to Republicans’ views of Donald Trump after the crowded 2016 GOP primary. Republican and Republican-leaning voters that year were evenly split on whether Trump was the best choice. By contrast, in June 2016, 56% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters said that Hillary Clinton was their party’s best option, and only 32% didn’t think she was.
As with the 2016 GOP race, the latest poll also finds no evidence of voters belatedly coalescing around any of the winning candidate’s former rivals. Asked which of the lengthy slate of presidential hopefuls they would most like to see chosen if they could restart the primaries, a modest 24% plurality of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters picked Biden, 18% picked Sanders, 16% chose Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and 5% or fewer gravitated toward another candidate.
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Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters are, ironically, close to evenly divided on the current cohesiveness of their own party ― 39% say it’s united, while 36% call it divided. By contrast, about two-thirds of Republican and Republican-leaning voters see the GOP as mostly united.
About two-thirds of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters say they’re at least satisfied with the future they see for their party, though just 28% call themselves enthusiastic. A 64% majority say they’re at least somewhat confident that the Democratic primary was conducted fairly, with 38% very confident.
Use the widget below to further explore the results of the HuffPost/YouGov survey, using the menu at the top to select survey questions and the buttons at the bottom to filter the data by subgroups:
The HuffPost/YouGov poll consisted of 1,000 completed interviews conducted April 8-10 among U.S. adults, using a sample selected from YouGov’s opt-in online panel to match the demographics and other characteristics of the adult U.S. population.
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HuffPost has teamed up with YouGov to conduct daily opinion polls. You can learn more about this project and take part in YouGov’s nationally representative opinion polling. More details on the polls’ methodology are available here.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Liberty University Sued For Refusing To Refund Student Dorm Fees During Pandemic

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) — Liberty University has profited from the COVID-19 pandemic by refusing to refund thousands of dollars in room and board and other fees owed to students after the school moved classes online last month , a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges .
The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Lynchburg accuses the university — one of the nation ’ s largest and most prominent evangelical institutions — of purporting to remain open so it could refuse to return fees paid by students and their parents for the remainder of the spring semester .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , Jerry Falwell Jr. , of putting students at risk by telling students they were welcome to return to campus following spring break in March .
The suit cites comments and tweets made by Falwell in which he downplayed the seriousness of the pandemic and implied that the government shutdowns were an attempt to hurt President Donald Trump politically .
The lawsuit said that despite efforts to downplay the pandemic , the university stopped providing services and activities by moving classes online , closing its campus to visitors , prohibiting gatherings of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recreation and fitness centers .
“ In other words , the University ’ s statement that it is ‘ open ’ is an illusion being put forth to try to keep money that should be returned to students and their families , ” the lawsuit said .
In a statement , Liberty said it has “ tirelessly attempted to balance the needs of students , employees , and the community as it has navigated through the unprecedented health challenges presented by COVID-19.
” “ Each of Liberty ’ s changes in operations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governmental officials , a fact the complaint omits .
That fact legally excuses Liberty ’ s adjustments and leaves the plaintiffs without a legal case , ” the statement said .
The lawsuit focuses on the week of March 16 , when students were on spring break .
While many colleges around the country were announcing campus closures , Liberty initially planned to continue on-campus instruction .
But after Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam restricted gatherings of more than 100 , Liberty announced it would transition most classes to online beginning on March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a March 20 email that they were “ welcome ” to either stay in place or return to campus , where it said various safety measures had been put in place to avoid concentrations of people .
That message contradicted actions by many other colleges and universities urging students to stay home .
The lawsuit filed Tuesday has just one plaintiff — identified only as Student A — but seeks certification as a class-action suit on behalf of other students who want the university to refund the unused portion of fees they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on-campus services , said attorney Adam Levitt .
“ We filed this lawsuit because we believe that Liberty ’ s effort to profit from the COVID-19 pandemic is wrong .
It ’ s particularly hypocritical in light of the values upon which the university says that it ’ s based , ” Levitt said .
Levitt said he hasn ’ t yet calculated how much money each student is owed , but he said it would be “ in the thousands ” for each student .
Liberty said it has offered a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move out of residence halls .
“ Liberty ’ s less populated and more frequently sanitized campus living environment will be maintained for those students who chose it as their safest option , ” the statement said .

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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Liberty University has profited from the COVID-19 pandemic by refusing to refund thousands of dollars in room and board and other fees owed to students after the school moved classes online last month, a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges.
The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Lynchburg accuses the university — one of the nation’s largest and most prominent evangelical institutions — of purporting to remain open so it could refuse to return fees paid by students and their parents for the remainder of the spring semester.
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The lawsuit also accuses Liberty and its president, Jerry Falwell Jr., of putting students at risk by telling students they were welcome to return to campus following spring break in March.
The suit cites comments and tweets made by Falwell in which he downplayed the seriousness of the pandemic and implied that the government shutdowns were an attempt to hurt President Donald Trump politically.
The lawsuit said that despite efforts to downplay the pandemic, the university stopped providing services and activities by moving classes online, closing its campus to visitors, prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more people and closing indoor recreation and fitness centers.
“In other words, the University’s statement that it is ‘open’ is an illusion being put forth to try to keep money that should be returned to students and their families,” the lawsuit said.
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A student at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, moves out of her dorm on March 31, 2020. AMANDA ANDRADE-RHOADES via Getty Images
In a statement, Liberty said it has “tirelessly attempted to balance the needs of students, employees, and the community as it has navigated through the unprecedented health challenges presented by COVID-19.”
“Each of Liberty’s changes in operations and modes of delivery has been required by governmental officials, a fact the complaint omits. That fact legally excuses Liberty’s adjustments and leaves the plaintiffs without a legal case,” the statement said.
The lawsuit focuses on the week of March 16, when students were on spring break. While many colleges around the country were announcing campus closures, Liberty initially planned to continue on-campus instruction. But after Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam restricted gatherings of more than 100, Liberty announced it would transition most classes to online beginning on March 23.
Liberty officials told residential students in a March 20 email that they were “welcome” to either stay in place or return to campus, where it said various safety measures had been put in place to avoid concentrations of people. That message contradicted actions by many other colleges and universities urging students to stay home.
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Officials in Lynchburg, where Liberty’s campus is located, said they fielded complaints about hundreds of students who returned to the campus after spring break.
Students walk around the campus of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, on March 31, 2020. AMANDA ANDRADE-RHOADES via Getty Images
The lawsuit filed Tuesday has just one plaintiff — identified only as Student A — but seeks certification as a class-action suit on behalf of other students who want the university to refund the unused portion of fees they paid for room and board and other on-campus services, said attorney Adam Levitt.
“We filed this lawsuit because we believe that Liberty’s effort to profit from the COVID-19 pandemic is wrong. It’s particularly hypocritical in light of the values upon which the university says that it’s based,” Levitt said.
Levitt said he hasn’t yet calculated how much money each student is owed, but he said it would be “in the thousands” for each student. Liberty said it has offered a $1,000 credit to students who opted to move out of residence halls.
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“Liberty’s less populated and more frequently sanitized campus living environment will be maintained for those students who chose it as their safest option,” the statement said.
Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. is a loyal supporter of President Donald Trump's administration. Here, he presents an honorary degree to Vice President Mike Pence in Lynchburg, Virginia, U.S., on May 11, 2019. Jonathan Drake / Reuters
As colleges and universities around the country have moved classes online because of the coronavirus, they’ve had varied responses to requests for fee refunds. Some announced prorated room and board refunds quickly, including Harvard and Smith College.
Levitt’s firm filed a lawsuit last month against the Arizona Board of Regents for refusing to refund fees paid by students at the University of Arizona, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Trump Critics 'Authorize' Themselves To Mock His Latest Bonkers Coronavirus Claim

President Donald Trump backed down from his claim of “ total ” authority to reopen the nation on Tuesday , one day after suggesting he could force states to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic .
“ When somebody ’ s the president of the United States , the authority is total .
And that is the way it ’ s gon na be , ” Trump said on Monday .
“ It ’ s total .
And the governors know that.
” Democratic and Republican governors alike took issue with that claim , insisting that they ― and not Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first place and would end them only when it was safe to do so .
On Tuesday , Trump said it would be up to the governors after all , except he then suggested it would still be at his authority .
“ I will be speaking to all 50 governors very shortly and I will then be authorizing each individual governor of each individual state to implement a reopening and a very powerful reopening plan of their state at a time and in a manner as most appropriate , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critics were quick to point out that he didn ’ t have that “ authority ” and more than a few poked fun at the president over it : I am hereby authorizing everyone to do things that they were already authorized to do .
— Brian Schatz ( @ brianschatz ) April 14 , 2020 Donald Trump now says he ’ ll be “ authorizing ” the governors to reopen their states .
Sure , just like I ’ m “ authorizing ” my ex to see other people .
— Palmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 Trump is also authorizing April to have thirty days in it .
Because as president his authority is total .
Total , I tell you .
https : //t.co/f6JksWA8mu — Vanita Gupta ( @ vanitaguptaCR ) April 14 , 2020 To My Loyal Subject States : I , as well , am authorizing each governor to re-open their state at the time of their choosing .
Yours , Queen Katie 👑 https : //t.co/yc3Mq4hHkU — Katie Phang ( @ KatiePhang ) April 14 , 2020 Flip , flop , flip : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be “ authorizing ” individual governors ’ plans to reopen their states , President Trump says , “ the governors are in charge.
” — Olivia Nuzzi ( @ Olivianuzzi ) April 14 , 2020 I will be authorizing you to cut or not cut the lawn in a very powerful time and manner of your own choosing .
pic.twitter.com/aZ3webh46r — Morten Øverbye ( @ morten ) April 14 , 2020 Lol at this gaslighting .
Trump said he ’ s “ authorizing '' states to make their own plans to reopen the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was already the case because the 10th Amendment exists .
Governors are already regionally making plans… Trump is just trying not to look weak .
— Ahmed Baba ( @ AhmedBaba_ ) April 14 , 2020

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President Donald Trump backed down from his claim of “total” authority to reopen the nation on Tuesday, one day after suggesting he could force states to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“When somebody’s the president of the United States, the authority is total. And that is the way it’s gonna be,” Trump said on Monday. “It’s total. And the governors know that.”
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Democratic and Republican governors alike took issue with that claim, insisting that they ― and not Trump ― had initiated the shutdowns in the first place and would end them only when it was safe to do so.
On Tuesday, Trump said it would be up to the governors after all, except he then suggested it would still be at his authority.
“I will be speaking to all 50 governors very shortly and I will then be authorizing each individual governor of each individual state to implement a reopening and a very powerful reopening plan of their state at a time and in a manner as most appropriate,” he said.
On Twitter, Trump’s critics were quick to point out that he didn’t have that “authority” and more than a few poked fun at the president over it:
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I am hereby authorizing everyone to do things that they were already authorized to do. — Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) April 14, 2020
other things he will be "authorizing":
--photosynthesis
--solar nuclear fusion
--wind
--thermohaline circulation
--Ariana Grande https://t.co/MfI1xijjPa — Laura Lorson (@prairielaura) April 14, 2020
Donald Trump now says he’ll be “authorizing” the governors to reopen their states. Sure, just like I’m “authorizing” my ex to see other people. — Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) April 15, 2020
Trump is also authorizing April to have thirty days in it. Because as president his authority is total. Total, I tell you. https://t.co/f6JksWA8mu — Vanita Gupta (@vanitaguptaCR) April 14, 2020
In a similar way, I will be “authorizing” my kids to brush their teeth tonight https://t.co/u0SVGyO6Op — Don Moynihan (@donmoyn) April 14, 2020
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I am authorizing the sun to rise in the east tomorrow morning. Behold my power. https://t.co/gHREcMf0EN — Kim Masters (@kimmasters) April 15, 2020
I hereby authorize the squirrels in my neighborhood to scamper across my property in accordance with Squirrel Law https://t.co/7AhCezSvLS — Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) April 14, 2020
To My Loyal Subject States:
I, as well, am authorizing each governor to re-open their state at the time of their choosing.
Yours,
Queen Katie 👑 https://t.co/yc3Mq4hHkU — Katie Phang (@KatiePhang) April 14, 2020
Trump: I am authorizing the governors to wear polo shirts during certain informal events . — pourmecoffee (@pourmecoffee) April 14, 2020
Flip, flop, flip: today, after first saying he will be “authorizing” individual governors’ plans to reopen their states, President Trump says, “the governors are in charge.” — Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) April 14, 2020
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I am authorizing the deal - pray I don’t authorize it further. https://t.co/hzQGvfW5nJ — Darth Vader (@DarthVader) April 15, 2020
I will be authorizing you to cut or not cut the lawn in a very powerful time and manner of your own choosing. pic.twitter.com/aZ3webh46r — Morten Øverbye (@morten) April 14, 2020
Lol at this gaslighting. Trump said he’s “authorizing" states to make their own plans to reopen the economy at their own pace.
This was already the case because the 10th Amendment exists. Governors are already regionally making plans…
Trump is just trying not to look weak. — Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) April 14, 2020