thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--Democrats Think Republicans Oppose Stay-At-Home Orders. Most Republicans Don't.

Americans ’ desire for a robust coronavirus response has , so far , managed to at least partially transcend political polarization .
Although there are significant partisan divides , a majority of both Democrats and Republicans continue to support state-level “ stay-at-home ” orders .
That ’ s remained true over the past few weeks , even as President Donald Trump ’ s messages to the public have ricocheted between support for such orders and calls to “ liberate ” states with Democratic governors who have imposed them .
In a new HuffPost/YouGov survey , 82 % of Democrats and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the right decision for state governments to tell residents to stay at home unless they have an essential reason for going out .
Members of the public often take cues about policy preferences from their party leaders .
But in this case , the poll suggests , Republicans may have largely tuned out the president ’ s more inflammatory messaging .
While Democrats believe Trump and his party are itching to open the country , most Republicans say they see support for continued coronavirus restrictions as the mainstream view of the GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a lot of projection going on , ” said Shana Kushner Gadarian , a political scientist at Syracuse University who ’ s studied the intersection of partisanship and the response to the coronavirus .
“ Normally , I think that people take cues from the president but since his messaging has been relatively muddled ... people seem to be filling in their preferred position for his.
” A 69 % majority of Republicans , the survey finds , say they believe Trump thinks states with stay-at-home orders are making the right decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump favors such orders .
( The poll , conducted last Thursday through Saturday , came prior to the news conference this week in which Trump continued to express support for some measures underway to reopen the country . )
An overwhelming 85 % of Republicans say that Trump is taking the coronavirus outbreak at least as seriously ― if not more seriously ― than they personally are .
A more modest 55 % say his message has been consistent , with one-third saying it ’ s changed at times .
By contrast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has changed his messaging on coronavirus , and only 19 % say that the president is taking the outbreak as least as seriously as they are .
This mismatch in perception goes beyond the White House .
Most Democrats believe that state stay-at-home orders have little GOP support .
But a 64 % majority of Republicans polled believe that most or almost all other Republicans support such orders .
Surveys like this one carry something of an innate chicken-or-the-egg factor .
The results can ’ t tell us , for instance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay-at-home orders because they believe that position puts them in line with the rest of their party , or whether their own support for such measures instead makes them more apt to believe ( or to tell pollsters they believe ) that their political compatriots feel similarly .
Either way , most Democrats and Republicans continue to think ― correctly ― that support for some restrictions remains the consensus view of their party .
Use the widget below to further explore the results of the HuffPost/YouGov survey , using the menu at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buttons at the bottom to filter the data by subgroups : The HuffPost/YouGov poll consisted of 1,000 completed interviews conducted April 23-25 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 .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If these assumptions are wrong , the model-based margin of error may also be inaccurate .

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Americans’ desire for a robust coronavirus response has, so far, managed to at least partially transcend political polarization. Although there are significant partisan divides, a majority of both Democrats and Republicans continue to support state-level “stay-at-home” orders.
That’s remained true over the past few weeks, even as President Donald Trump’s messages to the public have ricocheted between support for such orders and calls to “liberate” states with Democratic governors who have imposed them. In a new HuffPost/YouGov survey, 82% of Democrats and 69% of Republicans say it’s the right decision for state governments to tell residents to stay at home unless they have an essential reason for going out.
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Members of the public often take cues about policy preferences from their party leaders. But in this case, the poll suggests, Republicans may have largely tuned out the president’s more inflammatory messaging. While Democrats believe Trump and his party are itching to open the country, most Republicans say they see support for continued coronavirus restrictions as the mainstream view of the GOP.
“Overall, there seems to be a lot of projection going on,” said Shana Kushner Gadarian, a political scientist at Syracuse University who’s studied the intersection of partisanship and the response to the coronavirus. “Normally, I think that people take cues from the president but since his messaging has been relatively muddled ... people seem to be filling in their preferred position for his.”
A 69% majority of Republicans, the survey finds, say they believe Trump thinks states with stay-at-home orders are making the right decision. Only about one-quarter of Democrats believe Trump favors such orders. (The poll, conducted last Thursday through Saturday, came prior to the news conference this week in which Trump continued to express support for some measures underway to reopen the country.)
Results of a HuffPost/YouGov poll on partisanship and coronavirus, taken April 23-25, 2020. Ariel Edwards-Levy/HuffPost
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An overwhelming 85% of Republicans say that Trump is taking the coronavirus outbreak at least as seriously ― if not more seriously ― than they personally are. A more modest 55% say his message has been consistent, with one-third saying it’s changed at times. By contrast, 80% of Democrats say that Trump has changed his messaging on coronavirus, and only 19% say that the president is taking the outbreak as least as seriously as they are.
This mismatch in perception goes beyond the White House. Most Democrats believe that state stay-at-home orders have little GOP support. But a 64% majority of Republicans polled believe that most or almost all other Republicans support such orders.
Results of a HuffPost/YouGov poll on partisanship and coronavirus, taken April 23-25, 2020. Ariel Edwards-Levy/HuffPost
Surveys like this one carry something of an innate chicken-or-the-egg factor. The results can’t tell us, for instance, whether Americans are more likely to support stay-at-home orders because they believe that position puts them in line with the rest of their party, or whether their own support for such measures instead makes them more apt to believe (or to tell pollsters they believe) that their political compatriots feel similarly. Either way, most Democrats and Republicans continue to think ― correctly ― that support for some restrictions remains the consensus view of their party.
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:
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The HuffPost/YouGov poll consisted of 1,000 completed interviews conducted April 23-25 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 learn more about this project and take 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.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--Judge Sides With Native Tribes, Limits Distribution Of Coronavirus Relief

FLAGSTAFF , Ariz. ( AP ) — A judge has ruled in favor of tribal nations in their bid to keep Alaska Native corporations from getting a share of $ 8 billion in coronavirus relief funding — at least for now .
In a decision issued late Monday , U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington , D.C. , said the U.S. Treasury Department could begin disbursing funding to 574 federally recognized tribes to respond to the coronavirus but not to the corporations .
The ruling comes in a case brought by at least 15 tribes against the Treasury Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the funding to go only to tribal governments and that the corporations don ’ t fit within the definition of “ Indian Tribe ” in the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act .
Mehta said the tribes easily showed they would suffer irreparable harm unless he limited the funding temporarily to tribal governments while he awaited more argument on the question of eligibility of Alaska Native corporations .
“ These are monies that Congress appropriated on an emergency basis to assist tribal governments in providing core public services to battle a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including in Indian Country , ” Mehta said .
Justice Department attorney Jason Lynch had argued that the Treasury Department ’ s decision to include Alaska Native corporations wasn ’ t subject to judicial review because the funding is for a public health emergency .
Mehta rejected the argument .
The Treasury Department has said it could start sending payments to tribes Tuesday — two days past the deadline in the coronavirus relief bill .
But it has not said how it would determine who gets what .
Harry Pickernell , Sr. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation in Washington state , said he was pleased with the judge ’ s decision .
“ This ruling will help tribal governments to lead in the aid and recovery of their people , ” he said in a statement .
Alaska Native corporations are unique to Alaska and own most of the Native land in the state under a 1971 settlement known as the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act .
Mehta said neither the corporations nor the Treasury Department showed the corporations are providing public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
The corporations , which are not parties to the lawsuit , have said they support Alaska Natives economically , socially and culturally .
Two associations representing some of the corporations — the ANCSA Regional Association and the Alaska Native Village Corporation Association — said they believe the corporations ultimately will be deemed eligible for funding .
“ This will mean a delay in necessary resources and economic assistance for Alaska Native people in our communities and our state , ” the groups said .
“ However , Alaska Native people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Together we will prevent the spread of COVID-19 , care for those who get sick , and repair our economies.
” For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness and death .
The vast majority of people recover .

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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A judge has ruled in favor of tribal nations in their bid to keep Alaska Native corporations from getting a share of $8 billion in coronavirus relief funding — at least for now.
In a decision issued late Monday, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington, D.C., said the U.S. Treasury Department could begin disbursing funding to 574 federally recognized tribes to respond to the coronavirus but not to the corporations.
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The ruling comes in a case brought by at least 15 tribes against the Treasury Department. The tribes allege that Congress intended the funding to go only to tribal governments and that the corporations don’t fit within the definition of “Indian Tribe” in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
Mehta said the tribes easily showed they would suffer irreparable harm unless he limited the funding temporarily to tribal governments while he awaited more argument on the question of eligibility of Alaska Native corporations.
“These are monies that Congress appropriated on an emergency basis to assist tribal governments in providing core public services to battle a pandemic that is ravaging the nation, including in Indian Country,” Mehta said.
The Treasury Department and the U.S. Justice Department representing the Treasury did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday.
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Justice Department attorney Jason Lynch had argued that the Treasury Department’s decision to include Alaska Native corporations wasn’t subject to judicial review because the funding is for a public health emergency. Mehta rejected the argument.
The Treasury Department has said it could start sending payments to tribes Tuesday — two days past the deadline in the coronavirus relief bill. But it has not said how it would determine who gets what.
Harry Pickernell, Sr., the chairman of the lead plaintiff tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation in Washington state, said he was pleased with the judge’s decision.
“This ruling will help tribal governments to lead in the aid and recovery of their people,” he said in a statement.
Alaska Native corporations are unique to Alaska and own most of the Native land in the state under a 1971 settlement known as the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Mehta said neither the corporations nor the Treasury Department showed the corporations are providing public services comparable to the tribes to combat the coronavirus.
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The corporations, which are not parties to the lawsuit, have said they support Alaska Natives economically, socially and culturally.
Two associations representing some of the corporations — the ANCSA Regional Association and the Alaska Native Village Corporation Association — said they believe the corporations ultimately will be deemed eligible for funding.
“This will mean a delay in necessary resources and economic assistance for Alaska Native people in our communities and our state,” the groups said. “However, Alaska Native people have a history of resilience and strength. Together we will prevent the spread of COVID-19, care for those who get sick, and repair our economies.”
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and death. The vast majority of people recover.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--Congress Urged To Protect Domestic Violence Victims In Next COVID-19 Bill

ASSOCIATED PRESS Advocates warn that domestic violence is increasing as the nation is stuck at home .
( AP Photo/Mark Tenally ) For over a month , governors in most states have advised the public to remain at home to curb the spread of the virus and stay safe .
But for those in abusive relationships , home presents its own dangers .
About four women a day are killed by intimate partners , most often using a gun .
While it is notoriously hard to measure domestic abuse rates due to underreporting , experts warn that this kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as victims are isolated with their abusers and support services are impaired .
Many expect to see a rise in reported cases once stay-at-home orders are lifted and victims can seek help more easily .
On Tuesday , the two advocacy organizations released a slew of recommendations for the next coronavirus relief legislation , which Congress is drafting now .
Chief on the list of demands is emergency funding for local hotlines and shelters providing direct services to victims .
“ Lawmakers planning future relief packages can ’ t forget about the women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stress levels continue to rise , ” said Ruth Glenn , CEO of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence .
“ I think when restrictions are relaxed , to whatever degree , we will begin to see those survivors who have been cloistered begin to report.
” Shelters are already overwhelmed by the challenge of housing victims while adhering to social distancing protocols , she said .
Some have had to reduce occupancy and put up victims in hotel rooms .
At the same time , they ’ ve faced the additional costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress has passed four relief bills since the outbreak began .
The CARES Act , a roughly $ 2 trillion emergency aid package , included funding for the National Domestic Violence Hotline and $ 45 million for programs that provide emergency housing and shelter to domestic violence victims .
But advocates say much more is needed to support victims safely .
The groups also requested emergency funding for courts across the country to ensure that victims can obtain or renew protective orders via telephone or videoconference .
Since the crisis began , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While most courts are continuing to issue protective orders , the process has been delayed by limited staffing and social distancing policies , Glenn said .
Additional funding can also help local courts in executing firearm surrender orders , she said , which can save lives .
In some states , a person subject to a domestic violence protective order is not allowed to own guns , but the courts must order them removed .
Firearms and domestic violence are a toxic mix .
Research has found that an abuser with access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to kill their victim .
Guns are also a potent and effective form of control , used to intimidate and threaten family members .
“ Right now , we ’ re seeing two frightening trends that ― when combined ― create a recipe for disaster for domestic violence victims , ” said Shannon Watts , founder of Moms Demand Action .
“ The surge of gun sales nationwide could mean more convicted domestic abusers have easy access to guns .
Sadly , the Senate and too many state legislatures have failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partners .
At the same time , shelter-in-place orders are keeping victims quarantined with few places to go for help.
” Everytown for Gun Safety and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence recommended that Congress close the so-called Charleston loophole , which allows licensed gun dealers to complete some gun sales before required background checks have been done .
Under current federal law , people who buy a gun from a licensed dealer have to go through a background check .
The FBI has three days to process this check .
But if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , gun dealers can sell the firearm anyway .
“ Background checks involving domestic violence convictions often take the longest of any prohibiting category , ” Watts said .
“ Our concern is that law enforcement agencies won ’ t be able to complete each background check and then guns will get transferred to convicted domestic abusers.
” “ We ’ re at this unique moment in time where the economic stress is hitting everyone and it ’ s hitting our most vulnerable citizens , as you would expect , the worst , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence .
“ Congress needs to make sure that they are protecting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault , consciously and intentionally in the next COVID bill .
”

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The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Everytown for Gun Safety are calling on Congress to include protections for domestic violence victims in the next coronavirus relief bill.
For over a month, governors in most states have advised the public to remain at home to curb the spread of the virus and stay safe. But for those in abusive relationships, home presents its own dangers. About four women a day are killed by intimate partners, most often using a gun.
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While it is notoriously hard to measure domestic abuse rates due to underreporting, experts warn that this kind of violence has likely increased during the pandemic as victims are isolated with their abusers and support services are impaired. Many expect to see a rise in reported cases once stay-at-home orders are lifted and victims can seek help more easily.
On Tuesday, the two advocacy organizations released a slew of recommendations for the next coronavirus relief legislation, which Congress is drafting now. Chief on the list of demands is emergency funding for local hotlines and shelters providing direct services to victims.
“Lawmakers planning future relief packages can’t forget about the women trapped at home with their abusers as stress levels continue to rise,” said Ruth Glenn, CEO of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “I think when restrictions are relaxed, to whatever degree, we will begin to see those survivors who have been cloistered begin to report.”
Advocates warn that domestic violence is increasing as the nation is stuck at home. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally) ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Shelters are already overwhelmed by the challenge of housing victims while adhering to social distancing protocols, she said. Some have had to reduce occupancy and put up victims in hotel rooms. At the same time, they’ve faced the additional costs of buying protective equipment for staff.
Congress has passed four relief bills since the outbreak began. The CARES Act, a roughly $2 trillion emergency aid package, included funding for the National Domestic Violence Hotline and $45 million for programs that provide emergency housing and shelter to domestic violence victims. But advocates say much more is needed to support victims safely.
“The local hotlines are often the first stop for survivors, and those folks are truly overwhelmed,” Glenn said.
The groups also requested emergency funding for courts across the country to ensure that victims can obtain or renew protective orders via telephone or videoconference. Since the crisis began, many courthouses have shuttered or postponed in-person hearings. While most courts are continuing to issue protective orders, the process has been delayed by limited staffing and social distancing policies, Glenn said.
Additional funding can also help local courts in executing firearm surrender orders, she said, which can save lives. In some states, a person subject to a domestic violence protective order is not allowed to own guns, but the courts must order them removed.
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Gun sales have surged during the pandemic, raising public health concerns. According to a New York Times analysis, Americans bought about two million guns in March. In many states, gun stores have been deemed “essential” services.
Firearms and domestic violence are a toxic mix. Research has found that an abuser with access to a firearm is five times more likely to kill their victim. Guns are also a potent and effective form of control, used to intimidate and threaten family members.
“Right now, we’re seeing two frightening trends that ― when combined ― create a recipe for disaster for domestic violence victims,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. “The surge of gun sales nationwide could mean more convicted domestic abusers have easy access to guns. Sadly, the Senate and too many state legislatures have failed to pass legislation that disarms stalkers and dating partners. At the same time, shelter-in-place orders are keeping victims quarantined with few places to go for help.”
Everytown for Gun Safety and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence recommended that Congress close the so-called Charleston loophole, which allows licensed gun dealers to complete some gun sales before required background checks have been done. Under current federal law, people who buy a gun from a licensed dealer have to go through a background check. The FBI has three days to process this check. But if it doesn’t finish in time, gun dealers can sell the firearm anyway.
“Background checks involving domestic violence convictions often take the longest of any prohibiting category,” Watts said. “Our concern is that law enforcement agencies won’t be able to complete each background check and then guns will get transferred to convicted domestic abusers.”
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The demands from Everytown for Gun Safety and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence echo recommendations made by over 100 victim services organizations in a letter to House and Senate leadership sent earlier in April.
“We’re at this unique moment in time where the economic stress is hitting everyone and it’s hitting our most vulnerable citizens, as you would expect, the worst,” said Deborah Vagins, president and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. “Congress needs to make sure that they are protecting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, consciously and intentionally in the next COVID bill.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--Republicans Want To Shield Companies From Future Coronavirus Lawsuits

The Senate is scheduled to return to Washington next week to tackle an “ urgent need , ” according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell : the threat facing businesses from lawsuits related to the coronavirus pandemic .
In a statement announcing the chamber ’ s return , McConnell echoed complaints lodged by top business groups in recent weeks about the legal liability faced by the nation ’ s employers and health care providers , especially as some states move forward with reopening parts of their economy .
“ We can not let that happen , ” McConnell added on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worst pandemic in over a century and potentially the worst economic shock since the Great Depression .
Our response must not be slowed , weakened , or exploited to set up the biggest trial lawyer bonanza in history.
” The latest push to reform the nation ’ s civil justice system , however , appears to be led by groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Association of Manufacturers .
They are calling on lawmakers to waive some legal liability in the next coronavirus relief package , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern appears to be that employees or customers may take advantage of the legal system and sue businesses they believe ― fairly or not ― are the source of their infection .
“ It ’ s absolutely outrageous that employers and corporations are trying to shirk their legal responsibility at the same time they ’ re refusing to provide protective equipment and paid sick days to their workers , ” Service Employees International Union President Mary Kay Henry said in a statement .
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday he plans to order meat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic in order to secure the nation ’ s food supply chain despite outbreaks , lack of protective gear and poor working conditions at several rural meatpacking plant communities , including one in Minnesota and another in Washington state .
Some meat producers are appealing to their workers ’ sense of civic duty and patriotism as a way to get them to return to work .
Nevertheless , McConnell suggested this week that he wants the liability protections to be included in the next coronavirus bill taken up by Congress in exchange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ localities whose revenues have dried up because of the ongoing pandemic .
Democrats have called for at least $ 500 billion in additional aid to states and localities .
“ Before we start sending additional money down to states and localities , I want to make sure that we protect the people we ’ ve already sent assistance to , who are going to be set up for an avalanche of lawsuits if we don ’ t act , ” McConnell said Monday during an interview with Fox News radio host Guy Benson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notion of waiving liability of businesses at this time , saying that it would further harm protections for workers .
“ Does that mean that if a boss tells a worker , ‘ You got ta work next to somebody that has no mask , ’ that worker can ’ t protect him or herself and the boss is immune from liability ?
” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asked Tuesday in an interview on MSNBC .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , speaking in a press conference call on Tuesday , echoed Schumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think at this time of the coronavirus there ’ s any interest in having any less protections for our workers .
In fact , [ there ’ s ] even more.
” As Republicans push to shield companies from lawsuits , Democrats are demanding hazard pay and new safety protections in the next coronavirus stimulus package to be taken up by Congress .
Fifty-seven members of Congress sent a letter to Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate on Monday night asking them to include premium pay for frontline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional protections for workplace safety whistleblowers , among other asks .

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The Senate is scheduled to return to Washington next week to tackle an “urgent need,” according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell: the threat facing businesses from lawsuits related to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement announcing the chamber’s return, McConnell echoed complaints lodged by top business groups in recent weeks about the legal liability faced by the nation’s employers and health care providers, especially as some states move forward with reopening parts of their economy.
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McConnell warned that “a massive tangle of federal and state laws could easily mean their heroic efforts are met with years of endless lawsuits.”
“We cannot let that happen,” McConnell added on Monday. “Our nation is facing the worst pandemic in over a century and potentially the worst economic shock since the Great Depression. Our response must not be slowed, weakened, or exploited to set up the biggest trial lawyer bonanza in history.”
Democrats, meanwhile, rejected McConnell’s argument, saying that now is not the time to weaken protections for workers.
Tort reform has long been a goal of congressional Republicans, who argue that frivolous lawsuits help drive businesses into bankruptcy and deny compensation to actual victims.
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The latest push to reform the nation’s civil justice system, however, appears to be led by groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Association of Manufacturers. They are calling on lawmakers to waive some legal liability in the next coronavirus relief package, according to The New York Times.
Their main concern appears to be that employees or customers may take advantage of the legal system and sue businesses they believe ― fairly or not ― are the source of their infection.
Top labor groups, meanwhile, argue that the changes would encourage businesses not to adequately protect their employees and customers from the coronavirus.
“It’s absolutely outrageous that employers and corporations are trying to shirk their legal responsibility at the same time they’re refusing to provide protective equipment and paid sick days to their workers,” Service Employees International Union President Mary Kay Henry said in a statement.
Trump Wants Meat Plants Reopened
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday he plans to order meat processing plants to stay open during the coronavirus pandemic in order to secure the nation’s food supply chain despite outbreaks, lack of protective gear and poor working conditions at several rural meatpacking plant communities, including one in Minnesota and another in Washington state.
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Some meat producers are appealing to their workers’ sense of civic duty and patriotism as a way to get them to return to work.
Nevertheless, McConnell suggested this week that he wants the liability protections to be included in the next coronavirus bill taken up by Congress in exchange for providing critical aid to states and localities whose revenues have dried up because of the ongoing pandemic. Democrats have called for at least $500 billion in additional aid to states and localities.
“Before we start sending additional money down to states and localities, I want to make sure that we protect the people we’ve already sent assistance to, who are going to be set up for an avalanche of lawsuits if we don’t act,” McConnell said Monday during an interview with Fox News radio host Guy Benson.
But top congressional Democrats rejected the notion of waiving liability of businesses at this time, saying that it would further harm protections for workers.
“Does that mean that if a boss tells a worker, ‘You gotta work next to somebody that has no mask,’ that worker can’t protect him or herself and the boss is immune from liability?” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asked Tuesday in an interview on MSNBC.
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, speaking in a press conference call on Tuesday, echoed Schumer’s remarks: “I don’t think at this time of the coronavirus there’s any interest in having any less protections for our workers. In fact, [there’s] even more.”
As Republicans push to shield companies from lawsuits, Democrats are demanding hazard pay and new safety protections in the next coronavirus stimulus package to be taken up by Congress.
Fifty-seven members of Congress sent a letter to Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate on Monday night asking them to include premium pay for frontline workers, funding for child care and additional protections for workplace safety whistleblowers, among other asks.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--Health Care Workers Stand Up To Anti-Lockdown Protesters In North Carolina

About a dozen nurses , doctors and other health care workers , wearing scrubs and masks , stood outside the State Archives of North Carolina in Raleigh with their arms crossed .
Some carried signs reading “ Stay Home For ME ” and “ I Can ’ t Believe I Have to Show Up Here Too.
” Across the street , hundreds of ReOpen NC protesters crowded together for the third time in as many weeks , once again demanding that Gov .
Roy Cooper ( D ) reopen the state ’ s economy during the coronavirus pandemic ― the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damned .
Cooper announced last week that the state ’ s stay-at-home order had been extended into May .
These protesters carried signs promoting debunked conspiracy theories about COVID-19 , which has already infected over 1 million people and killed over 57,000 in the U.S. alone .
There have been over 9,500 reported cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina , according to state health officials , resulting in over 340 deaths .
The protesters also heckled and harassed the health care workers ― front-line workers in the fight against both COVID-19 and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus ― who remained silent and stoic .
“ My daughter and I both have pre-existing conditions , and if someone gets the virus at our facility , it will spread like wildfire , ” she said .
“ For some of our patients it could be fatal.
” “ The people who are trying to reopen our state to infection and death want to know if we are American , ” Shropshire tweeted .
The ReOpen NC protests are just a few of the many “ reopen ” demonstrations that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
They ’ re often attended by heavily armed militias and other extremists , and many are organized , in part , by groups with ties to right-wing billionaires including Charles Koch and Robert Mercer .
The anti-lockdown protesters — who are largely supportive of President Donald Trump and who view the economic impact of the pandemic as worse than the pandemic itself — are not representative of the majority of the country .
A recent Yahoo News/YouGov poll found that only 22 % of Americans support the anti-lockdown protests .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure of nonessential businesses .
“ I am , and will always be , a nurse , ” Brown tweeted from the demonstration Tuesday .
“ I carry each patient with me in my heart and it is for them that I take a stand .
It ’ s why I was out here last week to speak out against reopening North Carolina .
It ’ s why I ’ m out here again today .
”

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Health care workers in North Carolina on Tuesday held a counterprotest against yet another “ReOpen NC” rally in the state capital.
About a dozen nurses, doctors and other health care workers, wearing scrubs and masks, stood outside the State Archives of North Carolina in Raleigh with their arms crossed. Some carried signs reading “Stay Home For ME” and “I Can’t Believe I Have to Show Up Here Too.”
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They stood in a formation that allowed them to practice social distancing, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends.
Health care workers holding a counterprotest against anti-lockdown demonstrators in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Tuesday. Jade Wilson
Across the street, hundreds of ReOpen NC protesters crowded together for the third time in as many weeks, once again demanding that Gov. Roy Cooper (D) reopen the state’s economy during the coronavirus pandemic ― the dire warnings of public health officials be damned. Cooper announced last week that the state’s stay-at-home order had been extended into May.
These protesters carried signs promoting debunked conspiracy theories about COVID-19, which has already infected over 1 million people and killed over 57,000 in the U.S. alone. There have been over 9,500 reported cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina, according to state health officials, resulting in over 340 deaths.
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One of ReOpen NC’s lead organizers, Audrey Whitlock, revealed this week that she had tested positive for the coronavirus.
The protesters also heckled and harassed the health care workers ― front-line workers in the fight against both COVID-19 and a right-wing campaign to downplay the dangers of the virus ― who remained silent and stoic.
“My grandma taught me not to argue with a fool because onlookers can’t tell who’s who,” Amber Brown, a nurse from Kernersville who attended the protest, told HuffPost over the phone Tuesday.
Health care workers at their counterprotest across from the “ReOpen NC” rally in Raleigh. Jade Wilson
“They’re putting me and my family at risk,” Sekia Royall, who works in nutrition services at O’Berry Hospital in Goldsboro, said in a press release.
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“My daughter and I both have pre-existing conditions, and if someone gets the virus at our facility, it will spread like wildfire,” she said. “For some of our patients it could be fatal.”
Carrie Shropshire, a medical student at Campbell University in Raleigh, joined the health care workers protesting Tuesday.
“We take an oath to ‘do no harm,’ and these protesters are literally causing harm,” she said in the press release.
Shropshire also tweeted that some anti-lockdown protesters yelled at her and her fellow health workers Tuesday, asking if they are citizens.
“The people who are trying to reopen our state to infection and death want to know if we are American,” Shropshire tweeted.
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As people screamed at them, our health care workers stood in silence defending our state.
This is courage and composure in it's purest form.#HealthWorkersDefendNC pic.twitter.com/VCBHAUHE5S — Red T Raccoon (@RedTRaccoon) April 28, 2020
The ReOpen NC protests are just a few of the many “reopen” demonstrations that have taken place across the country in recent weeks. They’re often attended by heavily armed militias and other extremists, and many are organized, in part, by groups with ties to right-wing billionaires including Charles Koch and Robert Mercer.
The anti-lockdown protesters — who are largely supportive of President Donald Trump and who view the economic impact of the pandemic as worse than the pandemic itself — are not representative of the majority of the country. A recent Yahoo News/YouGov poll found that only 22% of Americans support the anti-lockdown protests. Most Americans support stay-at-home orders and the continued closure of nonessential businesses.
The poll found that a majority of Republicans also oppose the protests, even though Trump and Fox News have expressed support for them.
Health care workers staging a counterprotest at the ReOpen NC rally on Tuesday. Jade Wilson
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Many of the protesters at the ReOpen NC rally did not wear protective equipment such as masks. Cris Batista
Brown, the nurse from Kernersville, stood in opposition to the anti-lockdown protest in Raleigh last week too, where she was heckled over her weight.
“I am, and will always be, a nurse,” Brown tweeted from the demonstration Tuesday. “I carry each patient with me in my heart and it is for them that I take a stand. It’s why I was out here last week to speak out against reopening North Carolina. It’s why I’m out here again today.”
She also posted a video showing anti-lockdown protesters marching around without wearing masks.
“A thing about this virus: Many who die from it can’t have their loved ones hold their hands in their last moments,” Brown tweeted. “I’ve held people’s hands while they’ve passed because no one should die alone. The more these reckless protests happen, the more people will.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-27--‘Wuss’ Chris Cuomo Says His Next Coronavirus Step Will Likely Make Him Faint

CNN ’ s Chris Cuomo is officially over his coronavirus infection ― and now he ’ s hoping to help others with COVID-19 .
But he ’ s not exactly looking forward to the next step .
Cuomo said he was tested and found to have antibodies for the new coronavirus .
And though he still has questions about how much protection he has against infection , he plans to donate some of his blood .
The antibody-rich blood , or convalescent plasma , is being given to people who are sick to help them fight the infection .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life , and we both know why , ” he said to CNN ’ s Dr. Sanjay Gupta .
“ It ’ s because I ’ m a wuss.
” And that , he said , could complicate the process just a little .
“ The likelihood I faint is like 110 % , ” he said .
“ If they want the blood , I ’ m going to give it to them , because that is the best thing I ’ ve heard of so far in terms of what I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sick.
” See more of his discussion with Gupta , including what having the antibodies means in terms of potentially preventing future infection , below : .
@ ChrisCuomo gives an update on his own recovery from coronavirus , reporting that he has two key antibodies but there remains uncertainty on whether or not the provide protection against future reinfection .
pic.twitter.com/kTnA4BlCZh — Cuomo Prime Time ( @ CuomoPrimeTime ) April 28 , 2020

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CNN’s Chris Cuomo is officially over his coronavirus infection ― and now he’s hoping to help others with COVID-19.
But he’s not exactly looking forward to the next step.
Cuomo said he was tested and found to have antibodies for the new coronavirus.
And though he still has questions about how much protection he has against infection, he plans to donate some of his blood.
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The antibody-rich blood, or convalescent plasma, is being given to people who are sick to help them fight the infection.
“I have never given blood in my life, and we both know why,” he said to CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta. “It’s because I’m a wuss.”
And that, he said, could complicate the process just a little.
“The likelihood I faint is like 110%,” he said. “If they want the blood, I’m going to give it to them, because that is the best thing I’ve heard of so far in terms of what I can do to help as someone who was sick.”
See more of his discussion with Gupta, including what having the antibodies means in terms of potentially preventing future infection, below:
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--Justin Amash Announces He's Running For President

WASHINGTON ― It ’ s been a question weighing on Rep. Justin Amash ’ s mind for months : whether to run for his House seat again as an independent , or whether he should run for president .
On Tuesday , the Michigan lawmaker finally decided he ’ s going for the White House .
However , he held back on the decision , waiting to see how the Democratic presidential primary would shake out .
Amash told some staff that he saw more of an opening for his run if Biden won the nomination instead of someone like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amash privately sounded confident that he could win his congressional seat again , despite facing attacks from Republicans and Democrats .
But as it became clear that Biden would be the Democratic nominee , Amash began thinking about running for president again .
The coronavirus has potentially complicated his campaign since Amash will rely heavily on earned media rather than paid advertising ― and it may be more difficult to get on TV or conduct interviews during the pandemic .
Rather than winning 270 electoral votes and the presidency outright , he may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ― preventing either Trump or Biden from getting 270 .
In that situation , the election would be thrown to the House of Representatives , and Amash may think he can be a compromise candidate .
Still , if Amash is looking to steal votes from the president , the Republican Party ’ s fealty to Trump is a real problem .
He may think Trump ’ s lackluster response to the coronavirus will help him with Republicans .
But polling suggests views of the president ’ s handling of the crisis are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On average , more than 85 % of Republicans approve of Trump ’ s response , while only 16 % of Democrats approve .
Amash may find more traction with disaffected Democrats , but his track record of extreme conservatism may hamper him there , too .
He strongly opposes government spending and assistance , and he has taken many unpopular positions that have drawn public ire .
( In February , Amash voted against an anti-lynching bill , arguing that the bill would weaken African Americans ’ rights and only codify existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks . )
The former Republican from Michigan has stayed mostly quiet since then .
He ’ s largely avoided television appearances and interviews , but in those he did do ― like this interview with a local Michigan TV station ― Amash was coy about running for president .
When asked , he took to saying he wasn ’ t in the business of ruling things out .
He ’ s likely to make his obedience to the Constitution a main platform for his election , and he will almost certainly try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two men in their 70s .
But again , he ’ s also gained a reputation as someone who enjoys being the lone dissenter .
If there ’ s ever a vote in the House of Representatives in which all but one lawmaker votes yes , there ’ s a good chance the no vote is Amash .
Still , Amash has said he prides himself on his ability to take the proverbial half-loaf .
He will vote for legislation that he believes advances good ideas on the whole , even if it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last Republican vote on the GOP health care bill in May 2017 , even though he expressed a number of reservations .
As one of the founding members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus ― a group Amash has since quit ― he had assured GOP Whip Steve Scalise ( R-La . )
that he would support the measure if Republicans needed a vote .
When it became clear that Republicans actually needed the vote , Scalise shouted across the House floor , “ Amash !
Amash !
” Amash has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last of the tea party.
” And he ’ s made no secret of his opposition to Trump .
It ’ s as if the president was uniquely designed to represent all the things in the Republican Party that Amash dislikes .
But his personal feelings aside , Amash has said he supports impeaching Trump because of the facts presented in special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s report .
And he voted to impeach Trump in December over the president ’ s conduct regarding military assistance to Ukraine .

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WASHINGTON ― It’s been a question weighing on Rep. Justin Amash’s mind for months: whether to run for his House seat again as an independent, or whether he should run for president. On Tuesday, the Michigan lawmaker finally decided he’s going for the White House.
Amash, a five-term congressman who turned 40 last week, made the announcement Tuesday evening.
“We’re ready for a presidency that will restore respect for our Constitution and bring people together,” Amash wrote on Twitter. “I’m excited and honored to be taking these first steps toward serving Americans of every background as president.”
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He will run, he said, as a Libertarian, which will allow him to more easily get on state ballots ― if he does, as expected, win the Libertarian Party’s nomination.
But Amash will still have a tough time finding traction in a race between Democrat Joe Biden and Republican President Donald Trump.
Rep. Justin Amash was the first then-Republican member of Congress to say that President Donald Trump engaged in impeachable conduct. Bill Pugliano via Getty Images
The Michigan representative has long toyed with the idea of running for president. Sources close to Amash said he originally planned to announce his presidential campaign on Constitution Day, Sept. 17. (Amash declared his “independence from the Republican Party” on July 4 last year.)
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However, he held back on the decision, waiting to see how the Democratic presidential primary would shake out. Amash told some staff that he saw more of an opening for his run if Biden won the nomination instead of someone like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
Amash privately sounded confident that he could win his congressional seat again, despite facing attacks from Republicans and Democrats. But as it became clear that Biden would be the Democratic nominee, Amash began thinking about running for president again.
The coronavirus has potentially complicated his campaign since Amash will rely heavily on earned media rather than paid advertising ― and it may be more difficult to get on TV or conduct interviews during the pandemic.
He may have a different strategy, though.
Rather than winning 270 electoral votes and the presidency outright, he may be looking to be a spoiler candidate ― preventing either Trump or Biden from getting 270. In that situation, the election would be thrown to the House of Representatives, and Amash may think he can be a compromise candidate.
That, however, seems like extremely wishful thinking.
Even if Amash is on the ballot in all 50 states, it’s unclear which states he thinks he could win ― and from which candidate he might steal more votes.
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A poll conducted last June by The Detroit News suggested Amash would hurt Biden in Michigan more than he would hurt Trump, though, with time, Amash’s small-government, get-spending-under-control-and-government-out-of-your-life platforms may end up appealing more to disaffected Republicans.
Still, if Amash is looking to steal votes from the president, the Republican Party’s fealty to Trump is a real problem. He may think Trump’s lackluster response to the coronavirus will help him with Republicans. But polling suggests views of the president’s handling of the crisis are largely seen through a partisan lens. On average, more than 85% of Republicans approve of Trump’s response, while only 16% of Democrats approve.
Amash may find more traction with disaffected Democrats, but his track record of extreme conservatism may hamper him there, too. He strongly opposes government spending and assistance, and he has taken many unpopular positions that have drawn public ire. (In February, Amash voted against an anti-lynching bill, arguing that the bill would weaken African Americans’ rights and only codify existing law. He was criticized online for weeks.)
Either way, Amash’s bid may be less about winning and more about sending a message.
Amash very famously became the first congressional Republican to support Trump’s impeachment in May 2019 before choosing to withdraw from the GOP in July.
The former Republican from Michigan has stayed mostly quiet since then. He’s largely avoided television appearances and interviews, but in those he did do ― like this interview with a local Michigan TV station ― Amash was coy about running for president. When asked, he took to saying he wasn’t in the business of ruling things out.
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Indeed, far from ruling things out, the introverted, often-Machiavellian Amash seems to have been plotting his run all along.
He’s likely to make his obedience to the Constitution a main platform for his election, and he will almost certainly try to draw a contrast between himself and two men in their 70s.
Amash will also likely use his reputation as a principled ideologue ― someone who has always valued his own ideas over his party’s — to try to win votes.
But again, he’s also gained a reputation as someone who enjoys being the lone dissenter. If there’s ever a vote in the House of Representatives in which all but one lawmaker votes yes, there’s a good chance the no vote is Amash.
Still, Amash has said he prides himself on his ability to take the proverbial half-loaf. He will vote for legislation that he believes advances good ideas on the whole, even if it’s imperfect.
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Amash was famously the last Republican vote on the GOP health care bill in May 2017, even though he expressed a number of reservations. As one of the founding members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus ― a group Amash has since quit ― he had assured GOP Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) that he would support the measure if Republicans needed a vote. When it became clear that Republicans actually needed the vote, Scalise shouted across the House floor, “Amash! Amash!”
He reluctantly voted for the bill.
All the same, Amash’s run for president as a Libertarian is a natural step in his progression from a tea party Republican to an enemy of the modern GOP.
Amash has said he feels like he’s “the last of the tea party.” And he’s made no secret of his opposition to Trump. It’s as if the president was uniquely designed to represent all the things in the Republican Party that Amash dislikes. But his personal feelings aside, Amash has said he supports impeaching Trump because of the facts presented in special counsel Robert Mueller’s report. And he voted to impeach Trump in December over the president’s conduct regarding military assistance to Ukraine.
If Amash follows through on his run, he will forgo running for reelection in his Republican-leaning congressional district, likely handing the seat to a Trump-friendly Republican.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--NYT Attorney Sums Up Response To Sean Hannity’s 12-Page Legal Threat In 1 Blunt Word

Fox News host Sean Hannity threatened legal action against The New York Times over some stories about the coronavirus pandemic that painted both him and the network in an unflattering light .
Hannity ’ s attorney sent the Times a 12-page letter demanding a retraction and an apology over its recent coverage , including a story about a Fox News viewer who went on a cruise in March and later died of COVID-19 .
The Times ’ April 18 opinion column by Ginia Bellafante quoted a woman saying that her father , Joe Joyce , “ watched Fox , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so he flew to Florida and went on a cruise in Spain .
The newspaper said Joyce became sick within two weeks of his return home but resisted getting a test .
“ He didn ’ t think that he could have it , because he wasn ’ t 100 percent confident that it was a thing , ” his daughter told the Times .
Hannity complained on the air that the newspaper “ all but accused me of murder , ” and on Monday , his attorney sent the legal threat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ back with just three sentences ― and a single word in response to the demand for a retraction and an apology .
Hannity notes that he called the virus dangerous in January .
However , he also repeatedly downplayed the threat , said the flu was more dangerous , and in one infamous moment , put up a graphic with a big “ 0 ” to show the infection hadn ’ t killed anyone in the United States at that point .
Earlier this month , 74 journalism and communications professors signed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic “ a danger to public health .
”

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Fox News host Sean Hannity threatened legal action against The New York Times over some stories about the coronavirus pandemic that painted both him and the network in an unflattering light.
Hannity’s attorney sent the Times a 12-page letter demanding a retraction and an apology over its recent coverage, including a story about a Fox News viewer who went on a cruise in March and later died of COVID-19.
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The Times’ April 18 opinion column by Ginia Bellafante quoted a woman saying that her father, Joe Joyce, “watched Fox, and believed it was under control,” so he flew to Florida and went on a cruise in Spain.
The newspaper said Joyce became sick within two weeks of his return home but resisted getting a test.
“He didn’t think that he could have it, because he wasn’t 100 percent confident that it was a thing,” his daughter told the Times.
Joyce died on April 9.
Hannity complained on the air that the newspaper “all but accused me of murder,” and on Monday, his attorney sent the legal threat.
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But the newspaper’s lawyer fired back with just three sentences ― and a single word in response to the demand for a retraction and an apology.
New York Times newsroom lawyer David McCraw delivers this response to @seanhannity request for retraction and apology related to @nytimes coverage: "No." Addressed to Hannity lawyer Charles Harder: pic.twitter.com/0v7URfo1kz — ErikWemple (@ErikWemple) April 28, 2020
Hannity notes that he called the virus dangerous in January. However, he also repeatedly downplayed the threat, said the flu was more dangerous, and in one infamous moment, put up a graphic with a big “0” to show the infection hadn’t killed anyone in the United States at that point.
Earlier this month, 74 journalism and communications professors signed a letter calling Fox News’ coverage of the pandemic “a danger to public health.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-29--Ex-Bush Aide Has Chilling Theory About Donald Trump's Coronavirus Strategy

An ex-speechwriter for former President George W. Bush on Tuesday argued that President Donald Trump is sacrificing the lives of other Americans to the coronavirus crisis in a “ desperate ” bid to save himself politically .
In a thread on Twitter , David Frum claimed reports the White House is now pivoting its pandemic messaging to the economy showed Trump is “ consciously choosing to risk higher virus casualties ” in the second quarter of 2020 “ in hope of jolting the economy into revival in Q3 to save his re-election ” in November .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sacrificing others , ” wrote Frum , who is now a senior editor at The Atlantic , warning : “ It ’ s also not very likely to work.
” But key point : Trump is consciously choosing to risk higher virus casualties in Q2 in hope of jolting the economy into revival in Q3 to save his re-election in Q4 .
It 's a desperate gamble to save himself by sacrificing others .
It 's also not very likely to work .
4/x — David Frum ( @ davidfrum ) April 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet how “ many leaders would be daunted by the human costs of Trump ’ s desperate re-election plan.
” But not Trump , he said .
The U.S. now has more confirmed cases of the coronavirus than any other country in the world , with upwards of 1 million people testing positive for COVID-19 , the disease it causes .
As of Wednesday morning , the contagion had killed almost 60,000 people nationwide .
Globally , the virus has sickened more than 3 million people — and killed at least 218,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the slow and haphazard way in which it has handled the public health crisis .
Trump himself downplayed the risk posed by the virus for weeks , in tandem with primetime personalities on Fox News , and has since taken to using the daily televised task force updates to tout unproven cures .
Only last week , Trump pondered injecting disinfectant as a possible solution , sparking anger before walking back his comments and claiming he was just being sarcastic .
Frum last week suggested Trump will suffer a “ historic political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a direct consequence of his botched response to the pandemic , and that he will “ likely take the Republican Senate down with him .
”

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An ex-speechwriter for former President George W. Bush on Tuesday argued that President Donald Trump is sacrificing the lives of many Americans to the coronavirus crisis in a “desperate” bid to save himself politically.
In a thread on Twitter, David Frum said reports that the White House is now pivoting its pandemic messaging to focus on the economy showed Trump is “consciously choosing to risk higher virus casualties” in the second quarter of 2020 “in hope of jolting the economy into revival in Q3 to save his re-election” in November.
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“It’s a desperate gamble to save himself by sacrificing others,” wrote Frum, who is now a senior editor at The Atlantic. “It’s also not very likely to work.”
But key point: Trump is consciously choosing to risk higher virus casualties in Q2 in hope of jolting the economy into revival in Q3 to save his re-election in Q4. It's a desperate gamble to save himself by sacrificing others. It's also not very likely to work. 4/x — David Frum (@davidfrum) April 28, 2020
Frum noted in a later tweet how “many leaders would be daunted by the human costs of Trump’s desperate re-election plan.” But not Trump, he said.
Many leaders would be daunted by the human costs of Trump's desperate re-election plan. But ... https://t.co/FV8QxXJZA0 — David Frum (@davidfrum) April 28, 2020
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The U.S. now has more confirmed cases of the coronavirus than any other country in the world, with upward of 1 million people testing positive for COVID-19.
As of Wednesday morning, the virus had killed almost 60,000 people nationwide. Globally, it has sickened more than 3 million people — and killed at least 218,000.
The Trump administration has faced widespread criticism for the slow and haphazard way in which it has handled the public health crisis. Trump himself downplayed the risk posed by the virus for weeks, in tandem with prime-time personalities on Fox News, and has since taken to using the televised White House coronavirus task force updates to tout unproven cures.
Just last week, Trump suggested injecting disinfectant as a possible solution and then walked back his comments after sparking anger, claiming he was just being sarcastic.
Frum suggested on Friday that Trump will suffer a “historic political defeat” in the 2020 election as a direct consequence of his botched response to the pandemic, and that he will “likely take the Republican Senate down with him.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-29--Chris Hayes Delivers 7-Minute Takedown Of Fox News’ ‘Coronavirus Trutherism’

Chris Hayes on Tuesday again slammed Fox News ’ coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic , describing it as “ coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ MSNBC ’ s “ All In ” noted the “ concerted effort ” of some @ @ @ @ @ watched conservative network to “ peddle dangerous misinformation ” about the public health crisis that @ @ @ @ @ people in the U.S. Hayes called out prime time personalities , such as Tucker Carlson @ @ @ @ @ is “ not nearly as deadly ” as health experts say , while the network @ @ @ @ @ its New York workforce to work from home .
“ Yet Tucker Carlson , who @ @ @ @ @ isolation , is telling you it ’ s safe to go out , ” said @ @ @ @ @ The cable news pundit wants you got get back out there , because it ’ @ @ @ @ @ ” Check out the clip above .

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Chris Hayes on Tuesday again slammed Fox News’ coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, describing it as “coronavirus trutherism.”
The host of MSNBC’s “All In” noted the “concerted effort” of some influential personalities at the widely watched conservative network to “peddle dangerous misinformation” about the public health crisis that has now killed almost 60,000 people in the U.S.
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Hayes called out prime time personalities, such as Tucker Carlson, for claiming the contagion is “not nearly as deadly” as health experts say, while the network itself orders the majority of its New York workforce to work from home.
“Yet Tucker Carlson, who has been broadcasting in safe isolation, is telling you it’s safe to go out,” said Hayes, adding: “The cable news pundit wants you got get back out there, because it’s just not that deadly.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-29--Don Lemon Dons Mask To Mock Mike Pence's 'Ridiculous' Excuse For Not Wearing One

Images from the visit showed everyone ― staff and patients ― wearing masks , except for Pence .
“ There is literally no excuse for this , ” the CNN host said , noting it violated both government recommendations and the Mayo Clinic ’ s requirements .
Pence , however , said he ’ s tested frequently for the novel coronavirus so he knows he doesn ’ t have the infection .
“ Since I don ’ t have the coronavirus , I thought it ’ d be a good opportunity for me to be here , to be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care personnel and look them in the eye and say thank you , ” Pence said .
“ What about the fact that it is their policy ?
” he asked .
“ What about the fact that they offered one upon your arrival ?
What about the fact it ’ s possible for a coronavirus test to be inaccurate ?
And it ’ s possible for you to contract and spread the virus after you have tested negative.
” Lemon said the head of the White House task force on coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broke out a mask of his own to mock Pence ’ s explanation about being able to “ look them in the eye ” at the clinic .
“ You see this mask , right ?
Can you see my eyes ?
” he asked .
“ It ’ s not an eye mask we ’ re talking about .
This is ridiculous .
”

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Images from the visit showed everyone ― staff and patients ― wearing masks, except for Pence.
“There is literally no excuse for this,” the CNN host said, noting it violated both government recommendations and the Mayo Clinic’s requirements.
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Pence, however, said he’s tested frequently for the novel coronavirus so he knows he doesn’t have the infection.
“Since I don’t have the coronavirus, I thought it’d be a good opportunity for me to be here, to be able to speak to these researchers these incredible health care personnel and look them in the eye and say thank you,” Pence said.
Lemon was less than impressed with Pence’s explanation.
“What about the fact that it is their policy?” he asked. “What about the fact that they offered one upon your arrival? What about the fact it’s possible for a coronavirus test to be inaccurate? And it’s possible for you to contract and spread the virus after you have tested negative.”
Lemon said the head of the White House task force on coronavirus should know that. Then, he broke out a mask of his own to mock Pence’s explanation about being able to “look them in the eye” at the clinic.
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“You see this mask, right? Can you see my eyes?” he asked. “It’s not an eye mask we’re talking about. This is ridiculous.”
Watch Lemon’s comments below:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-29--Health Experts Lead Criticism Of Mike Pence’s Mask-Free Mayo Clinic Tour

Vice President Mike Pence ’ s decision on Tuesday to flout the Mayo Clinic ’ s face masking policy during a tour of its campus in Minnesota has garnered widespread criticism .
Pence later claimed that he was being tested regularly for the coronavirus and said that , since he has not contracted it , then he thought it was “ a good opportunity for me to be here , to be able to speak to these researchers these incredible health care personnel and look them in the eye and say thank you.
” Dr. Jonathan Reiner , a cardiologist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , described Pence ’ s decision as “ so wrong , so tone-deaf ” and yet another instance of the mixed messages that the White House has put out amid the public health crisis that has killed more than 59,000 people nationwide .
Dr. Jonathan Reiner , a former White House medical adviser , says Vice President Mike Pence 's decision to not wear a mask as he toured the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota was `` tone-deaf '' and `` disgraceful . ''
https : //t.co/7UZfg302Jk pic.twitter.com/8Uo3bMlOsN — OutFrontCNN ( @ OutFrontCNN ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta said there was “ no question ” that Pence should have worn a mask , saying it would have been “ a good example.
” “ Forget that he ’ s the vice president , this is the kind of human that repels me at the supermarket or the Walmart , ” she said .
“ I don ’ t want to be that close to anybody while we ’ re still at this phase of a pandemic.
” Wallace claimed Trump and Pence had “ revealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theorists , quack medical proponents , and truthers.
” “ He either doesn ’ t believe that the mask is keeping people safe , or he doesn ’ t think that rule applies to him , ” she added .
Dear @ VP Mike Pence : The mask is not to protect you , it ’ s to protect the patients at the Mayo Clinic .
You had no right to violate hospital policy and put others at risk .
https : //t.co/HFyml3V66A — Ted Lieu ( @ tedlieu ) April 28 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask during a tour of the Mayo Clinic and refused .
Do he and Trump think they ’ re invincible or is Pence afraid of Trump ?
What terrible role models for our nation .
https : //t.co/xKXWOWHuIt — Barbra Streisand ( @ BarbraStreisand ) April 28 , 2020 Dear @ Mike_Pence @ VP @ VPPressSec @ SecondLady you should show respect by putting a mask on , because by not doing so you are putting in danger everyone around you Sir !
!
https : //t.co/2tGTWSKPaJ — José Andrés ( @ chefjoseandres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence refused to wear a mask today at the Mayo Clinic , even though it ’ s their policy , he was told it ’ s their policy , and he potentially endangered every patient in the building , and health care workers , by not wearing one .
The arrogance of these people .
pic.twitter.com/IXOlO88e9R — John Aravosis 🇺🇸 ( @ aravosis ) April 28 , 2020 It is a selfish display by @ Mike_Pence disregarding @ MayoClinic policy by not wearing a mask .
As an ER doc , on behalf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I think he owes an apology to every essential worker keeping things going and trying not to get sick .
pic.twitter.com/SzRK7BPHfj — Dr .
Rob Davidson ( @ DrRobDavidson ) April 28 , 2020 The Trump administration has treated the pandemic like a PR or political problem , not a public health problem .
Pence is modelling behavior against health guidelines in a hospital with a patient .
What message does that send ?
Every signal counts when the stakes are this high .
https : //t.co/XCJXL17Vdw — Brian Klaas ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is only one reason Mike Pence did n't wear a mask today : Because Donald Trump has said he wo n't wear a mask , and Mike Pence will never do anything that could remotely displease Donald Trump .
That Nikki Haley talk must be getting louder in the White House .
pic.twitter.com/6rlakVWHcK — Tom Nichols ( @ RadioFreeTom ) April 28 , 2020 So @ VP @ Mike_Pence claims he doesn ’ t need a mask because he tested negative for # coronavirus .
WHEN was his test ?
Three days ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dena Grayson ( @ DrDenaGrayson ) April 28 , 2020 Mike Pence says he did n't wear a mask during his visit to the Mayo Clinic because he wanted to be able to look healthcare workers in the eye and thank them How does he normally wear his mask ?
Like a blindfold ?
— Edward Hardy ( @ EdwardTHardy ) April 28 , 2020 The @ VP says he didn ’ t wear a mask so we could look health care workers “ in the eye ” and thank them .
Someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have to cover his eyes !
— David Axelrod ( @ davidaxelrod ) April 29 , 2020 Obviously it is grossly irresponsible for Mike Pence to make this appearance without a mask , but the Mayo Clinic could also take a stand and say “ hey , this is our protocol , and even you , the Vice President , needs to abide by it.
” — Erick Fernandez ( @ ErickFernandez ) April 28 , 2020

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Vice President Mike Pence’s decision on Tuesday to flout the Mayo Clinic’s face mask policy during a tour of its campus in Minnesota garnered widespread criticism.
Health professionals, lawmakers and celebrities condemned the move.
Pence later explained that he’s regularly tested for the coronavirus and thought touring the hospital without a mask was “a good opportunity for me to be here, to be able to speak to these researchers these incredible health care personnel and look them in the eye and say thank you.”
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Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a cardiologist who treated former Vice President Dick Cheney, described Pence’s decision as “so wrong, so tone-deaf” and another instance of a White House mixed message amid the public health crisis that has killed more than 59,000 people nationwide.
Check out the clip here:
Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a former White House medical adviser, says Vice President Mike Pence's decision to not wear a mask as he toured the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota was "tone-deaf" and "disgraceful." https://t.co/7UZfg302Jk pic.twitter.com/8Uo3bMlOsN — OutFrontCNN (@OutFrontCNN) April 29, 2020
CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta said there was “no question” that Pence should have worn a mask, saying it would have been “a good example.”
Check out the clip here:
“Vice president Pence, he should have worn a mask today. I mean, there’s no question about it,” says @DrSanjayGupta. https://t.co/y1T5tRyJUE pic.twitter.com/g3l7trss6u — Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) April 29, 2020
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MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace, meanwhile, called Pence a “coronavirus truther” and a “mask truther.”
“Forget that he’s the vice president. This is the kind of human that repels me at the supermarket or the Walmart,” she said. “I don’t want to be that close to anybody while we’re still at this phase of a pandemic.”
Wallace said Trump and Pence have “revealed themselves as this wacky combination of conspiracy theorists, quack medical proponents, and truthers.”
“He either doesn’t believe that the mask is keeping people safe, or he doesn’t think that rule applies to him,” she added.
Check out the clip here:
Others also chimed in:
Dear @VP Mike Pence: The mask is not to protect you, it’s to protect the patients at the Mayo Clinic. You had no right to violate hospital policy and put others at risk. https://t.co/HFyml3V66A — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) April 28, 2020
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Pence was warned to wear a mask during a tour of the Mayo Clinic and refused. Do he and Trump think they’re invincible or is Pence afraid of Trump? What terrible role models for our nation. https://t.co/xKXWOWHuIt — Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) April 28, 2020
Dear @Mike_Pence @VP @VPPressSec @SecondLady you should show respect by putting a mask on, because by not doing so you are putting in danger everyone around you Sir!! https://t.co/2tGTWSKPaJ — José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) April 28, 2020
VP Mike Pence refused to wear a mask today at the Mayo Clinic, even though it’s their policy, he was told it’s their policy, and he potentially endangered every patient in the building, and health care workers, by not wearing one. The arrogance of these people. pic.twitter.com/IXOlO88e9R — John Aravosis 🇺🇸 (@aravosis) April 28, 2020
It is a selfish display by @Mike_Pence disregarding @MayoClinic policy by not wearing a mask. As an ER doc, on behalf of the staff with whom I work, I think he owes an apology to every essential worker keeping things going and trying not to get sick. pic.twitter.com/SzRK7BPHfj — Dr. Rob Davidson (@DrRobDavidson) April 28, 2020
The Trump administration has treated the pandemic like a PR or political problem, not a public health problem. Pence is modelling behavior against health guidelines in a hospital with a patient. What message does that send? Every signal counts when the stakes are this high. https://t.co/XCJXL17Vdw — Brian Klaas (@brianklaas) April 28, 2020
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There is only one reason Mike Pence didn't wear a mask today: Because Donald Trump has said he won't wear a mask, and Mike Pence will never do anything that could remotely displease Donald Trump.
That Nikki Haley talk must be getting louder in the White House. pic.twitter.com/6rlakVWHcK — Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) April 28, 2020
So @VP @Mike_Pence claims he doesn’t need a mask because he tested negative for #coronavirus.
WHEN was his test? Three days ago?🤦♀ https://t.co/WsesAe4XX4 — Dr. Dena Grayson (@DrDenaGrayson) April 28, 2020
It’s not complicated: Mike Pence didn’t wear a mask today because his master didn’t want him to. — Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) April 28, 2020
Mike Pence says he didn't wear a mask during his visit to the Mayo Clinic because he wanted to be able to look healthcare workers in the eye and thank them
How does he normally wear his mask? Like a blindfold? — Edward Hardy (@EdwardTHardy) April 28, 2020
The @VP says he didn’t wear a mask so we could look health care workers “in the eye” and thank them.
Someone needs to tell him he doesn’t have to cover his eyes! — David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) April 29, 2020
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He demonstrates a lack of respect for those around him — Groots (@GretaGroots) April 28, 2020
Obviously it is grossly irresponsible for Mike Pence to make this appearance without a mask, but the Mayo Clinic could also take a stand and say “hey, this is our protocol, and even you, the Vice President, needs to abide by it.” — Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) April 28, 2020
I’m afraid nothing can undo the harm of portraying the Vice President at Mayo without a mask. — Dr. Daniel Birk, MD (@birkmd) April 28, 2020
He isn’t king. You endanger your patients by allowing him to break the rules. It’s irresponsible and disgraceful. — Janet Johnson (@JJohnsonLaw) April 28, 2020
Pence at the Mayo Clinic not wearing a mask is offensive. He's endangering everyone around him plus himself with his arrogant stupidity. https://t.co/BLne7FIX6F — Shannon the Shenanigator (@ShannyGasm) April 28, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--Senate Democrats Urge Lindsey Graham To Focus Hearings On COVID-19, Not More Judges

WASHINGTON ― Every Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday urged Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) , the chairman , to focus hearings on the coronavirus as soon as the Senate returns next week ― and to delay a confirmation hearing he is already planning to hold for another one of President Donald Trump ’ s judicial nominees .
“ Now is not the time to process routine judicial nominations , ” reads a new letter to Graham from all 10 committee Democrats .
“ We therefore urge you to delay the May 6 nominations hearing and instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and protecting the lives and livelihoods of all Americans.
” Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) is already planning to hold a confirmation hearing for one of President Donald Trump 's judicial nominees as soon as the Senate comes back into session .
The Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over a number of issues related to the health and economic fallout from the coronavirus , as the Democrats note , and Graham could immediately make this his focus if he wanted to .
He could , for example , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state and local law enforcement on the front lines of the pandemic , the health and safety of corrections staff and incarcerated people , changes in immigration policy tied to the pandemic or the spike in hate crimes against the Asian American community .
That ’ s not going to happen .
At least , not at the expense of judicial nominations .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) has made it clear that he plans to get back to confirming more of Trump ’ s judges as soon as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This has been his top priority since Trump became president , and he ’ s already delivered two Supreme Court justices , a whopping 51 appeals court judges and 138 district court judges .
All are lifetime seats .
“ Of course , we will go back to judges , ” McConnell said in a March 31 interview on the Hugh Hewitt radio show .
“ My motto for the rest of the year is , ‘ Leave no vacancy behind.
’ ” As luck would have it , the judicial nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing is a McConnell protege .
Justin Walker , 38 , is up for a seat on the D.C .
Circuit Court of Appeals , the second-most-powerful court in the nation .
He ’ s got three things going for him ahead of his May 6 hearing : McConnell has known him since high school , McConnell knows his grandfather , and McConnell recommended him to the White House last year for a Kentucky district court seat .
The American Bar Association gave Walker a rare and embarrassing “ not qualified ” rating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Senate Republicans confirmed him anyway as McConnell raved about him .
Now , barely six months later , Walker is poised to get a major promotion .

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WASHINGTON ― Every Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday urged Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the chairman, to focus hearings on the coronavirus as soon as the Senate returns next week ― and to delay a confirmation hearing he is already planning to hold for another one of President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees.
“Now is not the time to process routine judicial nominations,” reads a new letter to Graham from all 10 committee Democrats. “We therefore urge you to delay the May 6 nominations hearing and instead focus the Committee’s efforts on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and protecting the lives and livelihoods of all Americans.”
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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is already planning to hold a confirmation hearing for one of President Donald Trump's judicial nominees as soon as the Senate comes back into session. ALEX EDELMAN via Getty Images
Here’s a copy of the letter, obtained by HuffPost. It is signed by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), Patrick Leahy (Vt.), Dick Durbin (Ill.), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Chris Coons (Del.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Kamala Harris (Calif.) and Cory Booker (N.J.).
The Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over a number of issues related to the health and economic fallout from the coronavirus, as the Democrats note, and Graham could immediately make this his focus if he wanted to.
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He could, for example, hold hearings that look at the needs of state and local law enforcement on the front lines of the pandemic, the health and safety of corrections staff and incarcerated people, changes in immigration policy tied to the pandemic or the spike in hate crimes against the Asian American community.
That’s not going to happen. At least, not at the expense of judicial nominations.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has made it clear that he plans to get back to confirming more of Trump’s judges as soon as the Senate returns from its monthlong hiatus. This has been his top priority since Trump became president, and he’s already delivered two Supreme Court justices, a whopping 51 appeals court judges and 138 district court judges. All are lifetime seats.
“Of course, we will go back to judges,” McConnell said in a March 31 interview on the Hugh Hewitt radio show. “My motto for the rest of the year is, ‘Leave no vacancy behind.’”
As luck would have it, the judicial nominee scheduled for next week’s confirmation hearing is a McConnell protege. Justin Walker, 38, is up for a seat on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, the second-most-powerful court in the nation. He’s got three things going for him ahead of his May 6 hearing: McConnell has known him since high school, McConnell knows his grandfather, and McConnell recommended him to the White House last year for a Kentucky district court seat.
The American Bar Association gave Walker a rare and embarrassing “not qualified” rating when Trump nominated him last year. But Senate Republicans confirmed him anyway as McConnell raved about him. Now, barely six months later, Walker is poised to get a major promotion.
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Is there any chance that Graham will postpone Walker’s hearing to focus on COVID-19 issues next week?


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--Me Too Founder Tarana Burke: Biden Can Be 'Accountable And Electable'

The founder of the Me Too movement spoke up on Tuesday to explain what she believes is an “ inconvenient truth ” about the sexual assault allegations against Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee .
Tarana Burke , who founded Me Too in 2007 , said former congressional aide Tara Reade ’ s accusations against Biden are being felt differently because of the 2020 election , which will now feature two men in powerful positions who have been accused of sexual assault .
“ The inconvenient truth , ” Burke added , “ is that this story is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the heart of one of the most important elections of our lifetime .
And I hate to disappoint you but I don ’ t really have easy answers.
” Reade is one of eight women who have come forward to accuse Biden of touching them inappropriately at various times in his political career .
Reade said then-Senator Biden assaulted her in 1993 while she was serving as an aide .
In a podcast interview with Katie Halper in March , Reade said he kissed her and penetrated her with his fingers without her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently became the last Democrat standing in the race for party ’ s presidential nomination .
His campaign denied the claims against him in a statement to HuffPost in late March .
“ Women have a right to tell their story , and reporters have an obligation to rigorously vet those claims , ” Biden spokesperson Kate Bedingfield said in a statement to HuffPost at that time .
“ We encourage them to do so , because these accusations are false.
” On Twitter , Burke said Reade , like other survivors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mainstream media to have her voice and accusations heard ― “ precisely because the systems for survivors are not in place.
” Burke then suggested that Biden could be both “ accountable and electable ” for Democrats in the 2020 election , adding that the former vice president faced a “ learning curve ” when it comes to respecting women ’ s boundaries .
“ The defense of Joe Biden shouldn ’ t rest on whether or not he ’ s a ‘ good guy ’ or ‘ our only hope.
’ Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to be both accountable and electable , ” she wrote .
“ Meaning , at minimum , acknowledging that his demonstrated learning curve around boundaries with women , at the very least , left him open to the plausibility of these claims , ” Burke continued .
“ No matter what you believe , we are allowed to expect more of the person running for U.S. President.
” She should have been able to come forward in a process where she was treated fairly , in a trusted system .
Instead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she had to rely on journalists in order to be heard - precisely because the systems for survivors are not in place .
10/14 — Tarana ( @ TaranaBurke ) April 28 , 2020 Some activists have criticized what they see as a lack of support for Reade ― and a failure to strongly condemn Biden ― in the weeks that followed her decision to describe the alleged assault in full detail .
When Dr. Christine Blasey Ford was defending herself to Congress after alleging that then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh had assaulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the Me Too movement stood behind Ford and offered full-throated support .
Days after Kavanaugh was confirmed as a justice , Burke wrote Ford a public letter , praising her heroism and ability to face “ the patriarchy with no weapons other than her voice , her body , and the truth.
” In her Twitter thread , Burke explained that she had taken some time off from her activism because she had family affected by the current coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. “ Most people weighing in at the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a culture of sexual violence , ” she wrote .
“ Many of you are only interested in this story because you are entertained by the trauma of others or because it has the potential to be politically expedient ― with no real regard for the survivor .
”

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The founder of the Me Too movement spoke up on Tuesday to explain what she believes is an “inconvenient truth” about the sexual assault allegations against Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
Tarana Burke, who founded Me Too in 2007, said former congressional aide Tara Reade’s accusations against Biden are being felt differently because of the 2020 election, which will now feature two men in powerful positions who have been accused of sexual assault.
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But first, she made clear where she stands with any survivor of sexual assault in a series of tweets.
“My stance has never wavered: survivors have a right to speak their truth and to be given the space to heal,” she wrote.
“The inconvenient truth,” Burke added, “is that this story is impacting us differently because it hits at the heart of one of the most important elections of our lifetime. And I hate to disappoint you but I don’t really have easy answers.”
The inconvenient truth is that this story is impacting us differently because it hits at the heart of one of the most important elections of our lifetime. And I hate to disappoint you but I don’t really have easy answers.
3/14 — Tarana (@TaranaBurke) April 28, 2020
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There are no perfect survivors. And no one, especially a presidential candidate, is beyond reproach. So where does that leave us?
4/14 — Tarana (@TaranaBurke) April 28, 2020
Reade is one of eight women who have come forward to accuse Biden of touching them inappropriately at various times in his political career.
Reade said then-Senator Biden assaulted her in 1993 while she was serving as an aide. In a podcast interview with Katie Halper in March, Reade said he kissed her and penetrated her with his fingers without her consent.
Reade told Halper that she pushed Biden away, which allegedly prompted him to say, “Come on, man! I heard you liked me.”
Then, Reade said, Biden pointed at her and said, “You’re nothing to me.”
The accusations come as Biden recently became the last Democrat standing in the race for party’s presidential nomination. His campaign denied the claims against him in a statement to HuffPost in late March.
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“Women have a right to tell their story, and reporters have an obligation to rigorously vet those claims,” Biden spokesperson Kate Bedingfield said in a statement to HuffPost at that time. “We encourage them to do so, because these accusations are false.”
This is a story that @ReadeAlexandra has been trying to tell since it happened in 1993. It's a story about sexual assault, retaliation and silencing. #meToo https://t.co/yHz3iFi9a5 — Katie Halper (@kthalps) March 25, 2020
On Twitter, Burke said Reade, like other survivors, has had to rely on journalists and mainstream media to have her voice and accusations heard ― “precisely because the systems for survivors are not in place.”
Burke then suggested that Biden could be both “accountable and electable” for Democrats in the 2020 election, adding that the former vice president faced a “learning curve” when it comes to respecting women’s boundaries.
“The defense of Joe Biden shouldn’t rest on whether or not he’s a ‘good guy’ or ‘our only hope.’ Instead, he could demonstrate what it looks like to be both accountable and electable,” she wrote.
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“Meaning, at minimum, acknowledging that his demonstrated learning curve around boundaries with women, at the very least, left him open to the plausibility of these claims,” Burke continued. “No matter what you believe, we are allowed to expect more of the person running for U.S. President.”
On the one hand, Tara Reade has been afforded the opportunity to speak her truth through mainstream media reporting on her claims and ongoing investigative journalism.
9/14 — Tarana (@TaranaBurke) April 28, 2020
She should have been able to come forward in a process where she was treated fairly, in a trusted system. Instead, like other public survivors before her, she had to rely on journalists in order to be heard - precisely because the systems for survivors are not in place.
10/14 — Tarana (@TaranaBurke) April 28, 2020
On the other hand, the defense of Joe Biden shouldn’t rest on whether or not he's a “good guy” or “our only hope.” Instead, he could demonstrate what it looks like to be both accountable and electable.
11/14 — Tarana (@TaranaBurke) April 28, 2020
Meaning, at minimum, acknowledging that his demonstrated learning curve around boundaries with women, at the very least, left him open to the plausibility of these claims.
No matter what you believe, we are allowed to expect more of the person running for U.S. President.
12/14 — Tarana (@TaranaBurke) April 28, 2020
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Burke also suggested that the current judicial system doesn’t allow for a “transformative approach to dealing with claims of sexual violence” that supports “both accountability and healing.”
Some activists have criticized what they see as a lack of support for Reade ― and a failure to strongly condemn Biden ― in the weeks that followed her decision to describe the alleged assault in full detail.
When Dr. Christine Blasey Ford was defending herself to Congress after alleging that then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh had assaulted her in the early 1980s, many members of the Me Too movement stood behind Ford and offered full-throated support.
Days after Kavanaugh was confirmed as a justice, Burke wrote Ford a public letter, praising her heroism and ability to face “the patriarchy with no weapons other than her voice, her body, and the truth.”
Actress Rose McGowan, who emerged as an outspoken advocate for the Me Too movement in 2017, aired her concern on Twitter this weekend.
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“Where are the #SilenceBreakers? Where is Tarana Burke? Where is #MeToo,” she tweeted Sunday.
In her Twitter thread, Burke explained that she had taken some time off from her activism because she had family affected by the current coronavirus outbreak in the U.S.
Where are the #SilenceBreakers? Where is Tarana Burke? Where is #MeToo? — rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) April 26, 2020
Burke also cast doubt on the intentions of those who have a heightened interest in Reade’s case, suggesting that they were actually more interested in Biden’s political demise.
“Most people weighing in at the moment don’t actually care about transforming a culture of sexual violence,” she wrote. “Many of you are only interested in this story because you are entertained by the trauma of others or because it has the potential to be politically expedient ― with no real regard for the survivor.”
To that end, Burke said that survivors “deserve more than being used as a political football by disinterested parties.”
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This is where we are. We don’t have a guidebook for this, in part because it would take a willingness from ALL of us to write it.
13/14 — Tarana (@TaranaBurke) April 28, 2020
Survivors deserve more than being used as a political football by disinterested parties. And a culture of acknowledging harm can’t exist if we continue to view sexual violence as a catastrophic outlier rather than an embedded toxic element of our culture.
14/14 — Tarana (@TaranaBurke) April 28, 2020
Read Burke’s full thread here.