thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--Trump Says Virus Testing 'Not A Problem,' But Doubts Persist

Monday ’ s developments were meant to fill critical gaps in White House plans to begin easing restrictions , ramping up testing for the virus while shifting the president ’ s focus toward recovery from the economic collapse caused by the outbreak .
The administration unveiled a “ blueprint ” for states to scale up their testing in the coming week — a tacit admission , despite public statements to the contrary , that testing capacity and availability over the past two months have been lacking .
The new testing targets would ensure states had enough COVID-19 tests available to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ populations each month — a figure already met by a majority of states .
Areas that have been harder hit by the virus would be able to test at double that rate , or higher , the White House said .
The initial COVID-19 test developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was contaminated , and early kits operated only on platforms able to perform a small number of tests per day .
While the rate of testing increased as tests developed for higher-capacity platforms , they were still limited by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the reagents used to process the samples .
Administration officials maintained Monday that the limiting factor now is actually the availability of samples from people who have been tested — either because guidelines on who could be tested are too stringent or because there are not enough health workers able to take nasal swab samples from them .
The CDC moved to address one of those concerns Monday , expanding the list of people to be prioritized for virus testing to include those who show no symptoms but are in high-risk settings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with leaders of businesses including CVS , Walmart and Kroger , who said they were working to expand access to tests across the country .
Researchers at Harvard have estimated the country needs to be testing a minimum of 500,000 people per day , and possibly many more .
Konyndyk said the aim should be 2 million to 3 million per day .
Trump said the current total , up sharply in recent days , is over 200,000 per day .
Konyndyk said : “ Over the past month , we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really generous tripled the testing capacity in this country .
We need to take where we are now and expand it tenfold.
” The testing blueprint for states provides details missing from the administration ’ s guidelines for them to return to normal operations , which were released more than a week ago .
It includes a focus on surveillance testing as well as “ rapid response ” programs to isolate those who test positive and identify those with whom they had come in contact .
The administration aims to have the market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall , when COVID-19 is expected to recur alongside the seasonal flu .
Days after he set off a firestorm by publicly musing that scientists should explore the injection of toxic disinfectants as a potential virus cure , Trump said he found little use for his daily task force briefings , where he has time and again clashed with medical experts and reporters .
Trump ’ s aides had been trying to move the president onto more familiar and , they hope , safer , ground : talking up the economy in more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoped that virus deaths would end up no more than 60,000 to 70,000 , slightly revising upward his public estimate of recent days as the U.S. toll neared 56,000 on nearly 1 million cases .
Still , he claimed a victory given dire , tenfold-higher predictions if the U.S. hadn ’ t adopted restrictive social distancing measures .
Meanwhile , the CDC was beginning to release more detailed guidelines on reopening schools , restaurants and other establishments .
Draft guidelines sent by the CDC to Washington include a long list of recommendations for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as closing break rooms at offices , spacing desks six feet apart at schools and using disposable plates and menus at restaurants .
The draft guidance was obtained by The Associated Press from a federal official who was not authorized to release it .
Some states have started to ease closure orders , and Trump is expected to spend coming days highlighting his administration ’ s efforts to help businesses and employees .
Aides said the president would hold more frequent roundtables with CEOs , business owners and beneficiaries of the trillions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Congress , and begin to outline what he hopes to see in an additional recovery package .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House released new guidelines Monday aimed at answering criticism that America’s coronavirus testing has been too slow, and President Donald Trump tried to pivot toward a focus on “reopening” the nation.
Still, there were doubts from public health experts that the White House’s new testing targets were sufficient.
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Monday’s developments were meant to fill critical gaps in White House plans to begin easing restrictions, ramping up testing for the virus while shifting the president’s focus toward recovery from the economic collapse caused by the outbreak. The administration unveiled a “blueprint” for states to scale up their testing in the coming week — a tacit admission, despite public statements to the contrary, that testing capacity and availability over the past two months have been lacking.
The new testing targets would ensure states had enough COVID-19 tests available to sample at least 2.6% of their populations each month — a figure already met by a majority of states. Areas that have been harder hit by the virus would be able to test at double that rate, or higher, the White House said.
The testing issue has bedeviled the administration for months. Trump told reporters on March 6 during a visit to the CDC in Atlanta that “anybody that wants a test can get a test,” but the reality has proved to be vastly different.
The initial COVID-19 test developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was contaminated, and early kits operated only on platforms able to perform a small number of tests per day. While the rate of testing increased as tests developed for higher-capacity platforms, they were still limited by shortages of supplies, from nasal swabs to the reagents used to process the samples.
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Administration officials maintained Monday that the limiting factor now is actually the availability of samples from people who have been tested — either because guidelines on who could be tested are too stringent or because there are not enough health workers able to take nasal swab samples from them.
The CDC moved to address one of those concerns Monday, expanding the list of people to be prioritized for virus testing to include those who show no symptoms but are in high-risk settings like nursing homes. And Trump met with leaders of businesses including CVS, Walmart and Kroger, who said they were working to expand access to tests across the country.
“Testing is not going to be a problem at all,” Trump said later in the Rose Garden.
However, many of the administration’s past pledges and goals on testing have not been met.
Jeremy Konyndyk, a disaster preparedness expert who helped lead the Obama administration response to Ebola, said the administration’s testing plans are well short of what is needed.
Researchers at Harvard have estimated the country needs to be testing a minimum of 500,000 people per day, and possibly many more. Konyndyk said the aim should be 2 million to 3 million per day. Trump said the current total, up sharply in recent days, is over 200,000 per day.
Konyndyk said: “Over the past month, we’ve doubled or if you want to be really generous tripled the testing capacity in this country. We need to take where we are now and expand it tenfold.”
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The testing blueprint for states provides details missing from the administration’s guidelines for them to return to normal operations, which were released more than a week ago. It includes a focus on surveillance testing as well as “rapid response” programs to isolate those who test positive and identify those with whom they had come in contact. The administration aims to have the market “flooded” with tests for the fall, when COVID-19 is expected to recur alongside the seasonal flu.
Trump and administration medical experts outlined the plan on a call with governors Monday afternoon, before unveiling them publicly in a Rose Garden press conference.
The White House announcements came as Trump sought to regain his footing after weeks of criticism and detours created in part by his press briefings.
Days after he set off a firestorm by publicly musing that scientists should explore the injection of toxic disinfectants as a potential virus cure, Trump said he found little use for his daily task force briefings, where he has time and again clashed with medical experts and reporters. Trump’s aides had been trying to move the president onto more familiar and, they hope, safer, ground: talking up the economy in more tightly controlled settings.
Republican Party polling shows Trump’s path to a second term depends on the public’s perception of how quickly the economy rebounds from the state-by-state shutdowns meant to slow the spread of the virus.
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On Monday, the White House initially announced there would be a Trump briefing, but canceled it as Trump’s greatest asset in the reelection campaign — his ability to dominate headlines with freewheeling performances — was increasingly seen as a liability.
But hours later, it became clear Trump had other ideas. He held court in the Rose Garden for a bit less than an hour.
Spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said briefings would be held later in the week but “they might have a new look to them, a new focus to them.”
Trump said he hoped that virus deaths would end up no more than 60,000 to 70,000, slightly revising upward his public estimate of recent days as the U.S. toll neared 56,000 on nearly 1 million cases. Still, he claimed a victory given dire, tenfold-higher predictions if the U.S. hadn’t adopted restrictive social distancing measures.
On his conference call with governors, Trump suggested that many states should consider reopening schools before the end of the academic year, easing the way for parents to go back to work.
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“Some of you might start thinking about school openings because a lot of people are wanting to have the school openings,” Trump told the governors. The Associated Press obtained an audio recording of the call.
Meanwhile, the CDC was beginning to release more detailed guidelines on reopening schools, restaurants and other establishments. Draft guidelines sent by the CDC to Washington include a long list of recommendations for organizations as they begin to reopen, such as closing break rooms at offices, spacing desks six feet apart at schools and using disposable plates and menus at restaurants. The draft guidance was obtained by The Associated Press from a federal official who was not authorized to release it.
Some states have started to ease closure orders, and Trump is expected to spend coming days highlighting his administration’s efforts to help businesses and employees. Aides said the president would hold more frequent roundtables with CEOs, business owners and beneficiaries of the trillions of dollars in federal aid already approved by Congress, and begin to outline what he hopes to see in an additional recovery package.
Trump last left the White House complex a month ago, and plans are being drawn up for a limited schedule of travel within the next few weeks, aides said. It would be a symbolic show that the nation is beginning to reopen.
The shift toward the economy comes in conjunction with what the White House sees as encouraging signs across the country, with the pace of new infections stabilizing and deaths declining.
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Still, medical experts warn that the virus will continue to haunt the country at least until a vaccine is developed. And they say the risk of a severe second wave is high if social distancing measures are relaxed too quickly or if testing and contact tracing schemes aren’t developed before people return to normal behaviors.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-27--‘Wus’ 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 wus.
” 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--Trump Gets A Fact-Check After Blaming Coronavirus On ‘Somebody A Long Time Ago’

President Donald Trump praised his administration ’ s work on the coronavirus pandemic as “ incredible ” on Monday despite repeated missteps , including long delays in dispensing test kits .
Then he attempted to shift the blame to a nameless “ somebody ” from “ a long time ago.
” “ There has been so much unnecessary death in this country , ” Trump said , adding : “ It could have been stopped and it could have been stopped short , but somebody a long time ago , it seems , decided not to do it that way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of it.
” Based on his comments at another point in the event , Trump was likely referring to China .
“ We are not happy with China , ” he said , adding that the spread of the infection could have been “ stopped at the source ” if Beijing had taken earlier action .
But given Trump ’ s own history and his administration ’ s delays in acting to slow the spread of the virus , critics were quick to point out that the president could ’ ve been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump predicted the number of U.S. cases would be “ down to close to zero , ” and on Feb. 27 , he said the infection would disappear “ like a miracle.
” To date , more than 988,000 Americans have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and at least 50,000 Americans with the virus have died .
“ Somebody a long time ago could have stopped this ?
” Who is he talking about ?
Is it a rare moment or self-reflection or another shot at the Chinese , @ BarackObama or “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ davidaxelrod ) April 27 , 2020 Trump just punted the blame for coronavirus on `` somebody , a long time ago '' who decided this was going to happen and OK I laughed .
— Linette Lopez ( @ lopezlinette ) April 27 , 2020 When you ’ re so lazy & irresponsible you can ’ t even come up with a specific person or thing to blame for all the “ unnecessary death ” that you caused , so you just say “ somebody a long time ago decided not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A long time ago .
🤦🏼♂pic.twitter.com/Ah0T2wYI2a — Andrew Wortman ( @ AmoneyResists ) April 27 , 2020 The disease “ could have been stopped , it could have been stopped a long time ago .
But somebody decided not to do it that way . ''
Sounded like a confession .
— Helen Kennedy ( @ HelenKennedy ) April 27 , 2020

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President Donald Trump praised his administration’s work on the coronavirus pandemic as “incredible” on Monday despite repeated missteps, including long delays in dispensing test kits. Then he attempted to shift the blame to a nameless “somebody” from “a long time ago.”
“There has been so much unnecessary death in this country,” Trump said, adding:
“It could have been stopped and it could have been stopped short, but somebody a long time ago, it seems, decided not to do it that way. And the whole world is suffering because of it.”
Based on his comments at another point in the event, Trump was likely referring to China.
“We are not happy with China,” he said, adding that the spread of the infection could have been “stopped at the source” if Beijing had taken earlier action.
But given Trump’s own history and his administration’s delays in acting to slow the spread of the virus, critics were quick to point out that the president could’ve been talking about himself.
On Feb. 26, Trump predicted the number of U.S. cases would be “down to close to zero,” and on Feb. 27, he said the infection would disappear “like a miracle.” To date, more than 988,000 Americans have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and at least 50,000 Americans with the virus have died.
Trump also repeatedly promised tests that didn’t materialize:
The buck stops with "somebody a long time ago" https://t.co/R84nJHO1OQ — Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) April 27, 2020
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Who’s going to tell him?... https://t.co/1LSNznoO1j — Katie Phang (@KatiePhang) April 27, 2020
“Somebody a long time ago could have stopped this?”
Who is he talking about?
Is it a rare moment or self-reflection or another shot at the Chinese, @BarackObama or “nasty” governors? — David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) April 27, 2020
Somebody = Trump
A long time ago = February
Now. Ask him about bleach. https://t.co/DrDlZt0PZY — Steve Marmel (@Marmel) April 27, 2020
Trump just punted the blame for coronavirus on "somebody, a long time ago" who decided this was going to happen and OK I laughed. — Linette Lopez (@lopezlinette) April 27, 2020
When you’re so lazy & irresponsible you can’t even come up with a specific person or thing to blame for all the “unnecessary death” that you caused, so you just say “somebody a long time ago decided not to do it that way.”
Somebody. A long time ago. 🤦🏼♂pic.twitter.com/Ah0T2wYI2a — Andrew Wortman (@AmoneyResists) April 27, 2020
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The buck stops nowhere. https://t.co/XUO9kQnP3T — Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) April 28, 2020
The disease “could have been stopped, it could have been stopped a long time ago. But somebody decided not to do it that way."
Sounded like a confession. — Helen Kennedy (@HelenKennedy) April 27, 2020
I don’t think I’d call a few months back “a long time ago,” but otherwise, excellent points here by President Somebody. https://t.co/CdQQ7reR2A — Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) April 27, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--'Reopen North Carolina' Protester Says She Tested Positive For Coronavirus

One of the organizers of a group protesting North Carolina ’ s restrictions meant to stop the spread of the coronavirus infection has reportedly tested positive for the disease .
Audrey Whitlock told public radio station WFAE that she has been in quarantine and has not attended the group ’ s rallies , but will do so on Tuesday since her quarantine ended on Sunday .
In a post on ReOpenNC ’ s private Facebook page obtained by several local media outlets , Whitlock described herself as “ asymptomatic.
” She said she had an antibody test done out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for COVID and negative for the antibodies , so I had a CDC test performed , ” which found she carried the infection , she wrote .
“ It has been insinuated by others that if I go out , I could be arrested for denying a quarantine order , ” Whitlock wrote , adding that she believes such an arrest would be a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act .
“ She never left her house during her quarantine so she has not been at any rally or any of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” fellow organizer Ashley Smith told WRAL , the NBC station in Raleigh .
“ I ’ m not afraid of the virus , ” she said .
“ I ’ m more afraid of losing my constitutional rights and losing my livelihood than I am of the virus.
” The COVID Tracking Project says more than 9,000 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the infection and 306 have died from it .

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One of the organizers of a group protesting North Carolina’s restrictions meant to stop the spread of the coronavirus infection has reportedly tested positive for the disease.
Audrey Whitlock told public radio station WFAE that she has been in quarantine and has not attended the group’s rallies, but will do so on Tuesday since her quarantine ended on Sunday.
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In a post on ReOpenNC’s private Facebook page obtained by several local media outlets, Whitlock described herself as “asymptomatic.” She said she had an antibody test done out of curiosity.
“The test came back positive for COVID and negative for the antibodies, so I had a CDC test performed,” which found she carried the infection, she wrote.
“It has been insinuated by others that if I go out, I could be arrested for denying a quarantine order,” Whitlock wrote, adding that she believes such an arrest would be a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Fellow protesters confirmed Whitlock did not attend the group’s two past events.
“She never left her house during her quarantine so she has not been at any rally or any of the functions that we’ve done,” fellow organizer Ashley Smith told WRAL, the NBC station in Raleigh.
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Smith said she is protesting for liberty.
“I’m not afraid of the virus,” she said. “I’m more afraid of losing my constitutional rights and losing my livelihood than I am of the virus.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-27--Thousands Of Californians Plan May 1 Rent Strike Amid Coronavirus Crisis

Patricia Mendoza lost her job with a non-emergency medical transport service after nursing homes placed restrictions on people coming in and out amid the coronavirus crisis .
Now the mother of two is out of work and can ’ t afford to pay her rent due May 1 .
“ It ’ s not like I could put money away and save for a rainy day — we live paycheck to paycheck , ” said Mendoza , who is the sole breadwinner in her Imperial Beach , California , household .
“ How am I gon na pay them if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s nothing coming in ?
” Mendoza ’ s employer , where she ’ d been working since July of last year , offered no severance pay or other job loss support .
Of the $ 2,000 she earned each month , $ 1,500 had gone to rent .
She ’ s been trying to file for unemployment benefits , but the government-run website keeps malfunctioning .
And she can ’ t work in grocery stores or other frontline jobs because she has asthma and would be risking her health .
“ That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choose : work or your health or your kids .
Where does it fit ?
” Mendoza said .
“ I don ’ t want to be homeless .
I have two kids .
I work too hard.
” Mendoza is one of the estimated thousands of Californians who are demanding that Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D ) cancel rent and mortgage payments during the coronavirus crisis .
If he doesn ’ t , they plan to strike by not paying rent on May 1 .
Around 200 to 300 people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strike , according to Jorge Rivera , a regional coordinator for the California housing rights group Tenants Together .
While most people will be striking because they can ’ t afford to pay , some plan to withhold rent in solidarity .
While California has issued a moratorium on evictions during the pandemic , renters are still responsible for any missed payments after the moratorium lifts .
Such an approach “ only delays the problem , ” wrote Hillary Ronen , a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors , in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspend rent and mortgage payments throughout the crisis for “ those in need.
” “ There ’ s a moratorium right now , but what happens after ?
” said Mendoza , who has been going to a local food bank and relying on kind neighbors , who have dropped off groceries in recent weeks .
“ When am I gon na finish paying ?
Never .
I ’ m never gon na be able to.
” As the pandemic has led states to broadly shutter businesses , a record 26 million Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last five weeks — and that doesn ’ t count those unable to file or ineligible for unemployment benefits , including undocumented workers .
Such rent forgiveness would help tenants like Merika Reagan in Oakland , California , who has been unable to pay rent since April 1 , after her small pet care business lost almost all its customers amid the state ’ s stay-at-home order .
The 45-year-old , who plans to join the rent strike on May 1 , has provided dog walking , pet sitting and other services to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since people began staying home and caring for their own pets , her 20-or-so regular monthly clients have dropped to three .
“ As soon as the crisis is over , landlords will be looking for back-pay rent .
But if I don ’ t have it coming in , where is it supposed to come from ?
” Reagan said .
She has yet to receive the federal government ’ s $ 1,200 relief check for lower-income Americans — and even if she gets it , it would cover only a fraction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ very worried ” about becoming homeless .
“ Without rent forgiveness , when this thing is over , if they ’ re planning on evicting anyone who can ’ t agree to whatever their payment arrangements are , that ’ s gon na be me , ” she said .
Homeless people are especially at risk of contracting the virus and suffering more severe outcomes because those living in “ congregate ” settings , like shelters or encampments , are often unable to follow social distancing guidelines .
San Francisco saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelters earlier this month .
“ The issues that we ’ re lifting up by doing a ‘ cancel rent ’ campaign were already there , ” said Rivera , adding that the pandemic is “ really just bringing into the spotlight the fact people were already having trouble paying rent .
”

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Patricia Mendoza lost her job with a non-emergency medical transport service after nursing homes placed restrictions on people coming in and out amid the coronavirus crisis. Now the mother of two is out of work and can’t afford to pay her rent due May 1.
“It’s not like I could put money away and save for a rainy day — we live paycheck to paycheck,” said Mendoza, who is the sole breadwinner in her Imperial Beach, California, household. “How am I gonna pay them if I have no income, there’s nothing coming in?”
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Mendoza’s employer, where she’d been working since July of last year, offered no severance pay or other job loss support. Of the $2,000 she earned each month, $1,500 had gone to rent. She’s been trying to file for unemployment benefits, but the government-run website keeps malfunctioning. And she can’t work in grocery stores or other frontline jobs because she has asthma and would be risking her health.
“That’s hard when you have to choose: work or your health or your kids. Where does it fit?” Mendoza said. “I don’t want to be homeless. I have two kids. I work too hard.”
Mendoza is one of the estimated thousands of Californians who are demanding that Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) cancel rent and mortgage payments during the coronavirus crisis. If he doesn’t, they plan to strike by not paying rent on May 1.
Around 200 to 300 people have signed up to organize their buildings to strike, according to Jorge Rivera, a regional coordinator for the California housing rights group Tenants Together. While most people will be striking because they can’t afford to pay, some plan to withhold rent in solidarity.
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While California has issued a moratorium on evictions during the pandemic, renters are still responsible for any missed payments after the moratorium lifts. Such an approach “only delays the problem,” wrote Hillary Ronen, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, in a recent report calling on the state to suspend rent and mortgage payments throughout the crisis for “those in need.”
HuffPost reached out to Newsom’s office for comment but did not get an immediate response.
“There’s a moratorium right now, but what happens after?” said Mendoza, who has been going to a local food bank and relying on kind neighbors, who have dropped off groceries in recent weeks. “When am I gonna finish paying? Never. I’m never gonna be able to.”
SF renters, West Side Tenants Association & Veritas Tenant Association call on @GavinNewsom to use his power to #CancelRent, mortgages & utility payments NOW to protect residents from the economic fallout of COVID-19.
Virtual town hall live now: https://t.co/vlVpy2W82K pic.twitter.com/AKslbti0Fy — Housing Rights Committee (@housingrightsSF) April 27, 2020
At a national level, housing rights groups are calling for rent cancellation. And in New York, activists are also organizing tenants to participate in a rent strike for May 1.
As the pandemic has led states to broadly shutter businesses, a record 26 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits over the last five weeks — and that doesn’t count those unable to file or ineligible for unemployment benefits, including undocumented workers.
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Earlier this month, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) introduced legislation calling for “emergency rent and mortgage cancellation” during the crisis. The bill would provide landlords with relief funds from the federal government.
Such rent forgiveness would help tenants like Merika Reagan in Oakland, California, who has been unable to pay rent since April 1, after her small pet care business lost almost all its customers amid the state’s stay-at-home order.
The 45-year-old, who plans to join the rent strike on May 1, has provided dog walking, pet sitting and other services to local residents for eight years. But since people began staying home and caring for their own pets, her 20-or-so regular monthly clients have dropped to three.
“As soon as the crisis is over, landlords will be looking for back-pay rent. But if I don’t have it coming in, where is it supposed to come from?” Reagan said.
She has yet to receive the federal government’s $1,200 relief check for lower-income Americans — and even if she gets it, it would cover only a fraction of her $2,200 rent.
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Reagan is “very worried” about becoming homeless. “Without rent forgiveness, when this thing is over, if they’re planning on evicting anyone who can’t agree to whatever their payment arrangements are, that’s gonna be me,” she said.
Homeless people are especially at risk of contracting the virus and suffering more severe outcomes because those living in “congregate” settings, like shelters or encampments, are often unable to follow social distancing guidelines. San Francisco saw a major outbreak at one of its shelters earlier this month.
“The issues that we’re lifting up by doing a ‘cancel rent’ campaign were already there,” said Rivera, adding that the pandemic is “really just bringing into the spotlight the fact people were already having trouble paying rent.”
“People should have a basic human right to housing,” Rivera said.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-27--Texas Will Allow Stay-At-Home Order To Expire Thursday, Letting Some Businesses Reopen

Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott ( R ) said Monday he would let the state ’ s stay-at-home order expire as planned on Thursday and let some businesses begin to reopen in phases amid ongoing concerns over the spread of the coronavirus .
“ Now it ’ s time to set a new course , a course that responsibly opens up business in Texas , ” Abbott said at a news conference .
“ Just as we united as one state to slow COVID-19 , we must also come together to begin rebuilding the lives and the livelihoods of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locations to open in phases .
Businesses including retail stores , movie theaters and restaurants will be able to open beginning Friday as long as they limit capacity to 25 % , as will libraries and museums .
The governor will consider a second phase as early as May 18 , which would allow capacity to increase to 50 % , but only if there is no resurgence in cases of the virus .
Texas , the nation ’ s second-most populous state , behind California , has had a stay-at-home order in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the shortest in the country .
But Abbott said it had “ done its job to slow the growth of COVID-19.
” Many of the nation ’ s top medical officials remain concerned that cases of the coronavirus could rebound if parts of the country reopen too soon .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the country ’ s top infectious disease expert , said last week that if governors jump the gun on reopenings , it could “ backfire , ” warning that any type of economic recovery couldn ’ t happen “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Democrats in Texas opposed Abbott ’ s move to let the stay-at-home order expire , saying the country was still woefully behind in its testing capabilities .
The University of Texas at Austin also released a model showing the state had not reached its peak in COVID-19 deaths yet .
More than 25,000 people have been infected in the state and nearly 700 have died .
“ Today is a dark day in the Lone Star State .
Abbott ’ s decision to let Texas ’ stay-at-home order expire is reckless , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at risk , ” Manny Garcia , the executive director of the Texas Democratic Party , said in a statement .
“ From day one , Trump and Abbott have constantly downplayed the coronavirus threat and didn ’ t take it seriously enough ― now we are paying the price.
” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner ( D ) said Abbott ’ s decision effectively takes cities ’ ability to issue their own stay-at-home orders and enforcement measures “ out of our hands.
” Turner said he hoped the plan works but cautioned residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disappeared from our city.
” We are letting Houstonians know that # COVID19 has not disappeared from our city .
Testing is important and we have to ease in to opening and rely on the science and facts we have been presented .
— Sylvester Turner ( @ SylvesterTurner ) April 27 , 2020 Abbott on Monday still urged Texans to abide by social distancing practices even as the stay-at-home orders lift , saying further phases of the reopening process could only take place if there are no flare-ups and vulnerable populations were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , more than ever , Texans must continue safe-distancing practices , ” he said .
“ If we do that , we will be able to expand into Phase 2 , opening up our economy even more .
”

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said Monday he would let the state’s stay-at-home order expire as planned on Thursday and let some businesses begin to reopen in phases amid ongoing concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.
“Now it’s time to set a new course, a course that responsibly opens up business in Texas,” Abbott said at a news conference. “Just as we united as one state to slow COVID-19, we must also come together to begin rebuilding the lives and the livelihoods of our fellow Texans.”
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His decision supersedes all local orders, he added.
The state will allow locations to open in phases. Businesses including retail stores, movie theaters and restaurants will be able to open beginning Friday as long as they limit capacity to 25%, as will libraries and museums. The governor will consider a second phase as early as May 18, which would allow capacity to increase to 50%, but only if there is no resurgence in cases of the virus.
Texas, the nation’s second-most populous state, behind California, has had a stay-at-home order in place for just under four weeks, among the shortest in the country. But Abbott said it had “done its job to slow the growth of COVID-19.”
Many of the nation’s top medical officials remain concerned that cases of the coronavirus could rebound if parts of the country reopen too soon. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious disease expert, said last week that if governors jump the gun on reopenings, it could “backfire,” warning that any type of economic recovery couldn’t happen “unless we get the virus under control.”
Fauci repeatedly has urged caution and has noted he’s convinced the coronavirus will continue to circulate until at least the fall.
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Democrats in Texas opposed Abbott’s move to let the stay-at-home order expire, saying the country was still woefully behind in its testing capabilities. The University of Texas at Austin also released a model showing the state had not reached its peak in COVID-19 deaths yet. More than 25,000 people have been infected in the state and nearly 700 have died.
“Today is a dark day in the Lone Star State. Abbott’s decision to let Texas’ stay-at-home order expire is reckless, irresponsible, and puts all of us at risk,” Manny Garcia, the executive director of the Texas Democratic Party, said in a statement. “From day one, Trump and Abbott have constantly downplayed the coronavirus threat and didn’t take it seriously enough ― now we are paying the price.”
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner (D) said Abbott’s decision effectively takes cities’ ability to issue their own stay-at-home orders and enforcement measures “out of our hands.” Turner said he hoped the plan works but cautioned residents that cases of COVID-19 had “not disappeared from our city.”
We are letting Houstonians know that #COVID19 has not disappeared from our city.
Testing is important and we have to ease in to opening and rely on the science and facts we have been presented. — Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) April 27, 2020
Abbott on Monday still urged Texans to abide by social distancing practices even as the stay-at-home orders lift, saying further phases of the reopening process could only take place if there are no flare-ups and vulnerable populations were protected.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--Mike Pence Bucks Mayo Clinic's Mandatory Mask Policy During Visit

Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday opted not to wear a face mask during a visit to the Mayo Clinic ’ s campus in Minnesota , bucking the organization ’ s mandatory masking policy amid the pandemic .
Video showed Pence , whose face was fully exposed , surrounded by masked staff members and a masked patient while touring the clinic .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear whether the patient was infected with the coronavirus .
The Mayo Clinic informed Pence of the masking policy prior to his visit , the organization tweeted Tuesday .
The tweet has since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to HuffPost that it shared the masking policy with the vice president ’ s office .
Wall Street Journal reporter Gordon Lubold , who was present for the vice president ’ s visit , tweeted that the clinic made it clear that everyone should wear a mask .
The clinic ’ s website states that all patients , visitors and staff are required to wear a mask on campus in an effort to curb the contagion .
“ As vice president of the United States , I ’ m tested for the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is around me is tested for the coronavirus , ” Pence said .
“ And 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.
” President Donald Trump earlier this month announced guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that recommended people wear cloth face masks in public settings where social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , said that he did not plan to follow the guidance .
“ I don ’ t think I ’ m going to be doing it , ” Trump said during a news briefing at the White House on April 3 .
“ Wearing a face mask as I greet presidents , prime ministers , dictators , kings , queens — I just don ’ t see it .
”

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Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday opted not to wear a face mask during a visit to the Mayo Clinic’s campus in Minnesota, bucking the organization’s mandatory masking policy amid the pandemic.
Video showed Pence, whose face was fully exposed, surrounded by masked staff members and a masked patient while touring the clinic. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the patient was infected with the coronavirus.
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The Mayo Clinic informed Pence of the masking policy prior to his visit, the organization tweeted Tuesday. The tweet has since been deleted, but the clinic confirmed to HuffPost that it shared the masking policy with the vice president’s office.
Twitter
Wall Street Journal reporter Gordon Lubold, who was present for the vice president’s visit, tweeted that the clinic made it clear that everyone should wear a mask.
The clinic’s website states that all patients, visitors and staff are required to wear a mask on campus in an effort to curb the contagion.
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“Please bring your own face mask or covering to wear,” the website states.
Pence’s office did not respond to HuffPost’s requests for comment.
PENCE flouts Mayo Clinic policy that everyone on campus wear a mask, even as he meets with staff and a patient. pic.twitter.com/kfo64KQDhU — Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) April 28, 2020
Pence defended his choice, however, while speaking to White House pool reporters Tuesday afternoon.
“As vice president of the United States, I’m tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis, and everyone who is around me is tested for the coronavirus,” Pence said.
“And 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.”
But the masks worn by staff members and patients inside the clinic covered their mouths and noses, not their eyes. What’s more, by not wearing a mask, Pence made himself vulnerable to contracting the virus if anyone around him during the visit was infected with it.
The Mayo Clinic tweeted later Tuesday that it was grateful for Pence’s visit.
“We look forward to continued collaboration to develop essential testing and treatment for our patients and communities,” the clinic said.
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President Donald Trump earlier this month announced guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that recommended people wear cloth face masks in public settings where social distancing may be difficult to maintain.
Trump, however, said that he did not plan to follow the guidance.
“I don’t think I’m going to be doing it,” Trump said during a news briefing at the White House on April 3. “Wearing a face mask as I greet presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings, queens — I just don’t see it.”
During an interview Tuesday night on Fox News, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany bashed the media for focusing on “mask palace intrigue.”
“It’s ridiculous. We are all routinely tested for coronavirus in the White House,” McEnany said. “The media obsession with Mike Pence wearing a mask is really just ridiculous.”
Sara Boboltz contributed reporting.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--Congresswoman Rips Trump For Making West Point Cadets Return To Campus For His Speech

ASSOCIATED PRESS Rep. Jackie Speier ( D-Calif. ) said President Donald Trump 's decision to bring West Point cadets back to campus for his speech puts his interests ahead of their safety .
WASHINGTON ― A key member of the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday criticized President Donald Trump for his abrupt decision to speak at West Point Military Academy , which requires bringing nearly 1,000 cadets back to campus , testing them for the coronavirus and then isolating them for 14 days in rooms with masks .
Rep. Jackie Speier ( D-Calif. ) , chair of the subcommittee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the service academies , said the president ’ s decision puts cadets ’ lives at risk for no reason other than to draw attention to himself .
“ He ’ s forcing the creation of crowds in hopes of generating applause and adulation .
It ’ s always about him , ” Speier told HuffPost .
“ That ’ s why we have almost 1 million infected and over 50,000 Americans dead.
” Trump ’ s announcement earlier this month took even West Point officials by surprise , according to The New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figuring out how to proceed with graduation .
It had initially been postponed because of the coronavirus , and one option was a mid-June presidential commencement speech , though nothing had been confirmed , per the Times .
Cadets were sent home in March , and officials weren ’ t sure if or when it was safe to hold a ceremony held at all .
To accommodate the president ’ s plan , cadets scattered around the country must return for a June 13 ceremony in New York , the state at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 157,000 confirmed cases and nearly 12,000 deaths .
The school hasn ’ t yet decided whether it is safe for family members or visitors to attend .
HuffPost reached out to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Armed Services committees for comment on Trump ’ s decision to bring West Point cadets back to campus to hear him speak .
None of them responded .
West Point will have to contend with New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s statewide ban on large gatherings .
The current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it ’ s not yet clear if or where it may be extended in the state beyond that .
Given the trajectory of the coronavirus , it certainly appears unlikely that large gatherings will be allowed anywhere in New York anytime soon .

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) said President Donald Trump's decision to bring West Point cadets back to campus for his speech puts his interests ahead of their safety. ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON ― A key member of the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday criticized President Donald Trump for his abrupt decision to speak at West Point Military Academy, which requires bringing nearly 1,000 cadets back to campus, testing them for the coronavirus and then isolating them for 14 days in rooms with masks.
Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), chair of the subcommittee on military personnel, which has jurisdiction over the service academies, said the president’s decision puts cadets’ lives at risk for no reason other than to draw attention to himself.
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“He’s forcing the creation of crowds in hopes of generating applause and adulation. It’s always about him,” Speier told HuffPost. “That’s why we have almost 1 million infected and over 50,000 Americans dead.”
A White House spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.
Trump’s announcement earlier this month took even West Point officials by surprise, according to The New York Times, as they were still figuring out how to proceed with graduation. It had initially been postponed because of the coronavirus, and one option was a mid-June presidential commencement speech, though nothing had been confirmed, per the Times. Cadets were sent home in March, and officials weren’t sure if or when it was safe to hold a ceremony held at all.
To accommodate the president’s plan, cadets scattered around the country must return for a June 13 ceremony in New York, the state at the center of the coronavirus outbreak with more than 157,000 confirmed cases and nearly 12,000 deaths. The school hasn’t yet decided whether it is safe for family members or visitors to attend.
HuffPost reached out to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Armed Services committees for comment on Trump’s decision to bring West Point cadets back to campus to hear him speak. None of them responded.
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West Point will have to contend with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s statewide ban on large gatherings. The current ban remains in effect through May 15, but it’s not yet clear if or where it may be extended in the state beyond that. Given the trajectory of the coronavirus, it certainly appears unlikely that large gatherings will be allowed anywhere in New York anytime soon.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--Potential Joe Biden VP Candidates Largely Silent On Latest Tara Reade Revelations

An allegation of sexual assault against Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , gained new credibility Monday when Business Insider published a report in which a former neighbor of the accuser , Tara Reade , said that Reade confided in her about the alleged 1993 assault in 1995 or 1996 , in very similar terms to how Reade has recently described the alleged assault .
The news comes on top of accounts from two other people ― a former co-worker at a different job , and Reade ’ s brother ― who also said they remember Reade telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a video surfaced last week of Reade ’ s mother calling in to a live broadcast of “ Larry King Live ” on CNN in 1993 and asking King what she should do if her daughter had a problem with a “ prominent senator.
” The new revelations came as the Biden campaign began searching for a vice presidential candidate .
Biden promised last month during the final Democratic debate to select a woman as his running mate and has since given several interviews about the type of person he is searching for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be heard , and I believe that has happened here , ” Abrams told HuffPost in an email .
“ The allegations have been heard and looked into , and for too many women , often , that is not the case .
The New York Times conducted a thorough investigation , and nothing in the Times review or any other later reports suggests anything other than what I already know about Joe Biden : That he will make women proud as the next President of the United States.
” Abrams ’ statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whitmer and Klobuchar , which they made before the Business Insider report came out .
In those prior statements , the potential candidates struck a similar note : They said there should be a fair investigation of her claims .
But like Abrams , they also did not offer a specific defense of Biden in relation to this alleged incident .
Klobuchar told NPR in mid-April that “ all women in these cases have the right to be heard and have their claims thoroughly reviewed.
” She also pointed to the former staffers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who could not corroborate Reade ’ s story and noted Biden ’ s past work championing women ’ s rights , like drafting the Violence Against Women Act .
Whitmer , who has publicly discussed being a survivor of sexual assault , said she also believes women should be able to tell their stories .
“ I think that it is important that these allegations are vetted , from the media to beyond .
And I think that it is something that no one takes lightly , ” she told NPR in mid-April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is personal .
And so it ’ s hard to give you greater insight than that , not knowing more about the situation.
” The Biden campaign has denied the accusation , telling HuffPost last month : “ Women have a right to tell their story , and reporters have an obligation to rigorously vet those claims .
We encourage them to do so , because these accusations are false.
” A subsequent New York Times investigation could not corroborate Reade ’ s allegation with Biden staffers at the time and found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A significant part of a vice presidential candidate ’ s job is defending the presidential nominee — including their policy positions , their fitness for office , and their experience .
Whoever Biden chooses will be going around the country convincing people that Biden deserves to be in the White House .
Yet at the same time , there is perhaps an unfairness in demanding that all of these women answer for the alleged misdeeds of a man .
Reade originally told podcast host Katie Halper , who broke the story , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his fingers without her consent .
She said she pushed Biden off of her and he allegedly became annoyed and said : “ Come on , man !
I heard you liked me.
” Reade said she was abruptly let go from her position after she filed a complaint against Biden .
Lynda LaCasse , the neighbor who corroborated part of Reade ’ s story to Business Insider , said she doesn ’ t remember all the details Reade told her in 1995 or 1996 , including where the alleged assault took place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reade .
After Reade left her job with Biden , she worked for California state Sen. Jack O ’ Connell .
She later worked in the domestic violence unit for the King County prosecutor in Seattle and in 2004 got her law degree from Seattle University School of Law .
She went on to serve as a legal-services director for the Snohomish County Center for Battered Women in Washington state .

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An allegation of sexual assault against Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, gained new credibility Monday when Business Insider published a report in which a former neighbor of the accuser, Tara Reade, said that Reade confided in her about the alleged 1993 assault in 1995 or 1996, in very similar terms to how Reade has recently described the alleged assault.
The news comes on top of accounts from two other people ― a former co-worker at a different job, and Reade’s brother ― who also said they remember Reade telling them about the assault. Additionally, a video surfaced last week of Reade’s mother calling in to a live broadcast of “Larry King Live” on CNN in 1993 and asking King what she should do if her daughter had a problem with a “prominent senator.”
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The new revelations came as the Biden campaign began searching for a vice presidential candidate. Biden promised last month during the final Democratic debate to select a woman as his running mate and has since given several interviews about the type of person he is searching for.
HuffPost contacted nine people on Biden’s rumored shortlist: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Rep. Val Demings (D-Fl.) and Stacey Abrams, the Democratic nominee in the 2018 Georgia governor’s race.
In response to questions about Reade’s allegations in general and the Business Insider report Monday with contemporaneous corroboration from Reade’s neighbor, only Abrams responded.
“I believe women deserve to be heard, and I believe that has happened here,” Abrams told HuffPost in an email. “The allegations have been heard and looked into, and for too many women, often, that is not the case. The New York Times conducted a thorough investigation, and nothing in the Times review or any other later reports suggests anything other than what I already know about Joe Biden: That he will make women proud as the next President of the United States.”
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However, The New York Times told HuffPost that its investigation made “no conclusion either way” as to whether Reade’s allegation did or did not happen.
Abrams’ statement echoes past comments about the allegation from Whitmer and Klobuchar, which they made before the Business Insider report came out. In those prior statements, the potential candidates struck a similar note: They said there should be a fair investigation of her claims. But like Abrams, they also did not offer a specific defense of Biden in relation to this alleged incident.
Klobuchar told NPR in mid-April that “all women in these cases have the right to be heard and have their claims thoroughly reviewed.” She also pointed to the former staffers who worked with Biden at the time who could not corroborate Reade’s story and noted Biden’s past work championing women’s rights, like drafting the Violence Against Women Act.
Whitmer, who has publicly discussed being a survivor of sexual assault, said she also believes women should be able to tell their stories. “I think that it is important that these allegations are vetted, from the media to beyond. And I think that it is something that no one takes lightly,” she told NPR in mid-April. “But it is also something that is personal. And so it’s hard to give you greater insight than that, not knowing more about the situation.”
The Biden campaign has denied the accusation, telling HuffPost last month: “Women have a right to tell their story, and reporters have an obligation to rigorously vet those claims. We encourage them to do so, because these accusations are false.” A subsequent New York Times investigation could not corroborate Reade’s allegation with Biden staffers at the time and found “no pattern of sexual misconduct.”
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The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
A significant part of a vice presidential candidate’s job is defending the presidential nominee — including their policy positions, their fitness for office, and their experience. Whoever Biden chooses will be going around the country convincing people that Biden deserves to be in the White House. Yet at the same time, there is perhaps an unfairness in demanding that all of these women answer for the alleged misdeeds of a man.
As Rebecca Traister wrote in The Cut on Tuesday:
What’s sickeningly clear is that if Biden remains the Democratic nominee, whichever woman gets the nod to be his running mate will wind up drinking from a poisoned chalice. Because the promise to choose a woman ensures that whoever she is, she will be forced to answer — over and over again — for Biden’s treatment of other women, including the serious allegations of assault leveled by Tara Reade.
Last year, Reade was one of eight women who accused Biden of inappropriate touching.
Reade originally told podcast host Katie Halper, who broke the story, that Biden kissed her and penetrated her with his fingers without her consent. She said she pushed Biden off of her and he allegedly became annoyed and said: “Come on, man! I heard you liked me.” Reade said she was abruptly let go from her position after she filed a complaint against Biden.
“It was like everything shattered in that moment,” Reade said. “He was, like, my father’s age. He was this champion of women’s rights in my eyes. I couldn’t believe it was happening.”
Lynda LaCasse, the neighbor who corroborated part of Reade’s story to Business Insider, said she doesn’t remember all the details Reade told her in 1995 or 1996, including where the alleged assault took place or what Biden may have said to Reade.
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But LaCasse did say she remembers how upset Reade was. “This happened, and I know it did because I remember talking about it,” LaCasse said. “I don’t remember all the details. I remember the skirt. I remember the fingers. I remember she was devastated.”
After Reade left her job with Biden, she worked for California state Sen. Jack O’Connell. She later worked in the domestic violence unit for the King County prosecutor in Seattle and in 2004 got her law degree from Seattle University School of Law. She went on to serve as a legal-services director for the Snohomish County Center for Battered Women in Washington state.
As a legislator, Biden has a generally positive track record with women’s rights issues. In 2014, he launched It’s On Us, an organization combatting sexual assault on college campuses, with President Barack Obama. Biden also drafted the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, a landmark piece of legislation that solidified important protections for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
According to Reade’s story, Biden was drafting language for the Violence Against Women Act right around the time he assaulted her.
The former vice president has been widely criticized for how he handled Anita Hill’s accusations of sexual harassment against Clarence Thomas during Thomas’ 1991 Supreme Court confirmation hearings. Biden, the then-chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has been condemned for not doing enough to ensure Hill’s allegations were given full consideration.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--Trump Orders Meatpacking Plants To Stay Open

The president ’ s executive order , signed Tuesday evening , hands oversight powers to the Department of Agriculture “ to determine the proper nationwide priorities and allocation of all the materials , services , and facilities necessary to ensure the continued supply of meat and poultry.
” A number of facilities that process beef , chicken and pork products have closed in recent weeks due to the hundreds of workers who have contracted COVID-19 .
Trump ’ s order stated that such closures are “ undermining critical infrastructure during the national emergency.
” Unlike some other workplaces , employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observe social distancing guidelines and must stand close to one another .
Earlier this month , the now-shuttered Smithfield Foods pork processing plant in Sioux Falls , South Dakota , had at least 600 employees who tested positive for the virus out of a workforce of 3,700 .
The problem , however , is not supply .
With distribution to restaurants and schools temporarily suspended , many farmers have a surplus of animals .
The trouble lies in transporting them to facilities capable of butchering and packaging them for grocers .
With sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a serious challenge .
But Trump ’ s mandate to keep plants open could end up taking a deadly toll on those who process meat ― a category of essential workers who tend to be people of color or immigrants working for low wages .
Under the order , all plants must still follow guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration , but it is unclear how that is to be done .
Worker safety advocates have been frustrated by the limited supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work pace at many plants .
In April , the Agriculture Department granted a record number of waivers allowing poultry facilities to increase their line speeds , which can force employees to work even faster without additional staff .
The United Food and Commercial Workers union represents the majority of workers in beef and pork facilities and a sizable portion of those in poultry facilities .
The union said Tuesday that if Trump wants to order plants to stay open , the White House needs to ramp up COVID-19 testing and require other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The union , which has been tracking coronavirus infections and deaths in the industry , said at least 20 meatpacking workers have died and another 5,000 have been hospitalized or shown symptoms of COVID-19 since the pandemic began .
By the union ’ s estimates , at least 22 meatpacking plants have had to close , causing pork production to drop by 25 % and beef production by 10 % .
“ The reality is that these workers are putting their lives on the line every day to keep our country fed during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the union ’ s president , said in a statement Tuesday .
“ For the sake of all our families , we must prioritize the safety and security of these workers.
” Some plants have been struggling to staff their lines due to workers calling in sick .
The meatpacking industry is not known for having generous paid leave policies .
As HuffPost reported , one large poultry producer told workers they can not use the paid leave program unless they provide a doctor ’ s note documenting COVID-19 symptoms , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the pandemic .
The union said the White House should order meat producers to provide adequate paid leave and protective equipment , while also mandating social distancing measures inside plants .
The latter have been instituted in some facilities ’ break areas but not necessarily in work areas .
Dozens of worker and public health groups recently petitioned the poultry industry to install plastic barriers between workers if they can not separate them by at least 6 feet .
As one poultry worker in Texas recently told HuffPost , her plant is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , with workers side by side on the processing line .
Trump has been criticized for dragging his feet on implementing the Defense Production Act , which gives the government certain powers over domestic manufacturers in the interest of national security .
He invoked the act in mid-March to require companies to prioritize orders of emergency supplies of ventilators and personal protective equipment .
But the president has refused to use the full power of the act ― which allows the executive branch to essentially take control of supply chains ― to @ @ @ @ @ @

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President Donald Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act to force meat processing plants operated by Tyson Foods and other major suppliers to stay open even as the coronavirus spreads among workers.
The president’s executive order, signed Tuesday evening, hands oversight powers to the Department of Agriculture “to determine the proper nationwide priorities and allocation of all the materials, services, and facilities necessary to ensure the continued supply of meat and poultry.”
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A number of facilities that process beef, chicken and pork products have closed in recent weeks due to the hundreds of workers who have contracted COVID-19. Trump’s order stated that such closures are “undermining critical infrastructure during the national emergency.”
Unlike some other workplaces, employees at meat processing plants cannot easily observe social distancing guidelines and must stand close to one another. Earlier this month, the now-shuttered Smithfield Foods pork processing plant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, had at least 600 employees who tested positive for the virus out of a workforce of 3,700.
Companies warned this week of a potential meat shortage across the country.
The problem, however, is not supply. With distribution to restaurants and schools temporarily suspended, many farmers have a surplus of animals. The trouble lies in transporting them to facilities capable of butchering and packaging them for grocers. With sick workers and closed plants, that becomes a serious challenge.
Such disruptions to the nation’s food supply chain have already led farmers to destroy surplus items even while some grocery store shelves sit empty.
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But Trump’s mandate to keep plants open could end up taking a deadly toll on those who process meat ― a category of essential workers who tend to be people of color or immigrants working for low wages.
Under the order, all plants must still follow guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, but it is unclear how that is to be done.
Worker safety advocates have been frustrated by the limited supply of personal protective equipment and the dizzying work pace at many plants. In April, the Agriculture Department granted a record number of waivers allowing poultry facilities to increase their line speeds, which can force employees to work even faster without additional staff.
The United Food and Commercial Workers union represents the majority of workers in beef and pork facilities and a sizable portion of those in poultry facilities. The union said Tuesday that if Trump wants to order plants to stay open, the White House needs to ramp up COVID-19 testing and require other safety precautions on the processing lines.
The union, which has been tracking coronavirus infections and deaths in the industry, said at least 20 meatpacking workers have died and another 5,000 have been hospitalized or shown symptoms of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. By the union’s estimates, at least 22 meatpacking plants have had to close, causing pork production to drop by 25% and beef production by 10%.
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“The reality is that these workers are putting their lives on the line every day to keep our country fed during this deadly outbreak,” Marc Perrone, the union’s president, said in a statement Tuesday. “For the sake of all our families, we must prioritize the safety and security of these workers.”
Some plants have been struggling to staff their lines due to workers calling in sick. The meatpacking industry is not known for having generous paid leave policies. As HuffPost reported, one large poultry producer told workers they cannot use the paid leave program unless they provide a doctor’s note documenting COVID-19 symptoms, even though many such consultations are happening online during the pandemic.
The union said the White House should order meat producers to provide adequate paid leave and protective equipment, while also mandating social distancing measures inside plants. The latter have been instituted in some facilities’ break areas but not necessarily in work areas. Dozens of worker and public health groups recently petitioned the poultry industry to install plastic barriers between workers if they cannot separate them by at least 6 feet.
As one poultry worker in Texas recently told HuffPost, her plant is operating just as it did before the pandemic, with workers side by side on the processing line.
Trump has been criticized for dragging his feet on implementing the Defense Production Act, which gives the government certain powers over domestic manufacturers in the interest of national security. He invoked the act in mid-March to require companies to prioritize orders of emergency supplies of ventilators and personal protective equipment. But the president has refused to use the full power of the act ― which allows the executive branch to essentially take control of supply chains ― to boost supplies of medical equipment.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--Documents That Could Shed Light On Joe Biden Sexual Assault Allegation Remain Locked Up

In April 2019 , the university changed its mind and pushed the date back even further .
The website now states : “ The records will be available no sooner than the later date of December 31 , 2019 , or two years after the donor retires from public life.
” The University of Delaware still considers Biden to be in “ public life ” while he is running for office .
Therefore , documents that could help shed light on Biden ’ s extensive record in office ― including , potentially , the Reade matter ― are closed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office , overseeing the interns , in 1993 .
She has alleged that while she was employed there , the senator pinned her to a wall and sexually assaulted her .
Reade filed a police report at the time , reviewed by The New York Times , but it does not name her assaulter .
She also said she filed a complaint with a Senate personnel office , but she does not have a copy of the complaint and no record of it has been located .
The Biden campaign did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on whether it would support the University of Delaware releasing any documents regarding Reade , or other personnel records in 1993 .
America Rising PAC , a GOP opposition research group , has a petition calling on Biden to “ unseal his Senate papers.
” Reade has said she did complain about sexual harassment at the time to her supervisors , and that afterward , her job duties were scaled back .
Two former interns who worked with Reade told The New York Times that they didn ’ t know anything about her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she abruptly stopped supervising them in April , before the end of their internship.
” Biden ’ s aides who worked with him at the time have disputed Reade ’ s account .
“ I never once witnessed , or heard of , or received , any reports of inappropriate conduct , period — not from Ms. Reade , not from anyone , ” said Marianne Baker , Biden ’ s executive assistant , in a comment to The Associated Press .
Baker is one of the staffers Reade said she turned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times wrote that in its recent investigation of Reade ’ s allegation , no other accusation of sexual assault “ surfaced in the course of reporting , nor did any former Biden staff members corroborate any details of Ms. Reade ’ s allegation .
The Times found no pattern of sexual misconduct by Mr. Biden.
” On Monday , Business Insider published an interview with Lynda LaCasse , who lived next door to Reade in the mid-1990s and said she remembered hearing about the incident .
“ This happened , and I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , ” she said .
Last year , Reade and seven other women came forward and accused Biden of behaving toward them in ways that made them uncomfortable .
But she did not make her assault allegation until March 25 , in an interview on a podcast with writer Katie Halper .
“ Vice President Biden has dedicated his public life to changing the culture and the laws around violence against women , ” Kate Bedingfield , communications director for Biden ’ s campaign , said earlier this month .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act .
He firmly believes that women have a right to be heard — and heard respectfully .
Such claims should also be diligently reviewed by an independent press .
What is clear about this claim : It is untrue .
This absolutely did not happen .
”

In April 2019, the university changed its mind and pushed the date back even further. The website now states: “The records will be available no sooner than the later date of December 31, 2019, or two years after the donor retires from public life.”
The University of Delaware still considers Biden to be in “public life” while he is running for office.
Therefore, documents that could help shed light on Biden’s extensive record in office ― including, potentially, the Reade matter ― are closed to the public.
Reade worked in Biden’s office, overseeing the interns, in 1993. She has alleged that while she was employed there, the senator pinned her to a wall and sexually assaulted her.
Reade filed a police report this month, reviewed by The New York Times, saying she was a victim of sexual assault in 1993. She does not name her assaulter. She also said she filed a complaint with a Senate personnel office, but she does not have a copy of the complaint and no record of it has been located.
The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment on whether it would support the University of Delaware releasing any documents regarding Reade, or other personnel records in 1993.
America Rising PAC, a GOP opposition research group, has a petition calling on Biden to “unseal his Senate papers.”
Reade has said she did complain about sexual harassment at the time to her supervisors, and that afterward, her job duties were scaled back. Two former interns who worked with Reade told The New York Times that they didn’t know anything about her allegations, but did remember that “she abruptly stopped supervising them in April, before the end of their internship.”
Biden’s aides who worked with him at the time have disputed Reade’s account.
“I never once witnessed, or heard of, or received, any reports of inappropriate conduct, period — not from Ms. Reade, not from anyone,” said Marianne Baker, Biden’s executive assistant, in a comment to The Associated Press. Baker is one of the staffers Reade said she turned to about the harassment.
The New York Times wrote that in its recent investigation of Reade’s allegation, no other accusation of sexual assault “surfaced in the course of reporting, nor did any former Biden staff members corroborate any details of Ms. Reade’s allegation. The Times found no pattern of sexual misconduct by Mr. Biden.”
On Monday, Business Insider published an interview with Lynda LaCasse, who lived next door to Reade in the mid-1990s and said she remembered hearing about the incident.
“This happened, and I know it did because I remember talking about it,” she said.
Last year, Reade and seven other women came forward and accused Biden of behaving toward them in ways that made them uncomfortable. But she did not make her assault allegation until March 25, in an interview on a podcast with writer Katie Halper.
“Vice President Biden has dedicated his public life to changing the culture and the laws around violence against women,” Kate Bedingfield, communications director for Biden’s campaign, said earlier this month. “He authored and fought for the passage and reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act. He firmly believes that women have a right to be heard — and heard respectfully. Such claims should also be diligently reviewed by an independent press. What is clear about this claim: It is untrue. This absolutely did not happen.”
UPDATE: MAY 1 ― Biden addressed the Reade allegations for the first time publicly during a May 1 interview with MSNBC’s Morning Joe. He said there are no personnel files in his papers at the University of Delaware, which is why he would not release them or authorize a search of her name in those files. If there is a complaint, he said, it would be with the National Archives, and he was asking the institution to release anything it had on the matter.
The National Archives, however, told HuffPost it had no such records: “Any records of Senate personnel complaints from 1993 would have remained under the control of the Senate. Accordingly, inquiries related to these records should be directed to the Senate.”
CORRECTION: This piece originally stated that Reade filed a police report in 1993. She filed a police report in April 2020 about the alleged 1993 incident.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--Wisconsin Election Winner Lashes 'Unconscionable' GOP For Forcing Vote

A Democrat who won a hotly contested Wisconsin state Supreme Court judgeship called her election victory “ bittersweet ” because of rising COVID-19 cases linked to in-person voting forced by state Republicans .
“ I find it unconscionable that Wisconsin voters were forced to choose between their safety and having their voices heard in our democracy , ” wrote Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice-elect Jill Karofsky in an op-ed in The New York Times Monday .
The GOP won court battles to scuttle Gov .
Tony Evers ’ bid for more time for mail-in ballots so people wouldn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forty new cases of COVID-19 in Milwaukee County alone have now been linked to the April 7 election .
She noted that Wisconsin judges backing the Republicans all voted early , so they personally risked nothing , even as they sent other voters into danger .
To protect themselves , the judges didn ’ t meet face to face to hear the case .
Yet citizens , in order to exercise their right to vote , had to endure hours on lines where they risked contagion , Karofsky pointed out .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American creed , ” Karofsky wrote .
“ Courts making partisan decisions , sending people out to vote in the middle of a global pandemic , is exactly what ’ s wrong with a judiciary that has become too political.
” She said she believes the GOP battle was a “ deliberate attempt to suppress the vote in Wisconsin.
” It was “ unacceptable to hold an election under circumstances in which people were forced to choose between their safety and voting , ” Karofsky declared .
“ It disenfranchised countless people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our democracy.
” Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost ?
Here ’ s how .

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A Democrat who won a hotly contested Wisconsin state Supreme Court judgeship called her election victory “bittersweet” because of rising COVID-19 cases linked to in-person voting forced by state Republicans.
“I find it unconscionable that Wisconsin voters were forced to choose between their safety and having their voices heard in our democracy,” wrote Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice-elect Jill Karofsky in an op-ed in The New York Times Monday.
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The GOP won court battles to scuttle Gov. Tony Evers’ bid for more time for mail-in ballots so people wouldn’t have to risk COVID-19 contagion to vote. Forty new cases of COVID-19 in Milwaukee County alone have now been linked to the April 7 election.
She noted that Wisconsin judges backing the Republicans all voted early, so they personally risked nothing, even as they sent other voters into danger. To protect themselves, the judges didn’t meet face to face to hear the case. Yet citizens, in order to exercise their right to vote, had to endure hours on lines where they risked contagion, Karofsky pointed out.
“The right to vote is fundamental to the American creed,” Karofsky wrote. “Courts making partisan decisions, sending people out to vote in the middle of a global pandemic, is exactly what’s wrong with a judiciary that has become too political.”
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She said she believes the GOP battle was a “deliberate attempt to suppress the vote in Wisconsin.”
It was “unacceptable to hold an election under circumstances in which people were forced to choose between their safety and voting,” Karofsky declared. “It disenfranchised countless people and raised serious concerns for the future of our democracy.” “It can never happen again.” Check out Karofsky’s op-ed here.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear Sorry He Held Up Tupac Shakur's Unemployment Check

FRANKFORT , Ky. ( AP ) — It ’ s no joke — Tupac Shakur lives in Kentucky and needs unemployment benefits to pay his bills .
The Lexington man ’ s name was brought up by Gov .
Andy Beshear on Monday night as he spoke about how the state is trying to process all unemployment claims filed in March amid the coronavirus pandemic by the end of April .
According to Beshear , a few “ bad apples ” including a person who filed an unemployment claim under the name of rapper Tupac Shakur — who was killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for slowing down the state ’ s unemployment processing .
He blamed people who “ think they ’ re funny ” for making “ thousands of other people wait ” for their unemployment payments .
But the Lexington Herald-Leade reports Tupac Malik Shakur , 46 , who goes by Malik , lives in Lexington and worked as a cook before restrictions to stop the spread of the coronavirus shut down restaurants .
He filed for unemployment March 13 and has been waiting to receive his first check .
“ I ’ ve been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to figure out how to pay the bills , ” Shakur said .
He told the newspaper he wondered why his benefits were being held up , but did not think the labor cabinet would declare his claim was a prank .
Beshear ’ s office originally said the state could not verify the identity on the application but after getting information from the newspaper , the state is working to resolve the claim .
Beshear called Shakur personally on Tuesday to apologize and Shakur said he appreciated the gesture and forgave Beshear @

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — It’s no joke — Tupac Shakur lives in Kentucky and needs unemployment benefits to pay his bills.
The Lexington man’s name was brought up by Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday night as he spoke about how the state is trying to process all unemployment claims filed in March amid the coronavirus pandemic by the end of April.
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According to Beshear, a few “bad apples” including a person who filed an unemployment claim under the name of rapper Tupac Shakur — who was killed in a 1996 shooting — are responsible for slowing down the state’s unemployment processing. He blamed people who “think they’re funny” for making “thousands of other people wait” for their unemployment payments.
But the Lexington Herald-Leade reports Tupac Malik Shakur, 46, who goes by Malik, lives in Lexington and worked as a cook before restrictions to stop the spread of the coronavirus shut down restaurants.
He filed for unemployment March 13 and has been waiting to receive his first check.
“I’ve been struggling for like the last month trying to figure out how to pay the bills,” Shakur said.
He told the newspaper he wondered why his benefits were being held up, but did not think the labor cabinet would declare his claim was a prank.
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“I’m hurt, I’m really embarrassed and I’m shocked,” Shakur said.
Beshear’s office originally said the state could not verify the identity on the application but after getting information from the newspaper, the state is working to resolve the claim.
Beshear called Shakur personally on Tuesday to apologize and Shakur said he appreciated the gesture and forgave Beshear.
“I understand, he’s dealing with a lot,” Shakur said. “Mistakes happen.”
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--Hillary Clinton Endorses Joe Biden For President In 2020 Race

“ Vice President Biden has dedicated his public life to changing the culture and the laws around violence against women , ” Kate Bedingfield , Biden ’ s campaign spokesperson , said in her statement .
“ He authored and fought for the passage and reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act .
He firmly believes that women have a right to be heard ― and heard respectfully.
” Biden , who has not yet addressed the most recent allegations publicly , emphasized his record introducing the Violence Against Women Act in Congress during the virtual town hall with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for women currently forced to adhere to stay at home orders with their abusers .
“ Women are experiencing much of the pandemic ’ s devastating impacts more than anyone else , ” Biden said .
“ Millions of women have lost their jobs or are having their hours slashed or are facing worries of just making ends meet ...
Domestic violence survivors are at a heightened risk forced to shelter in place with their abusers .
Women ’ s access to reproductive health care is increasingly in jeopardy.
” The Democratic Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the Biden campaign ’ s biggest messages going into the general election : that Biden can unify the party to beat President Donald Trump .
Women voters play a big role in that ; a recent CNN poll showed Trump losing to Biden among women by 30 points .
Biden has already made a nod to that reality pledging to nominate a woman as his running mate .
So far Biden ’ s endorsers have kept quiet about the allegations made against him .
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand ( D-N.Y. ) , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” movement to take women ’ s accounts of sexual assault seriously , defended Biden Tuesday .
“ I stand by Vice President Biden , ” she told reporters .
“ He ’ s devoted his life to supporting women and he has vehemently denied this allegation.
” Beating Trump has become the primary focus .
Sanders ( I-Vt. ) endorsed Biden a week after dropping out of the presidential race on April 8 , acknowledged there were significant policy differences between his democratic socialism and Biden ’ s moderate views , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the White House over those differences .

“Vice President Biden has dedicated his public life to changing the culture and the laws around violence against women,” Kate Bedingfield, Biden’s campaign spokesperson, said in her statement. “He authored and fought for the passage and reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act. He firmly believes that women have a right to be heard ― and heard respectfully.”
Biden, who has not yet addressed the most recent allegations publicly, emphasized his record introducing the Violence Against Women Act in Congress during the virtual town hall with Clinton, and called for more support for women currently forced to adhere to stay at home orders with their abusers.
“Women are experiencing much of the pandemic’s devastating impacts more than anyone else,” Biden said. “Millions of women have lost their jobs or are having their hours slashed or are facing worries of just making ends meet ... Domestic violence survivors are at a heightened risk forced to shelter in place with their abusers. Women’s access to reproductive health care is increasingly in jeopardy.”
The Democratic Party’s consolidation behind Biden has been among the Biden campaign’s biggest messages going into the general election: that Biden can unify the party to beat President Donald Trump. Women voters play a big role in that; a recent CNN poll showed Trump losing to Biden among women by 30 points. Biden has already made a nod to that reality pledging to nominate a woman as his running mate.
So far Biden’s endorsers have kept quiet about the allegations made against him. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), a staunch advocate of the “Me Too” movement to take women’s accounts of sexual assault seriously, defended Biden Tuesday.
“I stand by Vice President Biden,” she told reporters. “He’s devoted his life to supporting women and he has vehemently denied this allegation.”
Beating Trump has become the primary focus. Sanders (I-Vt.) endorsed Biden a week after dropping out of the presidential race on April 8, acknowledged there were significant policy differences between his democratic socialism and Biden’s moderate views, but emphasized the need to put a Democrat in the White House over those differences.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-28--Progressive Democrats Call For Essential Worker Protections In Next Stimulus

Democrats are making a push for hazard pay and new safety protections for workers in the next coronavirus stimulus package to be taken up by Congress .
Lawmakers sent a letter to Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate on Monday night asking that the elements of an “ essential workers bill of rights ” be included in the next stimulus phase .
The measures include premium pay for front-line workers , funding for child care and additional protections for workplace safety whistleblowers , among other asks .
“ The next coronavirus relief package to pass Congress must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ containing a comprehensive set of policies to protect frontline workers during this public health emergency , ” the lawmakers wrote .
The wish list from Democrats was put together by Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( Mass . )
and Rep. Ro Khanna ( Calif. ) , and co-signed by eight other senators and 47 other members of the House , most of them members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus .
Congress has so far passed three relief packages , along with a fourth interim deal aimed at replenishing a program run by the Small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to nearly $ 2.8 trillion , with more to come as lawmakers debate additional spending to address a historic economic downturn .
Democrats say the essential worker proposal would protect essential employees working through the pandemic , like nurses , grocery clerks , bus drivers , postal workers and warehouse workers , as they face the hazards posed by COVID-19 .
The plan would guarantee additional pay and force employers to provide workers with the personal protective equipment many have been lacking .
The plan would also require the Occupational Safety and Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic ― a move the Trump administration has resisted ― and attach more strings to stimulus funds .
For instance , companies accepting federal money would have to remain neutral in union organizing drives .
Most of the Democratic demands would face an almost certain death in the GOP-controlled Senate , particularly those that would create permanent mandates for sick and family leave .
Some elements could find their way into the next stimulus deal , but it depends on where Democrats , and especially House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( Calif. ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many of them have called for federally funded hazard pay , with one plan to give essential workers an additional $ 13 per hour , to be capped at $ 25,000 for the year for most .
But Democrats are also desperate to win funding for cities and states that face steep budget shortfalls thanks to a drop in tax revenue since the pandemic began .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) has rediscovered his concern about the national debt , suggesting that cash-strapped states should instead be allowed to seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief would amount to a “ blue state bailout ” ― even though red states also stand to be in rough fiscal shape ― setting up another clash over the aid in the next bill .
Warren took part in a call with essential workers from around the country on Saturday where she made her case for the protections .
Many of the workers ― including a McDonald ’ s employee , a social worker and a delivery driver ― said they were paid too little and had too few safeguards for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
“ Anyone who still has to go to work every day and doesn ’ t have the ability to telework knows the fear of being at increased risk for the coronavirus , ” Warren told them .
“ Our nation has a duty to take care of you while you are taking care of all of us .
”

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Democrats are making a push for hazard pay and new safety protections for workers in the next coronavirus stimulus package to be taken up by Congress.
Lawmakers sent a letter to Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate on Monday night asking that the elements of an “essential workers bill of rights” be included in the next stimulus phase. The measures include premium pay for front-line workers, funding for child care and additional protections for workplace safety whistleblowers, among other asks.
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“The next coronavirus relief package to pass Congress must include an Essential Workers Bill of Rights containing a comprehensive set of policies to protect frontline workers during this public health emergency,” the lawmakers wrote.
The wish list from Democrats was put together by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (Calif.), and co-signed by eight other senators and 47 other members of the House, most of them members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Congress has so far passed three relief packages, along with a fourth interim deal aimed at replenishing a program run by the Small Business Administration. The total funds amount to nearly $2.8 trillion, with more to come as lawmakers debate additional spending to address a historic economic downturn.
Democrats say the essential worker proposal would protect essential employees working through the pandemic, like nurses, grocery clerks, bus drivers, postal workers and warehouse workers, as they face the hazards posed by COVID-19. The plan would guarantee additional pay and force employers to provide workers with the personal protective equipment many have been lacking.
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The plan would also require the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue enforceable safety standards for the pandemic ― a move the Trump administration has resisted ― and attach more strings to stimulus funds. For instance, companies accepting federal money would have to remain neutral in union organizing drives.
Most of the Democratic demands would face an almost certain death in the GOP-controlled Senate, particularly those that would create permanent mandates for sick and family leave. Some elements could find their way into the next stimulus deal, but it depends on where Democrats, and especially House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), choose to put their leverage.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Rep. Ro Khanna (Calif.) and other Democrats have been calling for more worker provisions in the stimulus legislation. AMANDA SABGA via Getty Images
Many of them have called for federally funded hazard pay, with one plan to give essential workers an additional $13 per hour, to be capped at $25,000 for the year for most. But Democrats are also desperate to win funding for cities and states that face steep budget shortfalls thanks to a drop in tax revenue since the pandemic began.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has rediscovered his concern about the national debt, suggesting that cash-strapped states should instead be allowed to seek bankruptcy protection. His office says federal relief would amount to a “blue state bailout” ― even though red states also stand to be in rough fiscal shape ― setting up another clash over the aid in the next bill.
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Warren took part in a call with essential workers from around the country on Saturday where she made her case for the protections. Many of the workers ― including a McDonald’s employee, a social worker and a delivery driver ― said they were paid too little and had too few safeguards for the work they were asked to do during the pandemic.
“Anyone who still has to go to work every day and doesn’t have the ability to telework knows the fear of being at increased risk for the coronavirus,” Warren told them. “Our nation has a duty to take care of you while you are taking care of all of us.”