thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-17--Muslims Prepare For Ramadan During Coronavirus Pandemic

Now , with the spread of the new coronavirus , flying is off the table .
So is having friends and relatives over for a potluck iftar , the breaking of the fast .
Mohamed is older than 65 and says she can not risk it .
Ramadan , which starts later this month , unites Muslims the world over in fasting and worship .
This year , it follows a string of religious holidays that have also unified the faithful from different religions in grappling with how to observe familiar rituals and celebrations in a time of unfamiliarity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks forward to the special Ramadan prayers , known as “ taraweeh , ” at the mosque .
She will now pray at home with her daughter .
But what about the dua , or supplication ?
The imam moves her to tears .
As he prays for dead loved ones or those suffering in faraway lands in his “ miraculous ” voice , sobs rise from the faithful and intermingle with chants of “ Amen ” recited in unison .
“ That would help us a lot , ” she said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be the same .
At her mosque , female worshippers hug and chat after the prayers as children scurry around and dates and chocolate are passed from hand to hand .
During Ramadan , the faithful abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset as they strive for self-purification and empathy .
It ’ s a time for prayers , introspection and charity .
Normally , it ’ s also a time for family , friends and festive feasting .
Many Muslims have been praying for the coronavirus cloud , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over , to lift before Ramadan .
Mosque closures and modified calls for prayers urging the devout to pray at home have left many feeling emotional .
They are relying on worship at home and online religious classes .
This year , some are planning virtual interfaith iftars .
“ How do we build ourselves to where we are more connected to Him ?
” asked Suleiman , who has been streaming virtual sermons and nightly reflections to more than 1.4 million Facebook followers .
Malaysia , Brunei and Singapore have banned popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drinks in congested open-air markets or roadside stalls .
In predominantly Muslim Malaysia , vendors are now planning to bring their businesses online through mobile apps or digital platforms provided by local authorities during the fasting month .
Mohamad Fadhil , a trader in Malaysia ’ s southern Johor state , said he was resigned to not being able to do business at the Ramadan bazaar or perform the taraweeh prayers at the mosque .
“ We just have to be patient and follow orders , ” he said .
In Iran , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s worst outbreaks , Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei suggested that mass gatherings may be barred through the holy month .
“ Remember to heed your prayers and devotions in your lonesomeness , ” he said .
Zuher Dubie , a 71-year-old mosque preacher in the West Bank city of Nablus , has been observing Ramadan and praying in mosques since he was 10 .
For the first time since , Dubie said , he wouldn ’ t be able to practice some of the month ’ s rituals .
Before , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many binge watch television shows produced for Ramadan entertainment .
At around 3:00 a.m. , she would wake up to have “ suhoor ” and cook up a storm .
Using groceries that she and co-workers had pitched in to buy , she would prepare dozens of meals before she left for work .
Before iftar , Selim and other volunteers would go outside to distribute boxes neatly packed with salad , rice , chicken or meatballs .

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WINTER PARK, Fla. (AP) — Seattle resident Maggie Mohamed was looking forward to spending the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in her native Egypt.
Now, with the spread of the new coronavirus, flying is off the table. So is having friends and relatives over for a potluck iftar, the breaking of the fast. Mohamed is older than 65 and says she cannot risk it.
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“It’s very sad. We were very excited,” she said. But, “I don’t take it as a punishment. I take it as a wake-up (call).”
Ramadan, which starts later this month, unites Muslims the world over in fasting and worship. This year, it follows a string of religious holidays that have also unified the faithful from different religions in grappling with how to observe familiar rituals and celebrations in a time of unfamiliarity.
Mohamed is contemplating workarounds. She always looks forward to the special Ramadan prayers, known as “taraweeh,” at the mosque. She will now pray at home with her daughter. But what about the dua, or supplication? The imam moves her to tears. As he prays for dead loved ones or those suffering in faraway lands in his “miraculous” voice, sobs rise from the faithful and intermingle with chants of “Amen” recited in unison.
Mohamed wonders: Can he make dua over Zoom video conferencing?
“That would help us a lot,” she said, even as she noted it wouldn’t be the same. At her mosque, female worshippers hug and chat after the prayers as children scurry around and dates and chocolate are passed from hand to hand.
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The Azazie Mosque in Varna, Bulgaria livestreams on Facebook to connect with their mosque members at home, on April 07, 2020. Hristo Rusev/NurPhoto via Getty Images
During Ramadan, the faithful abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset as they strive for self-purification and empathy. It’s a time for prayers, introspection and charity. Normally, it’s also a time for family, friends and festive feasting.
This year, there are indications the outbreak will cast a pall over many beloved rituals.
Many Muslims have been praying for the coronavirus cloud, which has already disrupted Islamic worship the world over, to lift before Ramadan. Mosque closures and modified calls for prayers urging the devout to pray at home have left many feeling emotional. They are relying on worship at home and online religious classes. This year, some are planning virtual interfaith iftars.
Texas-based imam Omar Suleiman said empty mosques are reason for reflection.
“How do we build ourselves to where we are more connected to Him?” asked Suleiman, who has been streaming virtual sermons and nightly reflections to more than 1.4 million Facebook followers.
“Now we have a chance to develop empathy with those that have not had access to their religious spaces due to oppressive circumstances.”
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A woman walks through an Al Azhar district street market where people usually buy spices and herbs to prepare for Ramadan, in Cairo, Egypt, 12 April 2020. Ziad Ahmed/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore have banned popular Ramadan bazaars where hawkers sell food and drinks in congested open-air markets or roadside stalls. In predominantly Muslim Malaysia, vendors are now planning to bring their businesses online through mobile apps or digital platforms provided by local authorities during the fasting month.
Mohamad Fadhil, a trader in Malaysia’s southern Johor state, said he was resigned to not being able to do business at the Ramadan bazaar or perform the taraweeh prayers at the mosque. “We just have to be patient and follow orders,” he said.
In Iran, which is suffering one of the world’s worst outbreaks, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei suggested that mass gatherings may be barred through the holy month. “Remember to heed your prayers and devotions in your lonesomeness,” he said.
A Palestinian vendor wears a face mask while preparing for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus disease, in Gaza City, on April 15, 2020. Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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The Islamic Waqf, which administers the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, Islam’s third-holiest site, announced today that the mosque will continue to be closed to worshippers for Ramadan.
It’s difficult, Sheikh Azzam Khateeb, the director general of the Waqf, said before the latest announcement, but “the health of the worshippers comes before anything else.”
Zuher Dubie, a 71-year-old mosque preacher in the West Bank city of Nablus, has been observing Ramadan and praying in mosques since he was 10. For the first time since, Dubie said, he wouldn’t be able to practice some of the month’s rituals.
“There will be no social gatherings, no Ramadan aroma in the markets, no collective prayers … in mosques,” he lamented.
In Egypt, the Ministry of Religious Endowments decided to suspend communal Ramadan activities, including mass charity iftars around mosques. Mosques have already closed for prayers there and the country is under a night-time curfew.
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Ramadan is normally lively in the country of more than 100 million ― and steeped in tradition.
Ordinarily, worshippers fill mosques and shoppers swarm markets. Loved ones gather over scrumptious iftars. Strangers break bread together in street banquets that feed the needy. Cafes teem with patrons chatting over a cacophony of gurgling water pipes and blaring music. And Ramadan lanterns cast a colorful glow over bustling streets.
In some areas, a “mesaharati,” bangs on a drum as he wakes up residents for “suhoor,” the pre-dawn meal that will sustain them through another day of fasting.
Women wear face masks while walking in Cairo, Egypt, on April 16, 2020, ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Amr Abdallah Dalsh / Reuters
Souad Selim, an Egyptian, has been wondering what all the changes this year would mean for a cherished Ramadan ritual.
Before, she would slip early to bed as many binge watch television shows produced for Ramadan entertainment. At around 3:00 a.m., she would wake up to have “suhoor” and cook up a storm. Using groceries that she and co-workers had pitched in to buy, she would prepare dozens of meals before she left for work. Before iftar, Selim and other volunteers would go outside to distribute boxes neatly packed with salad, rice, chicken or meatballs.
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Now, she likely won’t be able to hand out meals on the street but she’s determined to send iftars to the homes of those she knows need them.
“It’s hard to describe how much goodness and blessings Ramadan brings,” she said.
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-18--U.S. Coronavirus Crisis Takes Sharp Political Turn As Trump Blasts States

NEW YORK ( Reuters ) - The U.S. coronavirus crisis took a sharp political turn on Friday as President Donald Trump lashed out at four Democratic governors over their handling of the pandemic after having conceded that states bear ultimate control of restrictions to contain the outbreak .
The Republican president targeted three swing states critical to his re-election bid - Michigan , Minnesota and Virginia - where his conservative loyalists have mounted pressure campaigns challenging those governors ’ stay-at-home orders .
Amplifying a theme that his supporters have trumpeted this week in street protests at the state capitals of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump issued a series of matching Twitter posts touting the slogans : “ LIBERATE MICHIGAN !
” “ LIBERATE MINNESOTA !
” and “ LIBERATE VIRGINIA !
” Michigan has become a particular focus of agitation to relax social-distancing rules that rank among the strictest in the nation after Governor Gretchen Whitmer , widely seen as a potential running mate for presumed Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden , extended them through the end of April .
Whitmer said on Friday she was hopeful her state , which suffered one of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can begin to restart parts of its economy on May 1 .
But she urged doing so cautiously to avoid reigniting the outbreak just as it was being brought to heel .
Responding to Trump ’ s critique later in the day , Whitmer said Michigan will re-engage its economy when it ’ s safe , adding : “ The last thing I want to do is to have a second wave here.
” Trump also took renewed aim at one of his favorite political foils , New York Governor Andrew Cuomo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. epicenter of the outbreak , had asked for too much assistance that was never fully used .
At his daily news briefing , Cuomo shot back saying Trump should “ maybe get up and go to work ” instead of watching TV , and accused the president of favoring the airline industry and business cronies in a recent bailout package that left little for the states .
The flare-up in political sparring came as the number of known coronavirus infections in the United States surpassed 700,000 , the most of any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tally of lives lost from COVID-19 , the highly contagious lung disease caused by the virus , has soared to more than 35,000 .
New York state accounts for nearly half those deaths .
While the death toll continued to climb , the rate of hospitalizations and other indicators have been leveling off , a sign that drastic social-distancing restrictions imposed in 42 of the 50 U.S. states were working to curtail the outbreak .
Stay-at-home orders and the closure of non-essential businesses have also strangled U.S. commerce , triggering millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for its deepest recession since the economic collapse of the 1930s .
The result has been mounting pressure to ease the shutdowns , leading to clashes between Trump , who had touted the strength of the U.S. economy as the best case for his re-election in November , and governors in hard-hit states who warned against lifting restrictions too quickly .
Trump , who played down the coronavirus threat in its early stages , had been pressing to restart idled businesses as soon as May 1 , at first declaring “ total ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who resisted his approach , many of them Democrats , as “ mutineers.
” In the end Trump acknowledged it was up to the governors to decide when and how to relax the restrictions they themselves had imposed since last month , presenting new federal guidelines on Thursday as recommendations .
While the guidelines call for a phased-in , science-based strategy in keeping with the advice of leading health experts , the plan hinges on widespread testing to gauge the scope of infections and how many people might have developed immunity to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have the capacity in the United States to do a sufficient amount of testing for states to move into phase one in the time and manner that they deem appropriate , ” Vice President Mike Pence told reporters .
“ Is there any funding so I can do these things that you want us to do ?
No .
That is passing the buck without passing the bucks , ” Cuomo said .

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NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. coronavirus crisis took a sharp political turn on Friday as President Donald Trump lashed out at four Democratic governors over their handling of the pandemic after having conceded that states bear ultimate control of restrictions to contain the outbreak.
The Republican president targeted three swing states critical to his re-election bid - Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia - where his conservative loyalists have mounted pressure campaigns challenging those governors’ stay-at-home orders. Amplifying a theme that his supporters have trumpeted this week in street protests at the state capitals of Lansing, St. Paul, and Richmond, Trump issued a series of matching Twitter posts touting the slogans: “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” “LIBERATE MINNESOTA!” and “LIBERATE VIRGINIA!”
LIBERATE MICHIGAN! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
LIBERATE MINNESOTA! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
LIBERATE VIRGINIA, and save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
Michigan has become a particular focus of agitation to relax social-distancing rules that rank among the strictest in the nation after Governor Gretchen Whitmer, widely seen as a potential running mate for presumed Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, extended them through the end of April.
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Protesters defying the restrictions from the steps of the state Capitol on Wednesday shouted “lock her up,” a chant that was a staple of Trump’s campaign rallies and originally referred to his 2016 Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.
‘WHEN IT’S SAFE’
Whitmer said on Friday she was hopeful her state, which suffered one of the country’s fastest-growing coronavirus infection rates, can begin to restart parts of its economy on May 1. But she urged doing so cautiously to avoid reigniting the outbreak just as it was being brought to heel.
Responding to Trump’s critique later in the day, Whitmer said Michigan will re-engage its economy when it’s safe, adding: “The last thing I want to do is to have a second wave here.”
Trump also took renewed aim at one of his favorite political foils, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, suggesting on Twitter that his state, the U.S. epicenter of the outbreak, had asked for too much assistance that was never fully used.
At his daily news briefing, Cuomo shot back saying Trump should “maybe get up and go to work” instead of watching TV, and accused the president of favoring the airline industry and business cronies in a recent bailout package that left little for the states.
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The flare-up in political sparring came as the number of known coronavirus infections in the United States surpassed 700,000, the most of any country. At the same time, the tally of lives lost from COVID-19, the highly contagious lung disease caused by the virus, has soared to more than 35,000. New York state accounts for nearly half those deaths.
While the death toll continued to climb, the rate of hospitalizations and other indicators have been leveling off, a sign that drastic social-distancing restrictions imposed in 42 of the 50 U.S. states were working to curtail the outbreak.
Stay-at-home orders and the closure of non-essential businesses have also strangled U.S. commerce, triggering millions of layoffs and forecasts that America is headed for its deepest recession since the economic collapse of the 1930s.
The result has been mounting pressure to ease the shutdowns, leading to clashes between Trump, who had touted the strength of the U.S. economy as the best case for his re-election in November, and governors in hard-hit states who warned against lifting restrictions too quickly.
Trump, who played down the coronavirus threat in its early stages, had been pressing to restart idled businesses as soon as May 1, at first declaring “total” authority to do so and branding governors who resisted his approach, many of them Democrats, as “mutineers.”
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STATE CONTROL AND TESTING
In the end Trump acknowledged it was up to the governors to decide when and how to relax the restrictions they themselves had imposed since last month, presenting new federal guidelines on Thursday as recommendations.
While the guidelines call for a phased-in, science-based strategy in keeping with the advice of leading health experts, the plan hinges on widespread testing to gauge the scope of infections and how many people might have developed immunity to the virus.
At a White House briefing on Friday, Trump’s coronavirus task force members, through statements and graphics, pushed back against criticism from some governors and lawmakers that limited testing ability is impeding the country’s return to normalcy.
“We believe today that we have the capacity in the United States to do a sufficient amount of testing for states to move into phase one in the time and manner that they deem appropriate,” Vice President Mike Pence told reporters.
Cuomo argued earlier that the Trump administration was foisting responsibility for a massive testing program on the states without providing necessary financial resources.
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“Is there any funding so I can do these things that you want us to do? No. That is passing the buck without passing the bucks,” Cuomo said.
Even as Cuomo was addressing reporters, Trump immediately took to Twitter in Washington to fire back, saying he “should spend more time ‘doing’ and less time ‘complaining.’”
Trump struck a more conciliatory tone during the White House briefing. Asked about criticism leveled at him earlier in the day by Washington state Governor Jay Inslee, a Democrat who accused Trump of “fomenting domestic rebellion” with his “LIBERATE” tweets, the president demurred.
Trump denied he was suggesting that Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia lift their stay-at-home orders altogether, but added, “I think elements of what they’ve done are too much.”
Of the protesters, Trump said, “These are people expressing their views.” He added, “They seem to be very responsible to me. ... But they’ve been treated a little bit rough.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-18--People Make 'Mad Dash' To Florida Beach That Reopened Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

People flocked to a reopened beach in Jacksonville , Florida , on Friday afternoon after officials partially lifted restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus .
CNN correspondent Randi Kaye , who was reporting from the scene , described it as “ a mad dash here for the ocean ” on Friday ’ s broadcast of “ Anderson Cooper 360°.
” “ Once police gave the all-clear , all the people who had been lined up in the streets waiting to get to the beach when they opened today at 5 p.m. , they just flooded the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were biking , they were running , they were swimming , surfing , they were fishing some of them , a lot of people brought their dogs , ” she continued .
“ It was as if they had been cooped up for so long , for years .
That ’ s how they were behaving when really it had only been about a month because they first closed this beach on March 20.
” Kaye said there “ wasn ’ t a whole lot of ” social distancing going on , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with beach coolers and other people sunbathing .
A surfer interviewed by CNN said they would not be surprised if the easing of restrictions did not last very long , given the number of people who ’ d arrived .
Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis ( R ) , who has been widely criticized for his slow , haphazard and sloppy response to the public health crisis , this week said some municipalities could start reopening beaches and parks if social distancing measures were in place and it could be done safely .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duval County would reopen from 6 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. for walking , biking , hiking , fishing , running , swimming , taking care of pets and surfing .
In a video shared online , he urged people to still social distance .
Beaches and parks in Duval County will reopen Friday , April 17 at 5 p.m. with certain restrictions .
Beaches will only be open from 6am to 11am and 5pm to 8pm Please watch the video for additional details and follow this link for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — City of Jacksonville ( COJ ) ( @ CityofJax ) April 16 , 2020 Curry later tweeted this picture to thank residents for purportedly adhering to the rules , before sharing other tweets that showed more people on the sand .
Thank you Jacksonville .
I appreciate your social distancing and responsible behavior as we opened our beaches for walking , swimming , running etc .
No groups congregating .
5 pm to 8pm opening tonight .
This is the 7pm shot from Councilman Diamond from the beach .
Well done Jax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lennycurry ) April 18 , 2020 I walked the Atl Beach TC area from 5-6 and I can tell you that these packed photos are deceptive .
Ppl were staying well apart , all were moving/exercising , the police were patrolling diligently , and everyone was respectful .
Our city did great !
— Mary Hill ( @ MaryLeighHill ) April 18 , 2020 There have been a few people trying to lay out on the beach , Jax Beach Police are educating them and they are packing up .
Seems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pier .
pic.twitter.com/inLE2jE5if — Jon McGowan ( @ JonMcGowanFL ) April 17 , 2020 COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , has so far killed more than 150,000 people worldwide and upwards of 37,000 people in the U.S. , which now has more confirmed cases than any other country .

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People flocked to a reopened beach in Jacksonville, Florida, on Friday afternoon after officials partially lifted restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
CNN correspondent Randi Kaye, who was reporting from the scene, described it as “a mad dash here for the ocean” on Friday’s broadcast of “Anderson Cooper 360.”
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“Once police gave the all-clear, all the people who had been lined up in the streets waiting to get to the beach when they opened today at 5 p.m., they just flooded the area,” said Kaye.
“They were biking, they were running, they were swimming, surfing, they were fishing some of them, a lot of people brought their dogs,” she continued. “It was as if they had been cooped up for so long, for years. That’s how they were behaving when really it had only been about a month because they first closed this beach on March 20.”
Kaye said there “wasn’t a whole lot of” social distancing going on, with some groups set up on the sand with beach coolers and other people sunbathing.
A surfer interviewed by CNN said they would not be surprised if the easing of restrictions did not last very long, given the number of people who’d arrived.
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Another beachgoer noted there were “so many people standing around, everyone’s so close together.”
Check out the segment here:
"It was a mad dash here for the ocean," says @randikayeCNN, from a reopened beach in Jacksonville, Florida.
But while coolers and surfboards were prevalent, social distancing methods were sadly less so.https://t.co/33b3i6Thie pic.twitter.com/Trw9LVm4yY — Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) April 18, 2020
And photographs taken in Jacksonville on Friday afternoon here:
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Sam Greenwood via Getty Images
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
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Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Sam Greenwood via Getty Images
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who has been widely criticized for his slow, haphazard and sloppy response to the public health crisis, this week said some municipalities could start reopening beaches and parks if social distancing measures were in place and it could be done safely.
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Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said beaches in Duval County would reopen from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for walking, biking, hiking, fishing, running, swimming, taking care of pets and surfing. In a video shared online, he urged people to still social distance.
Check out the clip here:
Beaches and parks in Duval County will reopen Friday, April 17 at 5 p.m. with certain restrictions. Beaches will only be open from 6am to 11am and 5pm to 8pm
Please watch the video for additional details and follow this link for the press release. https://t.co/TmkOmXhphS pic.twitter.com/206hiEbRyZ — City of Jacksonville (COJ) (@CityofJax) April 16, 2020
Curry later tweeted this picture to thank residents for purportedly adhering to the rules, before sharing other tweets that showed more people on the sand.
Thank you Jacksonville. I appreciate your social distancing and responsible behavior as we opened our beaches for walking, swimming, running etc. No groups congregating. 5 pm to 8pm opening tonight. This is the 7pm shot from Councilman Diamond from the beach. Well done Jax https://t.co/VPVrhG40zC — Lenny Curry (@lennycurry) April 18, 2020
I walked the Atl Beach TC area from 5-6 and I can tell you that these packed photos are deceptive. Ppl were staying well apart, all were moving/exercising, the police were patrolling diligently, and everyone was respectful. Our city did great! — Mary Hill (@MaryLeighHill) April 18, 2020
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There have been a few people trying to lay out on the beach, Jax Beach Police are educating them and they are packing up. Seems to be isolated to the area south of the pier. pic.twitter.com/inLE2jE5if — Jon McGowan (@JonMcGowanFL) April 17, 2020
The is the busiest part of Jax Beach. Just south of the pier. pic.twitter.com/NLt4jDrjQl — Jon McGowan (@JonMcGowanFL) April 17, 2020
All 3 Duval County beach mayors tell @ActionNewsJax they’ve had no incidents. They say people are following the rules & keeping a safe distance. We’re live at 6! pic.twitter.com/3VuiiFo0Zn — Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) April 17, 2020
COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, has so far killed more than 150,000 people worldwide and upwards of 37,000 people in the U.S., which now has more confirmed cases than any other country.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-17--'Like A Punk': MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace Slams Trump's Incitement To Protest COVID-19 Rules

Several Democrats at the state and nation levels , meanwhile , blasted the president for fomenting domestic violence with a series of tweets calling on his supporters to “ liberate ” Virginia , Minnesota and Michigan — all states with Democratic governors .
Trump urged the action as groups have formed to protest stay-at-home orders and business closures aimed at stemming the spread of the coronavirus .
He ominously also called on people in Virginia to protect their gun rights , which are “ under siege , ” he said .
The protesters , including many Trump supporters wearing “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black balaklavas , and some armed with semiautomatic weapons , descended on Michigan ’ s Capitol on Wednesday .
One man without gloves handed out candy to children , according to Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , apparently to flout his lack of concern about spreading a virus that has killed more than 36,000 Americans in less than eight weeks .
The conservative Michigan Freedom Fund , which has been linked to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos , denied accusations that it organized the event , but it did promote the protest .
Protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan State Capitol in Lansing on Wednesday to protest social distancing regulations and business closures aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19 .
The ongoing conflict is about Trump ’ s “ fragile , teeny-tiny ego and the vast nation that he leads , and he ’ s making all his decisions based on press coverage , ” Wallace said on “ Deadline : White House.
” The difference here … is that people are dying — more than 30,000 people have died .
The virus is still spreading across the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ punk , seemed to tweet about protesters.
” ( Check out Wallace ’ s comments in the video up top . )
Other critics pointed out that Trump just a day ago said it was up to governors to say when COVID-19 restrictions can be lifted .
“ You ’ re going to call your own shots , ” Trump told state leaders , NBC News reported .
Dear @ realDonaldTrump : Michigan does not meet the criteria you set for phase 1 reopening .
It would need to show downward trajectory within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of crisis .
Stop telling people to violate your own guidelines with ridiculous liberate tweets .
https : //t.co/j33s6EXKgn — Ted Lieu ( @ tedlieu ) April 17 , 2020 Sen. Chris Murphy ( D-Conn. ) said Trump was “ encouraging citizens to engage in armed rebellion .
He sent this tweet ... after his supporters showed up with assault weapons at state capitols , ” Murphy added .
“ He knows [ what ] he ’ s doing.
” Let ’ s not normalize this : the President of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ armed rebellion .
He sent this tweet a day after his supporters showed up with assault weapons at state capitols .
He knows what ’ s he ’ s doing .
https : //t.co/25XGY5BbmA — Chris Murphy ( @ ChrisMurphyCT ) April 17 , 2020 Gov .
Jay Inslee ( D ) of Washington , an early hot spot for COVID-19 , also accused Trump of “ fomenting domestic rebellion.
” He charged that Trump is “ spreading lies even while his own administration says the virus is real and is deadly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go before restrictions can be lifted , ” Inslee said in a statement .
The president ’ s statements this morning encourage illegal and dangerous acts .
He is putting millions of people in danger of contracting COVID-19 .
His unhinged rantings and calls for people to “ liberate ” states could also lead to violence .
We ’ ve seen it before .
1/7 — Governor Jay Inslee ( @ GovInslee ) April 17 , 2020 Whitmer , a particular target of Trump ― he ’ s attacked her for “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s tweets would not incite more protests .
“ There is a lot of anxiety , ” Whitmer said at a news briefing Friday .
“ The most important thing that anyone with a platform can do is try to use that platform to tell people , ‘ We are going to get through this .
’ ”

Several Democrats at the state and nation levels, meanwhile, blasted the president for fomenting domestic violence with a series of tweets calling on his supporters to “liberate” Virginia, Minnesota and Michigan — all states with Democratic governors.
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Trump urged the action as groups have formed to protest stay-at-home orders and business closures aimed at stemming the spread of the coronavirus. He ominously also called on people in Virginia to protect their gun rights, which are “under siege,” he said.
The protesters, including many Trump supporters wearing “Make America Great Again” hats or black balaklavas, and some armed with semiautomatic weapons, descended on Michigan’s Capitol on Wednesday. One man without gloves handed out candy to children, according to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, apparently to flout his lack of concern about spreading a virus that has killed more than 36,000 Americans in less than eight weeks. The conservative Michigan Freedom Fund, which has been linked to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, denied accusations that it organized the event, but it did promote the protest.
Protesters tote weapons near the steps of the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing on Wednesday to protest social distancing regulations and business closures aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19. ASSOCIATED PRESS
The ongoing conflict is about Trump’s “fragile, teeny-tiny ego and the vast nation that he leads, and he’s making all his decisions based on press coverage,” Wallace said on “Deadline: White House.” The difference here … is that people are dying — more than 30,000 people have died. The virus is still spreading across the country. And Donald Trump today, like a punk, seemed to tweet about protesters.” (Check out Wallace’s comments in the video up top.)
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Other critics pointed out that Trump just a day ago said it was up to governors to say when COVID-19 restrictions can be lifted. “You’re going to call your own shots,” Trump told state leaders, NBC News reported.
Dear @realDonaldTrump: Michigan does not meet the criteria you set for phase 1 reopening. It would need to show downward trajectory within 14 day period & get its hospitals out of crisis.
Stop telling people to violate your own guidelines with ridiculous liberate tweets. https://t.co/j33s6EXKgn — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) April 17, 2020
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said Trump was “encouraging citizens to engage in armed rebellion. He sent this tweet ... after his supporters showed up with assault weapons at state capitols,” Murphy added. “He knows [what] he’s doing.”
Let’s not normalize this: the President of the United States is encouraging citizens to engage in armed rebellion.
He sent this tweet a day after his supporters showed up with assault weapons at state capitols. He knows what’s he’s doing. https://t.co/25XGY5BbmA — Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) April 17, 2020
Gov. Jay Inslee (D) of Washington, an early hot spot for COVID-19, also accused Trump of “fomenting domestic rebellion.” He charged that Trump is “spreading lies even while his own administration says the virus is real and is deadly, and that we have a long way to go before restrictions can be lifted,” Inslee said in a statement.
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The president’s statements this morning encourage illegal and dangerous acts. He is putting millions of people in danger of contracting COVID-19.
His unhinged rantings and calls for people to “liberate” states could also lead to violence. We’ve seen it before. 1/7 — Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) April 17, 2020
Whitmer, a particular target of Trump ― he’s attacked her for “complaining” ― said she hoped the president’s tweets would not incite more protests.
“There is a lot of anxiety,” Whitmer said at a news briefing Friday. “The most important thing that anyone with a platform can do is try to use that platform to tell people, ‘We are going to get through this.’”
He has lost his mind. Just yesterday he said the restrictions should not be lifted yet. pic.twitter.com/ZSycRcNEoz — Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) April 17, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-17--Trump Won’t Stop Undercutting His Medical Professionals In His Twitter Rants

President Donald Trump let loose a tirade on Twitter Friday morning that included spreading misinformation and seemingly undermined the social distancing advice given by the health experts on the White House coronavirus task force .
His targets included the Obama administration and its vice president , Joe Biden , who ’ s also the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee this year , as well New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) .
The most controversial tweets said “ LIBERATE ” three states ― Michigan , Minnesota , Virginia .
While Trump has used his Twitter account to urge Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the White House ’ s coronavirus task force , his Friday rant shows how he also uses the platform to lash out at others and sow discontent .
Friday afternoon , Washington state Gov .
Jay Inslee blasted him for “ for fomenting domestic rebellion.
” He inflated the number of deaths due to the swine flu pandemic .
As he has done periodically , he targeted former President Barack Obama and Biden for criticism over how they dealt with a previous health crisis .
He tweeted that “ Biden/Obama were a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the H1N1 virus , also known as the swine flu pandemic .
In his latest attack , Trump falsely claimed that 17,000 died during that pandemic , which lasted between April 2009 to April 2010 .
On March 4 , Trump told Fox News that the death toll for the swine flu was “ over 13,000 ” while also pointing out that the conservative news network had suggested it was 17,000 .
However , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the number of deaths in the U.S. during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also estimates that 75,000 people died from the swine flu worldwide .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the Trump administration ’ s top infectious disease expert , has warned people against comparing COVID-19 to H1N1 , telling Fox News in early March that the swine flu was “ less lethal than the regular seasonal flu .
”

President Donald Trump let loose a tirade on Twitter Friday morning that included spreading misinformation and seemingly undermined the social distancing advice given by the health experts on the White House coronavirus task force.
His targets included the Obama administration and its vice president, Joe Biden, who’s also the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee this year, as well New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D). The most controversial tweets said “LIBERATE” three states ― Michigan, Minnesota, Virginia.
While Trump has used his Twitter account to urge Americans to follow the guidance of health officials on the White House’s coronavirus task force, his Friday rant shows how he also uses the platform to lash out at others and sow discontent. Friday afternoon, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee blasted him “for fomenting domestic rebellion.”
Here’s what Trump said:
He inflated the number of deaths due to the swine flu pandemic.
As he has done periodically, he targeted former President Barack Obama and Biden for criticism over how they dealt with a previous health crisis. He tweeted that “Biden/Obama were a disaster” in their handling of the spread of the H1N1 virus, also known as the swine flu pandemic.
In his latest attack, Trump falsely claimed that 17,000 died during that pandemic, which lasted between April 2009 to April 2010. On March 4, Trump told Fox News that the death toll for the swine flu was “over 13,000” while also pointing out that the conservative news network had suggested it was 17,000.
However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the number of deaths in the U.S. during that outbreak was 12,469. The CDC also estimates that 75,000 people died ofthe swine flu worldwide.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Trump administration’s top infectious disease expert, has warned people against comparing COVID-19 to H1N1, telling Fox News in early March that the swine flu was “less lethal than the regular seasonal flu.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-18--Washington Post Board Points Out 'Glaring Gap' In Donald Trump's Coronavirus Reopening Plan

Namely , the question of “ who will address the enormous bottleneck of diagnostic testing , which remains far below @ @ @ @ @ the country ?
” The newspaper ’ s board noted how Trump ’ s “ @ @ @ @ @ officials envisions robust testing that does not yet exist ” and suggested the president was @ @ @ @ @ a canoe with a smile — and saying good luck finding a paddle.
” Trump @ @ @ @ @ ” that the U.S. “ can not return to normal without mass testing , and @ @ @ @ @ , ” the editorial continued .
“ If Mr. Trump were really in a take-charge @ @ @ @ @ a task force to figure out how to overcome these very real obstacles , ” @ @ @ @ @ The toll taken by leadership failure is growing by the hour .
”

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Namely, the question of “who will address the enormous bottleneck of diagnostic testing, which remains far below what is needed to reopen the country?”
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The newspaper’s board noted how Trump’s “guidance to governors and local officials envisions robust testing that does not yet exist” and suggested the president was pushing governors “off in a canoe with a smile — and saying good luck finding a paddle.”
Trump just “does not get” that the U.S. “cannot return to normal without mass testing, and the existing system is inadequate,” the editorial continued.
“If Mr. Trump were really in a take-charge mood, he would convene a task force to figure out how to overcome these very real obstacles,” the board concluded. “The toll taken by leadership failure is growing by the hour.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-17--Pastor Flouting Stay-At-Home Order Remains Defiant After Parishioner's Death

A Louisiana pastor whose church has remained open during the coronavirus pandemic urged his followers to donate their stimulus checks to evangelists like himself ― on the same day one of his elderly parishioners reportedly died due to the virus .
Pastor Tony Spell , who leads Life Tabernacle Church in the suburbs of Baton Rouge , has been openly defying his state ’ s ban on large public gatherings , drawing hundreds to in-person worship services while insisting that “ true Christians do not mind dying.
” Harold Orillion , a 78-year-old member of Life Tabernacle Church , died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the illness caused by the coronavirus , according to several Louisiana news outlets .
The local coroner listed Orillion ’ s cause of death as “ acute respiratory distress syndrome , 2nd pneumonia , 2nd COVID-19 , ” according to a statement obtained by the Daily Beast .
“ Harold did not have Coronavirus , he was never on [ a ] ventilator , he did not have Covid-19 , ” the pastor said .
A lawyer hired to represent Life Tabernacle Church in its fight to ignore Louisiana ’ s stay-at-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus and has been hospitalized since Tuesday , according to local newspaper The Advocate .
On the day of Orillion ’ s death , Spell posted a video to his YouTube page encouraging viewers to get involved in a “ stimulus challenge.
” He asked people to donate the relief checks they ’ re receiving from the federal government as part of the $ 2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package .
Spell suggested donating the money to evangelists , missionaries and music ministers who “ haven ’ t had an offering in a month.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his entire stimulus check of $ 1,200 and his wife is doing the same .
His son is also donating his check of $ 600 , the pastor said .
Spell declined to answer HuffPost ’ s questions about Orillion ’ s death and about the stimulus challenge , telling this reporter in an email , “ If you really want to know come see in person.
” Spell is part of the Oneness Pentecostal tradition .
Like some other Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians , Oneness Pentecostals tend to believe that a faithful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial blessings , according to Lloyd Barba , a scholar of Pentecostalism at Amherst College .
Although Oneness Pentecostals would spurn the label , Barba explained , this belief aligns closely with the “ prosperity gospel ” ― which proposes that God grants health and wealth to those who are faithful in just the right way .
“ Given Pentecostal ideas about giving , there is no doubt that Spell and others would believe that giving either some or all of the stimulus money would result in a blessing back from God , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Bel Edwards ( D ) issued a stay-at-home order on March 22 directing all residents to leave their homes only for essential needs .
Houses of worship are not on the state ’ s list of essential infrastructure .
Barba noted that Spell ’ s approach to the pandemic is an exception among Oneness Pentecostal denominations , most of which have published statements about heeding the government ’ s directives .
Still , that doesn ’ t mean he hasn ’ t received support from his fellow Oneness Pentecostal pastors watching from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not nor will not risk the course of action that Spell has taken , but they indeed admire that he has taken a stance in the name of religious freedom , ” Barba said .
In an interview with TMZ last week , Spell was asked to hypothesize about what he would say if one of his parishioners eventually died of COVID-19 .

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A Louisiana pastor whose church has remained open during the coronavirus pandemic urged his followers to donate their stimulus checks to evangelists like himself ― on the same day one of his elderly parishioners reportedly died due to the virus.
Pastor Tony Spell, who leads Life Tabernacle Church in the suburbs of Baton Rouge, has been openly defying his state’s ban on large public gatherings, drawing hundreds to in-person worship services while insisting that “true Christians do not mind dying.”
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Harold Orillion, a 78-year-old member of Life Tabernacle Church, died on Wednesday from complications related to COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, according to several Louisiana news outlets. The local coroner listed Orillion’s cause of death as “acute respiratory distress syndrome, 2nd pneumonia, 2nd COVID-19,” according to a statement obtained by the Daily Beast.
Nevertheless, Spell is insisting that Orillion’s death was not related to COVID-19.
“He died of a broken heart,” Spell told local NBC affiliate WVLA-TV on Thursday. “Harold’s son died last week,” he said, adding that Orillion had Parkinson’s disease.
“Harold did not have Coronavirus, he was never on [a] ventilator, he did not have Covid-19,” the pastor said.
A lawyer hired to represent Life Tabernacle Church in its fight to ignore Louisiana’s stay-at-home order has also fallen ill from the virus and has been hospitalized since Tuesday, according to local newspaper The Advocate.
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It’s not clear where exactly these two men contracted the coronavirus.
Pastor Tony Spell welcomes worshippers to Easter services at Life Tabernacle Church in Central, Louisiana, on April 12, 2020. Carlos Barria/Reuters
On the day of Orillion’s death, Spell posted a video to his YouTube page encouraging viewers to get involved in a “stimulus challenge.” He asked people to donate the relief checks they’re receiving from the federal government as part of the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package. Spell suggested donating the money to evangelists, missionaries and music ministers who “haven’t had an offering in a month.”
The pastor said he is donating his entire stimulus check of $1,200 and his wife is doing the same. His son is also donating his check of $600, the pastor said.
“If you don’t have a church, give through my website,” he added before spelling out that website address in the video.
Spell declined to answer HuffPost’s questions about Orillion’s death and about the stimulus challenge, telling this reporter in an email, “If you really want to know come see in person.”
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Spell is part of the Oneness Pentecostal tradition. Like some other Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians, Oneness Pentecostals tend to believe that a faithful giving of tithes will result in increased financial blessings, according to Lloyd Barba, a scholar of Pentecostalism at Amherst College.
Although Oneness Pentecostals would spurn the label, Barba explained, this belief aligns closely with the “prosperity gospel” ― which proposes that God grants health and wealth to those who are faithful in just the right way.
“Given Pentecostal ideas about giving, there is no doubt that Spell and others would believe that giving either some or all of the stimulus money would result in a blessing back from God,” Barba said.
Busloads of congregants arrive at Life Tabernacle Church before Easter services on April 12, 2020. Chris Graythen via Getty Images
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) issued a stay-at-home order on March 22 directing all residents to leave their homes only for essential needs. Houses of worship are not on the state’s list of essential infrastructure.
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Local police charged Spell on March 31 with several misdemeanors for defying Edwards’ orders. But Spell pledged to continue holding services.
Barba noted that Spell’s approach to the pandemic is an exception among Oneness Pentecostal denominations, most of which have published statements about heeding the government’s directives. Still, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t received support from his fellow Oneness Pentecostal pastors watching from the sidelines.
“They themselves have not nor will not risk the course of action that Spell has taken, but they indeed admire that he has taken a stance in the name of religious freedom,” Barba said.
In an interview with TMZ last week, Spell was asked to hypothesize about what he would say if one of his parishioners eventually died of COVID-19.
“I have to say that they died like free people, fighting for their convictions,” he responded.
Spell told WVLA-TV that he planned to move forward with Sunday services this weekend.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-17--Number Of Trump Campaign Donors On Back-To-Work Council Raises Ethics Alarm: Report

At least 25 members of President Donald Trump ’ s new back-to-work council , tasked with reviving the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic , have made substantial donations to his reelection campaign , raising serious ethical concerns , ABC News reported Friday .
It ’ s an example of how “ writing big checks to the president and a super PAC means that your voice is heard louder than many others , ” Brendan Fischer , a federal reforms director at the watchdog group Campaign Legal Center , told ABC .
The concern for the public is that the business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can press their interests over the health of Americans — such as reopening stores , hotels or casinos too early , triggering a new surge of coronavirus infections .
One member of the president ’ s advisory council is longtime Trump supporter and friend Micky Arison , chairman of Carnival , which is incorporated in Panama .
The company ’ s cruise ships have been virus hot spots , with at least 1,500 infections leading to 39 deaths .
Carnival has been criticized for continuing to operate after the risk was known .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have catastrophic consequences .
Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and Treasure Island Hotels owner Phil Ruffin are also on the 220-member council and its hospitality industry group .
Adelson contributed $ 5 million to the president ’ s inaugural committee and has given $ 15 million to Trump-associated super PACs , according to ABC .
Ruffin donated close to $ 1 million to Trump Victory , the president ’ s joint fundraising committee with the Republican National Committee , and another $ 1 million to Trump ’ s inaugural committee , the network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — who has given $ 7 million to super PACs supporting Trump — is on the council ’ s retail group along with Home Depot ’ s CEO and another co-founder , Ken Langone , ABC reported .
Though several members are not campaign contributors , Trump ’ s choices skew heavily to the private sector .
The council ’ s health care group , for example , is headed by leaders of pharmaceutical companies , which stand to profit from White House decisions .
“ It ’ s bizarre to me that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Virginia Canter , chief ethics counsel at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington , told ABC .
“ You need to have public health professionals , you need somebody who represents the grocery workers , somebody who represents hospitality workers , and so on.
” White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere didn ’ t dispute the information in the ABC report .
Trump is “ beginning a dialogue with prominent and successful individuals across multiple industries with different backgrounds and skillsets for the monumental task of re-opening the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
Check out the other donors named to Trump ’ s council in the ABC report here .

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At least 25 members of President Donald Trump’s new back-to-work council, tasked with reviving the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic, have made substantial donations to his reelection campaign, raising serious ethical concerns, ABC News reported Friday.
It’s an example of how “writing big checks to the president and a super PAC means that your voice is heard louder than many others,” Brendan Fischer, a federal reforms director at the watchdog group Campaign Legal Center, told ABC.
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The concern for the public is that the business leaders who bankroll Trump’s campaign can press their interests over the health of Americans — such as reopening stores, hotels or casinos too early, triggering a new surge of coronavirus infections.
One member of the president’s advisory council is longtime Trump supporter and friend Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival, which is incorporated in Panama. The company’s cruise ships have been virus hot spots, with at least 1,500 infections leading to 39 deaths. Carnival has been criticized for continuing to operate after the risk was known. A quick restart of the cruise industry could have catastrophic consequences.
Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and Treasure Island Hotels owner Phil Ruffin are also on the 220-member council and its hospitality industry group. Adelson contributed $5 million to the president’s inaugural committee and has given $15 million to Trump-associated super PACs, according to ABC. Ruffin donated close to $1 million to Trump Victory, the president’s joint fundraising committee with the Republican National Committee, and another $1 million to Trump’s inaugural committee, the network reported.
Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus — who has given $7 million to super PACs supporting Trump — is on the council’s retail group along with Home Depot’s CEO and another co-founder, Ken Langone, ABC reported.
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Though several members are not campaign contributors, Trump’s choices skew heavily to the private sector. The council’s health care group, for example, is headed by leaders of pharmaceutical companies, which stand to profit from White House decisions.
“It’s bizarre to me that there’s nobody representing public health,” Virginia Canter, chief ethics counsel at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, told ABC. “You need to have public health professionals, you need somebody who represents the grocery workers, somebody who represents hospitality workers, and so on.”
White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere didn’t dispute the information in the ABC report. Trump is “beginning a dialogue with prominent and successful individuals across multiple industries with different backgrounds and skillsets for the monumental task of re-opening the American economy,” he said in a statement.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-18--Epidemiologist Delivers Blunt Reality Check On Current Phase Of Coronavirus Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic is not even close to being over , an associate professor of epidemiology and infectious diseases at Harvard cautioned in a new editorial published by The Guardian this week .
“ The pandemic is only just getting started , ” said Hanage , who explained why “ talk of the ‘ peak ’ ” of the spread of the contagion “ can be misleading ” as “ it ’ s not clear whether you are talking about the Matterhorn or Table Mountain – both have a summit , but the peak is far more pronounced in one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words , what is happening right now could be just one peak – not the peak.
” he said .
“ And the reason for this is that despite all those positive signs from antibody testing , the huge majority of the population is not immune.
” Hanage acknowledged a vaccine to combat the virus is “ still a long way off ” but said improved testing and contact tracing could greatly slow the pace of its spread .
“ Governments around the world are attempting ways to keep jobs and businesses afloat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pressure remains to swiftly end such shutdowns , ” he added .
“ I get that this is going to be a mammoth strain on the economy .
But the deaths of many thousands of people would be too : it is simply not possible to thoroughly insulate an economy from the impact of a pandemic of this kind .
”

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The coronavirus pandemic is not even close to being over, an associate professor of epidemiology and infectious diseases at Harvard cautioned in a new editorial published by The Guardian this week.
In fact, it is “quite the reverse,” wrote William Hanage.
“The pandemic is only just getting started,” said Hanage, who explained why “talk of the ‘peak’” of the spread of the contagion “can be misleading” as “it’s not clear whether you are talking about the Matterhorn or Table Mountain — both have a summit, but the peak is far more pronounced in one than the other.”
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Hanage also warned “there may be a mountain range.”
“In other words, what is happening right now could be just one peak — not the peak.” he said. “And the reason for this is that despite all those positive signs from antibody testing, the huge majority of the population is not immune.”
Hanage acknowledged a vaccine to combat the virus is “still a long way off” but said improved testing and contact tracing could greatly slow the pace of its spread.
“Governments around the world are attempting ways to keep jobs and businesses afloat while lockdowns are in place — but the pressure remains to swiftly end such shutdowns,” he added. “I get that this is going to be a mammoth strain on the economy. But the deaths of many thousands of people would be too: it is simply not possible to thoroughly insulate an economy from the impact of a pandemic of this kind.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-18--Melania Trump Tested People With A White House Puzzle. It Did Not Go Well.

This is a joke right ?
Are you so fucking out of touch with the struggles going on in this @ @ @ @ @ you propose ?
You have no idea that there are millions of Americans out of @ @ @ @ @ thing that they are thinking about is doing a fucking word search .

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Melania Trump on Friday tweeted a White House-themed word search she declared was “a great way to bond with your loved ones,” presumably as people spend more time together amid coronavirus lockdowns.
While spending family time together, the White House Word Search is a great way to bond with your loved ones while testing your #WhiteHouse knowledge: https://t.co/kVdqnGDlxC pic.twitter.com/0Z48kfUplU — Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) April 17, 2020
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Not everyone was happy with the puzzle, however.
Dozens of critics reminded the first lady of another kind of test that was desperately needed in the U.S., namely one to detect the coronavirus ― of which there has been a dearth.
They also accused FLOTUS of insensitivity and of attempting to distract from her husband President Donald Trump’s chaotic and widely criticized response to the pandemic that has now killed more than 37,000 people nationwide.
Oh cool we got word searches but no tests. https://t.co/RacsIve3DL — Sabrina Singh (@sabrinasingh24) April 17, 2020
Is this a joke? Your husband is inciting civil war in our country and you want us to sit down and do a word search???!!!😮 https://t.co/SqD80k62Wg — Shelli McKee-Brewer (@brewcrewqueen) April 17, 2020
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WHERE ARE THE TESTS?
Seriously are they in here I can't find them. https://t.co/hIcOqsCfhf — Tim Hogan (@timjhogan) April 17, 2020
Is the White House word search to find the 50 words Trump knows, or the 50 ways Trump has betrayed our country?
Either way, it is not possible for me to be bored enough to want to do this. — Vernal Equinox (@SpringF_kx) April 17, 2020
I see "emoluments" & "nepotism." — Hugo 🐝🦋🐴🌾🐬🌎 (@HugoBGood) April 18, 2020
Family time?? I still have to work, and with a 10% pay cut to make up for the people that decided to stay home at my job..living check to check, I don’t have that luxury, no hazard pay, heck not even a thank you.. word search? Kinda not in the mood...🙄 — Debbie ballentine (@Debbieballentin) April 17, 2020
Please get your husband away from the TV and off Twitter and have him work on this instead. This will keep him busy for days.#ThingsINeverThoughtIWouldSayAboutAUSPresident https://t.co/hacE6MIzot — Jacob Burnet’s Ghost (@UniversalSphinx) April 17, 2020
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sorry but a BeBest word search is not a great way to bond with loved ones, especially when so many cannot be with their loved ones while they are hospitalized or dead. — Birdie (@longviewsky) April 17, 2020
I don't see the word "shitshow" or "clownshow" in the word search. — Michele callahan (@Michelecallah19) April 17, 2020
Who found tennis pavilion — Self Isolated & WingingIt (@flipped54) April 17, 2020
Missing some words there:
Fraud
Impeachment
Liar
Empathy
Scandal
Nepotism
Incompetence
Ego
Insane
Stable Genius
I could go on and on. @POTUS #CoronavirusUSA — Feisty Heifer (@SabrinaHogan) April 17, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-18--Frustrated Andrew Cuomo Zaps Trump: Watch TV Less, Work More

Donald Trump picked the wrong Democrat to attack Friday .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo slapped back at criticism from the president by suggesting Trump watch less TV and “ get up and go to work.
” The putdown came after Trump tweeted that Cuomo should focus on “ doing ” and not “ complaining ” in his battle against COVID-19 .
The president was clearly tuned in to Cuomo ’ s daily press briefing Friday when the governor did indeed complain about lack of action and support from the Trump administration concerning financial aid and tests to detect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump tweeted in the middle of the briefing , not taking a page from his own book .
Governor Cuomo should spend more time “ doing ” and less time “ complaining ” .
Get out there and get the job done .
Stop talking !
We built you thousands of hospital beds that you didn ’ t need or use , gave large numbers of Ventilators that you should have had , and helped you with ... .
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) April 17 , 2020 ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have given New York far more money , help and equipment than any other state , by far , & these great men & women who did the job never hear you say thanks .
Your numbers are not good .
Less talk and more action !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) April 17 , 2020 When told of Trump ’ s tweets by a reporter at the briefing , Cuomo responded : “ If he ’ s sitting home watching TV , maybe he should get up and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo also criticized Trump ’ s remark that the governor demanded more supplies than needed .
Cuomo pointed out that the state was relying on projections from the Trump administration .
“ Were we foolish for relying on your projections , Mr. President ?
” Cuomo asked .
“ Coronavirus task force , that ’ s you.
” As for Trump ’ s complaints that New York isn ’ t adequately grateful , the governor snorted : “ What am I supposed to do , send a bouquet of flowers ?
” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Cuomo called the federal response to the COVID-19 crisis “ mayhem.
” He added : “ We need a coordinated approach between the federal government and the states.
” But the federal government has provided “ zero , zilch , nada in unrestricted aid ” in its first three COVID-19 rescue bills even as it asks states to up their efforts , Cuomo said .
The governor noted : “ The only thing he ’ s doing — let ’ s be honest — [ is ] ‘ Well , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen.′ By the way , it was always up to the states .
What are you going to grant me ?
What the Constitution gave me before you were born ?
It ’ s called the 10th Amendment ... maybe he should have read the Constitution.
” And one more zinger from Cuomo : “ You can ’ t pass the buck without passing the bucks .
”

Donald Trump picked the wrong Democrat to attack Friday. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo slapped back at criticism from the president by suggesting Trump watch less TV and “get up and go to work.”
The putdown came after Trump tweeted that Cuomo should focus on “doing” and not “complaining” in his battle against COVID-19. The president was clearly tuned in to Cuomo’s daily press briefing Friday when the governor did indeed complain about lack of action and support from the Trump administration concerning financial aid and tests to detect the coronavirus. “Stop talking!” Trump tweeted in the middle of the briefing, not taking a page from his own book.
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Governor Cuomo should spend more time “doing” and less time “complaining”. Get out there and get the job done. Stop talking! We built you thousands of hospital beds that you didn’t need or use, gave large numbers of Ventilators that you should have had, and helped you with.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
....testing that you should be doing. We have given New York far more money, help and equipment than any other state, by far, & these great men & women who did the job never hear you say thanks. Your numbers are not good. Less talk and more action! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
When told of Trump’s tweets by a reporter at the briefing, Cuomo responded: “If he’s sitting home watching TV, maybe he should get up and go to work, right?”
Cuomo also criticized Trump’s remark that the governor demanded more supplies than needed. Cuomo pointed out that the state was relying on projections from the Trump administration. “Were we foolish for relying on your projections, Mr. President?” Cuomo asked. “Coronavirus task force, that’s you.”
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As for Trump’s complaints that New York isn’t adequately grateful, the governor snorted: “What am I supposed to do, send a bouquet of flowers?”
Trump went on the attack during the briefing after Cuomo called the federal response to the COVID-19 crisis “mayhem.” He added: “We need a coordinated approach between the federal government and the states.”
But the federal government has provided “zero, zilch, nada in unrestricted aid” in its first three COVID-19 rescue bills even as it asks states to up their efforts, Cuomo said.
The governor noted: “The only thing he’s doing — let’s be honest — [is] ‘Well, it’s up to the states’ to reopen.′ By the way, it was always up to the states. What are you going to grant me? What the Constitution gave me before you were born? It’s called the 10th Amendment ... maybe he should have read the Constitution.”
And one more zinger from Cuomo: “You can’t pass the buck without passing the bucks.”
Check out Cuomo’s takedown in the video up top.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-18--Chris Cuomo Slams Ingraham, Fox News Over Coronavirus Coverage: 'Never Ends For State TV'

CNN ’ s Chris Cuomo joined the backlash against Fox News ’ coverage of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday as he fired back at a tweet from the rival network ’ s primetime personality Laura Ingraham .
“ It never ends for state tv , ” Cuomo responded to a post from Ingraham that attacked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) Cuomo slammed the conservative network over its “ constant division ” and for weeks downplaying the threat posed by the coronavirus , which has now killed more than 37,000 people nationwide .
Constant division .
Covid not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are just irony .
Confed flags are just nostalgia .
Trump lying is just style .
It never ends for state tv .
Why are covid protests organized by trump fans and fringe rignt ?
https : //t.co/A3Gx3ZDNSl — Christopher C. Cuomo ( @ ChrisCuomo ) April 17 , 2020 On Friday night , Cuomo ( who has provided CNN viewers with daily updates on his recovery from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus ) explained why he was “ proof positive ” of why mass testing for the coronavirus had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how , pr CDC guidelines , he was actually deemed well enough to emerge from self-isolation .
“ But I do not feel well , ” he said , adding that “ you do not want me standing next to you , sweating on you and coughing on you right now ” because there was still “ something funky ” about his body temperature , which had not returned to normal .
Cuomo feared he was still contagious .
“ We don ’ t know where we are with this virus , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t test people , we ’ re going to make mistakes and I ’ m a perfect example of it.
” '' I 'm proof positive of why you need to get testing straight .
`` @ ChrisCuomo says that according to the new CDC guidelines he 's fine , but he does n't feel well .
`` I could go back to work .
[ But ] you do not want me standing next to you , sweating on you and coughing on you right now . ''
pic.twitter.com/P4RjkiyZqs — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 18 , 2020

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“It never ends for state tv,” Cuomo responded to a post from Ingraham that attacked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
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Cuomo slammed the conservative network over its “constant division” and for weeks downplaying the threat posed by the coronavirus, which has now killed more than 37,000 people nationwide.
Constant division. Covid not a big deal. Nazi signs at protest are just irony. Confed flags are just nostalgia. Trump lying is just style. It never ends for state tv. Why are covid protests organized by trump fans and fringe rignt? https://t.co/A3Gx3ZDNSl — Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) April 17, 2020
On Friday night, Cuomo (who has provided CNN viewers with daily updates on his recovery from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus) explained why he was “proof positive” of why mass testing for the coronavirus had to be in place.
Cuomo noted how, per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, he was actually deemed well enough to emerge from self-isolation. “But I do not feel well,” he said, adding that “you do not want me standing next to you, sweating on you and coughing on you right now” because there was still “something funky” about his body temperature, which had not returned to normal. Cuomo feared he was still contagious.
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“We don’t know where we are with this virus,” he added. “And if we can’t test people, we’re going to make mistakes, and I’m a perfect example of it.”
Check out the clip here:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-18--COVID-19 Protesters Just Like 'Rosa Parks,' Says White House Adviser Stephen Moore

Samuel Corum via Getty Images Stephen Moore pontificates on stage in February at the Conservative Political Action Conference , where several participants were exposed to the coronavirus .
The largely white male protesters against social distancing measures to protect the public from COVID-19 are like Rosa Parks , who waged a historic battle for racial equality , right-wing economist and White House adviser Stephen Moore insisted in an astonishing claim on Friday .
He also told CBS News : “ It ’ s interesting to me that the right has become more the Rosa Parks of the world than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times : “ We need to be the Rosa Parks here , and protest against these government injustices.
” Moore is a member of President Donald Trump ’ s back-to-work council and part of a coalition of conservative leaders called “ Save Our Country , ” working against business shutdowns and stay-at-home measures aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19 .
He dropped out of consideration to serve on the Federal Reserve Board last year amid concerns about his qualifications and mounting opposition to his controversial comments about gender and race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first act as president would be to kick a black family ( the Obamas ) out of public housing ( the White House ) , according to The Atlantic .
Critics were furious that Moore equated protests against health safety measures to the fight against racial injustice sparked by a black activist icon arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger 65 years ago .
Hey , Stephan Moore , Rosa Parks is an icon .
A symbol of the fight against oppression of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because they ca n't get a haircut and go out to dinner .
Two completely different things # jackass — I Do n't Have a Middle Name ( @ michigancheri ) April 18 , 2020 Rosa Parks was looking out for her fellow citizens .
The right wing activists protesting and disregarding stay at home orders ( in crowds without social distancing or masks ) are jeopardizing the health of friends , family , neighbors and fellow citizens in their community .
— True Blue Sea ( @ true_sea ) April 18 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday , was organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition , which is also known as Michigan Trump Republicans , according to state incorporation papers , the Post reported .
The group ’ s leaders include long-time GOP insiders , according to the newspaper .
A goal of the organizing group was to target Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , who has been repeatedly attacked by Trump for “ complaining ” about the lack of federal aid to battle COVID-19 in her state .
Whitmer had been rumored to be under consideration as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Swing state Michigan is critical for Trump in November .
He won the state by fewer than 11,000 votes last time around .
Columbia University historian Nicole Hemmer , author of book “ Messengers of the Right ” on the right-wing media , told the Post that the GOP focus on the “ personal freedom ” fight against health measures “ almost seems like an excuse for getting out and rallying against politicians they oppose.
” Trump tweeted an incendiary command to his followers Friday to “ liberate ” Michigan , Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governors .
He also ominously urged his supporters to fight for their gun rights in Virginia .
Sen. Chris Murphy ( D-Conn. ) accused the president of inciting “ armed rebellion.
” He “ sent this tweet a day after his supporters showed up with assault weapons at state capitols .
He knows what he ’ s doing , ” Murphy tweeted .
Let ’ s not normalize this : the President of the United States is encouraging citizens to engage in armed rebellion .
He sent this tweet a day after his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state capitols .
He knows what ’ s he ’ s doing .
https : //t.co/25XGY5BbmA — Chris Murphy ( @ ChrisMurphyCT ) April 17 , 2020

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The largely white protesters who oppose social distancing measures to protect the public from COVID-19 are like Rosa Parks, who waged a historic battle for racial equality, right-wing economic commentator and White House adviser Stephen Moore repeatedly insisted Friday.
“I call these people modern-day Rosa Parks. They are protesting against injustice and a loss of liberties,” Moore told The Washington Post, in one of at least three instances of this astonishing comparison.
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He also told CBS News: “It’s interesting to me that the right has become more the Rosa Parks of the world than the left is.” He said in a YouTube video quoted by The New York Times: “We need to be the Rosa Parks here, and protest against these government injustices.”
Protesters carry rifles near the steps of the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing on April 15. Flag-waving, honking protesters drove past the Capitol on Wednesday to demonstrate against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's social distancing measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Moore is a member of President Donald Trump’s back-to-work council and part of a coalition of conservative leaders called “Save Our Country,” working against business shutdowns and stay-at-home measures aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19. He dropped out of consideration to serve on the Federal Reserve Board last year amid concerns about his qualifications and mounting opposition to his controversial comments about gender and race. He once quipped that Trump’s first act as president would be to kick a Black family (the Obamas) out of public housing (the White House), according to The Atlantic.
Stephen Moore is one of the least qualified people in America to speak on Rosa Parks. https://t.co/66FPaTyFe9 — Max Burns (@themaxburns) April 18, 2020
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Critics were furious that Moore equated protests against health safety measures to the fight against racial injustice sparked by a black activist icon, who was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger 65 years ago.
Unbelievable! Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus to quietly protest institutional racism. Today's radicalized right-wing protests are brazen acts of lawless licentiousness. There are no unfettered rights in America's scheme of ordered liberty. — Michael Box (@xobekim) April 18, 2020
Hey, Stephan Moore, Rosa Parks is an icon. A symbol of the fight against oppression of an entire race. These people are upset because they can't get a haircut and go out to dinner. Two completely different things #jackass — I Don't Have a Middle Name (@michigancheri) April 18, 2020
Rosa Parks was looking out for her fellow citizens. The right wing activists protesting and disregarding stay at home orders (in crowds without social distancing or masks) are jeopardizing the health of friends, family, neighbors and fellow citizens in their community. — True Blue Sea (@true_sea) April 18, 2020
Moore’s astounding claim was part of a new onslaught against Democratic-led states fueled by the Trump campaign.
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The largest protest, in Michigan on Wednesday, was organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition, which is also known as Michigan Trump Republicans, according to state incorporation papers, the Post reported. The group’s leaders include longtime GOP insiders, according to the newspaper.
The Michigan Freedom Fund, which heavily promoted the Michigan protest, has been linked to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.
A goal of the organizing group was to target Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has been repeatedly attacked by Trump for “complaining” about the lack of federal aid to battle COVID-19 in her state. Whitmer has been rumored to be under consideration as a potential running mate for Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president.
Swing state Michigan is critical for Trump in November. He won the state by fewer than 11,000 votes last time around.
Columbia University historian Nicole Hemmer, author of book “Messengers of the Right” on the right-wing media, told the Post that the GOP focus on the “personal freedom” fight against health measures “almost seems like an excuse for getting out and rallying against politicians they oppose.”
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Trump tweeted an incendiary command to his followers Friday to “LIBERATE” Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia — all states with Democratic governors. He also ominously urged his supporters to fight for their gun rights in Virginia.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) accused the president of inciting “armed rebellion.” He “sent this tweet a day after his supporters showed up with assault weapons at state capitols. He knows what he’s doing,” Murphy tweeted.
Let’s not normalize this: the President of the United States is encouraging citizens to engage in armed rebellion.
He sent this tweet a day after his supporters showed up with assault weapons at state capitols. He knows what’s he’s doing. https://t.co/25XGY5BbmA — Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) April 17, 2020
Health experts have warned that too hasty a return to normalcy could cause COVID-19 cases — and deaths ― to skyrocket.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-17--Detained Migrant Too Weak To Talk Forced To Call In To Court Hearing

HOUSTON ( AP ) — A detained immigrant who said he tested positive for COVID-19 was required to call in for a court hearing even after a guard said he was too weak to talk , his attorney said .
When the judge asked Salomon Diego Alonzo to say his name Thursday , the guard responded that Alonzo “ does not have the lung capacity , ” according to his lawyer , Veronica Semino , who was listening by phone .
The call lasted about two hours , though Judge Mary Baumgarten eventually agreed to delay Alonzo ’ s final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speaking to The Associated Press on Wednesday , the 26-year-old from Guatemala responded to most questions with one- or two-sentence answers , often interrupted by coughing .
Alonzo says he has headaches , diarrhea and severe exhaustion that made it difficult for him to get out of bed .
He ’ s confined with one other person in a dorm at an immigration detention center in rural Louisiana , where medical staff check his vital signs twice a day .
His case provides new insight into how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases among its roughly 32,000 detainees .
ICE said Thursday that 100 detainees are confirmed to have COVID-19 .
Public health experts have warned that the virus could do particular harm in U.S. jails and prisons because there ’ s little space for social distancing .
Immigration detainees in several states have pleaded for masks and expressed fear of getting the virus , which causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people but can cause more severe illness for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 700 detainees so far , primarily people with known medical conditions .
But it has resisted large-scale releases of detainees .
Alonzo ’ s requests to be freed have been denied , said Semino , his attorney .
Alonzo said officials at Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe , Louisiana , where he ’ s held , have told him that he tested positive for COVID-19 .
ICE would not confirm that to Semino , and spokesman Bryan Cox declined to comment .
Semino says Alonzo was one of nearly 700 people arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plants in Mississippi , the largest immigration worksite enforcement operation in at least a decade .
He has been in the U.S. since 2012 , living in an apartment in a small Mississippi town with his wife , teenage brother and daughter , now 8 .
Alonzo doesn ’ t remember being around anyone who looked ill before he started to feel sick himself .
He thinks he could have been exposed to the coronavirus in the jail yard , cafeteria or dormitory where he and dozens of others sleep .
Alonzo said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on April 8 , describing it as a pain in his bones .
The next morning , he went to the nurse .
He was found to have a fever , taken to a solitary confinement cell and given medicine to reduce his temperature .
After a few days , someone came to administer a test , he said .
Jail officials told him this week that he had the virus and took him to a dormitory with one other person , a man from South Asia who Alonzo believes is also sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other because they don ’ t speak English , he said .
The jail started to detain immigrants last year as part of a broader trend among rural Louisiana prisons .
A Cuban man killed himself last year in a Richwood solitary confinement cell , and an Associated Press investigation found jail guards had not checked on him as federal standards require and disregarded warning signs before his death .
On Thursday , Alonzo was scheduled for what ’ s known as a “ merits ” hearing , typically an hourslong presentation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Semino , his attorney , said she requested Tuesday that the hearing be delayed and followed up with the court the next day .
Only at the end of the hearing did the judge postpone until April 26 .

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HOUSTON (AP) — A detained immigrant who said he tested positive for COVID-19 was required to call in for a court hearing even after a guard said he was too weak to talk, his attorney said.
When the judge asked Salomon Diego Alonzo to say his name Thursday, the guard responded that Alonzo “does not have the lung capacity,” according to his lawyer, Veronica Semino, who was listening by phone. The call lasted about two hours, though Judge Mary Baumgarten eventually agreed to delay Alonzo’s final asylum hearing, the attorney said.
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Alonzo was hospitalized later that day, Semino said, and by Friday, she had not received an update on his condition.
Speaking to The Associated Press on Wednesday, the 26-year-old from Guatemala responded to most questions with one- or two-sentence answers, often interrupted by coughing. Alonzo says he has headaches, diarrhea and severe exhaustion that made it difficult for him to get out of bed. He’s confined with one other person in a dorm at an immigration detention center in rural Louisiana, where medical staff check his vital signs twice a day.
“I can barely walk,” Alonzo said. “I’m not safe here.”
His case provides new insight into how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is dealing with a steadily rising number of coronavirus cases among its roughly 32,000 detainees. ICE said Thursday that 100 detainees are confirmed to have COVID-19.
Public health experts have warned that the virus could do particular harm in U.S. jails and prisons because there’s little space for social distancing. Immigration detainees in several states have pleaded for masks and expressed fear of getting the virus, which causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people but can cause more severe illness for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems.
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To combat the pandemic, ICE has released about 700 detainees so far, primarily people with known medical conditions. But it has resisted large-scale releases of detainees. Alonzo’s requests to be freed have been denied, said Semino, his attorney.
Alonzo said officials at Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe, Louisiana, where he’s held, have told him that he tested positive for COVID-19. ICE would not confirm that to Semino, and spokesman Bryan Cox declined to comment.
Semino says Alonzo was one of nearly 700 people arrested in ICE raids last year on chicken plants in Mississippi, the largest immigration worksite enforcement operation in at least a decade. He has been in the U.S. since 2012, living in an apartment in a small Mississippi town with his wife, teenage brother and daughter, now 8.
Alonzo doesn’t remember being around anyone who looked ill before he started to feel sick himself. He thinks he could have been exposed to the coronavirus in the jail yard, cafeteria or dormitory where he and dozens of others sleep.
Alonzo said he started feeling “very tired” on April 8, describing it as a pain in his bones. The next morning, he went to the nurse. He was found to have a fever, taken to a solitary confinement cell and given medicine to reduce his temperature.
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After a few days, someone came to administer a test, he said. Jail officials told him this week that he had the virus and took him to a dormitory with one other person, a man from South Asia who Alonzo believes is also sick. They don’t talk to each other because they don’t speak English, he said.
ICE’s website says Richwood Correctional Center has three confirmed coronavirus cases.
The jail started to detain immigrants last year as part of a broader trend among rural Louisiana prisons. A Cuban man killed himself last year in a Richwood solitary confinement cell, and an Associated Press investigation found jail guards had not checked on him as federal standards require and disregarded warning signs before his death.
On Thursday, Alonzo was scheduled for what’s known as a “merits” hearing, typically an hourslong presentation to explain why he should get asylum. Semino, his attorney, said she requested Tuesday that the hearing be delayed and followed up with the court the next day. Only at the end of the hearing did the judge postpone until April 26.
“For somebody who is potentially dying to have to sit there for two hours, it’s really cruel and inhumane,” Semino said.
A staff member for the judge referred questions to the media relations office for the Executive Office for Immigration Review, which oversees U.S. immigration courts. A spokeswoman said she could not comment on Alonzo’s medical status.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-17--U.N. Urges LGBTQ Anti-Discrimination Measures Amidst Coronavirus Crisis

NEW YORK , April 17 ( Thomson Reuters Foundation ) - The United Nations on Friday urged countries to protect LGBT+ people against discrimination when seeking health care during the pandemic , saying they may be hesitant to seek medical services and be especially vulnerable to the coronavirus .
Members of the LGBT+ community with HIV or AIDS may have compromised immune systems or a higher chance of being homeless than the wider population , making social distancing and safe hygiene difficult , the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said in a statement .
“ LGBTI people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in many societies , and among those most at risk from COVID-19 , ” Bachelet said .
“ We know that efforts to tackle the pandemic will only work if everyone ’ s rights to life and health are protected.
” LGBT+ people regularly face stigma and discrimination while seeking health services , which affects their access to quality care , the U.N. said .
And under medical systems strained by the coronavirus , “ decisions about scaling back services should be medically based and data-driven and should not reflect bias against LGBTI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to halt the spread of the virus have forced the closing of many LGBT+ centers that often provide health care .
Reported cases of the coronavirus have topped 2.18 million globally , and more than 147,000 people have died , according to a Reuters tally on Friday .
The U.N. also said nations must enact measures to protect LGBT+ people who are vulnerable to domestic violence and abuse and live in poverty during the pandemic .

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NEW YORK, April 17 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The United Nations on Friday urged countries to protect LGBT+ people against discrimination when seeking health care during the pandemic, saying they may be hesitant to seek medical services and be especially vulnerable to the coronavirus.
Members of the LGBT+ community with HIV or AIDS may have compromised immune systems or a higher chance of being homeless than the wider population, making social distancing and safe hygiene difficult, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said in a statement.
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“LGBTI people are among the most vulnerable and marginalized in many societies, and among those most at risk from COVID-19,” Bachelet said.
“We know that efforts to tackle the pandemic will only work if everyone’s rights to life and health are protected.”
LGBT+ people regularly face stigma and discrimination while seeking health services, which affects their access to quality care, the U.N. said.
And under medical systems strained by the coronavirus,“decisions about scaling back services should be medically based and data-driven and should not reflect bias against LGBTI people,” it said.
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Efforts to halt the spread of the virus have forced the closing of many LGBT+ centers that often provide health care.
Reported cases of the coronavirus have topped 2.18 million globally, and more than 147,000 people have died, according to a Reuters tally on Friday.
The U.N. also said nations must enact measures to protect LGBT+ people who are vulnerable to domestic violence and abuse and live in poverty during the pandemic.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-18--Matt Gaetz Hails 'Testing President' Trump In One Of Most Sycophantic Tweets Yet

Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-Fla. ) lavished praise on Donald Trump ’ s ( widely panned ) handling of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday , declaring him to be the “ greatest testing President God has ever created ” in an awkward tweet .
The GOP lawmaker ’ s outlandish claim was made in defense of Trump , who is receiving ongoing criticism over the lack of adequate testing in the U.S. for the virus that has killed more than 37,000 nationwide .
Public health experts say a vast increase in testing is essential to slowing its spread .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the world by far .
@ realDonaldTrump is the greatest testing President God has ever created .
— Matt Gaetz ( @ mattgaetz ) April 17 , 2020 Gaetz , whose Twitter bio features a positive comment that Trump once said about him , drew stinging criticism in March for downplaying and mocking the threat of the virus ( in lockstep with the president ) by wearing a gas mask on the House floor .
While it is factually accurate to say the U.S. “ has tested more than anyone in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as of Saturday morning ) , the country is actually lagging in around 40th position worldwide when it comes to per capita testing ( around 10,800 per 1 million of the population ) : More gaslighting from a Trump sycophant .
The US had done the most tests but not based on our population .
We ’ ve tested far less than other countries like Germany , Canada , Switzerland m , Austria and even Belgium .
They ’ ve tested TWICE as many as the US .
pic.twitter.com/j1hyrTbDo9 — Svea Elske @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 Other commenters agreed with Gaetz ’ s inadvertent statement that Trump is “ testing.
” And , due to Gaetz ’ s clumsy phrasing of the tweet , “ President God ” also trended nationwide on Twitter : Oh Trump ’ s a real “ test ” for sure .
Testing my patience .
Testing my sanity .
Testing my anger management .
Testing my restraint from throwing a coffee table at my TV .
He ’ s the greatest testing idiot in the world .
Hands down .
pic.twitter.com/3DoH6il30M — Lance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 🇺🇸 ( @ LanceUSA70 ) April 18 , 2020 Wow .
Who exactly do you think you ’ re fooling with this tweet ?
Please go and put your gas mask on and stop talking .
— Mr. Spock 🖖 ( Commentary ) ( @ SpockResists ) April 18 , 2020 My friend still can ’ t get a test , you loathsome sycophant .
Thousands of Americans still can not get the test they need .
Also , the United States is far below most countries in tests per capita , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you stupid , little man .
https : //t.co/9tFmZLaDc7 — MatthewDicks ( @ MatthewDicks ) April 18 , 2020

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Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) lavished praise on Donald Trump’s (widely panned) handling of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, declaring him to be the “greatest testing President God has ever created” in an awkward tweet.
The GOP lawmaker’s outlandish claim was made in defense of Trump, who is receiving ongoing criticism over the lack of adequate testing in the U.S. for the virus that has killed more than 37,000 nationwide. Public health experts say a vast increase in testing is essential to slowing its spread.
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The United States has tested more than anyone in the world by far. @realDonaldTrump is the greatest testing President God has ever created. — Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) April 17, 2020
Gaetz, whose Twitter bio features a positive comment that Trump once said about him, drew stinging criticism in March for downplaying and mocking the threat of the virus (in lockstep with the president) by wearing a gas mask on the House floor.
He provoked similar ire with this tweet.
Some critics accused Gaetz of misrepresenting the statistics.
While it is factually accurate to say the U.S. “has tested more than anyone in the world by far” (3.5 million, as of Saturday morning), the country is actually lagging in around 40th position worldwide when it comes to per capita testing (around 10,800 per 1 million of the population):
More gaslighting from a Trump sycophant. The US had done the most tests but not based on our population. We’ve tested far less than other countries like Germany, Canada, Switzerland m, Austria and even Belgium. They’ve tested TWICE as many as the US. pic.twitter.com/j1hyrTbDo9 — Svea Elske (@SveaElske) April 18, 2020
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We rank 44th per capita, which is the metric that matters . . . — Mike Gilchrist (@mgcanmore) April 17, 2020
Here's your periodic reminder that the number of test performed is a meaningless data point without population data. https://t.co/Iab00HSxl7 pic.twitter.com/d4jlHBnVNr — Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) April 17, 2020
Other commenters agreed with Gaetz’s inadvertent statement that Trump is “testing.” And, due to Gaetz’s clumsy phrasing of the tweet, “President God” also trended nationwide on Twitter:
He's testing all of us. — JRehling (@JRehling) April 18, 2020
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Oh Trump’s a real “test” for sure. Testing my patience. Testing my sanity. Testing my anger management. Testing my restraint from throwing a coffee table at my TV. He’s the greatest testing idiot in the world. Hands down. pic.twitter.com/3DoH6il30M — Lance 👉🏻 Stay Home. Save Lives. 🇺🇸 (@LanceUSA70) April 18, 2020
Who the hell is "President God"? https://t.co/H6jiaxqWPr — Greg Olear (@gregolear) April 18, 2020
Wow. Who exactly do you think you’re fooling with this tweet? Please go and put your gas mask on and stop talking. — Mr. Spock 🖖 (Commentary) (@SpockResists) April 18, 2020
Says Gas Mask Matt. — CathyO (@cathyob1) April 18, 2020
My friend still can’t get a test, you loathsome sycophant.
Thousands of Americans still cannot get the test they need.
Also, the United States is far below most countries in tests per capita, which is the only number that matters, you stupid, little man. https://t.co/9tFmZLaDc7 — MatthewDicks (@MatthewDicks) April 18, 2020
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It feels like you’re laying it on a little thick here — Molly Jong-Fast🏡 (@MollyJongFast) April 18, 2020
Please tell me somebody took your phone... — bob clendenin (@bobclendenin) April 18, 2020
President God is exactly who you pray to lol — Jennifer C. Martin (@notreallyjcm) April 18, 2020
Matt has the right to pray to any President God he choses. It’s America. God bless you Matt and your poor sentence structure. https://t.co/rrmS037TsJ — Jeff Dwoskin Says Stay HOME (@bigmacher) April 18, 2020