thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-19--Trump Suggests He’s Opposed To Extending Enhanced Unemployment Benefits

Patrick Semansky/ASSOCIATED PRESS President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after meeting with Senate Republicans at their weekly luncheon on Capitol Hill on May 19 , 2020 .
In March , Congress passed what Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) called “ unemployment insurance on steroids ” — a $ 600 weekly increase in federally funded benefits , which Americans would receive on top of their state benefits .
Last Friday , the Democratic-controlled House voted to extend the benefits through Jan. 31 , 2021 , with the expectation that the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic will stretch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graham ( R-S.C. ) , a close Trump ally who has been vocal in his opposition to the expanded benefits , asked the president to oppose any continued expansion of unemployment insurance .
Trump did not rule out signing a bill that would extend current benefits but was sympathetic to Graham ’ s position .
Roughly 25 million Americans are currently receiving these boosted unemployment benefits as the joblessness rate nears 15 % .
More than 36 million Americans have filed unemployment claims in the last eight weeks .
Eliminating the expanded benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than half , even as the coronavirus continues to spread .
Though cities and states are loosening their stay-at-home orders , businesses are still heavily restricted and public health experts caution returning to pre-pandemic-level business activities , warning that it could lead to a spike in infections .
“ With nearly 1 in 5 Americans out of work , Donald Trump ’ s plan is to cut off the boost to unemployment benefits and shower his wealthy buddies with more tax cuts , ” Sen. Ron Wyden ( D-Ore. ) , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment insurance , said in a statement on Tuesday .
“ This is the worst economic crisis in 100 years and Donald Trump is doubling down on Herbert Hoover ’ s economic playbook and pushing workers to risk their health for his political benefit.
” Despite widespread bipartisan support for the higher unemployment payments , many Republican senators have expressed opposition to them from the beginning — specifically because for some lower-paid workers , they have provided a higher income than their previous wages .
“ I want to make people whole who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own , ” Graham said in a tweet on April 22 .
“ But I don ’ t want to pay people more NOT to work than to actually go to work.
” Graham first argued that higher benefits would “ encourage ” people to leave their jobs , though it should be noted that those who quit their jobs are not eligible for unemployment insurance .
Now , Graham and other Republican senators argue that they will undermine economic recovery efforts as states begin to loosen stay-at-home orders and businesses look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve heard from worried hotels , restaurants , and barbershops in Texas unable to rehire their workers and now at risk of losing their P.P.P .
loans they need to survive , ” Sen. John Cornyn ( R-Texas ) said in a statement earlier this month , referring to the Paycheck Protection Program , another federal effort to mitigate the pandemic ’ s economic fallout .
“ In their rush to exploit this crisis for their own gain , Democrats overlooked this , and it ’ s shameful.
” “ I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bucks , but like $ 300 or $ 200 , ” Sahm said .
“ Fifteen percent unemployment is really scary .
I think there ’ s another bite of the apple when the May numbers come out.
” The White House has called for measures like a payroll tax cut , but Republican lawmakers have been reluctant to pursue any additional relief .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) , who called the Senate back into session to continue pushing through a slate of judicial nominees , has said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another coronavirus relief bill immediately .
While that urgency may come as states continue to feel the impact of the pandemic , Trump is already sending the message that future financial aid may be less generous — a position that Democrats are already attacking .
“ Donald Trump just proved once again that he doesn ’ t care one bit about the well-being of the American people , ” Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez said in a statement on Tuesday .
“ Families are suffering ; small businesses have shuttered ; workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and even their lives .
And yet , this president doesn ’ t think Americans deserve relief .
”

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after meeting with Senate Republicans at their weekly luncheon on Capitol Hill on May 19, 2020. Patrick Semansky/ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Donald Trump suggested opposition to extending the currently expanded federal unemployment benefits — which are set to expire in July — in a meeting with Senate Republicans on Tuesday, even as unemployment reaches Great Depression-era levels.
In March, Congress passed what Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called “unemployment insurance on steroids” — a $600 weekly increase in federally funded benefits, which Americans would receive on top of their state benefits. Last Friday, the Democratic-controlled House voted to extend the benefits through Jan. 31, 2021, with the expectation that the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic will stretch into the next year.
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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close Trump ally who has been vocal in his opposition to the expanded benefits, asked the president to oppose any continued expansion of unemployment insurance. Trump did not rule out signing a bill that would extend current benefits but was sympathetic to Graham’s position.
“He agrees that it is hurting the economic recovery,” Graham said after the meeting.
Roughly 25 million Americans are currently receiving these boosted unemployment benefits as the joblessness rate nears 15%. More than 36 million Americans have filed unemployment claims in the last eight weeks. Eliminating the expanded benefit would effectively cut their incomes by more than half, even as the coronavirus continues to spread. Though cities and states are loosening their stay-at-home orders, businesses are still heavily restricted and public health experts caution returning to pre-pandemic-level business activities, warning that it could lead to a spike in infections.
“With nearly 1 in 5 Americans out of work, Donald Trump’s plan is to cut off the boost to unemployment benefits and shower his wealthy buddies with more tax cuts,” Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who was behind the original proposal to boost federal unemployment insurance, said in a statement on Tuesday. “This is the worst economic crisis in 100 years and Donald Trump is doubling down on Herbert Hoover’s economic playbook and pushing workers to risk their health for his political benefit.”
Despite widespread bipartisan support for the higher unemployment payments, many Republican senators have expressed opposition to them from the beginning — specifically because for some lower-paid workers, they have provided a higher income than their previous wages.
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“I want to make people whole who lost their job through no fault of their own,” Graham said in a tweet on April 22. “But I don’t want to pay people more NOT to work than to actually go to work.”
Graham first argued that higher benefits would “encourage” people to leave their jobs, though it should be noted that those who quit their jobs are not eligible for unemployment insurance. Now, Graham and other Republican senators argue that they will undermine economic recovery efforts as states begin to loosen stay-at-home orders and businesses look to rehire workers.
“We’ve heard from worried hotels, restaurants, and barbershops in Texas unable to rehire their workers and now at risk of losing their P.P.P. loans they need to survive,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said in a statement earlier this month, referring to the Paycheck Protection Program, another federal effort to mitigate the pandemic’s economic fallout. “In their rush to exploit this crisis for their own gain, Democrats overlooked this, and it’s shameful.”
But economists argue the jobless numbers won’t recover by July 31, when the current federal unemployment benefits expire, and cutting the benefits could hamper the economic recovery by limiting Americans’ consumption ability.
Claudia Sahm, director of macroeconomic policy at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, told HuffPost that she expects unemployment to rise closer to 30%. She argues for continued investment in these benefits.
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“I don’t think it has to be 600 bucks, but like $300 or $200,” Sahm said. “Fifteen percent unemployment is really scary. I think there’s another bite of the apple when the May numbers come out.”
Researchers at Columbia University estimate that if the unemployment rate reaches 30%, the annual poverty rate in the United States could increase to 18.9%, as more than 21 million Americans fall into poverty.
In addition to unemployment benefits, House Democrats have backed additional $1,200 direct payments, $175 billion for housing assistance to help eligible people pay rents and mortgages, and a 15% increase in food benefits provided under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The White House has called for measures like a payroll tax cut, but Republican lawmakers have been reluctant to pursue any additional relief. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who called the Senate back into session to continue pushing through a slate of judicial nominees, has said he sees no “urgency” in passing another coronavirus relief bill immediately.
While that urgency may come as states continue to feel the impact of the pandemic, Trump is already sending the message that future financial aid may be less generous — a position that Democrats are already attacking.
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“Donald Trump just proved once again that he doesn’t care one bit about the well-being of the American people,” Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez said in a statement on Tuesday. “Families are suffering; small businesses have shuttered; workers have lost their jobs, their savings, and even their lives. And yet, this president doesn’t think Americans deserve relief.”
Igor Bobic and Emily Peck contributed reporting.
HuffPost readers: Are you newly unemployed and paying for COBRA? Tell us about it — email tara.golshan@huffpost.com.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-20--Howard Stern Taunts 'Genius' Donald Trump Jr. With Sarcastic Over-The-Top Praise

Radio icon Howard Stern fired another salvo in his escalating war of words with the Trump family , this time hitting back at Donald Trump Jr. After Stern claimed last week that the president hates his own supporters , Trump Jr. fired back that the SiriusXM host was out of touch with his own audience ― and attempted to dismiss him as “ Hollywood Howard ” and “ acting like Hillary Clinton.
” “ I can ’ t argue with him , that kid is such a success , ” Stern said , according to the New York Daily News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he is such a genius .
He would have made a fortune if he wasn ’ t under his father ’ s thumb .
Game over .
You can ’ t argue with a genius like that.
” “ The way this kid has risen in the business world and just taken it by storm ... to be criticized by him is damaging .
I would list all of Junior ’ s accomplishments right now , but I only have a three-hour show.
” Stern also taunted Trump Jr. ’ s hunting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him posing with a knife and an elephant ’ s tail .
“ You can ’ t argue with that kind of bravery , ” Stern mocked .
“ Even the guys in Afghanistan right now are going , ‘ Jesus Christ , what a kid.
’ ” “ I only pray to God that his comments will impress his father and his father will give him love , ” he said .
“ He ’ ll get some good attention.
” The president ’ s son responded on Twitter by claiming more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Stern ’ s radio show .
Stern was once friendly with the president , who was a regular guest on the radio show years ago .
Last week Stern suggested he ’ d be happy to join Trump at Mar-a-Lago again ― under one condition .
“ I do think it would be extremely patriotic of Donald to say , ‘ I ’ m in over my head , and I don ’ t want to be president anymore , ’ ” Stern said .
“ It ’ d be so patriotic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then I ’ d go back to Mar-a-Lago and have a meal with him and feel good about him because it would be such an easy thing to do .
”

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Radio icon Howard Stern fired another salvo in his escalating war of words with the Trump family, this time hitting back at Donald Trump Jr.
After Stern claimed last week that the president hates his own supporters, Trump Jr. fired back that the SiriusXM host was out of touch with his own audience ― and attempted to dismiss him as “Hollywood Howard” and “acting like Hillary Clinton.”
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Stern on Tuesday offered a mocking surrender.
“I can’t argue with him, that kid is such a success,” Stern said, according to the New York Daily News. “He is such a wit, he is such a genius. He would have made a fortune if he wasn’t under his father’s thumb. Game over. You can’t argue with a genius like that.”
He added:
“The way this kid has risen in the business world and just taken it by storm ... to be criticized by him is damaging. I would list all of Junior’s accomplishments right now, but I only have a three-hour show.”
Stern also taunted Trump Jr.’s hunting exploits, which have included pictures of him posing with a knife and an elephant’s tail.
“You can’t argue with that kind of bravery,” Stern mocked. “Even the guys in Afghanistan right now are going, ‘Jesus Christ, what a kid.’”
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And he took aim at Trump Jr.’s relationship with his father.
“I only pray to God that his comments will impress his father and his father will give him love,” he said. “He’ll get some good attention.”
The president’s son responded on Twitter by claiming more people would see his tweet than listen to Stern’s radio show.
Stern was once friendly with the president, who was a regular guest on the radio show years ago. Last week Stern suggested he’d be happy to join Trump at Mar-a-Lago again ― under one condition.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-20--‘Hero’ Costco Worker Hailed After Showdown With Irate Shopper Over Mask Policy

A worker at a Costco store is being praised on social media for calmly deescalating a battle with an angry customer who refused to wear a mask while shopping in the store .
Costco requires all employees and customers to wear a face covering while inside its retail locations .
But the customer filmed himself waiting in the checkout line without a mask and berating a worker named Tison who asked him to put one on .
“ I ’ m not doing it because I woke up in a free country , ” the customer said after threatening to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,000-follower Instagram feed.
” Tison greeted the man ’ s Instagram followers , politely told him to have a great day and walked away ― taking the customer ’ s shopping cart of goods with him .
“ You ’ re no longer welcome here in our warehouse , ” Tison said .
“ You need to leave , thank you very much.
” Realizing his error , the customer quickly suggested that his partner ― who was wearing a mask ― take his card to pay for the goods while he leaves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tison was gone and so was the shopping cart full of toilet paper , detergent and other items .
TMZ found the customer ’ s feed , which featured another rant he posted after leaving the store .
The booted customer said he was “ not the fucking sheep ” and boasted that he was one of the only people in the store without a mask .
Tison , on the other hand , won acclaim on social media for how he handled the situation : “ People of Twitter thank you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wrote .
“ I was just trying to protect our employees and our members .
”

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A worker at a Costco store is being praised on social media for calmly deescalating a battle with an angry customer who refused to wear a mask while shopping in the store.
Costco requires all employees and customers to wear a face covering while inside its retail locations. But the customer filmed himself waiting in the checkout line without a mask and berating a worker named Tison who asked him to put one on.
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“I’m not doing it because I woke up in a free country,” the customer said after threatening to put the Costco worker on his “3,000-follower Instagram feed.” Tison greeted the man’s Instagram followers, politely told him to have a great day and walked away ― taking the customer’s shopping cart of goods with him.
“You’re no longer welcome here in our warehouse,” Tison said. “You need to leave, thank you very much.”
Realizing his error, the customer quickly suggested that his partner ― who was wearing a mask ― take his card to pay for the goods while he leaves the store. But was too late. Tison was gone and so was the shopping cart full of toilet paper, detergent and other items.
“He’s a pussy little bitch,” the customer ranted. “I’m not a fucking sheep.”
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TMZ found the customer’s feed, which featured another rant he posted after leaving the store. The booted customer said he was “not the fucking sheep” and boasted that he was one of the only people in the store without a mask.
Tison, on the other hand, won acclaim on social media for how he handled the situation:
Just bought a Costco membership thanks to Tison — Dana Piccoli (@DanaPiccoli) May 20, 2020
I love it when the good guy wins. pic.twitter.com/kqksl96Izb — Kim MacDonald (@KMacTWN) May 20, 2020
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Slow. Effing. Clap.
I’m signing up for a #Costco membership. That’s how you do it.
pic.twitter.com/mn5ar2b2m5 — The Brooklyn Archer, Allegedly (@elonjames) May 19, 2020
Tison from Costco deserves a raise and a promotion and this is the hill I am willing to die on. #TeamTison https://t.co/mdlixNKqn6 — Kathleen Smith (@KikkiPlanet) May 20, 2020
Tison replied from his own Twitter account.
“People of Twitter thank you for all of the support,” he wrote. “I was just trying to protect our employees and our members.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-19--Biden Blasts Trump For Taking Hydroxychloroquine: 'C'mon Man!'

Former Vice President Joe Biden , speaking publicly for the first time about President Trump ’ s controversial announcement Monday that he was taking hydroxychloroquine to prevent coronavirus infection , reacted , as many Americans did , with bafflement .
“ It ’ s like saying maybe if you inject Clorox into your blood it may cure you , ” Biden said at a Yahoo News town hall on COVID-19 and food insecurity , where he was joined by celebrity chef and anti-hunger activist José Andrés .
“ C ’ mon , man !
What is he doing ?
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing ?
” At the White House on Monday , Trump surprised reporters by announcing that he was taking the drug despite the absence of proof that it is useful in treating or preventing coronavirus infection .
“ I ’ m taking it , hydroxychloroquine , right now , yeah , ” Trump said .
“ Couple of weeks ago , I started taking it .
Because I think it ’ s good , I hear a lot of good stories .
And if it ’ s not good , I ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going to get hurt by it.
” Hydroxychloroquine , taken together with the antibiotic azithromycin , appeared to show promise in a limited , non-peer-reviewed study conducted in France on patients hospitalized with COVID-19 .
The regimen has been regularly promoted on Fox News and Trump himself spoke about it as a “ game changer ” in the fight against the coronavirus , But subsequent trials showed that the drug offered no benefits to patients , and even posed serious health risks .
Biden painted the decision to take the drug , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lupus and as a prophylactic for malaria , as irresponsible .
“ The words of a president matter , ” Biden said , adding , “ You heard the vice president today or yesterday say ‘ I ’ m not using it .
I ’ m not using it.
’ The vice president of the United States .
Look , this is absolutely irresponsible .
There ’ s no serious medical person out there saying to use that drug .
It ’ s counterproductive .
It ’ s not going to help , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s an answer.
” Trump ’ s White House doctor Sean Conley , released a statement Monday night in which he said that he and the president had spoken about taking the drug .
“ After numerous discussions he and I had regarding the evidence for and against hydroxychloroquine , we concluded the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks , ” Conley said .
His statement didn ’ t say what evidence of a “ potential benefit ” he had relied upon to reach that conclusion , and did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he had prescribed it for the president .
Biden said he believed that Trump was setting a bad example for the country , given the risks posed by taking hydroxychloroquine .
“ Look at the studies that have been done .
It does much more harm than good .
This is totally irresponsible , ” Biden said .
Click here for the latest coronavirus news and updates .
According to experts , people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised continue to be the most at risk .
If you have questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s and WHO ’ s resource guides .

Former Vice President Joe Biden, speaking publicly for the first time about President Trump’s controversial announcement Monday that he was taking hydroxychloroquine to prevent coronavirus infection, reacted, as many Americans did, with bafflement.
“It’s like saying maybe if you inject Clorox into your blood it may cure you,” Biden said at a Yahoo News town hall on COVID-19 and food insecurity, where he was joined by celebrity chef and anti-hunger activist José Andrés. “C’mon, man! What is he doing? What in God’s name is he doing?”
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At the White House on Monday, Trump surprised reporters by announcing that he was taking the drug despite the absence of proof that it is useful in treating or preventing coronavirus infection.
“I’m taking it, hydroxychloroquine, right now, yeah,” Trump said. “Couple of weeks ago, I started taking it. Because I think it’s good, I hear a lot of good stories. And if it’s not good, I’ll tell you right. I’m not going to get hurt by it.”
Hydroxychloroquine, taken together with the antibiotic azithromycin, appeared to show promise in a limited, non-peer-reviewed study conducted in France on patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The regimen has been regularly promoted on Fox News and Trump himself spoke about it as a “game changer” in the fight against the coronavirus, But subsequent trials showed that the drug offered no benefits to patients, and even posed serious health risks.
Biden painted the decision to take the drug, which the FDA has approved to treat lupus and as a prophylactic for malaria, as irresponsible.
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Yahoo News
“The words of a president matter,” Biden said, adding, “You heard the vice president today or yesterday say ‘I’m not using it. I’m not using it.’ The vice president of the United States. Look, this is absolutely irresponsible. There’s no serious medical person out there saying to use that drug. It’s counterproductive. It’s not going to help, but the president, he decided that’s an answer.”
Trump’s White House doctor Sean Conley, released a statement Monday night in which he said that he and the president had spoken about taking the drug.
“After numerous discussions he and I had regarding the evidence for and against hydroxychloroquine, we concluded the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks,” Conley said. His statement didn’t say what evidence of a “potential benefit” he had relied upon to reach that conclusion, and did not specify the dosage, or even confirm that he had prescribed it for the president.
Biden said he believed that Trump was setting a bad example for the country, given the risks posed by taking hydroxychloroquine.
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“Look at the studies that have been done. It does much more harm than good. This is totally irresponsible,” Biden said.
_____
Click here for the latest coronavirus news and updates. According to experts, people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised continue to be the most at risk. If you have questions, please refer to the CDC’s and WHO’s resource guides.
Read more:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-19--Trump Doubles Down On Hydroxychloroquine Claims, Backed By Cabinet Officials

President Donald Trump defended his support for hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19 on Tuesday despite the fact that its effectiveness remains scientifically unproven .
The drug can be deadly and should only be taken under medical supervision .
Trump made the shocking claim on Monday that he has been taking hydroxychloroquine for weeks as a way to ward off the coronavirus .
A Monday memo from the president ’ s White House physician , Sean Conley , stated that he had “ numerous ” discussions with Trump “ regarding the evidence for and against the use of hydroxychloroquine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risk.
” But Conley did not explicitly confirm Trump ’ s assertion that he was receiving the medication .
How the president may be taking the drug is also unclear .
Trump ’ s wholehearted promotion of hydroxychloroquine has riled doctors and public health authorities because its use against the coronavirus has not yet been studied enough to be sure any benefits outweigh potential harms .
( Studies are currently taking place . )
While hydroxychloroquine itself is not new ― it was developed in the 1940s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The drug is normally prescribed to treat malaria and autoimmune diseases .
Due to the absence of any proven COVID-19 treatment or vaccine , though , some doctors have given the drug to coronavirus patients .
Neither the National Institutes of Health nor the Food and Drug Administration , however , officially recommend the drug as a treatment for COVID-19 .
Both warn that people who take hydroxychloroquine can experience heart problems and state that no one should take it without a prescription from a doctor .
So far , studies of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generally been small and inconclusive , per the NIH .
Scant few have been peer-reviewed .
On Tuesday , Trump attacked one particularly negative bit of research involving patients at Veterans Health Administration facilities , calling it “ a phony study.
” The president objected to the subject pool , saying they were people “ ready to die ” and “ had bad problems with hearts.
” Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie also criticized the research , which has not yet been peer-reviewed .
But the study using VA data was not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effects of hydroxychloroquine .
Dr. Rick Bright contends his abrupt ouster as head of HHS ’ s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority was due to his repeated , strenuous warnings about the drug .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s leading expert on infectious disease , has also urged caution on the basis that more information is needed .
Another of Trump ’ s promotional assertions about hydroxychloroquine was that it ’ s being used “ by thousands and thousands of front-line workers so that hopefully they don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to call it.
” Some health care workers are taking the drug in studies to determine whether it can protect them from contracting the virus .
But the results are yet unknown .

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President Donald Trump defended his support for hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19 on Tuesday despite the fact that its effectiveness remains scientifically unproven. The drug can be deadly and should only be taken under medical supervision.
“A lot of people are taking it. A lot of doctors are taking it,” Trump alleged from the White House during an afternoon Cabinet meeting.
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“It’s got a very bad reputation only because I’m promoting it, so I’m obviously a very bad promoter,” he added.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar backed up Trump’s comments, defending the president’s “right to try” the drug for himself.
Trump made the shocking claim on Monday that he has been taking hydroxychloroquine for weeks as a way to ward off the coronavirus.
A Monday memo from the president’s White House physician, Sean Conley, stated that he had “numerous” discussions with Trump “regarding the evidence for and against the use of hydroxychloroquine,” eventually concluding that “the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risk.” But Conley did not explicitly confirm Trump’s assertion that he was receiving the medication. How the president may be taking the drug is also unclear.
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Trump’s wholehearted promotion of hydroxychloroquine has riled doctors and public health authorities because its use against the coronavirus has not yet been studied enough to be sure any benefits outweigh potential harms. (Studies are currently taking place.)
While hydroxychloroquine itself is not new ― it was developed in the 1940s ― using it against COVID-19 is. The drug is normally prescribed to treat malaria and autoimmune diseases. Due to the absence of any proven COVID-19 treatment or vaccine, though, some doctors have given the drug to coronavirus patients.
Neither the National Institutes of Health nor the Food and Drug Administration, however, officially recommend the drug as a treatment for COVID-19. Both warn that people who take hydroxychloroquine can experience heart problems and state that no one should take it without a prescription from a doctor.
So far, studies of the drug’s use against COVID-19 have generally been small and inconclusive, per the NIH. Scant few have been peer-reviewed.
On Tuesday, Trump attacked one particularly negative bit of research involving patients at Veterans Health Administration facilities, calling it “a phony study.” The president objected to the subject pool, saying they were people “ready to die” and “had bad problems with hearts.” Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie also criticized the research, which has not yet been peer-reviewed.
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But the study using VA data was not the first to raise concerns about the negative effects of hydroxychloroquine. Dr. Rick Bright contends his abrupt ouster as head of HHS’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority was due to his repeated, strenuous warnings about the drug. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading expert on infectious disease, has also urged caution on the basis that more information is needed.
Another of Trump’s promotional assertions about hydroxychloroquine was that it’s being used “by thousands and thousands of front-line workers so that hopefully they don’t catch this disease or whatever you want to call it.”
Some health care workers are taking the drug in studies to determine whether it can protect them from contracting the virus. But the results are yet unknown.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-20--Ari Melber Hits Donald Trump With Scathing Comparison To Past Presidents

MSNBC host Ari Melber on Tuesday looked back at the compassion that past presidents displayed during national tragedies to highlight how President Donald Trump ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic “ is not normal.
” Melber , host of “ The Beat ” aired footage showing Ronald Reagan , George W. Bush , Barack Obama and other previous presidents consoling the nation following terror attacks , school mass shootings and assassinations .
“ When you listen to these past presidents from both parties , there is more than a history lesson here , more than just a reminder of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Melber .
“ Just looking at this when we were putting it together and now as you ’ re watching it , I think it does something else , ” he continued .
“ It unavoidably , obviously provides a bipartisan contrast to how the current president approaches this part of the job during this mounting death toll.
” “ How do you console and grieve with a nation that sorely needs it ?
” asked Melber , noting that Trump has spoken more in public than most presidents , but uses his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than offer messages of support .
“ While this is not the only thing going on right now , if you do find yourself at home thinking , ‘ This is not normal , we should not act like this is normal , ’ you ’ re right .
It ’ s not , ” Melber concluded .

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MSNBC host Ari Melber on Tuesday looked back at the compassion that past presidents displayed during national tragedies to highlight how President Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic “is not normal.”
Melber, host of “The Beat” aired footage showing Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and other previous presidents consoling the nation following terror attacks, school mass shootings and assassinations.
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“When you listen to these past presidents from both parties, there is more than a history lesson here, more than just a reminder of the way things were,” said Melber.
“Just looking at this when we were putting it together and now as you’re watching it, I think it does something else,” he continued. “It unavoidably, obviously provides a bipartisan contrast to how the current president approaches this part of the job during this mounting death toll.”
“How do you console and grieve with a nation that sorely needs it?” asked Melber, noting that Trump has spoken more in public than most presidents, but uses his time to attack enemies and cast blame rather than offer messages of support.
“While this is not the only thing going on right now, if you do find yourself at home thinking, ‘This is not normal, we should not act like this is normal,’ you’re right. It’s not,” Melber concluded.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-19--Coronavirus Cases Force Reopened Catholic Church In Texas To Backtrack

Rev .
Donnell Kirchner , a 79-year-old priest from Houston ’ s Holy Ghost Church , died on May 13 after being diagnosed with pneumonia , the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston confirmed in a statement Monday .
The archdiocese said it was unclear whether Kirchner was tested for COVID-19 .
Holy Ghost Church ’ s website says there is a possibility that the priest contracted the virus before he died .
Two of the priests who tested positive have been helping to lead public Masses at Holy Ghost Church since the parish reopened on May 2 .
As of Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantining with other members of the religious order at their shared residence .
In light of these new developments , the church canceled all Masses until further notice and is encouraging anyone who attended its in-person Masses to get tested for COVID-19 .
The archdiocese said the parish has “ followed cleaning , sanitation and social distancing guidelines prescribed by State health officials ” and that attendance has been “ closely controlled .
The parish has a seating capacity of about 900 , but Sunday Masses have not exceeded 179 people since May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On May 1 , Texas became one of the first U.S. states to lift parts of its stay-at-home order .
Although the state has issued some minimum recommended protocols , churches and other houses of worship have been exempt from Gov .
Greg Abbott ’ s limits on social gatherings .
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston announced on April 29 that its parishes could reopen at 25 % capacity starting on May 2 while encouraging the use of masks , social distancing and sanitizing commonly used surfaces .
Each parish was instructed to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and how to comply with state guidelines , ” according to the archdiocese .
In mid-March , DiNardo dispensed , or exempted , Catholics in his archdiocese from the religious obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days .
The dispensation is still in effect , but DiNardo wrote in an April 29 letter that it ’ s important for worshippers to have access to the Eucharist and Confession .
“ I have heard the continued pleas of so many of the faithful and priests for access to the spiritual strength @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so many weeks of stay-at-home orders , ” DiNardo wrote in a letter to parishioners .
“ Therefore , I believe the time has arrived to look forward to how this local church can cautiously resume some of its essential activities.
” According to the Texas Catholic Herald , the archdiocese ’ s newspaper , “ hundreds ” of parishioners attended large suburban churches during the first weekend in May .
Attendance at smaller , inner-city churches was 40 or less .
The Harris County Public Health Department directed HuffPost to the City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Department said it doesn ’ t identify locations associated with infectious disease investigations and declined to say whether a secular gathering similar to Holy Ghost Church ’ s services would meet the city ’ s coronavirus guidelines .
U.S. houses of worship have been linked to several clusters of coronavirus cases since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic .
On Tuesday , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tweeted a reminder that COVID-19 spreads easily in group gatherings , including at houses of worship .
The CDC pointed to cases that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when 35 worshippers were infected with COVID-19 after two symptomatic people attended church events .
Three parishioners died and an additional 26 cases linked to the church spread into the community .
Health officials in Butte County , California , suspect that over 180 people may have been exposed to COVID-19 at a May 10 religious service that was held in defiance of the state ’ s ban on religious gatherings .
The health department , which has not identified the house of worship involved , is now working to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested .

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A Roman Catholic church in Texas has indefinitely suspended public Masses after the death of one elderly priest and the COVID-19 diagnoses of five others.
Rev. Donnell Kirchner, a 79-year-old priest from Houston’s Holy Ghost Church, died on May 13 after being diagnosed with pneumonia, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston confirmed in a statement Monday. The archdiocese said it was unclear whether Kirchner was tested for COVID-19. Holy Ghost Church’s website says there is a possibility that the priest contracted the virus before he died.
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Five members of Kirchner’s religious order, the Redemptorists, tested positive for the illness over the weekend, the archdiocese said.
Two of the priests who tested positive have been helping to lead public Masses at Holy Ghost Church since the parish reopened on May 2. As of Monday, all five priests were asymptomatic and were quarantining with other members of the religious order at their shared residence.
In light of these new developments, the church canceled all Masses until further notice and is encouraging anyone who attended its in-person Masses to get tested for COVID-19.
The archdiocese said the parish has “followed cleaning, sanitation and social distancing guidelines prescribed by State health officials” and that attendance has been “closely controlled. The parish has a seating capacity of about 900, but Sunday Masses have not exceeded 179 people since May 2,” the archdiocese said.
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Cardinal Daniel DiNardo gave parishes in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston permission to open on May 2, 2020. ANDREAS SOLARO,ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images
On May 1, Texas became one of the first U.S. states to lift parts of its stay-at-home order. Although the state has issued some minimum recommended protocols, churches and other houses of worship have been exempt from Gov. Greg Abbott’s limits on social gatherings.
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston announced on April 29 that its parishes could reopen at 25% capacity starting on May 2 while encouraging the use of masks, social distancing and sanitizing commonly used surfaces. Each parish was instructed to “choose if they wish to celebrate Mass, and how to comply with state guidelines,” according to the archdiocese.
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo also gave his approval for churches to begin offering the Sacrament of Confession again.
In mid-March, DiNardo dispensed, or exempted, Catholics in his archdiocese from the religious obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. The dispensation is still in effect, but DiNardo wrote in an April 29 letter that it’s important for worshippers to have access to the Eucharist and Confession.
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“I have heard the continued pleas of so many of the faithful and priests for access to the spiritual strength and nourishment of the sacraments after enduring so many weeks of stay-at-home orders,” DiNardo wrote in a letter to parishioners. “Therefore, I believe the time has arrived to look forward to how this local church can cautiously resume some of its essential activities.”
Demonstrators demand the reopening of churches during a rally against stay-at-home directives on May 1, 2020, in San Diego. SANDY HUFFAKER via Getty Images
According to the Texas Catholic Herald, the archdiocese’s newspaper, “hundreds” of parishioners attended large suburban churches during the first weekend in May. Attendance at smaller, inner-city churches was 40 or less.
Meanwhile, Abbott announced a new slate of openings on Monday, including child care centers and bars, along with increased capacity at restaurants. Days earlier, Texas reported 1,801 cases of COVID-19, the state’s highest single-day increase. Abbott attributed the spike to increased testing.
The Harris County Public Health Department directed HuffPost to the City of Houston for comment. The Houston Health Department said it doesn’t identify locations associated with infectious disease investigations and declined to say whether a secular gathering similar to Holy Ghost Church’s services would meet the city’s coronavirus guidelines.
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U.S. houses of worship have been linked to several clusters of coronavirus cases since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tweeted a reminder that COVID-19 spreads easily in group gatherings, including at houses of worship.
The CDC pointed to cases that emerged in rural Arkansas in early March, when 35 worshippers were infected with COVID-19 after two symptomatic people attended church events. Three parishioners died and an additional 26 cases linked to the church spread into the community.
After 2 people with #COVID19 attended church gatherings in Arkansas in early March, 35 attendees acquired the disease. Follow CDC guidelines & consult with local public health officials when resuming in-person operations. Learn more from @CDCMMWR: https://t.co/UebsNldIRR. pic.twitter.com/ib4fRxUXJD — CDC (@CDCgov) May 19, 2020
In Georgia, where churches are exempt from Gov. Brian Kemp’s stay-at-home-order, three cases of COVID-19 were linked to Catoosa Baptist Tabernacle in Ringgold, according to ABC affiliate WTVC. The church has since suspended in-person meetings.
Health officials in Butte County, California, suspect that over 180 people may have been exposed to COVID-19 at a May 10 religious service that was held in defiance of the state’s ban on religious gatherings. The health department, which has not identified the house of worship involved, is now working to make sure all individuals who attended the service are tested.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-20--Chris Cuomo Predicts How History Will Remember Trump’s Handling Of The Pandemic

CNN ’ s Chris Cuomo argued Tuesday that President Donald Trump ’ s bumbling response to the coronavirus pandemic will be remembered with one critical word — inaction .
“ Forget the rest of the noise about what he ’ s taking or what he ’ s doing , ” Cuomo urged viewers .
“ History will remember his as the story of inaction .
Inaction on masks , testing , tracing.
” Cuomo said Trump sees masks ( which he refuses to wear ) and methods used to trace and slow the spread of the contagion as bad “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the risks because he thinks it would be better for him.
” “ He does not care what happens to the rest of us , apparently , ” the host added .
“ President Trump , of course , refuses to wear [ a mask ] says @ chriscuomo .
“ That ’ s all you need to know about this President .
Forget the rest of the noise about what he ’ s taking or what he ’ s doing .
History will remember his as the story of inaction.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CuomoPrimeTime ) May 20 , 2020

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CNN’s Chris Cuomo argued Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s bumbling response to the coronavirus pandemic will be remembered with one critical word — inaction.
“Forget the rest of the noise about what he’s taking or what he’s doing,” Cuomo urged viewers. “History will remember his as the story of inaction. Inaction on masks, testing, tracing.”
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Cuomo said Trump sees masks (which he refuses to wear) and methods used to trace and slow the spread of the contagion as bad “because he just wants to reopen regardless of the risks because he thinks it would be better for him.”
“He does not care what happens to the rest of us, apparently,” the host added.
Check out Cuomo’s monologue here:
“President Trump, of course, refuses to wear [a mask] says @chriscuomo. “That’s all you need to know about this President. Forget the rest of the noise about what he’s taking or what he’s doing. History will remember his as the story of inaction.” pic.twitter.com/FwloD1UfTA — Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) May 20, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-19--Trump Allies Recruiting 'Pro-Trump' Doctors To Prescribe Rapid Reopening

The plan was discussed in a May 11 conference call with a senior staffer for the Trump reelection campaign organized by CNP Action , an affiliate of the GOP-aligned Council for National Policy .
A leaked recording of the hour-long call was provided to The Associated Press by the Center for Media and Democracy , a progressive watchdog group .
“ Anybody who joins one of our coalitions is vetted , ” Murtaugh said Monday .
“ And so quite obviously , all of our coalitions espouse policies and say things that are , of course , exactly simpatico with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president has been outspoken about the fact that he wants to get the country back open as soon as possible.
” During an emergency such as the current pandemic , it ’ s important that the government provide consistent science-based information to the public , said Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr , an epidemiology professor at Columbia University ’ s Mailman School of Public Health .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert and a member of the White House ’ s coronavirus task force , has been among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdowns too quickly could lead to a spike in deaths .
“ I find it totally irresponsible to have physicians who are touting some information that ’ s not anchored in evidence and not anchored in science , ” El-Sadr said .
“ What often creates confusion is the many voices that are out there , and many of those voices do have a political interest , which is the hugely dangerous situation we are at now.
” “ There is a coalition of doctors who are extremely pro-Trump that have been preparing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the campaign on health care , ” Schulze said on the call .
“ And we have doctors that are … in the trenches , that are saying ‘ It ’ s time to reopen.
’ ” “ The president ’ s going to get tagged by the fake news media as being irresponsible and not listening to doctors , ” Matt Schlapp said on the call .
“ And so we have to gird his loins with a lot of other people .
So I think what Nancy ’ s talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we highlight them.
” “ There is a big dynamic in the national media that will not give President Trump any credit , ” he said .
“ It ’ s important to get the message out there that most people recover from corona .
Most people are not in mortal danger with corona and that we can safely open up the economy.
” As several Republican governors moved last week to lift their state lockdowns , the National Ensemble Forecast used by the CDC to predict COVID-19 infections and deaths saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forecasts the U.S. will exceed 100,000 deaths by June 1 , a grim milestone that previously was not predicted to occur until late in the summer .
Schulze , who was working to organize the pro-Trump doctors , did not respond to messages from AP seeking comment .
But after the AP contacted the Trump campaign seeking comment for this story , a Washington public relations firm that frequently works for conservative groups distributed an open letter to Trump signed by more than 400 doctors calling the state coronavirus lockdowns a “ mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casualties ” from alcoholism , homelessness , suicide and other causes .
“ It is impossible to overstate the short , medium , and long-term harm to people ’ s health with a continued shutdown , ” the letter said .
“ Losing a job is one of life ’ s most stressful events , and the effect on a person ’ s health is not lessened because it also has happened to 30 million other people .
Keeping schools and universities closed is incalculably detrimental for children , teenagers , and young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first signature on the letter was Dr. Simone Gold , an emergency medicine specialist in Los Angeles who is listed as a member of the Save Our Country Coalition on the group ’ s website .
She has recently appeared on conservative talk radio and podcast programs to advocate for the use of hydroxychloroquine , a malaria drug that Trump says he is taking because he believes it can prevent COVID-19 , even though no research has shown it to be effective .
Gold said she has prescribed the drug to two of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told AP on Tuesday she started speaking out against shelter-in-place and other infection control measures because there was “ no scientific basis that the average American should be concerned ” about COVID-19 .
Like the president , she is advocating for a fast reopening , and argues that because the majority of deaths so far have been the elderly and people with preexisting conditions , younger people should be working .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican political operatives are recruiting “pro-Trump” doctors to go on television to prescribe reviving the U.S. economy as quickly as possible, without waiting to meet safety benchmarks proposed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
The plan was discussed in a May 11 conference call with a senior staffer for the Trump reelection campaign organized by CNP Action, an affiliate of the GOP-aligned Council for National Policy. A leaked recording of the hour-long call was provided to The Associated Press by the Center for Media and Democracy, a progressive watchdog group.
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CNP Action is part of the Save Our Country Coalition, an alliance of conservative think tanks and political committees formed in late April to end state lockdowns implemented in response to the pandemic. Other members of the coalition include the FreedomWorks Foundation, the American Legislative Exchange Council and Tea Party Patriots.
A resurgent economy is seen as critical to boosting President Donald Trump’s reelection hopes and has become a growing focus of the White House coronavirus task force led by Vice President Mike Pence.
Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaign communications director, confirmed to AP that an effort to recruit doctors to publicly support the president is underway, but declined to say when the initiative would be rolled out.
“Anybody who joins one of our coalitions is vetted,” Murtaugh said Monday. “And so quite obviously, all of our coalitions espouse policies and say things that are, of course, exactly simpatico with what the president believes. ... The president has been outspoken about the fact that he wants to get the country back open as soon as possible.”
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During an emergency such as the current pandemic, it’s important that the government provide consistent science-based information to the public, said Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr, an epidemiology professor at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and a member of the White House’s coronavirus task force, has been among the most visible government experts warning that lifting lockdowns too quickly could lead to a spike in deaths.
El-Sadr said having doctors relay contradictory information on behalf of the president is “quite alarming.”
“I find it totally irresponsible to have physicians who are touting some information that’s not anchored in evidence and not anchored in science,” El-Sadr said. “What often creates confusion is the many voices that are out there, and many of those voices do have a political interest, which is the hugely dangerous situation we are at now.”
Murtaugh said the campaign is not concerned about contradicting government experts.
“Our job at the campaign is to reflect President Trump’s point of view,” Murtaugh said. “We are his campaign. There is no difference between us and him.”
On the May 11 call, Nancy Schulze, a GOP activist who is married to former Rep. Dick Schulze, R-Pa., said she had given the campaign a list of 27 doctors prepared to defend Trump’s reopening push.
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“There is a coalition of doctors who are extremely pro-Trump that have been preparing and coming together for the war ahead in the campaign on health care,” Schulze said on the call. “And we have doctors that are … in the trenches, that are saying ‘It’s time to reopen.’”
The idea quickly gained support from Mercedes Schlapp, a Trump campaign senior adviser who previously served two years as the president’s director of strategic communications.
“Those are the types of guys that we should want to get out on TV and radio to help push out the message,” Schlapp said on the call.
“They’ve already been vetted. But they need to be put on the screens,” Schulze replied.
Schlapp’s husband agreed the president is getting criticized for not appearing to follow the advice of public health experts. Matt Schlapp is chairman of the American Conservative Union, which hosts the annual Conservative Political Action Conference attended by conservative luminaries.
“The president’s going to get tagged by the fake news media as being irresponsible and not listening to doctors,” Matt Schlapp said on the call. “And so we have to gird his loins with a lot of other people. So I think what Nancy’s talking about … this is the critical juncture that we highlight them.”
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Matt Schlapp told AP on Monday that he stood behind what he said on the leaked call.
“There is a big dynamic in the national media that will not give President Trump any credit,” he said. “It’s important to get the message out there that most people recover from corona. Most people are not in mortal danger with corona and that we can safely open up the economy.”
As several Republican governors moved last week to lift their state lockdowns, the National Ensemble Forecast used by the CDC to predict COVID-19 infections and deaths saw a corresponding increase. The CDC now forecasts the U.S. will exceed 100,000 deaths by June 1, a grim milestone that previously was not predicted to occur until late in the summer.
As of Tuesday, more than 1.5 million Americans had tested positive for COVID-19, with more than 91,000 deaths reported nationwide.
Experts, including Fauci, have said that is likely an undercount, with the true number being much higher. Meanwhile, Trump has suggested, without providing evidence, that the official death toll from the virus is being inflated.
Schulze, who was working to organize the pro-Trump doctors, did not respond to messages from AP seeking comment. But after the AP contacted the Trump campaign seeking comment for this story, a Washington public relations firm that frequently works for conservative groups distributed an open letter to Trump signed by more than 400 doctors calling the state coronavirus lockdowns a “mass casualty event” causing “millions of casualties” from alcoholism, homelessness, suicide and other causes.
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“It is impossible to overstate the short, medium, and long-term harm to people’s health with a continued shutdown,” the letter said. “Losing a job is one of life’s most stressful events, and the effect on a person’s health is not lessened because it also has happened to 30 million other people. Keeping schools and universities closed is incalculably detrimental for children, teenagers, and young adults for decades to come.”
The first signature on the letter was Dr. Simone Gold, an emergency medicine specialist in Los Angeles who is listed as a member of the Save Our Country Coalition on the group’s website. She has recently appeared on conservative talk radio and podcast programs to advocate for the use of hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug that Trump says he is taking because he believes it can prevent COVID-19, even though no research has shown it to be effective. Gold said she has prescribed the drug to two of her patients with good results.
The Food and Drug Administration warned health professionals last month that the drug should not be used to treat COVID-19 outside of hospital or research settings due to sometimes fatal side effects.
Gold told AP on Tuesday she started speaking out against shelter-in-place and other infection control measures because there was “no scientific basis that the average American should be concerned” about COVID-19. Like the president, she is advocating for a fast reopening, and argues that because the majority of deaths so far have been the elderly and people with preexisting conditions, younger people should be working.
Gold denied she was coordinating her efforts with Trump’s reelection campaign.
“But put this in there: I’m honored to be considered,” she said.
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-20--Mississippi Governor Pranked Into Reading NSFW Name During Ceremony For Grads

A classic high school prank got a makeover for the coronavirus era when Mississippi Gov .
Tate Reeves ( R ) read a fake name during a virtual ceremony honoring graduating seniors .
Footage shows Reeves reading some of the names , including one “ Harry Azcrac.
” Prankster Thomas DeMartini claimed responsibility and posted a clip of the moment , which happens at about 30 seconds in : The governor paused for a moment after reading the name , likely realizing what had just happened .
As far as prank names go , at least it wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the past week reading the names of seniors who ’ ve missed out on a traditional graduation due to the pandemic .
“ Our 2020 graduates have worked hard for years and accomplished great things .
They deserve every minute of celebration and to be recognized for their achievements , ” he wrote on Twitter .
“ I want to do what I can to brighten their day and help them celebrate.
” Reeves even offered a tip of the graduation cap to the prankster , along with another classic fake name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submitter has a bright future as a Simpson ’ s writer !
In 10 minutes we ’ ll be honoring more graduates on Facebook Live .
Maybe even Ben—the pride of the Dover family .
https : //t.co/Njw0GcNCXN — Tate Reeves ( @ tatereeves ) May 19 , 2020

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A classic high school prank got a makeover for the coronavirus era when Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) read a fake name during a virtual ceremony honoring graduating seniors.
Footage shows Reeves reading some of the names, including one “Harry Azcrac.”
Prankster Thomas DeMartini claimed responsibility and posted a clip of the moment, which happens at about 30 seconds in:
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If anyone else wants a laugh 😂😂😭 pic.twitter.com/8ecPscWhFQ — Thomas DeMartini 🍸 (@ThomasDeMartini) May 16, 2020
The governor paused for a moment after reading the name, likely realizing what had just happened.
As far as prank names go, at least it wasn’t this one.
Reeves has spent hours over the past week reading the names of seniors who’ve missed out on a traditional graduation due to the pandemic.
“Our 2020 graduates have worked hard for years and accomplished great things. They deserve every minute of celebration and to be recognized for their achievements,” he wrote on Twitter. “I want to do what I can to brighten their day and help them celebrate.”
Reeves even offered a tip of the graduation cap to the prankster, along with another classic fake name he could honor:
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-20--Democrats Slam Trump's 'Politically Motivated' Ousting Of Transportation Watchdog

Three leading House Democrats demanded Tuesday that the Trump administration reinstate Mitch Behm as the Transportation Department ’ s acting inspector general after the president removed Behm from the role — the latest in a string of Trump firings of government watchdogs .
In separate letters addressed to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Howard Elliott , the administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration who was tapped by Trump to replace Behm , House Oversight Chair Carolyn Maloney ( D-N.Y. ) , Transportation Chair Peter DeFazio ( D-Ore. ) and Rep. Gerald Connolly ( D-Va. ) , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigate the circumstances around Behm ’ s ouster .
“ Mr .
Behm ’ s removal is the latest in a series of politically motivated firings of Inspectors General by President Trump , ” the lawmakers wrote .
“ This assault on the integrity and independence of Inspectors General appears to be an intentional campaign to undermine their ability to expose corruption and protect taxpayer dollars from waste , fraud , and abuse.
” Behm , who took up the mantle of acting inspector general in January , was removed from his post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump fired Steve Linick as the State Department ’ s watchdog .
In their letters , the Democrats questioned whether Behm ’ s removal was linked in any way to his current investigations , including a probe into whether Chao — who is married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) — had given preferential treatment to Kentucky .
The lawmakers said they were “ concerned ” that Behm ’ s ouster could be “ an effort to undermine the progress ” of the investigation into Chao , “ which we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by you or your office to interfere with the Office of Inspector General ’ s investigation of yourself is illegal and will be thoroughly examined by our Committees , ” they wrote in their letter to the Transportation secretary .
In a statement to The Hill , the Transportation Department lambasted the Democrats ’ letter as “ not factual ” since Behm , who was also the deputy inspector general , “ was never designated the Acting IG.
” As The Hill noted , however , Behm continues to be listed as both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acting inspector general on the website of the Office of Inspector General ’ s website .
A spokesman for Chao told AP that “ Behm was not fired and continues to serve as deputy inspector general.
” He added that Elliott was a good fit for the watchdog role .
“ Mr .
Elliott will bring decades of valuable expertise to the role of acting inspector general , both in safety and in law enforcement , ″ the spokesman said .
“ Mr .
Elliott lacks the independence , qualifications , and experience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Maloney , DeFazio and Connolly wrote .
“ Prior to becoming PHMSA Administrator , Mr. Elliott spent his entire career as an executive in the freight rail industry .
Mr. Elliott appears to have no investigatory or law enforcement experience , which leaves him unprepared to oversee the DOT Office of Inspector General .
”

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Three leading House Democrats demanded Tuesday that the Trump administration reinstate Mitch Behm as the Transportation Department’s acting inspector general after the president removed Behm from the role — the latest in a string of Trump firings of government watchdogs.
In separate letters addressed to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Howard Elliott, the administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration who was tapped by Trump to replace Behm, House Oversight Chair Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), Transportation Chair Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-Va.), who leads an Oversight subcommittee, vowed to investigate the circumstances around Behm’s ouster.
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“Mr. Behm’s removal is the latest in a series of politically motivated firings of Inspectors General by President Trump,” the lawmakers wrote. “This assault on the integrity and independence of Inspectors General appears to be an intentional campaign to undermine their ability to expose corruption and protect taxpayer dollars from waste, fraud, and abuse.”
House chairs send letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao urging she reinstate the acting DOT inspector general:
"We oppose President Trump’s removal of long-time public servant Mitch Behm from his position...and urge that he be immediately reinstated,” the Chairs write pic.twitter.com/xQxMnwv1FD — Alayna Treene (@alaynatreene) May 19, 2020
Behm, who took up the mantle of acting inspector general in January, was removed from his post on Friday — the same day that Trump fired Steve Linick as the State Department’s watchdog.
In their letters, the Democrats questioned whether Behm’s removal was linked in any way to his current investigations, including a probe into whether Chao — who is married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) — had given preferential treatment to Kentucky.
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The lawmakers said they were “concerned” that Behm’s ouster could be “an effort to undermine the progress” of the investigation into Chao, “which we understand is ongoing.”
“Any attempt by you or your office to interfere with the Office of Inspector General’s investigation of yourself is illegal and will be thoroughly examined by our Committees,” they wrote in their letter to the Transportation secretary.
In a statement to The Hill, the Transportation Department lambasted the Democrats’ letter as “not factual” since Behm, who was also the deputy inspector general, “was never designated the Acting IG.”
As The Hill noted, however, Behm continues to be listed as both the department’s deputy general and acting inspector general on the website of the Office of Inspector General’s website.
A spokesman for Chao told AP that “Behm was not fired and continues to serve as deputy inspector general.” He added that Elliott was a good fit for the watchdog role.
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“Mr. Elliott will bring decades of valuable expertise to the role of acting inspector general, both in safety and in law enforcement,″ the spokesman said.
But the three House Democrats disagreed.
“Mr. Elliott lacks the independence, qualifications, and experience necessary to be an effective Inspector General,” Maloney, DeFazio and Connolly wrote. “Prior to becoming PHMSA Administrator, Mr. Elliott spent his entire career as an executive in the freight rail industry. Mr. Elliott appears to have no investigatory or law enforcement experience, which leaves him unprepared to oversee the DOT Office of Inspector General.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-20--Company Wins $1.28 Billion Wall Contract After Wooing Trump On Fox News

A construction company whose CEO regularly went on conservative news shows to appeal to President Donald Trump was awarded a $ 1.28 billion contract to build a large section of the border wall in Arizona earlier this month , according to several media reports .
Fisher Sand and Gravel , a firm from North Dakota , was awarded the contract by the Army Corps of Engineers on May 6 .
The Arizona Daily Star , which was the first to confirm the contract , noted the funds will be used to build about 42 miles of black-painted wall , part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ construct hundreds of miles of barrier along the southern border with Mexico before the November election .
The company has drawn scrutiny over its unusual strategy to win the bid .
The Washington Post reported that CEO Tommy Fisher was initially passed over when the government requested bids to build the structure , but went on a media blitz on networks including Fox News and appealed to notable allies of the president , including former advisor Steve Bannon .
“ Hopefully the president will see this , ” Fisher said during an appearance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First , ” pledging to build a border wall quicker and cheaper than competitors .
Trump took notice and began touting the company repeatedly and aggressively in meetings with the Army Corps of Engineers last year .
Fisher Sand and Gravel won a separate , $ 400 million contract last December even though it has little experience building projects like the wall .
The Pentagon said in December it was investigating the $ 400 million award over concerns the proposals didn ’ t meet operational requirements , although Fisher said there would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he looked forward to providing “ the lowest price and the best value.
” Raini Brunson , a spokeswoman for the Corps , told The Washington Post the latest contract — the largest wall project ever awarded to a single firm — was based on range of factors but ultimately went to the lowest-priced bidder that was technically able to complete the contract .
“ Each project cost is contingent upon its unique characteristics such as geotechnical , topographical , hydrological and hydraulic , underground utilities , final real estate access , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she told the outlet .
Fisher ’ s latest project will cost about $ 30 million per mile , and the Arizona Daily Star notes that figure is much higher than the $ 20 million per mile average for other sections of the wall in the state .
Part of those increased costs are linked to Trump ’ s insistence that the structure be painted black to deter climbers , adding some $ 1.2 million per mile in construction costs , the Post notes .
Chad Wolf , the acting secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House hoped to see up to 400 miles of wall completed by the end of this year .
About 180 miles have been built since Trump took office , Wolf said .

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A construction company whose CEO regularly went on conservative news shows to appeal to President Donald Trump was awarded a $1.28 billion contract to build a large section of the border wall in Arizona earlier this month, according to several media reports.
Fisher Sand and Gravel, a firm from North Dakota, was awarded the contract by the Army Corps of Engineers on May 6. The Arizona Daily Star, which was the first to confirm the contract, noted the funds will be used to build about 42 miles of black-painted wall, part of Trump’s campaign pledge to construct hundreds of miles of barrier along the southern border with Mexico before the November election.
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The company has drawn scrutiny over its unusual strategy to win the bid. The Washington Post reported that CEO Tommy Fisher was initially passed over when the government requested bids to build the structure, but went on a media blitz on networks including Fox News and appealed to notable allies of the president, including former advisor Steve Bannon.
“Hopefully the president will see this,” Fisher said during an appearance last year on “Fox & Friends First,” pledging to build a border wall quicker and cheaper than competitors.
Trump took notice and began touting the company repeatedly and aggressively in meetings with the Army Corps of Engineers last year. Fisher Sand and Gravel won a separate, $400 million contract last December even though it has little experience building projects like the wall.
“He always brings them up,” North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer (R) told the Post last year, noting Fisher had “been very aggressive on TV.”
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The Pentagon said in December it was investigating the $400 million award over concerns the proposals didn’t meet operational requirements, although Fisher said there would be “nothing to find” and said he looked forward to providing “the lowest price and the best value.”
The audit is ongoing.
A government contractor walks beside a completed section of Pentagon-funded border wall along the Colorado River, on Sept. 10, 2019 in Yuma, Ariz. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Raini Brunson, a spokeswoman for the Corps, told The Washington Post the latest contract — the largest wall project ever awarded to a single firm — was based on range of factors but ultimately went to the lowest-priced bidder that was technically able to complete the contract.
“Each project cost is contingent upon its unique characteristics such as geotechnical, topographical, hydrological and hydraulic, underground utilities, final real estate access, and the cost of materials and labor,” she told the outlet.
Fisher’s latest project will cost about $30 million per mile, and the Arizona Daily Star notes that figure is much higher than the $20 million per mile average for other sections of the wall in the state. Part of those increased costs are linked to Trump’s insistence that the structure be painted black to deter climbers, adding some $1.2 million per mile in construction costs, the Post notes.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-20--Trump Warns Farmers That Gun Control Will Leave Their Potatoes Defenseless

Dearest- It 's off to another long night guarding the potatoes .
I am weary and long to close my @ @ @ @ @ .
Alas , our governor is a wretched enemy of liberty and I must take @ @ @ @ @ root vegetables .
I miss you so .
Your loving wife # GuardYourPotatoes

Dearest-
It's off to another long night guarding the potatoes. I am weary and long to close my eyes and dream of you. Alas, our governor is a wretched enemy of liberty and I must take up arms to protect the root vegetables. I miss you so.
Your loving wife#GuardYourPotatoes


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-20--Twitter Users Slam Donald Trump's Spin On High U.S. Coronavirus Cases, Testing

Donald Trump faced backlash on Tuesday after saying he viewed the United States ’ high coronavirus case count as a “ badge of honor ” because it means the nation is doing a lot of testing .
Critics ― including Republicans ― accused the president of attempting to spin the figures and of being “ dishonest ” with his phrasing .
Trump said that “ when we have a lot of cases , I don ’ t look at that as a bad thing , I look at that as in a certain respect as being a good thing because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ So , if we were testing a million people instead of 14 million people , we would have far fewer cases , right ?
” Trump continued .
“ So , I view it as a badge of honor .
Really , it ’ s a badge of honor .
It ’ s a great tribute to the testing and a lot of the work that the professionals have done.
” Donald Trump says it ’ s “ a badge of honor ” that the U.S. has more than 1.5 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is simply a reflection of a successful testing regime https : //t.co/Prolmrzjiz pic.twitter.com/gbImXbUeTW — Bloomberg ( @ business ) May 20 , 2020 Critics accused the president of attempting to change the narrative on the high numbers of infections in the U.S. , which they put down to Trump ’ s week-long dithering on the outbreak and initial downplaying of its threat .
Others acknowledged how the U.S. has indeed conducted more tests ( 12.6 million ) than any other country in the world and had ramped up testing in recent weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. languishes in around 38th position .
The U.S. has upwards of 1.5 million confirmed cases .
More than 93,000 people have now died from the disease nationwide .
“ Folks , I have no head left to shake , ” tweeted Michael Steele , the former chair of the Republican National Committee , in response to Trump ’ s comments .
“ Here ’ s how ignorant & dishonest Trump is , ” added former GOP congressman Joe Walsh , the onetime favorite of the far-right tea party movement who is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If the US had the fewest confirmed cases in the world , Trump would say THE EXACT SAME THING , ” he wrote .
Our high-level of cases is “ a badge of honor ” because it reflects the great job we ’ re doing testing .
That line is so stupid that it will actually work on his base .
— Tom Nichols ( @ RadioFreeTom ) May 19 , 2020 This is like calling a trail of corpses a badge of honor for the police department that let the serial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him down .
Trump is a ghoul and an idiot .
https : //t.co/nwP6imo8UZ — Laurence Tribe ( @ tribelaw ) May 19 , 2020 Trump : “ When we have a lot of cases I don ’ t look at that as a bad thing because it means our testing is much better .
So if we ’ re testing a million people instead of 14 million people it would have far fewer cases right ?
It ’ s a badge of honor.
” Folks , I have no head left to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MichaelSteele ) May 20 , 2020 Here ’ s how ignorant & dishonest Trump is : So the US has the most confirmed cases in the world , and Trump says : “ It ’ s a badge of honor .
We ’ re doing a great job.
” If the US had the fewest confirmed cases in the world , Trump would say THE EXACT SAME THING .
https : //t.co/YABtw8syxp — Joe Walsh ( @ WalshFreedom ) May 19 , 2020 People are fighting for their lives .
Workers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crumbling .
President Trump has repeatedly failed to get this country enough tests and still doesn ’ t have a plan .
And he is trying to spin this response as a “ badge of honor ?
” I don ’ t think so .
https : //t.co/pq1YCbZ7fw — Senator Patty Murray ( @ PattyMurray ) May 19 , 2020 '' So when we have a lot of cases I do n't look at that as a bad thing .
I look at that , in a certain respect , as being a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is much better ...
I view it as a badge of honor . ''
- Trump , on the U.S. having more coronavirus cases than any other country pic.twitter.com/McT88ioyOp — Robert Maguire ( @ RobertMaguire_ ) May 19 , 2020 The president* says it 's a `` badge of honor '' that the U.S. has the most covid19 cases and deaths .
This reverse psychology works on those who believe tax breaks for the rich will help them , a border wall will keep them safe , and that it 's raining while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James `` Stay-at-Home '' Morrison ( @ JamesPMorrison ) May 20 , 2020 “ A badge of HONOR.
” That ’ s right # TweetyTrump , you have the MOST dead citizens in your country !
More than any other !
Maybe you should have a parade to celebrate how goodly you ’ re doing .
https : //t.co/Qsjg7vrZ0d — Debra Messing✍🏻 ( @ DebraMessing ) May 20 , 2020 This schmuck with no shame wears a badge of honor ?
Yet another prize he made up and gave himself .
Meanwhile *Americans* @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : //t.co/9HuMqVtqg3 — Tina Dupuy ( @ TinaDupuy ) May 19 , 2020 Having the most # COVID19 cases is not a “ badge of honor ” .
It is the most ignoble thing to brag about .
People are suffering and dying , not celebrating your badge .
https : //t.co/7qRGvEj5IF — Eric Feigl-Ding ( @ DrEricDing ) May 20 , 2020

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Donald Trump faced backlash on Tuesday after saying he viewed the United States’ high coronavirus case count as a “badge of honor” because it means a lot of testing.
Critics ― including Republicans ― accused the president of attempting to spin the figures and of being “dishonest” with his phrasing.
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“When we have a lot of cases, I don’t look at that as a bad thing,” Trump said during a White House meeting with his Cabinet. “I look at that as in a certain respect as being a good thing because it means our testing is much better.”
“So, if we were testing a million people instead of 14 million people, we would have far fewer cases, right?” Trump continued. “So, I view it as a badge of honor. Really, it’s a badge of honor. It’s a great tribute to the testing and a lot of the work that the professionals have done.”
Check out Trump’s comments here:
Donald Trump says it’s “a badge of honor” that the U.S. has more than 1.5 million cases of coronavirus, saying the total is simply a reflection of a successful testing regime https://t.co/Prolmrzjiz pic.twitter.com/gbImXbUeTW — Bloomberg (@business) May 20, 2020
Trump’s turn of phrase drew blistering responses on Twitter.
Critics accused the president of attempting to change the narrative on the high numbers of infections in the U.S., which they attributed to Trump’s dithering and downplaying the threat as the outbreak advanced.
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Others acknowledged the U.S. has indeed conducted more tests (12.6 million) than any other country and had ramped up testing in recent weeks. But in per capita testing, the U.S. languishes in around 38th position.
The U.S. has upwards of 1.5 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. More than 93,000 people have died from the disease.
“Folks, I have no head left to shake,” tweeted Michael Steele, the former chair of the Republican National Committee, in response to Trump’s comments.
“Here’s how ignorant & dishonest Trump is,” added former GOP Rep. Joe Walsh, the onetime favorite of the far-right tea party movement who is now a fierce critic of the president. “If the US had the fewest confirmed cases in the world, Trump would say THE EXACT SAME THING,” he wrote.
Our high-level of cases is “a badge of honor” because it reflects the great job we’re doing testing. That line is so stupid that it will actually work on his base. — Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) May 19, 2020
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This is like calling a trail of corpses a badge of honor for the police department that let the serial murderer run free for months before shutting him down. Trump is a ghoul and an idiot. https://t.co/nwP6imo8UZ — Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) May 19, 2020
Trump: “When we have a lot of cases I don’t look at that as a bad thing because it means our testing is much better. So if we’re testing a million people instead of 14 million people it would have far fewer cases right? It’s a badge of honor.” Folks, I have no head left to shake. pic.twitter.com/7On5izyz4S — Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele) May 20, 2020
Here’s how ignorant & dishonest Trump is:
So the US has the most confirmed cases in the world, and Trump says: “It’s a badge of honor. We’re doing a great job.” If the US had the fewest confirmed cases in the world, Trump would say THE EXACT SAME THING. https://t.co/YABtw8syxp — Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) May 19, 2020
People are fighting for their lives. Workers are losing their jobs. Our economy is crumbling.
President Trump has repeatedly failed to get this country enough tests and still doesn’t have a plan.
And he is trying to spin this response as a “badge of honor?” I don’t think so. https://t.co/pq1YCbZ7fw — Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) May 19, 2020
"So when we have a lot of cases I don't look at that as a bad thing. I look at that, in a certain respect, as being a good thing because it means our testing is much better...I view it as a badge of honor." - Trump, on the U.S. having more coronavirus cases than any other country pic.twitter.com/McT88ioyOp — Robert Maguire (@RobertMaguire_) May 19, 2020
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The president* says it's a "badge of honor" that the U.S. has the most covid19 cases and deaths. This reverse psychology works on those who believe tax breaks for the rich will help them, a border wall will keep them safe, and that it's raining while he pisses on their heads. — James "Stay-at-Home" Morrison (@JamesPMorrison) May 20, 2020
“A badge of HONOR.” That’s right #TweetyTrump, you have the MOST dead citizens in your country! More than any other! Maybe you should have a parade to celebrate how goodly you’re doing. https://t.co/Qsjg7vrZ0d — Debra Messing✍🏻 (@DebraMessing) May 20, 2020
There is nothing Trump won't view as a badge of honor. https://t.co/znFIbWSByI — Josh Gross (@yay_yee) May 19, 2020
This schmuck with no shame wears a badge of honor? Yet another prize he made up and gave himself. Meanwhile *Americans* are rotting in mass graves... https://t.co/9HuMqVtqg3 — Tina Dupuy (@TinaDupuy) May 19, 2020
Having the most #COVID19 cases is not a “badge of honor”. It is the most ignoble thing to brag about. People are suffering and dying, not celebrating your badge. https://t.co/7qRGvEj5IF — Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) May 20, 2020
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Worst response on planet is “a badge of honor “ — John Cusack (@johncusack) May 19, 2020
Counterpoint: Having the most COVID-19 cases in the world is not a badge of honor. https://t.co/bc9g6gFtBs — Dr. Al Gross (@DrAlGrossAK) May 19, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-20--Don Lemon Warns Donald Trump Will Try To Hoodwink Public Over His 'Abysmal Failure’

CNN ’ s Don Lemon on Tuesday night tore into President Donald Trump ’ s “ campaign of distraction and @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
It just “ goes on , ” lamented Lemon , accusing Trump of @ @ @ @ @ crisis that has now killed more than 93,000 people in the U.S .
Lemon argued @ @ @ @ @ to distract you from his own abysmal failure to deal seriously with a pandemic that @ @ @ @ @ single day.
” In just the past few days , Lemon noted , Trump has @ @ @ @ @ about former President Barack Obama and demeaned the doctor heading the government ’ s vaccine @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s suggestion of using an unproven drug .

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CNN’s Don Lemon on Tuesday night tore into President Donald Trump’s “campaign of distraction and disinformation” amid the coronavirus pandemic.
It just “goes on,” lamented Lemon, accusing Trump of failing to take seriously the crisis that has now killed more than 93,000 people in the U.S.
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Lemon argued Trump would do “anything to distract you from his own abysmal failure to deal seriously with a pandemic that is killing more Americans every single day.”
In just the past few days, Lemon noted, Trump has hyped a baseless conspiracy theory about former President Barack Obama and demeaned the doctor heading the government’s vaccine agency who pushed back at Trump’s suggestion of using an unproven drug.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-19--McDonald's Workers Go After Company For Failing To Protect Them During Coronavirus

In a class-action lawsuit filed Tuesday in Cook County , Illinois , five McDonald ’ s workers claim the company ’ s response to the pandemic has been “ plainly inadequate , ” saying the company did not provide enough gear , including gloves , masks and hand sanitizer , to protect workers from the spread of COVID-19 .
The company also failed to notify employees after a co-worker tested positive , according to the suit .
“ McDonald ’ s says that we ’ re essential workers , but it ’ s not treating us that way , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11-year-old son with asthma , said in a news release from the Fight for 15 fast-food workers movement .
“ Since McDonald ’ s hasn ’ t shown it can protect us , we are suing to make sure the company prioritizes our lives over burgers and fries.
” The lawsuit focuses on four McDonald ’ s restaurants in Chicago , including franchise and corporate-run shops , claiming the plaintiffs often work in close contact with colleagues in kitchens and are regularly exposed to the public at drive-thrus and to-go service areas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At one store , workers said the company has not provided hand sanitizer and gave out masks and gloves only after workers went on strike — and even then , they were given only one mask to wear repeatedly .
At another store , managers allegedly didn ’ t tell workers when one of the plaintiffs tested positive for COVID-19 — with one co-worker telling the plaintiff she learned of it through Facebook .
At one store , managers told workers they didn ’ t need to keep distant if they kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McDonald ’ s responded in a statement that its employees ’ “ safety and well-being is a top priority.
” The company said protective gear was “ in ample supply for all restaurants , ” adding that more than 100 million masks had been distributed nationwide .
As states begin to reopen nonessential businesses and activities , McDonald ’ s has been preparing to reopen dining areas , sending guidance last week to its franchises on how to do so , including recommending more frequent cleaning of bathrooms and practicing social distancing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s decisions is not confined to the walls of its restaurants , but instead has broader public health consequences for the Chicago community ... and the entire country , ” the suit says .
The U.S. continues to lead the world with more than 1.5 million confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 91,000 dead so far .
Chicago ’ s Cook County has the most coronavirus cases of any county nationwide , with over 63,000 confirmed cases and more than 2,800 dead as of Tuesday .
In California , McDonald ’ s workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Jose also filed legal actions on Tuesday , giving the company 33 days to respond to complaints they filed with the state ’ s Occupational Safety and Health division ( Cal/OSHA ) on the company ’ s response to COVID-19 or workers can sue .
In one Los Angeles franchise store , several workers were infected with the virus and McDonald ’ s did not inform all employees at the location , according to the complaint .
Managers closed and deep-cleaned the store only after workers went on strike , one employee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , McDonald ’ s has prioritized profits over our safety , ” Bartolome Perez , a Los Angeles McDonald ’ s worker and leader with the Fight for 15 movement , said in a release .
“ McDonald ’ s put selling Big Macs ahead of our lives.
” Since March , when the coronavirus ’ s spread led to broad economic shutdowns across the U.S. , millions of Americans have largely stayed home while workers deemed “ essential ” have continued to go to work .
Some of these workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Amazon warehouses , Whole Foods grocery stores and Instacart delivery services — claiming the major companies haven ’ t been doing enough to keep them safe while they work through a public health emergency .
“ Frontline McDonald ’ s workers are scared and angry , ” Lauren Teukolsky , an attorney for the California McDonald ’ s workers , said in a release .
“ McDonald ’ s workers should not have to choose between their lives and a paycheck .
”

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McDonald’s workers filed a lawsuit in Chicago, took legal actions in California and are planning strikes nationwide, all in response to the company’s alleged failure to protect workers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In a class-action lawsuit filed Tuesday in Cook County, Illinois, five McDonald’s workers claim the company’s response to the pandemic has been “plainly inadequate,” saying the company did not provide enough gear, including gloves, masks and hand sanitizer, to protect workers from the spread of COVID-19. The company also failed to notify employees after a co-worker tested positive, according to the suit.
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“McDonald’s says that we’re essential workers, but it’s not treating us that way,” plaintiff Taynarvis Massey, who has an 11-year-old son with asthma, said in a news release from the Fight for 15 fast-food workers movement. “Since McDonald’s hasn’t shown it can protect us, we are suing to make sure the company prioritizes our lives over burgers and fries.”
The lawsuit focuses on four McDonald’s restaurants in Chicago, including franchise and corporate-run shops, claiming the plaintiffs often work in close contact with colleagues in kitchens and are regularly exposed to the public at drive-thrus and to-go service areas, which have remained open during the pandemic.
At one store, workers said the company has not provided hand sanitizer and gave out masks and gloves only after workers went on strike — and even then, they were given only one mask to wear repeatedly. At another store, managers allegedly didn’t tell workers when one of the plaintiffs tested positive for COVID-19 — with one co-worker telling the plaintiff she learned of it through Facebook. At one store, managers told workers they didn’t need to keep distant if they kept encounters to less than 10 minutes.
McDonald’s responded in a statement that its employees’ “safety and well-being is a top priority.” The company said protective gear was “in ample supply for all restaurants,” adding that more than 100 million masks had been distributed nationwide.
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As states begin to reopen nonessential businesses and activities, McDonald’s has been preparing to reopen dining areas, sending guidance last week to its franchises on how to do so, including recommending more frequent cleaning of bathrooms and practicing social distancing.
“The damage done by McDonald’s decisions is not confined to the walls of its restaurants, but instead has broader public health consequences for the Chicago community... and the entire country,” the suit says.
The U.S. continues to lead the world with more than 1.5 million confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 91,000 dead so far. Chicago’s Cook County has the most coronavirus cases of any county nationwide, with over 63,000 confirmed cases and more than 2,800 dead as of Tuesday.
"The damage done by @McDonalds decisions is not confined to the walls of its restaurants, but instead has broader public health consequences for the Chicago community, the State of Illinois, and the entire country,"#FightFor15 #ProtectAllWorkers https://t.co/DiAS3uGgl1 — Fight For 15 (@fightfor15) May 19, 2020
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In California, McDonald’s workers at three stores in Los Angeles and San Jose also filed legal actions on Tuesday, giving the company 33 days to respond to complaints they filed with the state’s Occupational Safety and Health division (Cal/OSHA) on the company’s response to COVID-19 or workers can sue.
In one Los Angeles franchise store, several workers were infected with the virus and McDonald’s did not inform all employees at the location, according to the complaint. Managers closed and deep-cleaned the store only after workers went on strike, one employee said.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, McDonald’s has prioritized profits over our safety,” Bartolome Perez, a Los Angeles McDonald’s worker and leader with the Fight for 15 movement, said in a release. “McDonald’s put selling Big Macs ahead of our lives.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of McDonald’s workers in over a dozen cities plan to strike Wednesday — including in Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and Houston — to demonstrate against the fast-food giant’s response to the pandemic.
Since March, when the coronavirus’s spread led to broad economic shutdowns across the U.S., millions of Americans have largely stayed home while workers deemed “essential” have continued to go to work. Some of these workers have gone on strikes — including employees at Amazon warehouses, Whole Foods grocery stores and Instacart delivery services — claiming the major companies haven’t been doing enough to keep them safe while they work through a public health emergency.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-19--Pence Isn't Taking Hydroxychloroquine But Wouldn’t ‘Begrudge’ Anyone Who Did

Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday he is not taking doses of hydroxychloroquine to prevent COVID-19 , a day after President Donald Trump made the shocking announcement that he had started using the anti-malaria drug a “ couple of weeks ago.
” “ I ’ m not .
But I would never begrudge any American taking the advice of their physician , ” Pence told Fox News ’ Kristin Fisher .
“ My physician has not recommended that , but I wouldn ’ t hesitate to take the counsel of my doctor .
Any American should do likewise.
” Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said he been taking hydroxychloroquine while trumpeting the drug as a potential treatment for the coronavirus .
There is no known evidence that it works in cases of COVID-19 , however , and doctors have warned about a bevy of serious side effects , including dangerous heart abnormalities .
The Food and Drug Administration also issued its own cautionary advice last month , saying it should not be used except in formal medical studies .
A memo released Monday by the White House physician , Sean Conley , said he had had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ evidence for and against ” the drug .
Conley said they concluded the potential benefits outweighed the “ relative risk.
” But the president ’ s revelation sparked immediate concern from many in the medical community who worried it could set a dangerous precedent for Americans .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) also said she worried about Trump himself , citing his age and weight , saying she wished he were not “ taking something that has not been approved by the scientists.
” Trump defended his comments on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying without evidence that a “ lot of people ” and a “ lot of doctors ” were taking the medication .
“ It ’ s got a very bad reputation only because I ’ m promoting it , ” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting .
“ So I ’ m obviously a very bad promoter.
” He also labeled as “ phony ” and “ false ” a study of Veterans Affairs patients that found higher death rates among those hospitalized with coronavirus infections who were given hydroxychloroquine .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the administration , ” Trump said Tuesday of the study .
“ The people were ready to die .
Everybody was old , had bad problems with hearts , diabetes and everything else you can imagine .
So they gave it .
So immediately when it came out , they gave a lot of false information .
”

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Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday he is not taking doses of hydroxychloroquine to prevent COVID-19, a day after President Donald Trump made the shocking announcement that he had started using the anti-malaria drug a “couple of weeks ago.”
“I’m not. But I would never begrudge any American taking the advice of their physician,” Pence told Fox News’ Kristin Fisher. “My physician has not recommended that, but I wouldn’t hesitate to take the counsel of my doctor. Any American should do likewise.”
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Pence’s comments come a day after Trump said he been taking hydroxychloroquine while trumpeting the drug as a potential treatment for the coronavirus. There is no known evidence that it works in cases of COVID-19, however, and doctors have warned about a bevy of serious side effects, including dangerous heart abnormalities. The Food and Drug Administration also issued its own cautionary advice last month, saying it should not be used except in formal medical studies.
A memo released Monday by the White House physician, Sean Conley, said he had had “numerous” discussions with Trump about the “evidence for and against” the drug. Conley said they concluded the potential benefits outweighed the “relative risk.”
But the president’s revelation sparked immediate concern from many in the medical community who worried it could set a dangerous precedent for Americans. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) also said she worried about Trump himself, citing his age and weight, saying she wished he were not “taking something that has not been approved by the scientists.”
Trump defended his comments on Tuesday amid a growing chorus of criticism, saying without evidence that a “lot of people” and a “lot of doctors” were taking the medication.
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“It’s got a very bad reputation only because I’m promoting it,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting. “So I’m obviously a very bad promoter.”
He also labeled as “phony” and “false” a study of Veterans Affairs patients that found higher death rates among those hospitalized with coronavirus infections who were given hydroxychloroquine.