thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-05--Trump Awakening The ‘Sleeping Giant’ Of Latino Voter Engagement In Arizona

Yet Trump ’ s very presence at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the state fairgrounds suggests that outcome is by no means guaranteed ― particularly in an increasingly Latino state where a Democrat in 2018 won a U.S. Senate seat for the first time in 24 years and another one took the key secretary of state ’ s post .
Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh has in the past said that the most valuable asset in the reelection bid is the president ’ s time ― he made that point to argue that Trump ’ s presence in Minneapolis last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of winning Minnesota .
But he insisted Trump ’ s visit to Phoenix does not mean the president is in danger of losing Arizona .
“ It seems like we ’ ve been targeted .
It seems like he ’ s had it in for us from the very beginning , ” Díaz-Martínez said – which , he added , has made it easier to persuade Latinos to turn out and vote .
“ It ’ s really just a great way to bring it home to them.
” In November 2016 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final weeks before the election , the state ’ s voters gave Trump a 3.5 percentage point win over Hillary Clinton .
That was the closest a Democrat had come to winning the state since Bill Clinton carried it in his 1996 re-election .
He won it by 2 points , aided by third-party candidate Ross Perot siphoning off votes that otherwise would have gone to Republican Bob Dole .
Heading into November , Democrats also have on their side one tool they lacked as the 2018 midterms approached .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming within striking distance of flipping both chambers of the state legislature , they also won the office of secretary of state , the official who administers elections .
Abrams , speaking to reporters after her recent speech in Phoenix , said Hobbs “ understands that her job is to protect the right to vote .
Not so that she can game the system , but so that she can ensure that democracy works for everyone , and I think that ’ s why Democrats are going to win .
Because she ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voice can be heard , and when that happens , Democrats tend to win.
” As to awakening the “ sleeping giant ” of untapped Latino voters , Kirkland said her group and others have been working in those fields for years , and the higher turnout rate in 2018 show that those efforts already have started to work .
“ Which is not to say I don ’ t welcome their help , ” she laughed .

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PHOENIX ― Even as Donald Trump’s campaign boasts about “expanding the map” this year to win Minnesota, Oregon and New Mexico ― states he lost in 2016 ― the president recently found himself campaigning to hold the home state of Barry Goldwater, John McCain and Sandra Day O’Connor.
“We love to be back. We will be back a lot,” Trump promised a roaring crowd of 15,000. “And with your help this November we are going to defeat the radical socialist Democrats, and we are going to win Arizona in a landslide.”
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Yet Trump’s very presence at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the state fairgrounds suggests that outcome is by no means guaranteed ― particularly in an increasingly Latino state where a Democrat in 2018 won a U.S. Senate seat for the first time in 24 years and another one took the key secretary of state’s post.
Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh has in the past said that the most valuable asset in the reelection bid is the president’s time ― he made that point to argue that Trump’s presence in Minneapolis last autumn was proof he had a chance of winning Minnesota. But he insisted Trump’s visit to Phoenix does not mean the president is in danger of losing Arizona.
“You also have to campaign where there is strong support to keep people engaged and show them that the president is fighting for them,” Murtaugh said.
Democrats and other Trump critics who describe the record midterm election turnout 14 months ago as a response to his tone and policies say that energy has not subsided, and this November will see them deliver Arizona and its 11 electoral votes to the Democratic nominee for the first time since 1996.
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“We are seeing it as definitely within reach,” said Emily Kirkland, head of the group Progress Now Arizona. She terms the state “eminently flippable.”
And while Trump’s visits clearly excite his hard-core base, Democrats say they also energize those who will work hard to turn him out of office.
“It certainly is a great way to begin a conversation with a Latino family,” said Edder Díaz-Martínez, a 29-year-old organizer who was brought into the country illegally from Mexico when he was 5 and is currently protected under a program started by former President Barack Obama.
Díaz-Martínez said that when Trump attacks immigrants as drug dealers and murderers at his rallies and reiterates his pledge to build a wall along the southern border, he and other Mexican immigrants take it personally.
“It seems like we’ve been targeted. It seems like he’s had it in for us from the very beginning,” Díaz-Martínez said – which, he added, has made it easier to persuade Latinos to turn out and vote. “It’s really just a great way to bring it home to them.”
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President Donald Trump traveled to Phoenix for a recent campaign rally. He carried Arizona in 2016, but Democrats aim to flip it this year. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Turning Arizona Blue Thanks To Trump
Barely 24 hours after and four miles down the road from where Trump took the stage for his rally, hundreds of Maricopa County Democrats filed into a carpenters union hall to hear a voice that state party leaders say will help energize an even bigger Democratic turnout this November.
“What you all accomplished here in 2018 was to change the face of Arizona,” said Stacey Abrams, the former Georgia House minority leader who lost a close and controversial race for the state’s governorship to then-Secretary of State Brian Kemp (R). “Our time is now, Arizona. So let’s get it done.”
Democrats’ optimism for this year is understandable. Since Trump began seeking the White House, Latinos have become more active voters, while the suburbs of major cities have started to swing more Democratic.
In November 2016, with both sides largely ignoring Arizona until the final weeks before the election, the state’s voters gave Trump a 3.5 percentage point win over Hillary Clinton. That was the closest a Democrat had come to winning the state since Bill Clinton carried it in his 1996 re-election. He won it by 2 points, aided by third-party candidate Ross Perot siphoning off votes that otherwise would have gone to Republican Bob Dole.
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George W. Bush defeated Al Gore by 6 percentage points in 2000, but the margin was 10 points in 2004 when he beat John Kerry. In 2008, Arizona’s own McCain beat Obama by 9 points, the same margin Mitt Romney beat him by in 20012.
Kyrsten Sinema in 2018 became the first Democrat in 24 years to win a U.S. Senate seat in Arizona, helping spur the hopes of party officials that their 2020 presidential nominee can carry the state. Erin Scott / Reuters
The 2018 midterms gave Arizona Democrats one of their best elections in years, with large increases in both youth and Latino participation powering statewide turnout to a presidential-year level of 65%. That produced big gains for the party in the state legislature, as well as a U.S. Senate seat for then-Rep. Kyrsten Sinema.
“The new American electorate,” said Felecia Rotellini, chairwoman of the Arizona Democratic Party, who introduced Abrams at her appearance. “Those are the folks who got engaged in 2018 and will remain engaged in 2020.”
“Democrats are obviously emboldened,” said pollster Mike Noble of OH Predictive Insights in Phoenix. He added that he expects both sides to pour money into the state to win in November, particularly with a key Senate race again on the ballot.
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“People used to just kind of check the box when it comes to us. Now it’s really a battleground,” Noble said.
Indeed, Trump’s presidency appears to have accelerated the already increasing rate of Latino participation, Noble said, as well as helped Democrats make big inroads among suburban women in Arizona, just as they have around the country. “I wouldn’t be surprised if that trend continues,” he said.
Heading into November, Democrats also have on their side one tool they lacked as the 2018 midterms approached. In addition to picking up the Senate seat and coming within striking distance of flipping both chambers of the state legislature, they also won the office of secretary of state, the official who administers elections.
Katie Hobbs is already serving as a counterweight to Republicans who control the state legislature and the governor’s mansion. Earlier this year, she announced that she would break with the rest of the executive branch over a lawsuit challenging a law making it harder for activists to collect and deliver absentee ballots.
“I will continue to condemn any efforts to create unnecessary barriers to voting, especially when those obstacles are based on hyperbolic fears,” Hobbs said.
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Abrams, speaking to reporters after her recent speech in Phoenix, said Hobbs “understands that her job is to protect the right to vote. Not so that she can game the system, but so that she can ensure that democracy works for everyone, and I think that’s why Democrats are going to win. Because she’s going to make sure that every voice can be heard, and when that happens, Democrats tend to win.”
The Bloomberg Factor
Whether Democrats can use voter anger toward Trump to help fuel a large turnout again and whether Trump’s efforts to energize his own base can counter that are great unknowns eight months from Election Day. But the biggest wild card in the race may lie in a squat one-story building in downtown Phoenix.
On Jan. 3, multi-billionaire and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg opened the doors to what became headquarters to a total of seven field offices around the state with 51 total paid staff to help his last-minute run for the presidency.
Bloomberg dropped out of the race after poor finishes in Super Tuesday primaries this week, but unlike most campaigns ― which close offices and lay off staff quickly ― Bloomberg has committed to keep his team active to help defeat Trump.
In Arizona, that means continuing efforts to organize Latino voters, a group that historically has not registered or turned out in numbers proportionate to its population.
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“The Latino community here has been taken for granted for a long time,” said Luis Acosta, Bloomberg’s state director who, like much of his Arizona staff, is actually from the state, rather than having recently rolled in from Iowa or New Hampshire.
Acosta said the work has involved going into Latino neighborhoods, recruiting volunteers and making the kind of community connections that most statewide campaigns have neither the time nor the money to attempt.
“There’s no reason we can’t awaken the sleeping giant here in Arizona,” Acosta said, referring to the potential political clout Latino voters could have. “The Republicans here locally understand that. And they are worried.”
Bloomberg showed in 2018 that he was willing to spend his own money to help Democrats, including $56 million on negative ads against 24 Republican House candidates across the nation in the campaign’s final weeks. Democrats won 21 of those races, helping Nancy Pelosi become speaker.
This year’s effort in Arizona, as well as in five other swing states, would also include registering and turning out infrequent voters.
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“The scale of the operation is impressive,” said Progress Now Arizona’s Kirkland. “It’s amazing what unlimited money can buy.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-05--Even Lindsey Graham Warns Trump To Pay Attention To Coronavirus Science

One of Donald Trump ’ s fiercest defenders urged the president on Thursday to pay attention to scientific facts instead of spit-balling a coronavirus death rate and insisting that up to “ hundreds of thousands ” of Americans could catch the virus with little ill effect and still go to work .
“ I don ’ t know what he was talking about , ” Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) told reporters after Trump explained to Sean Hannity on Fox News that he had a “ hunch ” the death rate for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The World Health Organization has reported that the death rate is 3.4 % .
“ I would encourage the president , if he ’ s going to report things , to make sure that the science is behind what he says , ” Graham added , noting : “ I listen to the scientists when it comes to the numbers.
” Lindsey Graham to @ mkraju on Trump citing `` hunch '' to contradict WHO 's 3.4 % death rate for coronavirus : `` I listen to the scientists when it comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encourage the president if he 's going to report things to make sure the science is behind what he 's saying '' pic.twitter.com/dSsCFdjSHG — Aaron Rupar ( @ atrupar ) March 5 , 2020 Trump took health experts by surprise when he cooked up his own death rate during an interview with Hannity on Wednesday — and estimated that as many as “ hundreds of thousands ” of people with the illness could “ get better just by , you know , sitting around and even going to work.
” Health experts have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go to work to avoid further spreading the highly contagious disease .
Trump has also repeatedly promised that a vaccine for the illness is mere months away — even though experts have repeatedly corrected him that it will take at least a year to 18 months to have a usable vaccine .
Last week , Trump boasted at a press conference that COVID-19 cases in the U.S. would “ within a couple of days ... be down to close to zero.
” He added : “ That ’ s a pretty good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Thursday evening , the U.S. had at least 210 cases and 12 deaths .

One of Donald Trump’s fiercest defenders urged the president on Thursday to pay attention to scientific facts instead of spit-balling a coronavirus death rate and insisting that up to “hundreds of thousands” of Americans could catch the virus with little ill effect and still go to work.
“I don’t know what he was talking about,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told reporters after Trump explained to Sean Hannity on Fox News that he had a “hunch” the death rate for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, is less than 1%. The World Health Organization has reported that the death rate is 3.4%.
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“I would encourage the president, if he’s going to report things, to make sure that the science is behind what he says,” Graham added, noting: “I listen to the scientists when it comes to the numbers.”
Lindsey Graham to @mkraju on Trump citing "hunch" to contradict WHO's 3.4% death rate for coronavirus: "I listen to the scientists when it comes to the numbers, and I would encourage the president if he's going to report things to make sure the science is behind what he's saying" pic.twitter.com/dSsCFdjSHG — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 5, 2020
Trump took health experts by surprise when he cooked up his own death rate during an interview with Hannity on Wednesday — and estimated that as many as “hundreds of thousands” of people with the illness could “get better just by, you know, sitting around and even going to work.”
Health experts have warned anyone with possible COVID-19 symptoms not to go to work to avoid further spreading the highly contagious disease.
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Trump has also repeatedly promised that a vaccine for the illness is mere months away — even though experts have repeatedly corrected him that it will take at least a year to 18 months to have a usable vaccine.
Last week, Trump boasted at a press conference that COVID-19 cases in the U.S. would “within a couple of days ... be down to close to zero.” He added: “That’s a pretty good job we’ve done.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-06--Obama ‘Ebola Czar' Issues Blunt Instruction To Donald Trump: Put Down The Phone

Ronald Klain sent a blunt message to President Donald Trump as he criticized the White House ’ s messy handling @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
Klain , who led the U.S. response to the Ebola crisis on behalf @ @ @ @ @ , told MSNBC ’ s Chris Hayes that Trump should “ put down the iPhone @ @ @ @ @ ridiculous things on camera and let public health authorities brief people and tell us the @ @ @ @ @ Trump ― who has peddled falsehoods about the virus , which has now killed 12 @ @ @ @ @ for appearing to be more concerned with managing the optics of the outbreak , rather @ @ @ @ @ “ He is focused on numbers , he ’ s focused on the stock market @ @ @ @ @ count being down , ” he claimed .
“ Those are the two wrong things @ @ @ @ @ Klain added , suggesting the Trump administration should instead be working on getting more people @ @ @ @ @ an influx of patients .

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Ronald Klain sent a blunt message to President Donald Trump as he criticized the White House’s messy handling of the coronavirus outbreak on Thursday.
Klain, who led the U.S. response to the Ebola crisis during President Barack Obama’s administration, told MSNBC’s Chris Hayes that Trump should “put down the iPhone,” stop “saying ridiculous things on camera and let public health authorities brief people and tell us the truth.”
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Klain also bashed Trump ― who has peddled falsehoods about the virus, which has now killed 12 people in the U.S. ― for appearing to be more concerned with managing the optics of the outbreak, rather than the outbreak itself.
“He is focused on numbers, he’s focused on the stock market being up and the case count being down,” he claimed.
“Those are the two wrong things to focus on,” Klain added, suggesting the Trump administration should instead be working on getting more people tested and readying hospitals for an influx of patients.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-05--U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll Rises To 12 With Latest In Washington

LOS ANGELES , March 5 ( Reuters ) - The death toll from coronavirus in the United States rose to 12 on Thursday with the latest fatality recorded in King County , Washington , and 53 new cases broke out across the country , striking for the first time in Colorado , Tennessee , Texas and San Francisco .
A helicopter flew testing kits to a cruise liner idled off the coast of California and barred from docking in San Francisco after at least 35 people developed flu-like symptoms aboard the ship , which has been linked to two other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of the virus were confirmed in King County , Washington , local health officials said , bringing the total in the county to 51 with 11 deaths .
One death has been recorded in California .
Alphabet Inc ’ s Google on Thursday joined Amazon.com Inc , Facebook Inc and Microsoft Corp in recommending employees in the Seattle area work from home , after some were infected with the coronavirus .
The companies ’ work-from-home recommendation will affect more than 100,000 people in the area .
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had doubled to 22 after the federal government approved its use of additional laboratories , boosting testing capacity .
Cuomo told a press conference that total would likely “ keep going up.
” Of the new cases in New York , eight are connected to a Manhattan lawyer who lives in Westchester County and was previously diagnosed with the virus , two are in New York City and one in Nassau County .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) early on Thursday reported 149 confirmed and presumed U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to include the 53 new cases reported on Thursday .
The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed an $ 8.3 billion bill to combat the outbreak 96-1 , a day after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved it .
The bill now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature .
More than $ 3 billion of the approved funds would be devoted to research and development of coronavirus vaccines , test kits and treatments .
There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for the illness that began in China and has infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries and territories .
Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference the new cases in New York City - a man in his 40s and a woman in her 80s - were critically ill and being treated in hospitals .
Both had “ substantial ” pre-existing health conditions , he said .
California , which has declared a statewide emergency in response to the outbreak , reported six new cases , including two in San Francisco also deemed likely to be a result of “ community transmission , ” local health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect to be able to get enough privately manufactured coronavirus tests - around 1 million - to public laboratories this week with the capacity to test about 400,000 people .
Vice President Mike Pence , who is leading the U.S. response , urged Americans not to purchase masks if they are healthy to free up supply for healthcare workers and people who are sick .
“ Unless you are ill , you have no need to buy a mask , ” Pence said on a visit to Minnesota ’ s 3M Co , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help respond to the coronavirus .
“ The risk to the average healthy American from contracting coronavirus remains low , ” Pence said , adding that “ there will be more cases , ” especially among more vulnerable populations such as seniors and those with chronic health conditions .

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LOS ANGELES, March 5 (Reuters) - The death toll from coronavirus in the United States rose to 12 on Thursday with the latest fatality recorded in King County, Washington, and 53 new cases broke out across the country, striking for the first time in Colorado, Tennessee, Texas and San Francisco.
A helicopter flew testing kits to a cruise liner idled off the coast of California and barred from docking in San Francisco after at least 35 people developed flu-like symptoms aboard the ship, which has been linked to two other confirmed cases of COVID-19.
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Twenty new cases of the virus were confirmed in King County, Washington, local health officials said, bringing the total in the county to 51 with 11 deaths. One death has been recorded in California.
“This is a critical moment in the growing outbreak of COVID-19 in King County,” the county said in a written statement, referring to the respiratory disease caused by the virus.
“All King County residents should follow public health recommendations. Together, we may potentially impact the spread of the disease in our community,” it said.
Many of the cases in Washington state have been linked to an outbreak at a nursing facility in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland, including six deaths.
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Alphabet Inc’s Google on Thursday joined Amazon.com Inc, Facebook Inc and Microsoft Corp in recommending employees in the Seattle area work from home, after some were infected with the coronavirus. The companies’ work-from-home recommendation will affect more than 100,000 people in the area.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the number of cases in that state had doubled to 22 after the federal government approved its use of additional laboratories, boosting testing capacity. Cuomo told a press conference that total would likely “keep going up.”
Of the new cases in New York, eight are connected to a Manhattan lawyer who lives in Westchester County and was previously diagnosed with the virus, two are in New York City and one in Nassau County.
COLORADO, TENNESSEE AND TEXAS REPORT CASES
Texas confirmed its first three coronavirus cases and Tennessee and Colorado each reported one, bringing the number of affected states to 16.
More than 3,200 people worldwide have died from the respiratory illness that can lead to pneumonia.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) early on Thursday reported 149 confirmed and presumed U.S. cases. Those numbers are presumed not to include the 53 new cases reported on Thursday.
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The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed an $8.3 billion bill to combat the outbreak 96-1, a day after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved it. The bill now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature.
More than $3 billion of the approved funds would be devoted to research and development of coronavirus vaccines, test kits and treatments. There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for the illness that began in China and has infected more than 95,000 people in some 80 countries and territories.
Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference the new cases in New York City - a man in his 40s and a woman in her 80s - were critically ill and being treated in hospitals. Both had “substantial” pre-existing health conditions, he said.
Neither person had recently visited any other affected countries or had any connection to other confirmed cases, suggesting the city is confronting local person-to-person spread.
California, which has declared a statewide emergency in response to the outbreak, reported six new cases, including two in San Francisco also deemed likely to be a result of “community transmission,” local health officials said.
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1 MILLION TEST KITS
U.S. health officials say they expect to be able to get enough privately manufactured coronavirus tests - around 1 million - to public laboratories this week with the capacity to test about 400,000 people.
CDC official Anne Schuchat said her agency would also supply kits by the end of the week that could test around 75,000 people.
“Right now, it is a challenge if you are a doctor wanting to get somebody tested,” U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told reporters following a briefing with lawmakers.
Vice President Mike Pence, who is leading the U.S. response, urged Americans not to purchase masks if they are healthy to free up supply for healthcare workers and people who are sick.
“Unless you are ill, you have no need to buy a mask,” Pence said on a visit to Minnesota’s 3M Co, which has ramped up production of masks to help respond to the coronavirus.
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“The risk to the average healthy American from contracting coronavirus remains low,” Pence said, adding that “there will be more cases,” especially among more vulnerable populations such as seniors and those with chronic health conditions.
Global equity markets tumbled as coronavirus cases outside China mounted, fueling warnings that economic growth is likely to reach its weakest level since the global financial crisis a decade ago.
The main U.S. stock indexes closed down more than 3% with the Dow falling 969 points.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-06--Twitter Users Torch ‘Tone-Deaf’ Melania Trump Over Tennis Pavillion Brag

3 years later they finally start on it .
They will spend millions destroying a basketball court for something none @ @ @ @ @ have the opportunity to use and even if they could use it not a single @ @ @ @ @ They just wanted the basketball court gone .
https : //t.co/vK0RW887vn

3 years later they finally start on it. They will spend millions destroying a basketball court for something none of the trumps will ever have the opportunity to use and even if they could use it not a single one of them would. They just wanted the basketball court gone. https://t.co/vK0RW887vn


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-06--CNBC's Rick Santelli Proposes Dangerous Idea: Infect Everyone With Coronavirus

Think about how the world would be if you tried to quarantine everybody because of the generic-type flu .
Now @ @ @ @ @ saying this is the generic-type flu , but maybe we ’ d just be better @ @ @ @ @ ( the coronavirus ) to everybody and then in a month it would be over @ @ @ @ @ of this probably isn ’ t going to be any different if we did it @ @ @ @ @ term-picture .
But the difference is we ’ re wreaking havoc on global and domestic @ @

Think about how the world would be if you tried to quarantine everybody because of the generic-type flu. Now, I’m not saying this is the generic-type flu, but maybe we’d just be better off if we gave it [the coronavirus] to everybody and then in a month it would be over, because the mortality rate of this probably isn’t going to be any different if we did it that way than the long-term picture. But the difference is we’re wreaking havoc on global and domestic economies.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-05--JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon Undergoes Emergency Heart Surgery

“ We want to let you know that Jamie experienced an acute aortic dissection this morning , ” the company ’ s co-presidents , Daniel Pinto and Gordon Smith , wrote in a letter to employees .
“ He underwent successful emergency heart surgery to repair the dissection .
The good news is that it was caught early and the surgery was successful.
” The pair said Dimon , 63 , was “ awake , alert and recovering well.
” Jamie Dimon , the chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase , speaks at the Council on Foreign Relations Thursday on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith will run JPMorgan Chase , the largest bank in America , while Dimon recovers .
“ As we always have done , this is a time for all of us to stay focused on our important responsibilities , ” the pair wrote .
“ We know you all join us in wishing Jamie our very best and a smooth and speedy recovery.
” The New York Times noted that Dimon , who assumed his role in 2005 , is the longest-serving leader of a major American bank .
Asked if he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he had no immediate plans to step down .
The bank reported record profits last year , largely thanks to a high-flying financial market in 2019 .

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JPMorgan Chase chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon underwent emergency heart surgery on Thursday, company executives said.
“We want to let you know that Jamie experienced an acute aortic dissection this morning,” the company’s co-presidents, Daniel Pinto and Gordon Smith, wrote in a letter to employees. “He underwent successful emergency heart surgery to repair the dissection. The good news is that it was caught early and the surgery was successful.”
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The pair said Dimon, 63, was “awake, alert and recovering well.”
Jamie Dimon, the chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, speaks at the Council on Foreign Relations Thursday on April 4, 2019. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pinto and Smith will run JPMorgan Chase, the largest bank in America, while Dimon recovers.
“As we always have done, this is a time for all of us to stay focused on our important responsibilities,” the pair wrote. “We know you all join us in wishing Jamie our very best and a smooth and speedy recovery.”
The New York Times noted that Dimon, who assumed his role in 2005, is the longest-serving leader of a major American bank. Asked if he would be retiring in January, the CEO said he had no immediate plans to step down.
The bank reported record profits last year, largely thanks to a high-flying financial market in 2019.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-06--Burrito-Stealing Bailey Was Just ‘Stress-Eating,’ Elizabeth Warren Says

Bailey Warren , Sen. Elizabeth Warren ’ s ( D-Mass . )
golden retriever , has one remedy for the @ @ @ @ @ : Burritos .
The canine star , who lives with Warren and her husband Bruce @ @ @ @ @ made waves on Thursday after a video of him trying to eat said spicy delight @ @ @ @ @ : Warren , who ended her run for the White House on Thursday , had @ @ @ @ @ ’ s behavior .
“ He just said the pressure of First Dog had finally @ @ @ @ @ Warren told MSNBC ’ s Rachel Maddow on Thursday .
“ It was just stress-eating @ @ @ @ @ who stands up and says : ‘ I ’ m not waiting for someone to @ @ @ @ @ I wanted , I go straight after .
’ ”

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Bailey Warren, Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s (D-Mass.) golden retriever, has one remedy for the stressors of the campaign trail: Burritos.
The canine star, who lives with Warren and her husband Bruce in Cambridge, Massachusetts, made waves on Thursday after a video of him trying to eat said spicy delight made the rounds on Twitter:
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Bailey legit just swiped someone’s burrito. pic.twitter.com/MWr6ZeiJa2 — Gabrielle Farrell 💫 President Warren 2020 (her/s) (@FarrellGabriell) March 5, 2020
Warren, who ended her run for the White House on Thursday, had a simple explanation for Bailey’s behavior.
“He just said the pressure of First Dog had finally gotten to him,” Warren told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow on Thursday. “It was just stress-eating. He is a dog who stands up and says: ‘I’m not waiting for someone to offer, I see what I wanted, I go straight after.’”
But is he a good boy?
“Bailey’s mostly a good boy,” Warren added. “Mostly.”
"Bailey, Dog. Massachusetts." MSNBC


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-05--How Mike Bloomberg Can Help Biden Now

How Mike Bloomberg Can Help Biden Now

Mike Bloomberg is out of the presidential race , but his fortune is staying in .
The billionaire former New York mayor promised to spend “ whatever it takes ” to defeat President Donald Trump as he endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday .
He will apparently do so through a new , yet-to-be-named super PAC , according to The Washington Post .
That super PAC will allow him to continue pumping money into the presidential race in the same way he did as a candidate ― allowing him to gain ever-increasing levels of political influence .
Thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gut campaign finance laws , little stands in the way .
Over the 10 years since the Supreme Court ’ s Citizens United decision freed corporations , unions and wealthy individuals to spend freely on independent political efforts , the law meant to make that spending from being coordinated with candidates has been chipped away .
Bloomberg and Biden won ’ t be allowed to discuss campaign specifics , and Biden can ’ t solicit contributions from Bloomberg in excess of the $ 2,800 donation limit to his own campaign .
What was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on coordination between campaigns and independent spenders has become a rather light restriction on actual collaboration .
This is because of several decisions and deadlocks by the Federal Election Commission that have either given the green light or provided no guidance on a range of activities that could be seen as coordination .
No rules will prevent preventing Biden from appearing at an event hosted by Bloomberg ’ s new super PAC .
Nor will any rule prevent the two from holding a private meeting , although they might need an additional person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitute a fundraising event .
Bloomberg ’ s super PAC could also spend big money to help Biden raise small dollars .
A large proportion of digital ads are simply fundraising asks for small amounts of money .
The super PAC that back the failed 2020 presidential bid by Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee ( D ) spent big on Facebook ads asking for single-digit contributions .
This helped Inslee meet the small-donor qualifications to make the debate stage in the during the race ’ s early stages .
Almost every campaign run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the candidate engaged in relatable activities like visiting a factory or shaking hands with children on its website .
The footage , once it is publicly available , can be used by the supportive super PAC for its ads without running into the coordination ban .
Perhaps the biggest area where Bloomberg and Biden could work together is non-purchased digital media , such as posts on social media rebutting negative press , as that also falls into the area of publicly available information .
In 2016 , a super PAC called Correct the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to coordinate ” as it produces research and rapid response communications “ designed to defend Hillary Clinton , ” that year ’ s Democratic presidential nominee .
The super PAC justified this because the communications were all publicly available .
Research it produced was posted on its website for all to see and its rapid response was done through public-facing platforms like Twitter , Facebook and Instagram .
The campaign could then pick up any of this information to use it as it wished .
Since Bloomberg ’ s presidential campaign was hailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be a fruitful area of collaboration .
At least , so long as it does not engage in paid social media advertising .
But this practice was controversial when Clinton did it and would raise hackles among campaign finance reformers and produce complaints with the FEC .
It could be a risky bet .
Then again , the FEC is not in position to regulate any of these activities .
The commission has only three commissioners , one too few for a quorum to operate .
It has been unable to issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public funds for presidential candidates who have since dropped out that wanted them .
This could provide free rein for candidates like Biden and super PACs run by the likes of Bloomberg .
There remains , however , one overseer of campaign finance law : the Department of Justice overseen by Attorney General Bill Barr .
The risk of a legal matter coming before Barr ’ s DOJ and leading to an FBI investigation is , for now , the only real check on campaign finance .

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Mike Bloomberg is out of the presidential race, but his fortune is staying in. The billionaire former New York City mayor promised to spend “whatever it takes” to defeat President Donald Trump as he endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday.
He will apparently do so through a new, yet-to-be-named super PAC, according to The Washington Post. That super PAC will allow him to continue pumping money into the presidential race in the same way he did as a candidate ― allowing him to gain ever-increasing levels of political influence. Thanks to a yearslong effort by politicians to gut campaign finance laws, little stands in the way.
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The law meant to prevent coordination between outside spenders and political campaigns has been chipped away over the past 10 years since the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision freed corporations, unions and wealthy individuals to spend freely on independent political efforts. Bloomberg and Biden won’t be allowed to discuss campaign specifics, and Biden can’t solicit contributions from Bloomberg in excess of the $2,800 donation limit to his own campaign.
But otherwise, almost anything is on the table.
“The only thing (Bloomberg) can’t do is talk to Biden and Biden’s people about how he’s going to spend his fortune,” said Paul S. Ryan, a campaign finance law expert at the nonpartisan nonprofit Common Cause.
What was once intended as a full ban on coordination between campaigns and independent spenders has become a rather light restriction. This is because of several decisions and deadlocks by the Federal Election Commission that have either given the green light or provided no guidance on a range of activities that could be seen as coordination.
Former Vice President Joe Biden dominated most of the Democratic primaries on Super Tuesday. Mike Bloomberg exited the White House race on Wednesday and endorsed Biden. Mario Tama via Getty Images
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No rules will prevent Biden from appearing at an event hosted by Bloomberg’s new super PAC. Nor will any rule prevent the two from holding a private meeting, although they might need an additional person in the room if it were to constitute a fundraising event.
Bloomberg’s super PAC could entirely pay for rallies at which Biden appears or host conference calls or other public communications that feature the candidate. This is what the super PAC backing 2016 Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina did.
Bloomberg’s super PAC could also spend big money to help Biden raise small dollars. A large proportion of digital ads are simply fundraising asks for small amounts of money. The super PAC that backed the failed 2020 presidential bid by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) spent big on Facebook ads asking for single-digit contributions. This helped Inslee meet the small-donor qualifications to make the debate stage in the race’s early stages.
Almost every campaign run today posts “b-roll” footage of the candidate engaged in relatable activities like visiting a factory or shaking hands with children on its website. The footage, once it is publicly available, can be used by a supportive super PAC for its ads without running into the coordination ban.
Campaigns and super PACs have also used public postings to social media sites to ask for media buys, as former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg did in February during his presidential bid.
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Perhaps the biggest area where Bloomberg and Biden could work together is non-purchased digital media, such as posts on social media rebutting negative press, as that also falls into the area of publicly available information.
Despite ending his own White House bid, Bloomberg promised to spend "whatever it takes" to defeat President Donald Trump. ASSOCIATED PRESS
In 2016, a super PAC called Correct the Record announced it “will be allowed to coordinate” as it produces research and rapid response communications “designed to defend Hillary Clinton,” that year’s Democratic presidential nominee. The super PAC justified this because the communications were all publicly available. Research it produced was posted on its website for all to see, and its rapid response was done through public-facing platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The campaign could then use any of this information as it wished.
The Republican FEC commissioners dismissed a complaint lodged against the coordination.
Since Bloomberg’s presidential campaign was hailed for its social media prowess, this could be a fruitful area of collaboration. At least, so long as it does not engage in paid social media advertising. But this practice was controversial when Clinton did it and would raise hackles among campaign finance reformers and produce complaints with the FEC. It could be a risky bet.
Then again, the FEC is not in a position to regulate any of these activities. The commission has only three commissioners, one too few for a quorum to operate. It has been unable to issue rulings, process complaints or even issue public funds for presidential candidates who have since dropped out.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-05--Amy Klobuchar Calls For Independent Investigation Into Myon Burrell Case

Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D-Minn. ) urged a top prosecutor in her home state of Minnesota to initiate an independent investigation into the high-profile case of Myon Burrell , a Black teen Klobuchar helped get sentenced to life in prison in 2002 .
In a letter Thursday to Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman , Klobuchar wrote about how the county ’ s office twice tried Burrell ’ s case involving the slaying of 11-year-old Tyesha Edwards .
Tyesha was killed by a stray bullet while doing her homework inside her house .
Burrell , who was found guilty when Klobuchar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintained his innocence .
“ While the second trial and conviction of Myon Burrell occurred after I left the office , I continue to feel an obligation to ensure that justice is done , ” Klobuchar wrote .
“ That is why , in addition to my request for a review of the new and old evidence in this case , I am asking you to call for an independent investigation and an independent review of the case.
” The Minnesota senator received heat on the 2020 primary campaign trail for her involvement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published a yearlong investigation regarding the police investigation and evidence that put Burrell , then 16 , behind bars for life .
The AP report raised questions about whether Burrell , now 33 , was wrongfully convicted in Tyesha ’ s shooting death .
On Sunday , Klobuchar canceled a campaign rally in Minnesota after protesters demanded she drop out of the presidential race over her handling of Burrell ’ s case .
Demonstrators from the NAACP ’ s Minneapolis chapter and Black Lives Matter Twin Cities took the stage chanting “ Free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ SHAME.
” The next day , Klobuchar dropped out .
Klobuchar told Freeman in her letter that she met with Burrell ’ s family on Tuesday and told them she believes “ that if any injustice was done in the quest for justice for Tyesha Edwards , it must be addressed.
” Criminal justice reform advocates have criticized Klobuchar ’ s record of aggressive prosecution ― which included pushing for harsher sentences for nonviolent drug offenders ― for contributing to the mass incarceration of Black and brown people .
Her policies reflected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to criminal justice that fueled mass incarceration but was widely applauded at the time .
But the country ’ s views of criminal justice have shifted from a punitive approach to a more restorative one .
“ Since I have left the office , new conviction integrity work has occurred in prosecutors ’ offices across the country , ” Klobuchar wrote .
“ Many offices include Conviction Integrity Units , something I support .
In recent years , work is also being done in the area of sentencing integrity to allow the system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they are just .
I think these are worthy and important ideas that advance the cause of justice .
I will continue to advocate that our federal , state and individual offices throughout the country undertake these reviews.
” The NAACP , which has repeatedly called for accountability from Klobuchar over the years and especially during her presidential campaign , said Thursday that the senator “ displayed real leadership ” by calling for an independent investigation into Burrell ’ s case .
“ The acknowledgment that this case warrants a review is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that were committed against Myon and the victim ’ s family , ” said Leslie Redmond , president of the NAACP ’ s Minneapolis branch .
“ As the calls for an independent investigation grow , we expect that Attorney Mike Freeman will have the courage to assure justice and liberty is fairly granted.
” Freeman ’ s office did not immediately respond to HuffPost ’ s request for comment on whether he plans to call for an independent investigation .
The county attorney released a video last month saying he believes “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heinous crime ” but that his office will review any new evidence submitted .

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Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) urged a top prosecutor in her home state of Minnesota to initiate an independent investigation into the high-profile case of Myon Burrell, a Black teen Klobuchar helped get sentenced to life in prison in 2002.
In a letter Thursday to Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, Klobuchar wrote about how the county’s office twice tried Burrell’s case involving the slaying of 11-year-old Tyesha Edwards. Tyesha was killed by a stray bullet while doing her homework inside her house. Burrell, who was found guilty when Klobuchar was the chief prosecutor, has consistently maintained his innocence.
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.@amyklobuchar has sent a letter to Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman calling for an independent investigation into the Myon Burrell case. Letter obtained below: pic.twitter.com/HsLmO4jENe — Amanda Golden (@amandawgolden) March 6, 2020
“While the second trial and conviction of Myon Burrell occurred after I left the office, I continue to feel an obligation to ensure that justice is done,” Klobuchar wrote. “That is why, in addition to my request for a review of the new and old evidence in this case, I am asking you to call for an independent investigation and an independent review of the case.”
The Minnesota senator received heat on the 2020 primary campaign trail for her involvement in the case after The Associated Press published a yearlong investigation regarding the police investigation and evidence that put Burrell, then 16, behind bars for life. The AP report raised questions about whether Burrell, now 33, was wrongfully convicted in Tyesha’s shooting death.
Tonight on ABC New Live our exclusive interview with Myon Burrell - the man who says he was wrongfully convicted for killing 11 year old Tyesha Edwards. A case presidential hopeful Senator Amy Klobuchar has touted as an example of her tough on crime stance. pic.twitter.com/PrOf9mTkDx — Linsey Davis (@LinseyDavis) February 25, 2020
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On Sunday, Klobuchar canceled a campaign rally in Minnesota after protesters demanded she drop out of the presidential race over her handling of Burrell’s case. Demonstrators from the NAACP’s Minneapolis chapter and Black Lives Matter Twin Cities took the stage chanting “Free Myon” while holding signs that read “SHAME.” The next day, Klobuchar dropped out.
Protesters chanting “Black Lives Matter” and “Free Myon” have now occupied Senator Amy Klobuchar’s rally for well over an hour, taking over the stage and effectively shutting down the campaign event.
The rally in Klobuchar’s home state was slated to begin ten minutes ago. pic.twitter.com/B0iTyExXQ0 — Nicole Sganga (@NicoleSganga) March 2, 2020
Klobuchar told Freeman in her letter that she met with Burrell’s family on Tuesday and told them she believes “that if any injustice was done in the quest for justice for Tyesha Edwards, it must be addressed.”
Criminal justice reform advocates have criticized Klobuchar’s record of aggressive prosecution ― which included pushing for harsher sentences for nonviolent drug offenders ― for contributing to the mass incarceration of Black and brown people. Her policies reflected the “tough on crime” approach to criminal justice that fueled mass incarceration but was widely applauded at the time. But the country’s views of criminal justice have shifted from a punitive approach to a more restorative one.
“Since I have left the office, new conviction integrity work has occurred in prosecutors’ offices across the country,” Klobuchar wrote. “Many offices include Conviction Integrity Units, something I support. In recent years, work is also being done in the area of sentencing integrity to allow the system to look back at sentences to ensure that they are just. I think these are worthy and important ideas that advance the cause of justice. I will continue to advocate that our federal, state and individual offices throughout the country undertake these reviews.”
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The NAACP, which has repeatedly called for accountability from Klobuchar over the years and especially during her presidential campaign, said Thursday that the senator “displayed real leadership” by calling for an independent investigation into Burrell’s case.
“The acknowledgment that this case warrants a review is the first step to righting the wrongs that were committed against Myon and the victim’s family,” said Leslie Redmond, president of the NAACP’s Minneapolis branch. “As the calls for an independent investigation grow, we expect that Attorney Mike Freeman will have the courage to assure justice and liberty is fairly granted.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-05--‘We Persist:’ Warren Says Seeing A Woman President Only A Matter Of Time

Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
said Thursday that despite ending her own bid for the White House , there was still plenty of hope that a woman would be elected president of the United States , “ it ’ s just going to be a little longer.
” “ It feels like we were never going to make change , until we make change , ” Warren told MSNBC ’ s Rachel Maddow , just hours after she suspended her campaign .
“ We were never going to elect a Catholic , until we elected a Catholic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black man , until we elected a Black man .
And we ’ re never going to elect a woman , until we elect a woman.
” Many women were dismayed on Thursday after Warren , struggling after Super Tuesday where she came in third place in her home state , said the numbers weren ’ t in her favor .
Despite being a frontrunner and earning almost sole credit for pushing billionaire Michael Bloomberg out of the race , she wasn ’ t able to break headway in a field dominated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a resurgent former Vice President Joe Biden .
“ One of the hardest parts of this is all of those pinky promises and all of those little girls who are going to have to wait four more years , ” the senator , who touted her tour taking more than 100,000 selfies , said during the announcement .
“ That ’ s going to be hard.
” Maddow asked Warren if her own groundbreaking campaign and its failure to break the male septuagenarian ceiling was troubling , with the host saying that to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit like a death knell in terms of the prospects of having a woman president in our lifetimes.
” “ Oh god , please no .
That can ’ t be right , ” Warren replied .
“ It doesn ’ t mean it ’ s not going to happen , it doesn ’ t mean it ’ s not going to happen soon .
We can ’ t lose hope over this , we can ’ t lose hope because the only way we make change is we get back up tomorrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That is how we make change.
” Warren declined to make an immediate endorsement after ending her bid , but said she Biden was a genuinely “ decent ” guy and called Sanders her friend of a long time .
But she fired off sharp criticism at the Vermont senator ’ s supporters , saying Sanders is ultimately responsible “ for the people who claim to be [ his ] supporters and do really threatening , ugly , dangerous things to other candidates.
” Warren also cheered her massive field effort and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work to do .
“ Seeing all these people that I had the chance to fight alongside… I felt pretty good about it , ” the lawmaker said .
“ I ’ m so grateful for all the people who volunteered , for all the people who were part of the team , for all the good policies , because dang I still think they ’ re good .
”

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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said Thursday that despite ending her own bid for the White House, there was still plenty of hope that a woman would be elected president of the United States, “it’s just going to be a little longer.”
“It feels like we were never going to make change, until we make change,” Warren told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, just hours after she suspended her campaign. “We were never going to elect a Catholic, until we elected a Catholic. We were never going to elect a Black man, until we elected a Black man. And we’re never going to elect a woman, until we elect a woman.”
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"We persist. That is how we make change." pic.twitter.com/MjAu8VCmoR — Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) March 6, 2020
Many women were dismayed on Thursday after Warren, struggling after Super Tuesday where she came in third place in her home state, said the numbers weren’t in her favor. Despite being a frontrunner and earning almost sole credit for pushing billionaire Michael Bloomberg out of the race, she wasn’t able to break headway in a field dominated by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and a resurgent former Vice President Joe Biden.
“One of the hardest parts of this is all of those pinky promises and all of those little girls who are going to have to wait four more years,” the senator, who touted her tour taking more than 100,000 selfies, said during the announcement. “That’s going to be hard.”
(Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is still in the race but has failed to make any major splash with only two delegates.)
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Maddow asked Warren if her own groundbreaking campaign and its failure to break the male septuagenarian ceiling was troubling, with the host saying that to many: “It feels a little bit like a death knell in terms of the prospects of having a woman president in our lifetimes.”
“Oh god, please no. That can’t be right,” Warren replied. “It doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen, it doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen soon. We can’t lose hope over this, we can’t lose hope because the only way we make change is we get back up tomorrow and we fight. We persist. That is how we make change.”
Warren declined to make an immediate endorsement after ending her bid, but said she Biden was a genuinely “decent” guy and called Sanders her friend of a long time. But she fired off sharp criticism at the Vermont senator’s supporters, saying Sanders is ultimately responsible “for the people who claim to be [his] supporters and do really threatening, ugly, dangerous things to other candidates.”
Warren also cheered her massive field effort and said despite her disappointment, she still had work to do.
“Seeing all these people that I had the chance to fight alongside… I felt pretty good about it,” the lawmaker said. “I’m so grateful for all the people who volunteered, for all the people who were part of the team, for all the good policies, because dang I still think they’re good.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-06--Hillary Clinton Drops The Hammer On Melania Trump’s Cyberbullying Campaign

Hillary Clinton on Thursday became the latest in a long line of people to point out the irony of Melania Trump ’ s campaign to tackle cyberbullying .
The 2016 Democratic candidate ― appearing on “ Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen ” ― was asked by the host to reveal what she honestly thinks of the internet safety element of the first lady ’ s “ Be Best ” initiative , which aims to improve the welfare of children .
“ I think she should look closer to home , ” replied Clinton , a clear dig at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launching abusive attacks at his rivals , or in fact anyone who doesn ’ t totally agree with him , on Twitter .
Elsewhere in the interview , Clinton debunked some of the strangest conspiracy theories about herself : She named the “ Saturday Night Live ” actor who she believes has portrayed her best : Clinton also responded to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s ( D-Calif. ) ripping up of a copy of Trump ’ s speech after his State of the Union address : And she revealed which of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in touch with her for advice :

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During an appearance on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” the 2016 Democratic candidate was asked to reveal what she honestly thinks of the internet safety element in the first lady’s “Be Best” initiative, which aims to improve children’s welfare.
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“I think she should look closer to home,” Clinton told the host, in a clear dig at President Donald Trump’s penchant for launching abusive attacks at his rivals — or, in fact, anyone who doesn’t totally agree with him — on Twitter.
Check out the clip here:
Elsewhere in the interview, Clinton debunked some of the strangest conspiracy theories about herself:
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She named the “Saturday Night Live” actor who she believes has portrayed her best:
She also talked about that moment when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) ripped up a copy of Trump’s speech after his State of the Union address:
And she revealed which of the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates has not been in touch with her for advice:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-06--Mike Pence Adopts Elbow Bump Greeting Amid Coronavirus Concerns

Pence , who is spearheading the Trump administration ’ s coronavirus response , landed in Washington on Thursday to meet with state officials about the outbreak .
As he greeted Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee ( D ) and members of Congress on the tarmac , they all exchanged elbow bumps ― a greeting proposed by medical professionals as a low-contact alternative to handshaking .
Pence greeted other officials similarly throughout his visit , including at the state ’ s emergency operations center in Tacoma .
He also adopted the greeting in Minnesota earlier in the day when he met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of masks and other medical materials .
Though Pres Trump says he 's still shaking people 's hands , VP Pence is giving elbow bumps as he greets personnel at Emergency Ops Center in Tacoma , WA .
pic.twitter.com/JpJoYPHR3q — Mark Knoller ( @ markknoller ) March 6 , 2020 As Vice President Mike Pence offers a handshake at the end of their meeting , Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm offers a virus-free elbow bump instead .
Washington has at least 70 cases of the virus , and of the 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 were in the state .
One other person has died from the sickness in California .
The elbow bump greeting has been endorsed by several politicians and health officials , including Nebraska Gov .
Pete Ricketts ( R ) and Dr. Sylvie Briand , the World Health Organization ’ s director of pandemics .
Honored to greet guests leaving the National Quarantine Unit at @ unmc this morning as Nebraska ’ s world-class medical professionals continue to step up to help protect Americans and keep people healthy .
# COVID19 pic.twitter.com/ebVopVZUb2 — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) March 2 , 2020 Around the world , officials are advising people to limit personal contact .
In Australia , New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard told people to cut back on kissing and handshaking and opt for a pat on the back instead .
And in France , the treasured two-cheek kiss tradition is now a no-no following advice from Health Minister Olivier Veran .

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Vice President Mike Pence has jumped aboard the elbow bump train.
Pence, who is spearheading the Trump administration’s coronavirus response, landed in Washington on Thursday to meet with state officials about the outbreak. As he greeted Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) and members of Congress on the tarmac, they all exchanged elbow bumps ― a greeting proposed by medical professionals as a low-contact alternative to handshaking.
Pence greeted other officials similarly throughout his visit, including at the state’s emergency operations center in Tacoma. He also adopted the greeting in Minnesota earlier in the day when he met with 3M executives to discuss the production of masks and other medical materials.
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Though Pres Trump says he's still shaking people's hands, VP Pence is giving elbow bumps as he greets personnel at Emergency Ops Center in Tacoma, WA. pic.twitter.com/JpJoYPHR3q — Mark Knoller (@markknoller) March 6, 2020
As Vice President Mike Pence offers a handshake at the end of their meeting, Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm offers a virus-free elbow bump instead. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Washington has at least 70 cases of the virus, and of the 12 deaths recorded from COVID-19 infection nationwide, 11 were in the state. One other person has died from the sickness in California.
The elbow bump greeting has been endorsed by several politicians and health officials, including Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) and Dr. Sylvie Briand, the World Health Organization’s director of pandemics.
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Honored to greet guests leaving the National Quarantine Unit at @unmc this morning as Nebraska’s world-class medical professionals continue to step up to help protect Americans and keep people healthy. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/ebVopVZUb2 — Gov. Pete Ricketts (@GovRicketts) March 2, 2020
Briand also proposed other greeting alternatives, including waving, a slight bow or a “footshake.”
We need to adapt to this new disease #COVID19 https://t.co/SiCL6dX2dQ — Dr Sylvie Briand (@SCBriand) March 1, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-06--Secret Service Charged More At Trump Properties Than Previously Known, Records Show

President Donald Trump ’ s company has charged taxpayers more than was previously reported for lodging Secret Service at his golf clubs and other properties , even when he was not there , according to new documents obtained by a government watchdog group .
The agency paid the Trump Organization $ 157,000 more than was previously known , according to Secret Service records released Thursday by Public Citizen , a watchdog group that filed a Freedom of Information Act request three years ago for information on the costs of protecting Trump and his family .
The company also charged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s son Eric , who co-runs the Trump Organization , has previously disclosed .
The new documents primarily show expenditures at Trump ’ s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and his golf course in Bedminster , New Jersey .
According to The Washington Post , which has reported extensively on the relationship between Trump ’ s presidency and his businesses , taxpayers have paid more than $ 628,000 in Secret Service charges to Trump ’ s company since 2017 .
The number is likely even higher because the Secret Service has only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the Post .
Reporting from HuffPost and other news outlets has shown the extent to which taxpayers have had to foot the bill for Trump ’ s frequent golfing trips , which require extensive Secret Service travel and logistics costs .
Trump has also profited from his presidency through others , as world leaders and dignitaries often stay at his properties to curry favor with him — most notably at the Trump International Hotel in Washington .
The Secret Service was charged as much as $ 650 per night for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post reported last month .
The new documents also show that at Trump ’ s golf course in New Jersey , the agency was charged more than $ 17,000 a month to use a three-bedroom cottage , including having to pay for days Trump was not there .
In an interview with Yahoo Finance in October , Eric Trump claimed that the Secret Service stays at Trump-owned properties virtually “ for free — meaning , like , cost for housekeeping.
” “ Everywhere that he goes , if he stays at one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meaning it saves a fortune because if they were to go to a hotel across the street , they ’ d be charging them $ 500 a night , whereas , you know we charge them , like $ 50 , ” he said .

President Donald Trump’s company has charged taxpayers more than was previously reported for lodging Secret Service at his golf clubs and other properties, even when he was not there, according to new documents obtained by a government watchdog group.
The agency paid the Trump Organization $157,000 more than was previously known, according to Secret Service records released Thursday by Public Citizen, a watchdog group that filed a Freedom of Information Act request three years ago for information on the costs of protecting Trump and his family. The company also charged the agency hotel room rates far higher than Trump’s son Eric, who co-runs the Trump Organization, has previously disclosed.
The new documents primarily show expenditures at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey. According to The Washington Post, which has reported extensively on the relationship between Trump’s presidency and his businesses, taxpayers have paid more than $628,000 in Secret Service charges to Trump’s company since 2017. The number is likely even higher because the Secret Service has only released documents primarily from 2017 and 2018, according to the Post.
Reporting from HuffPost and other news outlets has shown the extent to which taxpayers have had to foot the bill for Trump’s frequent golfing trips, which require extensive Secret Service travel and logistics costs. Trump has also profited from his presidency through others, as world leaders and dignitaries often stay at his properties to curry favor with him — most notably at the Trump International Hotel in Washington.
The Secret Service was charged as much as $650 per night for hotel rooms at Mar-a-Lago, The Washington Post reported last month. The new documents also show that at Trump’s golf course in New Jersey, the agency was charged more than $17,000 a month to use a three-bedroom cottage, including having to pay for days Trump was not there.
In an interview with Yahoo Finance in October, Eric Trump claimed that the Secret Service stays at Trump-owned properties virtually “for free — meaning, like, cost for housekeeping.”
“Everywhere that he goes, if he stays at one of his places, the government actually spends, meaning it saves a fortune because if they were to go to a hotel across the street, they’d be charging them $500 a night, whereas, you know we charge them, like $50,” he said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-06--The Future Of Abortion Is In The Hands Of John Roberts

Illustration : Damon Dahlen/HuffPost ; Photos : Getty With a 5-4 conservative majority in the Supreme Court , the decision in June Medical Services v. Russo likely rests in Chief Justice John Roberts ’ hands .
In 2016 , Louisiana had six abortion clinics .
By 2017 , the number had dwindled to three .
Soon , there may be only one clinic left to serve nearly 1 million women of reproductive age in the state .
Whether or not this happens will likely depend on the outcome of a critical abortion case now with the Supreme Court .
Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court recognized the constitutional right to an abortion , state lawmakers have devised novel ways to cut off access to the procedure without banning it outright .
One strategy is to require clinics and doctors to comply with an ever-expanding list of regulations , with the goal of essentially red-taping providers out of business .
“ Targeted regulation of abortion providers , ” or TRAP laws , are passed under the guise of improving women ’ s health and safety , when in fact they do the opposite , often putting abortion out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the closure of half the clinics in Arizona , Kentucky , Ohio , and Texas between 2011 and 2017 , according to the Guttmacher Institute .
States can regulate abortion as long as they don ’ t impose an “ undue burden ” on those seeking the procedure , the Supreme Court said in 1992 , creating the constitutional test for the legality of abortion restrictions .
But the court offered scant guidance on how to apply that legal standard until its 2016 decision in Whole Woman ’ s Health v. Hellerstedt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote that benefits of an abortion law must be balanced against the burdens it creates .
If the burdens outweigh the benefits , it must be found unconstitutional .
The court struck down the Texas law after finding that the state ’ s requirement that doctors have admitting privileges served no medical benefit while creating a substantial obstacle to people seeking abortions .
( Around half of the state ’ s abortion clinics closed in the wake of the restrictive law . )
“ Most of these abortions don ’ t have any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hospital , but if she needs a hospital , it ’ s certainly not going to be the one near the clinic , ” she said .
Leading medical groups agree that admitting privileges are unnecessary , as abortion patients who experience complications can go to any hospital .
In a brief filed with the court , the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ( ACOG ) noted that many hospitals require doctors to admit a certain number of patients each year in order to qualify for admitting privileges .
This prerequisite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortions to meet , as the procedure is so safe they rarely need to admit anyone .
“ I mean , I understand the idea that the impact might be different in different places , but as far as the benefits of the law , that ’ s going to be the same in each state , isn ’ t it ?
” Roberts asked Murrill .
“ I believe he was asking , can it really be different in Louisiana ?
” she said .
“ If the court has already said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any benefits and it doesn ’ t do anything to further women ’ s health , could that be different in neighboring Louisiana , compared to Texas ?
” “ There was really sharp questioning by some of the justices that showed how clearly this law does nothing to benefit women ’ s health , ” Borchelt said .
“ The question then is , how do you analyze the burden and do you analyze the burden for each state ?
That ’ s where it seemed like Justice Roberts was headed.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law could not be clearer , she added .
The evidence shows that the state would be left with only one clinic .
“ If that ’ s not a burden , I don ’ t know what state could ever meet that test , ” she said .
One way Roberts might try to thread the needle is to say that while Louisiana ’ s law doesn ’ t provide any benefit to women , it also doesn ’ t impose an undue burden .
He could buy the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually close in Louisiana if doctors only tried harder to obtain admitting requirements .
Such a finding would still run contrary to the thrust of Whole Woman ’ s Health , she added , which leaned on the lack of benefit .

With a 5-4 conservative majority in the Supreme Court, the decision in June Medical Services v. Russo likely rests in Chief Justice John Roberts’ hands. Illustration: Damon Dahlen/HuffPost; Photos: Getty
In 2016, Louisiana had six abortion clinics. By 2017, the number had dwindled to three. Soon, there may be only one clinic left to serve nearly 1 million women of reproductive age in the state. Whether or not this happens will likely depend on the outcome of a critical abortion case now with the Supreme Court.
The case centers on a Louisiana law that requires doctors who provide abortions to have “admitting privileges” at a hospital within 30 miles of their clinic, a difficult-to-obtain arrangement that critics say is a sly attempt to wipe out abortion access in the state.
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A near-identical law was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2016. But the composition of the bench has moved to the right since. With a 5-4 conservative majority in the Supreme Court, the decision likely rests in Roberts’ hands.
Beyond the specific legal questions that surround this case, at the heart of June Medical Services v. Russo is a referendum on unnecessary abortion laws that purport to help women but actually harm them.
If Louisiana’s law and others like it prevail, for many women across the country, the constitutional right to abortion will exist in name only.
Regulating Abortion Out Of Existence
Since Roe v. Wade, when the Supreme Court recognized the constitutional right to an abortion, state lawmakers have devised novel ways to cut off access to the procedure without banning it outright. One strategy is to require clinics and doctors to comply with an ever-expanding list of regulations, with the goal of essentially red-taping providers out of business.
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“Targeted regulation of abortion providers,” or TRAP laws, are passed under the guise of improving women’s health and safety, when in fact they do the opposite, often putting abortion out of reach. Such laws were responsible for the closure of half the clinics in Arizona, Kentucky, Ohio, and Texas between 2011 and 2017, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
States can regulate abortion as long as they don’t impose an “undue burden” on those seeking the procedure, the Supreme Court said in 1992, creating the constitutional test for the legality of abortion restrictions. But the court offered scant guidance on how to apply that legal standard until its 2016 decision in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt.
In that ruling, the court wrote that benefits of an abortion law must be balanced against the burdens it creates. If the burdens outweigh the benefits, it must be found unconstitutional. The court struck down the Texas law after finding that the state’s requirement that doctors have admitting privileges served no medical benefit while creating a substantial obstacle to people seeking abortions. (Around half of the state’s abortion clinics closed in the wake of the restrictive law.)
Louisiana’s law, which is now being challenged by an abortion clinic in the state, was expressly modeled on the Texas measure.
Abortion Is Safe, Period
At the hearing Wednesday, Liz Murrill, Louisiana’s solicitor general, argued that the state’s law does serve a medical benefit — the same position Texas took in 2016. But the liberal justices pushed back on this assertion forcefully, appearing fatigued by having to relitigate the same issue they did four years ago.
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“You’re making it sound like there is no state licensing of these doctors,” Justice Sonia Maria Sotomayor said to Louisiana’s lawyer, sounding exasperated. “They are licensed. They are regulated.”
Justice Elena Kagan directed Murrill to the evidence that Hope Clinic, the plaintiff in the case, had served around 70,000 women over the course of 23 years. During that time, the clinic transferred only four patients to a hospital.
“I mean, I don’t know of a medical procedure where it’s lower than that, of any kind,” Kagan said.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg called the requirement for doctors to have admitting privileges within 30 miles of an abortion clinic “odd,” noting that when women do require hospitalization after an abortion, it’s almost always after they have gone home.
“Most of these abortions don’t have any complications and the patient never gets near a hospital, but if she needs a hospital, it’s certainly not going to be the one near the clinic,” she said.
Leading medical groups agree that admitting privileges are unnecessary, as abortion patients who experience complications can go to any hospital. In a brief filed with the court, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) noted that many hospitals require doctors to admit a certain number of patients each year in order to qualify for admitting privileges. This prerequisite can be difficult for doctors who provide abortions to meet, as the procedure is so safe they rarely need to admit anyone.
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Reading The Tea Leaves
Justice Anthony Kennedy, who cast the decisive fifth vote in Whole Woman’s Health, retired in 2018. The position of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Kennedy’s replacement, on abortion rights remains somewhat opaque.
Roberts, who dissented in Whole Woman’s Health, used his questions to narrow in on whether the admitting privileges requirement could provide a medical benefit to a woman seeking an abortion anywhere.
“I mean, I understand the idea that the impact might be different in different places, but as far as the benefits of the law, that’s going to be the same in each state, isn’t it?” Roberts asked Murrill.
Julie Rikelman, a lawyer at the Center for Reproductive Rights who argued the case in front of the justices, was encouraged by Roberts’ line of questioning.
“I believe he was asking, can it really be different in Louisiana?” she said. “If the court has already said that the law doesn’t have any benefits and it doesn’t do anything to further women’s health, could that be different in neighboring Louisiana, compared to Texas?”
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In her opinion, the answer is no.
Gretchen Borchelt, vice president for reproductive rights at the National Women’s Law Center, said it sounded like Roberts may agree that admitting privileges serves no benefit, regardless of whether it is enacted in Louisiana or Texas or any other state.
“There was really sharp questioning by some of the justices that showed how clearly this law does nothing to benefit women’s health,” Borchelt said. “The question then is, how do you analyze the burden and do you analyze the burden for each state? That’s where it seemed like Justice Roberts was headed.”
In Louisiana, the burden of the law could not be clearer, she added. The evidence shows that the state would be left with only one clinic. “If that’s not a burden, I don’t know what state could ever meet that test,” she said.
The chief justice appeared to be taking the 2016 precedent ― which requires courts to weigh both the burden and benefit of an abortion law ― seriously, said Mary Ziegler, a professor at Florida State University and historian of abortion law.
If Roberts believes that the admitting privileges law creates no benefit anywhere, it would be impossible for him to uphold Louisiana’s law without significantly weakening or overturning the 2016 precedent, she added.
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One way Roberts might try to thread the needle is to say that while Louisiana’s law doesn’t provide any benefit to women, it also doesn’t impose an undue burden. He could buy the state’s argument that abortion clinics wouldn’t actually close in Louisiana if doctors only tried harder to obtain admitting requirements. Such a finding would still run contrary to the thrust of Whole Woman’s Health, she added, which leaned on the lack of benefit.
“Part of the problem with that ruling is that it made each case turn on its own facts,” Ziegler said. “That kind of rule could give political cover to a judge who wants to respect precedent while overhauling it substantially.”
In a sense, the jig is up for TRAP laws. Whole Woman’s Health exposed these regulations for what they are: dishonest attempts to restrict abortion. It is now up to Roberts to decide if the court will continue to give them legal cover.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-06--Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Says She'll Back Democratic Nominee, Even If It’s Not Bernie Sanders

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) may be all in for Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) in the 2020 Democratic primary , but on Thursday the congresswoman committed to supporting whoever wins the party ’ s nomination .
“ I ’ ve said throughout this entire process that what is so important is that we ultimately unite behind who that Democratic nominee is , ” Ocasio-Cortez told “ Late Night ” host Seth Meyers .
The results of the Super Tuesday primaries effectively mean the race is now between Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden .
“ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street , ” Ocasio-Cortez said .
“ I ’ ve been concerned by some folks that say if Bernie ’ s the nominee , they won ’ t support him , and the other way around.
” “ This is more important than all of us , ” she added .
“ We really need to make sure that we defeat Donald Trump at the polls , assuming , and knowing , how insane it ’ s going to get between now and then.
” Ocasio-Cortez formally endorsed Sanders , who she has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into politics , in October .
“ We deserve a president who understands that the corporate assault on our lives existed before Trump and it will exist after Trump , ” she said at the time .
Sanders , meanwhile , pledged at a rally in Arizona on Thursday that he ’ d support Biden if he became the nominee .
“ Joe Biden is a decent guy , and I know if he wins the nomination , I will be there for him , ” he said .
“ And if I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
”

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) may be all in for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in the 2020 Democratic primary, but on Thursday the congresswoman committed to supporting whoever wins the party’s nomination.
“I’ve said throughout this entire process that what is so important is that we ultimately unite behind who that Democratic nominee is,” Ocasio-Cortez told “Late Night” host Seth Meyers.
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The results of the Super Tuesday primaries effectively mean the race is now between Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden.
“And I think it’s a two-way street,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “I’ve been concerned by some folks that say if Bernie’s the nominee, they won’t support him, and the other way around.”
“This is more important than all of us,” she added. “We really need to make sure that we defeat Donald Trump at the polls, assuming, and knowing, how insane it’s going to get between now and then.”
Ocasio-Cortez formally endorsed Sanders, who she has previously credited with inspiring her for getting into politics, in October.
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“We deserve a president who understands that the corporate assault on our lives existed before Trump and it will exist after Trump,” she said at the time.
Sanders, meanwhile, pledged at a rally in Arizona on Thursday that he’d support Biden if he became the nominee.
“Joe Biden is a decent guy, and I know if he wins the nomination, I will be there for him,” he said. “And if I win, he will be there for me.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-06--Twitter Users Dub Melania Trump ‘Marie Antoinette’ Over Tennis Pavillion Brag


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-06--Donald Trump Jr. Shares Yet Another Strange Meme Of His Dad

Donald Trump Jr. on Thursday took some time off from ranting on social media about his father ’ s rivals @ @ @ @ @ involving the Democrats and the coronavirus outbreak to share yet another strange meme of his @ @ @ @ @ that the president ’ s eldest son posted Thursday on Instagram , Donald Trump appears @ @ @ @ @ for it — man bun .
The photo is titled at the top , “ @ @ @ @ @ Love Him , ” and the caption reads : “ Secret Trump Campaign tactics to @ @ @ @ @ Hahahah seems legit !
!
!
” The president ’ s son ― who describes @ @ @ @ @ “ General in the Meme Wars ” ― has previously shared an image of his @ @ @ @ @ the “ Star Wars ” spinoff series “ The Mandalorian ” ... ... and a @ @ @ @ @ shark , an animal that the president reportedly hates : ... and the thumbnail of @ @ @ @ @ website :

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Donald Trump Jr. on Thursday took some time off from ranting on social media about his father’s rivals and spreading a conspiracy theory involving the Democrats and the coronavirus outbreak to share yet another strange meme of his dad.
In a picture that the president’s eldest son posted Thursday on Instagram, Donald Trump appears to sport a — wait for it — man bun.
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The photo is titled at the top, “There, Now Liberals Will Love Him,” and the caption reads: “Secret Trump Campaign tactics to win over leftists leaked. Hahahah seems legit!!!”
The president’s son ― who describes himself on Instagram as a “General in the Meme Wars” ― has previously shared an image of his father as Baby Yoda from the “Star Wars” spinoff series “The Mandalorian” ...
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... and a meme of him carrying a shark, an animal that the president reportedly hates:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-06--Democrats Propose Emergency Paid Sick Days To Address Coronavirus

The legislation proposed by Democrats would require employers to grant workers 14 paid sick days to be used in the event of a public health emergency .
Workers would separately accrue up to seven sick days over the course of a year under the bill , which was introduced by Sen. Patty Murray ( D-Wash. ) in the Senate and Rep. Rosa DeLauro ( D-Conn. ) in the House .
There is no federal law currently guaranteeing workers paid sick leave , although many cities and states have implemented their own .
The lack of a national standard has drawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus reached U.S. shores and infected at least 200 people as of Friday .
More than 100,000 cases and 3,000 deaths have been confirmed worldwide .
Public health experts and employers in the U.S. have advised workers to stay home if they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus .
But that guidance has put workers who lack paid sick leave in a jam : either stay home and forgo each day ’ s pay , or clock in and potentially sicken colleagues or customers .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers have access to paid sick leave , according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics .
A large share of the 27 % who don ’ t have it are clustered in lower-wage service sectors like retail and food service , where workers interact not only with their colleagues but with the public .
Backers of a paid sick leave mandate have often argued that it ’ s a matter of public health and social justice .
But the coronavirus scare has brought forth a strong macroeconomic argument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suddenly aren ’ t collecting paychecks , it could wreak even more damage on the economy .
Global supply lines have already tightened up and stock markets have tumbled .
Under the Democratic proposal , workers would be eligible to use the two weeks ’ worth of emergency sick days when their workplace or their child ’ s school is closed , or when they or a family member has been quarantined because of an outbreak .
The standard seven days could be used whenever necessary .
The emergency legislation builds on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years without success .
Despite the popularity of sick leave requirements among the general public ― including most Republicans ― GOP lawmakers have long refused to join with Democrats to make sure everyone has access to sick leave .
“ Mitch McConnell hasn ’ t shown much proclivity to do things that are good for workers , ” Trumka said of the Senate majority leader .
But given the economic concerns over coronavirus , “ he might be interested in doing that.
” If the legislation comes to a floor vote in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a position where they are voting against a popular proposal during a public health emergency .
Murray urged her colleagues in both chambers to pass the bill “ without delay.
” “ Workers want to do the right thing for themselves , their families , and their communities , ” she said in a statement .
“ So especially in the middle of public health crises like this , staying home sick shouldn ’ t have to mean losing a paycheck or a job.
” The University of Washington became the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and other schools may follow suit .
Airlines have already been hit hard as travelers bail on flights , and large employers like IBM and Facebook have told employees at certain offices to stay home .
On Friday , President Donald Trump signed an $ 8.3 billion emergency spending package to combat the virus .
More than a third of that money will support vaccine research and development .
Other funds will go toward medical supplies , preparedness and prevention .
The federal government has been harshly criticized over its lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing kits in short supply and conflicting statements between high-level members of the Trump administration and public health officials .
Beyond the spending package , worker groups and public health advocates have been urging federal agencies to do more to combat the spread of the virus .
In addition to a sick leave law , labor unions have been urging the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue an emergency standard for infectious disease , so that employers have clear guidelines they are required to follow during an outbreak .
Trumka said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , calling on the agency to implement a standard that was developed before Trump took office but then shelved .
He noted that health care and service workers are most likely to contract the virus through their jobs .
OSHA did not respond to HuffPost when asked earlier this week whether it would institute a new regulation to deal with COVID-19 .

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Members of Congress introduced a bill Friday that would assure U.S. workers can take paid sick leave, if needed, during the coronavirus outbreak.
The legislation proposed by Democrats would require employers to grant workers 14 paid sick days to be used in the event of a public health emergency. Workers would separately accrue up to seven sick days over the course of a year under the bill, which was introduced by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) in the Senate and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) in the House.
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There is no federal law currently guaranteeing workers paid sick leave, although many cities and states have implemented their own. The lack of a national standard has drawn perhaps unprecedented attention in recent weeks as the new coronavirus reached U.S. shores and infected at least 200 people as of Friday. More than 100,000 cases and 3,000 deaths have been confirmed worldwide.
Public health experts and employers in the U.S. have advised workers to stay home if they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. But that guidance has put workers who lack paid sick leave in a jam: either stay home and forgo each day’s pay, or clock in and potentially sicken colleagues or customers.
A little less than three-quarters of private sector workers have access to paid sick leave, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A large share of the 27% who don’t have it are clustered in lower-wage service sectors like retail and food service, where workers interact not only with their colleagues but with the public.
Higher-paid white-collar workers are far more likely to enjoy sick leave, including 94% of those in management, business and financial occupations.
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Backers of a paid sick leave mandate have often argued that it’s a matter of public health and social justice. But the coronavirus scare has brought forth a strong macroeconomic argument as well: If millions of workers suddenly aren’t collecting paychecks, it could wreak even more damage on the economy. Global supply lines have already tightened up and stock markets have tumbled.
Richard Trumka, the president of the AFL-CIO labor federation, said Friday that paid sick leave could help keep commerce flowing if the outbreak in the U.S. worsens.
“It would help insulate the economy from a real bad downturn,” he said.
Under the Democratic proposal, workers would be eligible to use the two weeks’ worth of emergency sick days when their workplace or their child’s school is closed, or when they or a family member has been quarantined because of an outbreak. The standard seven days could be used whenever necessary.
The emergency legislation builds on a proposal that Democrats have been introducing for years without success. Despite the popularity of sick leave requirements among the general public ― including most Republicans ― GOP lawmakers have long refused to join with Democrats to make sure everyone has access to sick leave.
“It would help insulate the economy from a real bad downturn.” - Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO labor federation
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Friday’s bill stands a strong chance of passing in the Democratic-controlled House but is likely to hit a wall in the GOP-controlled Senate, where the Republican majority isn’t keen on employer mandates.
“Mitch McConnell hasn’t shown much proclivity to do things that are good for workers,” Trumka said of the Senate majority leader. But given the economic concerns over coronavirus, “he might be interested in doing that.”
If the legislation comes to a floor vote in the House soon, it could put Republicans in a position where they are voting against a popular proposal during a public health emergency. Murray urged her colleagues in both chambers to pass the bill “without delay.”
“Workers want to do the right thing for themselves, their families, and their communities,” she said in a statement. “So especially in the middle of public health crises like this, staying home sick shouldn’t have to mean losing a paycheck or a job.”
DeLauro said stronger access to sick leave would put the U.S. on par with other developed nations and make the public safer.
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“The lack of paid sick days could make coronavirus harder to contain in the United States,” she warned.
The University of Washington became the first U.S. college to close classrooms on Friday, and other schools may follow suit. Airlines have already been hit hard as travelers bail on flights, and large employers like IBM and Facebook have told employees at certain offices to stay home.
On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an $8.3 billion emergency spending package to combat the virus. More than a third of that money will support vaccine research and development. Other funds will go toward medical supplies, preparedness and prevention. The federal government has been harshly criticized over its lack of readiness to fight an outbreak, with testing kits in short supply and conflicting statements between high-level members of the Trump administration and public health officials.
Beyond the spending package, worker groups and public health advocates have been urging federal agencies to do more to combat the spread of the virus. In addition to a sick leave law, labor unions have been urging the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue an emergency standard for infectious disease, so that employers have clear guidelines they are required to follow during an outbreak.
Trumka said the AFL-CIO sent a petition to OSHA on Friday, calling on the agency to implement a standard that was developed before Trump took office but then shelved. He noted that health care and service workers are most likely to contract the virus through their jobs. OSHA did not respond to HuffPost when asked earlier this week whether it would institute a new regulation to deal with COVID-19.
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