thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-18--Forced To Finally Take Coronavirus Seriously, Trump Turns To Racism

At President Donald Trump ’ s coronavirus press briefing on Wednesday , a reporter confronted him about how he has begun referring to it : the “ Chinese virus.
” The question came from ABC News White House correspondent Cecilia Vega , who challenged Trump to explain why he ’ d just used that term instead of “ coronavirus ” or “ COVID-19 , ” which is the disease caused by the virus .
“ There are reports of dozens of incidents of bias against Chinese Americans in this country , ” she stated .
“ Your own aides have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this term ... that ethnicity does not cause the virus.
’ Why do you keep using this ?
A lot of people say it ’ s racist.
” “ Because it comes from China .
It ’ s not racist at all , ” he replied .
“ No , not at all .
It comes from China , that ’ s why.
” What Trump didn ’ t explain is why , after nearly two months of properly referring to it as “ coronavirus , ” he suddenly started using a term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people and ― whether intentionally or not ― encourages prejudice and violence against people of Chinese or Asian descent .
Trump called it the Chinese virus on Twitter for the first time Monday , the same day his tone about the outbreak suddenly shifted : He began to talk about it seriously , rather than calling it a “ hoax ” and claiming that conditions were already improving across the U.S .
Since then , he ’ s tweeted the phrase “ Chinese Virus , ” as he styles it , four more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak ’ s seriousness .
I always treated the Chinese Virus very seriously , and have done a very good job from the beginning , including my very early decision to close the “ borders ” from China - against the wishes of almost all .
Many lives were saved .
The Fake News new narrative is disgraceful & false !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) March 18 , 2020 As Trump has leaned into scientists ’ warnings that COVID-19 poses a major threat to the U.S. , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rhetoric that ’ s been circulating among xenophobes and right-wing pundits for weeks .
For weeks , Fox News ’ Tucker Carlson , Laura Ingraham and others have repeated the narrative that China is at fault for the coronavirus outbreak .
“ Identity politics trumped public health and not for the first time , ” Carlson said in late February while discussing concerns others had for the safety of Asian Americans .
“ Wokeness is a cult .
They would let you die before they admitted that diversity is not our strength.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationalist phrase . )
Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-Ark . )
, meanwhile , has pushed the conspiracy theory that a Chinese “ super laboratory that works with the world ’ s most deadly pathogens ” intentionally created the virus .
The buck may not stop at “ Chinese virus.
” During his Wednesday press conference , a separate reporter pressed Trump to react to another racist term for the virus : “ kung flu , ” which a White House official reportedly used when speaking to an Asian American reporter .

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At President Donald Trump’s coronavirus press briefing on Wednesday, a reporter confronted him about how he has begun referring to it: the “Chinese virus.”
The question came from ABC News White House correspondent Cecilia Vega, who challenged Trump to explain why he’d just used that term instead of “coronavirus” or “COVID-19,” which is the disease caused by the virus.
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“There are reports of dozens of incidents of bias against Chinese Americans in this country,” she stated. “Your own aides have said, ‘He does not use this term ... that ethnicity does not cause the virus.’ Why do you keep using this? A lot of people say it’s racist.”
Trump dismissed the nuances she posed in her question.
“Because it comes from China. It’s not racist at all,” he replied. “No, not at all. It comes from China, that’s why.”
Later, he insisted that Asian Americans would agree “100%” with using the phrase.
What Trump didn’t explain is why, after nearly two months of properly referring to it as “coronavirus,” he suddenly started using a term this week that lays blame on Chinese people and ― whether intentionally or not ― encourages prejudice and violence against people of Chinese or Asian descent.
Trump called it the Chinese virus on Twitter for the first time Monday, the same day his tone about the outbreak suddenly shifted: He began to talk about it seriously, rather than calling it a “hoax” and claiming that conditions were already improving across the U.S.
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Since then, he’s tweeted the phrase “Chinese Virus,” as he styles it, four more times and denied that he ever downplayed the outbreak’s seriousness.
I always treated the Chinese Virus very seriously, and have done a very good job from the beginning, including my very early decision to close the “borders” from China - against the wishes of almost all. Many lives were saved. The Fake News new narrative is disgraceful & false! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020
As Trump has leaned into scientists’ warnings that COVID-19 poses a major threat to the U.S., he’s also leaned into the hateful rhetoric that’s been circulating among xenophobes and right-wing pundits for weeks.
For weeks, Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham and others have repeated the narrative that China is at fault for the coronavirus outbreak.
“Identity politics trumped public health and not for the first time,” Carlson said in late February while discussing concerns others had for the safety of Asian Americans. “Wokeness is a cult. They would let you die before they admitted that diversity is not our strength.” (The latter is a common white nationalist phrase.)
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Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), meanwhile, has pushed the conspiracy theory that a Chinese “super laboratory that works with the world’s most deadly pathogens” intentionally created the virus.
The buck may not stop at “Chinese virus.” During his Wednesday press conference, a separate reporter pressed Trump to react to another racist term for the virus: “kung flu,” which a White House official reportedly used when speaking to an Asian American reporter.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-18--Trump Invokes Act To Marshal Private Sector Against Virus

Trump , now describing himself as a “ wartime president , ” said he was employing the Defense Production Act “ in case we need it ” as the government bolsters resources for an expected surge in cases of the virus .
Trump also said he will expand the nation ’ s testing capacity and deploy a Navy hospital ship to New York City , which is rapidly becoming the epicenter of a pandemic that has rattled the U.S. economy and rewritten the rules of American society .
A second ship will be deployed to the West Coast .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developments .
The Senate was taking up a financial aid package while the administration pushed forward its economic relief plan , which proposes $ 500 billion in checks to millions of Americans , with the first checks to come April 6 if Congress approves the plan .
Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau jointly announced that the U.S.-Canada border would be closed , except for essential personnel and for trade , as the nations try to reduce the spread of a virus afflicting people in both countries .
The administration has told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 people and the elderly to stay home while a pointed reminder was given to millennials to follow the guidelines and avoid social gatherings .
Trump likened the effort to the measures taken during World War II and said it would require national “ sacrifice.
” The Defense Production Act gives the president a broad set of authorities to shape the domestic industrial base so that it is capable of providing essential materials and goods needed in a national security crisis .
The law allows the president to require businesses and corporations to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and services .
It also allows the president to provide incentives for the domestic industrial base to expand the production and supply of critical materials and goods , according to a March 2 report by the Congressional Research Service .
The president , at the briefing , also continued his recent habit of referring to the coronavirus as the “ Chinese virus , ” which has been sharply criticized as racially inflammatory .
More than eight weeks after the first U.S. case of the virus was detected , the federal government is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
Compounding the problem , laboratories are reporting shortages of key supplies needed to run tests .
“ It ’ s important to remember that people without symptoms should not get tested , ” Pence said .
“ We want to make sure the supply of testing is there for those who need it most.
” Deborah Birx , who is coordinating the White House response , cautioned there has been a backlog of swabs waiting in labs to be tested , and as that backlog clears “ we will see the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the next few days .
Birx said the science discovering how long the virus can be transmissible on hard surfaces helped prompt the administration ’ s tightening of recommendations on social distancing .
“ None of us really understood the level of surface piece , ” she said .
“ We ’ re still working out how much is it by human-human transmission and how much is it by surface.
” She said : “ Don ’ t exposure yourself to surfaces outside the home .
”

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Managing dual health and economic crises, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he will invoke emergency powers that allow the government to marshal the private sector in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump, now describing himself as a “wartime president,” said he was employing the Defense Production Act “in case we need it” as the government bolsters resources for an expected surge in cases of the virus.
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Trump also said he will expand the nation’s testing capacity and deploy a Navy hospital ship to New York City, which is rapidly becoming the epicenter of a pandemic that has rattled the U.S. economy and rewritten the rules of American society. A second ship will be deployed to the West Coast.
The president also said the Housing and Urban Development Department will suspend foreclosures and evictions through April as a growing number of Americans face losing jobs and missing rent and mortgage payments.
The announcements came on a fast-moving day of developments. The Senate was taking up a financial aid package while the administration pushed forward its economic relief plan, which proposes $500 billion in checks to millions of Americans, with the first checks to come April 6 if Congress approves the plan.
Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau jointly announced that the U.S.-Canada border would be closed, except for essential personnel and for trade, as the nations try to reduce the spread of a virus afflicting people in both countries.
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Trump dismissed talk from his own treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, who suggested that the nation could face 20% unemployment at least in the short term.
That’s an “absolute total worst case scenario,” Trump said. “We’re no way near it.”
The administration has told Americans to avoid groups of more than 10 people and the elderly to stay home while a pointed reminder was given to millennials to follow the guidelines and avoid social gatherings. Trump likened the effort to the measures taken during World War II and said it would require national “sacrifice.”
“It’s a war,” he said. “I view it as a, in a sense, a wartime president. It’s a very tough situation.”
The Defense Production Act gives the president a broad set of authorities to shape the domestic industrial base so that it is capable of providing essential materials and goods needed in a national security crisis.
The law allows the president to require businesses and corporations to prioritize and accept contracts for required materials and services. It also allows the president to provide incentives for the domestic industrial base to expand the production and supply of critical materials and goods, according to a March 2 report by the Congressional Research Service.
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The president, at the briefing, also continued his recent habit of referring to the coronavirus as the “Chinese virus,” which has been sharply criticized as racially inflammatory.
“It’s not racist at all,” Trump said. “It comes from China, that’s all.”
More than eight weeks after the first U.S. case of the virus was detected, the federal government is still struggling to conduct widescale testing for the virus. Compounding the problem, laboratories are reporting shortages of key supplies needed to run tests.
Vice President Mike Pence reiterated Wednesday that testing should give priority to those most likely to have COVID-19.
“It’s important to remember that people without symptoms should not get tested,” Pence said. “We want to make sure the supply of testing is there for those who need it most.”
Deborah Birx, who is coordinating the White House response, cautioned there has been a backlog of swabs waiting in labs to be tested, and as that backlog clears “we will see the number of people diagnosed dramatically increased” in the next few days.
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Birx said the science discovering how long the virus can be transmissible on hard surfaces helped prompt the administration’s tightening of recommendations on social distancing. “None of us really understood the level of surface piece,” she said. “We’re still working out how much is it by human-human transmission and how much is it by surface.” She said: “Don’t exposure yourself to surfaces outside the home.”
___
Associated Press writers Matthew Perrone and Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-18--GOP Group Uses Donald Trump's Coronavirus Lies Against Him In New Attack Ad

President Donald Trump is taken to task over his administration ’ s chaotic and fiercely criticized response to the coronavirus pandemic in a new attack ad that the anti-Trump conservative group the Lincoln Project released on Tuesday .
Trump is seen repeatedly spreading misinformation and downplaying the threat of COVID-19 in the 60-second clip ― titled “ Unfit ” ― as terms including “ unprepared ” and “ untrustworthy ” appear on the screen .
“ The coronavirus crisis has revealed , once again , that Donald Trump is dangerously unfit for office , ” Lincoln Project co-founder Jennifer Horn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump finally acknowledged the pandemic was indeed a grave situation ― and then attempted to claim he ’ d always said so .
“ A public health crisis of this magnitude requires informed and honest leadership , at a minimum , ” continued Horn , who said she ’ d been unable to get an elderly relative tested for the virus because of a lack of testing kits ― something Trump has refused to take responsibility for .
“ Trump ’ s unbridled ignorance , narcissism and gross incompetence have put our nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at great risk , ” concluded Horn .
“ Americans can no longer remain silent.
” More than 200,000 people worldwide have been sickened by the virus .
It has killed at least 8,000 .
Last week , the Lincoln Project ( whose main aim is to ensure Trump ’ s defeat in the 2020 election ) launched its “ Grifters ” series to highlight the myriad ways in which the president ’ s family has financially benefited from his time in office .
It kicked off with this ad targeting Ivanka Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser :

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President Donald Trump is taken to task over his administration’s chaotic and fiercely criticized response to the coronavirus pandemic in a new attack ad that the anti-Trump conservative group the Lincoln Project released on Tuesday.
Trump is seen repeatedly spreading misinformation and downplaying the threat of COVID-19 in the 60-second clip ― titled “Unfit” ― as terms including “unprepared” and “untrustworthy” appear on the screen.
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Check out the video here:
“The coronavirus crisis has revealed, once again, that Donald Trump is dangerously unfit for office,” Lincoln Project co-founder Jennifer Horn said in a statement, hours after Trump finally acknowledged the pandemic was indeed a grave situation ― and then attempted to claim he’d always said so.
“A public health crisis of this magnitude requires informed and honest leadership, at a minimum,” continued Horn, who said she’d been unable to get an elderly relative tested for the virus because of a lack of testing kits ― something Trump has refused to take responsibility for.
“Trump’s unbridled ignorance, narcissism and gross incompetence have put our nation — and my own family member — at great risk,” concluded Horn. “Americans can no longer remain silent.”
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More than 200,000 people worldwide have been sickened by the virus. It has killed at least 8,000.
Last week, the Lincoln Project (whose main aim is to ensure Trump’s defeat in the 2020 election) launched its “Grifters” series to highlight the myriad ways in which the president’s family has financially benefited from his time in office.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-18--Congress Passes Coronavirus Aid Bill, Sends It To Trump's Desk

WASHINGTON ― After some changes that watered down its paid sick leave provisions over the weekend , a bipartisan bill offering financial relief to vulnerable Americans affected by the coronavirus was passed by the U.S. Senate on Wednesday .
Forty-five Republicans joined all Democrats in voting to send the measure to President Donald Trump , who is expected to sign it into law .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) called the measure “ well-intentioned ” and urged its passage on Wednesday .
But he said it had some “ real shortcomings , ” pointing to its paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He pledged not to adjourn the Senate until it approves a broader bill to shore up the economy , rescue industries hit hard by the crisis , and put money directly into the hands of people who are suffering .
The House overwhelmingly passed the legislation early Saturday after changing it significantly over the weekend because of opposition by the White House and business groups to the bill ’ s paid leave provisions .
Democrats said the changes were needed to secure bipartisan support and increase the bill ’ s chances of passage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now provides only 10 days of sick leave to workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic .
It offers paid family leave , but only to parents who are home with kids due to school closure .
The bill also includes carve-outs for many businesses , too .
Companies with more than 500 employees are exempt from the bill ’ s paid leave provisions .
Companies with fewer than 50 workers can apply for hardship relief and get out of providing both sick and family leave .
Senate Republicans expressed concern about the price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave provisions alone are estimated to cost approximately $ 100 billion .
They also worried that mandating paid leave could bankrupt businesses , noting that many employers are already cutting jobs amid anemic demand as the economy hits a standstill .
“ My counsel is to gag and vote for it anyway , ” McConnell told reporters on Tuesday when asked about the misgivings in his caucus , urging critics to focus on addressing them in the next bailout bill .
Apart from its paid leave provisions , the bill will make testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expand unemployment insurance ― giving states more funding if there is a rise in job losses because of the virus .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) said she planned on pushing for more paid sick leave guarantees in coming negotiations with Republicans over a larger bailout package , something that is expected to take place this week .
“ The Democratic House will continue to make clear to the Administration that any emergency response package must put Families First before any aid to corporate America is considered , ” Pelosi said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea gaining traction on Capitol Hill is simply sending Americans cash to deal with the economic downturn sparked by the epidemic .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin gave the idea a boost on Tuesday while he announced the Trump administration was seeking at least $ 850 billion in funding from Congress to address the crisis , including aid to prop up struggling hospitality and airline industries .
“ We ’ re looking at sending checks to Americans immediately ... and I mean now , in the next two weeks , ” Mnuchin said at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

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WASHINGTON ― After some changes that watered down its paid sick leave provisions over the weekend, a bipartisan bill offering financial relief to vulnerable Americans affected by the coronavirus was passed by the U.S. Senate and signed by Trump on Wednesday.
Forty-five Republicans joined all Democrats in voting to send the measure to his desk.
“The Act makes emergency supplemental appropriations and other changes to law to help the Nation respond to the coronavirus outbreak,” Trump said in a statement.
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The bill will make coronavirus testing free, expand unemployment insurance benefits, give paid leave to some displaced workers, and increase spending on Medicaid, food stamps and nutrition assistance.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called the measure “well-intentioned” and urged its passage on Wednesday. But he said it had some “real shortcomings,” pointing to its paid sick leave mandates for small business. He pledged not to adjourn the Senate until it approves a broader bill to shore up the economy, rescue industries hit hard by the crisis, and put money directly into the hands of people who are suffering.
“The Senate is not going to leave small business behind,” McConnell said in a floor speech on Wednesday.
The House overwhelmingly passed the legislation early Saturday after changing it significantly over the weekend because of opposition by the White House and business groups to the bill’s paid leave provisions. Democrats said the changes were needed to secure bipartisan support and increase the bill’s chances of passage in the Republican-controlled Senate.
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The bill now provides only 10 days of sick leave to workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic. It offers paid family leave, but only to parents who are home with kids due to school closure. The bill also includes carve-outs for many businesses, too. Companies with more than 500 employees are exempt from the bill’s paid leave provisions. Companies with fewer than 50 workers can apply for hardship relief and get out of providing both sick and family leave.
Senate Republicans expressed concern about the price tag of the bill ― its paid leave provisions alone are estimated to cost $100 billion. They also worried that mandating paid leave could bankrupt businesses, noting that many employers are already cutting jobs amid anemic demand as the economy hits a standstill.
“My counsel is to gag and vote for it anyway,” McConnell told reporters on Tuesday when asked about the misgivings in his caucus, urging critics to focus on addressing them in the next bailout bill.
Apart from its paid leave provisions, the bill will make testing for the coronavirus more widely available and expand unemployment insurance ― giving states more funding if there is a rise in job losses because of the virus.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she planned on pushing for more paid sick leave guarantees in coming negotiations with Republicans over a larger bailout package, something that is expected to take place this week.
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“The Democratic House will continue to make clear to the Administration that any emergency response package must put Families First before any aid to corporate America is considered,” Pelosi said in a statement on Tuesday.
One idea gaining traction on Capitol Hill is simply sending Americans cash to deal with the economic downturn sparked by the epidemic. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin gave the idea a boost on Tuesday while he announced the Trump administration was seeking at least $850 billion in funding from Congress to address the crisis, including aid to prop up struggling hospitality and airline industries.
“We’re looking at sending checks to Americans immediately ... and I mean now, in the next two weeks,” Mnuchin said at a press conference at the White House.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-18--Stunning Supercut Exposes Fox News' Dangerous Hypocrisy On Coronavirus

Many of the personalities on Fox News spent more than a month minimizing the coronavirus outbreak and accusing the rest @ @ @ @ @ the threat to make President Donald Trump look bad .
Now , the network is @ @ @ @ @ the infection seriously .
A Washington Post video , above , shows how quickly the @ @ @ @ @ changed their tune , from downplaying the risk and blaming Democrats for using the virus @ @ @ @ @ viewers of the dangers .

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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-18--Bernie Sanders To 'Assess' His Campaign After More Primary Losses

Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) will “ assess ” his bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination following another round of primary losses , his campaign said Wednesday .
“ The next primary contest is at least three weeks away , ” Sanders ’ campaign manager Faiz Shakir said in a statement .
″Sen .
Sanders is going to be having conversations with supporters to assess his campaign.
” Shakir added : “ In the immediate term , however , he is focused on the government response to the coronavirus outbreak and ensuring that we take care of working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement follows Democratic rival Joe Biden ’ s sweeping victories in Arizona , Florida , and Illinois on Tuesday , further cementing the former vice president ’ s commanding delegate lead for the party ’ s nomination .
Sanders led the Democratic pack after the first primary contests in Iowa , New Hampshire and Nevada earlier this year , but has been outperformed since Biden ’ s landslide win in South Carolina last month .
Sanders won just four of the 14 Super Tuesday states up for grabs on March 3 .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine states that have held primary contests since .
Opportunities for the Sanders campaign to make a comeback are running low .
Several states have postponed their primaries until the summer as the coronavirus continues to spread across the country .
Puerto Rico is slated to hold the next primary on March 29 , followed by Alaska , Hawaii and Wyoming , which are scheduled to hold contests on April 4 .
Before polls closed on Tuesday , Sanders delivered a sobering speech about the coronavirus and called on Americans to stand together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tell anyone viewing this program that our country and , in fact , the world are facing an unprecedented series of crises , ” Sanders said .
Sanders outlined a series of proposals aimed at increasing hospital capacity during the pandemic and protecting Americans most financially vulnerable to restrictions .
He said every household should receive $ 2,000 a month from the government to help make ends meet .
“ In this unprecedented moment , this will require an unprecedented amount of money , ” he said .
“ My own guess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2 trillion in funding to prevent deaths , job losses , and to avoid an economic catastrophe.
” CORRECTION : An earlier version mistakenly reported Sanders won two of eight states ’ primary contests since Super Tuesday .
In fact , he has won one of nine states ’ primary contests since then .

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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) will “assess” his bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination following another round of primary losses, his campaign said Wednesday.
“The next primary contest is at least three weeks away,” Sanders’ campaign manager Faiz Shakir said in a statement. ″Sen. Sanders is going to be having conversations with supporters to assess his campaign.”
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Shakir added: “In the immediate term, however, he is focused on the government response to the coronavirus outbreak and ensuring that we take care of working people and the most vulnerable.”
The statement follows Democratic rival Joe Biden’s sweeping victories in Arizona, Florida, and Illinois on Tuesday, further cementing the former vice president’s commanding delegate lead for the party’s nomination.
Sanders led the Democratic pack after the first primary contests in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada earlier this year, but has been outperformed since Biden’s landslide win in South Carolina last month. Sanders won just four of the 14 Super Tuesday states up for grabs on March 3. He’s won only one of the nine states that have held primary contests since.
Opportunities for the Sanders campaign to make a comeback are running low. Several states have postponed their primaries until the summer as the coronavirus continues to spread across the country.
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Puerto Rico is slated to hold the next primary on March 29, followed by Alaska, Hawaii and Wyoming, which are scheduled to hold contests on April 4.
Before polls closed on Tuesday, Sanders delivered a sobering speech about the coronavirus and called on Americans to stand together.
“I don’t have to tell anyone viewing this program that our country and, in fact, the world are facing an unprecedented series of crises,” Sanders said.
Sanders outlined a series of proposals aimed at increasing hospital capacity during the pandemic and protecting Americans most financially vulnerable to restrictions. He said every household should receive $2,000 a month from the government to help make ends meet.
“In this unprecedented moment, this will require an unprecedented amount of money,” he said. “My own guess is that we’ll be spending $2 trillion in funding to prevent deaths, job losses, and to avoid an economic catastrophe.”
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Bernie Sanders addressed the escalating coronavirus crisis on Tuesday night, saying it was an “unprecedented moment” and calling for $2,000 payments to Americans, among other proposals.
Read more. https://t.co/OFMvsCDmeH pic.twitter.com/uBhHC0Ofbi — The New York Times (@nytimes) March 18, 2020
Tara Golshan contributed reporting.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-18--Navy Hospital Ship Being Sent To New York Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday that President Donald Trump has agreed to send a Navy hospital ship to New York Harbor to help relieve local medical centers dealing with an influx of patients amid the coronavirus pandemic .
“ It ’ s an extraordinary step , obviously , ” he said .
“ It ’ s literally a floating hospital that will add capacity , and the president said he will dispatch it immediately.
” The current rate of coronavirus cases in New York suggests that 110,000 beds may be needed in 45 days , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York has roughly 53,000 hospital beds and 3,000 intensive care unit beds .
“ That ’ s a projection , and projections can change , ” he said .
“ But that ’ s the problem we ’ re dealing with.
” UPDATE : The federal government is sending a hospital ship to New York , the USNS Comfort .
The Comfort , which has about 1,000 rooms on it , will be moored in New York Harbor .
Hospital beds are what we need .
pic.twitter.com/CwTVJhJvDi — Andrew Cuomo ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a separate news conference , Trump confirmed USNS Comfort ’ s plans to travel to New York and said a second ship , USNS Mercy , is also preparing to deploy to a yet-to-be-determined location .
USNS Comfort is equipped with 1,000 beds as well as operating rooms .
It was dispatched to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria ’ s devastation in 2017 and to the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 .
The ship will not treat patients with COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , but will help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to a CBS reporter citing the Navy .
A representative from the Navy did not immediately respond to HuffPost ’ s request for comment Wednesday .

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday that President Donald Trump has agreed to send a Navy hospital ship to New York Harbor to help relieve local medical centers dealing with an influx of patients amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s an extraordinary step, obviously,” he said. “It’s literally a floating hospital that will add capacity, and the president said he will dispatch it immediately.”
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The ship is not set to arrive in New York until mid-April, Cuomo’s office said in a press release issued later in the day.
The current rate of coronavirus cases in New York suggests that 110,000 beds may be needed in 45 days, according to Cuomo. As of this week, New York has roughly 53,000 hospital beds and 3,000 intensive care unit beds.
“That’s a projection, and projections can change,” he said. “But that’s the problem we’re dealing with.”
UPDATE: The federal government is sending a hospital ship to New York, the USNS Comfort.
The Comfort, which has about 1,000 rooms on it, will be moored in New York Harbor.
Hospital beds are what we need. pic.twitter.com/CwTVJhJvDi — Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 18, 2020
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At a separate news conference, Trump confirmed USNS Comfort’s plans to travel to New York and said a second ship, USNS Mercy, is also preparing to deploy to a yet-to-be-determined location.
USNS Comfort is equipped with 1,000 beds as well as operating rooms. It was dispatched to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria’s devastation in 2017 and to the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-18--U.S. And Canada Restrict Border To Essential Travel During Coronavirus Pandemic

The U.S. and Canada are barring nonessential travel across their border , a step underscoring the gravity of the coronavirus pandemic , President Donald Trump announced Wednesday .
Later Wednesday morning , Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said “ essential travel ” would include deliveries of food , fuel and medicine , and occupations such as trucking or other people who do “ essential work ” across the border , as it is “ critical that we preserve supply chains between both countries.
” “ Travelers will no longer be permitted to cross the border for recreation and tourism , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he and Trump have urged their respective countries to “ stay home ” and “ not visit their neighbors unless they absolutely have to.
” In response to question about when the closure would go into effect and how it would be enforced , Trudeau said the two countries ’ officials would finalize the details “ very quickly ” and “ very soon.
” On Monday , Trudeau closed the country ’ s border to those who aren ’ t Canadian citizens or permanent residents , but exempted U.S. citizens “ for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of integration of our two countries is quite particular , ” he said .
But amid the rapid growth in cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus , in both the U.S. and Canada , by Tuesday , officials in both countries began working on an agreement to restrict travel across the border to “ essential ” purposes , sources told the CBC , Associated Press and CNN .
The definition of “ essential travel ” was expected to include critical deliveries of food and supplies , but officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or Canadians visiting family in either country .
Countries worldwide have restricted travel to stem the spread of the virus .
On Tuesday , the European Union announced a 30-day ban on most nonessential travel to its 27 member nations , limiting it to food and medicine deliveries and people traveling to their home countries .
U.S. President Donald Trump and his coronavirus task force have advised Americans against any nonessential travel , citing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

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The U.S. and Canada are barring nonessential travel across their border, a step underscoring the gravity of the coronavirus pandemic, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday.
We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our Northern Border with Canada to non-essential traffic. Trade will not be affected. Details to follow! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020
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Under the agreement, “trade will not be affected,” Trump wrote in a tweet.
Later Wednesday morning, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said “essential travel” would include deliveries of food, fuel and medicine, and occupations such as trucking or other people who do “essential work” across the border, as it is “critical that we preserve supply chains between both countries.”
“Travelers will no longer be permitted to cross the border for recreation and tourism,” Trudeau said, stressing that both he and Trump have urged their respective countries to “stay home” and “not visit their neighbors unless they absolutely have to.”
“Canada and the United States will temporarily restrict all non-essential travel across the Canada-U.S. border,” said Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau. “Essential travel will continue...it is critical that we preserve supply chains between both countries.” https://t.co/3zXoHbACiy pic.twitter.com/8M2HFgwNMq — Power & Politics (@PnPCBC) March 18, 2020
In response to question about when the closure would go into effect and how it would be enforced, Trudeau said the two countries’ officials would finalize the details “very quickly” and “very soon.”
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On Monday, Trudeau closed the country’s border to those who aren’t Canadian citizens or permanent residents, but exempted U.S. citizens “for the moment,” given that “the level of integration of our two countries is quite particular,” he said.
But amid the rapid growth in cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, in both the U.S. and Canada, by Tuesday, officials in both countries began working on an agreement to restrict travel across the border to “essential” purposes, sources told the CBC, Associated Press and CNN.
The definition of “essential travel” was expected to include critical deliveries of food and supplies, but officials were torn over whether to include Americans or Canadians visiting family in either country.
Countries worldwide have restricted travel to stem the spread of the virus. On Tuesday, the European Union announced a 30-day ban on most nonessential travel to its 27 member nations, limiting it to food and medicine deliveries and people traveling to their home countries.
U.S. President Donald Trump and his coronavirus task force have advised Americans against any nonessential travel, citing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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This week, the State Department issued a new global advisory urging “U.S. citizens to reconsider” any international travel.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-18--Coronavirus Bailouts Shouldn't Reward Investors And CEOs, Democrats Say

WASHINGTON ― As Congress begins working on a huge fiscal package to prop up the economy and soften the blow for people who are suffering from the coronavirus epidemic and its effects on their livelihoods , Democrats are demanding that any taxpayer bailout to major industries include restrictions on corporate bonuses and stock buybacks .
The issue of corporate accountability remains fresh in many lawmakers ’ minds .
In 2009 , amid the Great Recession , the insurance company American International Group ( AIG ) handed out millions in bonuses after receiving a bailout from the federal government .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Capitol Hill and further soured the public on the idea of taxpayer-funded bailouts , especially to Wall Street .
To address the severe economic shock currently gripping the country , the Trump administration is working on an emergency stimulus proposal of at least $ 1 trillion that includes $ 50 billion in loans for the airline industry , which has been hit hard by the crisis .
The package calls for an additional $ 150 billion in loans for unnamed “ severely distressed sectors ” of the economy .
According to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , casinos , cruise lines , and the oil and gas industry .
Other groups are also lining up for a lifeline , including restaurant chains , the nation ’ s mayors , and nonprofit groups .
But Democrats are calling on the Treasury Department to go even further , urging them to set specific conditions — that will apply beyond the coronavirus crisis — on taxpayer funds that go to corporations .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
, who recently dropped out of the 2020 presidential race , laid out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test ” for the bailouts on Tuesday .
The eight-point plan calls for companies who receive taxpayer funds to provide a $ 15 minimum wage , keep people on their payrolls , maintain collective bargaining agreements , and permanently ban stock buybacks , among other steps .
“ Funds must come with strings attached to ensure that the money goes to maintain payroll , not to enrich shareholders or pay executive bonuses , ” Warren said in an op-ed this week .
“ Giant corporations that receive substantial loans from taxpayers should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board seats for a representative elected by the company ’ s workers .
Violations should trigger criminal penalties and clawbacks.
” “ Let ’ s not forget that the reason many airlines are so short on cash right now is that they have spent billions on stock buybacks ― money they had to send out when they should have been saving it for a rainy day , for their customers and workers , ” Schumer said in a floor speech on Wednesday .
“ That issue should be addressed.
” Sen. Chris Murphy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There is no straight-face justification to give no-strings-attached cash to an industry that had the chance to use massive profits and tax cuts to build a rainy day fund , but instead used the money to pad investor returns and executive pay.
” Corporate stock buybacks skyrocketed after Trump signed the 2017 Republican tax cut into law .
In fact , over the last five years , 50 of the largest U.S. corporations repurchased a staggering $ 1.1 trillion of their own stock , according to a Wednesday memo from the advocacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t the only ones who are calling for conditions to bailouts for major industries that are severely affected by the economic crisis .
Keith Anderson , co-founder of investment firm BlackRock , suggested in a letter to The New York Times this week that stock warrants should be attached to any loans given by the federal government , similar to what a private investor would require when bailing out a troubled company .
“ The vast majority ” of these entities , Anderson wrote , “ have spent the last decade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outstanding shares — as Royal Caribbean Cruises and Delta and American Airlines have done — in an effort to increase their per-share earnings and their share prices.
” “ While I hope that the citizens of our country who are most in need and the small businesses that have no access to capital markets are in the front of the line for assistance , when it does come time to lend a hand to these public companies , any loan or bailout should also provide a reward to the citizens of our country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .

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WASHINGTON ― As Congress begins working on a huge fiscal package to prop up the economy and soften the blow for people who are suffering from the coronavirus epidemic and its effects on their livelihoods, Democrats are demanding that any taxpayer bailout to major industries include restrictions on corporate bonuses and stock buybacks.
The issue of corporate accountability remains fresh in many lawmakers’ minds. In 2009, amid the Great Recession, the insurance company American International Group (AIG) handed out millions in bonuses after receiving a bailout from the federal government. The move prompted widespread criticism from both parties on Capitol Hill and further soured the public on the idea of taxpayer-funded bailouts, especially to Wall Street.
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To address the severe economic shock currently gripping the country, the Trump administration is working on an emergency stimulus proposal of at least $1 trillion that includes $50 billion in loans for the airline industry, which has been hit hard by the crisis. The package calls for an additional $150 billion in loans for unnamed “severely distressed sectors” of the economy. According to The Washington Post, those might include hotels, casinos, cruise lines, and the oil and gas industry. Other groups are also lining up for a lifeline, including restaurant chains, the nation’s mayors, and nonprofit groups.
“Certainly, the hotel industry, the cruise ship industry, the airlines, those are all prime candidates, absolutely,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday when asked about the administration’s plans for targeted relief to businesses.
According to the Post, the administration’s fiscal proposal for certain industries does include limits “on increases in executive compensation until repayment of the loans.”
But Democrats are calling on the Treasury Department to go even further, urging them to set specific conditions — that will apply beyond the coronavirus crisis — on taxpayer funds that go to corporations.
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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who recently dropped out of the 2020 presidential race, laid out what she called a “progressive litmus test” for the bailouts on Tuesday. The eight-point plan calls for companies who receive taxpayer funds to provide a $15 minimum wage, keep people on their payrolls, maintain collective bargaining agreements, and permanently ban stock buybacks, among other steps.
“Funds must come with strings attached to ensure that the money goes to maintain payroll, not to enrich shareholders or pay executive bonuses,” Warren said in an op-ed this week. “Giant corporations that receive substantial loans from taxpayers should be required to set aside one or more board seats for a representative elected by the company’s workers. Violations should trigger criminal penalties and clawbacks.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), meanwhile, noted that many airline companies repurchased their own stocks to reward their investors when times were good.
“Let’s not forget that the reason many airlines are so short on cash right now is that they have spent billions on stock buybacks ― money they had to send out when they should have been saving it for a rainy day, for their customers and workers,” Schumer said in a floor speech on Wednesday. “That issue should be addressed.”
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) added on Twitter: “There is no straight-face justification to give no-strings-attached cash to an industry that had the chance to use massive profits and tax cuts to build a rainy day fund, but instead used the money to pad investor returns and executive pay.”
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Corporate stock buybacks skyrocketed after Trump signed the 2017 Republican tax cut into law. In fact, over the last five years, 50 of the largest U.S. corporations repurchased a staggering $1.1 trillion of their own stock, according to a Wednesday memo from the advocacy group Economic Liberties Project.
But Democrats aren’t the only ones who are calling for conditions to bailouts for major industries that are severely affected by the economic crisis. Keith Anderson, co-founder of investment firm BlackRock, suggested in a letter to The New York Times this week that stock warrants should be attached to any loans given by the federal government, similar to what a private investor would require when bailing out a troubled company.
“The vast majority” of these entities, Anderson wrote, “have spent the last decade of unprecedented economic expansion buying back their outstanding shares — as Royal Caribbean Cruises and Delta and American Airlines have done — in an effort to increase their per-share earnings and their share prices.”
“While I hope that the citizens of our country who are most in need and the small businesses that have no access to capital markets are in the front of the line for assistance, when it does come time to lend a hand to these public companies, any loan or bailout should also provide a reward to the citizens of our country who are lending them money,” he added.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-18--Barack Obama Thanks Health Care Workers For 'Giving Everything' Amid Coronavirus

Former President Barack Obama took the time to say thank you to health care professionals on the “ front lines ” treating patients with the coronavirus .
The 58-year-old quote-tweeted epidemiologist Rachel Patzer ’ s story about isolating her husband , an emergency department doctor , from his family and noted how people working in health care are “ giving everything.
” “ We owe a profound debt of gratitude to all our health professionals and everybody who ’ ll be on the front lines of this pandemic for a long while , ” he said .
“ They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model our own behavior on their selflessness and sacrifice as we help each other through this.
” We owe a profound debt of gratitude to all our health professionals and everybody who ’ ll be on the front lines of this pandemic for a long while .
They ’ re giving everything .
May we all model our own behavior on their selflessness and sacrifice as we help each other through this .
https : //t.co/F3tsJTqd4c — Barack Obama ( @ BarackObama ) March 17 , 2020 In her tweet thread shared on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband treats coronavirus patients , they decided it was best for him to separate himself from his family and “ move into our garage apartment for the foreseeable future as he continues to treat patients.
” “ It pains me to wonder how many weeks will go by that he won ’ t get to hold our new baby or see our older kids .
This is one example of the sacrifice that healthcare workers are making for our communities , ” she writes in one tweet .
Patzer implored people to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is “ to see pictures of all the people at bars and restaurants , socializing , making play dates , and ignoring social distancing recommendations when I know my husband and many other healthcare workers are risking their lives to treat more sick patients.
” “ I hope the projections of infections and serious cases are incorrect .
If not , our healthcare system will be overloaded .
And already we are seeing the strain .
Please thank a healthcare worker for what they are doing and sacrificing , ” she concluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused by the new coronavirus , was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization earlier this month .
Killing more than 7,000 people worldwide , the disease continues to spread as state and local governments in the United States shut down schools , restaurants , bars and more in an effort to contain it .
Keep up with the latest updates on the coronavirus at our live blog .

Former President Barack Obama took the time to say thank you to health care professionals on the “front lines” treating patients with the coronavirus.
The 58-year-old quote-tweeted epidemiologist Rachel Patzer’s story about isolating her husband, an emergency department doctor, from his family and noted how people working in health care are “giving everything.”
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“We owe a profound debt of gratitude to all our health professionals and everybody who’ll be on the front lines of this pandemic for a long while,” he said. “They’re giving everything. May we all model our own behavior on their selflessness and sacrifice as we help each other through this.”
We owe a profound debt of gratitude to all our health professionals and everybody who’ll be on the front lines of this pandemic for a long while. They’re giving everything. May we all model our own behavior on their selflessness and sacrifice as we help each other through this. https://t.co/F3tsJTqd4c — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 17, 2020
In her tweet thread shared on Monday, Patzer explains that because her husband treats coronavirus patients, they decided it was best for him to separate himself from his family and “move into our garage apartment for the foreseeable future as he continues to treat patients.”
The couple has a 3-week-old newborn and two other young children and “just can’t risk it.”
“It pains me to wonder how many weeks will go by that he won’t get to hold our new baby or see our older kids. This is one example of the sacrifice that healthcare workers are making for our communities,” she writes in one tweet.
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Patzer implored people to take the virus seriously and expressed how difficult it is “to see pictures of all the people at bars and restaurants, socializing, making play dates, and ignoring social distancing recommendations when I know my husband and many other healthcare workers are risking their lives to treat more sick patients.”
“I hope the projections of infections and serious cases are incorrect. If not, our healthcare system will be overloaded. And already we are seeing the strain. Please thank a healthcare worker for what they are doing and sacrificing,” she concluded her thread.
Her plea was clearly heard by Obama, who helped amplify Patzer’s message to his 114 million followers.
COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus, was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization earlier this month. Killing more than 7,000 people worldwide, the disease continues to spread as state and local governments in the United States shut down schools, restaurants, bars and more in an effort to contain it.
Keep up with the latest updates on the coronavirus at our live blog.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-18--Solidarity In A Time Of Social Distancing

I ’ m not antisocial .
I enjoy my limited interactions : a head-nod hello in the hallway as I take out the garbage , a “ How you doin ’ ?
” when holding open the front door .
I ’ m not some interloper transplant who intends to eventually leave and raise kids elsewhere .
My entire extended family lives in the area .
I vote in every election , including the local one that was postponed this week amid the novel coronavirus outbreak .
Whether it ’ s for a haircut , a shoe repair or a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got my guy in the neighborhood .
And yet , how can you remain insulated in your own individual existence when you ’ re living through a global pandemic in the nation ’ s most populous city ?
What good are rules when public officials are so profoundly failing to curb the spread of a disease with a rising death toll ?
And how can I be selfish when I face so few of the worst consequences of coronavirus as a healthy , able-bodied man who isn ’ t yet 29 and can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without going broke ?
But surely more can be done besides hunkering down in collective panic .
On Friday , in an abrupt 180 from normal neighborly etiquette , I scrawled my cellphone number on a piece of paper and taped it to the front door of my building , urging anyone who is elderly or immunodeficient and needs help to please call or text me .
“ You are not alone , ” I wrote , cringing a little at the sincerity of the drama .
“ No está solo.
” First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Make yourself available to neighbors in need .
As of writing this on Tuesday afternoon , no one in my building has taken me up on my offer .
But I intend to leave the signs up as long as I can safely honor the promise .
If you are friendlier than me with those living near you , check in on them , preferably by phone , email or text message .
Make sure they ’ re OK .
If you are able to , take the necessary precautions and pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can ’ t go out themselves .
You aren ’ t the only one thinking this way .
Religious institutions , neighborhood associations and grassroots groups are setting up networks to provide aid to those in need , either due to compromised health or plummeting income as a result of the economic downturn .
Be honest about what you can contribute .
Expertise in languages , budgeting , organizing or spreading the word are in demand and don ’ t necessarily require you to leave home if you ’ re not comfortable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do work for you .
There ’ s a good chance , according to analysts , that we are already in a recession and the economic data hasn ’ t caught up yet .
Gig workers have historically felt the most immediate effects of economic slowdowns , and social distancing adds a whole other layer of devastation for the workers who clean your home , mow your lawn , walk your dog , teach your exercise class , do your nails , cut your hair and watch your kids .
If you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as you mop your own floors and trim your own bangs , do it .
At the very least , ask them what you can do to help them at this time .
Pay delivery and service workers the best tips you can .
Support efforts to stop evictions and utility shutoffs amid the crisis .
Support workers at the frontlines of the crisis .
Another way to help frontline workers is to do your part with social distancing .
Public transit workers , for example , can ’ t avoid the taxis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the luxury of working from home and distancing yourself , you can take yourself out of the mix and avoid transmitting the virus to them or to others who may ride with them .

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NEW YORK CITY — A band practices rhythmic, shoegazey indie rock at a polite volume a floor above me. A Syrian family makes regular Costco trips, their wiry eldest son hauling the purchases up three flights of stairs. On summer nights, the young woman next door smokes on our shared fire escape and sometimes calls to my cat, who likes to watch her from the window.
This is about as much as I know about my dozens of neighbors. I’ve lived for three years in this five-story, 40-unit apartment building, built in 1917 as the subway expanded and New York City swallowed up farmland to expel the dense urban terrain we now know as Astoria, Queens. Like many New Yorkers, I maintain a semblance of privacy in close quarters by mostly keeping to myself.
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I’m not antisocial. I enjoy my limited interactions: a head-nod hello in the hallway as I take out the garbage, a “How you doin’?” when holding open the front door. I’m not some interloper transplant who intends to eventually leave and raise kids elsewhere. My entire extended family lives in the area. I vote in every election, including the local one that was postponed this week amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. Whether it’s for a haircut, a shoe repair or a good egg sandwich, I’ve got my guy in the neighborhood.
But I abide by the New Yorker’s golden rule: I mind my business.
And yet, how can you remain insulated in your own individual existence when you’re living through a global pandemic in the nation’s most populous city? What good are rules when public officials are so profoundly failing to curb the spread of a disease with a rising death toll? And how can I be selfish when I face so few of the worst consequences of coronavirus as a healthy, able-bodied man who isn’t yet 29 and can spend a few hundred dollars on groceries without going broke?
This is a national crisis with unusual demands. Chief among them is to engage in social distancing, the act of staying home to avoid interactions in which you could unknowingly spread COVID-19, the disease caused by the new virus. And, of course, washing your hands obsessively.
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But surely more can be done besides hunkering down in collective panic. On Friday, in an abrupt 180 from normal neighborly etiquette, I scrawled my cellphone number on a piece of paper and taped it to the front door of my building, urging anyone who is elderly or immunodeficient and needs help to please call or text me. “You are not alone,” I wrote, cringing a little at the sincerity of the drama. “No está solo.”
I talked to a handful of researchers and activists and consulted tips that members of my labor union put together to create a short list of things you can do to safely show solidarity and help those suffering from the coronavirus and its economic fallout.
Not everything applies to everyone, nor should you strain yourself to participate. But for those willing and able to act, this might be a good place to start.
First of all, take social distancing seriously.
This means listening to public health officials pleading for people to stop attending unnecessary social gatherings. Many states, including New York, took sweeping measures to shut down bars, gyms and restaurants. Avoiding contact with others will limit the number of patients making demands on finite health care resources and give officials a chance to contain the outbreak.
Matt Pearce, a national reporter at the Los Angeles Times, put it nicely here:
I imagine all the closures and cancellations give people a sense of ominousness. But it's really an amazing act of social solidarity: We're sacrificing so we can give nurses, doctors and hospitals a fighting chance. Start from there and hopefully we can figure out the rest. — Matt Pearce 🦅 (@mattdpearce) March 12, 2020
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And this video does a good job of illustrating how social distancing works:
Do your part and stay home. It’s all we can do. pic.twitter.com/dLOkV3znNe — juan delcan (@juan_delcan) March 16, 2020
Make yourself available to neighbors in need.
As of writing this on Tuesday afternoon, no one in my building has taken me up on my offer. But I intend to leave the signs up as long as I can safely honor the promise. If you are friendlier than me with those living near you, check in on them, preferably by phone, email or text message. Make sure they’re OK. If you are able to, take the necessary precautions and pick up groceries or prescriptions for them if they can’t go out themselves.
Link up with a mutual aid effort.
You aren’t the only one thinking this way. Religious institutions, neighborhood associations and grassroots groups are setting up networks to provide aid to those in need, either due to compromised health or plummeting income as a result of the economic downturn. Be honest about what you can contribute. Expertise in languages, budgeting, organizing or spreading the word are in demand and don’t necessarily require you to leave home if you’re not comfortable doing so.
Keep paying those who do work for you.
There’s a good chance, according to analysts, that we are already in a recession and the economic data hasn’t caught up yet. Gig workers have historically felt the most immediate effects of economic slowdowns, and social distancing adds a whole other layer of devastation for the workers who clean your home, mow your lawn, walk your dog, teach your exercise class, do your nails, cut your hair and watch your kids. If you can afford to keep paying them, even as you mop your own floors and trim your own bangs, do it. At the very least, ask them what you can do to help them at this time.
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Pay delivery and service workers the best tips you can.
In New York and a growing number of other states, restaurant dining rooms are closed but many are still serving take-out and delivery. While the ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft suspended the option to share a ride with strangers, the companies are still deploying drivers. Taxi drivers ― already dying by suicide in shocking numbers as ride-hailing eats into their market and makes it harder for them to repay the costs of getting a license ― face the same circumstances.
If you’re ordering in or taking a ride, spare a little extra for these workers. MarketWatch’s Moneyist columnist advised this week adding at least 5% onto what you would normally tip, so if you’d typically give 20%, pay 25%, and so on.
Buy gift cards or shop on local businesses’ websites.
You can help keep your favorite restaurants afloat without ordering on Seamless. Many restaurants and mom-and-pop retailers sell gift cards that you can use once the outbreak is under control and public life begins anew. Some local stores also sell stuff online. For example, the wonderful independent bookstore at the end of my block directed customers to its website.
1.) You can order through our website! We are currently offering $2 shipping + 25¢ each additional book. If you’re local, we also offer curbside pick-up! We can order in books if we don’t have them available for you, too, if you can wait a few days https://t.co/CQXfdkOuZ7 pic.twitter.com/hpXQfwuMEQ — Astoria Bookshop (@astoriabookshop) March 17, 2020
Support efforts to stop evictions and utility shutoffs amid the crisis.
In 2016 alone, there were four evictions per minute in America, by one sociologist’s estimate. Countless more people behind on their bills lose access to the services required for basic modern life, such as electricity, water and heating. Cities across the country have begun to enact moratoriums on evictions and service disconnects.
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If your city hasn’t done so, you can sign petitions demanding that city officials halt these actions, or go further and call for a complete suspension of rent, mortgage and utility payments during the crisis.
Support workers at the frontlines of the crisis.
Some petitions call for protecting nurses with adequate equipment. One calls on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which regulates safeguards against workplace hazards, to issue a temporary emergency standard to provide official guidance on infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
Another way to help frontline workers is to do your part with social distancing. Public transit workers, for example, can’t avoid the taxis and subways. But if you have the luxury of working from home and distancing yourself, you can take yourself out of the mix and avoid transmitting the virus to them or to others who may ride with them.
Share only vetted information.
Misinformation is ubiquitous on social media. Limiting what you post on Facebook and Twitter to credible, vetted sources is vital to reducing unnecessary panic and helping your friends and loved ones make responsible choices. It’s not always easy to know who you can trust online. The WNYC show “On The Media” has some helpful tips for spotting quality information amid natural disasters and waves of malicious fake news, many of which are applicable to the current pandemic.
Not all bullshit artists look the same. Some are obvious. (My mom once sent me a link from a website called The Daily Sheeple, which, lol.) Others adopt the veneer of a journalistic outlet but serve political actors. It is important to remember that “the media” is a decentralized industry with varying degrees of commitment to journalistic standards. There is often a bias toward dramatic new information even if it’s not vetted. Credible outlets correct misinformation and take responsibility for getting things wrong.
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Beware of anything on social media that is not linked to a source of vetted information. Take, for example, what’s being called the Stanford meme, which claims to be providing information from a Stanford University health professional. When a real journalist at a magazine with real standards asked Stanford about it, the university completely disavowed the entire thing and pointed out heinously wrong pieces of information in the meme.
Engage online.
There are two big ways you can get involved online. Plenty of political organizing efforts are shifting to social media, and groups whose causes you favor are likely already holding live-streamed rallies and conference calls to discuss how best to respond to the pandemic and make use of social media activism.
But this isn’t only a time for activism. With students facing canceled school and parents struggling to balance working from home with caring for kids, there’s never been a better time to teach. Consider connecting with others who share your expertise and providing some kind of seminar, either through a call, a slideshow or streaming video. You can help educate people of all ages, but particularly children who are curious and displaced from their normal lessons.
What am I missing?
I’m sure these aren’t the only things, but I’m a reporter on a deadline. If you have more advice worth adding, share this story with your own tips or email me: alexander.kaufman@huffpost.com. Stay safe out there.
Keep up with the latest updates on the coronavirus at our live blog.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-18--Amid Virus, Congressional Leaders Resist Call For Remote Voting

Advocates of the voting change cite the health perils of air travel at a time when health experts want people to avoid crowds .
They argue that as infections spread , it may become all but impossible for many lawmakers to journey to the Capitol because of the growing risk of getting the virus .
“ There was a time when physical presence was the only way to make sure that a person was present and voting , ” No .
2 Senate Democratic leader Dick Durbin , D-Ill. , said Tuesday .
“ I think that technology gives us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ We ’ ll not be doing that , ” McConnell told reporters in a Capitol TV studio in which the number of reporters was limited to reduce the risk of spreading the virus .
He suggested his chamber might extend roll call votes beyond the traditional 15 minutes and allow senators to vote in small groups , rather than all at once .
The dispute comes amid a confusing jumble of government decrees aimed at halting the coronavirus ’ spread , edicts that often grow stricter by the day and vary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been closed in many states but not all , and people are being ordered to stay home for two weeks or more in some communities but not others .
That inconsistency was on clear display Tuesday , the day Senate Republicans and Democrats typically hold separate party lunches .
GOP senators moved their meal to a larger room in a Senate office building — an ornate chamber where major hearings on topics ranging from the sinking of the Titanic to Watergate have been held .
Democrats chose to simply have a lunchtime conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while not new , would present hurdles , such as assuring that the system is secure .
Lawmakers would also have to overcome a reluctance to be seen as shirking their jobs if they ’ re not present for votes .
Supporters say remote voting would reduce infections that members might incur and spread to their families and coworkers ; help lawmakers understand the coronavirus ’ impact on their communities ; and let them show they are practicing the behavior the nation ’ s leaders want the public to adopt .
Porter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resistance from Pelosi when she raised the idea with her last week on the House floor .
Porter is circulating a letter calling for a rules change to allow remote voting during the emergency , along with Reps. Eric Swalwell , D-Calif. , and Van Taylor , R-Texas .
“ While Congress is an institution with a proud history , we can not stand on tradition if it puts lives — and our ability to be the voice of our constituents — at risk , ” the letter says .
Porter said Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the proposal , Pelosi “ took it , folded it in half.
” Porter said that as of Tuesday evening , the letter had 45 cosponsors , including at least two Republicans .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus .
In the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 110 have died .
Rep. Rodney Davis of Illinois , top Republican on the House Administration Committee , said lawmakers have met daily with Congress ’ doctors and other officials to discuss how the House should function during the crisis .
Davis said they ’ ve discussed ideas like frequently cleaning the buttons on the electronic devices members use to record their votes .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders are resisting calls to let lawmakers vote remotely, a dispute pitting the scourge of the coronavirus against two centuries of tradition that underscores Washington’s struggle to adapt to recommendations that evolve daily about how to handle the pandemic.
Advocates of the voting change cite the health perils of air travel at a time when health experts want people to avoid crowds. They argue that as infections spread, it may become all but impossible for many lawmakers to journey to the Capitol because of the growing risk of getting the virus.
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“There was a time when physical presence was the only way to make sure that a person was present and voting,” No. 2 Senate Democratic leader Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Tuesday. “I think that technology gives us other options and we better exercise them.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., put his foot down firmly against letting senators vote electronically from wherever they might be.
“We’ll not be doing that,” McConnell told reporters in a Capitol TV studio in which the number of reporters was limited to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. He suggested his chamber might extend roll call votes beyond the traditional 15 minutes and allow senators to vote in small groups, rather than all at once.
“We will deal with the social distancing issue without fundamentally changing Senate rules,” McConnell said.
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., whose hometown of San Francisco is among many Bay Area communities whose residents have been ordered to stay home, has also opposed the idea, according to lawmakers who’ve spoken to her.
The dispute comes amid a confusing jumble of government decrees aimed at halting the coronavirus’ spread, edicts that often grow stricter by the day and vary by jurisdiction. Schools and restaurants have been closed in many states but not all, and people are being ordered to stay home for two weeks or more in some communities but not others.
That inconsistency was on clear display Tuesday, the day Senate Republicans and Democrats typically hold separate party lunches. GOP senators moved their meal to a larger room in a Senate office building — an ornate chamber where major hearings on topics ranging from the sinking of the Titanic to Watergate have been held. Democrats chose to simply have a lunchtime conference call.
The idea of remote voting, while not new, would present hurdles, such as assuring that the system is secure. Lawmakers would also have to overcome a reluctance to be seen as shirking their jobs if they’re not present for votes.
It would also be a sharp break from history. Currently members must cast votes during roll calls in person on the House and Senate floors.
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For example, the Senate not only requires that each member “declare his assent or dissent to the question” but even forbids any effort to suspend that rule.
Supporters say remote voting would reduce infections that members might incur and spread to their families and coworkers; help lawmakers understand the coronavirus’ impact on their communities; and let them show they are practicing the behavior the nation’s leaders want the public to adopt.
“There’s no reason not to model for our country what we’re asking our fellow Americans to do right now,” said Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif.
Last week, Pelosi rebuffed House Democrats at a closed-door meeting who’d suggested letting lawmakers leave the Capitol and vote electronically from their home districts, participants in the session said.
“We are the captains of the ship. We are the last to leave,” Pelosi said, according to a person who described the private meeting on condition of anonymity.
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Porter, a freshman, said she encountered resistance from Pelosi when she raised the idea with her last week on the House floor. Porter is circulating a letter calling for a rules change to allow remote voting during the emergency, along with Reps. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and Van Taylor, R-Texas.
“While Congress is an institution with a proud history, we cannot stand on tradition if it puts lives — and our ability to be the voice of our constituents — at risk,” the letter says.
Porter said Tuesday that when she handed Pelosi a copy of the proposal, Pelosi “took it, folded it in half.” Porter said that as of Tuesday evening, the letter had 45 cosponsors, including at least two Republicans.
“I respectfully think that the goal is to evacuate the ship, to get everybody off safely,” Porter said in an interview.
Nationwide, restrictions are tightening as the number of reported infections and deaths mount daily. While some officials initially advised against events with crowds exceeding 1,000, that number has gradually dropped. President Donald Trump on Monday suggested avoiding gatherings of more than 10 people.
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For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. In the United States, about 6,500 people have been diagnosed and more than 110 have died.
Because ideas about responding to the outbreak change so swiftly, no one is certain whether the opposition Pelosi and McConnell have voiced will hold as the virus spreads.
“What seems unrealistic today may not seem so unrealistic tomorrow,” said Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va.
Lawmakers have discussed having fewer committee hearings or holding them remotely. Many members of Congress have already curtailed face-to-face meetings with visitors, and many of their staffs are already working from home.
Rep. Rodney Davis of Illinois, top Republican on the House Administration Committee, said lawmakers have met daily with Congress’ doctors and other officials to discuss how the House should function during the crisis. Davis said they’ve discussed ideas like frequently cleaning the buttons on the electronic devices members use to record their votes.
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But others say even with such steps, it’s travel to Washington that’s the toughest problem to overcome.
“The harder part is getting people there, getting folks that have to fly from all over the country, or just getting folks in their 70s, 80s or 90s driving from New York or driving from Florida,” said Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va.
According to a 2018 report by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, the average age of the House the previous year was nearly 58. It was almost 62 in the Senate, which the study said made that chamber among the oldest in its history.
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Associated Press writer Padmananda Rama contributed to this report.
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The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-18--An Easy Way To Help Fight Coronavirus: Fill Out Your Census Form Now

This year ’ s decennial census ― a constitutionally required count of the American populace that ’ s vital to determine congressional districts and allocate $ 1.5 trillion in funding ― just so happens to come at the same time the country is in lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic .
You ’ ve likely already received mail from the U.S. Census Bureau providing you with a code to use online to fill out the census now .
Eleven million households had filled out their census forms as of Wednesday , according to the Census Bureau .
The Census Bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all field operations until April 1 .
It already announced a delay for its counts of people living in student housing and the homeless .
But eventually , field operations are expected to start up again ― which means sending field workers door to door to ask questions in person .
That could be unsafe , and it can definitely be minimized .
You can help .
The best way to reduce future in-person contacts by Census Bureau field workers ― and , thus , prevent the unnecessary spread of the coronavirus ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online , on the phone or by mail now .
The Census Bureau still anticipates deploying about 500,000 field workers beginning in late May to knock on the doors of people who did not respond to their forms , but there may be future disruptions related to the pandemic .
Blake Nissen for The Boston Globe via Getty Images The U.S. Census Bureau still plans on sending workers to collect information from non-responders beginning in late May .
“ The public is strongly encouraged to respond to the 2020 Census online using a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or tablet , and can also respond by phone or mail , ” Steven Dillingham , director of the Census Bureau , said in a statement on Wednesday .
“ Everyone should respond to the 2020 Census as soon as they receive their invitation — and when they ’ re finished , they can make sure their friends , families and social networks know about the importance of responding.
” Not everyone is going to be able to respond now .
Many people lack a fixed address , have limited internet access , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But those of us who can should fill out our census forms now to enable the bureau ’ s field workers to focus only on people with the most difficulty responding to the census — and not on people who could have , but failed , to fill out their forms .
The more people who fill out their forms now means fewer doors to knock and , thus , less potential exposure to the virus for field workers .
It ’ s just one small thing to do to make life easier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out and fulfill the Constitution ’ s call for a full count of the American people .

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This year’s decennial census ― a constitutionally required count of the American populace that’s vital to determine congressional districts and allocate $1.5 trillion in funding ― just so happens to come at the same time the country is in lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
You’ve likely already received mail from the U.S. Census Bureau providing you with a code to use online to fill out the census now. Eleven million households had filled out their census forms as of Wednesday, according to the Census Bureau.
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The Census Bureau announced on Wednesday that it is suspending all field operations until April 1. It already announced a delay for its counts of people living in student housing and the homeless.
But eventually, field operations are expected to start up again ― which means sending field workers door to door to ask questions in person.
That could be unsafe, and it can definitely be minimized. You can help. The best way to reduce future in-person contacts by Census Bureau field workers ― and, thus, prevent the unnecessary spread of the coronavirus ― is to fill out your census form online, on the phone or by mail now.
The Census Bureau still anticipates deploying about 500,000 field workers beginning in late May to knock on the doors of people who did not respond to their forms, but there may be future disruptions related to the pandemic.
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The U.S. Census Bureau still plans on sending workers to collect information from non-responders beginning in late May. Blake Nissen for The Boston Globe via Getty Images
“The public is strongly encouraged to respond to the 2020 Census online using a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet, and can also respond by phone or mail,” Steven Dillingham, director of the Census Bureau, said in a statement on Wednesday. “Everyone should respond to the 2020 Census as soon as they receive their invitation — and when they’re finished, they can make sure their friends, families and social networks know about the importance of responding.”
Not everyone is going to be able to respond now. Many people lack a fixed address, have limited internet access, move regularly or lack English proficiency.
But those of us who can should fill out our census forms now to enable the bureau’s field workers to focus only on people with the most difficulty responding to the census — and not on people who could have, but failed, to fill out their forms. The more people who fill out their forms now means fewer doors to knock and, thus, less potential exposure to the virus for field workers.
It’s just one small thing to do to make life easier for those who will have to go out and fulfill the Constitution’s call for a full count of the American people.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-18--U.S. Immigration Courts Shut After Outcry Over Coronavirus Fears

NEW YORK , March 17 ( Reuters ) - The U.S. government canceled all deportation hearings for immigrants not in detention after immigration judges and government prosecutors complained busy courts were putting them at risk of COVID-19 infection .
Kathryn Mattingly , a spokeswoman for the Executive Office for Immigration Review , the arm of the U.S. Department of Justice that runs the nation ’ s immigration courts , said in statement just after midnight the closures were effective March 18 , 2020 , through April 10 , 2020 .
Cases of immigrants stuck in detention will be heard as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a question about whether hearings for migrants returned to Mexico under a Trump administration program known as the “ Migrant Protection Protocols ” would continue .
The decision came after unions representing immigration judges and prosecutors from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement called for the shutdown .
A dozen current government employees working in the U.S. immigration system told Reuters on Tuesday that they were concerned courts had remained open for so long despite the spreading outbreak .
U.S. President Donald Trump has made an immigration crackdown the centerpiece of his presidency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 re-election campaign .
A key push has been to reduce the massive backlog of pending deportation cases , with the Justice Department pushing to move migrants through the system faster .
Judge Ashley Tabaddor , head of the immigration judge ’ s union , said in an email on Tuesday a judge in Denver has been at home with symptoms that suggest infection but has not been able to take a test to verify .
And private attorney in Atlanta was experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and was under self-quarantine , Tabaddor said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ judges last week and another the week before , she added .
Separately U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS ) , the agency that processes visa and green card applications , sent a message to all employees late on Tuesday that in-person interviews - including for asylum seekers - and naturalization ceremonies for new citizens would be canceled around the country until at least April 1 .
Courts in Atlanta , Charlotte , North Carolina , Houston , Louisville , Kentucky , Memphis , Tennessee , New York City , Newark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles , California would shut down .
The court in Seattle - in an epicenter of the U.S. outbreak - had already been shuttered .

NEW YORK, March 17 (Reuters) - The U.S. government canceled all deportation hearings for immigrants not in detention after immigration judges and government prosecutors complained busy courts were putting them at risk of COVID-19 infection.
Kathryn Mattingly, a spokeswoman for the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the arm of the U.S. Department of Justice that runs the nation’s immigration courts, said in statement just after midnight the closures were effective March 18, 2020, through April 10, 2020. Cases of immigrants stuck in detention will be heard as scheduled.
Mattingly did not immediately respond to a question about whether hearings for migrants returned to Mexico under a Trump administration program known as the “Migrant Protection Protocols” would continue.
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The decision came after unions representing immigration judges and prosecutors from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement called for the shutdown. A dozen current government employees working in the U.S. immigration system told Reuters on Tuesday that they were concerned courts had remained open for so long despite the spreading outbreak.
U.S. President Donald Trump has made an immigration crackdown the centerpiece of his presidency and a major talking point of his 2020 re-election campaign. A key push has been to reduce the massive backlog of pending deportation cases, with the Justice Department pushing to move migrants through the system faster.
Judge Ashley Tabaddor, head of the immigration judge’s union, said in an email on Tuesday a judge in Denver has been at home with symptoms that suggest infection but has not been able to take a test to verify. And private attorney in Atlanta was experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and was under self-quarantine, Tabaddor said. The attorney was in contact with two judges last week and another the week before, she added.
Separately U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency that processes visa and green card applications, sent a message to all employees late on Tuesday that in-person interviews - including for asylum seekers - and naturalization ceremonies for new citizens would be canceled around the country until at least April 1.
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Courts in Atlanta, Charlotte, North Carolina, Houston, Louisville, Kentucky, Memphis, Tennessee, New York City, Newark, New Jersey and Sacramento and Los Angeles, California would shut down. The court in Seattle - in an epicenter of the U.S. outbreak - had already been shuttered.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-18--Trump Compared To Coronavirus In GOP Group's Brutal New Attack Ad

There ’ s a virus in the world .
For some people the virus is easy to see , others @ @ @ @ @ at all .
Some say the virus isn ’ t that bad ; others say @ @ @ @ @ .
Since there are those who still can ’ t see it , wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ to tell the truth about the virus , since there is a virus ?

There’s a virus in the world. For some people the virus is easy to see, others don’t see it at all.
Some say the virus isn’t that bad; others say its malicious … and dangerous.
Since there are those who still can’t see it, wouldn’t it be smart, to tell the truth about the virus, since there is a virus?