thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--‘Where Is Dr. Fauci?’ Key Expert Missing From Coronavirus Briefing For Second Day

Dr. Anthony Fauci , one of the nation ’ s touchstones for scientific wisdom amid the spread of COVID-19 , was absent from the White House ’ s daily briefing for the second day in a row on Monday , prompting many to wonder where the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert was as the nation reels from the rising pandemic .
President Donald Trump spoke about the administration ’ s efforts to rein in the outbreak and provide personal protective equipment to some hospitals already straining under an influx of sick patients .
But while the president repeated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stronger than ever before , ” there was limited medical advice given .
Fauci , who serves as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , has for many become a beacon of truth and straight talk as coronavirus continues to spread around the country , often walking back unfounded claims made by the president ( the timeline of a coronavirus vaccine , for example , or the growth rate of infections ) .
When asked about reports that Trump had become frustrated with Fauci ’ s no-nonsense approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , the NIH directed questions to the White House .
Dr. Deborah Birx , the White House ’ s coronavirus response coordinator , spoke about the infection rates in states around the country , saying each state would have its own disease curve to deal with .
But she declined to answer repeated questions on if she agreed with Trump ’ s assessments that the country could soon go back to business as usual or about what kind of timeline for a return to normality that Americans should expect .
“ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is assemble all the data and give us our best medical recommendation , ” she said .
“ We ’ re pulling all of the data pieces right now .
I will never speculate on data .
I will have to see that data.
” Fauci gave an in-depth interview to Science this weekend and addressed how he had managed to remain at the White House when many , many others who have stood in Trump ’ s path have been fired for disagreements .
“ Even though we disagree on some things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scientific journal .
“ He goes his own way .
He has his own style .
But on substantive issues , he does listen to what I say.
” “ I was just with him for a long time , ” Trump said .
“ He understand this is a tremendous test to our country .
It was nobody ’ s fault ; it just happened .
This horrible virus came from nowhere .
He fully understands that.
” Trump said repeatedly he was hoping to “ open up ” the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sooner ” than people were expecting .
The Washington Post reported Monday that the White House was weighing calls from GOP lawmakers and advisers to scale back social distancing steps in order to kickstart the financial markets despite warnings from public health officials .
When asked what public health officials thought of the plan , including Fauci , Trump said they didn ’ t disagree with him , but he also alluded that measures called for by the medical community were at odds with what he considers best for the economy .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they ’ d say let ’ s shut down the entire world , ” Trump said , noting earlier : “ I ’ m not looking at months .
We ’ re going to be opening up our country .
… You can ’ t keep it closed for years .
OK ?
This is going away .
We ’ re going to win the battle .
”

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Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the nation’s touchstones for scientific wisdom amid the spread of COVID-19, was absent from the White House’s daily briefing for the second day in a row on Monday, prompting many to wonder where the nation’s top infectious disease expert was as the nation reels from the rising pandemic.
President Donald Trump spoke about the administration’s efforts to rein in the outbreak and provide personal protective equipment to some hospitals already straining under an influx of sick patients. But while the president repeated platitudes about the country soon being “stronger than ever before,” there was limited medical advice given.
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Fauci, who serves as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has for many become a beacon of truth and straight talk as coronavirus continues to spread around the country, often walking back unfounded claims made by the president (the timeline of a coronavirus vaccine, for example, or the growth rate of infections).
“I was just with him for a long time,” President Trump says when asked about Dr. Anthony Fauci’s absence at today’s briefing.
“He’s a good man. I like Dr. Fauci a lot,” Trump says, adding that Fauci is at a coronavirus task force meeting. https://t.co/Ug3layjLmo pic.twitter.com/HgNaKPc5pH — ABC News (@ABC) March 23, 2020
But Fauci’s microphone has also reportedly drawn the president’s ire. The New York Times reported Monday that Trump has become frustrated with Fauci’s blunt manner and his contradicting of White House statements.
The National Institutes of Health said Monday that Fauci was still a regular part of the White House briefing schedule.
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“He has been at the White House today, in fact,” a spokesperson for the NIH told HuffPost. “They are doing a rotating cast for the briefings.”
When asked about reports that Trump had become frustrated with Fauci’s no-nonsense approach to his warnings about the threat of coronavirus, the NIH directed questions to the White House.
The Trump administration did not immediately reply to a request for comment on Fauci’s appearances.
President Donald Trump speaks about the coronavirus as Attorney General William Barr and Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, listen. Alex Brandon/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House’s coronavirus response coordinator, spoke about the infection rates in states around the country, saying each state would have its own disease curve to deal with. But she declined to answer repeated questions on if she agreed with Trump’s assessments that the country could soon go back to business as usual or about what kind of timeline for a return to normality that Americans should expect.
“What the president has asked us to do is assemble all the data and give us our best medical recommendation,” she said. “We’re pulling all of the data pieces right now. I will never speculate on data. I will have to see that data.”
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Fauci gave an in-depth interview to Science this weekend and addressed how he had managed to remain at the White House when many, many others who have stood in Trump’s path have been fired for disagreements.
“Even though we disagree on some things, he listens,” Fauci told the scientific journal. “He goes his own way. He has his own style. But on substantive issues, he does listen to what I say.”
Trump did say Monday that he had “learned a lot” from Fauci and Birx.
“I can say I’m a student, you’re a student, we’re all in this together,” Trump said. “I’ve learned a lot from Deborah, I’ve learned a lot from Tony, from a lot of people.”
When pressed about where Fauci was on Monday, the president pledged he would be “back up very soon.”
“I was just with him for a long time,” Trump said. “He understand this is a tremendous test to our country. It was nobody’s fault; it just happened. This horrible virus came from nowhere. He fully understands that.”
“He’s a good man” the president continued. “I like Dr. Fauci a lot.”
Trump said repeatedly he was hoping to “open up” the country and its foundering economy “a lot sooner” than people were expecting. The Washington Post reported Monday that the White House was weighing calls from GOP lawmakers and advisers to scale back social distancing steps in order to kickstart the financial markets despite warnings from public health officials.
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When asked what public health officials thought of the plan, including Fauci, Trump said they didn’t disagree with him, but he also alluded that measures called for by the medical community were at odds with what he considers best for the economy.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--Trump Claims U.S. Will See More Death By Keeping Economy Shut Than By Coronavirus

“ It ’ s bad , and obviously the numbers are going to increase with time , and they ’ re going to start to decrease , and we ’ re going to be opening our country up for business because our country was meant to be open , ” Trump said , despite the rising COVID-19 death toll .
The U.S. saw confirmed cases rise to more than 41,000 on Monday , with nearly 600 deaths , according to the Johns Hopkins medical school ’ s coronavirus resource center .
World Health Organization Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stressing that it took 67 days from the first reported case to reach the first 100,000 cases , 11 days for the second 100,000 cases and just four days for the third 100,000 cases .
The president said he wants the country to be “ back to business ” soon .
Though he didn ’ t give an exact timeline , he said it won ’ t be “ three or four months as some people were saying and a lot of people thought originally.
” The “ people ” Trump was referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts .
There are “ certain hot spots like New York , ” and the federal government has to work on those spots , “ but at the same time , at a certain point , we have to get open , and we have to get moving , ” Trump said .
“ We don ’ t want to lose these companies .
We don ’ t want to lose these workers.
” “ We have a very active flu season , more active than most .
It ’ s looking like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more deaths — deaths , not cases .
50,000 deaths — which is , that ’ s a lot , ” he said .
“ And you look at automobile accidents , which are far greater than any numbers we ’ re talking about .
That doesn ’ t mean we ’ re going to tell everybody no more driving of cars .
So we have to do things to get our country open.
” As reporters pushed the president on why he would open up businesses when the country is seeing COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said that more people would die from economic and social restrictions than from allowing the virus to spread .
“ You have suicides over things like this , when you have terrible economies , ” the president said , adding that “ the cure has been very tough.
” CNN reporter Kaitlin Collins asked Trump if any doctors on his team have agreed with him that it ’ s the right decision to ease social-distancing guidelines in a matter of weeks .
“ If it were up to the doctors , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep it shut down ― let ’ s shut down the entire world , ” he said .
“ You can ’ t do that with a country ― especially the No .
1 economy anywhere in the world , by far … you can ’ t do that .
It causes bigger problems than the original.
” Pressed again on whether any doctors have endorsed easing the guidelines soon , Trump said they have “ not endorsed ” but that “ I think they ’ re OK with it , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the second consecutive briefing in which Dr. Anthony Fauci , the country ’ s leading infectious disease expert , was not present .
Asked if he ’ ll listen to Fauci if he advises him to maintain the self-isolating guidelines beyond 15 days , Trump said : “ Yeah … then ultimately I have to make a decision .
”

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President Donald Trump’s insistence on downplaying the coronavirus risks reached dangerous levels Monday as he scoffed at medical advice and threatened to open up the economy despite skyrocketing case numbers.
At the White House’s daily coronavirus briefing, the president focused on wanting to reopen businesses very soon despite global guidance to essentially shut down societies and encourage people to stay home.
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“It’s bad, and obviously the numbers are going to increase with time, and they’re going to start to decrease, and we’re going to be opening our country up for business because our country was meant to be open,” Trump said, despite the rising COVID-19 death toll.
The U.S. saw confirmed cases rise to more than 41,000 on Monday, with nearly 600 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins medical school’s coronavirus resource center. World Health Organization Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Monday that the pandemic is actually accelerating ― stressing that it took 67 days from the first reported case to reach the first 100,000 cases, 11 days for the second 100,000 cases and just four days for the third 100,000 cases.
The #COVID19 pandemic is accelerating. It took 67 days from the 1st reported case to reach the first 100K cases, 11 days for the second 100K cases & just 4 days for the third 100K cases.
These numbers matter, these are people, whose lives & families have been turned upside down. https://t.co/VydhLBNq36 — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 23, 2020
But these numbers have not appeared to influence Trump’s desire to shift the priority back to the economy.
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The president said he wants the country to be “back to business” soon. Though he didn’t give an exact timeline, he said it won’t be “three or four months as some people were saying and a lot of people thought originally.” The “people” Trump was referring to were the nation’s health experts.
There are “certain hot spots like New York,” and the federal government has to work on those spots, “but at the same time, at a certain point, we have to get open, and we have to get moving,” Trump said. “We don’t want to lose these companies. We don’t want to lose these workers.”
Trump repeated that “we can do two things at one time” before again bringing up flu deaths and motor vehicle fatalities.
“We have a very active flu season, more active than most. It’s looking like it’s heading to 50,000 or more deaths — deaths, not cases. 50,000 deaths — which is, that’s a lot,” he said. “And you look at automobile accidents, which are far greater than any numbers we’re talking about. That doesn’t mean we’re going to tell everybody no more driving of cars. So we have to do things to get our country open.”
As reporters pushed the president on why he would open up businesses when the country is seeing COVID-19 deaths occur at a faster rate, Trump said that more people would die from economic and social restrictions than from allowing the virus to spread.
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“You have suicides over things like this, when you have terrible economies,” the president said, adding that “the cure has been very tough.”
CNN reporter Kaitlin Collins asked Trump if any doctors on his team have agreed with him that it’s the right decision to ease social-distancing guidelines in a matter of weeks.
“If it were up to the doctors, they may say, ’Let’s keep it shut down ― let’s shut down the entire world,” he said. “You can’t do that with a country ― especially the No. 1 economy anywhere in the world, by far … you can’t do that. It causes bigger problems than the original.”
Pressed again on whether any doctors have endorsed easing the guidelines soon, Trump said they have “not endorsed” but that “I think they’re OK with it, and I’m OK with it.”
Monday was the second consecutive briefing in which Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s leading infectious disease expert, was not present. Asked if he’ll listen to Fauci if he advises him to maintain the self-isolating guidelines beyond 15 days, Trump said: “Yeah … then ultimately I have to make a decision.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-24--Chris Cuomo Warns Media: Anthony Fauci Is Facing Something Worse Than Coronavirus

“ He ’ s become like America ’ s grandpa , ” Cuomo said .
“ He gives conscience and comfort and fact to this country , and uniquely so.
” But Fauci was absent Monday after reports surfaced that Trump wasn ’ t happy with him for contradicting the White House .
This prompted Cuomo to warn the media against making the doctor a “ foil ” to the president .
“ Do you know what ’ s more dangerous than COVID ?
” Cuomo asked .
” Telling the truth about Trump as a member of the executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Why put Fauci in a position of having to admit that Trump is wrong or lying when we already know that to be the case ?
” As he spoke , a graphic on the screen urged : “ Don ’ t make Fauci fact check Trump , that ’ s journalists ’ job.
” Cuomo also said Fauci needs to be above politics so he can lead the fight against the pandemic : Dr. Anthony Fauci gives conscious and comfort and fact to this country , says @ ChrisCuomo .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this any better or faster without Tony Fauci present and up front , '' he adds .
pic.twitter.com/wXLT2LDlk0 — Cuomo Prime Time ( @ CuomoPrimeTime ) March 24 , 2020

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“He’s become like America’s grandpa,” Cuomo said. “He gives conscience and comfort and fact to this country, and uniquely so.”
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But Fauci was absent Monday after reports surfaced that Trump wasn’t happy with him for contradicting the White House. This prompted Cuomo to warn the media against making the doctor a “foil” to the president.
“Do you know what’s more dangerous than COVID?” Cuomo asked. ”Telling the truth about Trump as a member of the executive branch. No one survives that. Why put Fauci in a position of having to admit that Trump is wrong or lying when we already know that to be the case?”
As he spoke, a graphic on the screen urged: “Don’t make Fauci fact check Trump, that’s journalists’ job.”
Cuomo also said Fauci needs to be above politics so he can lead the fight against the pandemic:
Dr. Anthony Fauci gives conscious and comfort and fact to this country, says @ChrisCuomo.
"I don't see how we get through this any better or faster without Tony Fauci present and up front," he adds. pic.twitter.com/wXLT2LDlk0 — Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) March 24, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-24--Texas Lt. Gov. Ripped For Saying Seniors May Be Willing To Die For The Economy

Twitter users are calling out Texas Lt. Gov .
Dan Patrick for claiming that “ lots of grandparents out there ” are willing to take a chance against the COVID-19 coronavirus in order to save the economy .
Speaking on Fox News , Patrick agreed with President Donald Trump ’ s proposal for a quicker end to the shutdowns that have stalled the economy .
The closures and stay-at-home instructions are aimed at stopping the spread of the virus , especially to those most vulnerable , such as seniors , who make up 80 % of all U.S. deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , indicated he ’ s willing to put his own survival on the line in exchange for “ keeping the America that all America loves ” for future generations .
“ And if that ’ s the exchange , I ’ m all in , ” he told Tucker Carlson , adding there are “ lots of grandparents ” who agree .
“ My message is that let ’ s get back to work , let ’ s get back to living , let ’ s be smart about it , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ll take care of ourselves .
But don ’ t sacrifice the country , ” he said .
Twitter users were aghast at the notion of grandparents being sacrificed to the virus in the name of the economy : This kind of numbnuttery will kill people in Texas .
Young as well as old .
We need a state-wide shelter in place order to stop the spread of coronavirus and save hundreds of thousands of lives .
https : //t.co/C8r9Q7t2vs — Beto O'Rourke ( @ BetoORourke ) March 24 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not like to see them as human sacrifices at the altar of the stock market and did not realize this desire had to be actively defended !
https : //t.co/nRvtZ8ywnA — Emma Baccellieri ( @ emmabaccellieri ) March 24 , 2020 Telling y'all , if Dan Patrick wants to sacrifice *himself , * that 's fine .
When he begins volunteering *other people* to sacrifice themselves on behalf of the state , then that 's genocide .
https : //t.co/HOMy5L3Csp — Brandon Friedman ( @ BFriedmanDC ) March 24 , 2020 To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bathrooms only to be sacrificed by Dan Patrick himself .
What a twist .
https : //t.co/D8YVqE6wf0 — Evan ( @ evan7257 ) March 24 , 2020 I have to say , while the GOP ’ s dark , Shirley Jackson-esque plot twist isn ’ t entirely unexpected , that the primary victims would be a significant part of Trump ’ s base is certainly a surprise .
https : //t.co/B5ZwOx62TN — Radley Balko ( @ radleybalko ) March 24 , 2020 .
@ DanPatrick Do I have to choose which one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they do that for me ?
Is there a test they take ?
Maybe a panel of people who assess which ones can survive the longest ?
— Bradley P. Moss ( @ BradMossEsq ) March 24 , 2020 Hello it ’ s me a principled conservative and I am here to say why wait for grandma and grandpa to die in the pandemic when we can start hunting them for sport today — Mariya Alexander ( @ MariyaAlexander ) March 24 , 2020 Also , that ’ s the same guy who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , always going on about how it ’ s the government ’ s duty to protect people from the imaginary threat of trans people in bathrooms ... now being like “ Well , sorry , grandma ’ s got ta go for the sake of the market ” — Parker Molloy ( @ ParkerMolloy ) March 24 , 2020 2016 : `` Let 's make America great again ! ''
2020 : `` If hundreds of thousands of you have to die for us to have a lot of brands of cereal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is '' https : //t.co/hGKaqpvDwK — Mike Drucker ( @ MikeDrucker ) March 24 , 2020 Hey Memaws and Pawpaws , Texas Lt. Gov .
Dan Patrick thinks it 's better for you to die than for the stock market to crash .
You ready to die for the Dow ?
https : //t.co/nzkjL84Pl1 — Leanne Potts ( @ TheRealMLPotts ) March 24 , 2020 YOU CANT BE A PRO LIFE REPUBLICAN AND ALSO WANT PEOPLE TO DIE FOR THE DOW JONES — my king is andrew yang ( @ yang2020fangirl ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single week inside , right-wingers are asking you to consider letting grandma die so their favorite Cheesecake Factory reopens .
drinking bottomless margaritas on some cruise ship called `` Mermaid Of The Seas '' is a life or death issue for them — Brendan Karet 🚮 ( @ bad_takes ) March 24 , 2020 I strongly resist duplexes being built in my neighborhood bc it would ruin its historic character also I ’ m ready to die for the Dow — Jason Goldman ( @ goldman ) March 24 , 2020 I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this , I 'm sorry .
This is sickening , pure and simple , beyond the type of shit you 'd see as a cynical joke in dystopian fiction .
Asking the elderly to sacrifice themselves for the economy - Dan Patrick and Tucker can fuck all the way off .
https : //t.co/1TKserPuzk — Steve Orlando ( @ thesteveorlando ) March 24 , 2020

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Twitter users are calling out Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for claiming that “lots of grandparents out there” are willing to take a chance against the COVID-19 coronavirus in order to save the economy.
Speaking on Fox News, Patrick agreed with President Donald Trump’s proposal for a quicker end to the shutdowns that have stalled the economy.
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The closures and stay-at-home instructions are aimed at stopping the spread of the virus, especially to those most vulnerable, such as seniors, who make up 80% of all U.S. deaths.
But Patrick, who turns 70 next month, indicated he’s willing to put his own survival on the line in exchange for “keeping the America that all America loves” for future generations.
“My message is that let’s get back to work, let’s get back to living, let’s be smart about it, and those of us who are 70-plus, we’ll take care of ourselves. But don’t sacrifice the country,” he said.
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Twitter users were aghast at the notion of grandparents being sacrificed to the virus in the name of the economy:
This kind of numbnuttery will kill people in Texas. Young as well as old. We need a state-wide shelter in place order to stop the spread of coronavirus and save hundreds of thousands of lives. https://t.co/C8r9Q7t2vs — Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) March 24, 2020
I love my grandparents very dearly and would not like to see them as human sacrifices at the altar of the stock market and did not realize this desire had to be actively defended! https://t.co/nRvtZ8ywnA — Emma Baccellieri (@emmabaccellieri) March 24, 2020
Telling y'all, if Dan Patrick wants to sacrifice *himself,* that's fine. When he begins volunteering *other people* to sacrifice themselves on behalf of the state, then that's genocide. https://t.co/HOMy5L3Csp — Brandon Friedman (@BFriedmanDC) March 24, 2020
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To think Texans survived Jade Helm and transgender bathrooms only to be sacrificed by Dan Patrick himself. What a twist. https://t.co/D8YVqE6wf0 — Evan (@evan7257) March 24, 2020
I have to say, while the GOP’s dark, Shirley Jackson-esque plot twist isn’t entirely unexpected, that the primary victims would be a significant part of Trump’s base is certainly a surprise. https://t.co/B5ZwOx62TN — Radley Balko (@radleybalko) March 24, 2020
.@DanPatrick Do I have to choose which one of my grandparents to sacrifice, or do they do that for me? Is there a test they take? Maybe a panel of people who assess which ones can survive the longest? — Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) March 24, 2020
Pump Up the Curve - Dan Patrick https://t.co/JKY3kaHGDO — John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) March 24, 2020
Hello it’s me a principled conservative and I am here to say why wait for grandma and grandpa to die in the pandemic when we can start hunting them for sport today — Mariya Alexander (@MariyaAlexander) March 24, 2020
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2010: Conservatives freak out over “death panels.”
2020: Conservatives endorse reality version of “Logan’s Run.” pic.twitter.com/7SiDNL7VrM — Daniel W. Drezner (@dandrezner) March 24, 2020
I’d prefer to keep my one remaining grandparent, thanks. https://t.co/6K0s1l6IuS — Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) March 24, 2020
Also, that’s the same guy who loses his shit about trans people existing, always going on about how it’s the government’s duty to protect people from the imaginary threat of trans people in bathrooms... now being like “Well, sorry, grandma’s gotta go for the sake of the market” — Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) March 24, 2020
2016: "Let's make America great again!"
2020: "If hundreds of thousands of you have to die for us to have a lot of brands of cereal, I guess that's just the way it is" https://t.co/hGKaqpvDwK — Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) March 24, 2020
“Screw the masks & ventilators and start printing up those “I’D DIE FOR THE DOW!” t-shirts for Florida’s nursing homes!” — Scott Linnen (@ScottLinnen) March 24, 2020
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Die for the Dow. https://t.co/9FIjpWTIur — Cameron Johnson (@cameronjawesome) March 24, 2020
Hey Memaws and Pawpaws, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick thinks it's better for you to die than for the stock market to crash. You ready to die for the Dow? https://t.co/nzkjL84Pl1 — Leanne Potts (@TheRealMLPotts) March 24, 2020
YOU CANT BE A PRO LIFE REPUBLICAN AND ALSO WANT PEOPLE TO DIE FOR THE DOW JONES — my king is andrew yang (@yang2020fangirl) March 23, 2020
after spending a single week inside, right-wingers are asking you to consider letting grandma die so their favorite Cheesecake Factory reopens. drinking bottomless margaritas on some cruise ship called "Mermaid Of The Seas" is a life or death issue for them — Brendan Karet 🚮 (@bad_takes) March 24, 2020
thank God none of our grandparents watch FOX News https://t.co/wJnHbV6ot1 — Matt Oswalt (@MattOswaltVA) March 24, 2020
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I strongly resist duplexes being built in my neighborhood bc it would ruin its historic character also I’m ready to die for the Dow — Jason Goldman (@goldman) March 24, 2020
I don't often go wild here but fuck this, I'm sorry. This is sickening, pure and simple, beyond the type of shit you'd see as a cynical joke in dystopian fiction. Asking the elderly to sacrifice themselves for the economy - Dan Patrick and Tucker can fuck all the way off. https://t.co/1TKserPuzk — Steve Orlando (@thesteveorlando) March 24, 2020
Amazing how they’ll die for the Dow Jones to save their grandchildren but won’t do anything to stop the planet from melting https://t.co/eD0RdFyWLd — lights out (@countdown2march) March 24, 2020
*taptaptap*
Hi, 1st gen/naturalized Texan here.
DAN PATRICK IS A DELUSIONAL PIECE OF GARBAGE.
Protect your Ma-Maws and your Pa-Paws.
Por favor, protege a tu abuelas y abuelos.
STAY THE HELL HOME for as long as you can. #COVID19 #coronavirus #StayHome — Tanya 수정 Tarr (@nerdette) March 24, 2020
Genocide is the destruction of a national/ethnic/racial/religious group in whole or in part, but shouldn't it cover the preventable deaths of an entire generation? Because Dan Patrick, monster, thinks this'd be noble for the sake of a near work of fiction called "the economy". https://t.co/7kds1BVylM — Their Excellency Elan Morgan 🦉 (@schmutzie) March 24, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-24--Chris Hayes Exposes Fox News' Alarming Reporting On Coronavirus

Chris Hayes on Monday called out Fox News for performing an “ utterly insane about-face ” with its coverage of the coronavirus pandemic .
The host of MSNBC ’ s “ All In ” noted how some of the widely watched conservative network ’ s most popular hosts — including Sean Hannity , the staunch ally of President Donald Trump ― had started reporting on the public health crisis weeks ago simply “ by echoing the president ’ s line , downplaying the coronavirus saying it was just like the seasonal flu and Democrats are weaponizing and hyping it.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in the U.S. continued to rise , they “ then turned around and started saying , ‘ this is deadly serious .
The president ’ s got it under control .
Also , we don ’ t like China , ’ ” Hayes noted .
Hayes and The New York Times media columnist Ben Smith then picked apart the latest pivot from the network to acknowledging the dire situation but calling for the economy not to be shut down , as Trump appeared to suggest .
Check out the clip above .

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Chris Hayes on Monday called out Fox News for performing an “utterly insane about-face” with its coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.
The host of MSNBC’s “All In” pointed out how some of the conservative network’s most popular hosts — including Sean Hannity, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump ― had started reporting on the public health crisis weeks ago simply “by echoing the president’s line, downplaying the coronavirus, saying it was just like the seasonal flu and Democrats are weaponizing and hyping it.”
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But as the number of cases in the United States and worldwide continued to rise, they “then turned around and started saying, ‘This is deadly serious. The president’s got it under control. Also, we don’t like China,’” Hayes said.
Hayes and The New York Times media columnist Ben Smith then picked apart the network’s latest shift in acknowledging the dire situation but calling for the economy to be rebooted, as Trump has appeared to suggest.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-24--Harvard Professor Makes Ominous Prediction About Number Of Coronavirus Cases In U.S.

Marc Lipsitch , a professor of epidemiology at Harvard ’ s School of Public Health , on Monday issued a stark warning about the dearth of testing for the coronavirus in the U.S .
In an opinion column for The Washington Post , Lipsitch ripped “ the feckless federal response ” in speeding up testing delays , which he said meant “ most cases here are not being confirmed , even now.
” He said the true number of people infected with the virus in the U.S. could be more than 10 times higher than the confirmed figure .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sickened more than 46,000 nationwide .
It had killed 582 .
“ Even though many places are reporting relatively small numbers of confirmed cases , this is not comforting , ” Lipsitch wrote .
“ In many parts of the country , we are seeing rising numbers of flu-like illnesses that when tested , are not flu , and may well actually be COVID-19 if only we could test them.
” He added : “ If we can scale up testing and reduce case numbers through effective social distancing , we should consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracing , which work best in synergy with social distancing .
”

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Marc Lipsitch, a professor of epidemiology at Harvard’s School of Public Health, on Monday issued a stark warning about the dearth of testing for the coronavirus in the U.S.
In an opinion column for The Washington Post, Lipsitch ripped “the feckless federal response” in speeding up testing delays, which he said meant “most cases here are not being confirmed, even now.”
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He said the true number of people infected with the virus in the U.S. could be more than 10 times higher than the confirmed figure. As of Tuesday morning, the virus had sickened more than 46,000 nationwide. It had killed 582.
“Even though many places are reporting relatively small numbers of confirmed cases, this is not comforting,” Lipsitch wrote. “In many parts of the country, we are seeing rising numbers of flu-like illnesses that when tested, are not flu, and may well actually be COVID-19 if only we could test them.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-24--Ex-Trump Advisers Issue Coronavirus Warning: Don't Prioritize Economy Over Lives

A trio of former top advisers to President Donald Trump have warned against attempting to boost the U.S. economy by relaxing the social distancing measures that are aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus .
Trump himself has touted the prospect in recent days .
“ We can not let the cure be worse than the problem itself , ” he tweeted in all-caps Sunday .
On Monday , he claimed the U.S. will “ soon be open for business , very soon , a lot sooner than three or four months , as somebody was suggesting.
” Former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , former Homeland Security adviser Tom Bossert and former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon have all countered the idea .
Gottlieb , who led the FDA for two years until 2019 , argued in a lengthy Twitter thread late Monday that “ it should not be lost on anyone that there ’ s no such thing as a functioning economy and society so long as COVID-19 continues to spread uncontrolled in our biggest cities.
” “ So long as COVID-19 spreads uncontrolled , older people will die in historic numbers , middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fight for their lives , hospitals will be overwhelmed , and most Americans terrified to leave homes , eat out , take the subway , or go to the park , ” he explained .
“ There are two ways to end this .
Let a vast swath of people catch COVID which is unthinkable , or break the epidemic , ” he noted .
“ We must choose the latter.
” THREAD : There ’ s a strong and understandable desire to return to better times and a functioning economy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone that there 's no such thing as a functioning economy and society so long as covid-19 continues to spread uncontrolled in our biggest cities .
— Scott Gottlieb , MD ( @ ScottGottliebMD ) March 24 , 2020 So long as covid-19 spreads uncontrolled , older people will die in historic numbers , middle aged folks doomed to prolonged ICU stays to fight for their lives , hospitals will be overwhelmed , and most Americans terrified to leave homes , eat out , take the subway , or go to the park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ScottGottliebMD ) March 24 , 2020 The only way to return to a stable economy and restore our liberty , is to end epidemic spread of covid-19 .
We need a massive effort to offset the hardship of these efforts , and the public health costs they impose , as there are more than economic costs to the measures we 're taking — Scott Gottlieb , MD ( @ ScottGottliebMD ) March 24 , 2020 But there 's no functioning healthcare with hospitals overwhelmed , no return to work with people terrified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are two ways to end this .
Let a vast swath of people catch covid which is unthinkable , or break the epidemic .
We must choose the latter — Scott Gottlieb , MD ( @ ScottGottliebMD ) March 24 , 2020 This pathogen brought China to a standstill , with perhaps greater lethality than Spanish Flu .
Many middle-aged people are suffering long stays in ICU and survive only after weeks of critical care .
Make no mistake about it , this pathogen spares nobody , except thankfully the young .
— @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) March 24 , 2020 There 's no easy return .
We must accept a sober truth .
This pathogen has altered history and changed our world .
But it caught us at a time when we have the public health tools , technology , and know how to defeat it quickly and vanquish it for good .
We must stay on the battlefield .
— Scott Gottlieb , MD ( @ ScottGottliebMD ) March 24 , 2020 Bossert , who resigned from his homeland security role in the Trump White House in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. would “ top the list of countries with the most cases in approximately 1 week , ” arguing “ this does NOT make social intervention futile .
It makes it imperative !
” Sadly , the numbers now suggest the U.S. is poised to take the lead in # coronavirus cases .
It ’ s reasonable to plan for the US to top the list of countries with the most cases in approximately 1 week .
This does NOT make social intervention futile .
It makes it imperative !
— Thomas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 , 2020 In a later thread , Bossert acknowledged “ the economic impacts of social distancing are very difficult ” as he laid out the “ sound ” concept of the strategy : Stay firm on # coronavirus The economic impacts of social distancing are very difficult , to say the least .
Understanding the alternative is instructive .
Truly understanding being key .
Also , explaining the concept of the strategy is important .
— Thomas P. Bossert ( @ TomBossert ) March 23 , 2020 The strategy was developed carefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social costs and contemplated a targeted , layered mitigation approach that would be implemented in a staggered fashion where and when needed .
That was the initial conception , and it remains sound .
— Thomas P. Bossert ( @ TomBossert ) March 23 , 2020 In this outbreak , the time it took to recognize the threat , coupled with the lack of testing and therefore large scale case ascertainment , left us collectively with no other choice but to issue nationwide , blanket guidance for simultaneous implementation of NPI .
— @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 23 , 2020 So , the question now is twofold , can we stick to our guns when the going gets tough , and can we manage a staggered deescalation with more aggressive containment in hot spots and a looser , but highly monitored return to business in cool spots with careful , nuanced messaging ?
— Thomas P. Bossert ( @ TomBossert ) March 23 , 2020 Remember , there are no assumptions without risk .
The reason Wuhan alternated its approach ( tight , loose , tight , loose ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against second waves and uninformed , premature re-entry .
— Thomas P. Bossert ( @ TomBossert ) March 23 , 2020 That said , this is a balance .
We must release the clamp on our economy , objectively speaking .
The trick will be doing it carefully and in different degrees depending on the locality .
— Thomas P. Bossert ( @ TomBossert ) March 23 , 2020 Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon , meanwhile , told Fox News ’ Maria Bartiromo the Trump administration should “ go full hammer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full shutdown ” and then use a multi-trillion-dollar stimulus to bridge the economic crisis .
“ It ’ s going to blow up our balance sheet , ” he added .
“ But we have to get through this .
”

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Three former top advisers to President Donald Trump warned against attempting to boost the U.S. economy by relaxing social distancing measures aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus.
Trump has signaled in recent days that he’s already weary of restrictions that have brought parts of the economy to a standstill.
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“We cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself,” the president tweeted in all-caps Sunday. On Monday, he said the U.S. will “soon be open for business, very soon, a lot sooner than three or four months, as somebody was suggesting.”
Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, former Homeland Security adviser Tom Bossert and former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon all countered Trump’s notion.
Gottlieb, who led the FDA for two years until 2019, argued in a lengthy Twitter thread late Monday that “it should not be lost on anyone that there’s no such thing as a functioning economy and society so long as COVID-19 continues to spread uncontrolled in our biggest cities.”
“So long as COVID-19 spreads uncontrolled, older people will die in historic numbers, middle aged folks doomed to prolonged ICU stays to fight for their lives, hospitals will be overwhelmed, and most Americans terrified to leave homes, eat out, take the subway, or go to the park,” he explained.
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“There are two ways to end this. Let a vast swath of people catch COVID which is unthinkable, or break the epidemic,” he noted. “We must choose the latter.”
Check out Gottlieb’s full thread here:
THREAD: There’s a strong and understandable desire to return to better times and a functioning economy. But it should not be lost on anyone that there's no such thing as a functioning economy and society so long as covid-19 continues to spread uncontrolled in our biggest cities. — Scott Gottlieb, MD (@ScottGottliebMD) March 24, 2020
So long as covid-19 spreads uncontrolled, older people will die in historic numbers, middle aged folks doomed to prolonged ICU stays to fight for their lives, hospitals will be overwhelmed, and most Americans terrified to leave homes, eat out, take the subway, or go to the park. — Scott Gottlieb, MD (@ScottGottliebMD) March 24, 2020
The only way to return to a stable economy and restore our liberty, is to end epidemic spread of covid-19. We need a massive effort to offset the hardship of these efforts, and the public health costs they impose, as there are more than economic costs to the measures we're taking — Scott Gottlieb, MD (@ScottGottliebMD) March 24, 2020
But there's no functioning healthcare with hospitals overwhelmed, no return to work with people terrified of a virus raging uncontrolled. There are two ways to end this. Let a vast swath of people catch covid which is unthinkable, or break the epidemic. We must choose the latter — Scott Gottlieb, MD (@ScottGottliebMD) March 24, 2020
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This pathogen brought China to a standstill, with perhaps greater lethality than Spanish Flu. Many middle-aged people are suffering long stays in ICU and survive only after weeks of critical care. Make no mistake about it, this pathogen spares nobody, except thankfully the young. — Scott Gottlieb, MD (@ScottGottliebMD) March 24, 2020
There's no easy return. We must accept a sober truth. This pathogen has altered history and changed our world. But it caught us at a time when we have the public health tools, technology, and know how to defeat it quickly and vanquish it for good. We must stay on the battlefield. — Scott Gottlieb, MD (@ScottGottliebMD) March 24, 2020
Bossert, who resigned from his homeland security role in the Trump White House in 2018, predicted in a tweet that the U.S. would “top the list of countries with the most cases in approximately 1 week,” arguing “this does NOT make social intervention futile. It makes it imperative!”
Sadly, the numbers now suggest the U.S. is poised to take the lead in #coronavirus cases. It’s reasonable to plan for the US to top the list of countries with the most cases in approximately 1 week. This does NOT make social intervention futile. It makes it imperative! — Thomas P. Bossert (@TomBossert) March 23, 2020
In a later thread, Bossert acknowledged “the economic impacts of social distancing are very difficult” as he laid out the “sound” concept of the strategy:
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Stay firm on #coronavirus
The economic impacts of social distancing are very difficult, to say the least. Understanding the alternative is instructive. Truly understanding being key. Also, explaining the concept of the strategy is important. — Thomas P. Bossert (@TomBossert) March 23, 2020
The strategy was developed carefully in 2005-2007. It considered economic and social costs and contemplated a targeted, layered mitigation approach that would be implemented in a staggered fashion where and when needed. That was the initial conception, and it remains sound. — Thomas P. Bossert (@TomBossert) March 23, 2020
In this outbreak, the time it took to recognize the threat, coupled with the lack of testing and therefore large scale case ascertainment, left us collectively with no other choice but to issue nationwide, blanket guidance for simultaneous implementation of NPI. — Thomas P. Bossert (@TomBossert) March 23, 2020
Accepting an unmitigated spread was not a credible or even practical option. — Thomas P. Bossert (@TomBossert) March 23, 2020
So, the question now is twofold, can we stick to our guns when the going gets tough, and can we manage a staggered deescalation with more aggressive containment in hot spots and a looser, but highly monitored return to business in cool spots with careful, nuanced messaging? — Thomas P. Bossert (@TomBossert) March 23, 2020
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In hot spots, the containment effort ahead will require different testing, isolation, and quarantine standards in highly seeded areas. The deescalation and slow return effort will require serious contact tracing, testing capacity, and ideally a serological blood test. — Thomas P. Bossert (@TomBossert) March 23, 2020
Remember, there are no assumptions without risk. The reason Wuhan alternated its approach (tight, loose, tight, loose) and tested during loosening was to control against second waves and uninformed, premature re-entry. — Thomas P. Bossert (@TomBossert) March 23, 2020
That said, this is a balance. We must release the clamp on our economy, objectively speaking. The trick will be doing it carefully and in different degrees depending on the locality. — Thomas P. Bossert (@TomBossert) March 23, 2020
Former White House chief strategist Bannon, meanwhile, told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo the Trump administration should “go full hammer on the virus right now with a full shutdown” and then use a multitrillion-dollar stimulus to blunt the economic crisis.
“It’s going to blow up our balance sheet,” Bannon added. “But we have to get through this.”
Check out the interview here:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-24--Republican Group Slaps Fox With Damning Supercut Of Its Coronavirus Coverage

The Fox network ’ s widely criticized coverage of the coronavirus pandemic is the subject of a new damning montage that the anti-Trump conservative group , The Lincoln Project , released on Monday .
The supercut ― titled “ Fox & Fiends ” ― starts with a memo that Fox CEO Suzanne Scott and Fox President Jay Wallace reportedly sent to employees on Mar .
13 to remind them that “ viewers rely on us to stay informed.
” It then segues into footage of widely watched Fox personalities ― such as Sean Hannity and Lou Dobbs ― initially playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has now sickened more than 380,000 people worldwide and killed 16,500 .
Many of Fox ’ s hosts have since pivoted to acknowledging the severity of the global public health crisis , a development that has not gone unnoticed , while some are now starting to question the effect that social distancing measures are having on the economy .
“ From Sean Hannity calling the coronavirus a ‘ hoax ’ to Ainsley Earhardt calling this the ‘ safest time to fly ’ to Laura Ingraham accusing those trying to sound the alarm of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ’ FOX News has become nothing more than a propaganda outlet for Donald Trump , ” The Lincoln Project ’ s co-founder Jennifer Horn said via a statement shared online .
“ The network consistently reports lies and unverified information as fact , ” Horn added .
“ Their ‘ coverage ’ of the coronavirus pandemic has revealed just how low they are willing to go to remain in Trump ’ s good graces .
By repeating the ignorant statements made by Trump and parroting his dangerously incorrect ramblings about the deadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at grave risk .
”

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The Fox network’s widely criticized coverage of the coronavirus pandemic is the subject of a new damning montage that the anti-Trump conservative group The Lincoln Project released on Monday.
The supercut ― titled “Fox & Fiends” ― starts with a memo that Fox CEO Suzanne Scott and Fox President Jay Wallace reportedly sent to employees on March 13 to remind them that “viewers rely on us to stay informed.”
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It then segues into footage of widely watched Fox personalities ― including Sean Hannity and Lou Dobbs ― initially playing down the threat of the virus that has now sickened more than 380,000 people worldwide and killed 16,500.
Many of Fox’s hosts have since pivoted to acknowledging the severity of the global public health crisis, a shift that has not gone unnoticed, while others are now starting to question the effect that social distancing measures are having on the economy.
Check out the clip here:
“From Sean Hannity calling the coronavirus a ‘hoax’ to Ainsley Earhardt calling this the ‘safest time to fly’ to Laura Ingraham accusing those trying to sound the alarm of trying to gain ‘cheap political points,’ FOX News has become nothing more than a propaganda outlet for Donald Trump,” The Lincoln Project’s co-founder Jennifer Horn said in a statement shared online.
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“The network consistently reports lies and unverified information as fact,” Horn added. “Their ‘coverage’ of the coronavirus pandemic has revealed just how low they are willing to go to remain in Trump’s good graces. By repeating the ignorant statements made by Trump and parroting his dangerously incorrect ramblings about the deadly virus, they have placed their audience at grave risk.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--He Was Wrong On 'Contained' Coronavirus, But Larry Kudlow Says Trust Him On Social Distance

President Donald Trump ’ s top economic adviser , Larry Kudlow , finally admitted Monday he was wrong about coronavirus being “ contained ” a month ago .
But now he wants America to trust him on easing social distancing — for the good of the economy .
Kudlow was making the interview rounds apparently preparing the nation for Trump ’ s reported intention to lift social distancing restrictions in just days as the president desperately seeks a strategy that might boost the economy .
Kudlow spoke as conservative British Prime Minister Boris Johnson took the opposite tack and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown ” requirements in a bid to stem the spread of the virus there .
Kudlow said on Feb. 25 that coronavirus in the U.S. was “ contained pretty close to airtight.
” Now , with at least 41,000 cases and more than 500 deaths from the virus , he told CNBC : “ I ’ ve changed my view.
” He claimed that when he made the statement , it was “ true , factually , ” adding that “ nobody could have predicted or expected ” the surge in cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) In fact , that same day , the director of the U.S. National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases had already warned that the disease was reaching an even more dangerous level of community contagion .
Not cowed by pandemic statistics , Kudlow then pressed on CNBC for easing social distancing guidelines in a week .
“ At some point , you have to ask yourself whether the shutdown is doing more harm than good , ” he said .
Kudlow added that keeping “ the economy going ” now is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier Monday on Fox News : “ The president is right .
The cure can ’ t be worse than the disease , and we ’ re going to have to make some difficult tradeoffs.
” Health experts almost universally support social distancing as the best way currently to keep coronavirus cases down .
Several states have enacted requirements that residents stay in their homes and travel only as necessary to grocery stores , pharmacies and doctors ’ offices .
Schools in a number of states have been closed with some governors indicating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least through the summer .
The only national guidelines expressed by Trump include avoiding groups of more than 10 people and staying out of some public places until March 30 .
But on Sunday night , Trump , echoing remarks from a Fox News host , tweeted that “ we can not let the cure ” — referring to social distancing — be “ worse than the problem itself.
” He said at his White House press briefing Monday that America will “ soon be open for business ... it won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top health adviser , Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said Friday on NBC that that “ trajectory ” of the outbreak in other areas shows cases will surge for “ at least ” several weeks .
Fauci added : “ I can not see that all of a sudden , next week or two weeks from now , it ’ s going to be over .
I don ’ t think there ’ s a chance of that .
I think it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some top international health experts said restrictions should continue until there is a treatment or a vaccine , which could take as long as 18 months , or cases will keep surging .

President Donald Trump’s top economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, finally admitted Monday he was wrong about coronavirus being “contained” a month ago. But now he wants America to trust him on easing social distancing — for the good of the economy.
Kudlow was making the interview rounds apparently preparing the nation for Trump’s reported intention to lift social distancing restrictions in just days as the president desperately seeks a strategy that might boost the economy. Kudlow spoke as conservative British Prime Minister Boris Johnson took the opposite tack and for the first time enacted strict national “lockdown” requirements in a bid to stem the spread of the virus there.
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Kudlow said on Feb. 25 that coronavirus in the U.S. was “contained pretty close to airtight.” Now, with at least 41,000 cases and more than 500 deaths from the virus, he told CNBC: “I’ve changed my view.”
He claimed that when he made the statement, it was “true, factually,” adding that “nobody could have predicted or expected” the surge in cases. (Check out the video above.) In fact, that same day, the director of the U.S. National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases had already warned that the disease was reaching an even more dangerous level of community contagion.
Not cowed by pandemic statistics, Kudlow then pressed on CNBC for easing social distancing guidelines in a week. “At some point, you have to ask yourself whether the shutdown is doing more harm than good,” he said. Kudlow added that keeping “the economy going” now is the “important point.”
He also said earlier Monday on Fox News: “The president is right. The cure can’t be worse than the disease, and we’re going to have to make some difficult tradeoffs.”
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Health experts almost universally support social distancing as the best way currently to keep coronavirus cases down. Several states have enacted requirements that residents stay in their homes and travel only as necessary to grocery stores, pharmacies and doctors’ offices. Schools in a number of states have been closed with some governors indicating they won’t be open at least through the summer.
The only national guidelines expressed by Trump include avoiding groups of more than 10 people and staying out of some public places until March 30.
But on Sunday night, Trump, echoing remarks from a Fox News host, tweeted that “we cannot let the cure” — referring to social distancing — be “worse than the problem itself.”
He said at his White House press briefing Monday that America will “soon be open for business ... it won’t be that long.”
Trump’s top health adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Friday on NBC that that “trajectory” of the outbreak in other areas shows cases will surge for “at least” several weeks.
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Fauci added: “I cannot see that all of a sudden, next week or two weeks from now, it’s going to be over. I don’t think there’s a chance of that. I think it’s going to be several weeks.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--'Tell Me You Have A Plan': What Americans Want From Trump On COVID-19, Author Says

The U.S. stock market and the rest of America aren ’ t going to begin to calm down about coronavirus until Donald Trump gives the U.S. what it ’ s looking for : some kind of plan , says author and Pulitzer-winning columnist Thomas Friedman .
“ What is killing business in this country , what ’ s killing just the average person emotionally is ... they don ’ t feel there ’ s a plan , that there ’ s an end date , there ’ s a strategy , ” he told Jake Tapper on Monday on CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about .
And that has been the real failure of this administration.
” What ’ s “ totally missing in the country right now is any sense that we have a plan , ” said The New York Times columnist .
“ The president went from ‘ it ’ s a hoax ’ to ‘ it ’ s a war ’ to ‘ I don ’ t really want to fight this war ; I want to get the economy back.
’ What business leaders are looking for , not to mention average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me you have a plan ’ ... .
We keep bouncing around.
” Friedman was reacting to indications that Trump next week may lift social distancing guidelines , intended to slow the spread of coronavirus , in order to boost the economy .
Trump appeared to be influenced in part by Fox News .
Friedman said it rattles the nation when the president reads a “ column in the morning or a story , and [ says ] , ‘ Yeah I don ’ t feel like locking up the economy much anymore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , when I felt something different yesterday.
’ That ’ s crazy , ” Friedman added .
He also said the “ idea that you have a national economic adviser [ Larry Kudlow ] giving medical directives and advice about the economy is insane.
” Kudlow is supporting Trump ’ s reported intention to ease social distancing — a move opposed by health experts in the battle against the pandemic .
Kudlow last month declared the coronavirus “ contained.
” The COVID-19 death toll in the U.S. has since surged to more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Times on Sunday outlined a “ tiered ” program to get Americans back to work by public health expert Dr. David Katz .
He recommends strict sheltering in place for two weeks for nearly everyone , then continued isolation for those who develop symptoms — and sequestration of vulnerable populations , supplemented by extensive testing .
What we need most is a sequenced plan of action to tackle this crisis .
Trump has given us none .
Here 's one such plan of action offered by Dr. David Katz : https @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tomfriedman ) March 23 , 2020

The U.S. stock market and the rest of America aren’t going to begin to calm down about coronavirus until Donald Trump gives the U.S. what it’s looking for: some kind of plan, says author and Pulitzer-winning columnist Thomas Friedman.
“What is killing business in this country, what’s killing just the average person emotionally is ... they don’t feel there’s a plan, that there’s an end date, there’s a strategy,” he told Jake Tapper on Monday on CNN. “That is what leadership is about. And that has been the real failure of this administration.”
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What’s “totally missing in the country right now is any sense that we have a plan,” said The New York Times columnist. “The president went from ‘it’s a hoax’ to ‘it’s a war’ to ‘I don’t really want to fight this war; I want to get the economy back.’ What business leaders are looking for, not to mention average citizens, is: ’Just tell me you have a plan’ .... We keep bouncing around.”
Friedman was reacting to indications that Trump next week may lift social distancing guidelines, intended to slow the spread of coronavirus, in order to boost the economy. Trump appeared to be influenced in part by Fox News.
Friedman said it rattles the nation when the president reads a “column in the morning or a story, and [says], ‘Yeah I don’t feel like locking up the economy much anymore. That’s how I feel today, when I felt something different yesterday.’ That’s crazy,” Friedman added.
He also said the “idea that you have a national economic adviser [Larry Kudlow] giving medical directives and advice about the economy is insane.”
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Kudlow is supporting Trump’s reported intention to ease social distancing — a move opposed by health experts in the battle against the pandemic. Kudlow last month declared the coronavirus “contained.” The COVID-19 death toll in the U.S. has since surged to more than 500.
Friedman’s column in the Times on Sunday outlined a “tiered” program to get Americans back to work by public health expert Dr. David Katz. He recommends strict sheltering in place for two weeks for nearly everyone, then continued isolation for those who develop symptoms — and sequestration of vulnerable populations, supplemented by extensive testing.
Check out Tapper’s interview with Friedman above.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--Texas Lt. Gov. Suggests He'd Risk Getting Coronavirus To Save Economy

Texas Lt. Gov .
Dan Patrick ( R ) suggested Monday that senior citizens like him , who are more likely to die from the illness caused by coronavirus than younger people , should be willing to risk exposure to help the U.S. economy .
“ You know , Tucker , no one reached out to me and said , ‘ As a senior citizen , are you willing to take a chance on your survival in exchange for keeping the America that all America loves for your children and grandchildren ?
’ ” Patrick said .
“ And if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m all in.
” “ I just think there are lots of grandparents out there in this country like me ― I have six grandchildren ― that what we all care about and what we love more than anything are those children , ” he said .
“ And I want to , you know , live smart , and see through this , but I don ’ t want the whole country to be sacrificed.
” “ My message is that , let ’ s get back to work , let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let ’ s be smart about it , and those of us who are 70-plus , we ’ ll take care of ourselves .
But don ’ t sacrifice the country , ” Patrick added .
Patrick ’ s comments come as President Donald Trump and his allies have begun pushing a narrative that the effects of social distancing on the U.S. economy may be worse than the effects of the coronavirus , which has killed more than 500 people in the U.S. in recent weeks .
Trump and his senior aides have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the guidelines the president announced last week ― which discourage people from gathering in groups of more than 10 people or entering various public spaces ― will be loosened by next Monday , despite urging from public health officials not to rush back to business as usual .

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Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) suggested Monday that senior citizens like him, who are more likely to die from the illness caused by coronavirus than younger people, should be willing to risk exposure to help the U.S. economy.
Patrick, 69, made the comments during a Fox News appearance with host Tucker Carlson.
“You know, Tucker, no one reached out to me and said, ‘As a senior citizen, are you willing to take a chance on your survival in exchange for keeping the America that all America loves for your children and grandchildren?’” Patrick said. “And if that’s the exchange, I’m all in.”
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Tx Lt Gov Dan Patrick says grandparents would be willing to die to save the economy for their grandchildren pic.twitter.com/wC3Ngvtsbj — Andrew Lawrence (@ndrew_lawrence) March 24, 2020
“I just think there are lots of grandparents out there in this country like me ― I have six grandchildren ― that what we all care about and what we love more than anything are those children,” he said. “And I want to, you know, live smart, and see through this, but I don’t want the whole country to be sacrificed.”
“My message is that, let’s get back to work, let’s get back to living, let’s be smart about it, and those of us who are 70-plus, we’ll take care of ourselves. But don’t sacrifice the country,” Patrick added.
Patrick’s comments come as President Donald Trump and his allies have begun pushing a narrative that the effects of social distancing on the U.S. economy may be worse than the effects of the coronavirus, which has killed more than 500 people in the U.S. in recent weeks.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--Trump Says Asian Americans Not To Blame For Coronavirus

President Donald Trump ― who adamantly defended labeling the new coronavirus the “ Chinese virus ” last week ― is asking for protection for Asian Americans , saying they are not to be blamed for the pandemic .
During a press briefing Monday evening , the president said that the spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , was not the fault of the Asian American community in “ any way , shape , or form.
” In light of a spike in reports of violence and discrimination against Asian people in America and abroad , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asian American community in the U.S. and globally .
It is very important that we totally protect our Asian American community in the United States , and all around the world .
They are amazing people , and the spreading of the Virus ... .
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) March 23 , 2020 ... .is NOT their fault in any way , shape , or form .
They are working closely with us to get rid of it .
WE WILL PREVAIL TOGETHER !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It seems that there could be a little bit of nasty language toward the Asian Americans in our country , and I don ’ t like that at all , ” he said .
Just last week , the president had rejected criticism of his use of the term “ Chinese virus , ” which experts said created needless stigmatization and xenophobia against Asian communities .
He made no mention of the term Monday .
Even after being confronted about the terminology last week , he repeated the label and was backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which defended the term as no different than previous infectious diseases that were named after their place of origin , such as West Nile virus or Ebola .
Officials , including Dr. Mike Ryan , the executive director of the World Health Organization ’ s emergency program , said the term should not be used .
WHO had revised its naming conventions in 2015 to avoid names of places in order to minimize adverse and unnecessary effects on nations , economies and people .
Other experts , including John Yang , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Advancing Justice ( AAAJ ) , explained that the rhetoric exacerbated what had already been an increase in violence and hate faced by Asian people in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak .
Following Trump ’ s comments and tweets , many social media users noted the need for protection could have been mitigated by heeding the advice of experts and avoiding the use of racist language .
Thank you President Trump for this important reminder .
But it would n't be necessary if you had n't repeatedly rejected the advice of experts who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' was inciting violence & prejudice .
If you want to protect Asian Americans , stop using the term https : //t.co/pz55fiqB60 — Judy Chu ( @ RepJudyChu ) March 23 , 2020 Yang , head of AAAJ , said that the messaging now was appreciated but highlighted the president ’ s continued defense of the label last week despite advice that it led to violence .
In the 6 days since @ realDonaldTrump doubled down on `` Chinese virus '' even though WH reporters directly told him that such terms led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been physically or verbally assaulted ?
This should not have been this hard .
But it is appreciated .
https : //t.co/LKNKfvQOTG — John C. Yang ( @ johncyangdc ) March 23 , 2020 I don ’ t know what made Trump turn around and make this very good and nice tweet defending Asian Americans after his repeated use of the term “ Chinese Virus , ” but I am thankful for it .
My only hope is that his sentiment lasts longer than a few days or a few tweets .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ eugenegu ) March 23 , 2020 Asian Americans are just as American as everyone else born in this country or naturalized here as a citizen .
We want to fight this coronavirus alongside all Americans because we ’ re one nation and one people .
We don ’ t deserve to be scapegoated and subjected to so many hate crimes .
— Eugene Gu , MD ( @ eugenegu ) March 23 , 2020

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President Donald Trump ― who adamantly defended labeling the new coronavirus the “Chinese virus” last week ― is asking for protection for Asian Americans, saying they are not to be blamed for the pandemic.
During a press briefing Monday evening, the president said that the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, was not the fault of the Asian American community in “any way, shape, or form.”
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In light of a spike in reports of violence and discrimination against Asian people in America and abroad, the president highlighted the importance of protecting the Asian American community in the U.S. and globally.
It is very important that we totally protect our Asian American community in the United States, and all around the world. They are amazing people, and the spreading of the Virus.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 23, 2020
....is NOT their fault in any way, shape, or form. They are working closely with us to get rid of it. WE WILL PREVAIL TOGETHER! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 23, 2020
Asked what prompted the comments, Trump acknowledged the group could be facing prejudice.
“It seems that there could be a little bit of nasty language toward the Asian Americans in our country, and I don’t like that at all,” he said.
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Just last week, the president had rejected criticism of his use of the term “Chinese virus,” which experts said created needless stigmatization and xenophobia against Asian communities. He made no mention of the term Monday.
Even after being confronted about the terminology last week, he repeated the label and was backed up by the White House twitter account, which defended the term as no different than previous infectious diseases that were named after their place of origin, such as West Nile virus or Ebola.
Officials, including Dr. Mike Ryan, the executive director of the World Health Organization’s emergency program, said the term should not be used. WHO had revised its naming conventions in 2015 to avoid names of places in order to minimize adverse and unnecessary effects on nations, economies and people.
Other experts, including John Yang, the president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ), explained that the rhetoric exacerbated what had already been an increase in violence and hate faced by Asian people in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Following Trump’s comments and tweets, many social media users noted the need for protection could have been mitigated by heeding the advice of experts and avoiding the use of racist language.
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Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) called on the president to stop using the term.
Thank you President Trump for this important reminder.
But it wouldn't be necessary if you hadn't repeatedly rejected the advice of experts who said your use of "Chinese virus" was inciting violence & prejudice. If you want to protect Asian Americans, stop using the term https://t.co/pz55fiqB60 — Judy Chu (@RepJudyChu) March 23, 2020
Yang, head of AAAJ, said that the messaging now was appreciated but highlighted the president’s continued defense of the label last week despite advice that it led to violence.
In the 6 days since @realDonaldTrump doubled down on "Chinese virus" even though WH reporters directly told him that such terms led to hate crimes, how many Asian Americans have been physically or verbally assaulted? This should not have been this hard. But it is appreciated. https://t.co/LKNKfvQOTG — John C. Yang (@johncyangdc) March 23, 2020
Others called on Trump to acknowledge the harm he caused.
BREAKING: Man who put Asians in danger on a daily basis with racist tropes lectures about the dangers of using racist tropes. — Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) March 23, 2020
I don’t know what made Trump turn around and make this very good and nice tweet defending Asian Americans after his repeated use of the term “Chinese Virus,” but I am thankful for it. My only hope is that his sentiment lasts longer than a few days or a few tweets. — Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) March 23, 2020
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Asian Americans are just as American as everyone else born in this country or naturalized here as a citizen. We want to fight this coronavirus alongside all Americans because we’re one nation and one people. We don’t deserve to be scapegoated and subjected to so many hate crimes. — Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) March 23, 2020
One way to protect the Asian American community is to stop calling it the "Chinese virus" https://t.co/csNx2eJNlX — Scott Wong (@scottwongDC) March 23, 2020
For the first time, Trump acknowledges Asian Americans are being blamed for the spread of #coronavirus. But he has not acknowledged how his use of the phrase “Chinese Virus” plays a role. https://t.co/CmmZXeZ8eZ — Weijia Jiang (@weijia) March 23, 2020
Maybe would be good if you opened with this before making statements that vilify a race of minorities in the country you are President of? https://t.co/VaeFSqNBud — Ronny Chieng (@ronnychieng) March 23, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--'I Fear For My Life': Detained Families Are Terrified Of Coronavirus

Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images Immigrant women and children walk across a field as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Enforcement and Removal Operations host a media tour at the South Texas Family Residential Center last summer in Dilley , Texas .
A pregnant mother from Honduras is terrified of getting coronavirus while being held in a family detention center in Dilley , Texas .
Her 4-year-old daughter has a severe cough and vomits up to three times a night .
They are detained in close quarters with hundreds of other immigrants , have limited access to hand soap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could easily spread .
“ I must be close to others all the time , ” said the mother in a statement to immigration lawyers , in which she is identified by her initials , O.M.G .
“ I fear for my life , and the life of my daughter and unborn child.
” On Saturday , a group of immigration lawyers filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security demanding that immigrants be released from family detention centers in the U.S. amid the coronavirus outbreak .
They say the cramped conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hygiene make these facilities a “ powder keg ” for the virus ’ s spread .
And despite the fact that hundreds of detained families say they are showing symptoms tied to COVID-19 , detention centers are not testing people for the virus or taking preventive measures , according to the lawsuit .
The lawyers say they worry that an outbreak among the detained immigrants would be deadly and spread to people in surrounding communities .
“ I ’ m afraid we ’ re going to have parents die , ” said Bridget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of ALDEA ― the People ’ s Justice Center , one of the organizations that filed the complaint .
“ It ’ s not OK for that to be the thing we wait for.
” The U.S. has three family detention centers , two in Texas and one in Pennsylvania , that collectively detain roughly 2,000 immigrants .
Social distancing , the best defense so far against the coronavirus , is not a possibility for people who are forced to sleep , eat and use the bathroom in group settings .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deteriorate and doctors have left us in the dark regarding her care , ” the woman said in a declaration , adding that her baby had recently lost 7 pounds .
“ We believe that our lives and our children ’ s lives remain in danger the longer we stay here.
” One Haitian mother , identified in the declaration as C.L.
, was worried about her asthmatic son getting the virus while they are detained at Dilley .
The 4-year-old has a cough and stuffy nose , and C.L .
said immigrants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach out and touch people in the beds next to them , some of whom are also coughing .
Her son does not have an inhaler , and she is afraid of sending him to school in a trailer with 20 other kids .
But there isn ’ t much she can do to protect him .
Despite the government ’ s recommendations that people wash their hands often , C.L .
said she has no access to hand sanitizer , face masks or gloves , and that when the soap runs out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before it ’ s replaced .
One father detained at Berks said there had not been soap in the bathroom for six days , while a mother at Dilley said the soap dispenser in her room had been broken for three weeks .
The guards are not wearing face masks , gloves or keeping their distance from families , according to the legal complaint , despite the fact that a staff member in an immigrant children ’ s shelter and an ICE detention center recently tested positive for the coronavirus .
Detained families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information about the disease and worry they won ’ t get proper treatment in the event of an outbreak .
The medical care in ICE detention is notoriously bad , and last year six children died in U.S. custody from treatable illnesses , such as the flu or respiratory issues .
At Karnes , there usually isn ’ t a doctor on site , and nurses do “ very basic checks on people and then tell them to drink more water or to take Ibuprofen , ” said Andrea Meza , the director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services ( RAICES ) , in a recent panel .
Detained families are not being tested for COVID-19 , even if they show obvious symptoms , according to the legal complaint .
The pregnant mother from Honduras said that when she took her 4-year-old to get medical care at Dilley , they gave her Vicks VapoRub and water .
“ This has not helped , and she has stopped eating , ” the woman said .
“ I do not have access to the medical attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Immigrant women and children walk across a field as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Enforcement and Removal Operations host a media tour at the South Texas Family Residential Center last summer in Dilley, Texas. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images
A pregnant mother from Honduras is terrified of getting coronavirus while being held in a family detention center in Dilley, Texas. Her 4-year-old daughter has a severe cough and vomits up to three times a night. They are detained in close quarters with hundreds of other immigrants, have limited access to hand soap or sanitizer, and worry the virus could easily spread.
“I must be close to others all the time,” said the mother in a statement to immigration lawyers, in which she is identified by her initials, O.M.G. “I fear for my life, and the life of my daughter and unborn child.”
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On Saturday, a group of immigration lawyers filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security demanding that immigrants be released from family detention centers in the U.S. amid the coronavirus outbreak. They say the cramped conditions, subpar medical care and lack of hygiene make these facilities a “powder keg” for the virus’s spread. And despite the fact that hundreds of detained families say they are showing symptoms tied to COVID-19, detention centers are not testing people for the virus or taking preventive measures, according to the lawsuit. The lawyers say they worry that an outbreak among the detained immigrants would be deadly and spread to people in surrounding communities.
“I’m afraid we’re going to have parents die,” said Bridget Cambria, an immigration lawyer and the director of ALDEA ― the People’s Justice Center, one of the organizations that filed the complaint. “It’s not OK for that to be the thing we wait for.”
DHS did not respond to HuffPost’s request for comment. The lawsuit says that officials have “begun to release some families” including pregnant women or people who suffer from asthma, though it does not specify how many.
The Karnes County Residential Center in Texas is being used by ICE to detain adults with children who have been apprehended at the southwest border. Drew Anthony Smith via Getty Images
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The U.S. has three family detention centers, two in Texas and one in Pennsylvania, that collectively detain roughly 2,000 immigrants. Social distancing, the best defense so far against the coronavirus, is not a possibility for people who are forced to sleep, eat and use the bathroom in group settings.
At the Berks family detention center in Pennsylvania, three families sleep in rooms with beds that are less than 2 feet apart and share a bathroom blocked off by a sheet, Cambria said.
In the Karnes County Residential Center in South Texas, one woman told attorneys her family must eat in a room with 200 other people, even though her 19-month-old baby was having trouble breathing because of an issue with her lungs.
“Our baby’s health continues to deteriorate and doctors have left us in the dark regarding her care,” the woman said in a declaration, adding that her baby had recently lost 7 pounds. “We believe that our lives and our children’s lives remain in danger the longer we stay here.”
Immigrants at the Dilley, Texas, family detention facility live in trailers where 12 people sleep in each dorm, and they share bathrooms with multiple families.
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“Detainees are surrounded by hundreds of other detainees at any given time,” wrote Shalyn Fluharty, the managing attorney at the Dilley Pro Bono Project, in the legal complaint.
One Haitian mother, identified in the declaration as C.L., was worried about her asthmatic son getting the virus while they are detained at Dilley. The 4-year-old has a cough and stuffy nose, and C.L. said immigrants are packed in so tightly they can reach out and touch people in the beds next to them, some of whom are also coughing. Her son does not have an inhaler, and she is afraid of sending him to school in a trailer with 20 other kids.
The dining area at the Karnes County Residential Center. Drew Anthony Smith via Getty Images
But there isn’t much she can do to protect him. Despite the government’s recommendations that people wash their hands often, C.L. said she has no access to hand sanitizer, face masks or gloves, and that when the soap runs out they often have to wait a day before it’s replaced. One father detained at Berks said there had not been soap in the bathroom for six days, while a mother at Dilley said the soap dispenser in her room had been broken for three weeks.
The guards are not wearing face masks, gloves or keeping their distance from families, according to the legal complaint, despite the fact that a staff member in an immigrant children’s shelter and an ICE detention center recently tested positive for the coronavirus. Detained families also say they’ve received no information about the disease and worry they won’t get proper treatment in the event of an outbreak.
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“Officials come and go and leave us without information,” said one immigrant in a letter obtained by HuffPost. “We’re worried about the kids. A majority have a flu and cough. Help, there’s a lot of desperation.”
Letters from immigrants at the Karnes County Residential Center, obtained by HuffPost.
The medical care in ICE detention is notoriously bad, and last year six children died in U.S. custody from treatable illnesses, such as the flu or respiratory issues. At Karnes, there usually isn’t a doctor on site, and nurses do “very basic checks on people and then tell them to drink more water or to take Ibuprofen,” said Andrea Meza, the director of family detention services at the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES), in a recent panel. Detained families are not being tested for COVID-19, even if they show obvious symptoms, according to the legal complaint.
The pregnant mother from Honduras said that when she took her 4-year-old to get medical care at Dilley, they gave her Vicks VapoRub and water. “This has not helped, and she has stopped eating,” the woman said. “I do not have access to the medical attention I need in this jail.”
Another mother at the same facility said her 5-year-old daughter had a severe cough and fatigue but was told by medical staff to give her water and that no cough medicine was available.
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Though immigration lawyers are hoping a federal court in Washington will force the government to release these families, precedent is not in their favor. Last week the American Civil Liberties Union sued ICE, asking that vulnerable adults be released from a detention center in Tacoma, Washington. A federal district judge denied the request.
But Cambria said letting families out should be a no-brainer, since they are the most vulnerable immigrants in the system and are not facing criminal charges. They can also be easily tracked as part of ICE’s supervision programs that involve ankle bracelets, to ensure they show up to their court dates.
Cambria says that, though the inhumane treatment of asylum seekers has become a pillar of the Trump administration, a coronavirus outbreak in detention facilities also poses a threat to American citizens since immigrants will need to be hospitalized.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--About 1 In 5 Americans Have Gotten Into Arguments Over Coronavirus

Just shy of 1 in 5 Americans say they ’ ve gotten into an argument with someone over the way they were responding to the coronavirus outbreak , a new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds .
At the same time , a majority of people feel that they ’ re taking the outbreak about as seriously as most others around them .
Nineteen percent of Americans say they ’ ve argued with someone else about the coronavirus outbreak , according to the poll , either because they thought the other person wasn ’ t taking things seriously enough , or because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A few managed to end up on both sides of the argument .
“ My senior mom , who has diabetes , thought I was exaggerating when I told her it ’ s too risky to go to public places without using disinfectant wipes … [ and ] that she should not be touching doorknobs or gates with her bare hands , ” a woman in California reported .
“ After her doctor advised her to stay indoors , though , she ’ s come around.
” But the disagreements also came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children , or grandparents worrying that their grandchildren weren ’ t taking the disease seriously .
“ My son left the house to go meet friends .
I told him he was vulnerable .
He said , ‘ I ’ m 17 , I ’ m fine , ’ ” wrote one father .
Others argued with siblings .
“ My brother went to a crowded bar the night before they were all closed , ” said a 22-year-old woman living in Washington state .
“ I told him to go home and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told me to calm down.
” Neighbors also disagreed : “ One had been ill but he claims he ’ s healthy because he ’ s younger and exercises .
...
I am over 65 and have health issues .
I told him he needs to do his part as he could kill me if he doesn ’ t do his part .
He just yelled at me and cussed me out.
” So far , opinions on the seriousness of the coronavirus outbreak are most starkly divided not by age or region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Given that people often tend to congregate in like-minded social circles , it makes sense that many Americans say their risk assessments are shared by those around them .
Roughly half of Americans ― 49 % ― say that , in terms of the precautions they ’ re taking against coronavirus , they ’ re about as concerned as most other people in their community .
A 54 % majority say their attitude is similar to that of most of their friends , and 57 % say their attitude is similar to most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a relationship , 62 % say that they are about equally concerned by the outbreak .
( Of those who disagree with their significant other , about one-third say the disparity has caused at least minor relationship problems . )
Democrats are twice as likely as Republicans to say they ’ re more concerned than most others in their family , and about one and a half times likelier to say they ’ re more concerned than most of their friends , with similar disparities not evident along gender or generational lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans ’ political views , but from their level of attention to the news .
People who say they follow what ’ s going on in government and public affairs most of the time are 12 percentage points likelier than those who pay less attention to see themselves as more concerned than those in the community around them ― a slightly wider gap than between Democrats and Republicans on the same question .
Use the widget below to further explore the results of the HuffPost/YouGov survey , using the menu at the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the bottom to filter the data by subgroups :

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Just shy of 1 in 5 Americans say they’ve gotten into an argument with someone over the way they were responding to the coronavirus outbreak, a new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds. At the same time, a majority of people feel that they’re taking the outbreak about as seriously as most others around them.
Nineteen percent of Americans say they’ve argued with someone else about the coronavirus outbreak, according to the poll, either because they thought the other person wasn’t taking things seriously enough, or because they thought they were taking things too seriously. A few managed to end up on both sides of the argument.
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In some cases, the arguments reflected a modern role reversal: adult children begging their parents to stay home.
“My dad thinks that the coronavirus is exaggerated to discredit Trump,” wrote one 25-year-old man surveyed. “I said whether that’s real or not, he still needs to take precautions.”
“My senior mom, who has diabetes, thought I was exaggerating when I told her it’s too risky to go to public places without using disinfectant wipes … [and] that she should not be touching doorknobs or gates with her bare hands,” a woman in California reported. “After her doctor advised her to stay indoors, though, she’s come around.”
But the disagreements also came in reverse, with parents chastising their children, or grandparents worrying that their grandchildren weren’t taking the disease seriously. “My son left the house to go meet friends. I told him he was vulnerable. He said, ‘I’m 17, I’m fine,’” wrote one father.
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Others argued with siblings. “My brother went to a crowded bar the night before they were all closed,” said a 22-year-old woman living in Washington state. “I told him to go home and that he was being stupid and he told me to calm down.”
“So far, opinions on the seriousness of the coronavirus outbreak are most starkly divided not by age or region, but along familiar partisan lines.”
Concerns about the virus also prompted arguments between friends: “My friend took her 94-year-old mother who is on hospice care to the casinos in Biloxi for a week. Stupid.”
Neighbors also disagreed: “One had been ill but he claims he’s healthy because he’s younger and exercises. ... I am over 65 and have health issues. I told him he needs to do his part as he could kill me if he doesn’t do his part. He just yelled at me and cussed me out.”
There was also conflict between co-workers: “A month ago I went to my bosses and asked them if we were getting ready for what was coming. They called me hysterical!”
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Meanwhile, some respondents said they felt overly hectored by family, friends or partners whose worries are more pronounced.
“I’m 66 and my oldest kid is 46,” wrote one Washington state woman. “He’s hounding me daily with articles and charts and warnings. We’ve hunkered down and are self-isolating and I’ve told him his tactics are causing anxiety.”
“I have perfectly healthy young friends/relatives fearing for their lives and afraid to death,” wrote an Idaho woman in her 50s. “I’m trying to convince them to be safe but live their life.”
Wrote one Texas man: “Wife is taking this way too seriously to the point where I am completely annoyed with her.”
So far, opinions on the seriousness of the coronavirus outbreak are most starkly divided not by age or region, but along familiar partisan lines. Given that people often tend to congregate in like-minded social circles, it makes sense that many Americans say their risk assessments are shared by those around them.
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Roughly half of Americans ― 49% ― say that, in terms of the precautions they’re taking against coronavirus, they’re about as concerned as most other people in their community. A 54% majority say their attitude is similar to that of most of their friends, and 57% say their attitude is similar to most of their family.
Among those currently in a relationship, 62% say that they are about equally concerned by the outbreak. (Of those who disagree with their significant other, about one-third say the disparity has caused at least minor relationship problems.)
Roughly half of Americans say they're about as concerned as most other people in their communities about taking precautions against coronavirus, a HuffPost/YouGov poll finds. Ariel Edwards-Levy/HuffPost
Democrats are twice as likely as Republicans to say they’re more concerned than most others in their family, and about one and a half times likelier to say they’re more concerned than most of their friends, with similar disparities not evident along gender or generational lines.
An additional divide comes not from Americans’ political views, but from their level of attention to the news. People who say they follow what’s going on in government and public affairs most of the time are 12 percentage points likelier than those who pay less attention to see themselves as more concerned than those in the community around them ― a slightly wider gap than between Democrats and Republicans on the same question.
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Use the widget below to further explore the results of the HuffPost/YouGov survey, using the menu at the top to select survey questions and the buttons at the bottom to filter the data by subgroups:
Some quotes given in response to the survey were lightly edited for clarity and grammar.
The HuffPost/YouGov poll consisted of 1,000 completed interviews conducted March 17-19 among U.S. adults, using a sample selected from YouGov’s opt-in online panel to match the demographics and other characteristics of the adult U.S. population.
HuffPost has teamed up with YouGov to conduct daily opinion polls. You can learn more about this project and take part in YouGov’s nationally representative opinion polling. More details on the polls’ methodology are available here.
Most surveys report a margin of error that represents some but not all potential survey errors. YouGov’s reports include a model-based margin of error, which rests on a specific set of statistical assumptions about the selected sample rather than the standard methodology for random probability sampling. If these assumptions are wrong, the model-based margin of error may also be inaccurate. Click here for a more detailed explanation of the model-based margin of error.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-24--Colorado Becomes 22nd State To Abolish The Death Penalty

Colorado became the 22nd state in the country to abolish the death penalty on Monday .
Gov .
Jared Polis ( D ) signed a bill passed by the Democratic legislature after several attempts in recent years had failed to make headway .
The party took control of the entire state government in 2018 .
The governor also commuted the sentences of the three men on death row , saying they would now serve life in prison without the possibility of parole .
Polis said the decision was made in conjunction with a “ thorough outreach process ” to those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Commutations are typically granted to reflect evidence of extraordinary change in the offender , ” he wrote .
“ That is not why I am commuting these sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole .
Rather , the commutations of these despicable and guilty individuals are consistent with the abolition of the death penalty.
” The bill states that the death penalty can ’ t be given for any crimes committed on or after July 1 , and the Denver Post notes one defendant in the state is currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face such punishment .
Only one person had been executed in Colorado since 1976 , when a federal moratorium on capital punishment was lifted .
Colorado Public Radio notes the death penalty has been used rarely and jurors have been unlikely to apply it , even during high-profile cases like the mass shooting at a movie theater in Aurora , Colo. “ My heart is filled with gratitude now that CO becomes the 22nd state to abolish the death penalty , ” Colorado state Sen. Julie Gonzales ( D ) , a sponsor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There remains much work to do , and I look forward to being a part of the efforts to ensure that all 50 states and the federal govt end this horrible practice once and for all.
” “ The death penalty is irreversible , it is ineffective , and it does not deter crime , ” Kristina Roth , a senior program officer with the group , said in a statement .
“ The use of the death penalty as a punishment is outdated , fundamentally broken and must end once @ @ @ @ @

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Colorado became the 22nd state in the country to abolish the death penalty on Monday.
Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed a bill passed by the Democratic legislature after several attempts in recent years had failed to make headway. The party took control of the entire state government in 2018.
The governor also commuted the sentences of the three men on death row, saying they would now serve life in prison without the possibility of parole. Polis said the decision was made in conjunction with a “thorough outreach process” to those affected by the mens’ crimes.
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“Commutations are typically granted to reflect evidence of extraordinary change in the offender,” he wrote. “That is not why I am commuting these sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Rather, the commutations of these despicable and guilty individuals are consistent with the abolition of the death penalty.”
The bill states that the death penalty can’t be given for any crimes committed on or after July 1, and the Denver Post notes one defendant in the state is currently on trial or a crime that could face such punishment.
Only one person had been executed in Colorado since 1976, when a federal moratorium on capital punishment was lifted. Colorado Public Radio notes the death penalty has been used rarely and jurors have been unlikely to apply it, even during high-profile cases like the mass shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colo.
The passage was cheered by lawmakers and civil rights advocates.
“My heart is filled with gratitude now that CO becomes the 22nd state to abolish the death penalty,” Colorado state Sen. Julie Gonzales (D), a sponsor of the bill, wrote on Twitter. “There remains much work to do, and I look forward to being a part of the efforts to ensure that all 50 states and the federal govt end this horrible practice once and for all.”
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Amnesty International called Polis’ signature “the kind of human rights leadership this country needs, now more than ever.”