thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-12--Bernie Sanders Explains What The Trump Administration Needs To Do About Coronavirus

Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) spoke out against President Donald Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic , calling it “ ridiculous ” that the administration can ’ t guarantee an “ affordable ” vaccine .
The presidential candidate appeared on “ The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon , ” on Wednesday and spoke candidly about how the United States should tackle some issues associated with the outbreak .
He noted that the country is run by a president who is “ anti-science ” and who subsequently appointed Vice President Mike Pence , who is not “ known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to lead the task force in charge of the disease ; and he went on to say that the country needs someone it can trust to do everything they can to fight this pandemic .
We have to make sure that everybody , right now , feels free when you ’ re sick to go to a doctor , regardless of your income .
And you know what ?
The government will pay that bill .
Number two , we are the only major country on Earth not to guarantee paid medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there are people who are sick today , who may actually believe they have symptoms of the coronavirus who are going to work because they have no income .
... We have got to do what every other country on Earth does and guarantee paid family and medical leave and do it right now on an emergency basis .
Sanders also addressed the need for a coronavirus vaccine and the Trump administration ’ s refusal to guarantee it will be “ affordable ” because it has “ got to worry about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crock .
That is ridiculous .
We have got to make sure that when that vaccine comes out , it is available to everybody in this country , regardless of their income , ” he said .
Sanders ’ remarks come on the heels of Trump meeting with executives from Gilead Sciences , Regeneron Pharmaceuticals , Moderna , GlaxoSmithKline , Pfizer , Johnson & Johnson and Sanofi to discuss creating a coronavirus vaccine .
CNBC noted that Trump lauded the companies as the “ biggest in the world ” and the “ most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to implement a drug pricing plan the industry is trying to stave off.
” Sanders also lambasted Trump ’ s rhetoric on the campaign trail and implored him to focus on the issues the country is facing instead of the Democratic primary .
“ What amazes me , here we have a stock market that is collapsing .
You have a coronavirus that is scaring the entire world .
We have climate change , which is a threat to the human planet , and Donald Trump keeps worrying about the Democratic primary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. President , if you watch anything other than Fox [ News ] , I don ’ t know that you do .
Why don ’ t you do your job ?
Pay attention to the needs of the American people .
Don ’ t worry so much about the Democratic primary .
”

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) spoke out against President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, calling it “ridiculous” that the administration can’t guarantee an “affordable” vaccine.
The presidential candidate appeared on “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon,” on Wednesday and spoke candidly about how the United States should tackle some issues associated with the outbreak.
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He noted that the country is run by a president who is “anti-science” and who subsequently appointed Vice President Mike Pence, who is not “known to be much of a scientist,” to lead the task force in charge of the disease; and he went on to say that the country needs someone it can trust to do everything they can to fight this pandemic.
Sanders then offered some emergency measures the government could take:
We have to make sure that everybody, right now, feels free when you’re sick to go to a doctor, regardless of your income. And you know what? The government will pay that bill. Number two, we are the only major country on Earth not to guarantee paid medical leave. If you can believe it, there are people who are sick today, who may actually believe they have symptoms of the coronavirus who are going to work because they have no income. ... We have got to do what every other country on Earth does and guarantee paid family and medical leave and do it right now on an emergency basis.
COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has killed more than 4,000 people worldwide and continues to spread rapidly.
Sanders also addressed the need for a coronavirus vaccine and the Trump administration’s refusal to guarantee it will be “affordable” because it has “got to worry about the drug companies.”
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“That is a crock. That is ridiculous. We have got to make sure that when that vaccine comes out, it is available to everybody in this country, regardless of their income,” he said.
Sanders’ remarks come on the heels of Trump meeting with executives from Gilead Sciences, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Moderna, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Sanofi to discuss creating a coronavirus vaccine. CNBC noted that Trump lauded the companies as the “biggest in the world” and the “most prestigious,” but also “threatened to implement a drug pricing plan the industry is trying to stave off.”
Sanders also lambasted Trump’s rhetoric on the campaign trail and implored him to focus on the issues the country is facing instead of the Democratic primary.
“What amazes me, here we have a stock market that is collapsing. You have a coronavirus that is scaring the entire world. We have climate change, which is a threat to the human planet, and Donald Trump keeps worrying about the Democratic primary,” he said.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-12--Home Is Not A Safe Place For Everyone

Home Is Not A Safe Place For Everyone

As the coronavirus outbreak spreads across the globe , the biggest piece of advice coming from public health officials is to practice social distancing .
Work from home .
Avoid public transportation and crowds .
Keep space between yourself and others and , if necessary self-isolate .
For some Americans , these measures are inconvenient but ultimately doable .
But for others , such as victims of domestic violence for whom work is a necessary respite from the unpredictability of their partner ’ s abuse , there can be more immediate danger inside the home than outside it .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolate victims and cut off their relationships with coworkers or friends or family , ” said Allison Randall , vice president for policy and emerging issues for the National Network to End Domestic Violence .
“ Not being able to go to work and connect with your colleagues , it can certainly increase your vulnerability.
” In China , activists have reported a surge in domestic violence cases as millions of people have been under quarantine .
Leta Hong Fincher , author of “ Betraying Big Brother : The Feminist Awakening in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard from women ’ s rights activists that they ’ ve gotten significantly more pleas for help about domestic violence than they had received previously .
“ During a time of extreme lockdown with the coronavirus , when people are not allowed to move around , it makes it exponentially more difficult for a victim of domestic violence in the home to go somewhere else , ” she said .
Coronavirus can lead to folks being trapped in abusive relationships , not because of the virus itself , but because of its economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to paid sick leave .
If they have to miss work , either because they are sick or they ’ re self-isolating or their job site has closed down , they will lose income and it will be harder for them to leave an abusive partner .
The outbreak has already caused layoffs .
“ Coronavirus can lead to folks being trapped in abusive relationships , ” Randall said , “ not because of the virus itself but because of its economic impacts.
” Research suggests that incidences of domestic violence rise after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is likely because perpetrators have increased access to their families and they can get away with the abuse more easily as support services break down .
After Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in 2017 , for example , district attorneys reported an increase in both the number of domestic violence reports and their severity .
Domestic violence murders spiked .
A courthouse was destroyed in the storm , which meant victims could not seek emergency protective orders there .
In some cases , victims and perpetrators ended up in the same emergency shelters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not abusive is not going to suddenly become abusive , ” Randall said .
“ But I worry about an increased incidence of domestic violence as people are stressed , and there ’ s less community support and accountability.
” Ruth Glenn , the president of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence , said she was worried that victims will avoid domestic violence shelters due to the social distancing recommendation , especially if they ’ ve never been to one and don ’ t know what to expect .
“ Victims have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but their well-being and health , ” she said , adding that they may be unsure of the health and hygiene practices at shelters and concerned about sharing a communal space with strangers .
She urged victims to go to domestic violence shelters if they need support , noting that every program has an emergency plan that includes protocols to ensure safety for residents and clients .
“ I would tell anyone that is considering whether they need to go to shelter that they should feel like it is safe , ” she @ @

Illustration: Rebecca Zisser/HuffPost; Photos: Getty
As the coronavirus outbreak spreads across the globe, the biggest piece of advice coming from public health officials is to practice social distancing. Work from home. Avoid public transportation and crowds. Keep space between yourself and others and, if necessary self-isolate.
For some Americans, these measures are inconvenient but ultimately doable. But for others, such as victims of domestic violence for whom work is a necessary respite from the unpredictability of their partner’s abuse, there can be more immediate danger inside the home than outside it.
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“Perpetrators of domestic violence commonly try to isolate victims and cut off their relationships with coworkers or friends or family,” said Allison Randall, vice president for policy and emerging issues for the National Network to End Domestic Violence. “Not being able to go to work and connect with your colleagues, it can certainly increase your vulnerability.”
In China, activists have reported a surge in domestic violence cases as millions of people have been under quarantine. Leta Hong Fincher, author of “Betraying Big Brother: The Feminist Awakening in China,” told HuffPost that she had heard from women’s rights activists that they’ve gotten significantly more pleas for help about domestic violence than they had received previously.
“During a time of extreme lockdown with the coronavirus, when people are not allowed to move around, it makes it exponentially more difficult for a victim of domestic violence in the home to go somewhere else,” she said.
“Coronavirus can lead to folks being trapped in abusive relationships, not because of the virus itself, but because of its economic impacts.” - Allison Randall, National Network to End Domestic Violence
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Randall said she was especially concerned about the financial implications of the outbreak for domestic violence victims.
Many people have no access to paid sick leave. If they have to miss work, either because they are sick or they’re self-isolating or their job site has closed down, they will lose income and it will be harder for them to leave an abusive partner. The outbreak has already caused layoffs.
“Coronavirus can lead to folks being trapped in abusive relationships,” Randall said, “not because of the virus itself but because of its economic impacts.”
Research suggests that incidences of domestic violence rise after natural disasters, such as hurricanes. This is likely because perpetrators have increased access to their families and they can get away with the abuse more easily as support services break down.
After Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in 2017, for example, district attorneys reported an increase in both the number of domestic violence reports and their severity. Domestic violence murders spiked. A courthouse was destroyed in the storm, which meant victims could not seek emergency protective orders there. In some cases, victims and perpetrators ended up in the same emergency shelters and camps.
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“Somebody who is not abusive is not going to suddenly become abusive,” Randall said. “But I worry about an increased incidence of domestic violence as people are stressed, and there’s less community support and accountability.”
Ruth Glenn, the president of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said she was worried that victims will avoid domestic violence shelters due to the social distancing recommendation, especially if they’ve never been to one and don’t know what to expect.
“Victims have to make a decision about not only safety but their well-being and health,” she said, adding that they may be unsure of the health and hygiene practices at shelters and concerned about sharing a communal space with strangers.
She urged victims to go to domestic violence shelters if they need support, noting that every program has an emergency plan that includes protocols to ensure safety for residents and clients.
“I would tell anyone that is considering whether they need to go to shelter that they should feel like it is safe,” she said.
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Keep up with the latest updates on the coronavirus at our live blog.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-12--Feds Arrest Over 600 Alleged Mexican Cartel Members Across U.S.

A six-month federal investigation into Mexican drug cartel members has led to the arrests of more than 600 people across the U.S. , the Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration announced Wednesday .
The DEA-led operation , named “ Project Python , ” targeted members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel , also known as CJNG .
The organization is one of the world ’ s most prolific methamphetamine producers and is responsible for a significant proportion of drugs that enter the U.S. , as well as violence in Mexico , authorities said .
“ With primary drug distribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Chicago , Houston , and Atlanta , CJNG is one of the most powerful Mexican cartels operating within the United States , ” Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski said at a press conference .
Drug Enforcement Administration agents and intelligence analysts gather information from field operations across the country at their command center Wednesday to coordinate arrests as part of the `` Project Python '' crackdown on alleged Mexican cartel members .
Benczkowski described the organization as “ the most well-armed ” cartel in Mexico .
It ’ s created “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” with its members committing “ grisly acts of violence and loss of life , ” he said .
Those crimes have included hanging mutilated bodies from overpasses and dumping others along roadways to send messages to rival gangs , as well as shooting down a Mexican army helicopter with rocket-propelled grenades .
“ Project Python is the single largest strike by U.S. authorities against CJNG , and this is just the beginning , ” said DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon .
Wendy Woolcok , the special agent in charge of the DEA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a monitor displaying the locales of arrests .
In addition to the arrests , 250 of which occurred on Wednesday , authorities said they ’ ve seized more than 15,000 kilos of methamphetamine and nearly $ 20 million through search warrants during the months-long operation , The Associated Press reported .
Charges were also filed on Wednesday against CJNG ’ s undisputed leader , Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes , also known as “ El Mencho , ” who remains at large .
There is a $ 10 million reward for information leading to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reward appeared in Los Angeles on Tuesday , Mexico News Daily reported .
A $ 10 million reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes , also known as “ El Mencho , ” who authorities say is the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel , also known as CJNG .
Cervantes ’ son , who authorities say is CJNG ’ s second-in-command , Ruben Oseguera Gonzalez , also known as “ Menchito , ” was extradited last month from Mexico to the U.S. on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use in relation to drug trafficking activities .
He has pleaded not guilty .
El Mencho ’ s daughter , Jessica Johanna Oseguera Gonzalez , was also arrested last month in the U.S. on financial charges related to her alleged criminal violation of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act .
That law forbids transactions with designated drug trafficking entities and individuals .
She has also pleaded not guilty .

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A six-month federal investigation into Mexican drug cartel members has led to the arrests of more than 600 people across the U.S., the Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration announced Wednesday.
The DEA-led operation, named “Project Python,” targeted members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, also known as CJNG. The organization is one of the world’s most prolific methamphetamine producers and is responsible for a significant proportion of drugs that enter the U.S., as well as violence in Mexico, authorities said.
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“With primary drug distribution hubs in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston, and Atlanta, CJNG is one of the most powerful Mexican cartels operating within the United States,” Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski said at a press conference.
Drug Enforcement Administration agents and intelligence analysts gather information from field operations across the country at their command center Wednesday to coordinate arrests as part of the "Project Python" crackdown on alleged Mexican cartel members. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Benczkowski described the organization as “the most well-armed” cartel in Mexico. It’s created “a catastrophic trail of human and physical destruction” with its members committing “grisly acts of violence and loss of life,” he said.
Those crimes have included hanging mutilated bodies from overpasses and dumping others along roadways to send messages to rival gangs, as well as shooting down a Mexican army helicopter with rocket-propelled grenades.
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“Project Python is the single largest strike by U.S. authorities against CJNG, and this is just the beginning,” said DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon.
Wendy Woolcok, the special agent in charge of the DEA's special operations division, points to a monitor displaying the locales of arrests. ASSOCIATED PRESS
In addition to the arrests, 250 of which occurred on Wednesday, authorities said they’ve seized more than 15,000 kilos of methamphetamine and nearly $20 million through search warrants during the months-long operation, The Associated Press reported.
Charges were also filed on Wednesday against CJNG’s undisputed leader, Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” who remains at large. There is a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest. Billboards advertising the massive reward appeared in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Mexico News Daily reported.
A $10 million reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” who authorities say is the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, also known as CJNG. DEA.gov
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Cervantes’ son, who authorities say is CJNG’s second-in-command, Ruben Oseguera Gonzalez, also known as “Menchito,” was extradited last month from Mexico to the U.S. on charges of alleged drug trafficking and firearm use in relation to drug trafficking activities. He has pleaded not guilty.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-12--Ex-Trump Adviser Breaks Down Everything Wrong With Coronavirus Europe Travel Ban

A former homeland security adviser to Donald Trump cast serious doubt on the president ’ s move to ban some travel from Europe as a way to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Tom Bossert , who resigned from his governmental role in 2018 , tweeted Thursday that there was “ little value ” to the travel restrictions confusingly announced by Trump during an Oval Office prime time speech the night before .
Bossert described the curbs as a “ poor use of time & energy.
” “ Earlier , yes .
Now , travel restrictions/screening are less useful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have nearly as much disease here in the US as the countries in Europe.
” The virus has infected more than 127,000 people worldwide .
In the U.S. , it has sickened more than 1,200 and killed 38 .
Trump on Wednesday announced the U.S. would impose a 30-day travel ban on noncitizens coming from most of Europe .
The ban exempts the U.K. and Ireland , where Trump golf resorts are located .
Bossert suggested the Trump White House instead focus on “ layered community mitigation measures ” — which include social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Now !
” There ’ s little value to European travel restrictions .
Poor use of time & energy .
Earlier , yes .
Now , travel restrictions/screening are less useful .
We have nearly as much disease here in the US as the countries in Europe .
We MUST focus on layered community mitigation measures-Now !
— Thomas P. Bossert ( @ TomBossert ) March 12 , 2020 The European Union has also condemned Trump ’ s ban , and it appeared to rattle investors with Wall Street facing another bleak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named what he believed is “ the biggest misunderstanding ” about coronavirus interventions : The biggest misunderstanding about # coronavirus interventions is they are an à la carte menu of options to be selectively implemented .
This is dead wrong .
They ALL must be implemented to achieve a layered effect .
Removing any one can defeat all .
Close schools AND cancel events .
— Thomas P. Bossert ( @ TomBossert ) March 12 , 2020 And he noted the irony of what could happen if the U.S. fails to implement “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if we don ’ t implement aggressive community interventions and mitigate the spread of the virus already in the United States , we will end up infecting or reinfecting Europe .
# coronavirus — Thomas P. Bossert ( @ TomBossert ) March 12 , 2020 Bossert last week ― in a column for The Washington Post titled “ It ’ s now or never for the U.S. if it hopes to keep coronavirus from burning out of control ” ― warned “ time matters ” and said officials “ must pull the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence of human-to-human transmission becomes clear in a community.
” “ Two weeks of delay can mean the difference between success and failure , ” he continued .
“ Public health experts learned this in 1918 when the Spanish flu killed 50 million to 100 million people around the globe .
If we fail to take action , we will watch our health-care system be overwhelmed .
”

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A former homeland security adviser to Donald Trump cast serious doubt on the president’s move to ban some travel from Europe as a way to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Tom Bossert, who resigned from his governmental role in 2018, tweeted Thursday that there was “little value” to the travel restrictions confusingly announced by Trump during an Oval Office prime time speech the night before. Bossert described the curbs as a “poor use of time & energy.”
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“Earlier, yes. Now, travel restrictions/screening are less useful,” he wrote. “We have nearly as much disease here in the US as the countries in Europe.”
The virus has infected more than 127,000 people worldwide. In the U.S., it has sickened more than 1,200 and killed 38. Trump on Wednesday announced the U.S. would impose a 30-day travel ban on noncitizens coming from most of Europe. The ban exempts the U.K. and Ireland, where Trump golf resorts are located.
Bossert suggested the Trump White House instead focus on “layered community mitigation measures” — which include social distancing — and warned it should happen “Now!”
There’s little value to European travel restrictions. Poor use of time & energy. Earlier, yes. Now, travel restrictions/screening are less useful. We have nearly as much disease here in the US as the countries in Europe. We MUST focus on layered community mitigation measures-Now! — Thomas P. Bossert (@TomBossert) March 12, 2020
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The European Union has also condemned Trump’s ban, and it appeared to rattle investors with Wall Street facing another bleak day.
In other tweets, Bossert named what he believed is “the biggest misunderstanding” about coronavirus interventions:
The biggest misunderstanding about #coronavirus interventions is they are an à la carte menu of options to be selectively implemented. This is dead wrong. They ALL must be implemented to achieve a layered effect. Removing any one can defeat all. Close schools AND cancel events. — Thomas P. Bossert (@TomBossert) March 12, 2020
And he noted the irony of what could happen if the U.S. fails to implement “aggressive community interventions.”
The irony is that if we don’t implement aggressive community interventions and mitigate the spread of the virus already in the United States, we will end up infecting or reinfecting Europe. #coronavirus — Thomas P. Bossert (@TomBossert) March 12, 2020
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Bossert last week ― in a column for The Washington Post titled “It’s now or never for the U.S. if it hopes to keep coronavirus from burning out of control” ― warned “time matters” and said officials “must pull the trigger on aggressive interventions” as “evidence of human-to-human transmission becomes clear in a community.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-12--Low-Income College Kids Are Walking A Knife’s Edge In The Wake Of School Closures

A growing number of colleges and universities have canceled in-person classes this semester to combat the spread of COVID-19 , the illness caused by the coronavirus that ’ s now a pandemic .
For the tens of thousands of students who rely on their schools for housing and food , this disruption is going to be particularly painful .
A survey that Goldrick-Rab and other researchers conducted with 86,000 students matriculated at 123 colleges in 2019 found that 45 % reported being food insecure in the past month , while 56 % were housing insecure and 17 % were homeless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a hidden crisis on campuses across the country , Goldrick-Rab said .
Many of these students rely on their university for housing , jobs and food .
While some universities have said that students can stay in their dorms and receive access to dining and facilities , guidance has often been inconsistent and unclear .
In some cases , students have been told that while they ’ ll be allowed to stay on campus in extenuating circumstances , their access to dining will be severely limited .
“ These students are on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to afford college or falling into poverty at any moment , ” she said .
“ They ’ re telling me things like all the food is gone , they paid for their campus meal plan , and they ’ re not going to get it.
” These students are on the knife ’ s edge of being able to afford college or falling into poverty at any moment .
They ’ re telling me things like all the food is gone , they paid for their campus meal plan , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Sara Goldrick-Rab , professor of higher education policy and sociology at Temple University .
“ It really saved my life and my parents ’ life as well , ” Mack , whose family members recently got back on their feet and are living in their own place , told HuffPost .
“ If we had this epidemic during that time , I don ’ t know where I would be right now.
” On Wednesday , the SUNY system announced it would extend spring break and then transition to online learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mack and his peers are currently in midterms .
Between studying and all-nighters , they ’ re figuring out if they ’ re going home , where they ’ ll be going home to , and what the rest of their semester will look like .
Mona Sinha , a 1988 Smith College alumni , says her college ’ s spreadsheet is filled with offers like “ rides to the airport , gift cards for GrubHub or car services , a quiet place to study with free wifi , cold brew and snacks.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ York City , offered financial support to students .
She received about five emails within four minutes of posting , she said , all from students in high-need situations who requested money to get home .
But Goldrick-Rab is quick to note that private universities with large endowments are the ones that should be leading on these issues .
While these universities do serve clusters of low-income students , poorer students are most heavily concentrated in institutions like community colleges .
She worries , too , about the financial repercussions community colleges will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly when it comes to re-enrollment .
Goldrick-Rab has been working for years to try and change the public perception of what the average college student currently looks like .
She believes the public still thinks of college kids as people with two employed parents who can come pick them up when they need to go home or provide financial support as needed .

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A growing number of colleges and universities have canceled in-person classes this semester to combat the spread of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus that’s now a pandemic. For the tens of thousands of students who rely on their schools for housing and food, this disruption is going to be particularly painful.
“It’s going to be so financially stressful … some of these students are not going to return to college,” said Sara Goldrick-Rab, professor of higher education policy and sociology at Temple University.
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A survey that Goldrick-Rab and other researchers conducted with 86,000 students matriculated at 123 colleges in 2019 found that 45% reported being food insecure in the past month, while 56% were housing insecure and 17% were homeless in the past year. These issues are a hidden crisis on campuses across the country, Goldrick-Rab said.
Many of these students rely on their university for housing, jobs and food. While some universities have said that students can stay in their dorms and receive access to dining and facilities, guidance has often been inconsistent and unclear. In some cases, students have been told that while they’ll be allowed to stay on campus in extenuating circumstances, their access to dining will be severely limited.
For students who may not have access to their own computer or the internet when their classes go online, the situation is even more dire.
Goldrick-Rab, who has already heard from “tons” of “absolutely terrified” housing- and food-insecure students, said this semester could change the trajectory of these students’ lives.
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“These students are on the knife’s edge of being able to afford college or falling into poverty at any moment,” she said. “They’re telling me things like all the food is gone, they paid for their campus meal plan, and they’re not going to get it.”
“These students are on the knife’s edge of being able to afford college or falling into poverty at any moment. They’re telling me things like all the food is gone, they paid for their campus meal plan, and they’re not going to get it.” - Sara Goldrick-Rab, professor of higher education policy and sociology at Temple University.
Until recently, SUNY New Paltz junior Bryce Mack identified as one of those students. Last year, Mack attended Nassau Community College. His family was homeless and living in a hotel. He relied on the school’s food bank to feed him and his family.
“It really saved my life and my parents’ life as well,” Mack, whose family members recently got back on their feet and are living in their own place, told HuffPost. “If we had this epidemic during that time, I don’t know where I would be right now.”
On Wednesday, the SUNY system announced it would extend spring break and then transition to online learning for the rest of the semester. Mack and his peers are currently in midterms. Between studying and all-nighters, they’re figuring out if they’re going home, where they’ll be going home to, and what the rest of their semester will look like.
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“I don’t know how you achieve in the classroom if you’re worried about where you’re going to get your food,” Mack said.
A number of alumni at schools have set up spreadsheets to pool resources for students who may need help paying for a plane ticket home or need somewhere to stay.
Mona Sinha, a 1988 Smith College alum, says her college’s spreadsheet is filled with offers like “rides to the airport, gift cards for GrubHub or car services, a quiet place to study with free wifi, cold brew and snacks.” Sinha, who lives in New York City, offered financial support to students. She received about five emails within four minutes of posting, she said, all from students in high-need situations who requested money to get home.
The students have sent her messages saying “you’re truly a godsend,” and “I didn’t know what I was going to do.”
But Goldrick-Rab is quick to note that private universities with large endowments are the ones that should be leading on these issues. While these universities do serve clusters of low-income students, poorer students are most heavily concentrated in institutions like community colleges. She worries, too, about the financial repercussions community colleges will face as a result of these disruptions, particularly when it comes to re-enrollment.
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“I am worried they can’t handle it,” she said.
Goldrick-Rab has been working for years to try and change the public perception of what the average college student currently looks like. She believes the public still thinks of college kids as people with two employed parents who can come pick them up when they need to go home or provide financial support as needed.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-12--Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Swipes At Republicans Who 'Stalk My Livestreams'

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) on Wednesday used Twitter to call out the hypocrisy of Republicans who “ stalk my livestreams ” on social media and “ obsess over any & every word.
” “ Meanwhile , many GOP electeds hide from constituents & avoid town halls , ” the lawmaker wrote .
“ Maybe that ’ s why they ’ re so preoccupied w/mine.
” I find it amusing that GOPers stalk my livestreams to obsess over any & every word , bc I ’ m *actually available* to constituent Qs at 10pm after a long day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ constituents & avoid town halls .
Maybe that ’ s why they ’ re so preoccupied w/ mine 💁🏽♀ — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( @ AOC ) March 12 , 2020 Ocasio-Cortez regularly takes questions from constituents via live sessions on Instagram .
She was likely responding to criticism she garnered from some conservatives after saying in a broadcast Tuesday that people weren ’ t visiting Asian and Chinese restaurants in the U.S. “ because of just straight-up racism ” around the coronavirus , which originated in China .
“ Honestly , it sounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s a lot of restaurants that are feeling the pain of racism , ” she said .
The segment was later amplified by a reporter for the right-wing website , The Daily Wire .
Ocasio-Cortez ’ s comments linking coronavirus to racism are well founded , however , with racist fear-mongering reportedly contributing to considerable declines in sales and visitors to Asian American-run businesses .
Ocasio-Cortez says people are not eating at Chinese and Asian restaurants right now because they are `` just straight up '' racist about the coronavirus pic.twitter.com/egtpRDEDhO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 11 , 2020

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday used Twitter to call out the hypocrisy of Republicans who “stalk my livestreams” on social media and “obsess over any & every word.”
“Meanwhile, many GOP electeds hide from constituents & avoid town halls,” the lawmaker wrote. “Maybe that’s why they’re so preoccupied w/mine.”
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I find it amusing that GOPers stalk my livestreams to obsess over any & every word, bc I’m *actually available* to constituent Qs at 10pm after a long day.
Meanwhile, many GOP electeds hide from constituents & avoid town halls. Maybe that’s why they’re so preoccupied w/ mine 💁🏽♀ — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 12, 2020
Ocasio-Cortez regularly takes questions from constituents via live sessions on Instagram. She was likely responding to criticism she garnered from some conservatives after saying in a broadcast Tuesday that people weren’t visiting Asian and Chinese restaurants in the U.S. “because of just straight-up racism” around the coronavirus, which originated in China.
“Honestly, it sounds almost so silly to say, but there’s a lot of restaurants that are feeling the pain of racism,” she said. The segment was later amplified by a reporter for the right-wing website, The Daily Wire.
Ocasio-Cortez’s comments linking coronavirus to racism are well founded, however, with racist fear-mongering reportedly contributing to considerable declines in sales and visitors to Asian American-run businesses.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-12--Elizabeth Warren Calls On Trump, Congress To Go Bigger On Coronavirus

Warren , who suspended her presidential candidacy last week , had during her campaign laid out a detailed agenda that included public health measures to deal with the disease itself as well as measures to boost the economy and help people affected by the crisis in one way or another .
The agenda was meant , in part , to showcase her abilities as a potential president .
But even with that bid over , Warren remains an influential senator and , with this newly revised call to action , she hopes to influence fellow members of Congress who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even the White House .
Warren also is still somebody with power to shape the presidential campaign .
The new agenda includes one item that looks a lot like a message to former Vice President Joe Biden , front-runner for the Democratic nomination , about who he might be contemplating as members of a future administration .
What Warren Is Proposing Now In addition , Warren wants President Donald Trump to make an official disaster declaration under what ’ s known as the Stafford Act , which would immediately make money available to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some bureaucratic restraints on action .
Trump has resisted calls to do that , according to Politico , because he fears it would undermine his attempts to claim that the outbreak is under control and no worse than the flu .
Public health experts are more alarmed , in part because they fear a surge in patients with COVID-19 infections will overwhelm health care systems , creating shortages of intensive care beds , ventilators and personnel ― something that reportedly is already happening in Italy and forcing harrowing choices over who gets treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent that from occurring here , Warren thinks the administration should direct hospitals in affected regions to delay or cancel elective surgeries .
She also wants the administration to explore ways of ramping up ventilator production , whether by guaranteeing purchases in advance from existing manufacturers or working with the Defense Department to identify new ones and then signing contracts .
To help the economy and the inevitably large numbers of people who will lose jobs as activity slows , Warren is renewing her calls for paid leave , enhanced unemployment benefits and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that House Democrats formally introduced Thursday and hope to pass includes many of these measures .
For that reason , she is proposing several additional steps , including a call for student debt cancellation like she proposed during her campaign and a $ 200 monthly increase in Social Security benefits , which by helping the elderly and physically disabled would target groups especially threatened by coronavirus .
Not all of the steps in her new agenda are strictly short term .
Warren is proposing an investment of $ 200 billion in vaccine research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The features together would bring her package to around $ 750 billion , a sum that would have seemed eye-popping to many just a few weeks ago .
But interest rates have plummeted , which most economists would say make this the ideal time to borrow large sums of money , especially for the sake of addressing a public health and economic crisis .
The last item in Warren ’ s new agenda is about personnel .
She says the large number of former financial industry figures in the Trump administration helps explain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic have focused so heavily on helping industries and not workers who might be suffering .
But a conspicuously worded passage in her new message , to be released on her political social media channels , says that past Democratic administrations , like Republican ones , have leaned too heavily on Wall Street veterans to provide policy advice ― and says “ let ’ s hope it ’ s the last time .
”

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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Thursday issued a new call for action from both the president and Congress to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Warren, who suspended her presidential candidacy last week, had during her campaign laid out a detailed agenda that included public health measures to deal with the disease itself as well as measures to boost the economy and help people affected by the crisis in one way or another.
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The most recent iteration, a plan she released early last week, was a proposal for $400 billion in new spending that included aid to safety net providers, paid sick leave, and a broad stimulus package.
The agenda was meant, in part, to showcase her abilities as a potential president. But even with that bid over, Warren remains an influential senator and, with this newly revised call to action, she hopes to influence fellow members of Congress who are hastily putting together emergency legislation, and even the White House.
Warren also is still somebody with power to shape the presidential campaign. The new agenda includes one item that looks a lot like a message to former Vice President Joe Biden, front-runner for the Democratic nomination, about who he might be contemplating as members of a future administration.
What Warren Is Proposing Now
The most urgent items on Warren’s coronavirus agenda, which aides shared with HuffPost prior to its announcement, are for quick executive action to ramp up the federal government’s public health efforts.
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That includes making sure money from last week’s emergency spending package reaches public health authorities right away, so that they can “rapidly stand up testing capacity nationwide.”
In addition, Warren wants President Donald Trump to make an official disaster declaration under what’s known as the Stafford Act, which would immediately make money available to local and state agencies and clear away some bureaucratic restraints on action. Trump has resisted calls to do that, according to Politico, because he fears it would undermine his attempts to claim that the outbreak is under control and no worse than the flu.
Public health experts are more alarmed, in part because they fear a surge in patients with COVID-19 infections will overwhelm health care systems, creating shortages of intensive care beds, ventilators and personnel ― something that reportedly is already happening in Italy and forcing harrowing choices over who gets treatment and who doesn’t.
To prevent that from occurring here, Warren thinks the administration should direct hospitals in affected regions to delay or cancel elective surgeries. She also wants the administration to explore ways of ramping up ventilator production, whether by guaranteeing purchases in advance from existing manufacturers or working with the Defense Department to identify new ones and then signing contracts.
To help the economy and the inevitably large numbers of people who will lose jobs as activity slows, Warren is renewing her calls for paid leave, enhanced unemployment benefits and funding to safety net providers. Legislation that House Democrats formally introduced Thursday and hope to pass includes many of these measures.
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But Warren wants Congress to do more, now that the full scope of the crisis is coming into view.
For that reason, she is proposing several additional steps, including a call for student debt cancellation like she proposed during her campaign and a $200 monthly increase in Social Security benefits, which by helping the elderly and physically disabled would target groups especially threatened by coronavirus.
Not all of the steps in her new agenda are strictly short term. Warren is proposing an investment of $200 billion in vaccine research and development over the coming years.
The features together would bring her package to around $750 billion, a sum that would have seemed eye-popping to many just a few weeks ago. But interest rates have plummeted, which most economists would say make this the ideal time to borrow large sums of money, especially for the sake of addressing a public health and economic crisis.
The last item in Warren’s new agenda is about personnel. She says the large number of former financial industry figures in the Trump administration helps explain why its proposed economic responses to the coronavirus pandemic have focused so heavily on helping industries and not workers who might be suffering.
But a conspicuously worded passage in her new message, to be released on her political social media channels, says that past Democratic administrations, like Republican ones, have leaned too heavily on Wall Street veterans to provide policy advice ― and says “let’s hope it’s the last time.”
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Earlier this week, Axios reported that Biden aides thinking ahead to staff for a future administration were contemplating Jamie Dimon, the chair and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, as well as Anne Finucane, vice chair of Bank of America.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-12--Kentucky's Ex-GOP Governor Sparks Fierce Backlash With Sarcastic Coronavirus Tweet

Pray tell oh wise one , are the other governor 's also saying the sky is falling ?
What about @ @ @ @ @ the country ?
And the employers who are restricting employee travel ?
Are those who @ @ @ @ @ Trump changed his tune , will you then too ?

Pray tell oh wise one, are the other governor's also saying the sky is falling? What about the colleges and universities around the country? And the employers who are restricting employee travel? Are those who trust science wrong? If Trump changed his tune, will you then too?


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-12--Obama's ‘Ebola Czar' Predicts How Trump Will Try To Shift Coronavirus Blame

We ought to watch for what ’ s going to be a pivot , I predict , in the Trump @ @ @ @ @ increasingly they ’ re going to say , ‘ Hey , this is a state @ @ @ @ @ ’ re here to provide technical expertise but solving this will be up to governors @ @ @ @ @ I think they ’ re going to try to push this problem downward .

We ought to watch for what’s going to be a pivot, I predict, in the Trump administration rhetoric. I think increasingly they’re going to say, ‘Hey, this is a state and local problem. We’re here to provide technical expertise but solving this will be up to governors and up to mayors.’ I think they’re going to try to push this problem downward.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-12--Sean Hannity Shows His Obliviousness With Sanctimonious Speech About Coronavirus

Fox News ’ Sean Hannity on Wednesday night ― without any hint of irony ― stressed the importance of facts in the face of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Make no mistakes , ” warned the “ Hannity ” host , who frequently uses his widely watched prime time show to defend the lies of President Donald Trump , with whom he reportedly talks on the telephone multiple times each day .
“ In serious situations , truth matters .
Facts matter , ” Hannity sanctimoniously continued .
“ And unfortunately , there ’ s been way too much politicizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ untruths being told and actually even some actually weaponizing what is a pandemic .
That all needs to stop .
I hope it will.
” Hannity , with no sense of self-awareness : `` Make no mistake .
In serious situations , truth matters , facts matter and unfortunately , there has been way too much ... untruths being told '' pic.twitter.com/HQGDGLi6YP — Oliver Darcy ( @ oliverdarcy ) March 12 , 2020 Hannity who has argued that coronavirus is really just a deep state plot proclaims tonight : “ In serious situations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He then shifts Fox News coverage from coronavirus to the flu .
So there ya have it .
— Angelo Carusone ( @ GoAngelo ) March 12 , 2020 Hannity has repeatedly downplayed the threat of the virus , which has now sickened more than 1,300 people in the U.S. and killed 38 .
Last week , he himself politicized it to attack Democrats and the media .
“ It ’ s like they ’ re hoping Americans die and get sick and that we all lose a fortune in the stock market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
On his radio show Wednesday , Hannity suggested a conspiracy theory that the so-called deep state is using the outbreak to damage the economy and push mandated medicines “ may be true .
”

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Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Wednesday night ― without any hint of irony ― stressed the importance of facts in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Make no mistakes,” warned the “Hannity” host, who frequently uses his widely watched prime time show to defend the lies of President Donald Trump, with whom he reportedly talks on the telephone multiple times each day.
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“In serious situations, truth matters. Facts matter,” Hannity sanctimoniously continued. “And unfortunately, there’s been way too much politicizing of this, too much well, untruths being told and actually even some actually weaponizing what is a pandemic. That all needs to stop. I hope it will.”
Check out the clip here:
Hannity, with no sense of self-awareness: "Make no mistake. In serious situations, truth matters, facts matter and unfortunately, there has been way too much ... untruths being told" pic.twitter.com/HQGDGLi6YP — Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) March 12, 2020
Hannity who has argued that coronavirus is really just a deep state plot proclaims tonight: “In serious situations, truth matters. Facts matter.”
He then shifts Fox News coverage from coronavirus to the flu.
So there ya have it. — Angelo Carusone (@GoAngelo) March 12, 2020
Hannity has repeatedly downplayed the threat of the virus, which has now sickened more than 1,300 people in the U.S. and killed 38.
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Last week, he himself politicized it to attack Democrats and the media.
“It’s like they’re hoping Americans die and get sick and that we all lose a fortune in the stock market because of the jittery stock market,” he said.
On his radio show Wednesday, Hannity suggested a conspiracy theory that the so-called deep state is using the outbreak to damage the economy and push mandated medicines “may be true.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-12--California Governor Calls Out What A Mess Coronavirus Testing Is Right Now

So far only about 1,500 people have been tested in the state , Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D ) said in a press conference .
While the state government has 8,000 test kits available , the kits have not all included every necessary component to actually perform the test for COVID-19 , Newsom said .
“ I continue to reinforce the tests are not complete , kits all do not include re-agents , chemicals , solutions that are components , ” Newsom said , adding that it was “ imperative ” that labs get access to “ all ingredients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ m surprised this is not more of the national conversation , ” he said , adding it was analogous to going to a store and buying a printer but not having any ink to print with .
Newsom said that at the “ beginning of this process , ” the state did not realize the federal government ’ s test kits were incomplete .
The issue became clear after “ ambiguity ” and “ queries ” from local labs saying they couldn ’ t use the kits .
There have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not have all the necessary components , he said — though as of Thursday there were no reported backlogs remaining .
The state has been proactively addressing the labs ’ needs for missing components to complete tests , including relying on lab company Quest Diagnostics to process backlogged tests .
The state is partnering with other commercial labs , as well as university and private hospitals , to supplement testing moving forward .
Newsom said the Centers for Disease Control was “ well aware ” of the issue and he had spoken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
The CDC and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
“ It ’ s an issue that needs to be resolved quickly , ” Newsom said .
He added that he ’ d been “ clear ” with federal partners on the importance of providing test kits with all components and that it is “ imperative ” for them to address the issue , “ so we ’ re not relying on commercial labs for completely integrated tests.
” In California , nearly 200 people had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and four people had died .
Across the U.S. , there were more than 1,200 cases and at least 36 deaths in 42 states , per the CDC .
There have been concerns about delays in testing across the country .
On Wednesday , President Donald Trump focused his address to the nation on closing U.S. borders to visitors from most of Europe .
In California , Newsom said the state is actively working on expanding the number of labs available to conduct tests and aiming to centralize testing .
There will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available for testing , he noted , as have been used in South Korea .
Private hospital Kaiser Permanente set up a drive-through testing facility in San Francisco earlier this week , but its capacity is limited .
Newsom added that the state is looking to “ bypass certain protocols in testing , ” noting that demand for tests has been “ limited by protocols that are in place.
” Newsom ’ s office and the CDC did not immediately respond to questions about what exact protocols they were following for eligibility for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home near Sacramento have not all been tested as of Thursday , even though a resident of the home died Tuesday after developing COVID-19 , Dr. Mark Ghaly , California ’ s health and human services secretary , said Thursday .
Authorities know such seniors are a “ vulnerable group ” and they ’ re “ working to make sure ” they have access to testing , Ghaly said .
Those who need to will “ get tested very soon , ” he said .
Passengers are still being unloaded from a cruise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week after 21 people onboard tested positive for coronavirus .
Most people should be off the ship by the end of Thursday , the governor said .
He added that “ a number of people ” from the ship so far had tested positive , but did not disclose how many , as the results were still being processed “ in real time .
”

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California’s ability to test people for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, has been limited by incomplete test kits provided by the federal government, the state’s governor said Thursday.
So far only about 1,500 people have been tested in the state, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said in a press conference. While the state government has 8,000 test kits available, the kits have not all included every necessary component to actually perform the test for COVID-19, Newsom said.
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“I continue to reinforce the tests are not complete, kits all do not include re-agents, chemicals, solutions that are components,” Newsom said, adding that it was “imperative” that labs get access to “all ingredients that are components of the test.”
“I’m surprised this is not more of the national conversation,” he said, adding it was analogous to going to a store and buying a printer but not having any ink to print with.
Newsom said that at the “beginning of this process,” the state did not realize the federal government’s test kits were incomplete. The issue became clear after “ambiguity” and “queries” from local labs saying they couldn’t use the kits. There have been backlogs in local labs because tests did not have all the necessary components, he said — though as of Thursday there were no reported backlogs remaining.
The state has been proactively addressing the labs’ needs for missing components to complete tests, including relying on lab company Quest Diagnostics to process backlogged tests. The state is partnering with other commercial labs, as well as university and private hospitals, to supplement testing moving forward.
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Newsom said the Centers for Disease Control was “well aware” of the issue and he had spoken to Vice President Mike Pence about it Wednesday. The CDC and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
“It’s an issue that needs to be resolved quickly,” Newsom said. He added that he’d been “clear” with federal partners on the importance of providing test kits with all components and that it is “imperative” for them to address the issue, “so we’re not relying on commercial labs for completely integrated tests.”
“We want to test more people,” Newsom said, adding that testing helps give the state “a sense of what we’re dealing with.”
In California, nearly 200 people had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Thursday, and four people had died. Across the U.S., there were more than 1,200 cases and at least 36 deaths in 42 states, per the CDC.
Under a new executive order, the California governor directed people in the state to not hold large gatherings of more than 250 people, including sporting events and concerts.
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LIVE NOW: Governor @GavinNewsom and state health officials provide an update on the state’s response to #COVID19. https://t.co/qZlr0NemNh — Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) March 12, 2020
In California, Newsom said the state is actively working on expanding the number of labs available to conduct tests and aiming to centralize testing. There will not yet be “drive-by facilities” available for testing, he noted, as have been used in South Korea. Private hospital Kaiser Permanente set up a drive-through testing facility in San Francisco earlier this week, but its capacity is limited.
Newsom added that the state is looking to “bypass certain protocols in testing,” noting that demand for tests has been “limited by protocols that are in place.” Newsom’s office and the CDC did not immediately respond to questions about what exact protocols they were following for eligibility for testing.
Residents of a senior living home near Sacramento have not all been tested as of Thursday, even though a resident of the home died Tuesday after developing COVID-19, Dr. Mark Ghaly, California’s health and human services secretary, said Thursday.
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Authorities know such seniors are a “vulnerable group” and they’re “working to make sure” they have access to testing, Ghaly said. Those who need to will “get tested very soon,” he said.
Ghaly said they were “working on protocol to determine how many we can test right away.”
Passengers are still being unloaded from a cruise ship that docked in Oakland earlier this week after 21 people onboard tested positive for coronavirus. Most people should be off the ship by the end of Thursday, the governor said. He added that “a number of people” from the ship so far had tested positive, but did not disclose how many, as the results were still being processed “in real time.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-12--Pentagon Silent On Coronavirus Test Kits At Overseas Military Bases

ED JONES via Getty Images President Donald Trump speaks to military personnel and their families stationed in South Korea at Osan Air Base , south of Seoul , in June 2019 .
Amid concerns that the coronavirus may spread at U.S. military facilities in countries experiencing big outbreaks , the Department of Defense has not said if all facilities abroad have the means to test people for the virus .
“ We asked the Department of Defense whether the Army has coronavirus testing kits physically at all bases abroad , ” said Rep. Mark Pocan ( D-Wis. ) in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are still unable to tell us [ a ] yes or no answer — does every military base overseas have current access to coronavirus kits ?
” A Pentagon official told Pocan ’ s office to anticipate more information on Friday but provided “ no real answers ” as of Thursday , a spokesman for the congressman told HuffPost .
Test kits for COVID-19 , which is the disease caused by the coronavirus , are not the only line of defense for health professionals trying to contain the spread of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evaluating individuals and taking quarantine measures based on whether patients are showing likely symptoms of the coronavirus .
Pocan ’ s office contacted the Pentagon based on a report that several military personnel on a base in Afghanistan were experiencing “ flu-like symptoms , ” which are a potential sign of infection .
The unnamed military base is a few miles from a town in Afghanistan with five known cases of COVID-19 , Pocan said , and 75 miles from the border of Iran , where cases of the virus have surpassed 10,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have conducted operations or what other precautions might be in place .
Around the globe , there are tens of thousands of military personnel and families based in countries where cases of the virus have been confirmed .
Individual U.S. military bases in countries with severe outbreaks are already taking extra precautions against the virus , like widespread disinfection efforts and scaled-back military operations .
In Daegu , the town at the epicenter of South Korea ’ s outbreak , the U.S. garrison of more than 9,000 soldiers , personnel and families has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checks for people entering the base .
U.S. military bases in Italy have closed schools and daycare facilities .
But the lack of a ready answer about testing , specifically , mirrors a broader dearth of clear information coming out of the Trump administration .
“ The fact that we can not figure out this basic answer for our troops serving abroad is very concerning , ” Pocan said .
“ I hope that the military can get us an affirmative answer immediately .
”

President Donald Trump speaks to military personnel and their families stationed in South Korea at Osan Air Base, south of Seoul, in June 2019. ED JONES via Getty Images
Amid concerns that the coronavirus may spread at U.S. military facilities in countries experiencing big outbreaks, the Department of Defense has not said if all facilities abroad have the means to test people for the virus.
“We asked the Department of Defense whether the Army has coronavirus testing kits physically at all bases abroad,” said Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) in a statement. “After following up, they are still unable to tell us [a] yes or no answer — does every military base overseas have current access to coronavirus kits?”
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A Defense Department official did not immediately respond to a request for more information.
A Pentagon official told Pocan’s office to anticipate more information on Friday but provided “no real answers” as of Thursday, a spokesman for the congressman told HuffPost.
Test kits for COVID-19, which is the disease caused by the coronavirus, are not the only line of defense for health professionals trying to contain the spread of the virus. Many hospitals and health professionals are evaluating individuals and taking quarantine measures based on whether patients are showing likely symptoms of the coronavirus.
Pocan’s office contacted the Pentagon based on a report that several military personnel on a base in Afghanistan were experiencing “flu-like symptoms,” which are a potential sign of infection.
The unnamed military base is a few miles from a town in Afghanistan with five known cases of COVID-19, Pocan said, and 75 miles from the border of Iran, where cases of the virus have surpassed 10,000. It is not clear where personnel have conducted operations or what other precautions might be in place.
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Around the globe, there are tens of thousands of military personnel and families based in countries where cases of the virus have been confirmed. Individual U.S. military bases in countries with severe outbreaks are already taking extra precautions against the virus, like widespread disinfection efforts and scaled-back military operations.
In Daegu, the town at the epicenter of South Korea’s outbreak, the U.S. garrison of more than 9,000 soldiers, personnel and families has halted most offsite travel and instituted health checks for people entering the base. U.S. military bases in Italy have closed schools and daycare facilities.
But the lack of a ready answer about testing, specifically, mirrors a broader dearth of clear information coming out of the Trump administration.
“The fact that we cannot figure out this basic answer for our troops serving abroad is very concerning,” Pocan said. “I hope that the military can get us an affirmative answer immediately.”
Keep up with the latest updates on the coronavirus at our live blog.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-12--House Democrats Unveil Broad Package To Help Americans Affected By Coronavirus

WASHINGTON , March 11 ( Reuters ) - Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday unveiled a broad package of proposals to help Americans affected by the coronavirus outbreak , while officials suspended public tours through the Capitol building .
The legislation , which Democratic leaders aimed to rush to the House floor for debate and passage on Thursday , would grant workers 14 days of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave , a summary of the bill shows .
Other provisions in the 124-page “ Families First Coronavirus Response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment insurance to furloughed workers and hundreds of millions of dollars in additional funding for children ’ s , seniors ’ and other federal nutrition programs .
An additional $ 500 million would be provided to help feed low-income pregnant women or mothers with young children who lose their jobs or are laid off because of the virus outbreak .
Democrats introduced the measure as President Donald Trump announced he would suspend travel for Europe to the United States in his latest bid to contain the coronavirus .
The tours would be suspended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressional official said , adding it was not yet clear when the suspensions would start .
After a closed-door meeting with fellow Democrats earlier on Wednesday , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she hoped legislation to help Americans navigate through the coronavirus crisis would win the backing of the Trump administration .
“ This vote tomorrow is going to be an act of confidence that ... we ’ re acting on a national health emergency , ” House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal said .
Neal said that on Tuesday he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ he surely seemed supportive of the positions I had taken.
” Democrats have refused to back Trump ’ s call for at least temporarily suspending the payroll tax as a way of helping families get through the coronavirus crisis .
They have argued that the proposal is too broad and would not be the most effective way of helping Americans .
If passed by the House and Senate and approved by Trump , the House ’ s bill would result in “ billions ” of dollars of federal funds being dispensed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The additional emergency funds would come on top of the $ 8.3 billion pledged in a bill enacted last week to help develop a coronavirus vaccine , accelerate the provision of medical supplies and test kits across the United States that are in short supply and help foreign countries control the spread of the highly contagious virus , which causes the sometimes fatal respiratory illness COVID-19 .
House Democrats hope to pass this second coronavirus bill through Congress before it begins a scheduled recess at the end of this week .
Additional bills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The number of U.S. coronavirus cases has risen steadily and has affected almost three-quarters of U.S. states .
More than 1,000 cases and 32 deaths have been reported .
“ Most of my tours have been canceled because people are not coming , ” Shalala said of her south Florida constituents .
She added that many official meetings are being conducted by telephone “ just because people are not coming to Washington or they ’ ve decided to not leave their offices .
”

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WASHINGTON, March 11 (Reuters) - Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday unveiled a broad package of proposals to help Americans affected by the coronavirus outbreak, while officials suspended public tours through the Capitol building.
The legislation, which Democratic leaders aimed to rush to the House floor for debate and passage on Thursday, would grant workers 14 days of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave, a summary of the bill shows.
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Other provisions in the 124-page “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” introduced late on Wednesday include unemployment insurance to furloughed workers and hundreds of millions of dollars in additional funding for children’s, seniors’ and other federal nutrition programs.
An additional $500 million would be provided to help feed low-income pregnant women or mothers with young children who lose their jobs or are laid off because of the virus outbreak.
Another $400 million would help local food banks meet increased demand.
The legislation also would guarantee free coronavirus testing for anyone who requires it, including uninsured people.
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Democrats introduced the measure as President Donald Trump announced he would suspend travel for Europe to the United States in his latest bid to contain the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, a Capitol official confirmed that the spreading coronavirus prompted a decision to temporarily stop tourist visits, although the landmark building will remain open for legislative business.
The tours would be suspended through the end of March, a congressional official said, adding it was not yet clear when the suspensions would start.
An estimated 3 million visitors stream through the Capitol annually.
After a closed-door meeting with fellow Democrats earlier on Wednesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she hoped legislation to help Americans navigate through the coronavirus crisis would win the backing of the Trump administration.
“This vote tomorrow is going to be an act of confidence that ... we’re acting on a national health emergency,” House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal said.
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Neal said that on Tuesday he spoke with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and “he surely seemed supportive of the positions I had taken.”
Pelosi, the top Democrat in Congress, has also been talking to Mnuchin.
Democrats have refused to back Trump’s call for at least temporarily suspending the payroll tax as a way of helping families get through the coronavirus crisis. They have argued that the proposal is too broad and would not be the most effective way of helping Americans.
If passed by the House and Senate and approved by Trump, the House’s bill would result in “billions” of dollars of federal funds being dispensed, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said.
The additional emergency funds would come on top of the $8.3 billion pledged in a bill enacted last week to help develop a coronavirus vaccine, accelerate the provision of medical supplies and test kits across the United States that are in short supply and help foreign countries control the spread of the highly contagious virus, which causes the sometimes fatal respiratory illness COVID-19.
House Democrats hope to pass this second coronavirus bill through Congress before it begins a scheduled recess at the end of this week. Additional bills could follow later, lawmakers said.
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Its fate in the Republican-led Senate was unclear.
The number of U.S. coronavirus cases has risen steadily and has affected almost three-quarters of U.S. states. More than 1,000 cases and 32 deaths have been reported.
Even before the decision limiting access to the Capitol, the number of visits was falling, said Democratic Representative Donna Shalala, ex-President Bill Clinton’s secretary of health.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-11--Trump Responds To Spiraling U.S. Coronavirus Outbreak By Unveiling Europe Travel Ban

In the face of a rapidly expanding global coronavirus pandemic that has already killed dozens and infected at least 1,200 within the United States , President Donald Trump delivered a strange Oval Office speech Wednesday in which he focused on banning travel from Europe , said nothing about the lack of available testing across the country , and ignored many crucial aspects of the public health crisis .
The president said he would ban noncitizens from traveling to the United States from Europe for 30 days amid the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 , the novel coronavirus now declared a pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the European Union ’ s 26-country Schengen Area and those who have traveled there in the past 14 days .
It begins Friday .
The president initially said all travel would be suspended from Europe but later clarified that the ban would exempt Americans , permanent residents and their families , although such travelers could be subject to additional screening at ports of entry .
Trump also clarified , amid confusion over his remarks , that the ban did not apply to trade with Europe , only “ people.
” Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic measures meant to avert any lasting financial damage , instructing the Small Business Administration to provide aid to businesses affected by the virus .
He said he would ask Congress to divert an additional $ 50 billion to the program and consider immediate payroll tax relief in an attempt to kickstart the economy .
“ This is not a financial crisis , this is just a temporary moment of time that we will overcome together as a nation and a world , ” Trump said .
“ We are all in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , stop the partisanship and unify together as one nation and one family.
” “ Taking early , intense action , we have seen dramatically fewer cases in the virus than are now present in Europe , ” Trump said , using the term “ foreign virus ” for COVID-19 .
“ The European Union failed to take the same precautions .
As a result , a large number of new clusters in the United States were seeded from [ the region ] .
” The World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it had infected more than 113,000 people worldwide and killed more than 4,000 .
Infections in the U.S. continue to grow , prompting dramatic measures in some states with community outbreaks , including the closure of college campuses and some bans on large gatherings .
“ Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly , ” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a news conference on Wednesday .
“ It is a word that , if misused , can cause unreasonable fear , or unjustified acceptance that the fight is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death.
” Trump has so far declined to issue a national emergency declaration over the coronavirus outbreak .
Democratic senators are preparing to ask the White House to do so , according to CNN , which would allow the government to use funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency , or FEMA , to assist local governments with the virus .
But Politico reported Wednesday that the president is worried that doing so would stoke panic and impede the administration ’ s efforts to bolster wild financial markets .
The president has repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been slow to respond to the outbreak .
During a meeting with banking leaders on Wednesday , he dismissed a reporter ’ s question on such concerns as “ fake news ” and declined to answer .
The president has also consistently downplayed the threat of the virus , rejecting assertions that there weren ’ t enough kits for every American to get tested and comparing the death rate of the seasonal flu with the coronavirus in a way critics said was misleading to the public about its severity .
Trump didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but said health insurance companies had agreed to waive co-payments for coronavirus testing , but he said , apparently in error , that that change would also apply to treatments .
A spokesperson for America ’ s Health Insurance Plans , a major industry lobby , clarified to Politico that it had not agreed to waive co-payments for treatments but would for testing .
“ From the beginning of time , nations and people have faced unforeseen challenges , including large-scale and very dangerous health threats , ” he said .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and always will be .
We are responding with great speed and professionalism.
” “ We must be much more serious as a country about what we might expect , ” Fauci told House lawmakers this week .
“ We can not look at it and say , ‘ Well , there are only a couple of cases here , that ’ s good.
’ Because a couple of cases today are going to be many , many cases tomorrow .
”

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In the face of a rapidly expanding global coronavirus pandemic that has already killed dozens and infected at least 1,200 within the United States, President Donald Trump delivered a strange Oval Office speech Wednesday in which he focused on banning travel from Europe, said nothing about the lack of available testing across the country, and ignored many crucial aspects of the public health crisis.
The president said he would ban noncitizens from traveling to the United States from Europe for 30 days amid the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus now declared a pandemic. The ban will apply to anyone in the European Union’s 26-country Schengen Area and those who have traveled there in the past 14 days. It begins Friday.
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The president initially said all travel would be suspended from Europe but later clarified that the ban would exempt Americans, permanent residents and their families, although such travelers could be subject to additional screening at ports of entry. Trump also clarified, amid confusion over his remarks, that the ban did not apply to trade with Europe, only “people.”
“Please remember, very important for all countries & businesses to know that trade will in no way be affected by the 30-day restriction on travel from Europe,” he wrote on Twitter. “The restriction stops people not goods.”
Trump said he would soon enact a spate of economic measures meant to avert any lasting financial damage, instructing the Small Business Administration to provide aid to businesses affected by the virus. He said he would ask Congress to divert an additional $50 billion to the program and consider immediate payroll tax relief in an attempt to kickstart the economy.
“This is not a financial crisis, this is just a temporary moment of time that we will overcome together as a nation and a world,” Trump said. “We are all in this together. We must put politics aside, stop the partisanship and unify together as one nation and one family.”
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He moved to place some blame on Europe for the spread of the virus there, touting his own efforts to ban travel from China.
“Taking early, intense action, we have seen dramatically fewer cases in the virus than are now present in Europe,” Trump said, using the term “foreign virus” for COVID-19. “The European Union failed to take the same precautions. As a result, a large number of new clusters in the United States were seeded from [the region].”
Hours after Trump’s speech, the U.S. State Department posted a travel advisory on its website recommending that citizens reconsider foreign travel due to the coronavirus pandemic and countries’ response to it.
“Many areas throughout the world are now experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and taking action that may limit traveler mobility, including quarantines and border restrictions,” the advisory said.
The World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic on Wednesday as the agency said it had infected more than 113,000 people worldwide and killed more than 4,000. Infections in the U.S. continue to grow, prompting dramatic measures in some states with community outbreaks, including the closure of college campuses and some bans on large gatherings.
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“Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a news conference on Wednesday. “It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear, or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death.”
Trump has so far declined to issue a national emergency declaration over the coronavirus outbreak. Democratic senators are preparing to ask the White House to do so, according to CNN, which would allow the government to use funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, to assist local governments with the virus. But Politico reported Wednesday that the president is worried that doing so would stoke panic and impede the administration’s efforts to bolster wild financial markets.
Wall Street plunged into a bear market as the outbreak was declared a pandemic, down nearly 20% since the stock market’s high in February.
The president has repeatedly pushed back against criticism that his administration has been slow to respond to the outbreak. During a meeting with banking leaders on Wednesday, he dismissed a reporter’s question on such concerns as “fake news” and declined to answer.
The president has also consistently downplayed the threat of the virus, rejecting assertions that there weren’t enough kits for every American to get tested and comparing the death rate of the seasonal flu with the coronavirus in a way critics said was misleading to the public about its severity.
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Trump didn’t mention testing much on Wednesday but said health insurance companies had agreed to waive co-payments for coronavirus testing, but he said, apparently in error, that that change would also apply to treatments. A spokesperson for America’s Health Insurance Plans, a major industry lobby, clarified to Politico that it had not agreed to waive co-payments for treatments but would for testing.
The president again suggested Wednesday that the threat of the virus could be overstated.
“From the beginning of time, nations and people have faced unforeseen challenges, including large-scale and very dangerous health threats,” he said. “This is the way it always was, and always will be. We are responding with great speed and professionalism.”
Health officials have routinely pushed back against such assertions. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s leading infectious diseases expert, predicted Tuesday that the outbreak would only get worse before it got better.
“We must be much more serious as a country about what we might expect,” Fauci told House lawmakers this week. “We cannot look at it and say, ‘Well, there are only a couple of cases here, that’s good.’ Because a couple of cases today are going to be many, many cases tomorrow.”
Others have been more stark. German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned her country that 2 in 3 Germans may become infected before the virus runs its course, saying it was important to follow government restrictions and take public health warnings to heart.
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“This is putting our solidarity, our common sense and our openheartedness for one another to the test,” she said. “I hope that we will pass it.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-11--Top Disease Expert Repeatedly Checks People Comparing Coronavirus To The Flu

The nation ’ s leading infectious diseases expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci , has urged Americans to take the coronavirus outbreak very seriously , repeatedly setting people straight for suggesting COVID-19 is less lethal than the seasonal flu .
Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House coronavirus task force , did not mince words during an appearance on Fox News ’ s “ Hannity ” on Tuesday night , and gave stark and sobering testimony before House Oversight Committee lawmakers the following day , contradicting several White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has downplayed the seriousness of the virus and blamed those highlighting its severity as attempting to crush President Donald Trump ’ s reelection efforts , was dealt some harsh facts by Fauci during their interview .
“ So this virus is impacting people with compromised immune systems , underlying other medical conditions are the most vulnerable .
What about the other 99 % ?
If people got the virus ― worst-case scenario ― how dangerous is it to them , compared maybe to the regular virus , regular flu ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the people infected would get sick but recover , about 15 % would experience a significantly higher mortality rate , Fauci said , citing data from China and South Korea .
He added : “ But Sean , to make sure your viewers get an accurate idea about what goes on , you mentioned seasonal flu .
The mortality for seasonal flu is 0.1 [ percent ] .
The mortality for this is about 2 , 2½ percent .
It ’ s probably lower than that , it ’ s probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s 1 , it ’ s 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu .
You ’ ve got to make sure that people understand that.
” The congressman asked Fauci to compare COVID-19 to other infectious disease outbreaks , such as SARS and the H1N1 influenza ( swine flu ) , suggesting that it was important to find a balance between a proactive response and “ instigating overreaction.
” “ In the 2½ months that we ’ ve had this coronavirus , as you know , we now have multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly is not as lethal , but it certainly spreads better.
” The latest World Health Organization data states that there are more than 118,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 4,292 deaths since the virus strain was first reported in late 2019 .
Factoring for the cases that are minimally symptomatic , or asymptomatic , Fauci estimated the mortality rate from COVID-19 to be 1 % ― “ which means it is 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu , ” he said .
Trump , too , has tried to draw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an attempt to soften the death toll from the novel coronavirus , tweeting this week that thousands die of influenza each year while only 22 had died from the current outbreak .
As of Wednesday , the U.S. has had more than 1,200 confirmed cases and 37 deaths , more than double the number of confirmed cases since Trump ’ s tweet .
Experts have reiterated that it is unwise to make comparisons between the two viruses and that , although they may present similar symptoms in milder cases , the novel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine .
Last week , Fauci made headlines when he corrected Trump ’ s claim that a vaccine could be ready in mere months , advising the president that it will likely take at least a year .

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The nation’s leading infectious diseases expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has urged Americans to take the coronavirus outbreak very seriously, repeatedly setting people straight for suggesting COVID-19 is less lethal than the seasonal flu.
Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House coronavirus task force, did not mince words during an appearance on Fox News’s “Hannity” on Tuesday night, and gave stark and sobering testimony before House Oversight Committee lawmakers the following day, contradicting several White House talking points.
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Host Sean Hannity, who has downplayed the seriousness of the virus and blamed those highlighting its severity as attempting to crush President Donald Trump’s reelection efforts, was dealt some harsh facts by Fauci during their interview.
“So this virus is impacting people with compromised immune systems, underlying other medical conditions are the most vulnerable. What about the other 99%? If people got the virus ― worst-case scenario ― how dangerous is it to them, compared maybe to the regular virus, regular flu?” Hannity asked his guest.
Though 80% of the people infected would get sick but recover, about 15% would experience a significantly higher mortality rate, Fauci said, citing data from China and South Korea.
He added: “But Sean, to make sure your viewers get an accurate idea about what goes on, you mentioned seasonal flu. The mortality for seasonal flu is 0.1 [percent]. The mortality for this is about 2, 2½ percent. It’s probably lower than that, it’s probably closer to 1. But even if it’s 1, it’s 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu. You’ve got to make sure that people understand that.”
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Dr. Fauci joins Sean Hannity to plead:
“Coronavirus is 10x more lethal than the seasonal flu.”
“You gotta make sure that people understand that.”pic.twitter.com/JBaIrkhw9U — NoCoronavirusInSoCal (@NoCoronavirus1) March 11, 2020
Fauci reiterated this information Wednesday before House lawmakers in response to a question from Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas).
The congressman asked Fauci to compare COVID-19 to other infectious disease outbreaks, such as SARS and the H1N1 influenza (swine flu), suggesting that it was important to find a balance between a proactive response and “instigating overreaction.”
Fauci explained that SARS, also a strain of coronavirus, infected about 8,000 people and killed 775 over the course of roughly a year.
“In the 2½ months that we’ve had this coronavirus, as you know, we now have multiple multiples of that.... So it clearly is not as lethal, but it certainly spreads better.”
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The latest World Health Organization data states that there are more than 118,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 4,292 deaths since the virus strain was first reported in late 2019.
Factoring for the cases that are minimally symptomatic, or asymptomatic, Fauci estimated the mortality rate from COVID-19 to be 1% ― “which means it is 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu,” he said.
“But less lethal than N1H1?” Cloud asked.
“No. Absolutely not... The 2009 pandemic of H1N1 was even less lethal than the regular seasonal flu.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci: "The flu has a mortality of 0.1%. This has a mortality of 10 times that." pic.twitter.com/3dB0GZVJRK — The Hill (@thehill) March 11, 2020
Trump, too, has tried to draw comparisons between COVID-19 and the seasonal flu in an attempt to soften the death toll from the novel coronavirus, tweeting this week that thousands die of influenza each year while only 22 had died from the current outbreak. As of Wednesday, the U.S. has had more than 1,200 confirmed cases and 37 deaths, more than double the number of confirmed cases since Trump’s tweet.
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Experts have reiterated that it is unwise to make comparisons between the two viruses and that, although they may present similar symptoms in milder cases, the novel coronavirus does not have a treatment or vaccine.
Last week, Fauci made headlines when he corrected Trump’s claim that a vaccine could be ready in mere months, advising the president that it will likely take at least a year.
He again delivered information contrary to Trump’s talking points Wednesday, urging “aggressive containment and mitigation.” The president had repeatedly praised his administration’s response and underplayed the dangerousness of the outbreak.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-12--Trump Cancels Travel To Nevada And Colorado This Week Amid Coronavirus Spread

President Donald Trump canceled events in Nevada and Colorado later this week amid growing concerns about COVID-19 , the novel coronavirus illness declared a pandemic on Wednesday .
“ Out of an abundance of caution from the Coronavirus outbreak , the President has decided to cancel his upcoming events in Colorado and Nevada , ” White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement .
He was scheduled to speak at a Republican Jewish Coalition conference in Las Vegas this weekend and stop in Denver as well , The Hill reported .
The decision came shortly before Trump addressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has resulted in the infection of more than 1,200 people so far within the United States .
The president said he was banning noncitizens from traveling to the U.S. from Europe for 30 days in an attempt to stave off more infections , but he failed to speak about the availability of testing across the country amid reports that not enough kits are available and that some hospitals are running out of supplies .
The decision came the same day the World Health Organization declared the spread of the virus a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 4,000 people and infected at least 113,000 around the globe .
Efforts to address the virus reached a fever pitch on Wednesday as the NBA suspended all future games indefinitely after one of its stars tested positive for the virus .
Italy expanded its whole-country quarantine , shuttering all stores except grocers and pharmacies .
And in Australia , actors Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson said they had tested positive for coronavirus .
The Trump administration has so far declined to say if the president plans to cancel his campaign rallies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new phase .
“ The president is the best authority on this issue .
He takes into consult the words of everyone around him , ” Kayleigh McEnany , a Trump campaign spokeswoman , told Fox Business Network this week .
“ Right now , we ’ re proceeding as normal .
”

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President Donald Trump canceled events in Nevada and Colorado later this week amid growing concerns about COVID-19, the novel coronavirus illness declared a pandemic on Wednesday.
“Out of an abundance of caution from the Coronavirus outbreak, the President has decided to cancel his upcoming events in Colorado and Nevada,” White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement. He was scheduled to speak at a Republican Jewish Coalition conference in Las Vegas this weekend and stop in Denver as well, The Hill reported.
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The decision came shortly before Trump addressed the nation about the rapidly spiraling coronavirus, which has resulted in the infection of more than 1,200 people so far within the United States. The president said he was banning noncitizens from traveling to the U.S. from Europe for 30 days in an attempt to stave off more infections, but he failed to speak about the availability of testing across the country amid reports that not enough kits are available and that some hospitals are running out of supplies.
The decision came the same day the World Health Organization declared the spread of the virus a pandemic after saying it had killed more than 4,000 people and infected at least 113,000 around the globe.
Efforts to address the virus reached a fever pitch on Wednesday as the NBA suspended all future games indefinitely after one of its stars tested positive for the virus. Italy expanded its whole-country quarantine, shuttering all stores except grocers and pharmacies. And in Australia, actors Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson said they had tested positive for coronavirus.
The Trump administration has so far declined to say if the president plans to cancel his campaign rallies as the 2020 election moves into a new phase.
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“The president is the best authority on this issue. He takes into consult the words of everyone around him,” Kayleigh McEnany, a Trump campaign spokeswoman, told Fox Business Network this week. “Right now, we’re proceeding as normal.”