thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-01--George Conway Goes To Town On McConnell's 'Gaslighting Of The Highest Order'

Conservative attorney George Conway went after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) in his latest Washington Post op-ed , admonishing him for his claim that impeachment created a distraction from coronavirus preparations .
“ There should have been shame enough in orchestrating the acquittal of an impeached president who , in order to extort help for his reelection campaign , unlawfully withheld security aid to an ally , ” wrote Conway , who is an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump despite his wife Kellyanne Conway serving in a senior advisory role in the administration .
In an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , McConnell said that coronavirus first “ came up while we were tied down on the impeachment trial , ” which he claimed “ diverted the attention of the government.
” In the column published later that day , Conway labeled this sentiment “ gaslighting of the highest order.
” Walking through the coronavirus and impeachment trial timelines , the attorney pointed out that Trump blew off the outbreak as nothing to worry about numerous times during the trial , and had time to hold five campaign rallies and play golf in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stages of the outbreak .
Weeks after the impeachment trial concluded on Feb. 5 , Trump , still downplaying the seriousness of the burgeoning outbreak , riffed at a South Carolina campaign event that his political opponents were weaponizing the virus as a “ hoax ” against his presidency .
In early March , despite social distancing measures and cancellations of major events and gatherings , Trump said he would continue to hold 2020 campaign rallies .
He repeatedly dismissed early concerns about the outbreak and ignored warnings from intelligence and medical community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the critical window needed to prepare .
“ If anything , it was McConnell and his fellow Senate Republicans ’ refusal to remove him , not the impeachment itself , that helped bring us to where we are today .
”

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Conservative attorney George Conway went after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in his latest Washington Post op-ed, admonishing him for his claim that impeachment created a distraction from coronavirus preparations.
“There should have been shame enough in orchestrating the acquittal of an impeached president who, in order to extort help for his reelection campaign, unlawfully withheld security aid to an ally,” wrote Conway, who is an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump despite his wife Kellyanne Conway serving in a senior advisory role in the administration.
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“But it turns out Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was just getting started.”
In an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt Tuesday, McConnell said that coronavirus first “came up while we were tied down on the impeachment trial,” which he claimed “diverted the attention of the government.”
In the column published later that day, Conway labeled this sentiment “gaslighting of the highest order.”
Walking through the coronavirus and impeachment trial timelines, the attorney pointed out that Trump blew off the outbreak as nothing to worry about numerous times during the trial, and had time to hold five campaign rallies and play golf in Mar-a-Lago during the early and even intermediate stages of the outbreak.
Weeks after the impeachment trial concluded on Feb. 5, Trump, still downplaying the seriousness of the burgeoning outbreak, riffed at a South Carolina campaign event that his political opponents were weaponizing the virus as a “hoax” against his presidency. In early March, despite social distancing measures and cancellations of major events and gatherings, Trump said he would continue to hold 2020 campaign rallies.
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He repeatedly dismissed early concerns about the outbreak and ignored warnings from intelligence and medical community professionals, leading to a delayed response in the critical window needed to prepare.
“The problem wasn’t impeachment — it was the president,” Conway wrote.
“If anything, it was McConnell and his fellow Senate Republicans’ refusal to remove him, not the impeachment itself, that helped bring us to where we are today.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-01--The White House Wanted To Give $0 To Tribes In The $2 Trillion Stimulus Bill

ASSOCIATED PRESS Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin , left , and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows step out of a meeting as the Senate negotiated a coronavirus relief bill in March .
But if the White House had its way , tribes wouldn ’ t have gotten a penny in direct relief , according to three Senate Democratic aides familiar with negotiations on the bill .
And if Senate Republicans had their way , tribes would have gotten way less than they got .
The National Congress of American Indians , the largest organization representing the interests of tribal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid-March that the nation ’ s 574 tribes would need at least $ 20 billion in direct federal relief to stem job losses and economic instability caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
When the Senate and White House began talks on the stimulus , Democrats pushed for creating a $ 200 billion stabilization fund to provide direct aid to local and state governments .
Of that $ 200 billion , $ 20 billion should go to tribal governments , they proposed .
When Democrats held their ground , the White House relented and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but only if it was capped at $ 150 billion and didn ’ t give money to tribes .
Senate Republicans countered with capping the fund at $ 150 billion and giving tribes $ 2 billion , but only if that money came from a separate , supplemental appropriations bill being rolled into the stimulus .
Democrats pushed back again , saying that tribes needed direct financial relief as well as increased annual appropriations to deal with the coronavirus .
The direct relief would go toward things that needed immediate action , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This standoff on tribal aid between the White House , Democrats and Republicans was one of the last sticking points in the entire $ 2 trillion bill , say these Democratic aides , who agreed to speak on background in order to speak freely .
In the final hours , the White House proposed $ 3 billion for tribes from the stabilization fund .
Democrats said no and that tribes would need at least $ 10 billion .
Republicans proposed $ 5 billion .
Democrats said no .
The White House and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became more vocal and key Democrats , including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) and Tom Udall ( D-N.M. ) , vice chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs , made calls to Republicans urging their support .
The stimulus provides a total of $ 10 billion for tribal governments , of which $ 8 billion is from a newly created tribal government stabilization fund and about $ 2 billion is in supplemental appropriations .
Here ’ s a breakdown of specific tribal resources , produced by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House legislative affairs director Eric Ueland led stimulus negotiations for the White House .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) led the talks for Republicans .
But it was Mark Meadows — who had been concurrently representing North Carolina ’ s 11th congressional district and serving as Trump ’ s acting chief-of-staff until this week , when he resigned from his House seat — who was in these meetings arguing that tribes shouldn ’ t get anything , according to these Democratic aides .
Were any Senate Republicans actively trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Martha McSally ( R-Ariz. ) and Steve Daines ( R-Mont . )
wrote a letter to McConnell on March 20 , urging him to include money for tribes in the relief package .
But beyond that , at least according to these three Democratic aides , the two senators didn ’ t take any action until Democrats pressed them to help in the final 24 hours .
Ten billion dollars is not nearly the level of money tribes said they need to weather the coronavirus , but it is a historic level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compromise ” bill Democrats were able to get .
Of the $ 2 billion in supplemental appropriations funding for tribes , more than $ 1 billion is for the Indian Health Service , $ 453 million is for Bureau of Indian Affairs programs like public safety and purchasing protective equipment for emergency personnel , and $ 69 million is for the Bureau of Indian Education .
The Indian Health Service is charged with providing health services to federally recognized tribes .
It is also notoriously underfunded , and Native populations are particularly vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus , given their high rates of diabetes , heart disease and other underlying health conditions .
“ Tribes are on the front lines of this public health crisis , and they have been very clear that they need health , economic , and community COVID-19 recovery resources , ” Udall said in a statement .
“ Congress must do more to respond to the unique COVID-19 related public health and economic crises in Indian Country and to uphold our trust and treaty responsibilities to all American Indians and Alaska Natives .
@

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, left, and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows step out of a meeting as the Senate negotiated a coronavirus relief bill in March. ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON ― In the end, tribes got about $10 billion in the emergency $2 trillion stimulus bill that President Donald Trump signed into law last Friday.
But if the White House had its way, tribes wouldn’t have gotten a penny in direct relief, according to three Senate Democratic aides familiar with negotiations on the bill. And if Senate Republicans had their way, tribes would have gotten way less than they got.
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The National Congress of American Indians, the largest organization representing the interests of tribal governments and communities, told Congress in mid-March that the nation’s 574 tribes would need at least $20 billion in direct federal relief to stem job losses and economic instability caused by the coronavirus pandemic. When the Senate and White House began talks on the stimulus, Democrats pushed for creating a $200 billion stabilization fund to provide direct aid to local and state governments. Of that $200 billion, $20 billion should go to tribal governments, they proposed.
The White House said no to both ― the fund itself, and tribes getting any direct relief.
When Democrats held their ground, the White House relented and agreed to create the stabilization fund, but only if it was capped at $150 billion and didn’t give money to tribes. Senate Republicans countered with capping the fund at $150 billion and giving tribes $2 billion, but only if that money came from a separate, supplemental appropriations bill being rolled into the stimulus. Democrats pushed back again, saying that tribes needed direct financial relief as well as increased annual appropriations to deal with the coronavirus. The direct relief would go toward things that needed immediate action, like tribal health care systems already struggling financially.
This standoff on tribal aid between the White House, Democrats and Republicans was one of the last sticking points in the entire $2 trillion bill, say these Democratic aides, who agreed to speak on background in order to speak freely.
In the final hours, the White House proposed $3 billion for tribes from the stabilization fund. Democrats said no and that tribes would need at least $10 billion. Republicans proposed $5 billion. Democrats said no. The White House and Republicans eventually caved as tribal advocacy groups became more vocal and key Democrats, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.), vice chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs, made calls to Republicans urging their support.
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The stimulus provides a total of $10 billion for tribal governments, of which $8 billion is from a newly created tribal government stabilization fund and about $2 billion is in supplemental appropriations. Here’s a breakdown of specific tribal resources, produced by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House legislative affairs director Eric Ueland led stimulus negotiations for the White House. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) led the talks for Republicans. But it was Mark Meadows — who had been concurrently representing North Carolina’s 11th congressional district and serving as Trump’s acting chief-of-staff until this week, when he resigned from his House seat — who was in these meetings arguing that tribes shouldn’t get anything, according to these Democratic aides.
Requests for comment from the White House, the Treasury Department and Meadows’ senior advisor Ben Williamson were not returned.
Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), vice chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, helped lobby Republicans to support relief for tribes in the $2 trillion stimulus bill. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Were any Senate Republicans actively trying to secure direct relief for tribes? Sens. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) wrote a letter to McConnell on March 20, urging him to include money for tribes in the relief package. But beyond that, at least according to these three Democratic aides, the two senators didn’t take any action until Democrats pressed them to help in the final 24 hours.
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“Tribes were an afterthought,” said one of the aides. “The White House and Republicans would have been satisfied with zero.”
McSally spokeswoman Amy Lawrence said that the idea that Democrats had to nudge the senator to act last minute “is laughable.”
The Arizona senator “put the full court press” onto Senate leaders and the White House to ensure that tribal provisions were in the bill, Lawrence said, and as negotiations were underway, staff sent more than 130 emails to Senate offices and the administration pushing the issue.
Democrats claiming that McSally didn’t do much to get tribal money in the bill is a “partisan talking point,” Lawrence said, designed to mask the fact that House Democrats didn’t address tribal issues in the first two coronavirus relief bills, passed earlier in March. (To be clear, the Republican bill that McConnell unveiled at the start of White House-Senate negotiations had no tribal relief in it.)
A request for comment from Daines’ office was not initially returned. Hours after this story was published, Daines spokesperson Katie Schoettler sent a series of emails saying the story was based on “fake news” and asked if HuffPost is “a gossip column now.” She could not point to any specific thing that was factually inaccurate in the story, however.
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She also provided this statement: “Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats left the Tribes out of two packages and if it weren’t for Daines, then they would have [left] them out of the third package.”
Asked how it was that Daines was the reason that tribes got money in the $2 trillion stimulus bill, Schoettler would not say.
Ten billion dollars is not nearly the level of money tribes said they need to weather the coronavirus, but it is a historic level of funding. Udall praised the “compromise” bill Democrats were able to get. Of the $2 billion in supplemental appropriations funding for tribes, more than $1 billion is for the Indian Health Service, $453 million is for Bureau of Indian Affairs programs like public safety and purchasing protective equipment for emergency personnel, and $69 million is for the Bureau of Indian Education.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-01--Getting An Accurate Census Count Is Vital. First, Muslim Americans Need To Trust It's Safe.

Assaf did some digging online , though , and learned more about the census survey ― how it ’ s conducted to get an accurate count of the population , why it ’ s important for allocating government resources and how vital it is for determining congressional maps so communities can be properly represented .
She felt reassured .
So she went ahead and filled out the survey .
Many people are making the same calculations Assaf did .
Populations that have historically been profiled or targeted by the government are understandably wary of turning over information to the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , given President Donald Trump ’ s failed push to get a citizenship question added to the census and his administration ’ s targeting of immigrant and Muslim communities .
Plus , there ’ s a new challenge : The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic delayed efforts to reach out to marginalized communities , which could make it even tougher to get an accurate count of minority populations .
But given the importance of the census , experts are urging all people to fill out their surveys and hoping that if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through .
Since the creation of the census in 1970 , minority populations have often been undercounted , which means the places where they live wind up with fewer resources .
This year , Muslims from Middle Eastern , South Asian and Black communities were already hesitant in participating in the census because of fear their information would be used to target them for deportations , kick them out of their housing or place them on or a special registry , which then-candidate Donald Trump once floated .
Some immigrants from countries with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. won ’ t use their info for ill .
Beyond the question of whether to answer the survey at all , many Muslims and Middle Easterners who are not Muslim may struggle with a specific question : What to list as their race .
Approximately 3 million people of Southwest Asian , Middle Eastern or North African descent live in the United States , according to a Los Angeles Times analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data .
But for decades , Middle Eastern and North African communities have been defined as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be counted regardless of citizenship status , regardless of age and regardless of whether you trust the current administration or not , because it goes well beyond that and it really impacts how and to what extent the community is represented .
But for now , Suto said , “ everyone needs to be counted regardless of citizenship status , regardless of age and regardless of whether you trust the current administration or not , because it goes well beyond that and it really impacts how and to what extent the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced plans to reach out to communities , including in languages other than English , to get the most accurate count it can .
The agency works with community partners and plans to spend more than $ 500 million in public education and outreach campaigns to reach “ 99 percent of all U.S. households , ” according to the bureau .
It has released ads in 13 languages , including Arabic , Tagalog and Haitian Creole .
The questionnaire can also be completed by phone in those same languages .
But many speakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached .
In 2010 , the Census Bureau advertised in several languages including Hindi/English , Bangla and Urdu , but in 2020 , the bureau dropped those options .
Despite the fact there are over 5 million South Asians in the U.S. , there has never been a translated form in any of the South Asian languages for any census .
Asian Americans as a whole are the least likely group to fill out the census .

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Like many Muslim Americans, Hidaya Assaf, a 27-year-old mother of two, was initially skeptical of the census. She’s Palestinian American, and many of her friends on Facebook were discussing whether it was worth filling out the 2020 survey. She could understand their reasons for concern.
“We think, OK, why do they want to know so much about us? Do they just want to spy on us or do they just want to see if we’re terrorists?” Assaf told HuffPost.
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Assaf did some digging online, though, and learned more about the census survey ― how it’s conducted to get an accurate count of the population, why it’s important for allocating government resources and how vital it is for determining congressional maps so communities can be properly represented. She felt reassured. So she went ahead and filled out the survey.
Families across the country started receiving invitations in March to respond to the census either by phone or (for the first time ever) online and will continue to do so as the country marks Census Day on April 1.
Many people are making the same calculations Assaf did. Populations that have historically been profiled or targeted by the government are understandably wary of turning over information to the government. That could be doubly true this year, given President Donald Trump’s failed push to get a citizenship question added to the census and his administration’s targeting of immigrant and Muslim communities.
“We think, OK, why do they want to know so much about us? Do they just want to spy on us or do they just want to see if we’re terrorists?” - Hidaya Assaf, 27
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Plus, there’s a new challenge: The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic delayed efforts to reach out to marginalized communities, which could make it even tougher to get an accurate count of minority populations. But given the importance of the census, experts are urging all people to fill out their surveys and hoping that if they learn more, they’ll follow through.
By law, a respondent’s personal information from the census cannot be used against them by any government agency or in court. But advocates are still up against fear and concern.
“There is a lot of mythology and confusion around what the census actually collects data-wise, and what the government does with that data,” said Basem Hassan, the strategy director focused on engaging people of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) heritage in the 2020 census campaign.
“So, combine all of these together in a pot and mix it around and that was our challenge. To educate the community and then to motivate them to participate.”
Distrust Of The Government
Since the creation of the census in 1970, minority populations have often been undercounted, which means the places where they live wind up with fewer resources. This year, Muslims from Middle Eastern, South Asian and Black communities were already hesitant in participating in the census because of fear their information would be used to target them for deportations, kick them out of their housing or place them on or a special registry, which then-candidate Donald Trump once floated. Some immigrants from countries with authoritarian governments are particularly dubious that the U.S. won’t use their info for ill.
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While the U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect private information, it’s not unreasonable that Muslim Americans would be concerned. In 2011, the New York City Police Department used census data to place undercover informants in predominately Muslim communities under a controversial and condemned surveillance program that tracked Muslim worshippers, students and business owners.
Under the Trump administration, any remaining trust in the government was demolished amid the president’s rhetoric against Muslims and minorities and the institution of the anti-Muslim travel ban.
28-year-old Haylee Goranson, a Muslim American resident of Sarasota, Florida, said that while the census is for the public good, she fears that it would be too easy for Trump to mishandle it for political purposes.
“I’m for the census. It’s the political climate that we’re in” that concerns her, Goranson said.
Painting An Accurate Picture
Beyond the question of whether to answer the survey at all, many Muslims and Middle Easterners who are not Muslim may struggle with a specific question: What to list as their race. Approximately 3 million people of Southwest Asian, Middle Eastern or North African descent live in the United States, according to a Los Angeles Times analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. But for decades, Middle Eastern and North African communities have been defined as “white” in the survey.
That categorization, which has been in place since the census was created, erases Middle Easterners and North Africans and their unique challenges as a minority group, according to critics. It also contributes to the lack of funds allocated to programs and services catering to Middle Eastern and North African groups.
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“Everyone needs to be counted regardless of citizenship status, regardless of age and regardless of whether you trust the current administration or not, because it goes well beyond that and it really impacts how and to what extent the community is represented.” - Ryan Suto, policy counsel at the Arab American Institute
The Obama administration considered adding a Middle Eastern and North African category in the 2020 census, based on the Census Bureau’s recommendation, but the Trump administration has rejected the idea, claiming more research is needed.
In 2018, the Arab American Institute initiated a lawsuit against the Office of Management and Budget ― which sets the standards for how the Census Bureau and other federal agencies collect race and ethnicity data ― for failing to disclose records relating to its decision not to include a Middle Eastern and North African category despite the Census Bureau’s recommendations to do so.
The Arab American Institute also launched a YallaCountMeIn toolkit, a compilation of census-related resources and frequently asked questions in both Arabic and English to encourage Arab Americans to partake in the census.
“Adding a MENA category would make the data better and would make Arab - Americans and other Middle Eastern communities feel more included [and] represented on the census,” said Ryan Suto, the policy counsel at AAI.
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But for now, Suto said, “everyone needs to be counted regardless of citizenship status, regardless of age and regardless of whether you trust the current administration or not, because it goes well beyond that and it really impacts how and to what extent the community is represented.”
Language And Logistical Barriers
The Census Bureau announced plans to reach out to communities, including in languages other than English, to get the most accurate count it can. The agency works with community partners and plans to spend more than $500 million in public education and outreach campaigns to reach “99 percent of all U.S. households,” according to the bureau. It has released ads in 13 languages, including Arabic, Tagalog and Haitian Creole. The questionnaire can also be completed by phone in those same languages.
But many speakers of South Asian languages might not be reached. In 2010, the Census Bureau advertised in several languages including Hindi/English, Bangla and Urdu, but in 2020, the bureau dropped those options. Despite the fact there are over 5 million South Asians in the U.S., there has never been a translated form in any of the South Asian languages for any census. Asian Americans as a whole are the least likely group to fill out the census.
The Census Bureau’s efforts alone aren’t enough to make marginalized communities feel comfortable with the survey, said Howard Shih, the director of research and policy at the Asian American Federation, which is the only designated census information center for Asian communities in the Northeast.
“I feel that the bureau isn’t necessarily the best messenger,” said Shih. “I feel that if the message comes from the people that are involved from that community to other members of that community, that’s the most effective way to get those hard-to-reach communities counted.”
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Of course, the coronavirus pandemic makes that tougher ― with so many people confined to their homes, it’s difficult to ensure they can meet someone from their community or who speaks their language to assist with census questions.
There are other challenges to contend with as outreach efforts go digital, such as people who do not have access to a computer or the internet, or those who struggle to understand the online census form.
Still, with extended deadlines in place, advocates are hoping they are able to rally members of hard-to-count communities despite the onslaught of challenges. An inaccurate count would have profound effects on undercounted populations, including minorities, children and those living in poverty. The data from the 2020 census will determine where and how more than $1.5 trillion in federal funding will be spent.
In Virginia, Assaf realized the importance of the census triumphed her concerns. She checked off “white” on her census form. but wrote in “Palestinian” for herself and “Jordanian” for her husband and two kids. She hopes to have a MENA category in 2030.
Goranson, however, still has the mailer on her to-do list in her Florida home. She knows she’ll do it eventually, but for now, she’ll wait a bit longer, hoping to feel better about her decision to partake sooner rather than later.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-01--Anti-Semitic Trolls Disrupt Jewish University's Gathering On Zoom

Anti-Semitic trolls invaded a large video chat of Jewish university students on Monday , posting vile memes and messages in the latest incident of bigoted “ Zoombombing , ” the practice of disrupting meetings held on Zoom , a video conferencing tool that has surged in popularity as Americans shelter in place during the coronavirus pandemic .
About 150 students at New York City ’ s Yeshiva University , one of the country ’ s most prominent Jewish higher education institutions , logged into Zoom on Monday evening to watch the school ’ s president , Dr. Ari Berman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major religious holiday that starts next week .
Like other schools and colleges across the country , Yeshiva University closed its campus last month as the coronavirus crisis worsened , hosting classes and other events online instead .
But a few minutes into the president ’ s speech , a dozen or so accounts not affiliated with the school joined the Zoom meeting and quickly started posting hateful messages with tropes popular among neo-Nazis .
Abrahams shared screenshots of the messages with HuffPost .
They include images of the anti-Semitic “ Happy Merchant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Holocaust , the well-documented genocide of 6 million Jews during World War II , “ never happened ” ; and other hateful chats including “ hail hitler ” and “ IMMA GAS YOU ALL.
” The university “ locked the chat ASAP and attempted to kick out all of those accounts but it didn ’ t seem like they got rid of all of them , ” Abrahams recalled .
“ We tend to forget about how rampant anti-semitism is , ” he said .
“ If you look through the replies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insane how disgusting they are.
” “ Haters will hate and a time of anxiety and pressure will bring that out even more , ” he continued .
“ We respond , however , with love .
Our goal is not simply to mute the hate but is to add more goodness and kindness in this world.
” A Yeshiva student wears a face mask on the grounds of the university on March 4 , 2020 , in New York City after a student at the school tested positive for COVID-19 .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slow the rapid spread of the coronavirus , which has thus far killed at least 4,500 people and infected over 200,000 in the U.S. , trolls have seized on the opportunity to disrupt gatherings on Zoom , which has become the go-to place for companies and schools to hold virtual meetings and classes .
Zoom classes at the University of Southern California and Arizona State University were targeted by racists last month , according to a report from Inside Higher Ed , as was a children ’ s storytelling hour in New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disrupted a virtual Torah lesson held by a prominent rabbi last month , and that a California school board meeting on Zoom was ended early after someone shared images of a swastika and a Nazi flag .
Meanwhile the Anti-Defamation League believes infamous neo-Nazi and hacker Andrew Auernheimer , more commonly known as “ Weev , ” was behind the recent Zoombombing of a Massachusetts Jewish student group ’ s webinar about anti-Semitism .
Weev , according to the ADL , allegedly pulled “ his shirt collar down to reveal a swastika tattoo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this rash of racist harassment on its platform , a Zoom spokesperson said , “ We are deeply upset to hear about the incidents involving this type of attack , ” adding that the company “ strongly condemns such behavior.
” The spokesperson encouraged users to report such incidents directly to the company and emphasized that Zoom has recently changed its settings for educational institutions so that “ teachers by default are the only ones who can share content in class.
” Both Zoom and the Anti-Defamation League have also compiled guides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will likely remain a problem as the coronavirus is set to keep people in their homes for weeks or even months .

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Anti-Semitic trolls invaded a large video chat of Jewish university students on Monday, posting vile memes and messages in the latest incident of bigoted “Zoombombing,” the practice of disrupting meetings held on Zoom, a video conferencing tool that has surged in popularity as Americans shelter in place during the coronavirus pandemic.
About 150 students at New York City’s Yeshiva University, one of the country’s most prominent Jewish higher education institutions, logged into Zoom on Monday evening to watch the school’s president, Dr. Ari Berman, give a speech about Passover, the major religious holiday that starts next week. Like other schools and colleges across the country, Yeshiva University closed its campus last month as the coronavirus crisis worsened, hosting classes and other events online instead.
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But a few minutes into the president’s speech, a dozen or so accounts not affiliated with the school joined the Zoom meeting and quickly started posting hateful messages with tropes popular among neo-Nazis.
“They were bombing the chat with the usual nasty stuff,” Elazar Abrahams, a Yeshiva University sophomore, recounted to HuffPost via direct message. “Death threats, Holocaust references, ‘dirty jews,’ etc.”
Abrahams shared screenshots of the messages with HuffPost. They include images of the anti-Semitic “Happy Merchant” meme; another meme stating that the Holocaust, the well-documented genocide of 6 million Jews during World War II, “never happened”; and other hateful chats including “hail hitler” and “IMMA GAS YOU ALL.”
The university “locked the chat ASAP and attempted to kick out all of those accounts but it didn’t seem like they got rid of all of them,” Abrahams recalled.
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The president, meanwhile, ignored the disruption and “calmly continued his speech to the end,” a decision Abrahams thought was the “right move.”
But Abrahams, an English major from Brooklyn, said he still found the whole incident rattling, describing it in a tweet as “undeniably scary.”
“We tend to forget about how rampant anti-semitism is,” he said. “If you look through the replies to my tweet, it’s insane how disgusting they are.”
Berman, the university president, told HuffPost in a statement Tuesday that “the experience highlighted to me how one’s true character is revealed during times of crisis.”
“Haters will hate and a time of anxiety and pressure will bring that out even more,” he continued. “We respond, however, with love. Our goal is not simply to mute the hate but is to add more goodness and kindness in this world.”
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A Yeshiva student wears a face mask on the grounds of the university on March 4, 2020, in New York City after a student at the school tested positive for COVID-19. David Dee Delgado via Getty Images
As Americans across the country stay home to slow the rapid spread of the coronavirus, which has thus far killed at least 4,500 people and infected over 200,000 in the U.S., trolls have seized on the opportunity to disrupt gatherings on Zoom, which has become the go-to place for companies and schools to hold virtual meetings and classes.
Zoom classes at the University of Southern California and Arizona State University were targeted by racists last month, according to a report from Inside Higher Ed, as was a children’s storytelling hour in New Jersey.
NBC News reported that anti-Semites also disrupted a virtual Torah lesson held by a prominent rabbi last month, and that a California school board meeting on Zoom was ended early after someone shared images of a swastika and a Nazi flag.
Meanwhile the Anti-Defamation League believes infamous neo-Nazi and hacker Andrew Auernheimer, more commonly known as “Weev,” was behind the recent Zoombombing of a Massachusetts Jewish student group’s webinar about anti-Semitism. Weev, according to the ADL, allegedly pulled “his shirt collar down to reveal a swastika tattoo on his chest.”
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Reached for comment about this rash of racist harassment on its platform, a Zoom spokesperson said, “We are deeply upset to hear about the incidents involving this type of attack,” adding that the company “strongly condemns such behavior.”
The spokesperson encouraged users to report such incidents directly to the company and emphasized that Zoom has recently changed its settings for educational institutions so that “teachers by default are the only ones who can share content in class.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-01--Susan Rice Says Trump 'Can't Stomach Strong Black Women'

After Alcindor tweeted about her interaction with Trump at a coronavirus briefing on Sunday , in which the president told the reporter to “ be nice ” and not “ threatening , ” Rice responded Monday to Alcindor on Twitter , writing , “ You go , girl.
” During the briefing on Sunday , Alcindor asked Trump : “ You ’ ve said repeatedly that you think that some of the equipment that governors are requesting they don ’ t actually need .
You said New York might not need 30,000 ... ” Last week , during a phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump expressed doubt about New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s plea for the state to receive 30,000 ventilators .
“ I have a feeling that a lot of the numbers that are being said in some areas are just bigger than they ’ re going to be , ” Trump said .
“ I don ’ t believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators .
You know , you go into major hospitals , sometimes they ’ ll have two ventilators , and now all of a sudden they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30,000 ventilators ?
’ ” Later in their exchange on Sunday , Trump asked Alcindor : “ Why don ’ t you people act ... why don ’ t you act in a little more positive , it ’ s always trying to get you , get you , get you .
And you know what ?
That ’ s why nobody trusts the media anymore.
” “ President Trump today at the White House said to me : ‘ Be nice .
Don ’ t be threatening , ’ ” Alcindor tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first human being , woman , black person or journalist to be told that while doing a job .
My take : Be steady .
Stay focused .
Remember your purpose .
And , always press forward.
” In November 2018 , Trump called veteran journalist April Ryan a “ loser ” and , in the same week , said CNN White House correspondent Abby D. Phillip had asked him a “ stupid question.
” Video of my exchange w/ Pres Trump today .
My Q is on Trump saying this about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a feeling that a lot of the numbers that are being said in some areas are just bigger than they are going to be .
I don ’ t believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators.
” https : //t.co/bska84ZFPs — Yamiche Alcindor ( @ Yamiche ) March 29 , 2020 Earlier this month , Trump lambasted Alcindor for asking a “ nasty question ” when she asked about the president ’ s decision to dismantle the National Security Council ’ s pandemic response unit in 2018 .
Twitter users tweeted hashtag # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding Trump accountable and to criticize the president for using language like “ you people ” and “ threatening ” ― words with histories of racist connotations ― toward a Black woman .
Trump telling a black female reporter to “ Be nice .
Do n't be threatening ” AND referring to her as “ you people ” is straight up gaslighting and racist .
Full stop .
He ’ s not even trying to hide it anymore .
Kudos to @ Yamiche for calm in the face of deplorable nastiness .
# @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) March 30 , 2020 Why is # WeLoveYamiche trending ?
Let me go research # WeLoveYamiche .
Oh it 's about reporter @ Yamiche doing her job by holding Trump accountable and asking him questions to convey accurate information in spite of his lies , vulgarity & disrespect ?
Ah .
That 's why # WeLoveYamiche — Wajahat `` Social Distance Yourself '' Ali ( @ WajahatAli ) March 30 , 2020

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Former national security adviser Susan Rice called out President Donald Trump for his recent confrontation with “PBS NewsHour” White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor, charging that Trump “can’t stomach strong black women.”
After Alcindor tweeted about her interaction with Trump at a coronavirus briefing on Sunday, in which the president told the reporter to “be nice” and not “threatening,” Rice responded Monday to Alcindor on Twitter, writing, “You go, girl.”
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“Pathetic when insecure men can’t stomach strong black women,” she added.
During the briefing on Sunday, Alcindor asked Trump: “You’ve said repeatedly that you think that some of the equipment that governors are requesting they don’t actually need. You said New York might not need 30,000 ...”
“I didn’t say that,” Trump interrupted.
“I have a feeling that a lot of the numbers that are being said in some areas are just bigger than they’re going to be,” Trump said. “I don’t believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators. You know, you go into major hospitals, sometimes they’ll have two ventilators, and now all of a sudden they’re saying, ‘Can we order 30,000 ventilators?’”
Later in their exchange on Sunday, Trump asked Alcindor: “Why don’t you people act... why don’t you act in a little more positive, it’s always trying to get you, get you, get you. And you know what? That’s why nobody trusts the media anymore.”
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He later added, “Be nice, don’t be threatening, don’t be threatening, be nice.”
You go, girl. Pathetic when insecure men can’t stomach strong black women. https://t.co/ExjC9z5p1J — Susan Rice (@AmbassadorRice) March 30, 2020
“President Trump today at the White House said to me: ‘Be nice. Don’t be threatening,’” Alcindor tweeted Sunday. “I’m not the first human being, woman, black person or journalist to be told that while doing a job. My take: Be steady. Stay focused. Remember your purpose. And, always press forward.”
In November 2018, Trump called veteran journalist April Ryan a “loser” and, in the same week, said CNN White House correspondent Abby D. Phillip had asked him a “stupid question.”
Video of my exchange w/ Pres Trump today.
My Q is on Trump saying this about governors on Thursday: “I have a feeling that a lot of the numbers that are being said in some areas are just bigger than they are going to be. I don’t believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators.” https://t.co/bska84ZFPs — Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) March 29, 2020
Earlier this month, Trump lambasted Alcindor for asking a “nasty question” when she asked about the president’s decision to dismantle the National Security Council’s pandemic response unit in 2018.
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Twitter users tweeted hashtag #Weloveyamiche this week to praise Alcindor for holding Trump accountable and to criticize the president for using language like “you people” and “threatening” ― words with histories of racist connotations ― toward a Black woman.
Trump telling a black female reporter to “Be nice. Don't be threatening” AND referring to her as “you people” is straight up gaslighting and racist. Full stop. He’s not even trying to hide it anymore.
Kudos to @Yamiche for calm in the face of deplorable nastiness. #WeLoveYamiche — Melissa Blake (@melissablake) March 30, 2020
Why is #WeLoveYamiche trending? Let me go research #WeLoveYamiche. Oh it's about reporter @Yamiche doing her job by holding Trump accountable and asking him questions to convey accurate information in spite of his lies, vulgarity & disrespect? Ah. That's why #WeLoveYamiche — Wajahat "Social Distance Yourself" Ali (@WajahatAli) March 30, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-01--Trump Attacks Fox News' John Roberts For Asking A Normal Question

Roberts , who was setting up a question by mentioning criticisms of Trump ’ s response to the coronavirus outbreak , noted that former Obama administration officials had pointed out that the Trump administration dissolved the pandemic office of the National Security Council .
“ We didn ’ t do that .
That turned out to be a false story ... .
What are you , working for CNN ?
” Trump said , interrupting the reporter ’ s question .
Roberts , who previously worked at CBS News and then CNN for several years before joining Fox News , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m pointing out what they have said , and what you have said , that ’ s all.
” “ You know that ’ s a false story , what you just said is a false story ... .
You shouldn ’ t be repeating a story you know is false , ” Trump continued .
The subject of dismantling the pandemic response unit has proved to be a sore topic for Trump on multiple occasions .
Last week , when PBS White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor asked about it , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ nasty ” and claiming he didn ’ t “ know anything about it.
” Alcindor later defended her question as “ relevant , fair , and truth-seeking.
” The Global Health Security Team , established under the Obama administration in response to the Ebola outbreak , was disbanded in 2018 when Trump ’ s then-national security adviser , John Bolton , reshuffled the NSC .
Last month , when he was asked similar questions , about whether he regretted budget proposals that called for massive cuts to the Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health and the World Health Organization , he said no .
“ Some of the people we cut , they haven ’ t been used for many , many years .
And if we have a need , we can get them very quickly , ” he said .
“ I ’ m a business person .
I don ’ t like having thousands of people around when you don ’ t need them , ” he added .

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President Donald Trump attacked Fox News journalist John Roberts during a coronavirus task force briefing on Wednesday for bringing up the disbanded pandemic response team.
Roberts, who was setting up a question by mentioning criticisms of Trump’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, noted that former Obama administration officials had pointed out that the Trump administration dissolved the pandemic office of the National Security Council.
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“We didn’t do that. That turned out to be a false story.... What are you, working for CNN?” Trump said, interrupting the reporter’s question.
Roberts, who previously worked at CBS News and then CNN for several years before joining Fox News, replied: “No no, I’m pointing out what they have said, and what you have said, that’s all.”
“Fox isn’t so easy either. Don’t kid yourselves,” the president shot back.
"You know that's a false story" -- Trump hits back at John Roberts of Fox News after Roberts correctly notes that Trump disbanded the executive branch team responsible for coordinating responses to pandemics https://t.co/6EdhaYvZ3V pic.twitter.com/K53HuNfYbY — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 1, 2020
“You know that’s a false story, what you just said is a false story.... You shouldn’t be repeating a story you know is false,” Trump continued.
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The subject of dismantling the pandemic response unit has proved to be a sore topic for Trump on multiple occasions.
Last week, when PBS White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor asked about it, he also lashed out, labeling her question “nasty” and claiming he didn’t “know anything about it.” Alcindor later defended her question as “relevant, fair, and truth-seeking.”
The Global Health Security Team, established under the Obama administration in response to the Ebola outbreak, was disbanded in 2018 when Trump’s then-national security adviser, John Bolton, reshuffled the NSC.
Last month, when he was asked similar questions, about whether he regretted budget proposals that called for massive cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization, he said no.
“Some of the people we cut, they haven’t been used for many, many years. And if we have a need, we can get them very quickly,” he said.
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“I’m a business person. I don’t like having thousands of people around when you don’t need them,” he added.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-02--Doctor Drops Some Coronavirus Truth Bombs On Fox News, Lights Up Twitter

A doctor ’ s no-holds-barred analysis of coronavirus testing shortcomings is going viral ― not just because of his blunt talk but because of where he made his case : live on Fox News .
Dr. Rishi Desai , chief medical officer of the Osmosis website , vigorously shook his head “ no ” as Fox News host Martha MacCallum mentioned , as President Donald Trump has , that there were supposed to be millions of tests available .
She also said people were still waiting for a quick test for COVID-19 .
“ Yeah , they ’ re working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They should ’ ve been working on it for months.
” Desai noted that the World Health Organization had issued a warning about the virus on Dec. 31 , 2019 .
“ We knew coronavirus was coming , we knew that it was a respiratory disease , we knew it was person-to-person , ” he said .
Yet it ’ s only now that the FDA approved a 15-minute test and even it has shortcomings .
Then , Desai explained how South Korea was able to get ahead of the situation by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at what South Korea did , and what we did , ” he said .
“ Their population is one-sixth of ours .
Look at the cases they have .
Look at the mortality they have .
It ’ s a trifle compared to what we ’ re dealing with right now because we ’ ve had a very weak response and they had a really strong response.
” In the longer interview on the Fox News website , Desai also called for a nationwide shutdown .
“ We would see a drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ Within two weeks , the number of cases would start to fall , and the entire country would breathe a sigh of relief .
”

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A doctor’s no-holds-barred analysis of coronavirus testing shortcomings is going viral ― not just because of his blunt talk but because of where he made his case: live on Fox News.
Dr. Rishi Desai, chief medical officer of the Osmosis website, vigorously shook his head “no” as Fox News host Martha MacCallum mentioned, as President Donald Trump has, that there were supposed to be millions of tests available. She also said people were still waiting for a quick test for COVID-19.
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Desai responded with a fact-check.
“Yeah, they’re working on it,” he said. “They should’ve been working on it for months.”
Desai noted that the World Health Organization had issued a warning about the virus on Dec. 31, 2019.
“We knew coronavirus was coming, we knew that it was a respiratory disease, we knew it was person-to-person,” he said.
Yet it’s only now that the FDA approved a 15-minute test and even it has shortcomings. Then, Desai explained how South Korea was able to get ahead of the situation by testing early and often.
“Look at what South Korea did, and what we did,” he said. “Their population is one-sixth of ours. Look at the cases they have. Look at the mortality they have. It’s a trifle compared to what we’re dealing with right now because we’ve had a very weak response and they had a really strong response.”
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MacCallum wrapped up the segment:
How to ensure you don't get follow-up questions on Fox, apparently. pic.twitter.com/nOUqw4ZVhO — Ben Smith (@benyt) April 2, 2020
In the longer interview on the Fox News website, Desai also called for a nationwide shutdown.
“We would see a drop off in cases within two weeks,” he said. “Within two weeks, the number of cases would start to fall, and the entire country would breathe a sigh of relief.”
Desai quickly found a new fanbase as his name trended on Twitter:
Somebody decided to invite Dr. Rishi Desai onto Fox.
I don’t think they’ll be asking him back.
pic.twitter.com/7BGXo5Le9r — Joshua Potash (@JoshuaPotash) April 2, 2020
So Dr. Desai won’t be invited back onto Fox News but God damn it was worth it.pic.twitter.com/tUN5ZkqGK7 — Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) April 2, 2020
Hope you come back, Dr. Desai.
(Something tells me Dr. Desai won't be asked back.) pic.twitter.com/dtDFzzcXUf — Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) April 2, 2020
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No doubt her producers were yelling in her ear to shut this segment down STAT!
Great job Dr. Desai! https://t.co/92UnH7gc2J — Dr. Christine Eady Mann (@DrChristineMann) April 2, 2020
When Dr. DeSai nods his head like that, it means he is NOT here for your bullsh*t, Martha McCallum. pic.twitter.com/t26TwZef4X — Covfefe Jones- King Of Shade👑 FBR 🌊🌊 (@King_Of_Shade) April 2, 2020
I don’t know Dr. Desai but the man just crushed it there. https://t.co/fdzUHIMjLm — Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) April 2, 2020
Dr. Desai bringing truth and impartiality to Fox “news”. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 https://t.co/jcdRm4jBqW — Stephanie J. Block (@StephanieJBlock) April 2, 2020
The best part of this is the awkward silence from the @foxnews host after Dr. Desai speaks the truth. pic.twitter.com/TqtEumFuLy — Steve Hall (@being_steve) April 2, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-02--Chris Cuomo Describes 'Freaky' Night Of Coronavirus Fever And Hallucinations

CNN ’ s Chris Cuomo described his battle with COVID-19 on the air on Wednesday night , saying he ’ s feeling “ way worse ” than he did on Tuesday , when he revealed his coronavirus diagnosis .
Cuomo , broadcasting from his basement and in quarantine from the rest of his family , described rigors ― or shivering from fever that reached 103 ― so severe he chipped a tooth .
“ These are not cheap , OK ?
” he said , referring to his teeth .
“ It is maddening to have a fever all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point in the show , and at another point described the feeling in his head : “ like somebody was beating me like a piñata.
” He also described hallucinations , including seeing his father , the late Gov .
Mario Cuomo of New York .
“ My dad was talking to me , I was seeing people from college , people I hadn ’ t seen in forever , ” he said .
“ It was freaky what I lived through last night .
And it may happen again tonight.
” CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to talk about the infection ― and even urged Cuomo to take some time off to recuperate .
“ I know you ’ re a warrior , ” he said .
“ But you ’ re allowed to take a day off.
” Cuomo also shared some good news : His family tested negative , meaning he didn ’ t pass it on to them .
See more of his descriptions of the symptoms ― and his conversation with Gupta ― in the clips below : .
@ ChrisCuomo : `` Care enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay on our leaders to make sure that they are doing everything they can to limit this . ''
`` How do you want to be remembered during this time ? ''
pic.twitter.com/zKnIndUGwn — Cuomo Prime Time ( @ CuomoPrimeTime ) April 2 , 2020 “ What good is it to say you are praying for [ coronavirus patients ] and there are angels on Earth if you are not doing everything in your power to help them ?
What good is a prayer ?
” asks @ chriscuomo , who himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo Prime Time ( @ CuomoPrimeTime ) April 2 , 2020

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CNN’s Chris Cuomo described his battle with COVID-19 on the air on Wednesday night, saying he’s feeling “way worse” than he did on Tuesday, when he revealed his coronavirus diagnosis.
Cuomo, broadcasting from his basement and in quarantine from the rest of his family, described rigors ― or shivering from fever that reached 103 ― so severe he chipped a tooth.
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“These are not cheap, OK?” he said, referring to his teeth.
“It is maddening to have a fever all the time,” he said at one point in the show, and at another point described the feeling in his head: “like somebody was beating me like a piñata.”
He also described hallucinations, including seeing his father, the late Gov. Mario Cuomo of New York.
“My dad was talking to me, I was seeing people from college, people I hadn’t seen in forever,” he said. “It was freaky what I lived through last night. And it may happen again tonight.”
CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta joined him to talk about the infection ― and even urged Cuomo to take some time off to recuperate.
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“I know you’re a warrior,” he said. “But you’re allowed to take a day off.”
Cuomo also shared some good news: His family tested negative, meaning he didn’t pass it on to them.
See more of his descriptions of the symptoms ― and his conversation with Gupta ― in the clips below:
.@ChrisCuomo: "Care enough to not just to stay home but to stay on our leaders to make sure that they are doing everything they can to limit this."
"How do you want to be remembered during this time?" pic.twitter.com/zKnIndUGwn — Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) April 2, 2020
“What good is it to say you are praying for [coronavirus patients] and there are angels on Earth if you are not doing everything in your power to help them? What good is a prayer?” asks @chriscuomo, who himself is infected with COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/vNnzkOg9Qa — Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) April 2, 2020
.@ChrisCuomo shares the details of his symptoms and some good news as he fights coronavirus from his basement. pic.twitter.com/wF6zlN9Yay — Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) April 2, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-01--Social Security Recipients WON'T Have To File Taxes To Get Coronavirus Stimulus Checks

“ Social Security recipients who are not typically required to file a tax return need to take no action , and will receive their payment directly to their bank account , ” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a news release .
The vast majority of Americans are eligible for the $ 1,200 rebate Congress authorized last week , but on Monday the Internal Revenue Service announced everyone would have to file a tax return to receive the money .
Since then , dozens of Social Security beneficiaries told HuffPost they were unable to file online using the free services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obstacle to their getting the benefits .
Sue Bohl , a 63-year-old Social Security Disability Insurance recipient in De Pere , Wisconsin , said she tried filing a tax return on Friday and wasn ’ t allowed to finish the form because she had no taxable income .
“ Since my printer isn ’ t working , I ’ m not able to print it out to send it in , ” she said .
“ It ’ s hard for me , because I don ’ t think it ’ s smart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now , so I ’ m stuck !
” Fifteen million households didn ’ t file taxes in 2019 , according to the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center , and since Monday concern mounted that many would struggle to do so in order to receive the coronavirus payments .
House Ways and Means Committee chairman Richard Neal ( D-Mass . )
said his office had been “ inundated ” with phone calls from Social Security beneficiaries confused and upset about the policy .
He demanded that Mnuchin change the policy and use other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security recipients who don ’ t file federal tax returns .
The text of the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act ― signed into law by President Donald Trump less than a week ago ― said the payments would be based on tax information but specified that the IRS could use Social Security benefit statements to provide the rebate checks to some households .
Mnuchin apparently did not like that idea but has now come around .
Non-filers who do not receive Social Security benefits , however , will still need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t for 2018 or 2019 .
The administration should not require federal tax returns from people receiving Supplemental Security Income and certain benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs , said Neal and Chuck Marr , a tax expert at the liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities .
“ Treasury and the Social Security Administration and the Veterans Administration can match data to determine those SSI and veterans beneficiaries who are not part of a tax filing unit and then issue them automatic payments , ” Marr said .
People with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal government should see the coronavirus rebates sometime this month .
Single adults earning less than $ 75,000 and couples earning less than twice that sum are eligible for payments of $ 1,200 and $ 2,400 , respectively , plus $ 500 per child younger than 17 .
The Treasury Department said in its release that Social Security recipients “ will receive these payments as a direct deposit or by paper check , just as they would normally receive their benefits.
” Congress created the relief payments , which are technically advance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2 trillion bill designed to mitigate the economic damage of widespread measures that have shut down huge swaths of the economy in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
More than 200,000 diagnosed cases and 4,600 deaths nationwide have been confirmed as of Wednesday evening , with no clear end in sight to the stay-at-home orders and business closures , which have cost millions of jobs already .

Social Security beneficiaries won’t have to file tax returns in order to receive the coronavirus relief payments, the Trump administration announced Wednesday in a quick reversal of an earlier position.
“Social Security recipients who are not typically required to file a tax return need to take no action, and will receive their payment directly to their bank account,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a news release.
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Millions of Americans, including many receiving Social Security retirement and disability benefits, aren’t required to file federal returns because their incomes are so low they don’t owe federal taxes.
The vast majority of Americans are eligible for the $1,200 rebate Congress authorized last week, but on Monday the Internal Revenue Service announced everyone would have to file a tax return to receive the money.
Since then, dozens of Social Security beneficiaries told HuffPost they were unable to file online using the free services linked from IRS.gov ― presenting a major obstacle to their getting the benefits.
Sue Bohl, a 63-year-old Social Security Disability Insurance recipient in De Pere, Wisconsin, said she tried filing a tax return on Friday and wasn’t allowed to finish the form because she had no taxable income.
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“Since my printer isn’t working, I’m not able to print it out to send it in,” she said. “It’s hard for me, because I don’t think it’s smart to be going out to do anything right now, so I’m stuck!”
Fifteen million households didn’t file taxes in 2019, according to the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, and since Monday concern mounted that many would struggle to do so in order to receive the coronavirus payments.
House Ways and Means Committee chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) said his office had been “inundated” with phone calls from Social Security beneficiaries confused and upset about the policy. He demanded that Mnuchin change the policy and use other data sources to deliver benefits to Social Security recipients who don’t file federal tax returns.
“I am relieved that Secretary Mnuchin has heeded that call, but our work is not done,” Neal said Wednesday.
The text of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act ― signed into law by President Donald Trump less than a week ago ― said the payments would be based on tax information but specified that the IRS could use Social Security benefit statements to provide the rebate checks to some households. Mnuchin apparently did not like that idea but has now come around.
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Non-filers who do not receive Social Security benefits, however, will still need to file tax returns if they haven’t for 2018 or 2019.
The administration should not require federal tax returns from people receiving Supplemental Security Income and certain benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, said Neal and Chuck Marr, a tax expert at the liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
“Treasury and the Social Security Administration and the Veterans Administration can match data to determine those SSI and veterans beneficiaries who are not part of a tax filing unit and then issue them automatic payments,” Marr said.
People with bank account information already on file with the federal government should see the coronavirus rebates sometime this month. Single adults earning less than $75,000 and couples earning less than twice that sum are eligible for payments of $1,200 and $2,400, respectively, plus $500 per child younger than 17.
The Treasury Department said in its release that Social Security recipients “will receive these payments as a direct deposit or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their benefits.”
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Congress created the relief payments, which are technically advance tax rebates, as part of a $2 trillion bill designed to mitigate the economic damage of widespread measures that have shut down huge swaths of the economy in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
More than 200,000 diagnosed cases and 4,600 deaths nationwide have been confirmed as of Wednesday evening, with no clear end in sight to the stay-at-home orders and business closures, which have cost millions of jobs already.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-01--Andrew Cuomo Gets Emotional About 'Little Brother' Chris Contracting Coronavirus

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) gave a heartfelt update Wednesday on the health status of CNN anchor Chris Cuomo , his younger brother who has tested positive for the coronavirus , and stressed that his sibling ’ s condition underscores the pandemic ’ s reach .
Speaking at the daily briefings he began when New York became a hotspot for the outbreak , the governor said his brother is doing “ fine enough , ” but is experiencing fever , chills and “ symptoms of basically a very bad flu.
” The case , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this disease .
There is no superhero who is immune from this disease .
... No one can be protected from it .
I couldn ’ t protect my own brother .
With all he knows and as smart as he is , he couldn ’ t protect himself.
” Andrew Cuomo said that though statistics indicate that his brother , who is self-quarantined , will recover , “ When he told me he had the coronavirus , it scared me .
It frightened me .
Why ?
Because we still don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play out .
“ We ’ re talking about my little brother , ” he said .
“ This is my best friend .
I talk to him several times a day , I basically spent my whole life with him .
And it is frightening on a fundamental level.
” The situation is the same for families all around the country , the governor said , adding that he appreciates people are just as worried about their own loved ones during the pandemic .
He praised his sibling for his “ gutsy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his work as a journalist from home , saying Chris Cuomo believes doing so will be instructive to those around the country seeking information about what it ’ s like to get the virus .
“ That ’ s why he did ( his ) show last night : ‘ OK , I have coronavirus but here I am , I ’ m doing my show .
I didn ’ t fall over , I didn ’ t collapse , it ’ s not a death sentence.
’ Kudos to him .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , little brother , ” the governor said .
Chris Cuomo revealed his diagnosis via a Tuesday note on Twitter .
His symptoms came on days after he was exposed to others who later discovered they had the virus , he said .
CNN confirmed he would continue to anchor his show “ Cuomo Prime Time ” from home , as he had done Monday night .
The network said he was last at its Hudson Yards offices on Friday .
As the pandemic ’ s toll on New York increasingly put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Chris took to occasionally exchanging brotherly barbs during the latter ’ s programs .
Just Monday night , the governor mocked the news anchor for broadcasting from his basement , where he is now quarantined .
Of more than 213,370 confirmed cases nationwide , at least 47,439 have been reported in New York City alone , where 1,139 deaths from the virus have been recorded , per data from Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University .
According to The New York Times , as of Wednesday 83,712 cases had been confirmed statewide , with @ @ @

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) gave a heartfelt update Wednesday on the health status of CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, his younger brother who has tested positive for the coronavirus, and stressed that his sibling’s condition underscores the pandemic’s reach.
Speaking at the daily briefings he began when New York became a hotspot for the outbreak, the governor said his brother is doing “fine enough,” but is experiencing fever, chills and “symptoms of basically a very bad flu.”
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The case, he said, illustrates that “anyone can get this disease. There is no superhero who is immune from this disease. ... No one can be protected from it. I couldn’t protect my own brother. With all he knows and as smart as he is, he couldn’t protect himself.”
Andrew Cuomo said that though statistics indicate that his brother, who is self-quarantined, will recover, “When he told me he had the coronavirus, it scared me. It frightened me. Why? Because we still don’t know” how the virus will play out.
“We’re talking about my little brother,” he said. “This is my best friend. I talk to him several times a day, I basically spent my whole life with him. And it is frightening on a fundamental level.”
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The situation is the same for families all around the country, the governor said, adding that he appreciates people are just as worried about their own loved ones during the pandemic.
He praised his sibling for his “gutsy, courageous” decision to carry on his work as a journalist from home, saying Chris Cuomo believes doing so will be instructive to those around the country seeking information about what it’s like to get the virus.
“That’s why he did (his) show last night: ‘OK, I have coronavirus but here I am, I’m doing my show. I didn’t fall over, I didn’t collapse, it’s not a death sentence.’ Kudos to him. My pop would be proud. I love you, little brother,” the governor said.
Andrew, 62, and Chris, 49, are two of former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo’s five children. The elder Cuomo, a Democrat, died in 2015
Chris Cuomo revealed his diagnosis via a Tuesday note on Twitter. His symptoms came days after he was exposed to others who later discovered they had the virus, he said.
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CNN confirmed he would continue to anchor his show “Cuomo Prime Time” from home, as he had done Monday night. The network said he was last at its Hudson Yards offices on Friday.
As the pandemic’s toll on New York increasingly put Andrew Cuomo in the spotlight, he and Chris took to occasionally exchanging brotherly barbs during the latter’s programs. Just Monday night, the governor mocked the news anchor for broadcasting from his basement, where he is now quarantined.
Of more than 213,370 confirmed cases nationwide, at least 47,439 have been reported in New York City alone, where 1,139 deaths from the virus have been recorded, per data from Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University. According to The New York Times, as of Wednesday 83,712 cases had been confirmed statewide, with 1,941 deaths.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-01--Georgia Senator Hospitalized For COVID-19 Went To Florida Beach House To Recover

A Georgia state senator who was recently hospitalized for COVID-19 traveled with an entourage to his Florida beach house on Tuesday , putting others at risk of getting infected , the local sheriff said .
State Sen. Bruce Thompson ( R–White ) , who said he was discharged from a hospital north of Atlanta on March 21 after nearly dying of respiratory failure , said in a statement last week that he planned to “ remain at home in self-quarantine ” after testing positive for the virus .
Ten days after being discharged , and nine days after he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was heading roughly 380 miles south of his Georgia district to his Florida Panhandle beach house in a private community on St. George Island , said Franklin County Sheriff A.J .
“ Tony ” Smith .
Smith said he spoke with the senator on the phone Tuesday and urged him not to come so that he doesn ’ t infect others with the virus .
Their call disconnected due to signal loss , and Thompson never called him back , he said .
It ’ s “ particularly upsetting that someone from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the virus would come here and expose us in a county that has had no positive reactions to it yet , ” Smith said .
To ensure that Thompson doesn ’ t spread the virus to others , Smith said he has stationed a deputy outside of Thompson ’ s home to ensure that he complies with a two-week self-quarantine for travelers from out of state .
Smith said he doesn ’ t know how many people are with him but that Thompson arrived with three vehicles .
Thompson , in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said he ’ s not “ in any way contagious , that we know about.
” He said he was told to stay away from people who may be sick so they don ’ t infect him because his immune system had been weakened .
Thompson , in his conversation with Smith on Tuesday , said he decided to come to Florida to recover because “ the doctor said it would be good for my lungs , ” Smith told the Apalachicola Times .
If they tested positive and had symptoms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolation if they have met the following three requirements : They no longer have a fever without the use of fever-reducing medication ; they have improved respiratory symptoms ; they have undergone two swab specimen tests that have tested negative within no less than 24 hours of one another .
The Franklin County sheriff said he has stationed a deputy outside of Sen. Thompson 's St. George Island beach home to ensure that he does n't break a two-week quarantine .
The lighthouse on St. George Island is seen .
St. George Island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gulf of Mexico .
There are no major grocery stores , save for a Piggly Wiggly Xpress that offers a smaller selection of the grocery chain ’ s typical goods .
It has one gas station and the closest hospital is a 25-bed critical access hospital off the island .
Florida has become one of the nation ’ s rising hotbeds of COVID-19 cases , with the number of cases ― nearly 7,000 as of Tuesday ― nearly doubling within the last four days .
The state ’ s governor on Wednesday issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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UPDATE: April 2 ― The sheriff of Florida’s Franklin County said Wednesday evening that Georgia state Sen. Bruce Thompson plans to go back to Georgia after he was widely criticized for traveling to his beach house on St. George Island to recover from COVID-19.
PREVIOUSLY:
A Georgia state senator who was recently hospitalized for COVID-19 traveled with an entourage to his Florida beach house on Tuesday, putting others at risk of getting infected, the local sheriff said.
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State Sen. Bruce Thompson (R), who said he was discharged from a hospital north of Atlanta on March 21 after nearly dying of respiratory failure, said in a statement last week that he planned to “remain at home in self-quarantine” after testing positive for the virus.
He urged “everyone to join me in doing your part to #FlattenTheCurve and #StayHome as we fight the spread of COVID-19.”
Just received discharge papers!! Home we are headed to self isolate and wait on test results! God Bless everyone for your prayers! pic.twitter.com/GVwjvbDJUH — Bruce Thompson (@BruceThompsonGA) March 21, 2020
Ten days after being discharged, and nine days after he said his positive test results came back, he was heading roughly 380 miles south of his Georgia district to his Florida Panhandle beach house in a private community on St. George Island, said Franklin County Sheriff A.J. “Tony” Smith.
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“I understand that this is his vacation home, but it’s not his home. That’s in Georgia,” said Smith in a video addressing Thompson’s arrival on Wednesday.
Smith said he spoke with the senator on the phone Tuesday and urged him not to come so that he doesn’t infect others with the virus. Their call disconnected due to signal loss, and Thompson never called him back, he said.
“We’re scared. A lot of people in the community are,” the sheriff said of the effect Thompson’s visit has had on his typically quiet district that’s known as Florida’s Forgotten Coast.
It’s “particularly upsetting that someone from another county who has the virus or had the virus would come here and expose us in a county that has had no positive reactions to it yet,” Smith said.
Georgia Sen. Bruce Thompson (R–White) is under fire for traveling to his beach house in Florida as he recovers from COVID-19. Georgia State Senate
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To ensure that Thompson doesn’t spread the virus to others, Smith said he has stationed a deputy outside of Thompson’s home to ensure that he complies with a two-week self-quarantine for travelers from out of state. Smith said he doesn’t know how many people are with him but that Thompson arrived with three vehicles.
Thompson, in a recorded face-to-face interview posted Monday on Facebook, said he’s not “in any way contagious, that we know about.” He said he was told to stay away from people who may be sick so they don’t infect him because his immune system had been weakened.
Thompson, in his conversation with Smith on Tuesday, said he decided to come to Florida to recover because “the doctor said it would be good for my lungs,” Smith told the Apalachicola Times.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website states that people who tested positive for COVID-19 but never showed symptoms can discontinue home isolation seven days after their first positive diagnosis.
If they tested positive and had symptoms, like Thompson, they can discontinue home isolation if they have met the following three requirements: They no longer have a fever without the use of fever-reducing medication; they have improved respiratory symptoms; they have undergone two swab specimen tests that have tested negative within no less than 24 hours of one another.
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“This recommendation will prevent most, but may not prevent all instances of secondary spread,” the CDC’s website states.
The Franklin County sheriff said he has stationed a deputy outside of Sen. Thompson's St. George Island beach home to ensure that he doesn't break a two-week quarantine. The lighthouse on St. George Island is seen. Education Images via Getty Images
St. George Island is a 28-mile barrier island overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. There are no major grocery stores, save for a Piggly Wiggly Xpress that offers a smaller selection of the grocery chain’s typical goods. It has one gas station and the closest hospital is a 25-bed critical access hospital off the island.
Thompson did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on Wednesday, and the voice mailbox for his office was full and unable to receive new messages.
Thompson was elected to the Georgia Senate in 2013. In addition to his public service work, he owns two software companies, a pool cover business, and a funeral home and cremation center, according to his election campaign page.
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Florida has become one of the nation’s rising hotbeds of COVID-19 cases, with the number of cases ― nearly 7,000 as of Tuesday ― nearly doubling within the last four days. The state’s governor on Wednesday issued a stay-at-home order to all residents.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-02--Sean Hannity Has Full-On Meltdown Over Criticism Of Fox News Coronavirus Coverage

Sean Hannity on Wednesday night flipped out at the growing criticism of the way that he and other Fox News personalities have covered the coronavirus pandemic .
The “ Hannity ” host , a staunch ally of President Donald Trump , said in a lengthy rant that he was thinking of suing “ the media mob ” and again accused journalists of “ playing politics ” and of using the public health crisis “ to bludgeon ” the president politically .
Hannity , who downplayed the threat of the virus for weeks , reserved particular scorn for New York Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a “ far-left media mob maniac ” after she blamed the network ’ s reporting for her elderly mother ’ s apparent lack of concern about the outbreak .
“ Well , it sometimes feels like Fox News is eating my mother ’ s brain , ” Swisher wrote this week in a searing column she directed at Hannity .
Hannity continued his meltdown by attacking The Washington Post ’ s media critic Erik Wemple , calling him “ Eric Pimple ” over a column calling for Hannity to be fired .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ without fear from the very beginning , ” even though he described the public health crisis as “ this new hoax ” and supported Trump ’ s attempts to downplay the seriousness of the pandemic .
The TV personality added that he was “ proud of the work we ’ ve done .
”

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Sean Hannity on Wednesday night flipped out at the growing criticism of the way that he and other Fox News personalities have covered the coronavirus pandemic.
The “Hannity” host, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, said in a lengthy rant that he was thinking of suing “the media mob” and again accused journalists of “playing politics” and of using the public health crisis “to bludgeon” the president politically.
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Hannity, who downplayed the threat of the virus for weeks, reserved particular scorn for New York Times opinion writer Kara Swisher, describing her as a “far-left media mob maniac” after she blamed the network’s reporting for her elderly mother’s apparent lack of concern about the outbreak.
“Well, it sometimes feels like Fox News is eating my mother’s brain,” Swisher wrote this week in a searing column she directed at Hannity.
Hannity continued his meltdown by attacking The Washington Post’s media critic Erik Wemple, calling him “Eric Pimple” over a column calling for Hannity to be fired.
Hannity claimed he’d “reported without fear from the very beginning,” even though he described the public health crisis as “this new hoax” and supported Trump’s attempts to downplay the seriousness of the pandemic. The TV personality added that he was “proud of the work we’ve done.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-01--California Governor Urges Other States To Issue Coronavirus Stay-At-Home Orders

California Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D ) is calling on the governors of states that have not yet issued stay-at-home orders to do so now to help stem the spread of the coronavirus .
In an interview on Wednesday , CNN ’ s Jake Tapper asked Newsom if he had a message for those governors who have not taken such “ strong measures ” as California ’ s statewide shelter-in-place directive .
“ My message is this : What are you waiting for ?
What more evidence do you need ?
” Newsom said about issuing a stay-at-home order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home unless they ’ re performing or seeking out services deemed “ essential.
” The Golden State governor noted that there was “ no greater intervention , period , full stop , none , than physical distancing ” to curb further spread of the coronavirus , saying that such efforts can “ bend the curve , can save lives.
” As the U.S. has become the epicenter of the pandemic worldwide , more than a dozen states still have not issued statewide stay-at-home orders .
President Donald Trump has also not called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 200,000-plus reported cases in the U.S. as of Wednesday ― more than double the number less than a week ago .
Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis ( R ) finally issued such an order on Wednesday , to go into effect at midnight Thursday , after mounting cases in his state and pressure from state lawmakers .
Florida is currently among the states with the highest number of cases , with nearly 7,000 confirmed infections and at least 87 people dead .
California , which was one of the initial states to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March , became the first state to issue a shelter-in-place order nearly two weeks ago .
In the Golden State , there have been nearly 10,000 confirmed cases and more than 200 dead so far .
“ None of that could have happened soon enough , ” Newsom said Wednesday of his state ’ s efforts to stem the spread of the virus .
“ And all of that has bought us time and has helped us bend the curve in this respect ― that while we see things increasing , we don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as other parts of the country .
”

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is calling on the governors of states that have not yet issued stay-at-home orders to do so now to help stem the spread of the coronavirus.
In an interview on Wednesday, CNN’s Jake Tapper asked Newsom if he had a message for those governors who have not taken such “strong measures” as California’s statewide shelter-in-place directive.
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“My message is this: What are you waiting for? What more evidence do you need?” Newsom said about issuing a stay-at-home order, which generally instructs residents to remain at home unless they’re performing or seeking out services deemed “essential.”
“Take responsibility and meet it head-on,” he added of the COVID-19 pandemic. “You will never regret overcompensating.”
The Golden State governor noted that there was “no greater intervention, period, full stop, none, than physical distancing” to curb further spread of the coronavirus, saying that such efforts can “bend the curve, can save lives.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s message to states that have not issued stay-at-home orders: “What are you waiting for? What more evidence do you need? … There’s no greater intervention, period, full stop, none, than physical distancing.” pic.twitter.com/iiAoxr3O4k — The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) April 1, 2020
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As the U.S. has become the epicenter of the pandemic worldwide, more than a dozen states still have not issued statewide stay-at-home orders.
President Donald Trump has also not called for a national stay-at-home order, even with 200,000-plus reported cases in the U.S. as of Wednesday ― more than double the number less than a week ago.
California, which was one of the initial states to experience a rise in coronavirus cases in March, became the first state to issue a shelter-in-place order nearly two weeks ago. In the Golden State, there have been nearly 10,000 confirmed cases and more than 200 dead so far.
“None of that could have happened soon enough,” Newsom said Wednesday of his state’s efforts to stem the spread of the virus. “And all of that has bought us time and has helped us bend the curve in this respect ― that while we see things increasing, we don’t see them increasing as fast as other parts of the country.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-02--Fauci To Receive More Personal Security After Threats: Reports

Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert and one of the main scientific touchstones amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic , will receive increased personal security protection after getting threats and unwelcome messages due to his leading role in the nation ’ s fight against the novel coronavirus .
Both The Washington Post and The New York Times reported late Wednesday that Fauci , 79 , had been granted enhanced security by the Department of Health and Human Services .
The shift comes as Fauci has issued increasingly dire warnings urging Americans to practice social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come even after weeks of instability both at home and abroad .
“ Yesterday , upon the recommendation of the U.S .
Marshals Service , the department approved the special deputization request from H.H.S .
for nine ... special agents to provide protective services for Dr. Fauci , ” the Justice Department said in a statement to the Times .
It ’ s unclear what type of threats Fauci has received , although he has already become a target for right-wing conspiracy theories .
But Alex Azar , the HHS secretary who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned about the rise in Fauci ’ s profile in recent weeks .
The doctor has managed to maintain the president ’ s support even though he has to regularly interject and temper Trump ’ s statements on topics including the timeline for any type of coronavirus vaccine .
On Tuesday , Fauci warned that between 100,000 and 240,000 people in the U.S. could die even if current guidelines are maintained , a figure that sent shockwaves through the president ’ s plans to “ open up ” the country by Easter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ days until the end of April .
More than 216,000 people have been infected with the virus in the U.S. and deaths have surged past 4,600 , with some officials comparing the pandemic ’ s effects in America to those seen several weeks ago in Italy .
“ We are continuing to see things go up , ” Fauci said Tuesday .
“ We can not be discouraged by that because the mitigation is actually working and will work.
” The fact-checking of the president and his dire predictions have already resulted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the “ deep state ” working to undermine the administration .
Fauci declined to speak about the increased protection during a press briefing on Wednesday , but Trump interjected to say the doctor didn ’ t “ need security .
”

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Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and one of the main scientific touchstones amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, will receive increased personal security protection after getting threats and unwelcome messages due to his leading role in the nation’s fight against the novel coronavirus.
Both The Washington Post and The New York Times reported late Wednesday that Fauci, 79, had been granted enhanced security by the Department of Health and Human Services. The shift comes as Fauci has issued increasingly dire warnings urging Americans to practice social distancing and that the worst is yet to come even after weeks of instability both at home and abroad.
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“Yesterday, upon the recommendation of the U.S. Marshals Service, the department approved the special deputization request from H.H.S. for nine ... special agents to provide protective services for Dr. Fauci,” the Justice Department said in a statement to the Times.
Fauci is a regular fixture at the White House's coronavirus briefings, a position that's earned him national recognition. ASSOCIATED PRESS
It’s unclear what type of threats Fauci has received, although he has already become a target for right-wing conspiracy theories. But Alex Azar, the HHS secretary who has his own detail, has reportedly grown concerned about the rise in Fauci’s profile in recent weeks.
The doctor has managed to maintain the president’s support even though he has to regularly interject and temper Trump’s statements on topics including the timeline for any type of coronavirus vaccine.
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On Tuesday, Fauci warned that between 100,000 and 240,000 people in the U.S. could die even if current guidelines are maintained, a figure that sent shockwaves through the president’s plans to “open up” the country by Easter. Trump ultimately extended social distancing measures 30 days until the end of April.
More than 216,000 people have been infected with the virus in the U.S. and deaths have surged past 4,600, with some officials comparing the pandemic’s effects in America to those seen several weeks ago in Italy.
“We are continuing to see things go up,” Fauci said Tuesday. “We cannot be discouraged by that because the mitigation is actually working and will work.”
The fact-checking of the president and his dire predictions have already resulted in online trolls falsely claiming that Fauci is part of the “deep state” working to undermine the administration.
Fauci declined to speak about the increased protection during a press briefing on Wednesday, but Trump interjected to say the doctor didn’t “need security.”
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“Everybody loves him,” Trump said.
During a Thursday morning appearance on NBC’s “Today Show,” Fauci told host Savannah Guthrie that he doesn’t intend to let the threats distract him.
“I’ve chosen this life. I mean, I know what it is,” Fauci said. “There are things about it that are sometimes disturbing. But you just focus on the job you have to do, and just put all that stuff aside and try as best as possible not to pay attention to it.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-02--Searing Supercut Makes Mincemeat Of Mike Pence’s Trump Coronavirus Defense

“ Well , we have the receipts , ” the Unite the Country super PAC , which is backing Democratic @ @ @ @ @ captioned its 35-second video .
It begins with Pence ’ s assertion before segueing into @ @ @ @ @ Trump talking about the pandemic , including one in which POTUS says the virus will @ @ @ @ @ like a miracle .
”

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