thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-30--Trump Again Accuses Health Care Workers Of Squandering Masks

For the second day in a row , President Donald Trump pushed the theory that health care workers were responsible for a shortage of protective masks during the coronavirus pandemic .
The president repeated the implication in his Monday press briefing when a reporter began to ask him about remarks he made Sunday that masks may be “ going out the back door.
” Trump cut off the reporter , saying a “ tremendous power in the business , ” seemingly a supplier of masks , had backed up his idea .
“ He said that a New York hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he was giving 10,000 , maybe maximum 20,000 masks over a short time , and all of a sudden he ’ s giving 300,000 , ” Trump said of the number of masks that lawmakers and public health officials are calling for .
“ And I said , ‘ No matter how bad this is , could that be possible ?
’ He said no .
So there ’ s only a couple of things that could happen .
Is it going out the back door ?
” Trump asked , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is zero evidence that such a thing is widely happening , and Trump offered no proof of this theory , which he first pushed at his press briefing on Sunday .
In reality , hospitals and medical professionals have long warned that the national stockpile of medical supplies would be depleted by the pandemic if drastic action wasn ’ t taken to produce more .
The World Health Organization said weeks ago that production of masks and other supplies needed to be ramped up , and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to use homemade gear , such as bandannas or scarves , “ if necessary.
” Health care workers around the country have said they ’ re terrified by the shortage .
Regardless , Trump said that , “ despite the virus , ” he didn ’ t understand why hospitals needed so many more masks than usual since New York City hospitals are “ always full.
” Trump then told the reporter , who still hadn ’ t asked a question , that he should “ go to the hospital and find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care workers are stealing masks .
There are more than 140,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , in the U.S. , and more than 2,400 people have died , nationwide , with about half of those in New York City .
Trump didn ’ t take well to other challenging questions at Monday ’ s press conference .
When Jim Acosta , CNN ’ s White House correspondent , asked him what he had to say to Americans who are upset with him for downplaying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead of asking a nasty , snarky question like that , you should ask a real question.
” He did the same with PBS White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor after she asked him why the U.S. hadn ’ t tested as many people per capita as South Korea had .
“ You should be saying congratulations instead of asking a really snarky question , ” Trump responded , “ because I know exactly what you mean by that .
”

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For the second day in a row, President Donald Trump pushed the theory that health care workers were responsible for a shortage of protective masks during the coronavirus pandemic.
The president repeated the implication in his Monday press briefing when a reporter began to ask him about remarks he made Sunday that masks may be “going out the back door.” Trump cut off the reporter, saying a “tremendous power in the business,” seemingly a supplier of masks, had backed up his idea.
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“He said that a New York hospital, for a long period of time, he was giving 10,000, maybe maximum 20,000 masks over a short time, and all of a sudden he’s giving 300,000,” Trump said of the number of masks that lawmakers and public health officials are calling for.
“And I said, ‘No matter how bad this is, could that be possible?’ He said no. So there’s only a couple of things that could happen. Is it going out the back door?” Trump asked, though he never offered another explanation.
There is zero evidence that such a thing is widely happening, and Trump offered no proof of this theory, which he first pushed at his press briefing on Sunday.
In reality, hospitals and medical professionals have long warned that the national stockpile of medical supplies would be depleted by the pandemic if drastic action wasn’t taken to produce more. The World Health Organization said weeks ago that production of masks and other supplies needed to be ramped up, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told health care providers they may have to use homemade gear, such as bandannas or scarves, “if necessary.” Health care workers around the country have said they’re terrified by the shortage.
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Regardless, Trump said that, “despite the virus,” he didn’t understand why hospitals needed so many more masks than usual since New York City hospitals are “always full.”
Trump then told the reporter, who still hadn’t asked a question, that he should “go to the hospital and find out,” ostensibly by investigating if health care workers are stealing masks.
There are more than 140,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, in the U.S., and more than 2,400 people have died, nationwide, with about half of those in New York City.
Trump didn’t take well to other challenging questions at Monday’s press conference. When Jim Acosta, CNN’s White House correspondent, asked him what he had to say to Americans who are upset with him for downplaying the crisis, Trump lashed back: “Instead of asking a nasty, snarky question like that, you should ask a real question.”
He did the same with PBS White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor after she asked him why the U.S. hadn’t tested as many people per capita as South Korea had.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-31--Sportscaster Mike Francesa Turns On Trump: ‘We’re Watching People Die!’

Trump on both Sunday and Monday implied that healthcare workers could be stealing supplies such as masks , leading to the shortages seen around the nation .
“ You go investigate that !
You have your military or FEMA investigate that , ” he said .
“ That ’ s your job ― you ’ re in charge of this.
” Francesa said New Yorkers are watching people die “ by the tens and twenties by the day , ” with body bags coming out of a Queens hospital “ five minutes from where [ Trump ] grew up.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that what ’ s happening isn ’ t right .
“ They know it ’ s not , ” he said .
“ They don ’ t have the supplies they need .
So don ’ t give me the MyPillow guy doing a song and dance up here on a Monday afternoon when people are dying in Queens.
” He was referring to pillow entrepreneur Mike Lindell , who Trump invited to speak at a press conference on Monday .
Lindell said “ God gave us grace ” with Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans to read the Bible Francesa also scorched Trump for saying he ’ ll have done “ a very good job ” if between 100,000 to 200,000 Americans die from the infections .
At the time Trump made those comments , about 2,000 people in the United States had died of the virus .
“ How is that a good job in our country ?
” Francesa asked .
“ Not if another 198,000 people die .
So now 200,000 people are disposable ?
” Francesa last year said he voted for Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point “ a mixed bag.
” “ I think he ’ s done some good things , I think he ’ s done some terrible things , ” he said at in November .
On Sunday , he tweeted that Trump was having his “ best performance ” of the crisis so far ... but then ruined it by bragging about his TV ratings .
Francesa has also called for extensive testing as well as a two-week national shutdown to stop the spread of the virus .
“ I ’ ve been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop telling us he has done a good job on the virus , ” he tweeted earlier this month .
“ He has not .
”

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Sports radio personality Mike Francesa, a longtime defender of President Donald Trump, tore into him over the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump for two straight days has suggested that health care workers are stealing masks and other supplies, leading to shortages around the nation.
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“Is it going out the back door?” Trump asked, then told a reporter to investigate.
Francesa wasn’t having it.
“You go investigate that! You have your military or FEMA investigate that,” the broadcaster said. “That’s your job ― you’re in charge of this.”
Francesa said New Yorkers are watching people die “by the 10s and 20s by the day,” with body bags coming out of a Queens hospital “five minutes from where [Trump] grew up.”
And he told Trump that New Yorkers know that what’s happening isn’t right.
“They know it’s not,” he said. “They don’t have the supplies they need. So don’t give me the MyPillow guy doing a song and dance up here on a Monday afternoon when people are dying in Queens.”
He was referring to pillow peddler Mike Lindell, who Trump invited to speak at a news briefing on Monday. Lindell said “God gave us grace” with Trump’s 2016 election victory, then urged Americans to read the Bible.
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Francesa also scorched Trump for saying he’ll have done “a very good job” if 100,000 to 200,000 Americans die from the infections.
At the time Trump made those comments, about 2,000 people in the United States had died of the virus.
“How is that a good job in our country?” Francesa asked. “Not if another 198,000 people die. So now 200,000 people are disposable?”
March 30, 2020 - The day that Mike Francesa's unwavering loyalty to his old friend @realDonaldTrump finally came to an end. pic.twitter.com/KZnpbbsYG3 — Funhouse (@BackAftaThis) March 31, 2020
Francesa last year admitted he voted for Trump, but called Trump presidency to that point “a mixed bag.”
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“I think he’s done some good things, I think he’s done some terrible things,” he said in November.
On Sunday, he tweeted that Trump was having his “best performance” of the crisis so far ― but then ruined it by bragging about his TV ratings.
“Nobody cares about ratings when people are dying by the day,” Francesa wrote. “Not good.”
Francesa has called for extensive testing as well as a two-week national shutdown to stop the spread of the virus.
“I’ve been a supporter of The President but he has to stop telling us he has done a good job on the virus,” Francesa tweeted earlier this month. “He has not.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-30--Illinois Asked Trump For More N95 Masks. He Sent Surgical Masks Instead.

Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said Monday that the 300,000 masks sent by the federal government were not the type of masks the state needs to properly combat the coronavirus .
The Democratic governor appeared at his daily briefing alongside Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and said the state has purchased more than 5 million N95 masks and more than 5 million surgical masks , which will be arriving by the end of the week .
Pritzker said he had asked the federal government to help Illinois by providing personal protective equipment ( PPE ) like N95 masks , but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks .
“ I can say with certainty that what they sent were not the N95 masks that were promised , but were surgical masks , which were not what we asked for , ” Pritzker said .
“ In our first request to the federal government , we asked for 1.2 million N95 masks .
That was weeks and weeks ago .
... We received a fraction of what we asked for.
” Pritzker has been outspoken in his criticism of what he calls the federal government ’ s “ profound failing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as Trump ’ s repeated questioning of whether states really do need more equipment and assistance at the federal level .
“ I can ’ t emphasize enough how much we need the federal government to step up and amplify the size of their PPE deliveries to Illinois , and frankly , across the nation , ” Pritzker said on Monday .
On Friday , Pritzker implored the president to invoke the Defense Production Act “ to put order into the market for ventilators and PPE ” and “ allow states on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need.
” “ He needed to do this weeks ago or even yesterday , but it will still make a massive difference in our national healthcare system if he moves quickly , ” Pritzker tweeted .
“ One way or another , we need these supplies ― and I have a whole team of people whose singular focus right now is working the phones across the world to get as much PPE , as many ventilators , and as many tests as possible shipped to Illinois.
” On Saturday , Pritzker thanked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies and equipment to make up for the lack of federal help .
“ Each mask , or gown , or set of gloves will make a difference for one of our frontline workers , and all of our donors should be proud of their part , ” the governor said .
The governor also said in his briefing on Monday that the McCormick Place convention center in Chicago will be turned into a field hospital with 3,000 beds , 500 of which are expected to be ready for use by the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chicagosmayor , we are working to stand up a 3,000-bed alternate care facility at McCormick Place .
The @ IL_Natl_Guard and @ USACEHQ are on pace to have the first phase of the facility completed this week and the entire facility up and running by the end of April .
— Governor JB Pritzker ( @ GovPritzker ) March 30 , 2020 Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike confirmed at the briefing that the state had suffered eight coronavirus-related deaths in the past 24 hours .
One person died while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers put Illinois ’ coronavirus death toll at 73 .
Lightfoot said that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Chicago is “ doubling about every three to four days , ” with the number of confirmed cases in Illinois currently at 5,057 .
More than 460 of those cases came in the last 24 hours .

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Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday that the 300,000 masks sent by the federal government were not the type of masks the state needs to properly combat the coronavirus.
The Democratic governor appeared at his daily briefing alongside Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and said the state has purchased more than 5 million N95 masks and more than 5 million surgical masks, which will be arriving by the end of the week. Pritzker said he had asked the federal government to help Illinois by providing personal protective equipment (PPE) like N95 masks, but that the White House instead sent 300,000 surgical masks.
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“I can say with certainty that what they sent were not the N95 masks that were promised, but were surgical masks, which were not what we asked for,” Pritzker said. “In our first request to the federal government, we asked for 1.2 million N95 masks. That was weeks and weeks ago. ... We received a fraction of what we asked for.”
Daily #COVID19 Briefing: Governor JB Pritzker says mask sent to state from federal government were not the N95 masks, as requested, but surgical masks. @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/sHnEGJ1koQ — Dana Kozlov (@DanaCBS2) March 30, 2020
Pritzker has been outspoken in his criticism of what he calls the federal government’s “profound failing” in handling the pandemic, as well as Trump’s repeated questioning of whether states really do need more equipment and assistance at the federal level.
“I can’t emphasize enough how much we need the federal government to step up and amplify the size of their PPE deliveries to Illinois, and frankly, across the nation,” Pritzker said on Monday.
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On Friday, Pritzker implored the president to invoke the Defense Production Act “to put order into the market for ventilators and PPE” and “allow states on the front lines to access the equipment we need.”
The 1950 law gives the president legal power over industrial production. Trump invoked the law on Friday, ordering General Motors to produce the ventilators that hospitals desperately need.
“He needed to do this weeks ago or even yesterday, but it will still make a massive difference in our national healthcare system if he moves quickly,” Pritzker tweeted. “One way or another, we need these supplies ― and I have a whole team of people whose singular focus right now is working the phones across the world to get as much PPE, as many ventilators, and as many tests as possible shipped to Illinois.”
On Saturday, Pritzker thanked businesses and individuals for donating their own supplies and equipment to make up for the lack of federal help.
“Each mask, or gown, or set of gloves will make a difference for one of our frontline workers, and all of our donors should be proud of their part,” the governor said.
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The governor also said in his briefing on Monday that the McCormick Place convention center in Chicago will be turned into a field hospital with 3,000 beds, 500 of which are expected to be ready for use by the end of this week.
Along with @chicagosmayor, we are working to stand up a 3,000-bed alternate care facility at McCormick Place.
The @IL_Natl_Guard and @USACEHQ are on pace to have the first phase of the facility completed this week and the entire facility up and running by the end of April. — Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) March 30, 2020
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike confirmed at the briefing that the state had suffered eight coronavirus-related deaths in the past 24 hours. One person died while incarcerated at Stateville Correctional Center. The numbers put Illinois’ coronavirus death toll at 73.
Lightfoot said that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Chicago is “doubling about every three to four days,” with the number of confirmed cases in Illinois currently at 5,057. More than 460 of those cases came in the last 24 hours.
🚨UPDATE🚨
Dr. Ngozi Ezike-
“Today I am reporting 461 new cases and 8 additional deaths. There are now 5,057 cases in Illinois, including 73 deaths.” — IDPH (@IDPH) March 30, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-30--Florida Megachurch Pastor Arrested After Holding Crowded Service In Defiance Of Rules

Rodney Howard-Browne , pastor of the River megachurch in Tampa , Florida , was arrested Monday for holding a crowded service in defiance of a local order that limits gatherings in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister slammed Howard-Browne at a news conference on Monday , saying his “ reckless disregard for human life ” not only put his congregants at risk of COVID-19 but also those who come into contact with them in the coming days .
“ I ’ d remind the good pastor of Mark 12:31 , which said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than to love thy neighbor as thyself , ” he said .
“ Loving your neighbors is protecting them , not jeopardizing their health by exposing them to this deadly virus.
” “ If somebody walks in the door , it ’ s like it kills everything on them .
If they sneeze , it shoots it down at like 100 mph , it ’ ll neutralize it in split-seconds , ” he said last week in a video posted online by Right Wing Watch .
“ So we have the most sterile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know , all of America.
” There is no known or approved equipment that can make a large gathering safe from coronavirus .
Jail records from the Hernando County Detention Center show Howard-Browne was charged with unlawful assembly as well as health and safety violations during a public health emergency .
Howard-Browne has spread conspiracy theories about coronavirus , calling it a “ phantom plague ” created by China and pushed by “ communists ” in the media , according to clips put online by Right Wing Watch .
He is also a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once took part in an Oval Office meeting of evangelical leaders .
He complained in a Facebook video that he was “ arrested for preaching the Gospel.
” Chronister on Monday said officials met with Howard-Browne to explain the county ’ s “ safer at home ” order and warn against holding the service .
“ Shame on this pastor , their legal staff , and the leaders of this church for forcing us to do our job , ” he said .
“ That ’ s not what we wanted to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

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Rodney Howard-Browne, pastor of the River megachurch in Tampa, Florida, was arrested Monday for holding a crowded service in defiance of a local order that limits gatherings in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister slammed Howard-Browne at a news conference on Monday, saying his “reckless disregard for human life” not only put his congregants at risk of COVID-19 but also those who come into contact with them in the coming days.
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State Attorney Andrew Warren offered up a Bible passage that Howard-Browne seemed to have ignored.
“I’d remind the good pastor of Mark 12:31, which said there’s no more important commandment than to love thy neighbor as thyself,” he said. “Loving your neighbors is protecting them, not jeopardizing their health by exposing them to this deadly virus.”
Howard-Browne had bragged that his church had special equipment to kill viruses.
“If somebody walks in the door, it’s like it kills everything on them. If they sneeze, it shoots it down at like 100 mph, it’ll neutralize it in split-seconds,” he said last week in a video posted online by Right Wing Watch. “So we have the most sterile building in, I don’t know, all of America.”
There is no known or approved equipment that can make a large gathering safe from coronavirus.
Jail records from the Hernando County Detention Center show Howard-Browne was charged with unlawful assembly as well as health and safety violations during a public health emergency.
He was released on a $500 bond.
Howard-Browne has spread conspiracy theories about coronavirus, calling it a “phantom plague” created by China and pushed by “communists” in the media, according to clips put online by Right Wing Watch.
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He is also a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump and once took part in an Oval Office meeting of evangelical leaders.
He complained in a Facebook video that he was “arrested for preaching the Gospel.”
Chronister on Monday said officials met with Howard-Browne to explain the county’s “safer at home” order and warn against holding the service.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-30--Amazon Worker Fired After Staging Walkout Over Company’s Handling Of Coronavirus Risk

Chris Smalls , the employee who helped organize the demonstration , said he felt Amazon had failed to enact adequate measures to protect workers at the facility as many Americans turn to online shopping as stay-at-home mandates expand around the country .
Smalls was one of a small group who walked out at a fulfillment center on Staten Island , demanding the company close the site and sanitize it before reopening .
He said Amazon had notified employees at the warehouse of one confirmed case of the virus but claimed there were several others that hadn ’ t yet been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers than face up to its total failure to do what it should to keep us , our families , and our communities safe , ” Smalls said in a statement obtained by HuffPost .
“ I am outraged and disappointed , but I ’ m not shocked .
As usual , Amazon would rather sweep a problem under the rug than act to keep workers and working communities safe.
” Amazon disputed Smalls ’ account in a statement on Monday , saying he had been warned several times for “ violating social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after failing to stay home .
The company said Smalls ’ claims were “ simply unfounded.
” “ He was also found to have had close contact with a diagnosed associate with a confirmed case of COVID-19 and was asked to remain home with pay for 14 days , which is a measure we ’ re taking at sites around the world , ” a company spokesperson told HuffPost .
“ Despite that instruction to stay home with pay , he came onsite today , March 30 , further putting the teams at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have terminated his employment as a result of these multiple safety issues.
” The company also said just 15 employees out of 5,000 at its Staten Island location had participated in the demonstration .
“ Our employees are heroes fighting for their communities and helping people get critical items they need in this crisis , ” the spokesperson said .
“ Like all businesses grappling with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , we are working hard to keep employees safe while serving communities and the most vulnerable.
” The Washington Post notes workers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities in the U.S. have tested positive for the virus .
Employees at several other major companies staged walkouts on Monday .
Workers at Instacart , the grocery delivery company , went on strike nationwide to demand better protections , including hazard pay and expanded paid sick leave .
And employees at Whole Foods , owned by Amazon , said they planned to hold a nationwide “ sick out ” on Tuesday .
Workers at the Staten Island warehouse were first told last week that an employee had tested positive for the novel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Emily Peck that business was “ normal ” and “ running just as it had been ” after the declaration .
Others said they were afraid of getting sick at work , saying there wasn ’ t enough protection equipment on site , such as hand sanitizer or masks .
Amazon said it has extended a range of benefits to help protect workers during the pandemic , including extended paid leave options for some employees and increased health and safety measures .
Employees diagnosed with COVID-19 are entitled to up to two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says it notifies workers at sites with infected individuals .

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Chris Smalls, the employee who helped organize the demonstration, said he felt Amazon had failed to enact adequate measures to protect workers at the facility as many Americans turn to online shopping as stay-at-home mandates expand around the country. Smalls was one of a small group who walked out at a fulfillment center on Staten Island, demanding the company close the site and sanitize it before reopening. He said Amazon had notified employees at the warehouse of one confirmed case of the virus but claimed there were several others that hadn’t yet been reported.
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Shortly after the strike, Smalls was terminated after working at Amazon for five years.
“Amazon would rather fire workers than face up to its total failure to do what it should to keep us, our families, and our communities safe,” Smalls said in a statement obtained by HuffPost. “I am outraged and disappointed, but I’m not shocked. As usual, Amazon would rather sweep a problem under the rug than act to keep workers and working communities safe.”
NOW: Workers at @Amazon's JFK8 Fulfillment Center are going on strike due to the company's failure to keep them safe during the #COVID19 pandemic.
Tune-In to the #AmazonStrike on our Facebook LIVE: https://t.co/UrTHCXIRSc pic.twitter.com/vHTzcrqIaE — Make the Road NY 🦋 (@MaketheRoadNY) March 30, 2020
Amazon disputed Smalls’ account in a statement on Monday, saying he had been warned several times for “violating social distancing guidelines” and had been fired after failing to stay home. The company said Smalls’ claims were “simply unfounded.”
“He was also found to have had close contact with a diagnosed associate with a confirmed case of COVID-19 and was asked to remain home with pay for 14 days, which is a measure we’re taking at sites around the world,” a company spokesperson told HuffPost. “Despite that instruction to stay home with pay, he came onsite today, March 30, further putting the teams at risk. This is unacceptable and we have terminated his employment as a result of these multiple safety issues.”
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The company also said just 15 employees out of 5,000 at its Staten Island location had participated in the demonstration.
“Our employees are heroes fighting for their communities and helping people get critical items they need in this crisis,” the spokesperson said. “Like all businesses grappling with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we are working hard to keep employees safe while serving communities and the most vulnerable.”
The Washington Post notes workers in at least 21 Amazon warehouses and shipping facilities in the U.S. have tested positive for the virus.
Employees at several other major companies staged walkouts on Monday. Workers at Instacart, the grocery delivery company, went on strike nationwide to demand better protections, including hazard pay and expanded paid sick leave. And employees at Whole Foods, owned by Amazon, said they planned to hold a nationwide “sick out” on Tuesday.
Workers at the Staten Island warehouse were first told last week that an employee had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, but they told HuffPost’s Emily Peck that business was “normal” and “running just as it had been” after the declaration. Others said they were afraid of getting sick at work, saying there wasn’t enough protection equipment on site, such as hand sanitizer or masks.
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Amazon said it has extended a range of benefits to help protect workers during the pandemic, including extended paid leave options for some employees and increased health and safety measures. Employees diagnosed with COVID-19 are entitled to up to two weeks of paid leave, and Amazon says it notifies workers at sites with infected individuals.
The ongoing efforts by warehouse workers throughout the coronavirus pandemic have garnered support from several lawmakers. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) wrote Monday that the employees were simply “demanding dignity.”
“When people work an hourly job, it’s suggested in many ways that you‘re unimportant or expendable,” she wrote on Twitter. “Except you aren’t. Everyone deserves safe work, paid leave, & a living wage.”
First Instacart, then Amazon, now Whole Foods: workers are withholding their labor& demanding dignity.
When people work an hourly job, it’s suggested in many ways that you‘re unimportant or expendable.
Except you aren’t. Everyone deserves safe work, paid leave, & a living wage. https://t.co/JCC7A6RiUe — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 30, 2020
I'm supporting Instacart workers on strike today. They are providing an essential service to those who cannot leave their homes now. They deserve better pay, benefits, and protections. #InstacartStrike https://t.co/BVSA5W6SXW — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) March 30, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-31--Al Gore Hammers Trump's Coronavirus Lies: 'You Can’t Gaslight A Virus'

Former Vice President Al Gore said he feels bad for supporters of President Donald Trump who ’ ve believed the misinformation coming from the White House over the COVID-19 coronavirus .
“ Those who follow him , I ’ m afraid many of them have been misled , ” Gore said to CNN ’ s Don Lemon , noting Trump has claimed the virus would “ disappear ” and slammed criticism of his response as a “ hoax ” by Democrats and the media .
“ I feel badly for those who believe that stuff and have not been protecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And we still have states that have not adopted the kind of policies that Dr. [ Anthony ] Fauci and the real experts have advised partly because they ’ ve made it kind of a political partisan kind of issue.
” But Gore said he ’ d rather move forward ― and saw encouraging signs from the president in that regard .
“ I think the president to his credit has been moving away from that , ” Gore offered .
“ I think he ’ s learned that you can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really got to pay attention to what the scientific facts are.
” He said he didn ’ t want to trade “ potshots ” with Trump but would rather see him continue to make the changes he ’ s made since dismissing the virus .
`` We need leadership that does n't have governors competing with each other to buy the ventilators and masks , '' says former Vice President Al Gore about the need for a `` nationwide policy '' to deal with the coronavirus outbreak .
https : //t.co/0E7uRJ5YtI pic.twitter.com/mdXtzN6li0 — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 31 , 2020

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Former Vice President Al Gore said he feels bad for supporters of President Donald Trump who’ve believed the misinformation coming from the White House during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Those who follow him, I’m afraid many of them have been misled,” Gore told CNN’s Don Lemon, noting Trump has claimed the virus would “disappear” and slammed criticism of his response as Democrats’ “new hoax.”
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“I feel badly for those who believe that stuff and have not been protecting themselves,” Gore said. “And we still have states that have not adopted the kind of policies that Dr. [Anthony] Fauci and the real experts have advised, partly because they’ve made it kind of a political partisan kind of issue.”
But Gore said he’d rather move forward ― and saw encouraging signs from Trump.
“I think the president to his credit has been moving away from that,” Gore offered. “I think he’s learned that you can’t gaslight a virus. You’ve really got to pay attention to what the scientific facts are.”
He said he didn’t want to trade “potshots” with Trump, but would rather see the president continue to accept the realities of dealing with the virus.
See Gore’s full conversation with Lemon below:
"We need leadership that doesn't have governors competing with each other to buy the ventilators and masks," says former Vice President Al Gore about the need for a "nationwide policy" to deal with the coronavirus outbreak. https://t.co/0E7uRJ5YtI pic.twitter.com/mdXtzN6li0 — CNN Tonight (@CNNTonight) March 31, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-31--CNN's Brooke Baldwin Wells Up In Poignant Interview With Coronavirus Victim's Daughter

CNN ’ s Brooke Baldwin repeatedly welled up as she interviewed a woman who ’ d been unable to say @ @ @ @ @ mother before she died from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus. Instead , @ @ @ @ @ cellphone so that Michelle Bennett could tell her mom Carolann Christine Gann that she loved @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I do not have all of the words in the world to say @ @ @ @ @ , just that I ’ m sorry for the loss of your mother , ” @ @ @ @ @ up several times during the exchange on Monday ’ s broadcast of “ Newsroom.
” @ @ @ @ @ ” at not being able to hold her mother ’ s hand or rub her @ @ @ @ @ over fears she too could contract the virus if she was present .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ watching but forgive me , but I feel for you , ” said Baldwin .

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CNN’s Brooke Baldwin repeatedly welled up as she interviewed a woman who’d been unable to say goodbye in person to her mother dying from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Instead, a nurse held up a cellphone so Michelle Bennett could tell her mom Carolann Christine Gann that she loved her, via video chat.
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“I do not have all of the words in the world to say. I’m sorry, just that I’m sorry for the loss of your mother,” said Baldwin, who choked up several times during the exchange on Monday’s broadcast of “Newsroom.”
Bennett described feeling “helpless” at not being able to hold her mother’s hand or rub her head at the end because of fears she might contract the virus.
“I know my own mother is watching but forgive me, but I feel for you,” said Baldwin.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-31--Lemon, Hayes Urge Networks: Stop Airing Trump’s 'Dangerous' Coronavirus Briefings Live

MSNBC ’ s Chris Hayes and CNN ’ s Don Lemon have joined the growing calls for cable networks ― including their own ― not to broadcast President Donald Trump ’ s daily briefings on the coronavirus pandemic live .
Last week , MSNBC ’ s Rachel Maddow said if it were to her “ I would stop putting those briefings on live TV .
Not out of spite , but because it ’ s misinformation.
” Hayes followed suit on Monday ’ s episode of “ All In ” when he noted how the briefings were “ supposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served as “ propaganda sessions ” for Trump , who was using them to spew misinformation and lies and attack journalists .
“ They have morphed into something akin to Trump rallies without the crowds .
The briefings are where he casts his failures in the most positive light , ” continued Hayes , calling them “ dangerous from a public health perspective.
” “ It ’ s obviously above my pay grade , I don ’ t make the call that we take them or not , but it seems crazy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them when you got the My Pillow guy getting up there , talking about reading the Bible , ” Hayes added .
“ CNN Tonight ” host Lemon , meanwhile , on Monday debated the idea of running snippets after the presser with fellow CNN anchor Chris Cuomo .
Cuomo was in favor of running the briefings live , saying there is “ too much of a need for information.
” “ I think we should do it afterwards and get the pertinent points to the American people because he ’ s never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth , ” said Lemon .
“ It ’ s obvious , it ’ s transparent to me .
Those press briefings have become his new ‘ Apprentice.
’ They ’ ve become his new rallies , ” he continued .
“ And he treats the press and the media as if he ’ s talking to the people at his rallies .
It ’ s the same thing .
It ’ s no different except the audience isn ’ t there .
”

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MSNBC’s Chris Hayes and CNN’s Don Lemon have joined the growing calls for cable networks ― including their own ― to stop broadcasting President Donald Trump’s daily briefings on the coronavirus pandemic live.
Last week, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow said if it were to her, “I would stop putting those briefings on live TV. Not out of spite, but because it’s misinformation.”
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Hayes followed on Monday’s episode of “All In,” noting the briefings were “supposed to be about fact-based updates,” but instead Trump has molded them into “propaganda sessions” allowing him to spew misinformation, lies, and attacks on his political adversaries and journalists.
“They have morphed into something akin to Trump rallies without the crowds. The briefings are where he casts his failures in the most positive light,” said Hayes, calling them “dangerous from a public health perspective.”
“It’s obviously above my pay grade, I don’t make the call that we take them or not, but it seems crazy to me that everyone’s still taking them when you got the My Pillow guy getting up there, talking about reading the Bible,” Hayes added.
Check out the clip here:
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“CNN Tonight” host Lemon on Monday debated the idea with fellow CNN anchor Chris Cuomo of running clips from the briefing later.
Cuomo was in favor of running the briefings live, saying there is “too much of a need for information.”
“I think we should do it afterwards and get the pertinent points to the American people because he’s never, ever going to tell you the truth,” said Lemon.
“It’s obvious, it’s transparent to me. Those press briefings have become his new ‘Apprentice.’ They’ve become his new rallies,” Lemon continued. “And he treats the press and the media as if he’s talking to the people at his rallies. It’s the same thing. It’s no different except the audience isn’t there.”
Check out the exchange here:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-31--U.S. Senator: Trump’s Coronavirus Response ‘Feels Like Ukraine All Over Again’

You know , the president is , you know , now instead of using foreign aid , using emergency relief @ @ @ @ @ get people to do his political bidding .
I mean , the message seems pretty @ @ @ @ @ the president , then you are going to get attacked and you are potentially going @ @ @ @ @ withheld and if you get the president ’ s back politically , we ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ .

You know, the president is, you know, now instead of using foreign aid, using emergency relief in order to try to get people to do his political bidding. I mean, the message seems pretty clear, if you criticize the president, then you are going to get attacked and you are potentially going to have critical medical supplies withheld and if you get the president’s back politically, we’ll send you what you need.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-31--Marco Rubio Ripped For ‘Outrageous’ Coronavirus Claim About Journalists’ Glee

ABC News chief White House correspondent Jonathan Karl joined the growing chorus of criticism of Sen. Marco Rubio ( R-Fla. ) who suggested some journalists “ can ’ t contain their glee and delight ” in reporting the U.S. now has more confirmed coronavirus cases than China .
Some in our media can ’ t contain their glee & delight in reporting that the U.S. has more # CoronaVirus cases than # China Beyond being grotesque , its bad journalism We have NO IDEA how many cases China really has but without any doubt its significantly more than why they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marcorubio ) March 29 , 2020 Journalists living in NYC , I can tell you , are not gleeful .
We hear sirens more all the time .
We know our hospitals are overrun and people are dying every day .
We 're worrying about the health of our friends and families while working hard to cover this crisis .
https : //t.co/JgZQdTAiCT — Michael Calderone ( @ mlcalderone ) March 29 , 2020 .
@ marcorubio since you address “ us ” the media , I ’ ll respond by saying back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best to stop the spread and to keep our families safe .
Nothing about this gives us “ glee ” .
You are a sick puppy if you really believe that .
Do your job .
https : //t.co/I3cXx88ODv — Mika Brzezinski ( @ morningmika ) March 29 , 2020 CBS News employees literally just found out today that one of our colleagues had died from the virus .
Journalists are among the sick and dying , just like thousands of other Americans .
https : //t.co/E4GwZu0Jrn — Grace Segers ( @ Grace_Segers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who Donald Trump on Friday told not to “ be a cutie pie ” after the journalist quizzed the president during his daily press briefing on the availability of ventilators , doubled down on Monday ’ s broadcast of “ The View ” and called on Rubio to apologize .
“ It is outrageous .
It is wrong .
It is hurtful , ” said Karl , whose new book “ Front Row at the Trump Show ” is released this week .
“ I called out Senator Rubio , and I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who are you talking about , senator ?
” “ That tweet hit just after my friends , our friends at CBS News learned that one of their colleagues , one of their co-workers , died from coronavirus .
A colleague at NBC died of coronavirus , ” he noted , referring to CBS News producer Maria Mercader and NBC audio technician Larry Edgeworth , who both died after suffering complications from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
“ We have two members of the White House press corps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Who does Marco Rubio think is taking joy and glee at more people being sick ?
” asked Karl .
“ That ’ s an outrageous statement , it ’ s a hurtful statement.
” Jon Karl calls for Sen. Marco Rubio to apologize for claiming some in the media “ can ’ t contain their glee ” over the rising number of coronavirus cases in the United States : “ That ’ s an outrageous statement , it ’ s a hurtful statement.
” https : //t.co/f8u2wc159S pic.twitter.com/Lou6GLq8N4 — The View @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020

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ABC News chief White House correspondent Jonathan Karl joined the growing chorus of criticism of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) for the suggestion that some journalists “can’t contain their glee and delight” in reporting the U.S. now has more confirmed coronavirus cases than China.
Rubio made the assertion, without evidence, on Twitter Sunday:
Some in our media can’t contain their glee & delight in reporting that the U.S. has more #CoronaVirus cases than #China
Beyond being grotesque,its bad journalism
We have NO IDEA how many cases China really has but without any doubt its significantly more than why they admit to — Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 29, 2020
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Karl initially fired back with this post:
Who are you talking about, Senator Rubio? Who feels “glee & delight” when more people are sick? Who? https://t.co/aIVdYQhXaW — Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) March 29, 2020
Other members of the media were similarly outraged:
We have colleagues who have died. https://t.co/h36kWayxpQ — Katy Tur (@KatyTurNBC) March 29, 2020
Journalists living in NYC, I can tell you, are not gleeful. We hear sirens more all the time. We know our hospitals are overrun and people are dying every day. We're worrying about the health of our friends and families while working hard to cover this crisis. https://t.co/JgZQdTAiCT — Michael Calderone (@mlcalderone) March 29, 2020
.@marcorubio since you address “us” the media, I’ll respond by saying back off. We are all doing our best to stop the spread and to keep our families safe. Nothing about this gives us “glee”. You are a sick puppy if you really believe that. Do your job. https://t.co/I3cXx88ODv — Mika Brzezinski (@morningmika) March 29, 2020
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CBS News employees literally just found out today that one of our colleagues had died from the virus. Journalists are among the sick and dying, just like thousands of other Americans. https://t.co/E4GwZu0Jrn — Grace Segers (@Grace_Segers) March 29, 2020
Karl, who President Donald Trump on Friday told not to “be a cutie pie” after the journalist quizzed the president during his daily press briefing on the availability of ventilators, doubled down on Monday’s broadcast of “The View” and called on Rubio to apologize.
“It is outrageous. It is wrong. It is hurtful,” said Karl, whose new book “Front Row at the Trump Show” is released this week. “I called out Sen. Rubio, and I’ll do it again now to say, who are you talking about, Senator?”
“That tweet hit just after my friends, our friends at CBS News learned that one of their colleagues, one of their co-workers, died from coronavirus. A colleague at NBC died of coronavirus,” Karl noted.
CBS News producer Maria Mercader and NBC audio technician Larry Edgeworth both died after complications from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
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“We have two members of the White House press corps who are now suspected to have coronavirus. Who does Marco Rubio think is taking joy and glee at more people being sick?” asked Karl. “That’s an outrageous statement, it’s a hurtful statement.”
Check out the segment here:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-30--Idaho Governor Signs 2 Anti-Transgender Bills Into Law

BOISE , Idaho ( AP ) — Idaho Gov .
Brad Little on Monday signed into law two anti-transgender bills , making Idaho the first among states that introduced some 40 such bills this year to enact them .
The Republican governor approved legislation that prohibits transgender people from changing the sex listed on their birth certificates , and another that bans transgender girls and women from competing in women ’ s sports .
The birth certificate measure ignores a 2018 federal court ruling that a past law barring transgender people from making the birth certificate changes violated the Equal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The judge scrapped the ban and warned against new rules .
The Idaho attorney general ’ s office , which didn ’ t appeal the ruling , said it could cost $ 1 million if the state had to defend the ban again and lost .
“ There ’ s an injunction that already absolutely forbids this policy , and the government can ’ t enforce this law without violating a court order , ” said Peter Renn of Lambda Legal , the law firm that represented two transgender women whose lawsuit led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ramifications of contempt ( of court ) are quite furious.
” He said the court could impose fines and hold top officials at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare responsible should the court order be violated .
Backers of the legislation said the federal court was wrong , and the law is needed so Idaho has accurate birth records .
It takes effect July 1 .
The sports ban applies to all sports teams sponsored by public schools , colleges and universities .
A girls ’ or women ’ s team will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identify as female .
Opponents said it discriminated against transgender girls and women , and would subject athletes to invasive tests to prove their gender , likely causing some potential athletes to avoid sports .
Republican Rep. Barbara Ehardt , who sponsored the sports ban , has consistently argued that allowing the practice would negate Title IX , the 1972 law barring sex discrimination in education and is credited with opening up athletic competition for girls and women .
Both the anti-transgender bills had overwhelming support among Republicans in the House and Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veto .
Rather than wait out a potential veto , though , both chambers adjourned earlier this month because of coronavirus concerns and would have been powerless to override vetoes .
“ We condemn Governor Little ’ s actions and the actions of dozens of Idaho legislators who are so focused on pleasing their bigoted base instead of doing what is right , ” said Mistie Tolman , Idaho director for Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii , adding the laws make Idaho one of the “ cruelest states in the country.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bills were introduced this year targeting transgender youth .
About half , like one of the Idaho bills , sought to ban transgender girls from competing at various levels of girls ’ sports .
Another large batch of bills sought to ban certain types of gender-transition medical treatment for minors .
None of these bills have been enacted , and most have died .
In some other states — including Ohio , Alabama , Tennessee , Kansas , Louisiana , South Carolina , Missouri and Arizona — bills of one or both categories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered unlikely to win final passage .
In some cases , the legislatures are in recess and future scheduling is in limbo because of the coronavirus outbreak .

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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little on Monday signed into law two anti-transgender bills, making Idaho the first among states that introduced some 40 such bills this year to enact them.
The Republican governor approved legislation that prohibits transgender people from changing the sex listed on their birth certificates, and another that bans transgender girls and women from competing in women’s sports.
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The birth certificate measure ignores a 2018 federal court ruling that a past law barring transgender people from making the birth certificate changes violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The judge scrapped the ban and warned against new rules. The Idaho attorney general’s office, which didn’t appeal the ruling, said it could cost $1 million if the state had to defend the ban again and lost.
“There’s an injunction that already absolutely forbids this policy, and the government can’t enforce this law without violating a court order,” said Peter Renn of Lambda Legal, the law firm that represented two transgender women whose lawsuit led to the court ruling. “The ramifications of contempt (of court) are quite furious.”
He said the court could impose fines and hold top officials at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare responsible should the court order be violated.
Backers of the legislation said the federal court was wrong, and the law is needed so Idaho has accurate birth records. It takes effect July 1.
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The sports ban applies to all sports teams sponsored by public schools, colleges and universities. A girls’ or women’s team will not be open to transgender students who identify as female.
Backers said the law was needed because transgender female athletes have physical advantages.
Opponents said it discriminated against transgender girls and women, and would subject athletes to invasive tests to prove their gender, likely causing some potential athletes to avoid sports.
Republican Rep. Barbara Ehardt, who sponsored the sports ban, has consistently argued that allowing the practice would negate Title IX, the 1972 law barring sex discrimination in education and is credited with opening up athletic competition for girls and women.
She didn’t return a call from The Associated Press on Monday.
Both the anti-transgender bills had overwhelming support among Republicans in the House and Senate in numbers great enough to override a veto. Rather than wait out a potential veto, though, both chambers adjourned earlier this month because of coronavirus concerns and would have been powerless to override vetoes.
“We condemn Governor Little’s actions and the actions of dozens of Idaho legislators who are so focused on pleasing their bigoted base instead of doing what is right,” said Mistie Tolman, Idaho director for Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, adding the laws make Idaho one of the “cruelest states in the country.”
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Across the U.S., more than 40 bills were introduced this year targeting transgender youth. About half, like one of the Idaho bills, sought to ban transgender girls from competing at various levels of girls’ sports. Another large batch of bills sought to ban certain types of gender-transition medical treatment for minors.
None of these bills have been enacted, and most have died. In some other states — including Ohio, Alabama, Tennessee, Kansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Missouri and Arizona — bills of one or both categories remain technically alive, but most are considered unlikely to win final passage. In some cases, the legislatures are in recess and future scheduling is in limbo because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Meanwhile, the families of three female high school runners have filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to block transgender athletes in Connecticut from participating in girls’ sports.
On March 24, the U.S. Justice Department came out in support of the lawsuit, arguing that the state’s inclusive policy violates the federal Title IX law allowing girls equal educational and athletic opportunities.
___
Associated Press writer David Crary in New York contributed to this report.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-30--Los Angeles Continued Prosecuting Low-Level Offenses Amid Coronavirus Crisis

Under their state ’ s rules to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 , Californians are not supposed to leave home except to pick up groceries or prescriptions , go to the doctor , and commute to jobs deemed essential .
As part of this effort , prosecutors — including Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey — have pledged to avoid dragging people into court or sending them to the city ’ s overcrowded jail for cases that can be dismissed or handled at a later date .
“ I have asked my attorneys to consider the health risks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a March 20 statement .
“ I have directed them to consider ways to keep nonviolent felony and misdemeanor offenders out of our jails and courthouses during this pandemic , ” she continued .
Despite these assurances , since California ’ s shelter-in-place mandate went into effect more than 10 days ago , Lacey ’ s office has pursued cases against individuals accused of panhandling , drinking in public , driving with a suspended license , drug possession , and loitering , according to a review by former San Francisco District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to replace Lacey as LA ’ s top prosecutor .
Prosecuting low-level misdemeanors “ will very possibly cost lives , ” Gascón said in a statement on Monday outlining his own recommendations for prosecutorial conduct during the pandemic .
Merely holding hearings means defendants , their lawyers , prosecutors , judges , sheriff ’ s deputies , clerks , court reporters , and translators have to gather together in the same room , he noted — at a time when people are being instructed to avoid congregating in groups .
On March 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gavin Newsom ( D ) ordered the state ’ s residents to stay home , a man facing charges for drug possession and driving with a suspended license had a hearing in an Inglewood courtroom .
Prosecutors filed a case against him at a time when LA County courts were mostly closed earlier this month .
His case was dismissed in court , but only after he had spent six days in jail and long after people began warning about the risk of the coronavirus spreading in jail and prison populations .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County were arraigned on a drinking-in-public citation .
At least one of the defendants was ordered to attend 26 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings before their next court date , which would require them to either leave their home and congregate in a group setting or have reliable , private access to a computer and the internet for online meetings .
Those charges “ could have been unilaterally dismissed or continued for up to one year , ” Gascón said .
“ Bear in mind these drinking in public cases are proceeding at a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be served to go.
” Last Wednesday , another man had a court hearing in Compton for driving on a suspended license .
A deputy district attorney opposed releasing the individual from custody , which Gascón said was likely an effort “ to force a plea in exchange for their release.
” Ricardo Santiago , a spokesman for Lacey ’ s office , denied that the prosecutor had opposed the individual ’ s release .
These kinds of low-level cases “ should have either been continued to a later date or unilaterally dismissed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing to avoid forcing so many persons to congregate , ” Gascón said .
“ It is simply not logical to insist that low-level misdemeanors proceed as scheduled when there is no serious threat to the community.
” Asked about the decisions to prosecute these cases , Santiago said that not all of the defendants appeared in court and some of the cases were dismissed .

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Under their state’s rules to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Californians are not supposed to leave home except to pick up groceries or prescriptions, go to the doctor, and commute to jobs deemed essential. As part of this effort, prosecutors — including Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey — have pledged to avoid dragging people into court or sending them to the city’s overcrowded jail for cases that can be dismissed or handled at a later date.
“I have asked my attorneys to consider the health risks in every decision they make,” Lacey said in a March 20 statement. “I have directed them to consider ways to keep nonviolent felony and misdemeanor offenders out of our jails and courthouses during this pandemic,” she continued.
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Despite these assurances, since California’s shelter-in-place mandate went into effect more than 10 days ago, Lacey’s office has pursued cases against individuals accused of panhandling, drinking in public, driving with a suspended license, drug possession, and loitering, according to a review by former San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón, who is running to replace Lacey as LA’s top prosecutor.
Prosecuting low-level misdemeanors “will very possibly cost lives,” Gascón said in a statement on Monday outlining his own recommendations for prosecutorial conduct during the pandemic. Merely holding hearings means defendants, their lawyers, prosecutors, judges, sheriff’s deputies, clerks, court reporters, and translators have to gather together in the same room, he noted — at a time when people are being instructed to avoid congregating in groups.
On March 20, the day after California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) ordered the state’s residents to stay home, a man facing charges for drug possession and driving with a suspended license had a hearing in an Inglewood courtroom. Prosecutors filed a case against him at a time when LA County courts were mostly closed earlier this month. His case was dismissed in court, but only after he had spent six days in jail and long after people began warning about the risk of the coronavirus spreading in jail and prison populations.
That same day, three people in LA County were arraigned on a drinking-in-public citation. At least one of the defendants was ordered to attend 26 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings before their next court date, which would require them to either leave their home and congregate in a group setting or have reliable, private access to a computer and the internet for online meetings.
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Those charges “could have been unilaterally dismissed or continued for up to one year,” Gascón said. “Bear in mind these drinking in public cases are proceeding at a time when the state is allowing cocktails to be served to go.”
Last Wednesday, another man had a court hearing in Compton for driving on a suspended license. A deputy district attorney opposed releasing the individual from custody, which Gascón said was likely an effort “to force a plea in exchange for their release.” Ricardo Santiago, a spokesman for Lacey’s office, denied that the prosecutor had opposed the individual’s release.
On Friday, a judge in El Monte heard cases about a loitering citation and a misdemeanor panhandling case. Both matters were dismissed that day.
These kinds of low-level cases “should have either been continued to a later date or unilaterally dismissed by the DA in advance of the hearing to avoid forcing so many persons to congregate,” Gascón said. “It is simply not logical to insist that low-level misdemeanors proceed as scheduled when there is no serious threat to the community.”
Asked about the decisions to prosecute these cases, Santiago said that not all of the defendants appeared in court and some of the cases were dismissed.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-31--Republican Governor Slaps Down Trump Testing Claim: 'That's Just Not True'

Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan ( R ) on Tuesday rejected President Donald Trump ’ s claim that there ’ s no longer a shortage of coronavirus tests , calling the assertion “ just not true ” and warning that no state has enough tests .
Hogan , who issued a statewide stay-at-home order a day earlier , told NPR ’ s “ Morning Edition ” that the country ’ s governors have made some progress in working with the federal government to obtain additional medical supplies , but more is needed .
“ Yeah , that ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who chairs the National Governors Association .
“ I know that they ’ ve taken some steps to create new tests , but they ’ re not actually produced and distributed out to the states .
So it ’ s an aspirational thing.
” He added that the Trump administration has some new testing measures “ in the works , ” but for now “ no state has enough testing.
” Asked if he ’ s concerned that Trump doesn ’ t have accurate information , Hogan said he believes others in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump reportedly told governors during a conference call Monday that he had not “ heard about testing in weeks , ” even though governors , medical experts and health care workers have been repeatedly sounding the alarm about the continuing shortage of tests .
In a separate interview Tuesday , Hogan told CNN that there ’ s “ no question ” that leaders in every state and the federal government believe there ’ s a need for more testing .
“ I ’ m not here to point blame , ” Hogan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working to try to get more testing .
...
It doesn ’ t matter who ’ s supposed to be doing these things ― we ’ ve all got to get together and get them done because it ’ s going to save lives.
” “ Without the tests we really are flying blind , ” he continued .
“ We ’ re sort of guessing about where the outbreaks are and about what the infection rate and the hospitalization rates are and the mortality rates.
” JUST NOW : `` Without the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're sort of guessing about where the outbreaks are and about what the infection rate in the hospitalization rates are . ''
MD Gov @ LarryHogan on continued plea from state for more tests .
@ NewDay pic.twitter.com/hOKTHEzPsf — John Berman ( @ JohnBerman ) March 31 , 2020 On Monday , Hogan and Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ( D ) ― who was attacked by Trump after she criticized his response to the pandemic ― published a joint editorial in The Washington Post outlining the help that states need from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been pushing these things at the federal level , but there ’ s simply not enough of them , ” he said .
Hogan has been critical of Trump in the past .
He harshly criticized the president last year after special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s report on Russia ’ s interference in the 2016 election .
And in October , he expressed support for an impeachment inquiry into Trump ’ s dealings with Ukraine .

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Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) on Tuesday rejected President Donald Trump’s claim that there’s no longer a shortage of coronavirus tests, calling the assertion “just not true” and warning that no state has enough tests.
Hogan, who issued a statewide stay-at-home order a day earlier, told NPR’s “Morning Edition” that the country’s governors have made some progress in working with the federal government to obtain additional medical supplies, but more is needed.
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“President Trump has suggested that the testing problems are over,” NPR’s Rachel Martin told Hogan during the interview.
“Yeah, that’s just not true,” said Hogan, who chairs the National Governors Association. “I know that they’ve taken some steps to create new tests, but they’re not actually produced and distributed out to the states. So it’s an aspirational thing.”
He added that the Trump administration has some new testing measures “in the works,” but for now “no state has enough testing.”
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Asked if he’s concerned that Trump doesn’t have accurate information, Hogan said he believes others in the administration are “talking about the facts.”
“We’re listening to the smart team,” said Hogan, naming Vice President Mike Pence and other members of the White House coronavirus task force, including doctors Deborah Birx and Anthony Fauci.
Trump reportedly told governors during a conference call Monday that he had not “heard about testing in weeks,” even though governors, medical experts and health care workers have been repeatedly sounding the alarm about the continuing shortage of tests.
In a separate interview Tuesday, Hogan told CNN that there’s “no question” that leaders in every state and the federal government believe there’s a need for more testing.
“I’m not here to point blame,” Hogan said. “We’re all working to try to get more testing. ... It doesn’t matter who’s supposed to be doing these things ― we’ve all got to get together and get them done because it’s going to save lives.”
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“Without the tests we really are flying blind,” he continued. “We’re sort of guessing about where the outbreaks are and about what the infection rate and the hospitalization rates are and the mortality rates.”
JUST NOW: "Without the tests we really are flying blind, we're sort of guessing about where the outbreaks are and about what the infection rate in the hospitalization rates are."
MD Gov @LarryHogan on continued plea from state for more tests.@NewDay pic.twitter.com/hOKTHEzPsf — John Berman (@JohnBerman) March 31, 2020
On Monday, Hogan and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) ― who was attacked by Trump after she criticized his response to the pandemic ― published a joint editorial in The Washington Post outlining the help that states need from the federal government.
Hogan told NPR on Tuesday that “every single state” has a shortage of ventilators and personal protective equipment, such as masks.
“We’ve been pushing these things at the federal level, but there’s simply not enough of them,” he said.
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The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-31--GOP Governors' Lag In Social Distancing Policies Threatens Public Health: Study

A new study has found that states with GOP governors or a majority-Republican electorate have lagged behind their Democratic counterparts in instituting social distancing policies amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Those delays are “ likely to produce significant ongoing harm to public health , ” the researchers warned .
The study , “ Pandemic Politics : Timing State-Level Social Distancing Responses to COVID-19 ” — by political science professors and a health metrics researcher from the University of Washington — found that red states or states with Republican governors instituted social distancing policies an average of nearly three days later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ findings are unambiguous : political variables are the strongest predictor of the early adoption of social distancing policies , ” the study stated .
“ All else equal , states with Republican governors and Republican electorates delayed each social distancing measure by an average of 2.70 days ... a far larger effect than any other factor , including state income per capita , the percentage of neighboring states with mandates , or even confirmed cases in each state.
” While the gap may initially appear to be small , the difference could translate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a disease that can spread explosively in a single day .
The researchers noted the different outcomes in American cities during the 1918 influenza pandemic depending on how they responded : Stricter social distancing policies resulted in a fraction of the lives lost compared to places where policies were looser .
One high-profile Republican governor , Florida ’ s Ron DeSantis , didn ’ t enact a stay-at-home order until Monday — and it only applies to South Florida .
( See the video at top . )
DeSantis took days to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s beaches .
The governor also took no action to block 3,800 cruise ship passengers from disembarking unscreened in Miami earlier this month after a passenger who had left earlier tested positive for COVID-19 .
The University of Washington researchers theorized that Republicans ’ delayed response to COVID-19 has been influenced by “ cues ” from President Donald Trump .
Trump initially “ strongly signaled ... that the coronavirus was an exaggerated threat or even a hoax — a position that was magnified and reinforced by Republican-leaning media outlets , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the study noted , “ partisans of any stripe tend to minimize failures by their own party leaders and exaggerate failures by the opposing party , ” so Republican voters “ were more concerned about Ebola during Obama ’ s presidency than they were about COVID-19 under Trump.
” The scientists warned that if GOP governors and states with Republican majorities continue to lag behind in social distancing policies , the “ cumulative impact on those states — and on the country as whole through spillovers — could be vast.
” The study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and blue states comes as an analysis by a medical technology firm indicates that social distancing appears to be effective in the battle against the disease , The New York Times reported .

A new study has found that states with GOP governors or a majority-Republican electorate have lagged behind their Democratic counterparts in instituting social distancing policies amid the coronavirus pandemic. Those delays are “likely to produce significant ongoing harm to public health,” the researchers warned.
The study, “Pandemic Politics: Timing State-Level Social Distancing Responses to COVID-19” — by political science professors and a health metrics researcher from the University of Washington — found that red states or states with Republican governors instituted social distancing policies an average of nearly three days later than blue states did.
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“Our findings are unambiguous: political variables are the strongest predictor of the early adoption of social distancing policies,” the study stated. “All else equal, states with Republican governors and Republican electorates delayed each social distancing measure by an average of 2.70 days ... a far larger effect than any other factor, including state income per capita, the percentage of neighboring states with mandates, or even confirmed cases in each state.”
While the gap may initially appear to be small, the difference could translate into a significant number of human lives with a disease that can spread explosively in a single day. The researchers noted the different outcomes in American cities during the 1918 influenza pandemic depending on how they responded: Stricter social distancing policies resulted in a fraction of the lives lost compared to places where policies were looser.
Pandemic Politics: How #COVID19 Got Ahead in Red States
Delays in #US #coronavirus #socialdistancing policy associated w/ Republican governors & more Trump voters
(Currently submitted for peer review & medRxiv registration, white paper available here: https://t.co/aBpjiAtM4o) pic.twitter.com/vLLTiSxpq1 — Nancy Fullman (@nwnancy) March 29, 2020
One high-profile Republican governor, Florida’s Ron DeSantis, didn’t enact a stay-at-home order until Monday — and it only applies to South Florida. (See the video at top.)
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DeSantis took days to crack down on spring-breakers who mobbed the state’s beaches. The governor also took no action to block 3,800 cruise ship passengers from disembarking unscreened in Miami earlier this month after a passenger who had left earlier tested positive for COVID-19.
Suddenly last week he insisted on quarantines for New Yorkers coming into the state.
The University of Washington researchers theorized that Republicans’ delayed response to COVID-19 has been influenced by “cues” from President Donald Trump. Trump initially “strongly signaled ... that the coronavirus was an exaggerated threat or even a hoax — a position that was magnified and reinforced by Republican-leaning media outlets,” the study stated.
In addition, the study noted, “partisans of any stripe tend to minimize failures by their own party leaders and exaggerate failures by the opposing party,” so Republican voters “were more concerned about Ebola during Obama’s presidency than they were about COVID-19 under Trump.”
The scientists warned that if GOP governors and states with Republican majorities continue to lag behind in social distancing policies, the “cumulative impact on those states — and on the country as whole through spillovers — could be vast.”
The study of the strikingly different approaches in red and blue states comes as an analysis by a medical technology firm indicates that social distancing appears to be effective in the battle against the disease, The New York Times reported.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-31--Mitch McConnell: Impeachment Push 'Diverted' Government's Attention From Coronavirus

WASHINGTON ― The Democratic Party ’ s push to impeach President Donald Trump earlier this year distracted the U.S. government from the threat of the coronavirus , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) said Tuesday .
“ It came up while we were tied down on the impeachment trial .
And I think it diverted the attention of the government because everything every day was all about impeachment , ” McConnell said in an interview with conservative radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt .
China reported its first death from coronavirus on Jan. 11 , prior to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Senate .
The first confirmed case in the U.S. came later that month on Jan. 21 in Washington State just as the Senate was beginning a contentious debate over rules for the impending impeachment trial .
While most of Washington , D.C. , was focused on the historic trial in late January , senators did receive a briefing regarding the outbreak and the Trump ’ s administration ’ s preparedness efforts on Jan. 24 , a few days into the proceedings .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency due to the virus on Jan. 26 in order to free up funds for the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention to fight the infectious disease .
The Health and Human Services Department did so a few days later .
Trump , meanwhile , restricted travel by most people from China , where the outbreak began , on Jan. 31 .
But experts say he squandered what little time the move bought to stop the spread of the disease in the U.S. Trump ’ s administration has faced an onslaught of criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ muddled response to the coronavirus , from the lack of available testing and badly needed protective gear and ventilators at U.S. hospitals .
Sen. Chris Murphy ( D-Conn. ) said that top Trump administration officials resisted calls from senators during a meeting on Feb. 5 ― a day prior to Trump ’ s acquittal in the Senate ― urging them to request emergency funding and to stockpile supplies to deal with the coming crisis .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) also tore into Trump on Sunday , saying he failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one .
“ As the president fiddles , people are dying , ” Pelosi said during an interview on CNN , urging him to use his powers to direct more companies to produce equipment and gear needed to deal with the crisis .
Trump downplayed the threat of the current pandemic for weeks , repeatedly comparing it to the seasonal flu .
He downplayed the need for critical hospital supplies like ventilators despite city and state officials begging the federal government for more equipment .
And he has baselessly accused overworked hospital workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Where are the masks going ?
Are they going out the back door ?
” he asked during a press conference at the White House on Sunday .
“ So , somebody should probably look into that , because I just don ’ t see , from a practical standpoint , how that ’ s possible to go from that to that .
”

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WASHINGTON ― The Democratic Party’s push to impeach President Donald Trump earlier this year distracted the U.S. government from the threat of the coronavirus, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday.
“It came up while we were tied down on the impeachment trial. And I think it diverted the attention of the government because everything every day was all about impeachment,” McConnell said in an interview with conservative radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt.
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China reported its first death from coronavirus on Jan. 11, prior to the start of Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate. The first confirmed case in the U.S. came later that month on Jan. 21 in Washington State just as the Senate was beginning a contentious debate over rules for the impending impeachment trial.
While most of Washington, D.C., was focused on the historic trial in late January, senators did receive a briefing regarding the outbreak and the Trump’s administration’s preparedness efforts on Jan. 24, a few days into the proceedings.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called for Trump to declare a public health emergency due to the virus on Jan. 26 in order to free up funds for the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention to fight the infectious disease. The Health and Human Services Department did so a few days later.
Trump, meanwhile, restricted travel by most people from China, where the outbreak began, on Jan. 31. But experts say he squandered what little time the move bought to stop the spread of the disease in the U.S.
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Trump’s administration has faced an onslaught of criticism in recent days about its slow and muddled response to the coronavirus, from the lack of available testing and badly needed protective gear and ventilators at U.S. hospitals.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said that top Trump administration officials resisted calls from senators during a meeting on Feb. 5 ― a day prior to Trump’s acquittal in the Senate ― urging them to request emergency funding and to stockpile supplies to deal with the coming crisis.
“They said they had it covered. Didn’t need any additional funding. What a fatal screw up,” Murphy tweeted on Monday.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) also tore into Trump on Sunday, saying he failed to take the coronavirus seriously enough from day one.
“As the president fiddles, people are dying,” Pelosi said during an interview on CNN, urging him to use his powers to direct more companies to produce equipment and gear needed to deal with the crisis.
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Trump downplayed the threat of the current pandemic for weeks, repeatedly comparing it to the seasonal flu. He downplayed the need for critical hospital supplies like ventilators despite city and state officials begging the federal government for more equipment. And he has baselessly accused overworked hospital workers facing critical supply shortages of hoarding masks.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-31--Trump Moves Forward On Biggest Environmental Rollback To Date Amid Pandemic Chaos

The White House released the final version of its rules to roll back Obama-era auto emissions standards , taking a critical step toward completing what would be President Donald Trump ’ s most substantial environmental change since taking office as the novel coronavirus pandemic rages .
The rule , called the Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient ( SAFE ) Vehicles Rule and written by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation , would lower fuel economy standards for vehicles sold in the United States from 54 miles per gallon by 2025 to 40 miles per gallon .
The two-digit change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Under the new standard , which could be implemented as soon as this spring , the U.S. auto fleet would emit nearly additional 1 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide over their lifespans on the road than they would under the existing rule .
That ’ s nearly the annual emissions of Japan , the world ’ s fifth-largest source of planet-heating carbon dioxide .
The Trump administration insisted it was acting on behalf of American car buyers who prefer gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks to fuel-efficient cars and electric vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposing the rollback two years ago that the health benefits of decreasing air pollution from the U.S. auto fleet were dwarfed by the harm caused by discouraging the purchase of newer , safer vehicles .
That math did not bear out when the White House first proposed its replacement to the 2012 fuel mileage rule .
Yet the administration fought on anyway , dividing the auto industry between a handful of manufacturers who sided with California regulators , who supported keeping the stronger existing standards , and another group that publicly backed federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules .
In October , the fight took an abrupt turn when the administration backed down , and the Department of Justice abandoned an investigation into the companies that sided with California .
But as the United States became the epicenter of the global pandemic of COVID-19 , the respiratory disease caused by the new virus , the White House ramped up its environmental agenda , halting virtually all the EPA ’ s enforcement of anti-pollution laws and approving new pipelines and mining projects .
“ The Trump administration is facing one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so while this new rule might offer a bit of regulatory certainty it ’ s coming at a time of complete economic uncertainty , and seems to be more of an ideological power move than anything else , ” said Jessica Caldwell , an analyst at the auto industry consultancy Edmunds .
“ Even in the midst of a global pandemic , the Trump Administration continues to jeopardize the health of millions of Americans by weakening air pollution protections , ” Heather McTeer Toney , the national field director of Moms Clean Air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ These rollbacks are dangerous , and further reveal the true priority of Trump ’ s EPA : protect polluters at all costs , even if it sacrifices the health of Americans.
” “ It will harm the air we breathe , stall progress in fighting the climate crisis and increase the cost of driving , ” McCarthy said in a statement .
“ The only winner from this action is the oil industry , which wants us stuck driving dirty gas guzzlers as long as possible.
” “ We ’ ve seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who denied warnings of a pandemic .
We can ’ t afford any more consequences of climate denial , ” he tweeted Tuesday morning with a link to a Los Angeles Times news article on the finalized rule .
“ All of us , especially young people , have to demand better of our government at every level and vote this fall .
”

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The White House released the final version of its rules to roll back Obama-era auto emissions standards, taking a critical step toward completing what would be President Donald Trump’s most substantial environmental change since taking office as the novel coronavirus pandemic rages.
The rule, called the Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule and written by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation, would lower fuel economy standards for vehicles sold in the United States from 54 miles per gallon by 2025 to 40 miles per gallon.
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“By reducing regulatory burdens, thereby reducing regulatory costs, we will get more Americans into new, safer, cleaner vehicles,” EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said in a call with reporters Tuesday.
The two-digit change carries 10-digit implications for climate change. Under the new standard, which could be implemented as soon as this spring, the U.S. auto fleet would emit nearly additional 1 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide over their lifespans on the road than they would under the existing rule. That’s nearly the annual emissions of Japan, the world’s fifth-largest source of planet-heating carbon dioxide.
President Donald Trump pats down his hair as he speaks during the Coronavirus Task Force daily briefing on COVID-19 in the Rose Garden. MANDEL NGAN via Getty Images
The Trump administration insisted it was acting on behalf of American car buyers who prefer gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks to fuel-efficient cars and electric vehicles. The administration argued repeatedly since first proposing the rollback two years ago that the health benefits of decreasing air pollution from the U.S. auto fleet were dwarfed by the harm caused by discouraging the purchase of newer, safer vehicles.
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“The benefits of the final SAFE rule outweigh the costs and will result in thousands of lives saved,” Wheeler said Tuesday.
That math did not bear out when the White House first proposed its replacement to the 2012 fuel mileage rule. Yet the administration fought on anyway, dividing the auto industry between a handful of manufacturers who sided with California regulators, who supported keeping the stronger existing standards, and another group that publicly backed federal authorities in their quest to weaken the rules.
In October, the fight took an abrupt turn when the administration backed down, and the Department of Justice abandoned an investigation into the companies that sided with California.
But as the United States became the epicenter of the global pandemic of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new virus, the White House ramped up its environmental agenda, halting virtually all the EPA’s enforcement of anti-pollution laws and approving new pipelines and mining projects.
“The Trump administration is facing one of the biggest crises in modern history, so while this new rule might offer a bit of regulatory certainty it’s coming at a time of complete economic uncertainty, and seems to be more of an ideological power move than anything else,” said Jessica Caldwell, an analyst at the auto industry consultancy Edmunds.
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Environmental groups on Tuesday condemned the administration for continuing to push its pro-polluter agenda as Americans are focused on a rapidly worsening public health crisis.
“Even in the midst of a global pandemic, the Trump Administration continues to jeopardize the health of millions of Americans by weakening air pollution protections,” Heather McTeer Toney, the national field director of Moms Clean Air Force, said in a statement. “These rollbacks are dangerous, and further reveal the true priority of Trump’s EPA: protect polluters at all costs, even if it sacrifices the health of Americans.”
Gina McCarthy, the former EPA administrator during President Barack Obama’s second term and current president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the Trump rollback simply “makes no sense.”
“It will harm the air we breathe, stall progress in fighting the climate crisis and increase the cost of driving,” McCarthy said in a statement. “The only winner from this action is the oil industry, which wants us stuck driving dirty gas guzzlers as long as possible.”
Even Obama, who has so far remained mum on his successor’s assault on his regulatory legacy, made a rare public comment on the rollback.
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“We’ve seen all too terribly the consequences of those who denied warnings of a pandemic. We can’t afford any more consequences of climate denial,” he tweeted Tuesday morning with a link to a Los Angeles Times news article on the finalized rule. “All of us, especially young people, have to demand better of our government at every level and vote this fall.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-31--Liberty University To Comply With Virus-Related Ban On In-Person Classes

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) — Virginia ’ s governor on Monday ordered all higher education institutions to halt any in-person instruction amid the coronavirus pandemic , a move likely directed at Liberty University , which initially declined to stop all on-campus teaching .
The evangelical college in Lynchburg led by President Jerry Falwell Jr. has faced intense criticism over its decision to welcome students back to campus last week after their spring break .
As of Monday , the only in-person teaching taking place was flight instructing , and that was going to be suspended to comply with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liberty spokesman Scott Lamb .
At least three Liberty students have been tested for COVID-19 , the school said in a statement Monday .
One of those , a recent graduate who was taking additional online classes while living in the area with family , tested positive .
One test was negative and one was pending , the statement said .
Lynchburg currently has four confirmed COVID-19 cases , according to the latest information available from the state Department of Health .
Falwell , one of President Donald Trump ’ s earliest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ characterized concerns about the virus as overblown .
He has accused the news media of stoking fear and suggested coverage was politically motivated to hurt the president .
The university has said it will comply with all applicable governmental directives and guidance concerning COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus that has crippled economies and upended daily life around much of the world .
But it also said two week ago that certain programs such as aviation , osteopathic medicine and nursing , and certain types of performance classes , like labs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that students could only take them in person .
College officials said at the time that they would ensure no classes had more than 100 people .
Eli Best , a sophomore engineering major from Alexandria in northern Virginia , said he went home for spring break and returned to campus because he had class projects that he thought needed to be finished and required the use of the on-campus machine shop .
Best said Monday that all the shops and equipment he needed had since been shut down , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .

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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia’s governor on Monday ordered all higher education institutions to halt any in-person instruction amid the coronavirus pandemic, a move likely directed at Liberty University, which initially declined to stop all on-campus teaching.
The evangelical college in Lynchburg led by President Jerry Falwell Jr. has faced intense criticism over its decision to welcome students back to campus last week after their spring break.
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As of Monday, the only in-person teaching taking place was flight instructing, and that was going to be suspended to comply with the governor’s order, said Liberty spokesman Scott Lamb.
At least three Liberty students have been tested for COVID-19, the school said in a statement Monday. One of those, a recent graduate who was taking additional online classes while living in the area with family, tested positive. One test was negative and one was pending, the statement said. Lynchburg currently has four confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to the latest information available from the state Department of Health.
Falwell, one of President Donald Trump’s earliest and most ardent high-profile supporters, has generally characterized concerns about the virus as overblown. He has accused the news media of stoking fear and suggested coverage was politically motivated to hurt the president.
The university has said it will comply with all applicable governmental directives and guidance concerning COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus that has crippled economies and upended daily life around much of the world.
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Jerry Falwell Jr. is the president of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Jonathan Drake / Reuters
But it also said two week ago that certain programs such as aviation, osteopathic medicine and nursing, and certain types of performance classes, like labs, could not be offered online, and that students could only take them in person. College officials said at the time that they would ensure no classes had more than 100 people.
Eli Best, a sophomore engineering major from Alexandria in northern Virginia, said he went home for spring break and returned to campus because he had class projects that he thought needed to be finished and required the use of the on-campus machine shop.
“I didn’t see any other way to complete them,” he said.
Best said Monday that all the shops and equipment he needed had since been shut down, and he returned home.
Northam urged Falwell last week to rethink “his message that invites and encourages students to return to campus.” Liberty responded by accusing Northam of making ”false accusations.”
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City officials and the top local public health official have fielded complaints from concerned residents and Liberty parents about the school’s response.