thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-02--Why On Earth Is Wisconsin Holding An Election On April 7?

“ The state of Wisconsin ’ s Legislature and governor are not willing to step up and say there ’ s a public health crisis and make it absolutely clear that we should not be allowing poll workers and voters to congregate on April 7 , ” the U.S. district judge for Wisconsin ’ s Western District said at the end of a four-hour hearing on Wednesday .
Still , he said he was powerless to postpone the election , which is set to take place Tuesday as the coronavirus continues to spread around the country and Wisconsinites are under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are presidential primaries for both parties and , perhaps more importantly , a state Supreme Court general election .
On Thursday , Conley ruled that the election would not be postponed .
He instead extended the deadline for the receipt of absentee ballots to April 13 and allowed voters who could not find a witness to send a written statement asserting that .
It will be left to individual clerks to accept these excuses from the witness signature requirement , Conley said .
Multiple states have pushed back primaries or moved to all-mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a measure crucial to slowing the spread of the coronavirus .
But Wisconsin ’ s Democratic governor and Republicans in the state Legislature , led by Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos , have refused to postpone next week ’ s election .
What ’ s more , the GOP leaders further oppose expanding absentee voting and loosening ID and witness requirements .
The complications of conducting an election during the pandemic are increasingly evident .
Wisconsin may not be capable of meeting its constitutional obligation , “ in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participate , ” according to Ned Foley , director of the election law program at Ohio State University ’ s Moritz College of Law .
Sixty percent of Wisconsin municipalities face volunteer staffing shortages for their polling locations .
Some municipalities are incapable of properly staffing even one polling station .
Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers ( D ) called up the National Guard to man polling stations , but that will not even fill the shortage .
Reducing the number of polling sites would mean crowding more people into fewer spaces at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to congregate in groups of 10 or more .
“ I hope that people do not go to the polls on Tuesday , ” Barrett told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on Wednesday .
“ As much as I want them to vote , I do not want them to put their lives in jeopardy , I don ’ t want them to put the health and safety of our poll workers in jeopardy.
” A record-shattering 1 million-plus Wisconsinites are trying to avoid in-person voting by requesting absentee ballots from the Wisconsin Elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Central Time is the final day to request one . )
But the mailing of those ballots to voters could be delayed as the Republican-controlled state Legislature refused to appropriate extra money for the commission to process and respond to requests .
Ballots are supposed to be due on election day .
There are also requirements for verifying absentee ballots and preventing fraud made far more difficult by social-distancing requirements .
Voters are required to have a witness observe their ballot and sign a statement that they did so .
But that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone and are social-distancing .
The commission issued guidelines suggesting people have a family member or friend witness through a window .
The voter would then leave their ballot outside for 24 hours , so that it would become decontaminated after any potential exposure to the virus .
Then the witness would sign it .
For voters who may not be able to call on family or friends , the commission suggested enlisting the mail carrier or a food or app delivery worker .
The commission also suggested voters FaceTime , Zoom or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gig worker to witness them voting .
But Evers and his Republican counterparts in the Legislature insist on holding the election on April 7 despite Evers ’ stay-at-home order and the rising coronavirus caseload and death toll across the country .
They do not , however , see eye to eye on what the state should do to ensure the safe and valid conduct of the election .

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Judge William Conley’s assessment was blunt.
“The state of Wisconsin’s Legislature and governor are not willing to step up and say there’s a public health crisis and make it absolutely clear that we should not be allowing poll workers and voters to congregate on April 7,” the U.S. district judge for Wisconsin’s Western District said at the end of a four-hour hearing on Wednesday.
Still, he said he was powerless to postpone the election, which is set to take place Tuesday as the coronavirus continues to spread around the country and Wisconsinites are under a stay-at-home order. On the ballot are presidential primaries for both parties and, perhaps more importantly, a state Supreme Court general election.
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Conley is overseeing challenges from the Democratic Party and grassroots groups as they seek either to delay the election or expand absentee voting options. They hope to drop requirements like voter identification and witness signatures and extend deadlines for when ballots can be received.
On Thursday, Conley ruled that the election would not be postponed. He instead extended the deadline for the receipt of absentee ballots to April 13 and allowed voters who could not find a witness to send a written statement asserting that. It will be left to individual clerks to accept these excuses from the witness signature requirement, Conley said.
Multiple states have pushed back primaries or moved to all-mail elections so residents can stay home, a measure crucial to slowing the spread of the coronavirus. But Wisconsin’s Democratic governor and Republicans in the state Legislature, led by Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, have refused to postpone next week’s election. What’s more, the GOP leaders further oppose expanding absentee voting and loosening ID and witness requirements.
“Their goal is to suppress the vote as much as possible and make barriers to voting as high as possible,” Courtney Beyer, communications director for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said.
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The judicial race is crucial to determine the partisan tilt of the state’s highest court. Justice Daniel Kelly, endorsed by President Donald Trump and linked to state conservative groups, is up against Jill Karofsky, a state district judge who is endorsed by local progressive groups and, most recently, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally on Jan. 14, 2020, in Milwaukee. He has endorsed Justice Daniel Kelly in the state's April 7 judicial election. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Conservatives currently hold a 5-2 advantage over progressive-leaning justices in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and they are set to rule on a case that could purge 240,000 voters from the rolls ahead of the November general election. Trump won Wisconsin in 2016 by fewer than 23,000 votes.
For the past decade, Republicans at the state and federal levels have worked to restrict voting across the country in a manner designed to hurt voter turnout among Democratic constituencies. That includes Wisconsin Republicans, who enacted a stringent voter identification requirement in 2011 and are currently seeking court approval for the massive voter roll purge.
“You’d never have a Republican elected in this country again,” Trump said of Democratic efforts to expand absentee and early voting options during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Nightmare Conditions
“The state of Wisconsin is ignoring [public health] data and endangering its population,” Conley said during Wednesday’s hearing.
The complications of conducting an election during the pandemic are increasingly evident. Wisconsin may not be capable of meeting its constitutional obligation, “in which every eligible voter is able to participate,” according to Ned Foley, director of the election law program at Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law.
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin, the Democratic National Committee, Sanders and many local grassroots groups have called on the state to postpone the election.
Sixty percent of Wisconsin municipalities face volunteer staffing shortages for their polling locations. Some municipalities are incapable of properly staffing even one polling station. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) called up the National Guard to man polling stations, but that will not even fill the shortage. Reducing the number of polling sites would mean crowding more people into fewer spaces at a time when residents are told to not to congregate in groups of 10 or more.
The situation is so dire that Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who has supported an all-mail election, has called on voters not to go to the polls.
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“I hope that people do not go to the polls on Tuesday,” Barrett told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on Wednesday. “As much as I want them to vote, I do not want them to put their lives in jeopardy, I don’t want them to put the health and safety of our poll workers in jeopardy.”
A record-shattering 1 million-plus Wisconsinites are trying to avoid in-person voting by requesting absentee ballots from the Wisconsin Elections Commission. (Thursday at 5 p.m. Central Time is the final day to request one.) But the mailing of those ballots to voters could be delayed as the Republican-controlled state Legislature refused to appropriate extra money for the commission to process and respond to requests. Ballots are supposed to be due on election day.
A worker helps a drive-up voter outside the Frank P. Zeidler Municipal Building on March 30 in Milwaukee. The city is now allowing drive-up early voting for the state's April 7 election. ASSOCIATED PRESS
“We are hearing from people all over the state who requested absentee ballots who haven’t received them yet,” Beyer said.
The results of the election will also be delayed, as the limited number of clerks counting votes do not have the resources to handle the crush of absentee ballots.
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There are also requirements for verifying absentee ballots and preventing fraud made far more difficult by social-distancing requirements. Voters are required to have a witness observe their ballot and sign a statement that they did so. But that could be increasingly difficult for people who live alone and are social-distancing.
The commission issued guidelines suggesting people have a family member or friend witness through a window. The voter would then leave their ballot outside for 24 hours, so that it would become decontaminated after any potential exposure to the virus. Then the witness would sign it. For voters who may not be able to call on family or friends, the commission suggested enlisting the mail carrier or a food or app delivery worker. The commission also suggested voters FaceTime, Zoom or Skype with their mail carrier or Instacart gig worker to witness them voting.
Thousands of absentee ballots have already been deemed invalid by the commission as voters could not find a witness or included a selfie instead of a picture of their mandated voter identification.
“It’s a nightmare,” Beyer said.
The Election Will Happen
The courts are not going to postpone the election though. That’s the job of the state’s elected officials, not a federal judge, Conley said on Wednesday.
But Evers and his Republican counterparts in the Legislature insist on holding the election on April 7 despite Evers’ stay-at-home order and the rising coronavirus caseload and death toll across the country. They do not, however, see eye to eye on what the state should do to ensure the safe and valid conduct of the election.
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Evers called for expanding voting options, including sending every voter an absentee ballot, changing deadlines such as the last day to request an absentee ballot, while waiving restrictions like voter identification and witness signatures.
Fitzgerald and Vos strongly oppose mailing absentee ballots to every voter in the state or the waiver of voter ID and witness signature requirements. The only change they have openly supported is allowing absentee ballots to be received after election day if they were postmarked on election day.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-02--Seattle-Area Nursing Home Faces $611,000 Fine Over COVID-19 Response

State regulators and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services conducted an inspection of the Life Care Center of Kirkland on March 16 , finding serious infractions that they said placed residents in immediate danger .
Authorities said Life Care had at least partially fixed the most serious problems by the time they conducted follow-up inspection in last weekend .
In a letter to Life Care on Wednesday , CMS proposed a fine of $ 611,000 , but said that could be adjusted up or down based on how Life Care continues to correct remaining problems .
Life Care , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not immediately return an email seeking comment .
The federal regulators said the most serious problems concerned a failure to rapidly identify and manage sick residents during an outbreak of respiratory illness that began by mid-February ; a failure to notify the Washington Department of Health about the increasing rate of respiratory infections among residents ; and a failure to have a backup plan in the absence of Life Care ’ s primary clinician , who fell ill. CMS notified Life Care on March 18 that it had 23 days to remedy violations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would be terminated as a Medicare provider .
The agency on Wednesday extended that period , saying Life Care must fix all remaining issues by Sept. 16 .
Among the remaining issues is whether Life Care has a medical director coordinating care at the facility and whether it is properly protecting patient records .
For most people , the 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including pneumonia and death .

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SEATTLE (AP) — Federal authorities have proposed a $611,000 fine for a Seattle-area nursing home connected to at least 40 coronavirus deaths.
State regulators and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services conducted an inspection of the Life Care Center of Kirkland on March 16, finding serious infractions that they said placed residents in immediate danger.
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Authorities said Life Care had at least partially fixed the most serious problems by the time they conducted follow-up inspection in last weekend. In a letter to Life Care on Wednesday, CMS proposed a fine of $611,000, but said that could be adjusted up or down based on how Life Care continues to correct remaining problems.
Life Care, which can appeal the fine, did not immediately return an email seeking comment.
The federal regulators said the most serious problems concerned a failure to rapidly identify and manage sick residents during an outbreak of respiratory illness that began by mid-February; a failure to notify the Washington Department of Health about the increasing rate of respiratory infections among residents; and a failure to have a backup plan in the absence of Life Care’s primary clinician, who fell ill.
CMS notified Life Care on March 18 that it had 23 days to remedy violations that placed residents at immediate jeopardy before it would be terminated as a Medicare provider. The agency on Wednesday extended that period, saying Life Care must fix all remaining issues by Sept. 16.
Among the remaining issues is whether Life Care has a medical director coordinating care at the facility and whether it is properly protecting patient records.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-02--Most Americans Say They'll Keep Staying Home This Month Even If Restrictions Are Lifted

An overwhelming majority of the American public — 87 % — is now making the effort to stay at home when possible , a new HuffPost/YouGov survey finds , with most saying they ’ ll continue to do so this month regardless of any official limitations .
Just 7 % of Americans say they ’ re not currently trying to stay home when possible , with another 6 % unsure .
By a 70-point margin ( 79 % versus 9 % ) , Americans say that the states that have issued stay-at-home orders made the right decision in doing so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he wanted to see the U.S. “ opened up and just raring to go by Easter , ” which is April 12 .
At the end of March , however , he endorsed extending social distancing through the end of April , calling the earlier timeline “ aspirational.
” Even if states were to ease back on restrictions this month , most Americans say they are likely to continue taking their own precautions .
About 61 % say they ’ d continue to stay home when possible even if their area lifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 % who are staying home now say they would go back to living as normally as possible if restrictions were lifted , with 7 % of those staying home now who aren ’ t sure what they would do .
Those findings shouldn ’ t be taken as absolute or immovable .
People aren ’ t necessarily great at predicting their own actions in a future hypothetical situation .
That ’ s especially true now , with the outbreak continuing to rapidly unfold and statements from the White House varying greatly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , do suggest the majority of the public is hunkering down not merely out of duress , but also out of their own genuine concerns ― and that they ’ re prepared to continue doing so for at least some time .
Only about one-quarter of Americans say they expect things will soon go back to normal in the country , with 62 % foreseeing lasting effects on the nation .
The rest are unsure what will happen .
The vast scope of the nation ’ s social distancing efforts have , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usual partisan divides .
A roughly equivalent share of Democrats ( 92 % ) and Republicans ( 89 % ) say they ’ re staying home as much as possible .
Only about 10 % of each party says that stay-at-home orders are a bad decision .
Democrats , though , are currently more likely than Republicans to believe that the outbreak will have lasting effects , and to say they plan to keep staying home this month regardless of their state ’ s actions : 72 % of Democrats , compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d continue doing so even if the area they live in relaxed the rules this month .
Most Americans Approve Of The Government ’ s Coronavirus Response Americans say , 57 % to 37 % , they approve of the government ’ s handling of coronavirus , a modest uptick from the previous HuffPost/YouGov poll , when half approved .
Half currently approve of Trump ’ s handling of the issue , with 45 % disapproving .
The public is closely divided on whether Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with 37 % saying Trump would , 33 % saying Biden would , and the rest unsure or doubting there ’ d be much difference .
Respondents were evenly split on whether Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) or Trump would respond better .
More than nine in 10 Americans say they ’ ve heard at least something about the $ 2 trillion coronavirus emergency spending bill that was signed into law last Friday .
Just 23 % say the bill will help people like them a lot , with 48 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and 19 % not to help at all .
Another tenth aren ’ t sure .
Republicans are 14 percentage points likelier than Democrats to expect the bill to help people like them a lot .
Those without a college degree are 16 points likelier than those with a degree to see the bill as offering significant help , and those in households making less than $ 50,000 annually are 15 points likelier to see the bill as offering significant help than those in households making $ 100,000 or more .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Concerned By The Outbreak More than a third — 38 % — say they ’ re very concerned that they or someone in their family will contract the virus , with 78 % at least somewhat concerned .
Three-quarters of people say their daily life has changed at least somewhat compared to the start of the outbreak , with 46 % saying their life has changed a lot .
Most surveys report a margin of error that represents some but not all potential survey errors .
YouGov ’ s reports include a model-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a specific set of statistical assumptions about the selected sample rather than the standard methodology for random probability sampling .
If these assumptions are wrong , the model-based margin of error may also be inaccurate .
Click here for a more detailed explanation of the model-based margin of error .

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An overwhelming majority of the American public — 87% — is now making the effort to stay at home when possible, a new HuffPost/YouGov survey finds, with most saying they’ll continue to do so this month regardless of any official limitations.
Just 7% of Americans say they’re not currently trying to stay home when possible, with another 6% unsure. By a 70-point margin (79% versus 9%), Americans say that the states that have issued stay-at-home orders made the right decision in doing so.
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President Donald Trump said in March that he wanted to see the U.S. “opened up and just raring to go by Easter,” which is April 12. At the end of March, however, he endorsed extending social distancing through the end of April, calling the earlier timeline “aspirational.”
Even if states were to ease back on restrictions this month, most Americans say they are likely to continue taking their own precautions. About 61% say they’d continue to stay home when possible even if their area lifted all coronavirus restrictions in mid-April. About 19% who are staying home now say they would go back to living as normally as possible if restrictions were lifted, with 7% of those staying home now who aren’t sure what they would do.
Those findings shouldn’t be taken as absolute or immovable. People aren’t necessarily great at predicting their own actions in a future hypothetical situation. That’s especially true now, with the outbreak continuing to rapidly unfold and statements from the White House varying greatly in tone and content. The results, however, do suggest the majority of the public is hunkering down not merely out of duress, but also out of their own genuine concerns ― and that they’re prepared to continue doing so for at least some time. Only about one-quarter of Americans say they expect things will soon go back to normal in the country, with 62% foreseeing lasting effects on the nation. The rest are unsure what will happen.
The vast scope of the nation’s social distancing efforts have, for now, considerably overshadowed even the usual partisan divides. A roughly equivalent share of Democrats (92%) and Republicans (89%) say they’re staying home as much as possible. Only about 10% of each party says that stay-at-home orders are a bad decision.
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Democrats, though, are currently more likely than Republicans to believe that the outbreak will have lasting effects, and to say they plan to keep staying home this month regardless of their state’s actions: 72% of Democrats, compared to 53% of Republicans, say they’d continue doing so even if the area they live in relaxed the rules this month.
Most Americans Approve Of The Government’s Coronavirus Response
Americans say, 57% to 37%, they approve of the government’s handling of coronavirus, a modest uptick from the previous HuffPost/YouGov poll, when half approved. Half currently approve of Trump’s handling of the issue, with 45% disapproving. The public is closely divided on whether Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden would do a better job handling the crisis, with 37% saying Trump would, 33% saying Biden would, and the rest unsure or doubting there’d be much difference. Respondents were evenly split on whether Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) or Trump would respond better.
More than nine in 10 Americans say they’ve heard at least something about the $2 trillion coronavirus emergency spending bill that was signed into law last Friday. Just 23% say the bill will help people like them a lot, with 48% expecting it to help a little, and 19% not to help at all. Another tenth aren’t sure.
Republicans are 14 percentage points likelier than Democrats to expect the bill to help people like them a lot. Those without a college degree are 16 points likelier than those with a degree to see the bill as offering significant help, and those in households making less than $50,000 annually are 15 points likelier to see the bill as offering significant help than those in households making $100,000 or more.
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Most Americans Now Say They’re Very Concerned By The Outbreak
A 55% majority of Americans say they’re very concerned about the spread of the coronavirus in the U.S., up 20 points since mid-March, with 85% now at least somewhat concerned.
A 55% majority of Americans say they're very concerned about the spread of the coronavirus in the U.S., up 20 points since mid-March. Ariel Edwards-Levy/HuffPost
More than a third — 38% — say they’re very concerned that they or someone in their family will contract the virus, with 78% at least somewhat concerned. Three-quarters of people say their daily life has changed at least somewhat compared to the start of the outbreak, with 46% saying their life has changed a lot.
The HuffPost/YouGov poll consisted of 1,000 completed interviews conducted March 27-31 among U.S. adults, using a sample selected from YouGov’s opt-in online panel to match the demographics and other characteristics of the adult U.S. population.
HuffPost has teamed up with YouGov to conduct daily opinion polls. You can learn more about this project and take part in YouGov’s nationally representative opinion polling. More details on the polls’ methodology are available here.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-02--Abortion Bans Would Force Women To Travel Hundreds More Miles For Care

As more states move to temporarily ban abortion , ostensibly to preserve medical supplies for the coronavirus pandemic , a new report reveals how much further women will be forced to travel for care at a time when leaving home is deeply discouraged .
New policies temporarily barring abortion would make care inaccessible for some patients and significantly delayed for others , according to a report released Thursday by the Guttmacher Institute , a research group that supports reproductive rights .
A handful of states hostile to abortion rights ― Texas , Iowa , Ohio , Oklahoma , Kentucky , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eliminate abortion by classifying it as a nonessential procedure that must be postponed under the state ’ s emergency response to the COVID-19 crisis .
Multiple court challenges are underway to block the bans from going into effect , which has kept abortion accessible in most states for now .
Abortions have been halted in Texas and Oklahoma , according to the Center for Reproductive Rights .
The abortion restrictions come as millions of people are urged to stay home to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
But the bans will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guttmacher report .
Patients in states that shut down abortion services will be forced to travel hundreds of additional miles .
In some cases , women will have to drive five to almost 20 times longer than usual .
Forcing people to overcome these challenges in the middle of a global pandemic places unconscionable burdens on them , and the consequences fall hardest on people who are already struggling to make ends meet .
In Texas , home to 6 million women of reproductive age , the average one-way driving distance to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 243 miles , the Guttmacher Institute found .
In Ohio , it would increase from 15 miles to 120 miles .
In Oklahoma , it would increase from 14 miles to 155 miles .
The greater the increase in travel distance , the more likely it becomes that individuals will not be able to obtain the care they need , said Rachel Jones , a research scientist at Guttmacher .
The report suggests that some patients will not be able to get abortions , while others will have to wait longer for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortions .
“ Under ordinary circumstances , the burdens of extended travel — including taking time away from work , lost wages , finding child care , securing lodging , and arranging transportation — can be incredibly difficult for people seeking abortion care , ” Jones said .
“ Forcing people to overcome these challenges in the middle of a global pandemic places unconscionable burdens on them , and the consequences fall hardest on people who are already struggling to make ends meet.
” In an interview last week , a college student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 24 hours to another state to get an abortion due to the Texas ban .
“ I feel let down by my government .
Frankly , I feel like my constitutional rights were violated when I needed them the most , ” she said .
“ With the cost of the AirBnB , gas , food and parking , I ’ ve had to pay a lot more money out of pocket to get this abortion than I should have had to.
” “ After decades of attacks on abortion access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in some cases impossible — for people to get abortion care , ” she said .
“ [ Clinics in nearby states ] must now care for a potentially significant influx of patients while they are adjusting to providing care in the middle of a pandemic.
” Are you trying to get an abortion during the coronavirus outbreak ?
We want to hear from you .
Email reporter Melissa Jeltsen at melissa.jeltsen @ huffpost.com .

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As more states move to temporarily ban abortion, ostensibly to preserve medical supplies for the coronavirus pandemic, a new report reveals how much further women will be forced to travel for care at a time when leaving home is deeply discouraged.
New policies temporarily barring abortion would make care inaccessible for some patients and significantly delayed for others, according to a report released Thursday by the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports reproductive rights.
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A handful of states hostile to abortion rights ― Texas, Iowa, Ohio, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Indiana and Alabama ― have moved to eliminate abortion by classifying it as a nonessential procedure that must be postponed under the state’s emergency response to the COVID-19 crisis. Multiple court challenges are underway to block the bans from going into effect, which has kept abortion accessible in most states for now. Abortions have been halted in Texas and Oklahoma, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.
Leading medical groups, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, oppose categorizing abortion as nonessential, noting that the “consequences of being unable to obtain an abortion profoundly impact a person’s life, health, and well-being.”
The abortion restrictions come as millions of people are urged to stay home to slow the spread of the coronavirus. But the bans will have the opposite effect, according to the Guttmacher report. Patients in states that shut down abortion services will be forced to travel hundreds of additional miles. In some cases, women will have to drive five to almost 20 times longer than usual.
“Forcing people to overcome these challenges in the middle of a global pandemic places unconscionable burdens on them, and the consequences fall hardest on people who are already struggling to make ends meet.” - Rachel Jones, research scientist at the Guttmacher Institute
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In Texas, home to 6 million women of reproductive age, the average one-way driving distance to an abortion clinic would increase from 12 miles to 243 miles, the Guttmacher Institute found. In Ohio, it would increase from 15 miles to 120 miles. In Oklahoma, it would increase from 14 miles to 155 miles.
“Extended travel, or any travel, during the COVID-19 crisis flies in the face of basic public health recommendations and, in some cases, legal orders,” the report reads.
The greater the increase in travel distance, the more likely it becomes that individuals will not be able to obtain the care they need, said Rachel Jones, a research scientist at Guttmacher. The report suggests that some patients will not be able to get abortions, while others will have to wait longer for an appointment, resulting in more second-trimester abortions.
“Under ordinary circumstances, the burdens of extended travel — including taking time away from work, lost wages, finding child care, securing lodging, and arranging transportation — can be incredibly difficult for people seeking abortion care,” Jones said. “Forcing people to overcome these challenges in the middle of a global pandemic places unconscionable burdens on them, and the consequences fall hardest on people who are already struggling to make ends meet.”
In an interview last week, a college student told HuffPost how she had to drive more than 24 hours to another state to get an abortion due to the Texas ban.
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“I feel let down by my government. Frankly, I feel like my constitutional rights were violated when I needed them the most,” she said. “With the cost of the AirBnB, gas, food and parking, I’ve had to pay a lot more money out of pocket to get this abortion than I should have had to.”
Elizabeth Nash, policy analyst at Guttmacher, stressed that the bans will likely have a snowball effect in neighboring states.
“After decades of attacks on abortion access, it’s already difficult — and in some cases impossible — for people to get abortion care,” she said. “[Clinics in nearby states] must now care for a potentially significant influx of patients while they are adjusting to providing care in the middle of a pandemic.”
Are you trying to get an abortion during the coronavirus outbreak? We want to hear from you. Email reporter Melissa Jeltsen at melissa.jeltsen@huffpost.com.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-02--Jared Kushner Appears At White House Coronavirus Briefing

Jared Kushner , President Donald Trump ’ s son-in-law and White House adviser , appeared for the first time at a coronavirus briefing on Thursday after taking on a central role in the federal government ’ s response to the pandemic despite having no previous medical experience .
Kushner said Thursday that he was working with the “ supply chain ” task force led by Rear Adm. John Polowczyk , who is heading up the Federal Emergency Management Agency ’ s efforts to get much-needed medical equipment to states and hospitals to treat patients with COVID-19 .
In discussing his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kushner said Trump wanted the task force to be “ very rigorous ” and “ wanted to make sure we had the best people doing the best jobs ... make sure we had the right people focused on the things that needed to happen… we ’ re finding all the best thinkers in the country , we ’ re getting all the best ideas.
” Kushner , who previously ran his family ’ s real estate business , has no background in medicine and did not have any experience in government before joining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ ve done things that the federal government has never done before , quicker than they ’ ve ever done it before , ” Kushner said of the task force ’ s work in the 13 days since Polowczyk joined the federal efforts to address the coronavirus .
“ We found a lot of supplies in the country .
We ’ ve been distributing them where we anticipate there will be needs.
” Kushner insisted Thursday that he was working under the direction of Vice President Mike Pence , who is leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address the pandemic , and talking daily with Dr. Deborah Birx , the White House ’ s coronavirus task force coordinator , and Dr. Anthony Fauci , head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases .
Kushner , who joined the White House pandemic response team in mid-March , was meant to improve coordination of the government ’ s efforts , reported The New York Times .
However , unnamed officials told the Times that Kushner has simply added more confusion .
Kushner also agreed with Trump ’ s early complaints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ danger of coronavirus to disparage the president , the Times reported , citing several unnamed officials .
To The Washington Post last month , Kushner touted his role as bringing an “ entrepreneurial approach ” to addressing the pandemic , saying “ a lot of smart people ” are in the private sector .
“ We ’ re getting things done in record speeds and are doing everything possible to avoid damage and mitigate the negative impacts , ” Kushner said .
On Thursday , he praised his father-in-law ’ s response , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really been very hands-on ” and that Trump had “ instructed us to leave no stone unturned ” in getting supplies to states and hospitals .
The United States has become the epicenter of the coronavirus globally , with more than 240,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and over 5,000 dead as of Thursday .

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Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and White House adviser, appeared for the first time at a coronavirus briefing on Thursday after taking on a central role in the federal government’s response to the pandemic despite having no previous medical experience.
Kushner said Thursday that he was working with the “supply chain” task force led by Rear Adm. John Polowczyk, who is heading up the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s efforts to get much-needed medical equipment to states and hospitals to treat patients with COVID-19.
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In discussing his work on the coronavirus task force, Kushner said Trump wanted the task force to be “very rigorous” and “wanted to make sure we had the best people doing the best jobs... make sure we had the right people focused on the things that needed to happen… we’re finding all the best thinkers in the country, we’re getting all the best ideas.”
Kushner, who previously ran his family’s real estate business, has no background in medicine and did not have any experience in government before joining the Trump administration in 2016.
“We’ve done things that the federal government has never done before, quicker than they’ve ever done it before,” Kushner said of the task force’s work in the 13 days since Polowczyk joined the federal efforts to address the coronavirus. “We found a lot of supplies in the country. We’ve been distributing them where we anticipate there will be needs.”
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White House adviser Jared Kushner speaks about the coronavirus response at the White House on Thursday. Alex Brandon/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kushner insisted Thursday that he was working under the direction of Vice President Mike Pence, who is leading the White House’s efforts to address the pandemic, and talking daily with Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House’s coronavirus task force coordinator, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Kushner, who joined the White House pandemic response team in mid-March, was meant to improve coordination of the government’s efforts, reported The New York Times. However, unnamed officials told the Times that Kushner has simply added more confusion.
Kushner also agreed with Trump’s early complaints that the news media was overplaying the danger of coronavirus to disparage the president, the Times reported, citing several unnamed officials.
To The Washington Post last month, Kushner touted his role as bringing an “entrepreneurial approach” to addressing the pandemic, saying “a lot of smart people” are in the private sector.
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“We’re getting things done in record speeds and are doing everything possible to avoid damage and mitigate the negative impacts,” Kushner said.
On Thursday, he praised his father-in-law’s response, saying that “the president’s really been very hands-on” and that Trump had “instructed us to leave no stone unturned” in getting supplies to states and hospitals.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-03--Dr. Fauci: ‘I Don’t Understand' Why The Entire Country Isn’t Under Stay-At-Home Orders

Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , said he doesn ’ t know why the United States hasn ’ t instituted a nationwide stay-at-home order amid the spread of COVID-19 , saying the country “ really should be ” doing so to protect American lives .
“ I don ’ t understand why that ’ s not happening , ” Fauci , one of the leading scientific voices behind the country ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic , told CNN on Thursday .
“ The tension between federally mandated versus states ’ rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t want to get into .
But if you look at what is going on in this country , I do not understand why we are not doing that .
We really should be.
” Dr. Anthony Fauci made it clear that he supports all Americans being under a stay-at-home order .
`` If you look at what 's going on in this country , I just do n't understand why we 're not doing that .
We really should be . ''
# CNNTownHall https : //t.co/3V3x0KimSj pic.twitter.com/MJsoDzSFOe — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 Fauci ’ s comments come amid increasingly dire figures related to the pandemic : At least 245,000 Americans have been infected and more than 6,100 have died .
In New York , the state hardest hit so far , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said health workers would run out of ventilators in six days if stockpiles aren ’ t resupplied .
And those numbers are expected to grow .
Fauci warned earlier this week that between 100,000 and 240,000 Americans could die of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintained .
In the past few weeks , many states and counties around the country have instituted some form of stay-at-home orders , encouraging residents to stay inside except for essential activities , including grocery shopping and exercise .
The New York Times noted that about 297 million people in 38 states and a bevy of cities are under such guidelines , although some states have not yet announced any such measures .
Many lawmakers have encouraged President Donald Trump to issue a directive , but he has so far resisted instituting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ little flexibility.
” “ If you have a state in the Midwest , or if Alaska , for example , doesn ’ t have a problem , it ’ s awfully tough to say close it down , ” Trump said on Wednesday .
“ We have to have a little bit of flexibility.
” The president did extend nationwide social distancing guidelines — which he initially hoped to lift by Easter — until at least the end of the month amid the sobering predictions of death rates in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ Today ” this week that those guidelines should be interpreted as stay-at-home orders .

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Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said he doesn’t know why the United States hasn’t instituted a nationwide stay-at-home order amid the spread of COVID-19, saying the country “really should be” doing so to protect American lives.
“I don’t understand why that’s not happening,” Fauci, one of the leading scientific voices behind the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, told CNN on Thursday. “The tension between federally mandated versus states’ rights to do what they want is something I don’t want to get into. But if you look at what is going on in this country, I do not understand why we are not doing that. We really should be.”
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Dr. Anthony Fauci made it clear that he supports all Americans being under a stay-at-home order.
"If you look at what's going on in this country, I just don't understand why we're not doing that. We really should be." #CNNTownHall https://t.co/3V3x0KimSj pic.twitter.com/MJsoDzSFOe — CNN (@CNN) April 3, 2020
Fauci’s comments come amid increasingly dire figures related to the pandemic: At least 245,000 Americans have been infected and more than 6,100 have died. In New York, the state hardest hit so far, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said health workers would run out of ventilators in six days if stockpiles aren’t resupplied.
And those numbers are expected to grow. Fauci warned earlier this week that between 100,000 and 240,000 Americans could die of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, even if social distancing guidelines are maintained.
In the past few weeks, many states and counties around the country have instituted some form of stay-at-home orders, encouraging residents to stay inside except for essential activities, including grocery shopping and exercise. The New York Times noted that about 297 million people in 38 states and a bevy of cities are under such guidelines, although some states have not yet announced any such measures.
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Many lawmakers have encouraged President Donald Trump to issue a directive, but he has so far resisted instituting a nationwide order, saying such decisions required a “little flexibility.”
“If you have a state in the Midwest, or if Alaska, for example, doesn’t have a problem, it’s awfully tough to say close it down,” Trump said on Wednesday. “We have to have a little bit of flexibility.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-02--Trump's Labor Department Takes A Hacksaw To Coronavirus Paid Sick Leave

The measures in the law were already a watered-down version of what Democrats and advocates wanted : real paid time off for all workers who get sick , are quarantined , or have to care long-term for a family member who is sick or a child home due to a school closure .
Now the Department of Labor has further hollowed out those provisions .
It ’ s totally exempting the estimated 9 million people who work in the health care industry ― from a doctor to a pharmacy clerk to a janitor in a hospital .
These are workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with infected patients , at high risk of getting sick .
And under the new law , they can ’ t get a guaranteed sick day .
“ Thanks to Republican opposition , the steps we ’ ve taken on paid leave are inadequate in light of the crisis , and now , the Trump Administration is twisting the law to allow employers to shirk their responsibility and is significantly narrowing which workers are eligible for paid leave .
This simply can ’ t stand , ” said Sen. Patty Murray ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ gratuitous loopholes.
” Bottom line : Millions of more people ― including the workers who are most likely to come into contact with the coronavirus ― will be unable to do what the law intended to encourage : stay home if they ’ re sick and not be penalized for it .
“ We know these occupations are essential , and we know that means that [ health care workers ] may have to keep working , ” said Vasu Reddy , a senior policy analyst at the National Partnership for Women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re sick , they should be able to get the care that they need without having to worry about losing their paycheck or job.
” The law already exempted other workers whose roles are essential during the pandemic .
Under pressure from big business , the White House and Republicans , the leave provisions had been gutted to only include companies with fewer than 500 employees ― meaning workers at large grocery chains , who like health care sectors are expected to show up and put themselves at risk , are exempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enact a law that was stronger , ” said Vicki Shabo , a senior fellow and paid leave expert at the liberal New America think tank .
“ Instead Congress made choices that are forcing people to continue to go to work potentially sick and infect others.
” Workers at Walmart , for example , told HuffPost that the company ’ s coronavirus sick leave is vastly inadequate .
Amazon warehouse workers say that the company is incentivizing them to come to work even as more of them contract COVID-19 .
And they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job .
The Labor Department ’ s guideline on health care providers gives an exemption not only for doctors but also “ anyone employed at any doctor ’ s office , hospital , health care center , [ or ] clinic.
” And the list goes on : Anyone working at a medical school , health department or agency , retirement home , nursing home , any home health care provider or laboratory that does testing .
Even people who work at pharmacies are on the list .
An additional 4.4 million workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are also out of luck when it comes to getting the 10 weeks of paid time off to care for children who are home because of school closures .
These companies can get out of that requirement if they decide it would be too burdensome to their business .
All they need to do is write down that they ’ re taking the exemption ― and keep that written explanation on file somewhere .
“ There ’ s no accountability to make sure these claims are actually legitimate , ” Reddy said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small companies that want to do the right thing .
Those good actors will have to compete with other small businesses that are just exempting everyone .
The new regulations are just one more slap in the face for those who had been pushing for sick leave to handle this crisis .
The United States , unlike most developed countries , does not have any kind of sick leave guarantee for workers .
While high-income workers mostly do get paid time off when they ’ re sick , low-income and hourly workers mostly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might have a reserve of paid time off , hourly workers in the health care system are far less likely to have such benefits .

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What started out as a valiant effort to provide Americans with paid sick leave during an unprecedented health care crisis has ended with a paltry measure that will barely cover anyone who is still working in the COVID-19 economy.
On Thursday, the Department of Labor published guidelines on the new paid sick leave and family leave provisions enacted last month as part of Congress’s second coronavirus relief act.
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The measures in the law were already a watered-down version of what Democrats and advocates wanted: real paid time off for all workers who get sick, are quarantined, or have to care long-term for a family member who is sick or a child home due to a school closure.
Instead, the law made 10 days of paid sick time and 10 weeks more of longer-term leave available to those working at companies with fewer than 500 employees. Millions were left out.
Now the Department of Labor has further hollowed out those provisions. It’s totally exempting the estimated 9 million people who work in the health care industry ― from a doctor to a pharmacy clerk to a janitor in a hospital. These are workers who are most likely to be in contact with infected patients, at high risk of getting sick. And under the new law, they can’t get a guaranteed sick day.
“Thanks to Republican opposition, the steps we’ve taken on paid leave are inadequate in light of the crisis, and now, the Trump Administration is twisting the law to allow employers to shirk their responsibility and is significantly narrowing which workers are eligible for paid leave. This simply can’t stand,” said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) in a statement slamming the “gratuitous loopholes.”
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President Donald Trump with Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia in the Oval Office at Scalia's swearing-in last September. Andrew Harnik/ASSOCIATED PRESS
The new regulations give wide leeway to very small businesses, who can pretty much automatically bow out of providing longer-term leave to parents with kids at home from school.
Bottom line: Millions of more people ― including the workers who are most likely to come into contact with the coronavirus ― will be unable to do what the law intended to encourage: stay home if they’re sick and not be penalized for it.
“We know these occupations are essential, and we know that means that [health care workers] may have to keep working,” said Vasu Reddy, a senior policy analyst at the National Partnership for Women and Families. “But if they’re sick, they should be able to get the care that they need without having to worry about losing their paycheck or job.”
The law already exempted other workers whose roles are essential during the pandemic. Under pressure from big business, the White House and Republicans, the leave provisions had been gutted to only include companies with fewer than 500 employees ― meaning workers at large grocery chains, who like health care sectors are expected to show up and put themselves at risk, are exempt.
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“Congress had an opportunity to enact a law that was stronger,” said Vicki Shabo, a senior fellow and paid leave expert at the liberal New America think tank. “Instead Congress made choices that are forcing people to continue to go to work potentially sick and infect others.”
On Twitter, Shabo simply said that the department took a “hacksaw” to the law.
Since Trump signed that law on March 18, large employers have proved again and again that they’re not up to the task of keeping workers healthy and protected.
Workers at Walmart, for example, told HuffPost that the company’s coronavirus sick leave is vastly inadequate. Amazon warehouse workers say that the company is incentivizing them to come to work even as more of them contract COVID-19. And they don’t feel protected on the job.
Under the department’s new guidelines essentially anyone who works for a business that is even remotely attached to the health care industry will not get paid sick leave or paid family leave.
The Labor Department’s guideline on health care providers gives an exemption not only for doctors but also “anyone employed at any doctor’s office, hospital, health care center, [or] clinic.” And the list goes on: Anyone working at a medical school, health department or agency, retirement home, nursing home, any home health care provider or laboratory that does testing. Even people who work at pharmacies are on the list.
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An additional 4.4 million workers at companies with fewer than 50 employees are also out of luck when it comes to getting the 10 weeks of paid time off to care for children who are home because of school closures.
These companies can get out of that requirement if they decide it would be too burdensome to their business. All they need to do is write down that they’re taking the exemption ― and keep that written explanation on file somewhere.
There’s no enforcement.
“There’s no accountability to make sure these claims are actually legitimate,” Reddy said, adding that this is bad for the small companies that want to do the right thing. Those good actors will have to compete with other small businesses that are just exempting everyone.
The new regulations are just one more slap in the face for those who had been pushing for sick leave to handle this crisis. The United States, unlike most developed countries, does not have any kind of sick leave guarantee for workers.
While high-income workers mostly do get paid time off when they’re sick, low-income and hourly workers mostly don’t. So while doctors might have a reserve of paid time off, hourly workers in the health care system are far less likely to have such benefits.
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About half the workers at the country’s biggest chains ― think McDonald’s, Krogers, Taco Bell ― say they can’t take a sick day.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-03--Jared Kushner Ripped For Saying 'Our Stockpile' Isn't Meant For States To Use

Jared Kushner , White House adviser and son-in-law to President Donald Trump , declared on Thursday that the stockpiles of much-needed supplies governors were requesting to help with the coronavirus pandemic weren ’ t actually meant for the states .
“ The notion of the federal stockpile was it ’ s supposed to be our stockpile , ” Kushner said .
“ It ’ s not supposed to be states ’ stockpiles that they then use.
” JARED KUSHNER : `` The notion of the federal stockpile was it 's supposed to be our stockpile .
It 's not supposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use . ''
pic.twitter.com/9Q7j8QBCMv — Aaron Rupar ( @ atrupar ) April 2 , 2020 At another point in the briefing , Kushner patted himself and the administration on the back , claiming , “ We ’ ve done things that the federal government has never done before , quicker than they ’ ve ever done it before.
” Kushner also insisted that they had found supplies and distributed them “ where we anticipate there will be needs.
” But his explanation about the federal stockpile and its purpose didn ’ t sit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ odds with the statement on the Strategic National Stockpile website : When state , local , tribal , and territorial responders request federal assistance to support their response efforts , the stockpile ensures that the right medicines and supplies get to those who need them most during an emergency .
The website also noted that the stockpile could “ resupply state and local public health agencies in a catastrophic health event.
” Twitter users were quick to school Kushner and wonder who the “ our ” in his statement referred to , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Jared Kushner isn ’ t qualified to run a lemonade stand , let alone tell governors how to manage critical supply chains .
He is a continuing threat to our safety and security , a national embarrassment , and needs to , as the young folks say , take all the seats .
— George Takei ( @ GeorgeTakei ) April 3 , 2020 These ventilators are stockpiled for the citizens of America , not the citizens of the United States .
— Max Kennerly ( @ MaxKennerly ) April 3 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are for `` us '' not the states .
Who the fuck is `` us '' Jared ?
Why did n't anybody in that room ask him that obvious follow up question so we could see that robotic simpleton glitch live on screen ?
!
?
!
— Stephen White ( @ sgw94 ) April 2 , 2020 '' our stockpile . ''
I mean : Our is the citizens of the United States , right ?
Or , like , Jared 's personal stash ?
https : //t.co/9Jvdbdehuj — Chris Hayes ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this literally from the website “ Strategic National Stockpile is the nation ’ s largest supply of life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for use in a public health emergency severe enough to cause local supplies to run out.
” https : //t.co/wwCPuKMsV8 https : //t.co/dk1vNQxDQN — David Lobl ( @ DavidALobl ) April 3 , 2020 So say you 're in a state that needs ventilators .
And you 'll die if you do n't get one .
And the state does n't convince Jared it really needs one .
( Even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of us . )
And then you die because Jared decides to send the ventilator elsewhere ?
— David Rothkopf ( @ djrothkopf ) April 3 , 2020 Someone should tell Kushner that we ’ re the UNITED STATES of America .
We ’ re supposed to be all in this together .
https : //t.co/sDq06Kp8GB — Renato Mariotti ( @ renato_mariotti ) April 3 , 2020 Yes for all those federal citizens who do not live in states ... 🙄 Can ’ t wait for this human centipede segment to spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ned Pyle ( @ NerdPyle ) April 3 , 2020

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Jared Kushner, White House adviser and son-in-law to President Donald Trump, declared on Thursday that the stockpiles of much-needed supplies governors were requesting to help with the coronavirus pandemic weren’t actually meant for the states.
“The notion of the federal stockpile was it’s supposed to be our stockpile,” Kushner said. “It’s not supposed to be states’ stockpiles that they then use.”
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JARED KUSHNER: "The notion of the federal stockpile was it's supposed to be our stockpile. It's not supposed to be states stockpiles that they then use." pic.twitter.com/9Q7j8QBCMv — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 2, 2020
At another point in the briefing, Kushner patted himself and the administration on the back, claiming, “We’ve done things that the federal government has never done before, quicker than they’ve ever done it before.”
Kushner also insisted that they had found supplies and distributed them “where we anticipate there will be needs.”
But his explanation about the federal stockpile and its purpose didn’t sit right with many ― and was at odds with the statement on the Strategic National Stockpile website:
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When state, local, tribal, and territorial responders request federal assistance to support their response efforts, the stockpile ensures that the right medicines and supplies get to those who need them most during an emergency.
The website also noted that the stockpile could “resupply state and local public health agencies in a catastrophic health event.”
Twitter users were quick to school Kushner and wonder who the “our” in his statement referred to, if not the people of the United States:
Jared Kushner isn’t qualified to run a lemonade stand, let alone tell governors how to manage critical supply chains. He is a continuing threat to our safety and security, a national embarrassment, and needs to, as the young folks say, take all the seats. — George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) April 3, 2020
These ventilators are stockpiled for the citizens of America, not the citizens of the United States. — Max Kennerly (@MaxKennerly) April 3, 2020
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The muthafucka really said federal stockpiles are for "us" not the states. Who the fuck is "us" Jared? Why didn't anybody in that room ask him that obvious follow up question so we could see that robotic simpleton glitch live on screen?!?! — Stephen White (@sgw94) April 2, 2020
Huh? It’s literally in their mission statement.
For H1N1 Obama released 85 million N95 masks for the states. pic.twitter.com/8g46siTQoB — BevMarie (@evenbev) April 2, 2020
What a twat... we are a laughing stock with this idiot just talking shit!!! — John Barrowman MBE (@JohnBarrowman) April 3, 2020
"our stockpile." I mean: Our is the citizens of the United States, right? Or, like, Jared's personal stash? https://t.co/9Jvdbdehuj — Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) April 2, 2020
this literally from the website “Strategic National Stockpile is the nation’s largest supply of life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for use in a public health emergency severe enough to cause local supplies to run out.” https://t.co/wwCPuKMsV8 https://t.co/dk1vNQxDQN — David Lobl (@DavidALobl) April 3, 2020
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So say you're in a state that needs ventilators. And you'll die if you don't get one. And the state doesn't convince Jared it really needs one. (Even though "federal" stockpiles really belong to all of us.) And then you die because Jared decides to send the ventilator elsewhere? — David Rothkopf (@djrothkopf) April 3, 2020
Someone should tell Kushner that we’re the UNITED STATES of America. We’re supposed to be all in this together. https://t.co/sDq06Kp8GB — Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) April 3, 2020
Oh yes, another gem from the party of state’s rights — Brooke Binkowski (@brooklynmarie) April 3, 2020
Jared Kushner when Democratic & blue State Governors request supplies from the Federal strategic Stockpiles: pic.twitter.com/kUSV3Kvqqm — Marc the DNC establishment O.G. (@thegoodfello) April 3, 2020
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Yes for all those federal citizens who do not live in states...🙄
Can’t wait for this human centipede segment to spend time in prison like his daddy — Ned Pyle (@NerdPyle) April 3, 2020
WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE — Pé (@4everNeverTrump) April 3, 2020
UPDATE: April 3 — Since Kushner’s comments went viral, the statement found on the Strategic National Stockpile website has been changed. Previously, it said:
When state, local, tribal, and territorial responders request federal assistance to support their response efforts, the stockpile ensures that the right medicines and supplies get to those who need them most during an emergency.
It now reads:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-02--Doctor From Fox News Segment Now In Isolation For Suspected Coronavirus

Dr. Rishi Desai , who became a social media sensation after delivering a blunt analysis of the “ weak ” U.S. response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic during a Fox News appearance this week , says he believes he has or had the infection .
He told the Bay Area News Group that he ’ s had a 101 fever , coughing and breathing difficulties ― and that he has been in self-isolation in his apartment for two weeks as a result .
Desai said the fever is gone and he is improving , and he has ordered a blood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It will be important to identify people who are resistant , ” he was quoted as saying .
“ They ’ re the people who will get our economy back on track.
” Desai , chief medical officer of the Osmosis website , appeared on Fox News on Wednesday night and was asked about testing by host Martha MacCallum .
He shook his head “ no ” vigorously as MacCallum described President Donald Trump ’ s promise of millions of tests .
Then he compared the U.S. response with that of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak so far .
“ Look at the cases they have .
Look at the mortality they have , ” he said .
“ It ’ s a trifle compared to what we ’ re dealing with right now because we ’ ve had a very weak response and they had a really strong response.
” Many on social media speculated he would not be invited back due to his blunt criticism of the U.S. government ’ s response to the situation and the lack of testing despite assurances from the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group that he has not been approached for a return appearance but said everyone at the organization was “ 100 percent polite and kind and respectful from beginning to end .
”

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Dr. Rishi Desai, who became a social media sensation after delivering a blunt analysis of the “weak” U.S. response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic during a Fox News appearance this week, says he believes he has or had the infection.
He told the Bay Area News Group that he’s had a 101 fever, coughing and breathing difficulties ― and that he has been in self-isolation in his apartment for two weeks as a result.
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“I’m convinced I had COVID-19,” he told the news organization.
Desai said the fever is gone and he is improving, and he has ordered a blood test for himself to check for antibodies.
“It will be important to identify people who are resistant,” he was quoted as saying. “They’re the people who will get our economy back on track.”
Desai, chief medical officer of the Osmosis website, appeared on Fox News on Wednesday night and was asked about testing by host Martha MacCallum. He shook his head “no” vigorously as MacCallum described President Donald Trump’s promise of millions of tests.
Then he compared the U.S. response with that of South Korea, which has largely contained the outbreak so far.
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“Look at the cases they have. Look at the mortality they have,” he said. “It’s a trifle compared to what we’re dealing with right now because we’ve had a very weak response and they had a really strong response.”
MacCallum wrapped up the segment:
How to ensure you don't get follow-up questions on Fox, apparently. pic.twitter.com/nOUqw4ZVhO — Ben Smith (@benyt) April 2, 2020
Many on social media speculated he would not be invited back due to his blunt criticism of the U.S. government’s response to the situation and the lack of testing despite assurances from the Trump administration.
He told Bay Area News Group that he has not been approached for a return appearance but said everyone at the organization was “100 percent polite and kind and respectful from beginning to end.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-03--Trump Campaign Burns 'Delusional' Jeff Sessions In Fiery Warning Letter

Trump ’ s campaign fired off an angry letter calling Sessions “ delusional ” and demanding that he stop sending mailers that promoted his ties to the president as he campaigns for his old Senate seat in Alabama .
“ President Trump and his campaign do not support your effort to return to the U.S. Senate , ” the letter obtained by The New York Times and other news organizations stated .
It included a copy of a Sessions mailer that mentioned Trump 22 times and called the former attorney general “ Trump ’ s # 1 Supporter.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this to confuse President Trump ’ s loyal supporters in Alabama into believing the President supports your candidacy in the upcoming primary run-off election , ” the letter signed by Trump campaign COO Michael S. Glassner stated .
“ Nothing could be further from the truth.
” Sessions was the first senator to endorse Trump ’ s candidacy for president .
Trump returned the favor by appointing him attorney general .
But Sessions quickly fell out of favor when he recused himself from the Russia investigation .
He resigned in 2018 .
Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little fun at the increasingly ugly political divorce : Team Trump to Jeff Sessions : You ’ re no ally of ours .
Bet the Keebler Elves kicked him out of the tree too .
pic.twitter.com/S0Q5iLIEdy — Rhonda ( @ RhondaBarket ) April 2 , 2020

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President Donald Trump wants former Attorney General Jeff Sessions to stop pretending they’re pals.
Trump’s campaign fired off an angry letter calling Sessions “delusional” and demanding that he stop sending mailers that promoted his ties to the president as he campaigns for his old Senate seat in Alabama.
“President Trump and his campaign do not support your effort to return to the U.S. Senate,” the letter obtained by The New York Times and other news organizations stated.
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It included a copy of a Sessions mailer that mentioned Trump 22 times and called the former attorney general “Trump’s #1 Supporter.”
“We only assume your campaign is doing this to confuse President Trump’s loyal supporters in Alabama into believing the President supports your candidacy in the upcoming primary run-off election,” the letter signed by Trump campaign COO Michael S. Glassner stated. “Nothing could be further from the truth.”
Trump has endorsed Sessions’ rival, former football coach Tommy Tuberville.
Sessions was the first senator to endorse Trump’s candidacy for president. Trump returned the favor by appointing him attorney general. But Sessions quickly fell out of favor when he recused himself from the Russia investigation. He resigned in 2018.
Twitter users couldn’t help but poke a little fun at the increasingly ugly political divorce:
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Inconsolable Jeff Sessions Tries To Commit Suicide By Smoking Joint https://t.co/vNfcQlkrl1 — The Onion (@TheOnion) April 2, 2020
Team Trump to Jeff Sessions: You’re no ally of ours.
Bet the Keebler Elves kicked him out of the tree too. pic.twitter.com/S0Q5iLIEdy — Rhonda (@RhondaBarket) April 2, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-02--Dr. Sanjay Gupta Boggles At Georgia Governor's 'Inexcusable' Coronavirus Ignorance

Dr. Sanjay Gupta harshly criticized Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp ( R ) on Thursday after Kemp defended his delayed response to the coronavirus pandemic by claiming he ’ d just learned that the virus can be spread via asymptomatic people .
“ My kids who go to school in Georgia knew that a month ago , ” he said , noting that researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta had been sounding warnings since early February that someone who showed no symptoms of COVID-19 could still spread coronavirus .
On Wednesday , Kemp , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his state , announced that he would implement the statewide order for two weeks .
He said he had decided to do so in light of his “ game-changer ” discovery in “ the last 24 hours ” that people who appeared healthy could still be infectious .
“ We ’ ve known this .
For a long time .
To say that we just found out in the last 24 hours and that ’ s why we ’ re doing this ?
This is just not right , ” Gupta said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it very difficult to believe that Kemp had only just learned this information .
These shelter-at-home measures , he said , were “ essential ” nationwide .
As of Thursday , roughly 90 % of the U.S. population had been placed under orders to stay home .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a leading voice on the coronavirus task force , told CNN in an interview later Thursday that he couldn ’ t understand why it wasn ’ t every state .
Gupta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside and gather in groups that “ it ’ s not just about you.
” “ If they ’ re not doing this by now , they ’ re affecting and risking my health .
They ’ re affecting and risking your health ... people they don ’ t even know in places far away.
” They could “ really do a lot of good by really just paying attention to the science .
Not saying two months after we ’ ve known this that ’ Oh , I just heard that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do that .
It ’ s just not right.
” “ If that ’ s true that he just learned that , then he has not been paying attention and he is not doing his job , That ’ s completely irresponsible , ” Cooper added .
As of Thursday evening , more than 245,000 cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in the U.S. , and 5,949 deaths had been reported , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .

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Dr. Sanjay Gupta harshly criticized Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) on Thursday after Kemp defended his delayed response to the coronavirus pandemic by claiming he’d just learned that the virus can be spread via asymptomatic people.
“This is inexcusable... It’s just inexcusable,” said Gupta, who is chief medical correspondent at CNN, during a discussion with CNN host Anderson Cooper.
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“My kids who go to school in Georgia knew that a month ago,” he said, noting that researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta had been sounding warnings since early February that someone who showed no symptoms of COVID-19 could still spread coronavirus.
On Wednesday, Kemp, who had repeatedly resisted enforcing a shelter-at-home order in his state, announced that he would implement the statewide order for two weeks. He said he had decided to do so in light of his “game-changer” discovery in “the last 24 hours” that people who appeared healthy could still be infectious.
“We’ve known this. For a long time. To say that we just found out in the last 24 hours and that’s why we’re doing this? This is just not right,” Gupta said Thursday.
“This is inexcusable. I mean, it’s just inexcusable,” says @drsanjaygupta, responding to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s false claim that officials had just learned coronavirus can spread from non-symptomatic individuals. “…This is just not right.” https://t.co/2n2N4TnOEG pic.twitter.com/zdGLDBIxnE — CNN (@CNN) April 3, 2020
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Gupta said that he found it very difficult to believe that Kemp had only just learned this information. These shelter-at-home measures, he said, were “essential” nationwide. As of Thursday, roughly 90% of the U.S. population had been placed under orders to stay home.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a leading voice on the coronavirus task force, told CNN in an interview later Thursday that he couldn’t understand why it wasn’t every state.
Gupta reminded those who still continue to go outside and gather in groups that “it’s not just about you.”
“If they’re not doing this by now, they’re affecting and risking my health. They’re affecting and risking your health... people they don’t even know in places far away.”
In light of Kemp’s remarks, Gupta implored leaders to heed the information provided by experts.
They could “really do a lot of good by really just paying attention to the science. Not saying two months after we’ve known this that ’Oh, I just heard that this can spread asymptomatically.′ You can’t do that. It’s just not right.”
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“If that’s true that he just learned that, then he has not been paying attention and he is not doing his job, That’s completely irresponsible,” Cooper added.
As of Thursday evening, more than 245,000 cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in the U.S., and 5,949 deaths had been reported, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-02--'Paycheck Protection Program' Launches Friday, But Banks Are Balking

The way it ’ s supposed to work is that the government will essentially pay eight weeks of an eligible employer ’ s labor costs through a loan that will be entirely forgiven if that employer retains its workers for eight weeks without slashing their pay .
The effort is meant to prevent layoffs , as businesses have already dismissed more than 10 million workers in just the past two weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic .
This unprecedented surge in unemployment puts incredible strain on workers and their families .
Notably , if a company already laid people off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paycheck protection loan if it re-hires them by the end of June .
“ As long as you hire the people back , the loan is forgiven , ” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said during a CNBC appearance on Wednesday to promote the program .
( The Treasury ’ s website has more information on the initiative . )
The coronavirus bill Congress passed earlier this month provided $ 350 billion for the payroll scheme ― more than was earmarked for either expanded unemployment insurance benefits or rebate checks that will soon go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mnuchin has said he would ask Congress for more funding if that $ 350 billion runs out .
William Winecoff , a political science professor at the University of Indiana , said the program hasn ’ t gotten enough attention .
He compared it favorably to European wage subsidies enacted in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Denmark , for instance , is paying up to 90 % of workers ’ salaries .
Business owners have told HuffPost they eagerly anticipate enrolling in the program .
Russell Cox , owner of a small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes picture frames , said he ’ s already in touch with his lender and is going to apply as soon as he can on Friday .
Dallas County ordered non-essential businesses to close last month to limit the spread of the coronavirus .
“ It ’ s all looking pretty good ― it ’ s just a matter of getting through the approval process and getting the money , ” Cox said , adding that he has four employees , all of whom have been with his firm for at least a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program .
It runs through banks , some of which are complaining that they ’ ve only gotten fuzzy guidelines .
Bank officials also have expressed worries about having to respond to an ” overwhelming ” demand for the loans , which are capped at $ 10 million per firm .
JPMorgan Chase , the largest bank in the U.S. , said Thursday that it ’ s still waiting for more guidance from Treasury .
“ As a result , Chase will most likely not be able to start accepting applications on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoped , ” the bank said in a statement on its website .
A past partnership between the Treasury Department and banks , designed to reduce foreclosures in the wake of the Great Recession , was pretty much a failure , as the department did little to enforce program rules and homeowners were strung along .
Thursday ’ s news that JPMorgan Chase might not be ready came as a cold shower after much optimism around the Paycheck Protection Program .
Michael Strain , director of economic policy studies at the conservative American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brief that the program “ may prove to be the most important part of the government ’ s economic-policy response to the coronavirus.
” Strain noted that lenders will receive “ generous fees ” from administering the loans and are shielded from penalties so long as they receive documentation from borrowers that they didn ’ t lay off workers or cut wages .
Sen. Marco Rubio ( R-Fla. ) , one of the architects of the program , tweeted Thursday that banks shouldn ’ t whine , noting the loans are fully guaranteed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for basically verifying payroll & no liability if they get it wrong.
” HuffPost readers : Are you a business owner hoping to apply for a forgivable loan from the Paycheck Protection Program ?
Tell us about it ― email arthur @ huffpost.com .
Please include your phone number if you ’ re willing to be interviewed .

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U.S. workers won’t interact directly with the so-called Paycheck Protection Program that launches Friday, but if it works as intended, it could have a big impact on their lives.
Whether it can work as intended emerged as a major question Thursday as some banks said they wouldn’t be ready to take applications on Friday.
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The way it’s supposed to work is that the government will essentially pay eight weeks of an eligible employer’s labor costs through a loan that will be entirely forgiven if that employer retains its workers for eight weeks without slashing their pay.
The effort is meant to prevent layoffs, as businesses have already dismissed more than 10 million workers in just the past two weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic. This unprecedented surge in unemployment puts incredible strain on workers and their families.
Notably, if a company already laid people off, it can still qualify for the paycheck protection loan if it re-hires them by the end of June.
“As long as you hire the people back, the loan is forgiven,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said during a CNBC appearance on Wednesday to promote the program. (The Treasury’s website has more information on the initiative.)
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The coronavirus bill Congress passed earlier this month provided $350 billion for the payroll scheme ― more than was earmarked for either expanded unemployment insurance benefits or rebate checks that will soon go out to most U.S. households. And Mnuchin has said he would ask Congress for more funding if that $350 billion runs out.
William Winecoff, a political science professor at the Indiana University Bloomington, said the program hasn’t gotten enough attention. He compared it favorably to European wage subsidies enacted in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Denmark, for instance, is paying up to 90% of workers’ salaries.
“This is actually more generous than that,” Winecoff said. “It’s full payroll support and that includes benefits, as well, for up to two months.”
Business owners have told HuffPost they eagerly anticipate enrolling in the program. Russell Cox, owner of a small, Dallas-based art consulting firm that also makes picture frames, said he’s already in touch with his lender and is going to apply as soon as he can on Friday. Dallas County ordered nonessential businesses to close last month to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
“It’s all looking pretty good ― it’s just a matter of getting through the approval process and getting the money,” Cox said, adding that he has four employees, all of whom have been with his firm for at least a decade.
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But trouble could afflict the program. It runs through banks, some of which are complaining that they’ve only gotten fuzzy guidelines. Bank officials also have expressed worries about having to respond to an “overwhelming” demand for the loans, which are capped at $10 million per firm.
JPMorgan Chase, the largest bank in the U.S., said Thursday that it’s still waiting for more guidance from Treasury. “As a result, Chase will most likely not be able to start accepting applications on Friday, April 3rd, as we had hoped,” the bank said in a statement on its website.
Nevertheless, Mnuchin and President Donald Trump said the program would still launch Friday.
A past partnership between the Treasury Department and banks, designed to reduce foreclosures in the wake of the Great Recession, was pretty much a failure, as the department did little to enforce program rules and homeowners were strung along.
Thursday’s news that JPMorgan Chase might not be ready came as a cold shower after much optimism around the Paycheck Protection Program. Michael Strain, director of economic policy studies at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, wrote in an issue brief that the program “may prove to be the most important part of the government’s economic-policy response to the coronavirus.”
Strain noted that lenders will receive “generous fees” from administering the loans and are shielded from penalties so long as they receive documentation from borrowers that they didn’t lay off workers or cut wages.
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Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), one of the architects of the program, tweeted Thursday that banks shouldn’t whine, noting the loans are fully guaranteed and that banks get “5% for basically verifying payroll & no liability if they get it wrong.”
“Now America needs them to step up,” he wrote.
This article has been updated to include a statement from JPMorgan Chase.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-02--Joe Biden Has Advice For Trump. He's Trying To Get Him On The Phone.

Joe Biden hopes to soon get on the phone with President Donald Trump to discuss the federal government ’ s response to the novel coronavirus pandemic , telling reporters Thursday his team is working with the White House to set up a call between the two .
Biden said Thursday he was “ happy to hear ” that Trump , at a White House briefing earlier this week , said he was willing to take a call with him and “ would love to speak with him , sure.
” Biden , the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Defense Production Act to not just spur the manufacturing of ventilators , but also to supply personal protective equipment for frontline health workers and to install personnel specifically tasked with allocating available tests and medical equipment to states .
Trump issued an order Thursday under the Defense Production Act , which allows the president to require companies to prioritize manufacturing materials necessary for national defense , to “ facilitate the supply of materials ” for ventilators for six companies .
His administration has been slow to enact and enforce the war-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Motors last week .
Biden has been arguing that Trump is still not doing enough .
He also is supporting calls by Democratic congressional leaders for a followup to coronavirus relief legislation to further address growing unemployment numbers .
Congress passed a $ 2 trillion emergency bill last week that expanded unemployment insurance , approved direct payments to individuals , and allocated $ 500 billion for loans to businesses .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) has already provided an outline for another bill that would address infrastructure needs , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , giving more money for hospitals and providing free treatment for coronavirus treatment and protections for front line workers .
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) dismissed talk on any new legislation “ premature.
” McConnell ” was wrong and slow the first time around and he ’ s wrong and slow this time around , ” Biden said Thursday .
“ There ’ s no possibility that the money provided to try and just get this under control [ is ] going to be enough to deal with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the health of the country.
” Biden has been holding regular live stream video calls about the coronavirus crisis from his Delaware home , where his campaign renovated his basement to function as a television studio .
Both Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) , his remaining rival in the Democratic race , have suspended all in-person campaigning .
Trump ’ s presidential campaign has used Biden ’ s stumbles during the video appearances to attack the former vice president ’ s candidacy .
Biden has been reluctant to directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis when asked , but of late he has repeatedly ripped into the administration ’ s response to the pandemic .
His campaign has been releasing questions they ’ d like to see Trump answer at his daily briefings , like , “ A new report today shows that the U.S. Army was projecting as early as the beginning of February that 150,000 Americans could be killed by the coronavirus .
So why did you continue to waste precious weeks downplaying the threat it posed ?
” “ I ’ m not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I understand if he doesn ’ t want to take my advice , but it won ’ t be a , ‘ I told you so Mr. President.
’ ...
This is beyond politics right now .
Projections I get in the morning when I talk with the docs that I talk with could be really dire .
We are talking about a lot of people potentially dying .
”

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Joe Biden hopes to soon get on the phone with President Donald Trump to discuss the federal government’s response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, telling reporters Thursday his team is working with the White House to set up a call between the two.
Biden said Thursday he was “happy to hear” that Trump, at a White House briefing earlier this week, said he was willing to take a call with him and “would love to speak with him, sure.”
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Biden, the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, is calling on Trump to expand use of the Defense Production Act to not just spur the manufacturing of ventilators, but also to supply personal protective equipment for frontline health workers and to install personnel specifically tasked with allocating available tests and medical equipment to states.
States have been consistently reporting testing and equipment shortages, despite Trump’s assurances at his press briefings that no such issues are occurring.
“Use your full authority,” Biden said during a live-streamed video press conference, directing his comments to Trump. “This is a war. Act like a commander in chief. Use it all.”
Joe Biden, the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, is calling on Trump to expand use of the Defense Production Act. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Trump issued an order Thursday under the Defense Production Act, which allows the president to require companies to prioritize manufacturing materials necessary for national defense, to “facilitate the supply of materials” for ventilators for six companies. His administration has been slow to enact and enforce the war-time powers after first invoking the act for General Motors last week.
Biden has been arguing that Trump is still not doing enough. He also is supporting calls by Democratic congressional leaders for a followup to coronavirus relief legislation to further address growing unemployment numbers. Congress passed a $2 trillion emergency bill last week that expanded unemployment insurance, approved direct payments to individuals, and allocated $500 billion for loans to businesses.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has already provided an outline for another bill that would address infrastructure needs, in addition to expanding medical and family leave, giving more money for hospitals and providing free treatment for coronavirus treatment and protections for front line workers. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) dismissed talk on any new legislation “premature.”
McConnell ”was wrong and slow the first time around and he’s wrong and slow this time around,” Biden said Thursday. “There’s no possibility that the money provided to try and just get this under control [is] going to be enough to deal with the aftermath, both economically and in terms of the health of the country.”
Biden has been holding regular live stream video calls about the coronavirus crisis from his Delaware home, where his campaign renovated his basement to function as a television studio. Both Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), his remaining rival in the Democratic race, have suspended all in-person campaigning. Trump’s presidential campaign has used Biden’s stumbles during the video appearances to attack the former vice president’s candidacy.
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Biden has been reluctant to directly criticize the president’s handling of the crisis when asked, but of late he has repeatedly ripped into the administration’s response to the pandemic. His campaign has been releasing questions they’d like to see Trump answer at his daily briefings, like, “A new report today shows that the U.S. Army was projecting as early as the beginning of February that 150,000 Americans could be killed by the coronavirus. So why did you continue to waste precious weeks downplaying the threat it posed?”
But if his phone call with Trump were to happen, Biden said Thursday he wouldn’t be critical during the conversation.
“I’m not doing this to criticize,” Biden said. “I understand if he doesn’t want to take my advice, but it won’t be a, ‘I told you so Mr. President.’... This is beyond politics right now. Projections I get in the morning when I talk with the docs that I talk with could be really dire. We are talking about a lot of people potentially dying.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-03--Ben Carson: Donald Trump’s ‘Courageous’ Coronavirus Response Doesn’t Get Enough Credit

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson on Thursday complained to Fox News ’ Sean Hannity that President Donald Trump is not receiving enough credit for his “ incredibly courageous ” handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
Carson , a member of Trump ’ s coronavirus task force , cited the president ’ s February decision to stop foreign nationals who had recently visited China from entering the U.S. ― a talking point frequently invoked by Trump and his defenders to counter critics pointing out the president ’ s slow and chaotic response to the pandemic .
Trump and members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for downplaying the threat of the outbreak for weeks .
Even now , after seeming to acknowledge the human toll and economic devastation caused by the pandemic , Trump has failed to recommend a nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of the virus .
Trump has also been slammed for calling the contagion the “ Chinese virus , ” and for attacking journalists and governors who question or criticize his response .
“ Bullshit Ben Carson .
Bullshit .
Donald Trump isn ’ t courageous .
He ’ s never ever been courageous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( R-Ill. ) , who ran an unsuccessful campaign to unseat Trump as the GOP 2020 nominee .
“ He doesn ’ t know courage .
He doesn ’ t understand courage , ” Walsh continued .
“ He ’ s never tasted courage .
He ’ s incapable of courage .
He doesn ’ t even know how to spell the word courage.
” Bullshit Ben Carson .
Bullshit .
Donald Trump isn ’ t courageous .
He ’ s never ever been courageous .
He doesn ’ t know courage .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s never tasted courage .
He ’ s incapable of courage .
He doesn ’ t even know how to spell the word courage .
It ’ s .
A. Cult .
https : //t.co/kCItJnl5hH — Joe Walsh ( @ WalshFreedom ) April 3 , 2020 The United States has : 242,000 cases of coronavirus .
5,758 dead .
The virus in all 50 states .
Trump sycophants are still using the `` travel ban '' talking point .
Disaster in motion : 3.4 million travelers poured into US as coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Richard W. ( @ IceManNYR ) April 3 , 2020 The courage to deny , delay , deflect , and dither that we were facing a pandemic as we hit over 244k cases nationally & over 5900 deaths .
He wo n't get one word of credit from me .
People are dying at this level because of Trump .
https : //t.co/zeKP9JN8d5 — HawaiiDelilah™ ( @ HawaiiDelilah ) April 3 , 2020 You are so right Ben Carson .
Donald Trump will never get credit for being courageous , and Sean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smart .
https : //t.co/QK6WpXqy7v — John Ducey ( @ JohnnyDucey ) April 3 , 2020

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Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson on Thursday complained to Fox News’ Sean Hannity that President Donald Trump is not receiving enough credit for his “incredibly courageous” handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Carson, a member of Trump’s coronavirus task force, cited the president’s February decision to stop foreign nationals who had recently visited China from entering the U.S. ― a talking point frequently invoked by Trump and his defenders to counter critics pointing out the president’s slow and chaotic response to the pandemic.
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Trump and members of his administration have been fiercely criticized for downplaying the threat of the outbreak for weeks. Even now, after seeming to acknowledge the human toll and economic devastation caused by the pandemic, Trump has failed to recommend a nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of the virus.
Trump has also been slammed for calling the contagion the “Chinese virus,” and for attacking journalists and governors who question or criticize his response.
Check out the clip here:
Ben Carson says the President isn’t getting the credit for being courageous pic.twitter.com/RNYLCXG3cp — Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) April 3, 2020
Twitter users pounced on the gripes of Carson, a retired neurosurgeon.
“Bullshit Ben Carson. Bullshit. Donald Trump isn’t courageous. He’s never ever been courageous,” tweeted former Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.), who ran an unsuccessful campaign to unseat Trump as the GOP 2020 nominee.
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“He doesn’t know courage. He doesn’t understand courage,” Walsh continued. “He’s never tasted courage. He’s incapable of courage. He doesn’t even know how to spell the word courage.”
Bullshit Ben Carson. Bullshit. Donald Trump isn’t courageous. He’s never ever been courageous. He doesn’t know courage. He doesn’t understand courage. He’s never tasted courage. He’s incapable of courage. He doesn’t even know how to spell the word courage.
It’s. A. Cult. https://t.co/kCItJnl5hH — Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) April 3, 2020
The United States has:
242,000 cases of coronavirus.
5,758 dead.
The virus in all 50 states.
Trump sycophants are still using the "travel ban" talking point.
Disaster in motion: 3.4 million travelers poured into US as coronavirus pandemic eruptedhttps://t.co/aV2aEu33hy https://t.co/Y8TP4aSd7z — Richard W. (@IceManNYR) April 3, 2020
The courage to deny, delay, deflect, and dither that we were facing a pandemic as we hit over 244k cases nationally & over 5900 deaths. He won't get one word of credit from me. People are dying at this level because of Trump. https://t.co/zeKP9JN8d5 — HawaiiDelilah™ (@HawaiiDelilah) April 3, 2020
I think he must have meant "contagious." https://t.co/fQ8l1jznPj — Bill Child (@djmisterbill) April 3, 2020
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You are so right Ben Carson. Donald Trump will never get credit for being courageous, and Sean Hannity will never get credit for being smart. https://t.co/QK6WpXqy7v — John Ducey (@JohnnyDucey) April 3, 2020
Ben Carson and other MAGA, social distancing means get your head out of Trump’s ass. #COVIDIDIOT https://t.co/zSzyOg3FCE — Denise Wu (@denisewu) April 3, 2020
Yo Ben, the president isn't getting credit for "being courageous" because he isn't courageous. — James Marchand (@MarchandMusic) April 3, 2020