bonginoreport--2020-04-18--Walmart to Hire 50,000 More Workers to Handle Increased Demand Due to Coronavirus

( Reuters ) - Walmart Inc ( WMT.N ) said on Friday it would hire 50,000 more workers at its stores , clubs and distribution centers to meet a surge in demand for groceries and household essentials from consumers stockpiling during the coronavirus outbreak .
The retailer said it had reached its earlier target of hiring 150,000 workers six weeks ahead of schedule , taking in 5,000 people per day on average at a time when millions of Americans are losing their jobs amid unprecedented “ stay-at-home ” orders from state and local governments .
The measures to control the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity to a virtual standstill , forcing companies to take drastic steps to save cash .
The S & P 500 index .SPX has fallen 15 % from its February record high , while Walmart 's stock has surged more than 10 % in the same period .
Walmart said it had worked with more than 70 companies that furloughed workers due to the pandemic to hire its 150,000 new employees , many of whom came from the restaurant and hospitality industries .
The company said 85 % of the workers being hired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( bit.ly/2RJHbCS ) Skyrocketing demand for food , hand sanitizer , toilet paper and other household products has also prompted retailers Kroger ( KR.N ) , Target ( TGT.N ) and Amazon.com Inc ( AMZN.O ) to hire by the thousands .
Separately , Walmart said it will now require its U.S. staff to wear masks or other face coverings at work , making its face-covering policy mandatory from optional in line with public health guidance .
“ This includes our stores , clubs , distribution and fulfillment centers as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. President John Furner said in a memo .
The company is also extending its emergency leave policy through the end of May , according to the memo .

(Reuters) - Walmart Inc WMT.N said on Friday it would hire 50,000 more workers at its stores, clubs and distribution centers to meet a surge in demand for groceries and household essentials from consumers stockpiling during the coronavirus outbreak.
Walmart's logo is seen outside one of the stores ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. November 27, 2019. REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski
The retailer said it had reached its earlier target of hiring 150,000 workers six weeks ahead of schedule, taking in 5,000 people per day on average at a time when millions of Americans are losing their jobs amid unprecedented “stay-at-home” orders from state and local governments.
The measures to control the spread of the disease have brought economic activity to a virtual standstill, forcing companies to take drastic steps to save cash.
The S&P 500 index .SPX has fallen 15% from its February record high, while Walmart's stock has surged more than 10% in the same period.
Walmart said it had worked with more than 70 companies that furloughed workers due to the pandemic to hire its 150,000 new employees, many of whom came from the restaurant and hospitality industries.
The company said 85% of the workers being hired are going into temporary or part-time roles. (bit.ly/2RJHbCS)
Skyrocketing demand for food, hand sanitizer, toilet paper and other household products has also prompted retailers Kroger KR.N, Target TGT.N and Amazon.com Inc AMZN.O to hire by the thousands.
Separately, Walmart said it will now require its U.S. staff to wear masks or other face coverings at work, making its face-covering policy mandatory from optional in line with public health guidance.
“This includes our stores, clubs, distribution and fulfillment centers as well as in our corporate offices”, Walmart U.S. President John Furner said in a memo.
The company is also extending its emergency leave policy through the end of May, according to the memo.


bonginoreport--2020-04-18--Amazon Using Thermal Cameras at Warehouses to Identity Workers with Fevers

( Reuters ) - Amazon.com Inc has started to use thermal cameras at its warehouses to speed up screening for feverish workers who could be infected with the coronavirus , employees told Reuters .
The cameras in effect measure how much heat people emit relative to their surroundings .
They require less time and contact than forehead thermometers , earlier adopted by Amazon , the workers said .
Cases of the virus have been reported among staff at more than 50 of Amazon ’ s U.S. warehouses .
That has prompted some workers to worry for their safety and walk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials have called on Amazon to close buildings down .
The use of cameras , previously unreported , shows how America ’ s second-biggest corporate employer is exploring methods to contain the virus ’ spread without shuttering warehouses essential to its operation .
U.S. states have given Amazon the green light to deliver goods with nearly all the country under stay-at-home orders .
In France , Amazon has closed six of its fulfillment centers temporarily - one of the biggest fallouts yet from a dispute with workers over the risks of coronavirus contagion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the thermal camera technology include Tyson Foods Inc and Intel Corp .
The camera systems , which garnered widespread use at airports in Asia after the SARS epidemic in 2003 , can cost between $ 5,000 and $ 20,000 .
This week and last , Amazon set up the hardware for the thermal cameras in at least six warehouses outside Los Angeles and Seattle , where the company is based , according to employees and posts on social media .
Thermal cameras will also replace thermometers at worker entrances to many of Amazon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a recent staff note seen by Reuters and previously reported by Business Insider .
The company performs a second , forehead thermometer check on anyone flagged by the cameras to determine an exact temperature , one of the workers said .
An international standard requires the extra check , though one camera system maker said the infrared scan is more accurate than a thermometer .
How widely Amazon will deploy the technology at a time when camera makers are grappling with a surge in demand could not be determined .
A Whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were starting to arrive for use .
Amazon confirmed that some warehouses have implemented the systems to streamline checks .
The company is taking temperatures “ to support the health and safety of our employees , who continue to provide a critical service in our communities , ” it said in a statement .
Early this month , Amazon said it would offer face masks and start checking hundreds of thousands of people for fevers daily at all its U.S. and European warehouses .
Associates walk up to a Plexiglas screen , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their forehead by pointing a thermometer through a small hole .
That process has not been without challenges .
A worker performing temperature checks in Houston said his proximity to associates made him uncomfortable , in spite of the screen separating them .
“ I didn ’ t sign up for this , ” he said .
A Los Angeles-area employee , who also spoke on condition of anonymity , said a line once formed outside her warehouse , and employees could not receive masks until after they had entered the building and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camera system is faster , two other workers said , with no stopping in front of a screen necessary .
The cameras connect to a computer so an employee at a distance can view the results , one said .
Amazon did not disclose whose gadgets it was using .
One of the employees , at a warehouse outside Seattle , said the technology came from Infrared Cameras Inc in Texas .
Reached by phone , ICI ’ s chief executive , Gary Strahan , said he would not confirm or deny his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other purveyors include UK-based Thermoteknix and U.S.-based FLIR Systems Inc .

(Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc has started to use thermal cameras at its warehouses to speed up screening for feverish workers who could be infected with the coronavirus, employees told Reuters.
The cameras in effect measure how much heat people emit relative to their surroundings. They require less time and contact than forehead thermometers, earlier adopted by Amazon, the workers said.
Cases of the virus have been reported among staff at more than 50 of Amazon’s U.S. warehouses. That has prompted some workers to worry for their safety and walk off the job. Unions and elected officials have called on Amazon to close buildings down.
The use of cameras, previously unreported, shows how America’s second-biggest corporate employer is exploring methods to contain the virus’ spread without shuttering warehouses essential to its operation.
U.S. states have given Amazon the green light to deliver goods with nearly all the country under stay-at-home orders.
In France, Amazon has closed six of its fulfillment centers temporarily - one of the biggest fallouts yet from a dispute with workers over the risks of coronavirus contagion.
Other companies that have explored using the thermal camera technology include Tyson Foods Inc and Intel Corp. The camera systems, which garnered widespread use at airports in Asia after the SARS epidemic in 2003, can cost between $5,000 and $20,000.
FILE PHOTO: The logo of Amazon is seen at the company logistics centre in Boves, France, November 5, 2019. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo
This week and last, Amazon set up the hardware for the thermal cameras in at least six warehouses outside Los Angeles and Seattle, where the company is based, according to employees and posts on social media.
Thermal cameras will also replace thermometers at worker entrances to many of Amazon’s Whole Foods stores, according to a recent staff note seen by Reuters and previously reported by Business Insider.
The company performs a second, forehead thermometer check on anyone flagged by the cameras to determine an exact temperature, one of the workers said. An international standard requires the extra check, though one camera system maker said the infrared scan is more accurate than a thermometer.
How widely Amazon will deploy the technology at a time when camera makers are grappling with a surge in demand could not be determined. A Whole Foods representative said cameras ordered weeks ago were starting to arrive for use.
Amazon confirmed that some warehouses have implemented the systems to streamline checks. The company is taking temperatures “to support the health and safety of our employees, who continue to provide a critical service in our communities,” it said in a statement.
Early this month, Amazon said it would offer face masks and start checking hundreds of thousands of people for fevers daily at all its U.S. and European warehouses. Associates walk up to a Plexiglas screen, and an employee on the other side scans their forehead by pointing a thermometer through a small hole.
That process has not been without challenges. A worker performing temperature checks in Houston said his proximity to associates made him uncomfortable, in spite of the screen separating them.
“I didn’t sign up for this,” he said.
A Los Angeles-area employee, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said a line once formed outside her warehouse, and employees could not receive masks until after they had entered the building and had their temperatures taken.
The thermal camera system is faster, two other workers said, with no stopping in front of a screen necessary. The cameras connect to a computer so an employee at a distance can view the results, one said.
Amazon did not disclose whose gadgets it was using. One of the employees, at a warehouse outside Seattle, said the technology came from Infrared Cameras Inc in Texas. Reached by phone, ICI’s chief executive, Gary Strahan, said he would not confirm or deny his company’s working with Amazon.
Other purveyors include UK-based Thermoteknix and U.S.-based FLIR Systems Inc.


bonginoreport--2020-04-19--Florida GOP Candidate Laura Loomer Fundraises More Than Primary Competitors Combined

A woman was arrested after rushing the stage at the ...

A Florida hurricane may be about to hit Washington, DC.
Laura Loomer, a 26-year-old conservative provocateur running for Congress in the Sunshine State, is gaining strength with activists and donors buzzing about the possibility that she is the conservative answer to New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“She’s the Republicans’ AOC,” longtime GOP strategist Roger Stone gushed to The Post. “She’s young. She’s energetic. She’s feisty. She’s anti-establishment, and she has an enormous national following, as does AOC, which can help finance a congressional race.”
Like the Queens/Bronx congresswoman, few took Loomer seriously when she declared her candidacy in the heavily blue 21st District back in August 2019. Long considered a fringe GOP voice, with stints at James O’Keefe’s Project Veritas and the Canadian far-right Rebel Media, she is best known for her strident criticism of Islam, which has resulted in bans from Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Medium, Paypal, Venmo, GoFundMe, Lyft, Uber, Uber Eats and MGM Resorts.
Previous 1 of 5 Next Advertisement Republican Laura Loomer, who's running for Congress in Florida's 21st District Larry Marano Larry Marano Advertisement Larry Marano Advertisement
But she is raising serious money. Loomer’s campaign collected $204,786 in the first quarter of 2020, according to April filings with the Federal Election Commission, bringing her total haul to nearly $600,000 — significantly more than her eight GOP primary rivals combined.
Among her more than 9,000 individual donors are some big names: Home Depot billionaire Bernard Marcus ($2,800) and Eric Javits, a former US ambassador ($1,000).
Karen Giorno, a 30-year veteran of GOP politics who served as Donald Trump’s 2016 Florida state director, is running Loomer’s campaign. The district is home to the president’s Mar-a-Lago club and is now his official residence.
Critics have frequently labeled Loomer’s commentary racist and Islamophobic. After news emerged that Sayfullo Saipov, the suspect in a terrorist attack in New York City that killed eight people, was an Uber driver, Loomer called for the creation of ride-share apps that would not employ Muslims. She told The Post the remark was intended to “raise awareness” about vetting drivers and that she was “not sorry” about it.
New Yorkers may remember her better for such colorful stunts as disrupting a Trump-mocking rendition of “Julius Caesar” at Shakespeare in the Park, chaining herself to Twitter’s New York headquarters, protesting a women’s march in Foley Square, and placing a burqa on the Fearless Girl statue on Wall Street.
Loomer said her social-media gag order was partly what inspired her to run.
“They silenced me and violated my civil rights,” Loomer told The Post. “I started thinking to myself that what happened to me will happen to everyday Americans who don’t have my soapbox.”
In addition to taking on big tech, Loomer has marketed herself as strongly pro-Israel, tough on terrorism, pro-gun and an unswerving supporter of President Trump.
If elected, Loomer said, she planned to take on AOC and her “Squad” mates — several of whom she casually refers to as “Jihadis.”
“I am a one-woman squad,” she said. “Republicans need more firepower. They need people who aren’t going to cower in fear of these women.”
Campaign manager Giorno said, “The experience I had on the campaign with Donald Trump is really one of the reasons why I took a look at Laura Loomer. She reminded me a little bit of Donald Trump. She is very frenetic, in a good way, constant energy, high expectations of herself and others … she impressed me and I don’t get impressed very easily.”
Team Loomer said they expect to blow out the crowded GOP field in the Aug. 18 primary before heading into a final matchup with the Democratic incumbent — Lois Frankel, a former West Palm Beach mayor elected to Congress in 2013. In 2016, she prevailed over Republican Paul Spain with 62.7% of the vote, even as Trump went on to win the state by more than 100,000 votes.
Stone said Frankel is a weaker incumbent than Queens Rep. Joe Crowley, whom AOC famously knocked off in a huge upset.


bonginoreport--2020-04-19--Bills Proposed Calling for $2k Monthly Checks, Rent Cancellation

The CARES Act provided a lifeline for taxpayers and small businesses .
But as a one-time cash payment , many fear that it didn ’ t do enough to support taxpayers in one of our country ’ s greatest times of need .
Especially in light of the fact that many people still have not received their stimulus checks .
To address this , members of Congress have made two separate proposals , one that would provide Americans over the age of 16 with a $ 2,000 monthly check for up to 12 months , and one that would cancel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus emergency .
Representatives Ro Khanna ( D-CA ) and Tim Ryan ( D-OH ) introduced the Emergency Money for the People Act .
This Act , if passed , would provide additional cash payments to Americans who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Emergency Money for the People Act would provide a $ 2,000 monthly payment to every qualifying American over the age of 16 for up to 12 months .
This would include individuals who were left out of the CARES Act , such as some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with disabilities who were ineligible to receive the stimulus check because they were claimed as a dependent on another tax return .
Monthly Stimulus Payments Would Be Easier to Receive Not everyone has a bank or a home address .
To address this , the Emergency Money for the People Act calls for individuals to get this money through direct deposit , check , pre-paid debit card , or mobile money platforms such as Venmo , Zelle , or PayPal .
• None Every American age 16 and older making less than $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,000 per month .
• None Married couples earning less than $ 260,000 would receive at least $ 4,000 per month .
• None Qualifying families with children will receive an additional $ 500 per child – for up to three children .
• None Those who had no earnings , were unemployed , or are currently unemployed would also be eligible for the stimulus even if they didn ’ t file a tax return .
• None Those who were not eligible in 2019 or 2018 but would be eligible in 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months of paychecks to verify income eligibility .
You can learn more on Rep. Khanna ’ s website or read the full bill here .
See this article to see the current one-time $ 1,200 stimulus check rules .
Representative Ilhan Omar ( D-MN ) introduced the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act .
This Act , if approved , would call for a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic , or up to one year .
• None No accumulation of debt for renters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their credit rating or rental history .
• None It would establish a relief fund for landlords and mortgage holders to cover losses • None It would create an optional fund to finance the purchase of private rental properties to increase the availability of affordable housing .
The bill would be retroactive to March 13 , 2020 , and would last for one year , unless extended .
Renters and homeowners who made payments during April 2020 would be reimbursed for their payments .
No Double-Dipping Allowed .
The bill would only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary residence .
It would not cover second homes , vacation homes , or other non-primary residences .
Those who have both a mortgage and also rent a home would have to choose the home for which they would want to receive financial relief .
Landlords and Mortgage Companies Would be Covered Through a Fund Managed Through the Department of Housing and Urban Development The Department of Housing and Urban Development would create a relief fund for lenders and landlords to cover the lost rental and mortgage payments they would have received .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ landlords would be required to follow federal guidelines for fair lending and renting practices for five years .
You can learn more on Rep. Omar ’ s website , or read the full proposal here .

This article is more than 3 years old.
(L-R) U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO), and Rep. Ro ... [+] Khanna (D-CA), (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Getty Images
The CARES Act provided a lifeline for taxpayers and small businesses. But as a one-time cash payment, many fear that it didn’t do enough to support taxpayers in one of our country’s greatest times of need. Especially in light of the fact that many people still have not received their stimulus checks.
To address this, members of Congress have made two separate proposals, one that would provide Americans over the age of 16 with a $2,000 monthly check for up to 12 months, and one that would cancel rent and mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus emergency.
Let’s take a deeper look:
Proposal #1: $2,000 Monthly Stimulus Check
Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Tim Ryan (D-OH) introduced the Emergency Money for the People Act. This Act, if passed, would provide additional cash payments to Americans who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Emergency Money for the People Act would provide a $2,000 monthly payment to every qualifying American over the age of 16 for up to 12 months.
This would include individuals who were left out of the CARES Act, such as some high school and college students and adults with disabilities who were ineligible to receive the stimulus check because they were claimed as a dependent on another tax return.
Monthly Stimulus Payments Would Be Easier to Receive
Not everyone has a bank or a home address. To address this, the Emergency Money for the People Act calls for individuals to get this money through direct deposit, check, pre-paid debit card, or mobile money platforms such as Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal.
$2,000 Monthly Stimulus Check Eligibility:
Every American age 16 and older making less than $130,000 annually would receive at least $2,000 per month.
Married couples earning less than $260,000 would receive at least $4,000 per month.
Qualifying families with children will receive an additional $500 per child – for up to three children.
Those who had no earnings, were unemployed, or are currently unemployed would also be eligible for the stimulus even if they didn’t file a tax return.
be eligible for the stimulus even if they didn’t file a tax return. Those who were not eligible in 2019 or 2018 but would be eligible in 2020, could submit at least two consecutive months of paychecks to verify income eligibility.
You can learn more on Rep. Khanna’s website or read the full bill here.
See this article to see the current one-time $1,200 stimulus check rules.
Proposal #2: Cancel Rent & Mortgage Payments Through The Coronavirus Emergency
Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) introduced the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act. This Act, if approved, would call for a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic, or up to one year.
The bill would include:
Full rent payment forgiveness for your primary residence
Full mortgage payment forgiveness for your primary residence
No accumulation of debt for renters or homeowners
No negative impact on their credit rating or rental history.
It would establish a relief fund for landlords and mortgage holders to cover losses
It would create an optional fund to finance the purchase of private rental properties to increase the availability of affordable housing.
The bill would be retroactive to March 13, 2020, and would last for one year, unless extended. Renters and homeowners who made payments during April 2020 would be reimbursed for their payments.
No Double-Dipping Allowed. The bill would only allow taxpayers to receive coverage for their primary residence. It would not cover second homes, vacation homes, or other non-primary residences. Those who have both a mortgage and also rent a home would have to choose the home for which they would want to receive financial relief.
Landlords and Mortgage Companies Would be Covered Through a Fund Managed Through the Department of Housing and Urban Development
The Department of Housing and Urban Development would create a relief fund for lenders and landlords to cover the lost rental and mortgage payments they would have received.
To receive these funds, lenders and landlords would be required to follow federal guidelines for fair lending and renting practices for five years.
You can learn more on Rep. Omar’s website, or read the full proposal here.


bonginoreport--2020-04-19--One Man is Overseeing $500 Billion in Coronavirus Relief Spending

A five-member commission created to track nearly $ 500 billion of coronavirus relief spending is still missing four members .
And its first report is due to Congress in a few weeks .
Bloomberg reports that Bharat Ramamurti remains the sole appointee on the Congressional Oversight Commission that 's charged with overseeing about half a trillion dollars worth of emergency spending authorized by the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security Act ( CARES Act ) .
The commission 's mandate to provide oversight on $ 454 billion in spending to be disbursed from the Treasury Department to large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount of money nearly equal to the annual budget for Medicare .
The commission is supposed to operate for five years and issue reports every 30 days .
It is modeled after a similar temporary oversight commission that reviewed the Troubled Asset Relief Program ( TARP ) during the previous economic crisis .
Other aspects of the CARES Act 's massive $ 2.3 trillion in spending are supposed to be overseen by the Government Accountability Office and a newly created Special Inspector General for Pandemic Response .
With few resources and no colleagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account to raise questions about how the spending is being handled .
Already , the Treasury Department has announced plans to use $ 195 billion of its CARES Act funding to support loan programs run by the Federal Reserve .
`` I think it is concerning that a chunk of the money is going to support lending to big businesses , and that money comes with , as far as I can tell , zero strings attached in terms of restrictions on executive compensation , restrictions on stock buybacks and restrictions on dividends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The commission 's ability to report on the Federal Reserve 's coronavirus response `` is a key check on the infamously accountability-resistant body , '' says the Project on Government Oversight , a nonpartisan government watchdog .
With recent news of President Donald Trump firing several inspectors general , about the only good thing to be said about the understaffed oversight commission is that at least Ramamurti is n't a Trump lackey .
He 's a former staffer for Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D–Mass . )
, as well as an advisor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working for Warren , Ramamurti was involved in the investigation that uncovered unscrupulous behavior by Wells Fargo , which had opened thousands of empty bank accounts in customers ' names to meet internal sales targets .
He was appointed to the commission by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D–N.Y . )
, who said in a statement that Ramamurti `` is a ferocious advocate for consumers who will fight for transparency and hold bad actors accountable . ''
Other congressional leaders are responsible for appointing the remaining slots on the commission and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Given the speed with which the CARES Act cleared Congress and the unprecedented amount of money being thrown around , it would not be much of a surprise to find rampant waste .
And while fully staffed oversight commissions would help identify wasteful spending , it 's probably right to be skeptical about such a body 's ability to prevent it .
`` Oversight only works if the government is small enough to do proper oversight , and it only works if you can follow it up with proper action .
That 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well , '' says Veronique de Rugy , a senior fellow at the Mercatus Center and a Reason contributor .
`` And $ 2 trillion is impossible to oversee .
It 's insane .
Even if that person flags stuff , what is going to happen ? ''
Citizens Against Government Waste ( CAGW ) , a nonprofit that advocates for fiscal responsibility , has proposed 10 principles on its website for the money being spent for coronavirus and other emergencies .
The recommendations include making everything temporary , targeted , transparent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be made available in a searchable online database , the group says .
`` Taxpayer and watchdog groups need to be vigilant to make sure the oversight is not politicized , '' Tom Schatz , president of CAGW told Reason via email , `` and that the money and power being given to the government at all levels is not abused or extended beyond this crisis . ''
Wasteful spending in government is inevitable .
Malfeasance in a massive , rushed spending package is all but guaranteed .
The only hope for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watchdogs—immediately .

A five-member commission created to track nearly $500 billion of coronavirus relief spending is still missing four members.
And staff.
And an office.
And its first report is due to Congress in a few weeks.
Bloomberg reports that Bharat Ramamurti remains the sole appointee on the Congressional Oversight Commission that's charged with overseeing about half a trillion dollars worth of emergency spending authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The commission's mandate to provide oversight on $454 billion in spending to be disbursed from the Treasury Department to large and small businesses affected by the pandemic—an amount of money nearly equal to the annual budget for Medicare.
The commission is supposed to operate for five years and issue reports every 30 days. It is modeled after a similar temporary oversight commission that reviewed the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) during the previous economic crisis. Other aspects of the CARES Act's massive $2.3 trillion in spending are supposed to be overseen by the Government Accountability Office and a newly created Special Inspector General for Pandemic Response.
With few resources and no colleagues, Ramamurti has started using his Twitter account to raise questions about how the spending is being handled. Already, the Treasury Department has announced plans to use $195 billion of its CARES Act funding to support loan programs run by the Federal Reserve.
The CARES Act gave the Treasury Department at least $454B to use to support the economy. The Treasury and the Fed just announced how they will use $195B of it. The announcement raises several initial questions within the jurisdiction of the Congressional Oversight Commission: 1/ — Bharat Ramamurti (@BharatRamamurti) April 9, 2020
"I think it is concerning that a chunk of the money is going to support lending to big businesses, and that money comes with, as far as I can tell, zero strings attached in terms of restrictions on executive compensation, restrictions on stock buybacks and restrictions on dividends," Ramamurti tells The Washington Post.
The commission's ability to report on the Federal Reserve's coronavirus response "is a key check on the infamously accountability-resistant body," says the Project on Government Oversight, a nonpartisan government watchdog.
With recent news of President Donald Trump firing several inspectors general, about the only good thing to be said about the understaffed oversight commission is that at least Ramamurti isn't a Trump lackey. He's a former staffer for Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D–Mass.), as well as an advisor to her failed presidential campaign. While working for Warren, Ramamurti was involved in the investigation that uncovered unscrupulous behavior by Wells Fargo, which had opened thousands of empty bank accounts in customers' names to meet internal sales targets.
He was appointed to the commission by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D–N.Y.), who said in a statement that Ramamurti "is a ferocious advocate for consumers who will fight for transparency and hold bad actors accountable." Other congressional leaders are responsible for appointing the remaining slots on the commission and for choosing a chairman or chairwoman.
Given the speed with which the CARES Act cleared Congress and the unprecedented amount of money being thrown around, it would not be much of a surprise to find rampant waste. And while fully staffed oversight commissions would help identify wasteful spending, it's probably right to be skeptical about such a body's ability to prevent it.
"Oversight only works if the government is small enough to do proper oversight, and it only works if you can follow it up with proper action. That's something the government doesn't do very well," says Veronique de Rugy, a senior fellow at the Mercatus Center and a Reason contributor. "And $2 trillion is impossible to oversee. It's insane. Even if that person flags stuff, what is going to happen?"


bonginoreport--2020-04-19--Shooting in Canada Leaves at Least Ten Dead

Rampage leaves 18 dead in Canada's worst mass shooting
Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers prepare to take a suspect into custody at a gas station in Enfield, Nova Scotia on Sunday April 19, 2020. Canadian police arrested a suspect in an active shooter investigation after earlier saying he may have been driving a vehicle resembling a police car and wearing a police uniform. (Tim Krochak/The Canadian Press via AP)


bonginoreport--2020-04-19--States Seek $40+ Billion in Coronavirus Relief Aid

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon says the shutdown could undo the progress the cash-strapped state has made in improving its financial footing .
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon , D-Oak Park , pictured last month at the opening of a sportsbook at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines .
Illinois Senate Democrats are asking the federal government for more than $ 41 billion in federal aid — about a quarter of it for a pension fund bailout — to keep the state financially afloat as the coronavirus pandemic continues to slash revenues across the board .
A letter from Illinois Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Dick Durbin , went out Tuesday to Illinois ’ entire congressional delegation — a day before Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced the economic shutdown would result in an estimated $ 2.7 billion revenue shortfall in the state ’ s current budget .
“ I realize I ’ ve asked for a lot , but this is an unprecedented situation , and we face the reality that there likely will be additional , unanticipated costs that could result in future requests for assistance , ” Harmon wrote on behalf of the state senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wish list for the second phase of federal coronavirus relief includes $ 15 billion in block grant funding to shore up the state ’ s spending plans for this fiscal year and the next two .
The Oak Park Democrat also asked for $ 10 billion for the state ’ s desperately underfunded pension plans .
The Illinois Republican Party slammed that request on Twitter , accusing Democrats of “ brazenly using a global pandemic as an excuse to ask the [ federal government ] to bail them out of the fiscal disaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Harmon also wants $ 9.6 billion for local governments , $ 6 billion for Illinois ’ overloaded unemployment insurance system and $ 1 billion in public health support for “ historically underserved communities , ” apparently referring to African American communities that have suffered a disproportionate brunt of the state ’ s COVID-19 deaths and cases overall .
Illinois received about $ 2.7 billion in federal aid for costs related to the pandemic as part of the initial Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security Act , which also sent about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ So far , the federal relief targeted costs directly related to the COVID-19 outbreak , ” Harmon said through a spokesman Saturday .
“ The massive negative effects to state and local economies across this country have not been addressed and need to be.
” The amounts asked for are based on the work staff and senators have done , past budgets , budget requests , conversations with local officials and university research , according to Harmon ’ s office .
Harmon ’ s spokesman said the letter was shared with Pritzker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though they weren ’ t directly involved in drafting it .
At the governor ’ s daily coronavirus briefing Saturday , Pritzker distanced himself from Harmon ’ s requests , saying he “ was not aware of the content of the letter ” before it was sent .
“ There ’ s no reason why a senate president in Illinois can ’ t send a letter to the delegation .
I don ’ t object to people communicating with our federal representatives .
I do it all the time , ” Pritzker said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what I have been talking to the federal representatives about , ” he continued .
“ I really believe the state ’ s need to have some unencumbered dollars that come in that will help us with the coming year ’ s budget — every state has this problem.
” In a statement , Pritzker ’ s office said : “ We ’ re working with our congressional delegation , as well as [ House Speaker Nancy ] Pelosi and [ Senate Minority Leader Chuck ] Schumer , to ensure another aid package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the flexibility to use them in our budget .
”

Illinois Senate Democrats are asking the federal government for more than $41 billion in federal aid — about a quarter of it for a pension fund bailout — to keep the state financially afloat as the coronavirus pandemic continues to slash revenues across the board.
A letter from Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, addressed to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, went out Tuesday to Illinois’ entire congressional delegation — a day before Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the economic shutdown would result in an estimated $2.7 billion revenue shortfall in the state’s current budget.
“I realize I’ve asked for a lot, but this is an unprecedented situation, and we face the reality that there likely will be additional, unanticipated costs that could result in future requests for assistance,” Harmon wrote on behalf of the state senate Democratic caucus.
Harmon’s federal wish list for the second phase of federal coronavirus relief includes $15 billion in block grant funding to shore up the state’s spending plans for this fiscal year and the next two.
The Oak Park Democrat also asked for $10 billion for the state’s desperately underfunded pension plans.
The Illinois Republican Party slammed that request on Twitter, accusing Democrats of “brazenly using a global pandemic as an excuse to ask the [federal government] to bail them out of the fiscal disaster they manufactured over the last two decades.”
Harmon also wants $9.6 billion for local governments, $6 billion for Illinois’ overloaded unemployment insurance system and $1 billion in public health support for “historically underserved communities,” apparently referring to African American communities that have suffered a disproportionate brunt of the state’s COVID-19 deaths and cases overall.
Illinois received about $2.7 billion in federal aid for costs related to the pandemic as part of the initial Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which also sent about $2.2 billion to local municipalities.
“So far, the federal relief targeted costs directly related to the COVID-19 outbreak,” Harmon said through a spokesman Saturday. “The massive negative effects to state and local economies across this country have not been addressed and need to be.”
The amounts asked for are based on the work staff and senators have done, past budgets, budget requests, conversations with local officials and university research, according to Harmon’s office.
Harmon’s spokesman said the letter was shared with Pritzker and Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, though they weren’t directly involved in drafting it.
At the governor’s daily coronavirus briefing Saturday, Pritzker distanced himself from Harmon’s requests, saying he “was not aware of the content of the letter” before it was sent.
“There’s no reason why a senate president in Illinois can’t send a letter to the delegation. I don’t object to people communicating with our federal representatives. I do it all the time,” Pritzker said.
“It’s different than what I have been talking to the federal representatives about,” he continued. “I really believe the state’s need to have some unencumbered dollars that come in that will help us with the coming year’s budget — every state has this problem.”
In a statement, Pritzker’s office said: “We’re working with our congressional delegation, as well as [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi and [Senate Minority Leader Chuck] Schumer, to ensure another aid package includes funds for the state of Illinois and the flexibility to use them in our budget.”
Read Harmon’s letter:


bonginoreport--2020-04-19--President Trump Says He’ll End Obama-Era Funding to Wuhan Lab Potentially Responsible for Pandemic

President Donald Trump said Friday he will end federal funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology that some are claiming spawned the coronavirus .
At the daily coronavirus task force news conference , the president was asked why the National Institutes of Health would include the Chinese laboratory in a $ 3.7 million dollar stipend to conduct research .
“ The Obama administration gave them a grant of $ 3.7 million .
I ’ ve been hearing about that .
We ’ ve instructed that if any grants are going to that area , we are looking at it literally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the morning , ” Trump said .
( RELATED : Tucker Carlson : ‘ China Continues To Threaten The Rest Of Us With Wet Markets ’ ) “ We will end the grant very quickly .
It was granted quite a while ago .
They were granted a substantial amount of money .
We are going to look at it and take a look .
But I understand it was a number of years ago .
When did you hear the grant was made ?
” The reporter informed the president that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted the date and asked , “ 2015 .
Who was president then ?
I wonder.
” Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz raised the issue of the funding earlier this week during an appearance on Fox News ’ “ Tucker Carlson Tonight.
” “ I ’ m against funding Chinese research in our country , but I ’ m sure against funding it in China .
The NIH gives this $ 3.7 million grant to the Wuhan Institute of Virology , they then advertise that they need coronavirus researchers and following that coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( RELATED : ‘ Stop Eating Bats !
’ Lindsey Graham Blasts Wet Markets , Calls on China ’ s President To ‘ Crack Down ’ ) On Friday , Gaetz tweeted his gratitude to Trump and Health Secretary Alex Azar : “ Thank you President @ realDonaldTrump and @ SecAzar for committing to end this America Last grant given to labs in Wuhan by the Obama Administration !
” Reports claiming that the COVID-19 virus originated in the Wuhan lab and was released to the local community have gained traction in @ @ @ @

President Donald Trump said Friday he will end federal funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology that some are claiming spawned the coronavirus.
At the daily coronavirus task force news conference, the president was asked why the National Institutes of Health would include the Chinese laboratory in a $3.7 million dollar stipend to conduct research.
“The Obama administration gave them a grant of $3.7 million. I’ve been hearing about that. We’ve instructed that if any grants are going to that area, we are looking at it literally about an hour ago and also early in the morning,” Trump said. (RELATED: Tucker Carlson: ‘China Continues To Threaten The Rest Of Us With Wet Markets’)
“We will end the grant very quickly. It was granted quite a while ago. They were granted a substantial amount of money. We are going to look at it and take a look. But I understand it was a number of years ago. When did you hear the grant was made?”
The reporter informed the president that the funding was from 2015.
Trump noted the date and asked, “2015. Who was president then? I wonder.”
Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz raised the issue of the funding earlier this week during an appearance on Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight.”
“I’m against funding Chinese research in our country, but I’m sure against funding it in China. The NIH gives this $3.7 million grant to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, they then advertise that they need coronavirus researchers and following that coronavirus erupts in Wuhan,” Gaetz explained. (RELATED: ‘Stop Eating Bats!’ Lindsey Graham Blasts Wet Markets, Calls on China’s President To ‘Crack Down’)
On Friday, Gaetz tweeted his gratitude to Trump and Health Secretary Alex Azar: “Thank you President @realDonaldTrump and @SecAzar for committing to end this America Last grant given to labs in Wuhan by the Obama Administration!”
“The Obama administration gave them a grant of $3.7 million…we will end that grant very quickly.” Thank you President @realDonaldTrump and @SecAzar for committing to end this America Last grant given to labs in Wuhan by the Obama administration! pic.twitter.com/hiubYx0X4K — Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) April 18, 2020
Reports claiming that the COVID-19 virus originated in the Wuhan lab and was released to the local community have gained traction in the last week.


bonginoreport--2020-04-19--Group of GOP Lawmakers Considering Returning to Work Early in Defiance of Recess

• About 20 GOP lawmakers are reportedly planning to return to DC next week , even though Congress is in an extended recess until May 4 , Politico reported .
• `` If you ca n't say Congress is working at the urgency that our people need right now , then we need to return immediately , '' Florida Rep. Brian Mast , who is organizing the Republican effort , told Politico .
• Rep. Brian Mast , who initiated the talks by texting and emailing other Republican lawmakers , sent a tweet to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her ] DAMN JOB . ''
Roughly 20 GOP lawmakers are reportedly eyeing a return to work next week as the Capitol remains closed until next month , according to a Friday report from Politico .
The lawmakers are reportedly frustrated that they are unable to work on legislation while workers deemed essential like those in the medical field , restaurants , and grocery stores are continuing to leave their homes for work amid the pandemic .
`` Members want to come back and make it clear they 're at work , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussions about returning to work told Politico .
`` Why are we sitting here at home and reading about what 's going on ? ''
The effort reportedly began when Florida Rep. Brian Mast earlier this week began sending text messages and emails to fellow GOP members of Congress to express his desire to return back to DC on Monday , according to the report .
`` I do n't deny there are risks as members of Congress in going there .
But that 's what doing your duty is : There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done anyway , '' Mast told Politico `` If you ca n't say Congress is working at the urgency that our people need right now , then we need to return immediately . ''
In a tweet sent Saturday , Mast called on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , a California Democrat , to open Congress so it could vote on legislation to assist small businesses impacted by COVID-19 .
Mast said he has received positive responses from his fellow Republicans .
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told Politico he was aware of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work .
`` The challenge is , the speaker has some power over the Capitol , on what 's open and what 's not .
So I want to make sure it 's safe , whatever we do .
But I think House Republicans are ready to come back to work , '' McCarthy , a California Republican , told Politico .
On April 13 , Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , a Maryland Democrat , announced members of the House would not be expected to return to DC until May 4 , barring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be given `` sufficient notice '' if they were needed back sooner to vote on any legislation related to the coronavirus , CNBC reported .
Leaders in the Republican-controlled Senate had also decided to extend their recess until May 4 , which marked a two-week extension .
`` As the country continues working together to flatten the curve , following the advice of health experts , the full Senate is not expected to travel back to Washington D.C. sooner than Monday , May 4th , '' McConnell said April 14 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call on three states — Michigan , Minnesota , and Virginia — to `` LIBERATE '' from lockdown orders .
In those states , residents have turned out in violation of state-ordered social distancing to protest the stay-at-home orders issued by state governors .
Health experts have warned that the relaxation of social distancing policies that prohibit groups and keep people at home , could lead to a `` second wave '' of COVID-19 cases .
On Thursday , the White House released its three-phase plan to relax some of those social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jay Inslee of Washington on Saturday accused Trump of encouraging a `` domestic rebellion . ''
The president 's Friday tweets were interpreted by some of his far-right supporters that he supported an armed insurrection , NBC News reported .

About 20 GOP lawmakers are reportedly planning to return to DC next week, even though Congress is in an extended recess until May 4, Politico reported.
"If you can't say Congress is working at the urgency that our people need right now, then we need to return immediately," Florida Rep. Brian Mast, who is organizing the Republican effort, told Politico.
Rep. Brian Mast, who initiated the talks by texting and emailing other Republican lawmakers, sent a tweet to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Saturday, telling her to "DO [her] DAMN JOB."
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Roughly 20 GOP lawmakers are reportedly eyeing a return to work next week as the Capitol remains closed until next month, according to a Friday report from Politico.
The lawmakers are reportedly frustrated that they are unable to work on legislation while workers deemed essential like those in the medical field, restaurants, and grocery stores are continuing to leave their homes for work amid the pandemic.
"Members want to come back and make it clear they're at work," an unidentified Republican lawmaker included in the discussions about returning to work told Politico. "Why are we sitting here at home and reading about what's going on?"
The effort reportedly began when Florida Rep. Brian Mast earlier this week began sending text messages and emails to fellow GOP members of Congress to express his desire to return back to DC on Monday, according to the report.
"I don't deny there are risks as members of Congress in going there. But that's what doing your duty is: There are risks, but you get the job done anyway," Mast told Politico "If you can't say Congress is working at the urgency that our people need right now, then we need to return immediately."
In a tweet sent Saturday, Mast called on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, to open Congress so it could vote on legislation to assist small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
"DO YOUR DAMN JOB!" Mast tweeted.
—Rep. Brian Mast (@RepBrianMast) April 18, 2020
Mast said he has received positive responses from his fellow Republicans.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told Politico he was aware of his party member's calls to return to work.
"The challenge is, the speaker has some power over the Capitol, on what's open and what's not. So I want to make sure it's safe, whatever we do. But I think House Republicans are ready to come back to work," McCarthy, a California Republican, told Politico.
On April 13, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat, announced members of the House would not be expected to return to DC until May 4, barring an emergency vote. He said lawmakers would be given "sufficient notice" if they were needed back sooner to vote on any legislation related to the coronavirus, CNBC reported.
Leaders in the Republican-controlled Senate had also decided to extend their recess until May 4, which marked a two-week extension.
"As the country continues working together to flatten the curve, following the advice of health experts, the full Senate is not expected to travel back to Washington D.C. sooner than Monday, May 4th," McConnell said April 14.
The GOP effort comes amid President Trump's call on three states — Michigan, Minnesota, and Virginia — to "LIBERATE" from lockdown orders. In those states, residents have turned out in violation of state-ordered social distancing to protest the stay-at-home orders issued by state governors.
Health experts have warned that the relaxation of social distancing policies that prohibit groups and keep people at home, could lead to a "second wave" of COVID-19 cases. On Thursday, the White House released its three-phase plan to relax some of those social distancing guidelines.
On Friday, Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington on Saturday accused Trump of encouraging a "domestic rebellion." The president's Friday tweets were interpreted by some of his far-right supporters that he supported an armed insurrection, NBC News reported.


bonginoreport--2020-04-19--President Trump Bashes Some Website Called the “Drudge Report”

President Donald Trump said that he ’ s given up on the Drudge Report in a tweet Saturday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ ( a really nice guy ) long ago , as have many others .
People @ @ @ @ @ !
” the president tweeted .
Trump ‘ s tweet is aimed at the behemoth @ @ @ @ @ by Matt Drudge , who aggregates stories from across the web for tens of millions @ @ @ @ @ : Donald Trump Jr .
Defends Whistleblower Tweet , References Drudge Report ) The president @ @ @ @ @ rally in Colorado in February .
“ Okay , here ’ s Drudge Report , @ @ @ @ @ a poll , adding , “ Drudge , he ’ s starting to treat me @ @ @ @ @ s starting to like me again .
I like him .
”

President Donald Trump said that he’s given up on the Drudge Report in a tweet Saturday.
“I gave up on Drudge (a really nice guy) long ago, as have many others. People are dropping off like flies!” the president tweeted.
I gave up on Drudge (a really nice guy) long ago, as have many others. People are dropping off like flies! https://t.co/L77SXS2mE8 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2020
Trump‘s tweet is aimed at the behemoth site Drudge Report, run by Matt Drudge, who aggregates stories from across the web for tens of millions of readers. (RELATED: Donald Trump Jr. Defends Whistleblower Tweet, References Drudge Report)
The president last referenced Drudge during a rally in Colorado in February.
“Okay, here’s Drudge Report,” Trump said, referencing a poll, adding, “Drudge, he’s starting to treat me good again. He’s starting to like me again. I like him.”


bonginoreport--2020-04-19--Harvard Receives $9 Million in Coronavirus Relief Aid While Sitting on $40 Billion Endowment

Why is Harvard getting a single penny of this relief aid ?
Harvard Nets Nearly $ 9 Million in Coronavirus Aid from Federal CARES Act Harvard University will receive nearly $ 9 million in aid from the federal government through the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security Act , the Department of Education announced last week .
The CARES Act — the largest economic stimulus package in American history — was signed into law on March 27 .
It allocates nearly $ 14 billion to support higher education institutions during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
Of the $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government has mandated that at least half — $ 4,327,874 — be reserved for emergency financial aid grants to students .
The Department of Education will distribute the first $ 6.28 billion to colleges and universities to cover expenses such as course materials , technology , food , and housing students have incurred “ related to disruptions in their education due to the COVID-19 outbreak , ” according to a April 9 press release .
The Department of Education is requiring universities to sign a certification agreeing to the conditions of use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but each school may allocate the financial aid funds at their own discretion .

Why is Harvard getting a single penny of this relief aid?
The Harvard Crimson reports:
Harvard Nets Nearly $9 Million in Coronavirus Aid from Federal CARES Act
Harvard University will receive nearly $9 million in aid from the federal government through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, the Department of Education announced last week.
The CARES Act — the largest economic stimulus package in American history — was signed into law on March 27. It allocates nearly $14 billion to support higher education institutions during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Of the $8,655,748 Harvard is slated to receive, the government has mandated that at least half — $4,327,874 — be reserved for emergency financial aid grants to students.
The Department of Education will distribute the first $6.28 billion to colleges and universities to cover expenses such as course materials, technology, food, and housing students have incurred “related to disruptions in their education due to the COVID-19 outbreak,” according to a April 9 press release.
The Department of Education is requiring universities to sign a certification agreeing to the conditions of use before they can access the funding, but each school may allocate the financial aid funds at their own discretion.


bonginoreport--2020-04-19--Planned Parenthood: Abortion an “Essential” Business

As the coronavirus spreads , frontline healthcare providers and workers in other critical industries are facing a shortage of personal protective equipment .
Many medical procedures , including bariatric , orthopedic , oncological , and cardiovascular surgeries , have been postponed for patients nationwide to allow hospitals to preserve critical resources and ensure adequate capacity to respond to the pandemic .
But Planned Parenthood and others in the abortion industry don ’ t want to let anything , even a global pandemic , interfere with their ability to continue performing elective abortions .
Some states , including Washington and Massachusetts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Others , such as Texas and Ohio , have specified that elective abortions are among the many procedures that are considered nonessential and must be postponed while states fight the virus .
The American Academy of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports the latter approach , noting that , in addition to using up desperately needed personal protective equipment , abortion procedures come with the risk of their own complications that would require hospital evaluation , including uterine perforation and hemorrhage .
As emergency rooms and hospitals try to keep up with COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be stretched thin .
The fight over categorizing abortion as essential vs. nonessential is being played out in courts across the country , and whether the procedure is currently allowed or not in a given state remains a moving target .
Meanwhile , more than a dozen pro-abortion attorneys general have asked the Food and Drug Administration to remove the regulations surrounding the abortion pill regimen and access to the drug , which would compromise women ’ s health and safety .
This request to make the abortion pill available without the supervision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle of a pandemic no less , is wildly irresponsible given the drug ’ s well-documented health risks .
At the forefront of the debate to categorize abortion as “ essential ” is , unsurprisingly , America ’ s abortion giant : Planned Parenthood .
This should come as no surprise .
A recent Heritage Foundation report analyzing many years of Planned Parenthood ’ s medical and financial data found that the organization is a billion-dollar abortion business with an increasing market share of total annual abortions in the United States .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cancer screenings , and contraception clients , have dramatically declined .
How dramatic ?
Take prenatal services , for instance .
When comparing 2018 ’ s data to previous years , prenatal services at Planned Parenthood declined by nearly 50 % since 2013 and an astounding 90 % since 2004 .
Planned Parenthood is providing less than a third of the cancer screening and prevention services it reported performing two decades ago .
Abortion , meanwhile , has been a reliable mainstay .
Last year ’ s 345,672 abortions was the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s abortion data with other nationwide data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute provides additional context of Planned Parenthood ’ s approximate market share .
These comparisons , unfortunately , come with a caveat , because both CDC and Guttmacher data are incomplete since the U.S. does not have any sort of mandatory nationwide abortion reporting system .
Data is collected on a voluntary basis , and not all states comply .
On the financial side , Planned Parenthood has roughly doubled both its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In that same time , funding from private sources has tripled .
Abortion is Planned Parenthood ’ s priority , and the pandemic that has brought the world to a halt has not changed that .
As court filings across the country reveal , the abortion industry will stop at nothing to continue performing abortions despite the critical shortage of protective equipment and hospital resources in communities combating the coronavirus .
Abortion proponents insist that “ abortion is healthcare ” and that it ’ s no different than any other procedure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from health and safety standards for abortion clinics to postponing elective procedures during the middle of a pandemic , the abortion industry wants special treatment and exemptions that other practitioners comply with .
Ultimately , abortion is different .
It ’ s not a tonsillectomy or heart surgery .
It ’ s a procedure that deliberately ends the life of another human being ; elective abortion treats no disease process .
Unsurprisingly , the industry has once again fallen back on an old refrain : rules for thee , but not for me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at the Heritage Foundation ( heritage.org ) .

As the coronavirus spreads, frontline healthcare providers and workers in other critical industries are facing a shortage of personal protective equipment. Many medical procedures, including bariatric, orthopedic, oncological, and cardiovascular surgeries, have been postponed for patients nationwide to allow hospitals to preserve critical resources and ensure adequate capacity to respond to the pandemic.
But Planned Parenthood and others in the abortion industry don’t want to let anything, even a global pandemic, interfere with their ability to continue performing elective abortions.
Some states, including Washington and Massachusetts, have declared abortion an essential service. Others, such as Texas and Ohio, have specified that elective abortions are among the many procedures that are considered nonessential and must be postponed while states fight the virus.
The American Academy of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports the latter approach, noting that, in addition to using up desperately needed personal protective equipment, abortion procedures come with the risk of their own complications that would require hospital evaluation, including uterine perforation and hemorrhage. As emergency rooms and hospitals try to keep up with COVID-19 patients, capacity and resources already will be stretched thin.
The fight over categorizing abortion as essential vs. nonessential is being played out in courts across the country, and whether the procedure is currently allowed or not in a given state remains a moving target.
Meanwhile, more than a dozen pro-abortion attorneys general have asked the Food and Drug Administration to remove the regulations surrounding the abortion pill regimen and access to the drug, which would compromise women’s health and safety. This request to make the abortion pill available without the supervision of a medical professional, during the middle of a pandemic no less, is wildly irresponsible given the drug’s well-documented health risks.
At the forefront of the debate to categorize abortion as “essential” is, unsurprisingly, America’s abortion giant: Planned Parenthood. This should come as no surprise.
A recent Heritage Foundation report analyzing many years of Planned Parenthood’s medical and financial data found that the organization is a billion-dollar abortion business with an increasing market share of total annual abortions in the United States. Meanwhile, other areas, including prenatal services, cancer screenings, and contraception clients, have dramatically declined.
How dramatic? Take prenatal services, for instance. When comparing 2018’s data to previous years, prenatal services at Planned Parenthood declined by nearly 50% since 2013 and an astounding 90% since 2004. Planned Parenthood is providing less than a third of the cancer screening and prevention services it reported performing two decades ago.
Abortion, meanwhile, has been a reliable mainstay. Last year’s 345,672 abortions was the highest number ever reported. Comparing Planned Parenthood’s abortion data with other nationwide data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute provides additional context of Planned Parenthood’s approximate market share. These comparisons, unfortunately, come with a caveat, because both CDC and Guttmacher data are incomplete since the U.S. does not have any sort of mandatory nationwide abortion reporting system. Data is collected on a voluntary basis, and not all states comply.
Nonetheless, as the Heritage Foundation report explains:
Nationwide, the overall abortion rate—according to both the CDC and the Guttmacher Institute—is declining. However, abortions at Planned Parenthood are increasing—and so is the organization’s market share. In 2005, Planned Parenthood accounted for 32 percent of abortions reported by the CDC and 52 percent of abortions in 2016. In 2005, Planned Parenthood accounted for 22 percent of abortions reported by the Guttmacher Institute and 39 percent in 2017.
On the financial side, Planned Parenthood has roughly doubled both its net assets and government funding since 2006. In that same time, funding from private sources has tripled.
Abortion is Planned Parenthood’s priority, and the pandemic that has brought the world to a halt has not changed that. As court filings across the country reveal, the abortion industry will stop at nothing to continue performing abortions despite the critical shortage of protective equipment and hospital resources in communities combating the coronavirus.
Abortion proponents insist that “abortion is healthcare” and that it’s no different than any other procedure. But when push comes to shove, from health and safety standards for abortion clinics to postponing elective procedures during the middle of a pandemic, the abortion industry wants special treatment and exemptions that other practitioners comply with.
Ultimately, abortion is different. It’s not a tonsillectomy or heart surgery. It’s a procedure that deliberately ends the life of another human being; elective abortion treats no disease process.
Unsurprisingly, the industry has once again fallen back on an old refrain: rules for thee, but not for me.
Melanie Israel is a researcher in the DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at the Heritage Foundation (heritage.org).


bonginoreport--2020-04-19--DNC Celebrates Media Bias

DNC Celebrates Media Bias

The Democratic National Committee ’ s 2020 war room rolled out some new ammunition in its bid to take down President Trump and belittle his fight against the coronavirus : 23 tweets from reporters critical of his Saturday virus task force briefing .
“ Trump Turns Another Briefing Into A Campaign Rally ” headlined the war room release , listing the tweets of prominent reporters from the New York Times , CNN , MSNBC , NPR , Al Jazeera , Washington Post , Huffington Post , and others .
In their tweets and reports promoted by the party , reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No news at this briefing so far , ” tweeted Maggie Haberman of the New York Times .
“ The president is , again , saying stuff , ” added CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale .
NPR ’ s Domenico Montanaro tweeted , “ Saturday 's briefing brought to you by Trump 's Greatest Hits , including complaining about broken system , touting that the federal government has done everything perfectly ( ‘ We did n't miss a trick ’ ) and complaining about the test .
News ?
Not so much.
” And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We were told he was going to brief the , to brief about the current state of the coronavirus crisis , but clearly , he is on a political tear — attacking reporters , attacking the New York Times , saying that he inherited garbage when in fact he inherited a plan from the Obama administration and an office on pandemics , which he then disassembled … as well as medical health officials who were pre-positioned in China , who might have spotted the beginning of this pandemic.
” With the list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its case that , “ Instead of using tonight ’ s briefing to update Americans on the coronavirus , Trump turned it into a campaign rally where he attacked anyone who has pointed out his failures , downplayed the number of U.S. fatalities and lied about our testing capacity.
” Quoting reporters ' comments can lend credibility to the attack , especially among those who follow those journalists and their outlets .
A Pew Research Center survey this month said that 54 % approve of the media 's coverage of the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to excellent rating but gave public health officials often seen at the briefings a 79 % good to excellent rating .
Trump ’ s hot and cold relationship with the media was on full display yesterday as he called out reporters and newspapers for coverage he disagreed with .
“ The media has been , some very honest but some very dishonest , ” he said .
The DNC list of reporters ' tweets that were used in their war room attack won ’ t change his mind .
In fact , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them up into six different topics to rap Trump on his wide-ranging , 67-minute briefing that featured news on the virus , attacks on the media and Senate critics , cheering of protests to open the economy , and comments from his new chief of staff , as well as lead White House medical expert , Dr. Deborah Birx .
One of the six , for example , is , “ Trump is desperate to downplay the crisis and falsely claim success against the virus , so he deemphasized the many Americans who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heading , it lists these three tweets from White House reporters : Reuters ’ s Jeff Mason : “ Trump opens up his press conference by saying the U.S. has fewer deaths per capita than other nations , says China is way ahead in terms of death ( despite the numbers ) .
” Vox ’ s Aaron Rupar : “ The US has the most coronavirus deaths in the world , but Trump begins the April 18 # TrumpPressConf by claiming America ‘ has produced better health outcomes than any other country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ” Huffington Post ’ s S.V .
Dáte : “ Trump now spinning the 37,938 dead Americans thus far as a victory , and a lower per-capita mortality rate compared to other countries [ a dubious claim , given the per-capita testing ] so it 's going to be that kind of couple of hours .
”

The Democratic National Committee’s 2020 war room rolled out some new ammunition in its bid to take down President Trump and belittle his fight against the coronavirus: 23 tweets from reporters critical of his Saturday virus task force briefing.
“Trump Turns Another Briefing Into A Campaign Rally” headlined the war room release, listing the tweets of prominent reporters from the New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, Al Jazeera, Washington Post, Huffington Post, and others.
In their tweets and reports promoted by the party, reporters dismissed Trump’s briefing.
“No news at this briefing so far,” tweeted Maggie Haberman of the New York Times.
Saturday's briefing brought to you by Trump's Greatest Hits, including complaining about broken system, touting that the federal government has done everything perfectly ("We didn't miss a trick") and complaining about the test.
News? Not so much. #coronavirus — Domenico Montanaro (@DomenicoNPR) April 18, 2020
“What’s newsworthy here,” wrote Josh Kraushaar of the National Journal.
“The president is, again, saying stuff,” added CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale.
NPR’s Domenico Montanaro tweeted, “Saturday's briefing brought to you by Trump's Greatest Hits, including complaining about broken system, touting that the federal government has done everything perfectly (‘We didn't miss a trick’) and complaining about the test. News? Not so much.”
The president is, again, saying stuff. — Daniel Dale (@ddale8) April 18, 2020
And Andrea Mitchell said on MSNBC, "We were told he was going to brief the, to brief about the current state of the coronavirus crisis, but clearly, he is on a political tear — attacking reporters, attacking the New York Times, saying that he inherited garbage when in fact he inherited a plan from the Obama administration and an office on pandemics, which he then disassembled … as well as medical health officials who were pre-positioned in China, who might have spotted the beginning of this pandemic.”
With the list of tweets from reporters, the DNC made its case that, “Instead of using tonight’s briefing to update Americans on the coronavirus, Trump turned it into a campaign rally where he attacked anyone who has pointed out his failures, downplayed the number of U.S. fatalities and lied about our testing capacity.”
Quoting reporters' comments can lend credibility to the attack, especially among those who follow those journalists and their outlets. A Pew Research Center survey this month said that 54% approve of the media's coverage of the virus. Some 48% gave Trump a good to excellent rating but gave public health officials often seen at the briefings a 79% good to excellent rating.
Trump’s hot and cold relationship with the media was on full display yesterday as he called out reporters and newspapers for coverage he disagreed with. “The media has been, some very honest but some very dishonest,” he said.
The DNC list of reporters' tweets that were used in their war room attack won’t change his mind.
In fact, there were so many that the party broke them up into six different topics to rap Trump on his wide-ranging, 67-minute briefing that featured news on the virus, attacks on the media and Senate critics, cheering of protests to open the economy, and comments from his new chief of staff, as well as lead White House medical expert, Dr. Deborah Birx.
Trump now spinning the 37,938 dead Americans thus far as a victory, and a lower per-capita mortality rate compared to other countries [a dubious claim, given the per-capita testing] so it's going to be that kind of couple of hours. — S.V. Dáte (@svdate) April 18, 2020
One of the six, for example, is, “Trump is desperate to downplay the crisis and falsely claim success against the virus, so he deemphasized the many Americans who have lost their lives.”
Under that heading, it lists these three tweets from White House reporters:
Reuters’s Jeff Mason: “Trump opens up his press conference by saying the U.S. has fewer deaths per capita than other nations, says China is way ahead in terms of death (despite the numbers).”
This is one of Trump’s most repetitive and debunk-able talking points re: his handling of coronavirus and the testing debacle https://t.co/YZpDodwHkj — John Haltiwanger (@jchaltiwanger) April 18, 2020
Vox’s Aaron Rupar: “The US has the most coronavirus deaths in the world, but Trump begins the April 18 #TrumpPressConf by claiming America ‘has produced better health outcomes than any other country, with the possible exception of Germany.’”
Huffington Post’s S.V. Dáte: “Trump now spinning the 37,938 dead Americans thus far as a victory, and a lower per-capita mortality rate compared to other countries [a dubious claim, given the per-capita testing] so it's going to be that kind of couple of hours.”


bonginoreport--2020-04-20--The Timeline of China’s Coronavirus Coverup

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to kill thousands a day and bring the global economy to its knees , the origins of the virus are still being investigated and debated .
A recent Fox News report said that the virus came from a lab in the Chinese province of Wuhan , contradicting earlier reports that it originated in one of China ’ s infamously unsanitary wet markets .
The Wall Street Journal reported last month that coronavirus “ Patient Zero ” may have been Wei Guixian , a 57-year-old seafood merchant who felt like she was coming down with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ herself unconscious in a hospital just eight days later .
From there , the situation spiraled as the number of cases climbed .
Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang attempted to sound the alarms in late December , but was threatened and admonished by China ’ s totalitarian government .
The government forced Wienlang to write a self-criticism letter , where he said that his decision to blow the whistle had a “ negative impact ” on China ’ s ability to investigate and control the virus .
Wienlang himself succumbed to the virus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( RELATED : China Lifts Lockdown Restrictions On Wuhan After 76 Days ) Chinese Communist Party Dictator Xi Jinping ordered Wuhan to get things under control on Jan. 7 , and locked down the city on Jan. 23 .
During that time period , China was covering up the extent of the virus , with the help of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) .
Millions of people were still allowed to leave the country in January , and Dr. Anthony Fauci later said the devastating outbreak in Italy occurred largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump banned travel to the U.S. from China at the end of January , but over 40,000 people have arrived from there since then , taking advantage of exceptions .
Experts have suggested that 95 % of the outbreak could have been avoided if China had not attempted to cover up the virus .
The WHO wrote on Jan. 14 that ” based on the available information there is no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission , ” which turned out to be gravely wrong , and severely tarnished the organization ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties between the WHO ’ s leadership and China , leading President Donald Trump to suspend U.S. funding for the organization .
China has relied on organizations like the WHO to provide cover for its campaign of censorship and disinformation .
( RELATED : WHO Official Says She Suspected Human-To-Human COVID-19 Transmission ‘ Right From The Start ’ — But The WHO Echoed Misleading Chinese Claims To The Contrary For Weeks ) As the official coronavirus death toll in the U.S. nears 40,000 , China continues to report less than 5,000 deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been under-reporting its numbers .
Even as the effects of the virus became evident , the Chinese Communist Party continued to go to great lengths to cover it up .
China announced in mid March that they were expelling U.S. journalists from the Wall Street Journal , New York Times , and The Washington Post .
The regime previously expelled three Wall Street Journal reporters from the country in February .
Despite the communist country ’ s repeated missteps , China has not taken responsibility or demonstrated any remorse for the havoc the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese government officials have continued to underreport their numbers , and have promoted conspiracy theories that the U.S. Army injected the virus into China .
The coronavirus spread and China ’ s attempts to cover it up have thrown the future of their relationship with the U.S. into doubt .
President Donald Trump has stated that China will face consequences if it is proven that they knowingly covered up the virus , while members of Congress have vowed to make China pay .
The future of the U.S.-China relationship will also play a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden have already run advertisements accusing the other of being weak on China .
Republicans have highlighted Biden ’ s family ties to China , as well as his past praise for the communist regime .
A Pro-Trump Super PAC recently labeled the former vice president as “ Beijing Biden , ” in a campaign commercial being run in the crucial swing states of Wisconsin , Michigan and Pennsylvania .
( RELATED : FLASHBACK : Joe Biden : ‘ China Is Not Our Problem ’ ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the communist nation ’ s deception , which has now been exposed for the whole world to see .
While the origins of the virus and the extent of China ’ s cover-up are not yet known , there seems to be a consensus that they must be held accountable for the damage inflicted upon the world .

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to kill thousands a day and bring the global economy to its knees, the origins of the virus are still being investigated and debated.
A recent Fox News report said that the virus came from a lab in the Chinese province of Wuhan, contradicting earlier reports that it originated in one of China’s infamously unsanitary wet markets.
The Wall Street Journal reported last month that coronavirus “Patient Zero” may have been Wei Guixian, a 57-year-old seafood merchant who felt like she was coming down with a cold on Dec. 10, and found herself unconscious in a hospital just eight days later.
From there, the situation spiraled as the number of cases climbed. Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang attempted to sound the alarms in late December, but was threatened and admonished by China’s totalitarian government. The government forced Wienlang to write a self-criticism letter, where he said that his decision to blow the whistle had a “negative impact” on China’s ability to investigate and control the virus. Wienlang himself succumbed to the virus in early February at the age of 34. (RELATED: China Lifts Lockdown Restrictions On Wuhan After 76 Days)
Chinese Communist Party Dictator Xi Jinping ordered Wuhan to get things under control on Jan. 7, and locked down the city on Jan. 23. During that time period, China was covering up the extent of the virus, with the help of the World Health Organization (WHO). Millions of people were still allowed to leave the country in January, and Dr. Anthony Fauci later said the devastating outbreak in Italy occurred largely as a result of Chinese tourists. President Donald Trump banned travel to the U.S. from China at the end of January, but over 40,000 people have arrived from there since then, taking advantage of exceptions. Experts have suggested that 95% of the outbreak could have been avoided if China had not attempted to cover up the virus.
The WHO wrote on Jan. 14 that ” based on the available information there is no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission,” which turned out to be gravely wrong, and severely tarnished the organization’s credibility. Later analysis found deep ties between the WHO’s leadership and China, leading President Donald Trump to suspend U.S. funding for the organization. China has relied on organizations like the WHO to provide cover for its campaign of censorship and disinformation. (RELATED: WHO Official Says She Suspected Human-To-Human COVID-19 Transmission ‘Right From The Start’ — But The WHO Echoed Misleading Chinese Claims To The Contrary For Weeks)
As the official coronavirus death toll in the U.S. nears 40,000, China continues to report less than 5,000 deaths. U.S. intelligence later confirmed that China has been under-reporting its numbers. Even as the effects of the virus became evident, the Chinese Communist Party continued to go to great lengths to cover it up. China announced in mid March that they were expelling U.S. journalists from the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and The Washington Post. The regime previously expelled three Wall Street Journal reporters from the country in February. Despite the communist country’s repeated missteps, China has not taken responsibility or demonstrated any remorse for the havoc the virus has wreaked on the world. Chinese government officials have continued to underreport their numbers, and have promoted conspiracy theories that the U.S. Army injected the virus into China.
The coronavirus spread and China’s attempts to cover it up have thrown the future of their relationship with the U.S. into doubt. President Donald Trump has stated that China will face consequences if it is proven that they knowingly covered up the virus, while members of Congress have vowed to make China pay. The future of the U.S.-China relationship will also play a significant role in the upcoming presidential campaign. Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden have already run advertisements accusing the other of being weak on China. Republicans have highlighted Biden’s family ties to China, as well as his past praise for the communist regime. A Pro-Trump Super PAC recently labeled the former vice president as “Beijing Biden,” in a campaign commercial being run in the crucial swing states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. (RELATED: FLASHBACK: Joe Biden: ‘China Is Not Our Problem’)
China hawks have spent years warning about the communist nation’s deception, which has now been exposed for the whole world to see. While the origins of the virus and the extent of China’s cover-up are not yet known, there seems to be a consensus that they must be held accountable for the damage inflicted upon the world.


bonginoreport--2020-04-19--Deadliest Shooting in Canadian History Leaves 16 Dead


bonginoreport--2020-04-20--AOC Deletes Tweet Celebrating U.S. Oil Industry Hardships

The oil industry took a massive nosedive on Monday amid the coronavirus pandemic and although it means American workers will likely lose their jobs , Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , D-NY , celebrated the move saying “ you absolutely love to see it ” on Twitter .
Within minutes , however , she deleted the tweet and replaced it with a different message .
“ You absolutely love to see it.
” she wrote in her original tweet , “ This along with record low interest rates means it ’ s the right time for a worker-led , mass investment in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The revised tweet said , “ Now is the time to create millions of good jobs building out the infrastructure and clean energy necessary to save out planet for future generations.
” Oil prices fell to the lowest they ’ ve ever been Monday all the way to - $ 40 a barrel and the expectation is that many workers in the industry will lose their jobs as a result .
“ There is such a massive supply surplus and very little places to store it , and that ’ s what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burkhard , vice president and head of oil markets at IHS Markit , told The Hill .

The oil industry took a massive nosedive on Monday amid the coronavirus pandemic and although it means American workers will likely lose their jobs, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, celebrated the move saying “you absolutely love to see it” on Twitter. Within minutes, however, she deleted the tweet and replaced it with a different message.
“You absolutely love to see it.” she wrote in her original tweet, “This along with record low interest rates means it’s the right time for a worker-led, mass investment in green infrastructure to save our planet *cough*”
Now is the time to create millions of good jobs building out the infrastructure and clean energy necessary to save our planet for future generations. For our economy, our planet, and our future, we need a #GreenNewDeal. — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) April 20, 2020
The revised tweet said, “Now is the time to create millions of good jobs building out the infrastructure and clean energy necessary to save out planet for future generations.”
Oil prices fell to the lowest they’ve ever been Monday all the way to -$40 a barrel and the expectation is that many workers in the industry will lose their jobs as a result. “There is such a massive supply surplus and very little places to store it, and that’s what’s driving this,” Jim Burkhard, vice president and head of oil markets at IHS Markit, told The Hill.


bonginoreport--2020-04-20--Georgia and Tennessee Announce Plans to Wind Down “Stay-at-Home” Orders

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The governors of Georgia and Tennessee on Monday afternoon announced new plans to bring their states ' economies closer to full force amid signs the coronavirus outbreak is slowing .
Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp said certain businesses , including gyms and hair salons , can reopen beginning this Friday .
Meanwhile , Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee confirmed his state 's stay-at-home order , previously extended to April 30 , will end that day .
TRUMP SAYS DECISION COMING 'SHORTLY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses will open according to specific guidance that we will provide in accordance with state and national experts in both medicine and business , '' Lee said in a statement .
`` Social distancing works , and as we open up our economy it will be more important than ever that we keep social distancing as lives and livelihoods depend on it . ''
Kemp said Monday that his state would expand COVID-19 testing and that hospitals were in a position to resume elective surgeries after securing necessary protective personal equipment .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and approval of our healthcare professionals , we will allow gyms , fitness centers , bowling alleys , body art studios , barbers , cosmetologists , hair designers , nail care artists , estheticians , their respective schools and massage therapists to reopen their doors this Friday , '' Kemp said .
Movie theaters in Georgia will be allowed to reopen and restaurants can resume in-person dining on April 27 , Kemp said .
Bars , amusement parks and nightclubs will remain closed until further notice , according to the governor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will get Georgians back to work safely , without undermining the progress we all have made in this battle against COVID-19 , '' Kemp said .
`` Today 's announcement is a small step forward and should be treated as such . ''
Monday 's announcements came as states were feeling the pressure to roll back social-distancing measures and reopen an economy decimated by forced business closures and layoffs .
Dozens of protests have sprouted up in front of state capitols and governors ' mansions across the country with participants calling for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump last week unveiled a plan for reopening the economy in several phases based on the severity of the outbreak in each state or region .
`` We can begin the next front in our war , which we are calling 'Opening Up America Again , ' '' Trump said during a White House news briefing .
`` To preserve the health of Americans , we must preserve the health of our economy . ''
He held a call with several governors over the weekend to discuss how to successfully reopen states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an executive order Monday to reopen some retail stores , beaches and other public spaces .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The order allows stores to open at 5 p.m. Monday but with requirements to adhere to social distancing guidelines , WYFF-TV reported .
Beaches can reopen Tuesday .
No decision was made about reopening schools or keeping them closed for the rest of the school year .
Health officials have warned that allowing businesses to reopen too quickly could result in a spike in COVID-19 cases .

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The governors of Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina on Monday afternoon announced new plans to bring their states' economies closer to full force amid signs the coronavirus outbreak is slowing.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said certain businesses, including gyms and hair salons, can reopen beginning this Friday. Meanwhile, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee confirmed his state's stay-at-home order, previously extended to April 30, will end that day. And, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said businesses previously deemed nonessential -- department stores, flea markets, florists, bookstores and music shops -- could reopen their doors.
TRUMP SAYS DECISION COMING 'SHORTLY' ON REOPENING THE ECONOMY
"These businesses will open according to specific guidance that we will provide in accordance with state and national experts in both medicine and business," Lee said in a statement. "Social distancing works, and as we open up our economy it will be more important than ever that we keep social distancing as lives and livelihoods depend on it."
Kemp said Monday that his state would expand COVID-19 testing and that hospitals were in a position to resume elective surgeries after securing necessary protective personal equipment.
"Given the favorable data, enhanced testing, and approval of our healthcare professionals, we will allow gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbers, cosmetologists, hair designers, nail care artists, estheticians, their respective schools and massage therapists to reopen their doors this Friday," Kemp said.
Movie theaters in Georgia will be allowed to reopen and restaurants can resume in-person dining on April 27, Kemp said. Bars, amusement parks and nightclubs will remain closed until further notice, according to the governor.
"By taking this measured action, we will get Georgians back to work safely, without undermining the progress we all have made in this battle against COVID-19," Kemp said. "Today's announcement is a small step forward and should be treated as such."
Monday's announcements came as states were feeling the pressure to roll back social-distancing measures and reopen an economy decimated by forced business closures and layoffs.
Dozens of protests have sprouted up in front of state capitols and governors' mansions across the country with participants calling for an end to tough restrictions.
President Trump last week unveiled a plan for reopening the economy in several phases based on the severity of the outbreak in each state or region.
"We can begin the next front in our war, which we are calling 'Opening Up America Again,'" Trump said during a White House news briefing. "To preserve the health of Americans, we must preserve the health of our economy."
He held a call with several governors over the weekend to discuss how to successfully reopen states.
In South Carolina, McMaster's executive order allowed stores to open at 5 p.m. Monday but with requirements to adhere to social distancing guidelines, WYFF-TV reported. Beaches can reopen Tuesday. No decision was made about reopening schools or keeping them closed for the rest of the school year.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Health officials have warned that allowing businesses to reopen too quickly could result in a spike in COVID-19 cases.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


bonginoreport--2020-04-20--Gov. Cuomo: Data Indicates NY is Past Peak in Daily Hospitalizations, Deaths

New York officials can sigh a breath of relief as coronavirus deaths and hospitalizations seem to be on the decline .
On Sunday , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) touted the state ’ s progress by saying he believes New York may be “ past the high point.
” He noted that the peak did not reach a particular point and leveled-off before heading into descent .
“ And if this trend holds , we are past the high point and all indications at this point are that we are on a descent , ” stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the descent continues depends on what we do.
” The state of New York was hit particularly hard by the coronavirus outbreak , which led health officials to call it the epicenter of the U.S. Coronavirus cases surpassed 230,000 and the death toll has exceeded 12,000 .
Gov .
Cuomo warned residents that the declining rates doesn ’ t mean the virus is eradicated .
“ And remember , you still have 1,300 people who walked into the hospitals yesterday , testing positive , so it ’ s no time to get cocky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get arrogant , ” he stated .
“ We still have a long , long way to go and a lot of work to do.
” Cuomo hass urged New Yorkers to remain vigilant during the pandemic and stressed the fight is not yet over .
Just a day before , the state mourned the deaths of 507 residents , while 13,000 people were hospitalized .
Yet , the governor believes the declining numbers give locals a chance to breath and can look forward to recovering .
Meanwhile , Cuomo believes the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy and has asked for more social distancing measures .
He ’ s also ramping up testing efforts , including an aggressive antibody testing campaign on thousands of residents per day .

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bonginoreport--2020-04-20--U.S. Oil’s May Contract Sees Record 300% Plunge, Settling at Negative $37.63 as Storage Runs Out

U.S. oil 's May contract plunged into negative territory on Monday , meaning that you would have to pay to @ @ @ @ @ of oil off your hands .
West Texas Intermediate oil trading on the New York @ @ @ @ @ % to settle at negative $ 37.63 a barrel .
The May contract expires CL.1 @ @ @ @ @ That one-day drop marks the first time the contract has traded negative in history and @ @ @ @ @ on record going back to 1983 , while a finish near its current level would @ @ @ @ @ all-time low for a front-month contract , according to Dow Jones Market Data .
The @ @ @ @ @ is the most-active , ended down $ 4.60 , or 18.3 % , at $ @ @ @ @

U.S. oil's May contract plunged into negative territory on Monday, meaning that you would have to pay to get someone to take barrels of oil off your hands. West Texas Intermediate oil trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange plunged nearly 300% to settle at negative $37.63 a barrel. The May contract expires CL.1, -0.19% CLK20 Tuesday. That one-day drop marks the first time the contract has traded negative in history and would be the largest tumle on record going back to 1983, while a finish near its current level would be far below the previous all-time low for a front-month contract, according to Dow Jones Market Data. The June contract CLM20 which is the most-active, ended down $4.60, or 18.3%, at $20.03 a barrel.