bonginoreport--2020-03-18--Coronavirus Market Plunge Wipes Out Trump-Era Gains

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed below 20,000 on Wednesday , at one point wiping out all of the gains from the Trump era before recovery slightly .
The blue-chip index fell more than 1,300 points or 6 percent while the benchmark S & P 500 slipped 5 percent and tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite just under that level .
Some of the selling abated during the final minutes of trading as lawmakers work to pass stimulus measures .
Earlier Wednesday , trading was halted for the second time this week , when the S & P tumbled 7 percent as investors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slowed the economies of the U.S. and some European nations almost to a standstill .
Amid the volatility , U.S. exchanges vowed to remain open .
The selling comes as the Trump administration and Congress hammer out the details of a $ 1 trillion stimulus package designed to prop up the most harshly pummeled sectors of the U.S. economy and give cash to people out of work .
Looking at stocks , Boeing shares were rocked as the company called for a $ 60 billion bailout for aerospace manufacturers .
Airlines , restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure as the Trump administration weighs assistance for the industries hit hardest by the pandemic .
Meanwhile , plunging oil prices hammered energy giants ExxonMobil and Chevron and weighed heavily on Hess Corp. and Continental Resources .
West Texas Intermediate crude oil settled at an 18-year low hitting Miners slid as the price of an ounce of gold slipped 3.1 percent to $ 1,477.30 an ounce .
On the earnings front , FedEx fell after announcing its adjusted net income dropped 53.5 percent from a year earlier to $ 371 million and suspending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused by the COVID-19 pandemic .
General Mills raised its adjusted profit forecast , but its shares declined nonetheless .
The yield on the 2-year note rose 0.069 bps to 0.522 percent while the yield on the 10-year note rose 0.265 bps to 1.259 percent .
The steeper curve was unable to give relief to banks , which continued to see their share prices sink .
Winners were few and far between , with meal-delivery service Blue Apron among the only bright spots .
The company 's shares soared as investors speculated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dining rooms .
Shares were already up 187 percent this week through Tuesday .
European markets were sharply lower , with France ’ s CAC falling 5.9 percent , Germany ’ s DAX sliding 5.6 percent and Britain ’ s FTSE tumbling 4.1 percent .
Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng paced the decline in Asia , falling 4.2 percent , while China ’ s Shanghai Composite and Japan ’ s Nikkei fell 1.8 percent and 1.7 percent , respectively .

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed below 20,000 on Wednesday, at one point wiping out all of the gains from the Trump era before recovery slightly.
The blue-chip index fell more than 1,300 points or 6 percent while the benchmark S&P 500 slipped 5 percent and tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite just under that level.
Some of the selling abated during the final minutes of trading as lawmakers work to pass stimulus measures.
Ticker Security Last Change Change % I:DJI DOW JONES AVERAGES 34946.39 -361.24 -1.02% SP500 S&P 500 4437.86 -51.86 -1.16% I:COMP NASDAQ COMPOSITE INDEX 13631.046795 -157.28 -1.14%
Earlier Wednesday, trading was halted for the second time this week, when the S&P tumbled 7 percent as investors reacted to a coronavirus pandemic that has slowed the economies of the U.S. and some European nations almost to a standstill.
Amid the volatility, U.S. exchanges vowed to remain open.
The selling comes as the Trump administration and Congress hammer out the details of a $1 trillion stimulus package designed to prop up the most harshly pummeled sectors of the U.S. economy and give cash to people out of work.
Looking at stocks, Boeing shares were rocked as the company called for a $60 billion bailout for aerospace manufacturers.
Ticker Security Last Change Change % BA THE BOEING CO. 232.21 -4.53 -1.91% UAL UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS INC. 51.34 -0.97 -1.85% DAL DELTA AIR LINES INC. 43.02 -1.22 -2.76% AAL AMERICAN AIRLINES GROUP INC. 15.55 -0.33 -2.08% LUV SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO. 33.13 -0.41 -1.22%
Airlines, restaurants, hotels and casino operators remained under pressure as the Trump administration weighs assistance for the industries hit hardest by the pandemic.
Meanwhile, plunging oil prices hammered energy giants ExxonMobil and Chevron and weighed heavily on Hess Corp. and Continental Resources. West Texas Intermediate crude oil settled at an 18-year low hitting
Ticker Security Last Change Change % XOM EXXON MOBIL CORP. 108.15 -2.86 -2.58% CVX CHEVRON CORP. 159.26 -4.75 -2.90% CLR n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. HES HESS CORP. 155.51 -1.58 -1.01%
Miners slid as the price of an ounce of gold slipped 3.1 percent to $1,477.30 an ounce.
On the earnings front, FedEx fell after announcing its adjusted net income dropped 53.5 percent from a year earlier to $371 million and suspending its 2020 profit outlook due to uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
General Mills raised its adjusted profit forecast, but its shares declined nonetheless.
Ticker Security Last Change Change % HES HESS CORP. 155.51 -1.58 -1.01% GIS GENERAL MILLS INC. 71.70 -0.56 -0.77%
The yield on the 2-year note rose 0.069 bps to 0.522 percent while the yield on the 10-year note rose 0.265 bps to 1.259 percent.
'BOND KING' JEFFREY GUNDLACH EXPLAINS SOARING YIELDS AFTER FED RATE CUTS
The steeper curve was unable to give relief to banks, which continued to see their share prices sink.
Winners were few and far between, with meal-delivery service Blue Apron among the only bright spots.
The company's shares soared as investors speculated that it would benefit from restaurants closing their dining rooms. Shares were already up 187 percent this week through Tuesday.
Ticker Security Last Change Change % APRN BLUE APRON HOLDINGS 7.45 +0.86 +13.05%
European markets were sharply lower, with France’s CAC falling 5.9 percent, Germany’s DAX sliding 5.6 percent and Britain’s FTSE tumbling 4.1 percent.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng paced the decline in Asia, falling 4.2 percent, while China’s Shanghai Composite and Japan’s Nikkei fell 1.8 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively.


bonginoreport--2020-03-18--Trump: HUD Will Suspend Foreclosures/Evictions Until End of April

US President Donald Trump speaks about the coronavirus alongside Vice President Mike Pence and members of the Coronavirus Task Force in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington , DC , March 9 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the Department of Housing and Urban Development will temporarily suspend `` all foreclosures and evictions '' amid the coronavirus crisis .
That `` immediate relief '' for renters and homeowners will last through the end of April , Trump said during a press briefing at the White House .
Markets continue their slide as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions from reporters in the White House briefing room .
The Dow Jones industrial average and the S & P 500 dropped more than 7 % during the briefing , triggering a temporary `` circuit-breaker '' trading halt .
The daily briefing came shortly after Trump announced that the U.S. would temporarily close its border with Canada to `` non-essential traffic . ''
`` Trade will not be affected , '' tweeted the president , whose administration has signaled grave concerns about the impact of the virus on the economy .
The White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the details of a massive stimulus plan that could total $ 1 trillion .
Trump in recent days has said that he expects the struggling economy to `` pop back , '' but he has also admitted that the U.S. `` may be '' headed for a recession .
The administration 's latest moves come as officials at every level of government take unprecedented steps to slow the transmission of the coronavirus .
State and city leaders have banned large gatherings of people and forced restaurants and bars to shutter their storefronts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to customers .
U.S. lawmakers and White House officials , meanwhile , are negotiating multiple proposals to potentially allocate more than $ 1 trillion to boost the economy , fund agencies and provide relief to Americans whose livelihoods could be threatened by the disease .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday that the White House is hashing out the details of a proposal that could include hundreds of billions of dollars in direct payments to Americans .
That plan could be crucial to Americans who lose their jobs or businesses as a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNBC that the U.S. will not have a 20 % unemployment rate , which is a figure he had reportedly warned Republican senators about .

US President Donald Trump speaks about the coronavirus alongside Vice President Mike Pence and members of the Coronavirus Task Force in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, March 9, 2020.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the Department of Housing and Urban Development will temporarily suspend "all foreclosures and evictions" amid the coronavirus crisis.
That "immediate relief" for renters and homeowners will last through the end of April, Trump said during a press briefing at the White House.
Markets continue their slide as Trump delivered those remarks and took numerous questions from reporters in the White House briefing room. The Dow Jones industrial average and the S&P 500 dropped more than 7% during the briefing, triggering a temporary "circuit-breaker" trading halt.
The daily briefing came shortly after Trump announced that the U.S. would temporarily close its border with Canada to "non-essential traffic."
"Trade will not be affected," tweeted the president, whose administration has signaled grave concerns about the impact of the virus on the economy. The White House is currently scrambling to hash out the details of a massive stimulus plan that could total $1 trillion.
Trump in recent days has said that he expects the struggling economy to "pop back," but he has also admitted that the U.S. "may be" headed for a recession.
The administration's latest moves come as officials at every level of government take unprecedented steps to slow the transmission of the coronavirus. State and city leaders have banned large gatherings of people and forced restaurants and bars to shutter their storefronts, allowing them only to offer takeout services to customers.
U.S. lawmakers and White House officials, meanwhile, are negotiating multiple proposals to potentially allocate more than $1 trillion to boost the economy, fund agencies and provide relief to Americans whose livelihoods could be threatened by the disease.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday that the White House is hashing out the details of a proposal that could include hundreds of billions of dollars in direct payments to Americans.
That plan could be crucial to Americans who lose their jobs or businesses as a result of the crisis – though Mnuchin told CNBC that the U.S. will not have a 20% unemployment rate, which is a figure he had reportedly warned Republican senators about.


bonginoreport--2020-03-19--Senate GOP Unveils Stimulus Plan Including $1,200 Direct Cash Payments

Senate Republicans on Thursday announced a $ 1 trillion stimulus plan to combat the economic damage caused by the effort to control the coronavirus .
The measure includes a plan to send $ 1,200 checks to individuals and $ 2,400 to couples earning below a certain income to help them survive the economic impact and layoffs caused by the coronavirus .
It also would provide a cash infusion for small businesses , the airline industry , and healthcare providers scrambling to test and treat patients afflicted with the virus .
“ This legislation takes bold action on four major priorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , a Kentucky Republican , said before introducing the measure Thursday .
The cash payments are aimed at middle- and low-income earners .
Individuals who earn less than $ 75,000 would be eligible for a $ 1,200 check , while couples under the $ 150,000 threshold would receive $ 2,400 .
Families would also receive an additional $ 500 for each child .
Those earning more would receive a reduced stipend .
The amount is higher than the $ 1,000 initially proposed by Treasury Secretary Steven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win the necessary support from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , a New York Democrat , who said $ 1,000 wasn ’ t enough .
The checks would be limited to 2018 tax year income liability , though , meaning that many families would not receive the full amounts .
Individuals with only nominal earnings would receive a minimum $ 600 check .
To prop up small business employment , the proposal includes $ 300 billion worth of Small Business Administration loans that would convert to grants to the extent that businesses could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payroll .
The Republican bill also includes assistance for industries directly threatened by the pandemic , including $ 50 billion in loans for passenger airlines , $ 8 billion for cargo airlines , and $ 150 billion for “ other eligible businesses , ” which likely includes the cruise ship and hotel industries .
Sen. Roger Wicker , a Mississippi Republican , said the plan would prohibit the funds from being used to provide bonuses or `` golden parachutes '' for executives .
`` These are loans we expect to be repaid when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid business generally , the bill would delay all tax payments for corporations until Oct. 15 , with no caps on the amount of taxes postponed .
Also included is a delay on employer payroll taxes — the 6.2 % Social Security tax .
Schumer went to the Senate floor after McConnell to discuss his own five-point stimulus plan focused on bolstering aid to hospitals and providing income for out-of-work individuals .
Schumer said he preferred using the unemployment insurance system and expanding it to provide more money rather than direct cash payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave and sick leave .
“ Too many people are not covered in a strong and longer-term way , ” Schumer said .
“ We must have it in this proposal.
” Schumer said he wants to include a “ worker-first ” provision in any language that bails out the airline industry , which in recent months has spent billions in stock buybacks .

Senate Republicans on Thursday announced a $1 trillion stimulus plan to combat the economic damage caused by the effort to control the coronavirus.
The measure includes a plan to send $1,200 checks to individuals and $2,400 to couples earning below a certain income to help them survive the economic impact and layoffs caused by the coronavirus.
It also would provide a cash infusion for small businesses, the airline industry, and healthcare providers scrambling to test and treat patients afflicted with the virus.
“This legislation takes bold action on four major priorities that are extremely urgent and very necessary,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said before introducing the measure Thursday.
The cash payments are aimed at middle- and low-income earners.
Individuals who earn less than $75,000 would be eligible for a $1,200 check, while couples under the $150,000 threshold would receive $2,400. Families would also receive an additional $500 for each child. Those earning more would receive a reduced stipend.
The amount is higher than the $1,000 initially proposed by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and may be an effort to win the necessary support from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, who said $1,000 wasn’t enough.
The checks would be limited to 2018 tax year income liability, though, meaning that many families would not receive the full amounts. Individuals with only nominal earnings would receive a minimum $600 check.
To prop up small-business employment, the proposal includes $300 billion worth of Small Business Administration loans that would convert to grants to the extent that businesses could show the money was used to maintain payroll.
The Republican bill also includes assistance for industries directly threatened by the pandemic, including $50 billion in loans for passenger airlines, $8 billion for cargo airlines, and $150 billion for “other eligible businesses,” which likely includes the cruise ship and hotel industries.
Sen. Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, said the plan would prohibit the funds from being used to provide bonuses or "golden parachutes" for executives. "These are loans we expect to be repaid when times are flush again."
To aid business generally, the bill would delay all tax payments for corporations until Oct. 15, with no caps on the amount of taxes postponed. Also included is a delay on employer payroll taxes — the 6.2% Social Security tax.
Schumer went to the Senate floor after McConnell to discuss his own five-point stimulus plan focused on bolstering aid to hospitals and providing income for out-of-work individuals.
Schumer said he preferred using the unemployment insurance system, expanding it to provide more money rather than direct cash payments, and also called for family paid leave and sick leave.
“Too many people are not covered in a strong and longer-term way,” Schumer said. “We must have it in this proposal.”
Schumer said he wants to include a “worker-first” provision in any language that bails out the airline industry, which in recent months has spent billions in stock buybacks.
Congress is under enormous pressure to provide immediate assistance to workers and industries that are facing the prospect of mass layoffs and bankruptcies.
Jobless claims soared last week, the Department of Labor reported Thursday in a glimpse of the major job losses underway. The airline, hotel, and cruise industries have been brought to a near-halt. Restaurants and bars, too, have seen a virtual shutdown in many cities. Automakers have paused production and sent workers home.
Federal policymakers are trying to prevent the temporary stop in commerce from translating into permanent dislocations for companies that face ongoing overhead expenses and workers who have to pay mortgages and student debt. The Senate GOP legislation would allow student borrowers to defer payments and for Pell Grant recipients to keep funding even while they are kept from school.
Meanwhile, government officials are racing to prevent the spread of the virus and to develop therapeutic drugs and vaccines. President Trump said Thursday that the success of any stimulus measure would depend on whether the underlying public health issue is addressed effectively. "So much depends on what’s going on in this room, in terms of the medical," he said at a White House briefing. "If we can stop it in its tracks, the virus, it’s plenty."


bonginoreport--2020-03-19--Taliban Suddenly Realizes They Shouldn’t Have Killed Health Care Workers As Coronavirus Hits Afghani

Taliban Suddenly Realizes They Shouldn’t Have Killed Health Care Workers As Coronavirus Hits Afghanistan

KABUL , March 18 ( Reuters ) - Scared by the prospect a coronavirus epidemic in parts of Afghanistan under their control , the Taliban have pledged their readiness to work with healthcare workers instead of killing them , as they have been accused of in the past .
Back in September , the Taliban lifted a ban on the World Health Organisation and Red Cross from operating in militant-held territory , having warned them off in April because of suspicions over polio vaccination campaigns .
Whatever reservations the militants held over eradicating that crippling disease , they have clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sweeping the rest of the world .
“ The Islamic Emirate via its Health Commission assures all international health organizations and WHO of its readiness to cooperate and coordinate with them in combating the coronavirus , ” said Suhail Shaheen , the Taliban ’ s spokesman , on Twitter , using the term the group uses to describe itself .
In a report in December , the World Health Organisation refrained from naming the Taliban or any other militant group as it counted the human and social cost of targeted attacks on healthcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers , patients and supportive staff were killed and 142 others wounded .
As a result of the attacks 192 health facilities were closed , of which only 34 were re-opened .
The Taliban denied responsibility for the attacks that Afghan authorities have blamed on their fighters .
Afghanistan currently has 22 confirmed coronavirus cases , with concerns growing particularly over the danger of infections among the thousands of Afghans crossing the border with Iran – one of the worst-affected nations .
The country ’ s woefully inadequate health system would undoubtedly be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold .
Moreover , after 18 years of war the government only controls about half of the country .
The rest is either controlled or contested by the insurgents , who have agreed a peace deal with the United States , but have yet to open talks with the government .
Communities in ethnic Pashtun rural areas where the Taliban hold sway could suffer from the loss of access to health support in their villages as a result of past militant action .
Access can be even worse for women in these communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rahila , a 31 year old woman living in Takhar province , said that in her village in a Taliban-controlled area there was a health clinic with only male doctors .
“ When we get sick we are not allowed to go to a doctor , instead our husbands bring medicine for us , ” Rahila told Reuters , asking not to publish her full name over safety concerns .
“ Who will test the women ?
” She added : “ What if a woman has a coronavirus…everyone in our village @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and helps the Taliban , then the Taliban can prevent coronavirus in our village.
” Zabihullah Mujahid , another Taliban spokesman , told Reuters fighters were encouraging people to listen to health workers and messages broadcast by Mullahs , and would force anyone not obeying to comply .
“ Our Mujahideen are helping the health workers to spread out the messages about the dangers of COVID-19 ... among the public in our controlled areas , ” he said .
Religious scholars would also be consulted over whether gatherings in mosques should be suspended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
A Taliban commander in southern Helmand province said the group would provide what services it could for people who became infected , but added that they neither had adequate facilities nor trained personnel to deal with an epidemic .
Along with two other commanders that Reuters spoke with , he said the Taliban had clinics where sick or wounded fighters were taken for treatment .
Otherwise , some Afghan non-government organisations are operating in insurgency-prone areas .
Waheed Omer , an aide to President Ashraf Ghani , said he was still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some areas .
“ It should be stopped immediately , ” he Tweeted on Wednesday .
( Reporting by Abdul Qadir Sediqi and Orooj Hakimi in Kabul , Jibran Ahmed in Peshawar ; writing by Charlotte Greenfield ; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore )

KABUL, March 18 (Reuters) - Scared by the prospect a coronavirus epidemic in parts of Afghanistan under their control, the Taliban have pledged their readiness to work with healthcare workers instead of killing them, as they have been accused of in the past.
Back in September, the Taliban lifted a ban on the World Health Organisation and Red Cross from operating in militant-held territory, having warned them off in April because of suspicions over polio vaccination campaigns.
Whatever reservations the militants held over eradicating that crippling disease, they have clearly grasped the dangers posed by coronavirus pandemic sweeping the rest of the world.
“The Islamic Emirate via its Health Commission assures all international health organizations and WHO of its readiness to cooperate and coordinate with them in combating the coronavirus,” said Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban’s spokesman, on Twitter, using the term the group uses to describe itself.
In a report in December, the World Health Organisation refrained from naming the Taliban or any other militant group as it counted the human and social cost of targeted attacks on healthcare during 2019.
At least 51 healthcare workers, patients and supportive staff were killed and 142 others wounded. As a result of the attacks 192 health facilities were closed, of which only 34 were re-opened. The Taliban denied responsibility for the attacks that Afghan authorities have blamed on their fighters.
Afghanistan currently has 22 confirmed coronavirus cases, with concerns growing particularly over the danger of infections among the thousands of Afghans crossing the border with Iran – one of the worst-affected nations.
The country’s woefully inadequate health system would undoubtedly be overwhelmed if the virus were to take hold. Moreover, after 18 years of war the government only controls about half of the country.
The rest is either controlled or contested by the insurgents, who have agreed a peace deal with the United States, but have yet to open talks with the government.
Communities in ethnic Pashtun rural areas where the Taliban hold sway could suffer from the loss of access to health support in their villages as a result of past militant action.
Access can be even worse for women in these communities due to conservative Pashtun attitudes on gender.
Rahila, a 31 year old woman living in Takhar province, said that in her village in a Taliban-controlled area there was a health clinic with only male doctors.
“When we get sick we are not allowed to go to a doctor, instead our husbands bring medicine for us,” Rahila told Reuters, asking not to publish her full name over safety concerns. “Who will test the women?”
She added: “What if a woman has a coronavirus…everyone in our village will be affected. If magic happens and helps the Taliban, then the Taliban can prevent coronavirus in our village.”
Zabihullah Mujahid, another Taliban spokesman, told Reuters fighters were encouraging people to listen to health workers and messages broadcast by Mullahs, and would force anyone not obeying to comply.
“Our Mujahideen are helping the health workers to spread out the messages about the dangers of COVID-19...among the public in our controlled areas,” he said.
Religious scholars would also be consulted over whether gatherings in mosques should be suspended if the health scare intensified, he added.
A Taliban commander in southern Helmand province said the group would provide what services it could for people who became infected, but added that they neither had adequate facilities nor trained personnel to deal with an epidemic.
Along with two other commanders that Reuters spoke with, he said the Taliban had clinics where sick or wounded fighters were taken for treatment.
Otherwise, some Afghan non-government organisations are operating in insurgency-prone areas.
Waheed Omer, an aide to President Ashraf Ghani, said he was still seeing reports of Taliban harassing health workers in some areas.
“It should be stopped immediately,” he Tweeted on Wednesday. (Reporting by Abdul Qadir Sediqi and Orooj Hakimi in Kabul, Jibran Ahmed in Peshawar; writing by Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)


bonginoreport--2020-03-19--President Trump is Putting Families and Small Business First Amidst Coronavirus Chaos

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as Vice President Mike Pence looks on during a news briefing on the latest development of the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. at the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House March 18 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
The COVID-19 pandemic is a matter of life and death .
Keep your focus on helping Americans stay healthy .
History will measure your presidency by how many deaths were prevented , not on what the Dow Jones average was in March of 2020 .
Yes , you must address the economic ramifications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the stock market score board and start focusing on fixing what 's going wrong with the underlying economy .
The 2.3 percent GDP growth for 2019 was the slowest in three years .
Even prior to COVID-19 , we were not experiencing , as you suggested , the `` greatest economy in the history of our country . ''
Now the economy is being stressed by a major contraction in virtually all industries , especially the service industry that makes up over 77 percent of the total economy .
There is time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does or does not need to be done for large , billion-dollar industries like the cruise lines , hotels , airlines , and casinos .
But how does an immediate focus on multi-national corporations really help the small business owner who may never reopen his or her business , or the employee who was just laid off ?
Right now the absolute priority must be helping families who are hit the hardest by their new inability to earn a living .
Those who are most economically vulnerable in this situation are tipped workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotel staff ; `` gig economy '' workers like rideshare drivers ; people who help support working families like daycare workers and housekeepers ; and small businesses , like dry cleaners , salons , and restaurants .
Now is the time to act quickly , but also the time to act wisely .

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as Vice President Mike Pence looks on during a news briefing on the latest development of the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. at the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House March 18, 2020 in Washington, DC.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a matter of life and death. Keep your focus on helping Americans stay healthy. History will measure your presidency by how many deaths were prevented, not on what the Dow Jones average was in March of 2020.
Yes, you must address the economic ramifications of this crisis. But stop looking at the stock market score board and start focusing on fixing what's going wrong with the underlying economy.
The 2.3 percent GDP growth for 2019 was the slowest in three years. Even prior to COVID-19, we were not experiencing, as you suggested, the "greatest economy in the history of our country."
Now the economy is being stressed by a major contraction in virtually all industries, especially the service industry that makes up over 77 percent of the total economy.
There is time to have the essential discussions on what does or does not need to be done for large, billion-dollar industries like the cruise lines, hotels, airlines, and casinos. But how does an immediate focus on multi-national corporations really help the small business owner who may never reopen his or her business, or the employee who was just laid off?
Right now the absolute priority must be helping families who are hit the hardest by their new inability to earn a living. Those who are most economically vulnerable in this situation are tipped workers like waitstaff, arena workers, and hotel staff; "gig economy" workers like rideshare drivers; people who help support working families like daycare workers and housekeepers; and small businesses, like dry cleaners, salons, and restaurants.
Now is the time to act quickly, but also the time to act wisely.


bonginoreport--2020-03-19--Memorable Moments From Tulsi’s Anti-Establishment Campaign (Before Endorsing the Establishment)

Thursday morning , Rep. Tulsi Gabbard announced that she was ending her long-shot presidential bid .
While the Hawaii Democrat ’ s move to end her campaign is well-warranted given her polling and the fact that she has only managed to win delegates from the territory of American Samoa , it ’ s worth remembering the valuable anti-interventionist and anti-establishment voice she brought to the Democratic primary .
Conservatives and libertarians may not agree with Gabbard on much economic policy , but we can appreciate the way she took Democratic establishment darlings such as Sen. Kamala Harris to task .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way she single-handedly damaged Harris ’ s presidential campaign in an epic slam at one of the early Democratic presidential debates .
Harris seemed like a potential front-runner to that point , receiving glowing media coverage .
But Gabbard as California attorney general .
It was a stain that stuck with Harris 's campaign until she dropped out in early December .
Additionally , Gabbard called out the corrupt Democratic National Committee and its that disadvantaged anti-establishment candidates .
She also put Hillary Clinton on blast , decrying the failed , corrupt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has sickened the Democratic Party for so long.
” Gabbard ’ s willingness to criticize the shortcomings of her own side was refreshing in a time when most elected officials are too consumed with tribalism to risk dissenting from Team Red or Team Blue .
Don ’ t forget the essential anti-interventionist foreign policy message Gabbard brought to the campaign cycle .
Foreign policy was largely overlooked and neglected by both the Democratic candidates and the media , but Gabbard took every opportunity she could to rail against endless war and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at risk in failed nation-building efforts such as the 19-year war in Afghanistan .
She did this all from the perspective of a , bringing a unique perspective that was lacking among the rest of the Democratic field .
Gabbard ran a unifying campaign , reaching across the aisle to Republicans , libertarians , and independents , as well as Democrats and leftists .
The congresswoman rejected identity politics at every turn and stressed a message of national unity .
Oh , and Gabbard did it all while looking drop-dead gorgeous .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chagrin of the liberal media .
If there was ever one example that sums up Gabbard ’ s place in our politics , it ’ s that a New York Times fashion writer , when that same writer writing for the same publication had glowingly praised the same exact outfit when Clinton wore it in 2016 .
The funniest part of Gabbard ending her campaign and endorsing Joe Biden over Bernie Sanders is that it makes fools of her establishment critics .
From Clinton to Neera Tanden , they all who wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third-party presidential campaign , hurting Democrats .
In reality , Gabbard is backing her party ’ s presumptive nominee , Biden , and not running a third-party campaign .
Don ’ t expect this reality check to change much .
After establishing herself as a national figure and thought leader this election cycle , Gabbard has a bright future .
She 's leaving Congress at the end of the year , but hopefully , she finds another way to stay in politics and use her influence for good .

Thursday morning, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard announced that she was ending her long-shot presidential bid. While the Hawaii Democrat’s move to end her campaign is well-warranted given her polling and the fact that she has only managed to win delegates from the territory of American Samoa, it’s worth remembering the valuable anti-interventionist and anti-establishment voice she brought to the Democratic primary.
Conservatives and libertarians may not agree with Gabbard on much economic policy, but we can appreciate the way she took Democratic establishment darlings such as Sen. Kamala Harris to task.
The congresswoman will long be remembered for the way she single-handedly damaged Harris’s presidential campaign in an epic slam at one of the early Democratic presidential debates. Harris seemed like a potential front-runner to that point, receiving glowing media coverage. But Gabbard annihilated Harris’s draconian record as California attorney general. It was a stain that stuck with Harris's campaign until she dropped out in early December.
Forever a legend for this. https://t.co/zBGgb7TT2t — Brad Polumbo (@brad_polumbo) March 19, 2020
Additionally, Gabbard called out the corrupt Democratic National Committee and its sketchy and arbitrary debate qualification standards that disadvantaged anti-establishment candidates. She also put Hillary Clinton on blast, decrying the failed, corrupt politician as the “personification of the rot that has sickened the Democratic Party for so long.”
Gabbard’s willingness to criticize the shortcomings of her own side was refreshing in a time when most elected officials are too consumed with tribalism to risk dissenting from Team Red or Team Blue.
Don’t forget the essential anti-interventionist foreign policy message Gabbard brought to the campaign cycle. Foreign policy was largely overlooked and neglected by both the Democratic candidates and the media, but Gabbard took every opportunity she could to rail against endless war and advocate against the reckless foreign policy that continues to put our soldiers' lives at risk in failed nation-building efforts such as the 19-year war in Afghanistan. She did this all from the perspective of a decorated combat veteran , bringing a unique perspective that was lacking among the rest of the Democratic field.
Gabbard ran a unifying campaign, reaching across the aisle to Republicans, libertarians, and independents, as well as Democrats and leftists. The congresswoman rejected identity politics at every turn and stressed a message of national unity.
Oh, and Gabbard did it all while looking drop-dead gorgeous. She rocked a white pantsuit, much to the chagrin of the liberal media. If there was ever one example that sums up Gabbard’s place in our politics, it’s that a New York Times fashion writer called her “cultish” for wearing a white pantsuit , when that same writer writing for the same publication had glowingly praised the same exact outfit when Clinton wore it in 2016.
The funniest part of Gabbard ending her campaign and endorsing Joe Biden over Bernie Sanders is that it makes fools of her establishment critics. From Clinton to Neera Tanden, they all insisted she was a “Russian asset” who wanted to sow discord and might run a third-party presidential campaign, hurting Democrats.
In reality, Gabbard is backing her party’s presumptive nominee, Biden, and not running a third-party campaign.
Don’t expect this reality check to change much. After establishing herself as a national figure and thought leader this election cycle, Gabbard has a bright future. She's leaving Congress at the end of the year, but hopefully, she finds another way to stay in politics and use her influence for good.


bonginoreport--2020-03-19--Biden Last Year: China is Not Our Problem

Former Vice President Joe Biden said last year that he told former President Barack Obama during his administration that “ China is not our problem , ” a position likely to draw additional scrutiny as the coronavirus pandemic escalates .
“ I ’ ve met virtually every major world leader in the last 40 years — not hyperbole , fact , ” the likely Democratic presidential nominee said in October .
“ We talked about China .
I said China is not our problem .
China is not our problem if we invest and remember who we are .
Imagine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more time with Xi Jinping than any world leader had before I left the vice presidency.
” The former vice president ’ s record on China is expected to play a big role in the 2020 presidential election .
President Donald Trump has criticized China for it ’ s role in the coronavirus pandemic , which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan .
The virus has now led to thousands of deaths throughout the world and shut down significant portions of the global economy .
( RELATED : ‘ Xenophobia ’ : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Foreign Virus ’ ) Meanwhile , Biden has consistently dismissed the notion that China poses a threat to the U.S. , telling a concerned voter last year that the communist nation is “ not competition for us , ” and adding that “ they ’ re not bad folks.
” Biden ’ s family ties to China have also come into question throughout the election cycle after a Daily Caller News Foundation review conducted last year found that Biden ’ s son Hunter received over $ 700,000 from Rosemont Seneca Bohai , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close financial ties to one of China ’ s national banks .

Former Vice President Joe Biden said last year that he told former President Barack Obama during his administration that “China is not our problem,” a position likely to draw additional scrutiny as the coronavirus pandemic escalates.
“I’ve met virtually every major world leader in the last 40 years — not hyperbole, fact,” the likely Democratic presidential nominee said in October. “We talked about China. I said China is not our problem. China is not our problem if we invest and remember who we are. Imagine the situation — I’ve spent more time with Xi Jinping than any world leader had before I left the vice presidency.”
WATCH:
The former vice president’s record on China is expected to play a big role in the 2020 presidential election. President Donald Trump has criticized China for it’s role in the coronavirus pandemic, which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan. The virus has now led to thousands of deaths throughout the world and shut down significant portions of the global economy. (RELATED: ‘Xenophobia’: Joe Biden Criticizes Trump Calling Coronavirus A ‘Foreign Virus’)
Meanwhile, Biden has consistently dismissed the notion that China poses a threat to the U.S., telling a concerned voter last year that the communist nation is “not competition for us,” and adding that “they’re not bad folks.”
Biden’s family ties to China have also come into question throughout the election cycle after a Daily Caller News Foundation review conducted last year found that Biden’s son Hunter received over $700,000 from Rosemont Seneca Bohai, a New York-based capital management company with close financial ties to one of China’s national banks.


bonginoreport--2020-03-19--HBO’s “Fake News” Documentary Spreads Fake News

A talking head in HBO ’ s documentary tackling Fake News says the quiet part out loud .
“ The worst part of 2016 is what we did to ourselves , ” Georgetown University “ disinformation expert ” Molly McKew says about the subject in hand , revealing , well , everything .
We ’ ve seen the mainstream media , along with Hollywood and the Democrats , throw a three-plus year long tantrum over Donald Trump ’ s electoral victory .
And , given the very existence of “ After Truth : Disinformation and the Cost of Fake News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet .
The documentary debuts at 9 p.m. EST March 19 on the premium channel – check the official HBO site for the full list of release dates/times .
At first glance , “ After Truth ” is a timely effort showing why our already low opinion of journalism cratered following Trump ’ s election .
Instead , the film avoids that reality while punching so far down it might reach China before the end credits roll .
Did you know Infowars anchor Alex Jones was a fraud ?
That he makes stuff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about how people use Facebook to share obviously false stories that , sadly , some take as the Gospel truth ?
Not only does the documentary state the obvious .
It does so over and again .
Anything is better , apparently , than diagnosing the rot infesting journalism today .
The term “ Fake News ” came of age because the media tried to blame fraudulent news stories for Hillary Clinton ’ s loss .
( Clinton herself later used it , along with a dozen other excuses , to explain her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the phrase on its head , and the mainstream media followed right along .
How ?
By generating more Fake News than any time in modern journalism history .
Peruse any right-of-center news site and you ’ ll find endless examples of Fake News , all of it aimed at either Trump or the GOP .
Here ’ s the mother of all such lists from John Nolte of Breitbart News .
His essential checklist is a year old , though , and was by no means complete .
His list might double @ @ @ @ @ @ @ update .
Nolte ’ s article doesn ’ t rely on obscure blogs , mind you .
Think NBC News .
BuzzFeed .
The New York Times .
ABC News .
CNN .
Want another Fake News compendium , but this time from a liberal source ?
Try Glenn Greenwald ’ s scathing takedown .
Or , you can log onto Twitter pretty much any day ending in “ Y.
” This Tweet is two days old .
NOTE : Baker is the Chief White House Correspondent for The New York Times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that , and we mean not one fake story on those lists , gets a close up in HBO ’ s “ After Truth ” documentary .
Instead , we spend endless time revisiting the Pizzagate scandal , something tied to one news source – the oh , so credible Infowars .
Oh , and some Tweets , too .
The film uses Tweets as hard Fake News proof .
A lot .
The poor pizza shop owner who lived through the conspiracy deserves all of our sympathy , no doubt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a greater disservice to the country , a false meme which threatened an entrepreneur and his eatery , or serial lies designed to overturn the will of the American people ?
The film , executive produced by Captain Media Bias himself , CNN ’ s Brian Stelter , blurs the line between misinformation spread on social media and “ legitimate ” news outlets .
That ’ s likely on purpose .
It ’ s also why the film ’ s split personality can ’ t be reconciled .
We certainly could use a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Twitter and more ) creates real world chaos , especially one savaging liars on both sides of the aisle .
• How does it spread ?
• Why are we so susceptible to stories that don ’ t pass the smell test ?
• What are credible steps to battle it that don ’ t morph into censorship ?
• Why did we start tuning out mainstream news outlets in the first place ?
That last one matters most .
“ After Truth ” flirts with some of those questions , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalists rage against a hoaxster trying to pin a sex crime on Robert Mueller is , sadly , amusing .
Remember how the same journalists dubbed the craziest sex accusations against Brett Kavanaugh “ credible ?
” Or , consider a documentary about how Fake News caught fire in the Age of Trump .
You ’ ll never see that because journalists are incapable of shame and/or self-reflection .
So we ’ re left with this Frankenstein ’ s monster of a documentary .
And boy , do the stitches show .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ T-shirt of Trump urinating on the CNN logo ) • Lay the ground work for questioning the 2020 elections should Trump win The film obsesses over Russian “ interference ” in the 2016 election as if the Mueller Report never hit Amazon .
Still .
Yes , after Mike Bloomberg sent $ 500 million down a hole to upend the Democratic race we ’ re to believe Russian bots swung a presidential election for Trump .
This recent bit of Russian collusion news is equally inconvenient for the film , directed by Andrew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New York Times : ) “ After Truth ” comes closer to paydirt by re-examining the death of DNC staffer Seth Rich .
Remember how Fox News ’ pundit Sean Hannity pounced on that wafer thin conspiracy for all it was worth , while Rich ’ s surviving family members cried foul … and lawyered up ?
The channel ’ s news side put up a story on the Rich scandal , too , but later retracted it in no uncertain terms .
But where ’ s the apology , the movie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed bigger lies without an ounce of regret , let alone any mea culpas .
The film does have its upsides .
The production values are top notch , and few dull moments emerge .
Watching hucksters like Jacob Wohl and lobbyist Jack Burkman reveal their true selves , and their hunger for social media affirmation , is a virtue in any setting .
“ Are we trending on Twitter ?
” Wohl asks at one point .
Gross .
A team of veteran journalists dismantle the duo ’ s pathetic scheme to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Still , why give the takedown so much attention since it didn ’ t leave a scratch on Mueller ’ s good name ?
The special counsel ’ s congressional testimony last July , though , is another matter .
Still , here ’ s betting the next time either Wohl or Burkman stage a press conference more than a few scribes show up .
It ’ s another aspect of the film left unexamined .
Why do they draw a crowd in the first place ?
The film ’ s wobbliest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t many , involves a fake Facebook campaign meant to hurt Republican Roy Moore ’ s Alabama senate race .
We meet , at length , the Democratic operative behind the deceptive effort .
See , Democrats game the Fake News system , too !
The segment ultimately savages the GOP , though , while the provocateur paints himself as a patriot for illuminating the system ’ s flaws .
Hey , somebody has to be the hero , right ?
“ After Truth ” inexplicably runs out of Fake News long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and look at all the examples listed above and consider how that ’ s even possible .
Instead , it revisits the PizzaGate scandal , Facebook ’ s culpability in Fake News and Jones ’ one-man clown act .
The latter allows the assembled journalists to Speak Truth to Power one more time .
Embarrassing .
It ’ s like Kramer staring down a squad of children in his kara-TAY class .
Facebook critic Kara Swisher gets endless screen time savaging the social media platform .
And speaking of platforms , the documentary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bigger problem afoot .
What about other right-of-center souls getting deplatformed or harassed for simply sharing conservative views ?
Where do we , as a culture , draw the line ?
Again , it ’ s an important argument completely ignored here .
And it gets a bit scary when Swisher says some of Jones ’ rants aren ’ t “ free speech.
” Oh , yes they are , as ugly as they might be .
Why lavish so much attention on Jones in the first place , though ?
Your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a scam artist from a simple glance .
Well , because he ’ s vaguely right of center , and movies like “ After Truth ” can use him as a cudgel against the conservative movement .
Otherwise , the best approach to Jones ’ vile shtick is simple .
Ignore him .
Or , in the case of the Sandy Hook parents aghast at his suggestion their children ’ s deaths were fake , sue him into oblivion .
HBO ’ s own press release describes “ After Truth ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the victims and perpetrators of false news stories as well as a variety of experts and journalists who contextualize its impact and reinforce the importance of quality journalism .
The term Fake News means shoddy , biased journalism , the very antithesis of what reporters should produce .
“ After Truth ” twists that meaning so far , so aggressively , that it amounts to a denial of extreme magnitude .
Anyone following journalism in 2020 , though , won ’ t be surprised by that at all .
That includes Nolte .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at large amassed a new collection of Fake News from the mainstream media .
This time , the lies connected to the Coronavirus , the pandemic killing thousands worldwide and forcing American life to grind to halt .
Coronavirus is not a D.C. food fight .
Like the CNN Race Riots of 2014 , it affects everyday people : we have shut down our economy .
The stock market is going insane .
People are scared , worried , stressed , and have reason to be .
Even if you remove the fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escape the fear of the panic , and the media ’ s blatant lies are only adding to this uncertainty and fear — and are doing so by design .
Someone ought to make a documentary about that , no ?

A talking head in HBO’s documentary tackling Fake News says the quiet part out loud.
“The worst part of 2016 is what we did to ourselves,” Georgetown University “disinformation expert” Molly McKew says about the subject in hand, revealing, well, everything.
We’ve seen the mainstream media, along with Hollywood and the Democrats, throw a three-plus year long tantrum over Donald Trump’s electoral victory.
Three-plus years!
And, given the very existence of “After Truth: Disinformation and the Cost of Fake News,” it’s not over yet.
After Truth: Disinformation and the Cost of Fake News (2020) | Official Trailer | HBO
Watch this video on YouTube
The documentary debuts at 9 p.m. EST March 19 on the premium channel – check the official HBO site for the full list of release dates/times.
At first glance, “After Truth” is a timely effort showing why our already low opinion of journalism cratered following Trump’s election. Instead, the film avoids that reality while punching so far down it might reach China before the end credits roll.
Did you know Infowars anchor Alex Jones was a fraud? That he makes stuff up while peddling nutritional supplements? What about how people use Facebook to share obviously false stories that, sadly, some take as the Gospel truth?
Thank you, “After Truth.”
Not only does the documentary state the obvious. It does so over and again. Anything is better, apparently, than diagnosing the rot infesting journalism today.
RELATED: Eastwood’s ‘Richard Jewell’ Punches Fake News in the Nose
The term “Fake News” came of age because the media tried to blame fraudulent news stories for Hillary Clinton’s loss. (Clinton herself later used it, along with a dozen other excuses, to explain her shocking defeat).
President Trump turned the phrase on its head, and the mainstream media followed right along. How? By generating more Fake News than any time in modern journalism history.
Peruse any right-of-center news site and you’ll find endless examples of Fake News, all of it aimed at either Trump or the GOP. Here’s the mother of all such lists from John Nolte of Breitbart News. His essential checklist is a year old, though, and was by no means complete.
His list might double today if he gave it a thorough update.
Nolte’s article doesn’t rely on obscure blogs, mind you. Think NBC News. BuzzFeed. The New York Times. ABC News. CNN.
Want another Fake News compendium, but this time from a liberal source? Try Glenn Greenwald’s scathing takedown.
Or, you can log onto Twitter pretty much any day ending in “Y.” This Tweet is two days old.
Why does @twittersupport allow verified accounts to deliberately spread misinformation. This is dangerous and deliberate, ment to incite panic and violence. https://t.co/f8Sj7ikoGa — Greta Ocasio-Nolte (@NolteNC) March 17, 2020
NOTE: Baker is the Chief White House Correspondent for The New York Times, according to his Twitter bio.
None of that, and we mean not one fake story on those lists, gets a close up in HBO’s “After Truth” documentary. Instead, we spend endless time revisiting the Pizzagate scandal, something tied to one news source – the oh, so credible Infowars.
Oh, and some Tweets, too. The film uses Tweets as hard Fake News proof. A lot.
The poor pizza shop owner who lived through the conspiracy deserves all of our sympathy, no doubt. Still, which Fake News scandal did a greater disservice to the country, a false meme which threatened an entrepreneur and his eatery, or serial lies designed to overturn the will of the American people?
RELATED: Here’s What’s Wrong with Borat’s Fake News Screed
The film, executive produced by Captain Media Bias himself, CNN’s Brian Stelter, blurs the line between misinformation spread on social media and “legitimate” news outlets.
That’s likely on purpose. It’s also why the film’s split personality can’t be reconciled.
We certainly could use a documentary about how digital misinformation (Facebook, Twitter and more) creates real world chaos, especially one savaging liars on both sides of the aisle.
How does it spread?
Why are we so susceptible to stories that don’t pass the smell test?
What are credible steps to battle it that don’t morph into censorship?
Why did we start tuning out mainstream news outlets in the first place?
That last one matters most.
“After Truth” flirts with some of those questions, but in a mostly insincere fashion. Hearing journalists rage against a hoaxster trying to pin a sex crime on Robert Mueller is, sadly, amusing. Remember how the same journalists dubbed the craziest sex accusations against Brett Kavanaugh “credible?”
Or, consider a documentary about how Fake News caught fire in the Age of Trump. You’ll never see that because journalists are incapable of shame and/or self-reflection.
So we’re left with this Frankenstein’s monster of a documentary. And boy, do the stitches show.
The mission is equally clear:
Explain away Trump’s 2016 election win (again)
Attack the GOP (we see a T-shirt of Trump urinating on the CNN logo)
Lay the ground work for questioning the 2020 elections should Trump win
Russia, Russia Russia!
The film obsesses over Russian “interference” in the 2016 election as if the Mueller Report never hit Amazon.
Still. Yes, after Mike Bloomberg sent $500 million down a hole to upend the Democratic race we’re to believe Russian bots swung a presidential election for Trump.
This recent bit of Russian collusion news is equally inconvenient for the film, directed by Andrew Rossi (“Page One: Inside the New York Times:)
“After Truth” comes closer to paydirt by re-examining the death of DNC staffer Seth Rich. Remember how Fox News’ pundit Sean Hannity pounced on that wafer thin conspiracy for all it was worth, while Rich’s surviving family members cried foul … and lawyered up?
The channel’s news side put up a story on the Rich scandal, too, but later retracted it in no uncertain terms. But where’s the apology, the movie asks, ignoring how many news sites pushed bigger lies without an ounce of regret, let alone any mea culpas.
The film does have its upsides. The production values are top notch, and few dull moments emerge. Watching hucksters like Jacob Wohl and lobbyist Jack Burkman reveal their true selves, and their hunger for social media affirmation, is a virtue in any setting.
“Are we trending on Twitter?” Wohl asks at one point. Gross.
After Presenting Allegations Against Mueller, Wohl Asked If He’s Prepared For Prison | NBC News
Watch this video on YouTube
A team of veteran journalists dismantle the duo’s pathetic scheme to smear Robert Mueller during “After Truth.” Still, why give the takedown so much attention since it didn’t leave a scratch on Mueller’s good name? The special counsel’s congressional testimony last July, though, is another matter.
Still, here’s betting the next time either Wohl or Burkman stage a press conference more than a few scribes show up. It’s another aspect of the film left unexamined. Why do they draw a crowd in the first place?
The film’s wobbliest attempt at balance, and there aren’t many, involves a fake Facebook campaign meant to hurt Republican Roy Moore’s Alabama senate race. We meet, at length, the Democratic operative behind the deceptive effort.
See, Democrats game the Fake News system, too!
The segment ultimately savages the GOP, though, while the provocateur paints himself as a patriot for illuminating the system’s flaws. Hey, somebody has to be the hero, right?
“After Truth” inexplicably runs out of Fake News long before the end credits. Go back and look at all the examples listed above and consider how that’s even possible.
"Pizzagate" suspect charged after allegedly firing shot in D.C. restaurant
Watch this video on YouTube
Instead, it revisits the PizzaGate scandal, Facebook’s culpability in Fake News and Jones’ one-man clown act. The latter allows the assembled journalists to Speak Truth to Power one more time.
Embarrassing. It’s like Kramer staring down a squad of children in his kara-TAY class.
Facebook critic Kara Swisher gets endless screen time savaging the social media platform. And speaking of platforms, the documentary cheers Jones’ getting de-platforming while ignoring the bigger problem afoot. What about other right-of-center souls getting deplatformed or harassed for simply sharing conservative views?
Think Prager U, for starters.
Where do we, as a culture, draw the line?
Again, it’s an important argument completely ignored here. And it gets a bit scary when Swisher says some of Jones’ rants aren’t “free speech.”
Oh, yes they are, as ugly as they might be.
Why lavish so much attention on Jones in the first place, though? Your neighbor’s toddler can tell he’s a scam artist from a simple glance.
Well, because he’s vaguely right of center, and movies like “After Truth” can use him as a cudgel against the conservative movement.
Otherwise, the best approach to Jones’ vile shtick is simple. Ignore him. Or, in the case of the Sandy Hook parents aghast at his suggestion their children’s deaths were fake, sue him into oblivion.
Sandy Hook families sue conspiracy theorist Alex Jones for defamation
Watch this video on YouTube
HBO’s own press release describes “After Truth” this way:
…features exclusive access to the victims and perpetrators of false news stories as well as a variety of experts and journalists who contextualize its impact and reinforce the importance of quality journalism.
The term Fake News means shoddy, biased journalism, the very antithesis of what reporters should produce. “After Truth” twists that meaning so far, so aggressively, that it amounts to a denial of extreme magnitude.
Anyone following journalism in 2020, though, won’t be surprised by that at all. That includes Nolte.
Just this week the Breitbart News editor at large amassed a new collection of Fake News from the mainstream media. This time, the lies connected to the Coronavirus, the pandemic killing thousands worldwide and forcing American life to grind to halt.
Coronavirus is not a D.C. food fight. Like the CNN Race Riots of 2014, it affects everyday people: we have shut down our economy. The stock market is going insane. People are scared, worried, stressed, and have reason to be. Even if you remove the fear of the virus, no one can escape the fear of the panic, and the media’s blatant lies are only adding to this uncertainty and fear — and are doing so by design.
Someone ought to make a documentary about that, no?


bonginoreport--2020-03-19--President Trump Directs FDA to Study If Malaria Drug Can Fight Coronavirus

• A drug used to treat malaria is showing promise in lab and clinical studies for coronavirus , leading to reserved enthusiasm for some scientists .
• French researchers found that hydroxychloroquine lowered virus levels in most patients who took part in a clinical study this month .
• President Donald Trump asked his coronavirus task force about the drug during a briefing on Wednesday .
The results of a clinical trial in France and studies conducted in lab settings are building hope that a drug usually used to treat malaria and arthritis can treat and possibly cure coronavirus patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed before drawing a firm conclusion .
“ It has a lot of potential , though we ’ re not going on a lot of data yet , ” Dr. Peter Hotez , the dean for the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor School of Medicine , said of early studies of hydroxycholoroquine , a malaria drug developed in the 1940s .
President Donald Trump asked the White House ’ s coronavirus task force about possibly using the drug , task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said Wednesday .
Birx said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very carefully , ” as are several other potential therapeutics .
On Tuesday , a team of French scientists released the first results of a clinical study of the use of hydroxychloroquine on 24 coronavirus patients from southeast France .
The research team , led by Didier Raoult , a renowned infectious disease expert from l ’ Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire in Marseille , administered the drug for 10 days along with azithromycin , a common antibiotic .
Researchers said the drugs cleared the virus in the nose and throat of most observed patients in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found that after six days of treatment , 70 percent of patients administered hydroxychloroquine were clear of the virus , compared to just 12.5 percent of patients who were not given drugs .
( RELATED : Fauci On Coronavirus In US : ‘ It ’ s Going To Get Worse ’ ) Azithromycin boosted the effect of hydroxychloroquine , according to the study .
After six days of treatment , all patients treated with the drug combination “ were virologically cured , ” compared to 57.1 percent of patients treated with hydroxycholorquine by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 patients be treated with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin to cure their infection and to limit the transmission of the virus to other people in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the world , ” wrote researchers , who acknowledged the small sample size of the study .
Lab studies have shown that hydroxychloroquine , which was developed in the 1940s , inhibited coronavirus .
A study published in Cell Discovery on Wednesday by three Chinese scientists found that hydroxychloroquine inhibited coronavirus in vitro , or in a lab culture .
Hotez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Daily Caller News Foundation he was “ enthusiastic ” about early results of studies involving hydroxychloroquine , though he said more data is needed to determine if the drug can effectively treat coronavirus .
“ We urgently need to accelerate new antimicrobial therapies .
If hydroxychloroquine could be approved in therapy it would be a game-changer , ” Hotez said .
“ The important next step is to show that it has an impact on reducing severity of symptoms in clinical disease.
” Hotez said that an ideal study would be conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as the Lombardy region in Italy .
More clinical trials are underway .
A researcher at Asan Medical Center , a top research hospital in South Korea , is conducting a clinical trial of 150 patients with mild cases of coronavirus .
The lead researcher , Sung-Han Kim , estimates that the trial will be completed in May .
According to NBC News , French drug maker Sanofi is working with health authorities to study whether hydroxychloroquine can help with coronavirus .
The company is encouraged by preliminary findings , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have enough data to determine its efficacy .
Health officials in Belgium and South Korea have recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine patients displaying either severe or mild symptoms from COVID-19 , the disease caused by coronavirus .
The United Kingdom appears to have some hope for the drug .
On Sunday , government officials there banned the export and hoarding of hydroxychloroquine and two other drugs that could be useful as therapeutics , according to Pharmaceutical Technology .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

A drug used to treat malaria is showing promise in lab and clinical studies for coronavirus, leading to reserved enthusiasm for some scientists.
French researchers found that hydroxychloroquine lowered virus levels in most patients who took part in a clinical study this month.
President Donald Trump asked his coronavirus task force about the drug during a briefing on Wednesday.
The results of a clinical trial in France and studies conducted in lab settings are building hope that a drug usually used to treat malaria and arthritis can treat and possibly cure coronavirus patients, though scientists say more data is needed before drawing a firm conclusion.
“It has a lot of potential, though we’re not going on a lot of data yet,” Dr. Peter Hotez, the dean for the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor School of Medicine, said of early studies of hydroxycholoroquine, a malaria drug developed in the 1940s.
President Donald Trump asked the White House’s coronavirus task force about possibly using the drug, task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said Wednesday.
Birx said that the drug is being studied “very carefully,” as are several other potential therapeutics.
On Tuesday, a team of French scientists released the first results of a clinical study of the use of hydroxychloroquine on 24 coronavirus patients from southeast France.
The research team, led by Didier Raoult, a renowned infectious disease expert from l’Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire in Marseille, administered the drug for 10 days along with azithromycin, a common antibiotic.
Researchers said the drugs cleared the virus in the nose and throat of most observed patients in three to six days. The study found that after six days of treatment, 70 percent of patients administered hydroxychloroquine were clear of the virus, compared to just 12.5 percent of patients who were not given drugs. (RELATED: Fauci On Coronavirus In US: ‘It’s Going To Get Worse’)
Azithromycin boosted the effect of hydroxychloroquine, according to the study. After six days of treatment, all patients treated with the drug combination “were virologically cured,” compared to 57.1 percent of patients treated with hydroxycholorquine by itself.
“We therefore recommend that COVID-19 patients be treated with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin to cure their infection and to limit the transmission of the virus to other people in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the world,” wrote researchers, who acknowledged the small sample size of the study.
Lab studies have shown that hydroxychloroquine, which was developed in the 1940s, inhibited coronavirus. A study published in Cell Discovery on Wednesday by three Chinese scientists found that hydroxychloroquine inhibited coronavirus in vitro, or in a lab culture.
Hotez, the infectious disease expert, told The Daily Caller News Foundation he was “enthusiastic” about early results of studies involving hydroxychloroquine, though he said more data is needed to determine if the drug can effectively treat coronavirus.
“We urgently need to accelerate new antimicrobial therapies. If hydroxychloroquine could be approved in therapy it would be a game-changer,” Hotez said.
“The important next step is to show that it has an impact on reducing severity of symptoms in clinical disease.”
Hotez said that an ideal study would be conducted in areas with high rates of transmission, such as the Lombardy region in Italy.
More clinical trials are underway. A researcher at Asan Medical Center, a top research hospital in South Korea, is conducting a clinical trial of 150 patients with mild cases of coronavirus. The lead researcher, Sung-Han Kim, estimates that the trial will be completed in May.
According to NBC News, French drug maker Sanofi is working with health authorities to study whether hydroxychloroquine can help with coronavirus. The company is encouraged by preliminary findings, according to NBC News, but still does not have enough data to determine its efficacy.
Health officials in Belgium and South Korea have recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine patients displaying either severe or mild symptoms from COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.
The United Kingdom appears to have some hope for the drug. On Sunday, government officials there banned the export and hoarding of hydroxychloroquine and two other drugs that could be useful as therapeutics, according to Pharmaceutical Technology.
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bonginoreport--2020-03-19--Bold Strategy: Baltimore Mayor Asks People to Please Stop Shooting Each Other

Baltimore Mayor Jack Young urged residents to put down their guns and heed orders to stay home after multiple people were shot Tuesday night amidst the coronavirus pandemic .
Young said hospital beds are needed to treat positive COVID-19 patients and not for senseless violence .
Seven people were shot Tuesday night in the Madison Park neighborhood , as Baltimore reported its fifth positive coronavirus case Wednesday .
“ I want to reiterate how completely unacceptable the level of violence is that we have seen recently , ” Young said .
“ We will not stand for mass shootings and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Maryland : At Least 85 Positive Cases • Coronavirus In Maryland : What We Know • Gov .
Larry Hogan Postpones Maryland April 28 Primary , Special Election Will Still Be Held By Mailing Vote “ For those of you who want to continue to shoot and kill people of this city , we ’ re not going to tolerate it , ” Young implored .
“ We ’ re going to come after you and we ’ re going to get you.
” He urged people to put down their guns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our hospitals and their beds with people that are being shot senselessly because we ’ re going to need those beds for people infected with the coronavirus .
And it could be your mother , your grandmother or one of your relatives .
So take that into consideration.
” Commissioner Michael Harrison said the city has seen an uptick in violent crimes since Friday , including a mass shooting Tuesday night — where seven people were shot .
Five people were transported to area hospitals via medics and two took private cars to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in serious but stable condition .
Harrison said they are looking for a Silver Honda that was seen in the area .
A city officer who was on patrol in that microzone did engage with a person who ’ s believed to be a suspect in the shooting as the man was fleeing the scene .
The officer was not armed with the level of “ deadly firepower ” that the suspect had .
The officer did fire his weapon , but Harrison said police don ’ t know if the officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some minor injuries in the incident and was treated .
The police department is increasing staffing in the areas where crime has increased .
“ This incident remains open and under investigation , ” Harrison said .
Police ask anyone with information in the case to call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-Lockup or call the city homicide unit at 410-316-2100 .
For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department ’ s website or call 211 .
You can find all of WJZ ’ s coverage on coronavirus in Maryland @ @

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore Mayor Jack Young urged residents to put down their guns and heed orders to stay home after multiple people were shot Tuesday night amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
Young said hospital beds are needed to treat positive COVID-19 patients and not for senseless violence. Seven people were shot Tuesday night in the Madison Park neighborhood, as Baltimore reported its fifth positive coronavirus case Wednesday.
"I want to reiterate how completely unacceptable the level of violence is that we have seen recently," Young said. "We will not stand for mass shootings and an increase in crime."
"For those of you who want to continue to shoot and kill people of this city, we're not going to tolerate it," Young implored. "We're going to come after you and we're going to get you."
He urged people to put down their guns because "we cannot clog up our hospitals and their beds with people that are being shot senselessly because we're going to need those beds for people infected with the coronavirus. And it could be your mother, your grandmother or one of your relatives. So take that into consideration."
Commissioner Michael Harrison said the city has seen an uptick in violent crimes since Friday, including a mass shooting Tuesday night -- where seven people were shot. Five people were transported to area hospitals via medics and two took private cars to the hospitals for treatment. All seven are in serious but stable condition.
Harrison said they are looking for a Silver Honda that was seen in the area.
A city officer who was on patrol in that microzone did engage with a person who's believed to be a suspect in the shooting as the man was fleeing the scene.
The officer was not armed with the level of "deadly firepower" that the suspect had. The officer did fire his weapon, but Harrison said police don't know if the officer struck the suspect.
The officer sustained some minor injuries in the incident and was treated.
The police department is increasing staffing in the areas where crime has increased.
"This incident remains open and under investigation," Harrison said.
Police ask anyone with information in the case to call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-Lockup or call the city homicide unit at 410-316-2100.
For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department's website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ's coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.


bonginoreport--2020-03-19--President Trump: No Stock Buybacks for Companies That Receive Government Aid

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would not oppose barring companies that receive federal assistance during the coronavirus pandemic from conducting stock buybacks .
`` It takes many many people in this case to tango , but as far as I 'm concerned conditions like that would be okay with me , '' Trump said during a White House press conference when pressed on whether he would support a provision forbidding stock buybacks in a bailout bill .
Trump said he was `` never happy '' with stock buybacks , but that it was difficult to prevent companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very hard to tell them not to , but I would tell them not to , I would say I do n't like it , '' he said .
The comments come as the White House and Congress are hammering out the details of a stimulus package expected to top $ 1 trillion in spending .
U.S. airlines , which are at the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak as bookings crumble and cancellations outpace bookings , are seeking more than $ 50 billion aid , including direct grants from the government .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bailout must ban on buybacks .
The four biggest U.S. carriers — Delta , American , Southwest and United — have collectively spent about $ 39 billion over the last five years buying back shares , according to a tally from S & P Dow Jones Indices .
Those carriers ' shares are now trading at multiyear lows .
Boeing , which is also seeking government aid , spent more than $ 35 billion in that period .
Proposals to put conditions on federal bailouts have come from progressive lawmakers including Sen. Elizabeth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ocasio-Cortez , D-N.Y. Warren has proposed that companies receiving federal assistance should be barred from buybacks permanently , and prevented from issuing dividends or executive bonuses for three years .
Warren has also proposed requiring those firms to boost their minimum wage to $ 15 an hour within a year of the end of the crisis , and provide a board seat to workers .
`` If there is so much as a DIME of corporate bailout money in the next relief package , it should include a reinstated ban on stock buybacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban has also weighed in , saying that bailed out firms should be barred from buybacks forever .
`` Not now .
Not a year from now .
Not 20 years from now .
Not ever , '' Cuban told CNBC on Wednesday .
`` Because effectively you 're spending taxpayer money to buyback stock and to me that 's just the wrong way to do that . ''
Airlines for America , the sector 's lobbying group , argued Tuesday that `` U.S. carriers have invested heavily in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the industry , to increase salaries and pensions over the last decade , '' saying that between 2010 and 2018 airline worker compensation rose about 41 % on average .

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would not oppose barring companies that receive federal assistance during the coronavirus pandemic from conducting stock buybacks.
"It takes many many people in this case to tango, but as far as I'm concerned conditions like that would be okay with me," Trump said during a White House press conference when pressed on whether he would support a provision forbidding stock buybacks in a bailout bill.
Trump said he was "never happy" with stock buybacks, but that it was difficult to prevent companies from doing them. "It's very hard to tell them not to, but I would tell them not to, I would say I don't like it," he said.
The comments come as the White House and Congress are hammering out the details of a stimulus package expected to top $1 trillion in spending.
U.S. airlines, which are at the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak as bookings crumble and cancellations outpace bookings, are seeking more than $50 billion aid, including direct grants from the government.
Some lawmakers, however, say that any bailout must ban on buybacks.
The four biggest U.S. carriers — Delta , American , Southwest and United — have collectively spent about $39 billion over the last five years buying back shares, according to a tally from S&P Dow Jones Indices.
Those carriers' shares are now trading at multiyear lows. Boeing, which is also seeking government aid, spent more than $35 billion in that period.
Proposals to put conditions on federal bailouts have come from progressive lawmakers including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.
Warren has proposed that companies receiving federal assistance should be barred from buybacks permanently, and prevented from issuing dividends or executive bonuses for three years.
Warren has also proposed requiring those firms to boost their minimum wage to $15 an hour within a year of the end of the crisis, and provide a board seat to workers.
"If there is so much as a DIME of corporate bailout money in the next relief package, it should include a reinstated ban on stock buybacks," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted earlier this week.
Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban has also weighed in, saying that bailed out firms should be barred from buybacks forever.
"Not now. Not a year from now. Not 20 years from now. Not ever," Cuban told CNBC on Wednesday. "Because effectively you're spending taxpayer money to buyback stock and to me that's just the wrong way to do that."
Airlines for America, the sector's lobbying group, argued Tuesday that "U.S. carriers have invested heavily in their employees, who are the backbone of the industry, to increase salaries and pensions over the last decade," saying that between 2010 and 2018 airline worker compensation rose about 41% on average.


bonginoreport--2020-03-20--Dow Closes Below 20k In Worst Week Since 2008

U.S. equity markets surrendered gains amid heavy selling during the final hour of trading on Friday as investors trimmed positions heading into the weekend .
The losses saddled investors with their worst week since 2008 .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell over 913 points , slipping back below the 20,000 level , off over 4.5 percent .
The S & P 500 also dropped more than 4 percent while the Nasdaq Composite shed 3.9 percent .
Dow heavyweight Boeing ended the session lower , capping off a week of declines that erased over 43 percent of its market value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley resigned from the aerospace giant ’ s board .
In Washington , a third stimulus bid is being pushed that would guarantee low-interest loans for small businesses , give cash payments to most Americans , provide loans to the industries hardest hit by the virus-related slowdown and extend funding to hospitals and medical centers .
Airlines , cruise operators , casino operators and other industries ravaged by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic also saw big gains .
Elsewhere , General Electric finished flat after receiving regulatory approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion sale of its biopharmaceutical unit to Danaher , so long as some conditions are met .
Walmart shares gave up gains after the company said it would hire 150,000 temporary workers to handle a spike in traffic caused by the pandemic .
Meanwhile , retailer Ross Stores tumbled after announcing it was shutting sites across the U.S. through April 3 .
Blue-chip tech stocks also pushed higher , with Tesla in focus after the electric-vehicle maker said it would idle production at its Fremont , California , plant beginning March 24 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ crude oil was trading down 5.4 percent at $ 24.50 per barrel .
Despite the losses , drillers and explorers that have been decimated by oil ’ s price drop saw some relief after a rally on Thursday .
Heavy buying of U.S. Treasurys flattened the yield curve , hitting bank stocks .
The 2-year yield fell by 5.5 basis points to 0.362 percent while the 10-year yield was lower by 18.9 bps at 0.932 percent .
In Europe , markets rallied across the board with France ’ s CAC gaining 5 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent and Britain ’ s FTSE adding 0.8 percent .
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS Asian markets were sharply higher , with South Korea ’ s Kospi surging 7.4 percent , bouncing off an 11-year low , while Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng and China ’ s Shanghai Composite were up 5.1 percent and 1.6 percent , respectively .
Japan ’ s Nikkei was closed for a holiday .

U.S. equity markets surrendered gains amid heavy selling during the final hour of trading on Friday as investors trimmed positions heading into the weekend. The losses saddled investors with their worst week since 2008.
Ticker Security Last Change Change % I:DJI DOW JONES AVERAGES 34946.39 -361.24 -1.02% SP500 S&P 500 4437.86 -51.86 -1.16% I:COMP NASDAQ COMPOSITE INDEX 13631.046795 -157.28 -1.14%
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell over 913 points, slipping back below the 20,000 level, off over 4.5 percent. The S&P 500 also dropped more than 4 percent while the Nasdaq Composite shed 3.9 percent.
Dow heavyweight Boeing ended the session lower, capping off a week of declines that erased over 43 percent of its market value. On Thursday evening, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley resigned from the aerospace giant’s board.
Ticker Security Last Change Change % BA THE BOEING CO. 232.21 -4.53 -1.91%
In Washington, a third stimulus bid is being pushed that would guarantee low-interest loans for small businesses, give cash payments to most Americans, provide loans to the industries hardest hit by the virus-related slowdown and extend funding to hospitals and medical centers.
Airlines, cruise operators, casino operators and other industries ravaged by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic also saw big gains.
Ticker Security Last Change Change % UAL UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS INC. 51.34 -0.97 -1.85% MGM MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL 44.17 -1.50 -3.28% CCL CARNIVAL CORP. 16.61 -0.21 -1.25%
Elsewhere, General Electric finished flat after receiving regulatory approval to forge ahead with the $21.4 billion sale of its biopharmaceutical unit to Danaher, so long as some conditions are met.
Ticker Security Last Change Change % GE GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. 113.80 -1.76 -1.52%
Walmart shares gave up gains after the company said it would hire 150,000 temporary workers to handle a spike in traffic caused by the pandemic. Meanwhile, retailer Ross Stores tumbled after announcing it was shutting sites across the U.S. through April 3.
Blue-chip tech stocks also pushed higher, with Tesla in focus after the electric-vehicle maker said it would idle production at its Fremont, California, plant beginning March 24.
Ticker Security Last Change Change % WMT WALMART INC. 159.15 -0.84 -0.53% ROST ROSS STORES INC. 114.01 -0.11 -0.10% TSLA TESLA INC. 232.96 -6.80 -2.84%
Looking at commodities, West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading down 5.4 percent at $24.50 per barrel. Despite the losses, drillers and explorers that have been decimated by oil’s price drop saw some relief after a rally on Thursday.
Ticker Security Last Change Change % XOM EXXON MOBIL CORP. 108.15 -2.86 -2.58% CLR n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Heavy buying of U.S. Treasurys flattened the yield curve, hitting bank stocks. The 2-year yield fell by 5.5 basis points to 0.362 percent while the 10-year yield was lower by 18.9 bps at 0.932 percent.
Ticker Security Last Change Change % JPM JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. 150.78 -3.98 -2.57% BAC BANK OF AMERICA CORP. 29.94 -1.00 -3.22%
In Europe, markets rallied across the board with France’s CAC gaining 5 percent, Germany’s DAX climbing 3.7 percent and Britain’s FTSE adding 0.8 percent.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS
Asian markets were sharply higher, with South Korea’s Kospi surging 7.4 percent, bouncing off an 11-year low, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and China’s Shanghai Composite were up 5.1 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively. Japan’s Nikkei was closed for a holiday.


bonginoreport--2020-03-20--Dr. Fauci: Decision to Stop Travel From China Helped Contain Coronavirus

Dr. Anthony Fauci said Friday that President Donald Trump ’ s decision early in the coronavirus outbreak to stop travel from China was “ one of the things we did right.
” The medical advisor to the president ’ s coronavirus task force told MSNBC that the move has had a real impact on containing the pandemic .
“ One of the things we did right was very early cut off travel from China to the United States .
Because outside of China , where it originated , the countries in the world that have it are through travel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone who went someplace and then came to that particular country , ” Fauci explained .
( RELATED : Dr. Anthony Fauci Comes Close To Recommending Complete Shutdown Of All Bars And Restaurants ) “ Our shutting off travel from China and , more recently , travel from Europe , has gone a long way to not seeding very , very intensively the virus in our country .
Unfortunately , Italy did not do that .
They had an open border , they let people in .
And until they really knew they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was out , the horse was out of the barn and that was it.
” Trump continues to be criticized for reminding people that the COVID-19 virus originated in China , with some in the media calling the president ’ s description “ racist ” and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden insisting it is “ xenophobic.
” ( RELATED : US Surgeon General Tells Media To Stop Sniping At Trump Over Coronavirus : ‘ No More Bickering … Or Finger Pointing ) The president declared a national emergency last Saturday in response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 30-day ban on travel from Europe to the United States .

Dr. Anthony Fauci said Friday that President Donald Trump’s decision early in the coronavirus outbreak to stop travel from China was “one of the things we did right.”
The medical advisor to the president’s coronavirus task force told MSNBC that the move has had a real impact on containing the pandemic.
“One of the things we did right was very early cut off travel from China to the United States. Because outside of China, where it originated, the countries in the world that have it are through travel, either directly from China or indirectly from someone who went someplace and then came to that particular country,” Fauci explained. (RELATED: Dr. Anthony Fauci Comes Close To Recommending Complete Shutdown Of All Bars And Restaurants)
“Our shutting off travel from China and, more recently, travel from Europe, has gone a long way to not seeding very, very intensively the virus in our country. Unfortunately, Italy did not do that. They had an open border, they let people in. And until they really knew they were in trouble, then the cat was out, the horse was out of the barn and that was it.”
Trump continues to be criticized for reminding people that the COVID-19 virus originated in China, with some in the media calling the president’s description “racist” and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden insisting it is “xenophobic.” (RELATED: US Surgeon General Tells Media To Stop Sniping At Trump Over Coronavirus: ‘No More Bickering … Or Finger Pointing)
The president declared a national emergency last Saturday in response to the pandemic, days after he announced a 30-day ban on travel from Europe to the United States.