theguardian--2020-04-01--Forty years of American politics have made Covid-19 a working-class problem | Francine Prose

Except for the photos of people who have recovered from Covid-19 , flashing victory signs , some wearing the new accessory , oxygen cannulas , few encouraging images have emerged from the pandemic .
We ’ ve seen coffins in Bergamo , panicked migrant workers in New Delhi , patients on gurneys lining the hospital hallways in Spain and here at home .
Among the most disturbing are the photos and videos of jam-packed New York subway stations and cars , crowded with passengers – mostly people of color – on their way to work .
Some passengers are wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whether they like their jobs , believe in what they do , worry about health protections at work , fear losing their health insurance , if they have any , they probably have something in common : they wouldn ’ t be on this packed subway if they didn ’ t have to be .
They know how you get the virus , and they don ’ t want it , but they need the money they make as supermarket clerks , janitors , nursing home aids , medical workers and first responders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can know the thoughts of others , but I ’ d imagine that these people would rather be hunkered down with their families in light-filled country houses , e-ordering gourmet pantry items , letting the nannies home-school the kids , Instagramming dinner .
That families needed a disaster plan was something one heard after 9/11 .
Now , it turns out that the rich and the upper middle class have always had a plan : leave the city with the families , and if possible servants .
Work from home .
Do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids from fighting or watching TV all day .
Bake bread and post it on Facebook .
The working class has a very different plan , perhaps because the plan was made for them .
Find someone to watch the kids .
Ride the crowded train or bus .
Worry when someone coughs at work , where there ’ s not enough hand sanitizer .
Do the same thing in reverse .
Repeat .
Maybe these are the lucky ones , compared with the ones who can easily self-quarantine because they have lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worried about paying the rent .
Their stories are out there , but not as much as the statistics of the confirmed cases and the dead .
The numbers have our attention , along with the political circus in Washington , and the latest major or minor celebrity who has been diagnosed .
Occasionally the media will run the story of a person who isn ’ t famous but who contracted the virus in an interesting way .
Perhaps that jam-packed subway car isn ’ t an interesting story .
Perhaps the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fed to this virus isn ’ t an interesting story .
And besides , it makes us feel bad .
We know the virus isn ’ t our fault , but the fact that there are human beings , packed in during a plague , in a metal tube speeding underground , the fact that some warehouses , trucking firms and big box stores don ’ t protect their workers , well , that sort of is our fault .
We could have done something about it before we had to leave our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things got so complicated .
Of course , we all have a lot to think about , at the moment .
Ventilators , for one thing .
Staying alive , for another .
But when we come through this – as history and science suggest we will – we might take this chance to reflect on how the last 40 years of American politics have not only hardened our hearts but encouraged that hardening .
We have seen ourselves transformed into Reality TV contestants on Survivor and The Apprentice , with their zero-sum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survival of the fittest .
We have been taught that you don ’ t have to care about anyone outside your family circle .
To see any human commonality with those subway passengers is to be a weak little bleeding heart snowflake .
In the aftermath of 9/11 , newspapers ran whole sections commemorating the lives lost in the Twin Towers , on the planes and among the first responders , not only the CEOs but the receptionists and support workers who rode to work on the trains like the ones in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s the cultural figures we read about , the scientists , politicians , educators , athletes , musicians , glamorous high achievers to whom this was not supposed to happen .
For us to read about the woman who cuts our hair or works in our dentist ’ s office , she ’ d have to have been a guest at some spectacular super-spreading social event .
The story of this pandemic isn ’ t over .
We don ’ t know how warehouse workers and delivery drivers and other essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get sick .
We don ’ t know how long it will take till societal breakdowns to affect Capitol Hill , Malibu and the Hamptons .
We can ’ t predict the human and financial costs of our uninsured .
We are only slowly awakening to the damage this is doing .
Despite the evidence , I keep hoping that we learn from our mistakes .
How can we not learn from a mistake this catastrophic ?
Let ’ s look at those subway cars in the pandemic and try to imagine a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are responsible for one another , that our lives depend on those passengers , that we owe it to them to make sure they can do what they do , for all of us , without worrying about healthcare , homelessness or being able to feed their kids .
By the next pandemic , maybe we will have figured out how people can afford to get sick and feed their kids and get to work without risking their lives .

Except for the photos of people who have recovered from Covid-19, flashing victory signs, some wearing the new accessory, oxygen cannulas, few encouraging images have emerged from the pandemic. We’ve seen coffins in Bergamo, panicked migrant workers in New Delhi, patients on gurneys lining the hospital hallways in Spain and here at home.
Among the most disturbing are the photos and videos of jam-packed New York subway stations and cars, crowded with passengers – mostly people of color – on their way to work. Some passengers are wearing masks, some aren’t. Whether they like their jobs, believe in what they do, worry about health protections at work, fear losing their health insurance, if they have any, they probably have something in common: they wouldn’t be on this packed subway if they didn’t have to be.
They know how you get the virus, and they don’t want it, but they need the money they make as supermarket clerks, janitors, nursing home aids, medical workers and first responders. It’s foolish to think we can know the thoughts of others, but I’d imagine that these people would rather be hunkered down with their families in light-filled country houses, e-ordering gourmet pantry items, letting the nannies home-school the kids, Instagramming dinner.
That families needed a disaster plan was something one heard after 9/11. Now, it turns out that the rich and the upper middle class have always had a plan: leave the city with the families, and if possible servants. Work from home. Do jigsaw puzzles and try to keep the kids from fighting or watching TV all day. Bake bread and post it on Facebook.
The working class has a very different plan, perhaps because the plan was made for them. Find someone to watch the kids. Ride the crowded train or bus. Worry when someone coughs at work, where there’s not enough hand sanitizer. Do the same thing in reverse. Repeat. Maybe these are the lucky ones, compared with the ones who can easily self-quarantine because they have lost their small businesses and jobs and are worried about paying the rent.
A screen grab of a video showing a crowded subway in New York, NY. Photograph: WhatIsNewYork/Twitter
Their stories are out there, but not as much as the statistics of the confirmed cases and the dead. The numbers have our attention, along with the political circus in Washington, and the latest major or minor celebrity who has been diagnosed. Occasionally the media will run the story of a person who isn’t famous but who contracted the virus in an interesting way.
Perhaps that jam-packed subway car isn’t an interesting story. Perhaps the way that the working class is knowingly being fed to this virus isn’t an interesting story. And besides, it makes us feel bad. We know the virus isn’t our fault, but the fact that there are human beings, packed in during a plague, in a metal tube speeding underground, the fact that some warehouses, trucking firms and big box stores don’t protect their workers, well, that sort of is our fault. We could have done something about it before we had to leave our offices and focus on survival. Before things got so complicated.
Of course, we all have a lot to think about, at the moment. Ventilators, for one thing. Staying alive, for another. But when we come through this – as history and science suggest we will – we might take this chance to reflect on how the last 40 years of American politics have not only hardened our hearts but encouraged that hardening. We have seen ourselves transformed into Reality TV contestants on Survivor and The Apprentice, with their zero-sum games and rightwing Darwinian faith in the survival of the fittest. We have been taught that you don’t have to care about anyone outside your family circle. To see any human commonality with those subway passengers is to be a weak little bleeding heart snowflake.
In the aftermath of 9/11, newspapers ran whole sections commemorating the lives lost in the Twin Towers, on the planes and among the first responders, not only the CEOs but the receptionists and support workers who rode to work on the trains like the ones in the recent photos and videos. But now it’s the cultural figures we read about, the scientists, politicians, educators, athletes, musicians, glamorous high achievers to whom this was not supposed to happen. For us to read about the woman who cuts our hair or works in our dentist’s office, she’d have to have been a guest at some spectacular super-spreading social event.
Let’s look at those subway cars in the pandemic and try to imagine a society in which we realize that we are responsible for one another
The story of this pandemic isn’t over. We don’t know how warehouse workers and delivery drivers and other essential service providers will react if enough workers get sick. We don’t know how long it will take till societal breakdowns to affect Capitol Hill, Malibu and the Hamptons. We can’t predict the human and financial costs of our uninsured. We are only slowly awakening to the damage this is doing.
Despite the evidence, I keep hoping that we learn from our mistakes. How can we not learn from a mistake this catastrophic? Let’s look at those subway cars in the pandemic and try to imagine a society in which we realize that we are responsible for one another, that our lives depend on those passengers, that we owe it to them to make sure they can do what they do, for all of us, without worrying about healthcare, homelessness or being able to feed their kids. By the next pandemic, maybe we will have figured out how people can afford to get sick and feed their kids and get to work without risking their lives.


theguardian--2020-04-01--US coronavirus live: Trump says federal stockpile of protective equipment nearly empty

The Pentagon is looking into buying more bags and will draw some initially from a stockpile of 50,000 it maintains @ @ @ @ @ familiar with the request .
The move is a somber counterpoint to the Pentagon ’ @ @ @ @ @ hospital ships to New York and Los Angeles to help alleviate pressure on regional hospitals @ @ @ @ @ The Defense Logistics Agency ’ s Troop Support unit manages the Pentagon ’ s stockpile @ @ @ @ @ 94-inch by 38-inch body bags that are typically distributed to war zones .
The unit @ @ @ @ @ the current contractor to assess its manufacturing capabilities but hasn ’ t yet placed a @ @ @ @ @ one of the people .

Maanvi Singh in San Francisco (now) and Joan E Greve in Washington (earlier)

2 Apr 2020 01.03 BST Summary Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi issued stay-home orders. The Republican governors of those states — especially Ron DeSantis of Florida — had drawn criticism for not taking decisive action as the number of cases in the southern states rose.
The Republican governors of those states — especially Ron DeSantis of Florida — had drawn criticism for not taking decisive action as the number of cases in the southern states rose. Officials announced “enhanced counter-narcotics operations” in the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean during the Coronavirus Task Force briefing. The US has intelligence that drug trafficking efforts may pick up as countries turn inward to focus on the pandemic, according to Mark Milley , Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The US has intelligence that drug trafficking efforts may pick up as countries turn inward to focus on the pandemic, according to , Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Trump said that the federal government is considering districting domestic travel between coronavirus hotspots , but isn’t anticipating a nationwide shelter-in-place mandate. During another lengthy coronavirus briefing, the president often meandered, boasting about the souther border wall and hearkening back to “caravans... marching through Mexico.
, but isn’t anticipating a nationwide shelter-in-place mandate. During another lengthy coronavirus briefing, the president often meandered, boasting about the souther border wall and hearkening back to “caravans... marching through Mexico. New York reported more than 83,000 cases of coronavirus and 1,941 deaths. Governor Andrew Cuomo also announced the closure of all New York City parks after residents failed to respect social distancing guidelines.
Governor also announced the closure of all New York City parks after residents failed to respect social distancing guidelines. The vice president compared the coronavirus situation in the US to Italy, which has seen the highest number of deaths linked to the virus. Italy has already reported more than 13,000 coronavirus fatalities, and that number continues to climb.
which has seen the highest number of deaths linked to the virus. Italy has already reported more than 13,000 coronavirus fatalities, and that number continues to climb. The Dow dropped nearly 1,000 points as US markets continue to suffer amid the pandemic. Unemployment claims are also expected to jump in tomorrrow’s report after many major employers announced layoffs this week.
as US markets continue to suffer amid the pandemic. Unemployment claims are also expected to jump in tomorrrow’s report after many major employers announced layoffs this week. Bernie Sanders called on Wisconsin to delay its presidential primary, which is scheduled to take place next week. Wisconsin Democrats and civil rights advocates have already sued the state to press officials to ease absentee voting requirements for the primary.
Updated at 01.04 BST
1 Apr 2020 00.51 BST The Pentagon is looking into sourcing and providing as many as 100,000 military-style body bags for civilian use, according to Bloomberg News. Bloomberg reports: The Pentagon is looking into buying more bags and will draw some initially from a stockpile of 50,000 it maintains, according to two people familiar with the request. The move is a somber counterpoint to the Pentagon’s highly-praised deployment of two hospital ships to New York and Los Angeles to help alleviate pressure on regional hospitals overburdened by the pandemic. The Defense Logistics Agency’s Troop Support unit manages the Pentagon’s stockpile of the green nylon, 94-inch by 38-inch body bags that are typically distributed to war zones. The unit has been in contact with the current contractor to assess its manufacturing capabilities but hasn’t yet placed a formal order, according to one of the people. Yesterday, the White House projected that as many as 240,000 Americans could die from Covid-19, even if distancing meaures and other public health interventions are put in place.
1 Apr 2020 00.35 BST The briefing has ended. I’ve got one for fact check for you: Fact check: timeline “After a month or so, I think once this passes, we’re not going to have to be hopefully worried too much about the virus,” Trump said, before wrapping up. That is a very optimistic timeline. Projections, including ones presented by White House health officials, indicate that the disease will peak in many of the countries in May, and the pandemic will continue to affect people for long after. Federal health officials have said that the outbreak could last through next year, though distancing measures and other interventions may blunt the disease’s impact. “As the trajectory of the outbreak continues, many people in the US will at some point, either this year or next, get exposed to this virus,” Nancy Messonnier of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told reporters last month. “And there’s a good chance many will become sick.”
Updated at 00.44 BST
1 Apr 2020 00.25 BST A reporter from OANN has been removed from the briefing room for violating distancing rules. WHCA Statement on Removing News Organization from News Briefing Seat Rotation pic.twitter.com/KL3XcPq7Rt — WHCA (@whca) April 1, 2020 OANN, a far-right news network, is a favorite of the president.
1 Apr 2020 00.20 BST Fact check: More on testing Trump also deflected blame for the country’s slow start in testing, saying he “inherited a very broken system”. Within 10 days of Chinese officials announcing the emergence of the new coronavirus, a German lab published a recipe for a diagnostic test. As the disease spread to the US, the CDC developed a more complicated test and produced errors and false positives.
1 Apr 2020 00.06 BST Fact check: Are American coronavirus tests better? Trump touted the quality of US testing, destribing them as “strong” tests. In fact, some of the initial coronavirus tests sent out to states were seriously flawed – some did not even work. Part of the problem came from the CDC insisting it would manufacture the tests itself.
Other countries – after their first coronavirus case – swiftly asked private companies to develop their own tests. South Korea, which recorded its first case on the same day as the US, did so within a week The US only allowed laboratories and hospitals to conduct their own tests on February 29, almost six weeks after the first case was confirmed. “The federal agency shunned the World Health Organization test guidelines used by other countries and set out to create a more complicated test of its own that could identify a range of similar viruses,” ProPublica reported.
Updated at 00.06 BST
1 Apr 2020 23.59 BST Mike Pence, defending the decision not to open up Obamacare exchanges during the crisis, said that “we have Medicaid for underprivileged Americans.” Trump approved. “That was one of the greatest answers I’ve ever heard,” he said. “Because Mike was able to talk for 5 minutes and not answer your question.”
1 Apr 2020 23.53 BST Trump said the healthcare workers walking into hospitals are “like warriors... People are screaming, they’re clapping, they’re like heroes.” “We’re going to be doing something for them,” he said, alluding to maybe bonuses or “something”.
1 Apr 2020 23.46 BST Trump said he’s considering ending domestic flights between hotspots. “That is a calculation that we’re looking at right now,” he said.
Updated at 23.46 BST
1 Apr 2020 23.40 BST Fact check: Florida cases Asked why the federal government hasn’t declared a national shelter-in-place order, leaving it instead to governors, Trump emphasized that flexibility. Florida doesn’t “have thousands of people who are positive,” he said, as an example. Florida, in fact has nearly 7,000 confirmed cases.


theguardian--2020-04-01--‘That's a nasty, snarky question’: Trump’s media assault rages on in midst of coronavirus crisis

As reporters waited languidly on plastic chairs a few feet apart , absorbing birdsong and soft spring sunshine , the White House rose garden was an oasis of calm in a stricken nation .
But once Donald Trump began taking questions , the tranquillity was shattered .
Yamiche Alcindor of PBS NewsHour put the US president ’ s own words to him .
“ You ’ ve said repeatedly that you think that some of the equipment that governors are requesting , they don ’ t actually need .
You said New York might need – ” Trump interrupted twice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that.
” Alcindor stood her ground : “ You said it on Sean Hannity ’ s , Fox News.
” Then Trump lied : “ I didn ’ t say – come on .
Come on.
” And so it went on last Sunday .
Trump denied Alcindor a second question , only for a CNN reporter to pass the microphone back to her .
Later , when the CNN reporter also quoted Trump ’ s past remarks , the president resorted to an old epithet : “ Fake news.
” America and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic but Trump ’ s war on the media has remained a constant and possibly even intensified .
The intemperate outbursts might be interpreted as signs of a leader cracking under the pressure of his greatest crisis , for which his previous career offered no preparation .
But they are also striking in their echo of authoritarianism .
While Trump has visibly delighted in fawning questions from the rightwing One America News Network , he has also implied that dissenting questions from other reporters signal disloyalty when the nation should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know , we ’ re all – you , me , everybody – we ’ re all on the same team , ” he told Alcindor on Sunday .
A day later , when Alcindor asked why the US still lagged behind countries such as South Korea on testing per capita , he admonished : “ You should be saying congratulations instead of asking a really snarky question.
” That alerted Maggie Haberman , White House correspondent of the New York Times , who commented on Twitter : “ Have never in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me reporters should be “ celebrating ” or “ applauding ” someone until the last two years .
It is how the president frames his view of coverage , and his supporters and allies have adopted that posture.
” Railing against the media has been a defining feature of Trump ’ s political identity , a punchline at campaign rallies , deploying barbs such as “ the enemy of the people ” .
But when , after weeks of denial , he was finally forced to accept the scale of the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and conciliatory tone .
Even now he continues to offer an olive branch .
“ I mean , even the media is much more fair , ” he said on Sunday , before quickly qualifying : “ I wouldn ’ t say all of it , but that ’ s OK .
They should be fair because they should want this to end .
This is – this is about death.
” Yet once tough questions start landing like arrows , the president reverts to type : belligerent , indignant , pugnacious , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dig up past statements or query his administration ’ s failure to prepare .
On 20 March , Peter Alexander of NBC News asked a seemingly innocuous question : “ What do you say to Americans who are watching you right now who are scared ?
” But Trump lashed out : “ I say that you ’ re a terrible reporter .
That ’ s what I say.
” Then Jon Karl , ABC News chief White House correspondent , pressed : “ And everybody who needs one will be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Look , don ’ t be a cutie pie .
OK ?
… We had a bad testing system .
We had a bad stockpile system .
We had nothing in the stockpile system .
So I wouldn ’ t tell me what you ’ re telling – you know , like being a wise guy.
” Then came Sunday ’ s exchange with Alcindor , querying Trump ’ s remarks on Fox News when he suggested that New York state was exaggerating how many ventilators it will need .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act in a little more positive ?
It ’ s always trying to ‘ get you , get you , get you ’ .
And you know what ?
That ’ s why nobody trusts the media any more .
That ’ s why people – ” Alcindor persisted : “ My question to you is : How is that going to impact – ” Trump barked : “ Excuse me .
You didn ’ t hear me .
That ’ s why you used to work for the Times and now you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let me tell you something : be nice .
Don ’ t be threatening.
” It was loaded language .
Later , Alcindor tweeted : “ I ’ m not the first human being , woman , black person or journalist to be told that while doing a job .
My take : Be steady .
Stay focused .
Remember your purpose .
And , always press forward.
” And it was not the first such incident .
On 13 March , when Alcindor asked why Trump had scrapped the White House ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years earlier , he snapped : “ Well , I just think it ’ s a nasty question.
” On Monday , it was the turn of another thorn in Trump ’ s side , Jim Acosta of CNN , to read back to him his past statements downplaying the threat of the virus and ask : “ What do you say to Americans who believe that you got this wrong ?
” The president predictably erupted .
“ It ’ s why people just don ’ t want to listen to CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ … Instead of asking a nasty , snarky question like that , you should ask a real question.
” The briefings have been compared to rallies and make frustrating viewing .
Some observers want the media to take a more combative approach .
Chris Whipple , a writer , documentary maker and author of The Gatekeepers : How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency , said : “ God bless Yamiche Alcindor but I think the rest of the press corps need to be more aggressive , not less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confronted with a bully , you have to punch back .
The press corps need to be more aggressive in holding the president ’ s feet to the fire or just stop showing up.
” Whipple added : “ The president ’ s coronavirus briefings have been a disgrace .
He is a fountain of misinformation , partisanship and point scoring that is the last thing you need in a time of crisis , especially in a pandemic when there is a premium on truth.
” Joe Lockhart , a former White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aimed at two audiences , with the first part , when Trump reads general remarks , aimed at all Americans , and the second , in which he spars with reporters , aimed at his hardline supporters .
“ It appeals to his base because they are suspicious of the media and it undermines the people who are telling the story straight , ” he said .
“ His base love it when he ’ s obnoxious and when he talks down to reporters .
But the one place he ’ s had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words back to him.
” Lockhart , who hosts the Words Matter podcast and tweets a “ Daily White House Shadow briefing ” , added : “ Trump ’ s entire strategy from day one has been to divide people .
It ’ s not a surprise that when everyone says he should help us to unify as a nation , he looks at it and says ‘ let ’ s divide ’ .
”

As reporters waited languidly on plastic chairs a few feet apart, absorbing birdsong and soft spring sunshine, the White House rose garden was an oasis of calm in a stricken nation. But once Donald Trump began taking questions, the tranquillity was shattered.
Yamiche Alcindor of PBS NewsHour put the US president’s own words to him. “You’ve said repeatedly that you think that some of the equipment that governors are requesting, they don’t actually need. You said New York might need –”
Trump interrupted twice: “I didn’t say that.” Alcindor stood her ground: “You said it on Sean Hannity’s, Fox News.” Then Trump lied: “I didn’t say – come on. Come on.”
And so it went on last Sunday. Trump denied Alcindor a second question, only for a CNN reporter to pass the microphone back to her. Later, when the CNN reporter also quoted Trump’s past remarks, the president resorted to an old epithet: “Fake news.”
America and the world have been transformed unimaginably by the coronavirus pandemic but Trump’s war on the media has remained a constant and possibly even intensified. The intemperate outbursts might be interpreted as signs of a leader cracking under the pressure of his greatest crisis, for which his previous career offered no preparation.
But they are also striking in their echo of authoritarianism. While Trump has visibly delighted in fawning questions from the rightwing One America News Network, he has also implied that dissenting questions from other reporters signal disloyalty when the nation should be pulling together.
“But just so you know, we’re all – you, me, everybody – we’re all on the same team,” he told Alcindor on Sunday. A day later, when Alcindor asked why the US still lagged behind countries such as South Korea on testing per capita, he admonished: “You should be saying congratulations instead of asking a really snarky question.”
President Trump today at the White House said to me: “Be nice. Don't be threatening.”
I’m not the first human being, woman, black person or journalist to be told that while doing a job.
My take: Be steady. Stay focused. Remember your purpose. And, always press forward. — Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) March 29, 2020
That alerted Maggie Haberman, White House correspondent of the New York Times, who commented on Twitter: “Have never in 24 years in newspapers had anyone tell me reporters should be “celebrating” or “applauding” someone until the last two years. It is how the president frames his view of coverage, and his supporters and allies have adopted that posture.”
Railing against the media has been a defining feature of Trump’s political identity, a punchline at campaign rallies, deploying barbs such as “the enemy of the people”. But when, after weeks of denial, he was finally forced to accept the scale of the coronavirus pandemic, he initially tried a more sombre and conciliatory tone.
Even now he continues to offer an olive branch. “I mean, even the media is much more fair,” he said on Sunday, before quickly qualifying: “I wouldn’t say all of it, but that’s OK. They should be fair because they should want this to end. This is – this is about death.”
Yet once tough questions start landing like arrows, the president reverts to type: belligerent, indignant, pugnacious, affronted by anyone with the temerity to dig up past statements or query his administration’s failure to prepare.
On 20 March, Peter Alexander of NBC News asked a seemingly innocuous question: “What do you say to Americans who are watching you right now who are scared?”
But Trump lashed out: “I say that you’re a terrible reporter. That’s what I say.”
Then Jon Karl, ABC News chief White House correspondent , pressed: “And everybody who needs one will be able to get a ventilator?”
Trump retorted: “Look, don’t be a cutie pie. OK? … We had a bad testing system. We had a bad stockpile system. We had nothing in the stockpile system. So I wouldn’t tell me what you’re telling – you know, like being a wise guy.”
Then came Sunday’s exchange with Alcindor, querying Trump’s remarks on Fox News when he suggested that New York state was exaggerating how many ventilators it will need.
Trump: “Why don’t you act in a little more positive? It’s always trying to ‘get you, get you, get you’. And you know what? That’s why nobody trusts the media any more. That’s why people –”
Alcindor persisted: “My question to you is: How is that going to impact –”
Trump barked: “Excuse me. You didn’t hear me. That’s why you used to work for the Times and now you work for somebody else. Look, let me tell you something: be nice. Don’t be threatening.”
It was loaded language. Later, Alcindor tweeted: “I’m not the first human being, woman, black person or journalist to be told that while doing a job. My take: Be steady. Stay focused. Remember your purpose. And, always press forward.”
And it was not the first such incident. On 13 March, when Alcindor asked why Trump had scrapped the White House’s national security council pandemic team two years earlier, he snapped: “Well, I just think it’s a nasty question.”
On Monday, it was the turn of another thorn in Trump’s side, Jim Acosta of CNN, to read back to him his past statements downplaying the threat of the virus and ask: “What do you say to Americans who believe that you got this wrong?”
The president predictably erupted. “It’s why people just don’t want to listen to CNN any more,” he said. “… Instead of asking a nasty, snarky question like that, you should ask a real question.”
The briefings have been compared to rallies and make frustrating viewing. Some observers want the media to take a more combative approach. Chris Whipple, a writer, documentary maker and author of The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency, said: “God bless Yamiche Alcindor but I think the rest of the press corps need to be more aggressive, not less aggressive.
“When you’re confronted with a bully, you have to punch back. The press corps need to be more aggressive in holding the president’s feet to the fire or just stop showing up.”
Whipple added: “The president’s coronavirus briefings have been a disgrace. He is a fountain of misinformation, partisanship and point scoring that is the last thing you need in a time of crisis, especially in a pandemic when there is a premium on truth.”
Joe Lockhart, a former White House press secretary, argues the briefings are aimed at two audiences, with the first part, when Trump reads general remarks, aimed at all Americans, and the second, in which he spars with reporters, aimed at his hardline supporters.
“It appeals to his base because they are suspicious of the media and it undermines the people who are telling the story straight,” he said. “His base love it when he’s obnoxious and when he talks down to reporters. But the one place he’s had trouble is when reporters read his own words back to him.”
Lockhart, who hosts the Words Matter podcast and tweets a “Daily White House Shadow briefing”, added: “Trump’s entire strategy from day one has been to divide people. It’s not a surprise that when everyone says he should help us to unify as a nation, he looks at it and says ‘let’s divide’.”


theguardian--2020-04-01--Social distancing? Working-class people don't have that luxury | Francine Prose


theguardian--2020-04-02--Trump says US stockpile of protective equipment nearly gone amid coronavirus

Donald Trump has admitted the US government ’ s emergency stockpile of protective equipment is nearly exhausted because of the extraordinary demands of the coronavirus pandemic .
The shortage was first reported by the Washington Post , which said the supply of respirator masks , gloves and other medical supplies was running low .
Trump , who has been criticised for a lack of central planning , confirmed on Wednesday : “ It is , because we ’ re sending it directly to hospitals .
We don ’ t want it to come to the stockpile because then we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and bring it to various states and hospitals.
” The president had urged states to “ make a deal ” and buy personal protective equipment ( PPE ) directly from manufacturers , he added .
“ We ’ ve asked states where they have large manufacturers of different types of equipment to use those local factories , those local plants and have it made directly , ship it right into the hospitals.
” Trump continued : “ We ’ re shipping things right in .
We have , as you know , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flexibility .
It ’ s sounds like a lot but it ’ s not.
” The national guard had been authorised to move equipment into hospitals when necessary , he added .
Citing officials at the Department of Homeland Security , the Post reported that the depletion of the national stockpile left the White House and states competing for PPE in a “ freewheeling global marketplace rife with profiteering and price-gouging ” .
The Federal Emergency Management Agency ( Fema ) had shipped or delivered 11.6m N95 respirators , 26m surgical masks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 22m gloves , and 8,100 ventilators , the White House said on 28 March .
But Andrew Cuomo , the governor of New York , has complained that Fema contributes to a bidding war between states for ventilators , likening the situation to eBay .
Other state governors and city mayors have complained of a chronic lack of test kits , masks and ventilators .
Wednesday ’ s White House coronavirus taskforce briefing made an unusual start as Trump was first joined by the attorney general , William Barr ; the secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top military officials , who did not seem concerned with physical distancing .
And with America still digesting predictions that up to 240,000 people could die from the pandemic , the president instead focused on “ drug cartels ” – a familiar applause line at his campaign rallies .
The president announced the sending of navy ships toward Venezuela as the US intensifies counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific following a drug indictment against Nicolás Maduro , who still controls the country .
Trump said : “ As governments and nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a growing threat that cartels , criminals , terrorists and other malign actors will try to exploit the situation for their own gain .
We must not let that happen.
” Esper added : “ The Venezuelan people continue to suffer tremendously due to Maduro and his criminal control over the country , and drug traffickers are seizing on this lawlessness.
” The link to the coronavirus seemed tenuous at best .
Gen Mark Milley , the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , told reporters : “ We came upon some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cartels as a result of Covid-19 were going to try to take advantage of the situation and try to infiltrate additional drugs into our country .
“ As we know , 70,000 Americans die on an average annual basis to drugs .
That ’ s unacceptable .
We ’ re at war with Covid-19 , we ’ re at war with terrorists , and we are at war with the drug cartels , as well .
This is the United States military .
You will not penetrate this country .
You will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going to come in here and kill additional Americans.
” The president was asked about reports that China had undercounted its coronavirus cases .
He said : “ Their numbers seem to be a little bit on the light side , and I ’ m being nice when I say that ... As to whether or not their numbers are accurate , I ’ m not an accountant from China.
” Some viewers dismissed the Venezuela announcement as another Trump stunt .
Joe Lockhart , a former White House press secretary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is just completely ridiculous and dishonest .
But it ’ s what we ’ ve come to expect from Trump and his Administration.
” Eventually the defence officials left the podium and were replaced by Trump ’ s health experts Deborah Birx and Anthony Fauci .
The president against defended his preparations for the pandemic and denied he was at fault for a slow start in testing , claiming he “ inherited a very broken system ” .
He praised healthcare workers as “ warriors ” .
Trump predicted a fast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had passed and expressed hope that Congress ’ s next emergency relief bill will including spending on infrastructure .
And the president , who had sought on Tuesday to prepare the nation for unfathomable loss of life , nevertheless could not resist some levity .
He said of Fauci : “ He was a great basketball player , ” and mused : “ I have hundreds of millions of people .
Number one on Facebook ... Did you know ?
I just found out.
” When a Fox News reporter asked him a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What are you , working for CNN ?
”

Donald Trump has admitted the US government’s emergency stockpile of protective equipment is nearly exhausted because of the extraordinary demands of the coronavirus pandemic.
The shortage was first reported by the Washington Post, which said the supply of respirator masks, gloves and other medical supplies was running low.
Trump, who has been criticised for a lack of central planning, confirmed on Wednesday: “It is, because we’re sending it directly to hospitals. We don’t want it to come to the stockpile because then we have to take it, after it arrives, and bring it to various states and hospitals.”
The president had urged states to “make a deal” and buy personal protective equipment (PPE) directly from manufacturers, he added. “We’ve asked states where they have large manufacturers of different types of equipment to use those local factories, those local plants and have it made directly, ship it right into the hospitals.”
Trump continued: “We’re shipping things right in. We have, as you know, almost 10,000 ventilators which we need for flexibility. It’s sounds like a lot but it’s not.”
The national guard had been authorised to move equipment into hospitals when necessary, he added.
Citing officials at the Department of Homeland Security, the Post reported that the depletion of the national stockpile left the White House and states competing for PPE in a “freewheeling global marketplace rife with profiteering and price-gouging”.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) had shipped or delivered 11.6m N95 respirators, 26m surgical masks, 5.2m face shields, 4.3m surgical gowns, 22m gloves, and 8,100 ventilators, the White House said on 28 March.
But Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, has complained that Fema contributes to a bidding war between states for ventilators, likening the situation to eBay. Other state governors and city mayors have complained of a chronic lack of test kits, masks and ventilators.
Wednesday’s White House coronavirus taskforce briefing made an unusual start as Trump was first joined by the attorney general, William Barr; the secretary of defense, Mark Esper; and top military officials, who did not seem concerned with physical distancing.
And with America still digesting predictions that up to 240,000 people could die from the pandemic, the president instead focused on “drug cartels” – a familiar applause line at his campaign rallies.
02:02 Trump holds ‘war on drugs’ press conference amid coronavirus pandemic – video
The president announced the sending of navy ships toward Venezuela as the US intensifies counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific following a drug indictment against President Nicolás Maduro, who still controls the country.
Trump said: “As governments and nations focus on the coronavirus, there is a growing threat that cartels, criminals, terrorists and other malign actors will try to exploit the situation for their own gain. We must not let that happen.”
Esper added: “The Venezuelan people continue to suffer tremendously due to Maduro and his criminal control over the country, and drug traffickers are seizing on this lawlessness.”
The link to the coronavirus seemed tenuous at best. Gen Mark Milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, told reporters: “We came upon some intelligence some time ago that the drug cartels as a result of Covid-19 were going to try to take advantage of the situation and try to infiltrate additional drugs into our country.
“As we know, 70,000 Americans die on an average annual basis to drugs. That’s unacceptable. We’re at war with Covid-19, we’re at war with terrorists, and we are at war with the drug cartels, as well. This is the United States military. You will not penetrate this country. You will not get past Jump Street. You are not going to come in here and kill additional Americans.”
The president was asked about reports that China had undercounted its coronavirus cases. He said: “Their numbers seem to be a little bit on the light side, and I’m being nice when I say that … As to whether or not their numbers are accurate, I’m not an accountant from China.”
Some viewers dismissed the Venezuela announcement as another Trump stunt. Joe Lockhart, a former White House press secretary, tweeted: “Turning this off now. This is just completely ridiculous and dishonest. But it’s what we’ve come to expect from Trump and his Administration.”
Eventually the defence officials left the podium and were replaced by Trump’s health experts Deborah Birx and Anthony Fauci. The president against defended his preparations for the pandemic and denied he was at fault for a slow start in testing, claiming he “inherited a very broken system”. He praised healthcare workers as “warriors”.
Trump predicted a fast recovery for the economy once the virus had passed and expressed hope that Congress’s next emergency relief bill will including spending on infrastructure.
And the president, who had sought on Tuesday to prepare the nation for unfathomable loss of life, nevertheless could not resist some levity. He said of Fauci: “He was a great basketball player,” and mused: “I have hundreds of millions of people. Number one on Facebook … Did you know? I just found out.” When a Fox News reporter asked him a tough question, the president snapped: “What are you, working for CNN?”


theguardian--2020-04-02--Trump says federal stockpile of protective equipment nearly empty – as it happened


theguardian--2020-04-02--Coronavirus US live: Trump blames states for lack of supplies

The project , launched by the U.S. Agency for International Development in 2009 , identified 1,200 different viruses that had @ @ @ @ @ pandemics , including more than 160 novel coronaviruses .
The initiative , called PREDICT , @ @ @ @ @ in 60 foreign laboratories — including the Wuhan lab that identified 2019-nCoV , the new @ @ @ @ @ Field work ceased when the funding ran out in September , and organizations that worked @ @ @ @ @ off dozens of scientists and analysts , said Peter Daszak , president of EcoHealth Alliance @ @ @ @ @ the program .
On Wednesday , USAID granted an emergency extension to the program , @ @ @ @ @ the next six months to send experts who will help foreign labs squelch the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ the funding will do little to further the initiative ’ s original mission .

3 Apr 2020 01.32 BST Summary During the daily coronavirus task force briefing, Donald Trump blamed states for the shortages of medical equipment. He repeatedly noted that he saw aid from the federal government as a “last resort” for states. Of course, many governors have said they’re desperate.
He repeatedly noted that he saw aid from the federal government as a “last resort” for states. Of course, many governors have said they’re desperate. Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law made an appearance at the briefing. Kushner, a real estate developer with no medical expertise, said he is coordinating between federal agencies, hospitals and the White House.
Kushner, a real estate developer with no medical expertise, said he is coordinating between federal agencies, hospitals and the White House. Dr. Deborah Birx said that masks and face coverings should not give people a false sense of security. Although covering one’s mouth and nose while in public can help protect others from infection, physical distancing and hand washing are the best ways to protect oneself. Today, New York City mayor Bill DeBlasio was one of the latest officials to recommend that people wear masks in public.
Although covering one’s mouth and nose while in public can help protect others from infection, physical distancing and hand washing are the best ways to protect oneself. Today, New York City mayor Bill DeBlasio was one of the latest officials to recommend that people wear masks in public. Trump revealed that he tested negative for coronavirus after the White House physician administered a newly approved rapid test that produces results within 15 minutes.
after the White House physician administered a newly approved rapid test that produces results within 15 minutes. The number of coronavirus cases worldwide has surpassed 1m, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins. The global death toll of the pandemic passed 50,000 earlier today.
according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins. The global death toll of the pandemic passed 50,000 earlier today. New York is expected to run out of ventilators in six days, governor Andrew Cuomo said. The state has 2,200 ventilators in its stockpile, and officials are trying to expand their capacity by splitting ventilator tubes and converting BIPAP machines.
governor said. The state has 2,200 ventilators in its stockpile, and officials are trying to expand their capacity by splitting ventilator tubes and converting BIPAP machines. Trump issued an order to use the Defense Production Act to make ventilators. The president has resisted a broad implementation of the law for weeks, even as Democrats have called on him to press companies to speed up the production of medical equipment.
The president has resisted a broad implementation of the law for weeks, even as Democrats have called on him to press companies to speed up the production of medical equipment. The Democratic convention has been postponed until August because of the pandemic. The Democratic National Committee announced the nominating convention would take place the week of 17 August, instead of 13 July, in Milwaukee.
The Democratic National Committee announced the nominating convention would take place the week of 17 August, instead of 13 July, in Milwaukee. The House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, announced the formation of a select committee on coronavirus. Pelosi said the bipartisan panel would ensure the $2tn allocated in the stimulus bill will be “spent wisely”. During the briefing, Trump derided the effort as “ridiculous” and cast it as a “witch hunt” designed specifically to antagonize him.
2 Apr 2020 00.54 BST Report: Trump administration ended a pandemic early-warning program last year Just months before the coronavirus outbreak began, the administration ended a $200m early-warning program for infectious disease, the Los Angeles Times reports. The program was designed to help scientists in China and other nations monitor and respond to disease threats. From the LA Times: The project, launched by the U.S. Agency for International Development in 2009, identified 1,200 different viruses that had the potential to erupt into pandemics, including more than 160 novel coronaviruses. The initiative, called PREDICT, also trained and supported staff in 60 foreign laboratories — including the Wuhan lab that identified 2019-nCoV, the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Field work ceased when the funding ran out in September, and organizations that worked on the PREDICT program laid off dozens of scientists and analysts, said Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, a key player in the program. On Wednesday, USAID granted an emergency extension to the program, issuing $2.26 million over the next six months to send experts who will help foreign labs squelch the pandemic. But program leaders say the funding will do little to further the initiative’s original mission.
2 Apr 2020 00.48 BST Trump’s long musing about the Spanish influenza was in response to a question about 6m unemployment claims in the US. “We’re saying don’t go to work, and we’ll pay you,” he finally said, addressing the high unemployment rates. “Everything is the opposite.” The current plant to provide between $600 and $1200 for many, but not all Americans who are unemployed is likely to help, but wouldn’t cover rent for many families.
The president said regardless, people will soon return to work. “I think it’s going to be boom times,” he said. “I think it’s going to be great.”
2 Apr 2020 00.42 BST Jessica Glenza Fact check: There are a lot of young people in prison Trump said there are “a lot of young people in prison,” when asked about their risk of Covid-19 In fact, the US prison population has been consistently aging for the last decade. As of 2016, 12% of the prison population is 55 or older, surpassing the number of people between 18 and 24 for the first time. Here’s an article from the Marshall Project on the “greying” of US prisons.
2 Apr 2020 00.41 BST Fact check: Spanish flu Trump repeatedly referred to the pandemic in “1917” - he is likely referring to the Spanish Influenza outbreak, which lasted from 1918-1919. In the US, it was first identified among military personnel in the spring of 1918. “They just noticed they were dying all over the place,” Trump said, of the pandemic. He said the number of people who died of the disease during the pandemic, 75-100m people died. “I’ve heard 50 to 75, 75 to a 100,” he said. Per the CDC: “The number of deaths was estimated to be at least 50 million worldwide with about 675,000 occurring in the United States.” Trump mused that during the pandemic a century ago, people didn’t have computers and TVs to connect and stay entertained while stuck at home. “We can read on the internet,” he said. “But in 1917, they didn’t have that option.”
Updated at 00.42 BST
2 Apr 2020 00.32 BST Jessica Glenza Fact check: Flatliners Trump referred to states with “no bump” as “flatliners”, apparently arguing residents in some states have done a better job staying home than others, thereby flattening the curve. However, it’s difficult to tell whether those states are, in fact, experiencing fewer cases, because of the huge difference in how states are testing. For example, Arizona has tested only 13 residents per 100,000, compared to New York, which is testing 627 residents per 100,000.
Updated at 00.35 BST
2 Apr 2020 00.31 BST Trump also repeatedly referred to states with fewer cases, and states where the number of cases has increased slowly as “flatliners”. “Flatliner” is a term for patients who show no sign of a heartbeat or brain activity, meaning they are dying or have died.
2 Apr 2020 00.28 BST Fact check: California Donald Trump said that California is “very flat” referring to graphs showing the increase in the number of reported infections. In fact, California is one of the worst affected by the pandemic, with cases sharply increased over the past week – resulting in a very steeply curved “line” on a graph. Moreover, California has lagged in testing. Public health experts expect that the state will see many more cases as more people are tested for the disease. California appears to be flattening the curve. But its testing lags behind other states Read more
Updated at 00.35 BST
2 Apr 2020 00.21 BST Jared Kushner denied that he was running a shadow task force, complicating the work of public health experts. “Everything that I am doing is at the direction of the Vice President,” the president’s son-in-law said. “ I talk to the VP sometimes five times a day. I also talk to Dr. Birx and Dr. Fauci.”
Kushner earlier mentioned that he was able to secure PPE for a New York hospital after a friend of the president complained about a lack of supplies.
2 Apr 2020 00.15 BST Jessica Glenza Fact check: 85% of states have stay at home orders. Trump said 85% of states have issued stay-at-home orders. There are 50 states and 11 have not issued statewide stay-at-home orders. That means 78% of states have stay-at-home orders. Dividing any number of states by 50 wouldn’t produce 85%.
Updated at 00.16 BST
2 Apr 2020 00.07 BST Fact check: Travel restrictions The president touted the administration’s travel restrictions in response to criticisms that the administration was late to act on the coronavirus crisis. “I cut off China very early,” Trump said. “I cut off Europe very early.” In fact, the administration’s travel restrictions did not “cut off” travel — from Europe or China. The policies included several exemptions for American citizens and other groups of travelers. The administration’s restrictions came too late to make a significant difference, epidemiologists told the Guardian, as they were enacted after the virus was already spreading within the US. Still, the president boasted, “We had bans long before we thought of bans,” referring to prior travel bans on mostly Muslim counties. “We’re looking at a lot of things and a lot of different bans.”
Updated at 05.17 BST
2 Apr 2020 00.02 BST Birx: 'Not everyone is following the social distancing guidance' The climbing rate of infection in the US compared to the rate of infections in Italy is worrying, Dr. Birx said. “I can tell by the curve as it is today that not everyone is following the social distancing guidance,” Birx said. “We can bend our curve, but everyone has to take responsibility as Americans.”
2 Apr 2020 00.00 BST The newly approved coronavirus tests that can provide results within 15 minutes are being sent to Indian country and rural areas, according to Dr. Birx. A total of 18,000 tests going to be sent out, she said, to areas with limited infrastructure and ability to process tests, that are set away from big processing centers.
Updated at 00.00 BST
2 Apr 2020 23.57 BST Jessica Glenza Fact check: Scarves are better than masks A reporter asked whether the White House would recommend all Americans wear face masks, such as N95 respirators. In response, Trump said Americans could decide for themselves, and added: “In many cases the scarf is better, it’s thicker”. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers bandanas and scarves a last resort measure. Their efficacy is not studied. They do not come standard, like N95 masks, which under ideal circumstances are fitted specifically to people’s faces. They should not be considered an effective way to prevent coronavirus infection. They should be used only when there is no other option.
2 Apr 2020 23.56 BST “We don’t want people to get a false sense of security.” from masks, said Dr Deborah Birx. Masks are good for protecting others, Birx said – but they aren’t as useful for protecting yourself. Social distancing, and maintaining a 6ft distance between yourself, washing and disinfecting hands are much better ways of keeping safe, she said.
Updated at 00.01 BST
2 Apr 2020 23.49 BST Mike Pence said that the task force has proposed using some of the $100bn allocated to hospitals, to compensate them for caring for uninsured payments. Of course, that’s not the same as directly providing funds to uninsured families, which is what Trump mentioned. The vice-president said that the government will “find a way” to pay for the coronavirus treatment of uninsured people, and more details are forthcoming. Simply reopening the exchanges to allow uninsured people to become insured still doesn’t seem to be under consideration.
Updated at 00.01 BST


theguardian--2020-04-02--How do you stop politicians from rigging the ballot? This woman knows

For many years Michigan was divided evenly along party lines – a checkerboard of red and blue every election .
Then , in 2011 , Michigan ’ s Republican party legally rigged the system .
Charged with drawing new district lines , the lawmakers did so with unprecedented precision – carving unnatural boundaries to keep their favored voters and locales in hand – to guarantee a majority for their party .
It worked perfectly .
The process of creating these doctored maps , known as gerrymandering , resulted in widespread victories for the Republicans .
The party controlled almost every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supreme court to municipal workers .
And with tangible impact on Michigan ’ s people : the Flint water crisis , which killed 12 people , happened because party legislators appointed emergency managers whom voters opposed .
But in 2016 , a then 26-year-old with no political experience uprooted the system .
Katie Fahey hates politics .
She can ’ t stand cable news punditry .
She has little confidence in any of the 2020 presidential candidates .
And she refuses to identify with a political party .
But she dedicated two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a grassroots campaign that started with a Facebook post and , against the odds , ended gerrymandering in Michigan .
“ Part of the problem we have right now is everybody ’ s looking for a savior , whether it ’ s an individual politician or a political party , ” Fahey said .
“ We as a whole aren ’ t working as hard to make sure that our voice is staying at the table and that we are watching what ’ s being done.
” In hindsight , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her passionate message in Michigan – and why film-makers found Fahey the perfect anchor for their gerrymandering documentary Slay the Dragon , named for the oddly shaped district in Massachusetts created by the man who gerrymandering its name , former vice-president Elbridge Gerry .
The film arrives on demand on 3 April .
But for Fahey , being a young woman and a political outsider meant she faced an uphill battle to reform the redistricting process every step of the way .
Fahey ’ s political frustration reached a boiling point after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Michigan to New York in a red pantsuit on 8 November , expecting to celebrate the first female president at Hillary Clinton campaign ’ s watch party .
Instead , she was left stunned by Donald Trump ’ s victory .
And she dreaded spending Thanksgiving with her extended , politically divided family in their home town just outside Grand Rapids .
Born Katie Rogala , her family mostly steered clear of politics during her childhood in Caledonia , Michigan ( population : 1,527 ) , though her dad ’ s veteran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered herself an independent , and worked at a recycling coalition after college , doing improvisational comedy – even starting an improv festival from scratch .
( She married her improv co-star Sean Fahey in 2013 , but the pair recently divorced . )
That year , eager to find a unifying topic to focus on over turkey and stuffing , Fahey turned her attention to gerrymandering .
“ I didn ’ t want to talk about who we voted for because that was always leading back to literally people being like , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that way , ’ ” Fahey said .
“ So I thought , man , I wonder if systemic reform , getting back to one person , one vote would be something that appeals to everybody.
” While the practice of politicians redrawing district lines in their favor dates to the early 1800s in Massachusetts , recent technology has taken gerrymandering in America to the extreme .
Now , following each decennial census count , it ’ s legal for state politicians to hire mapmakers to use software that precisely manipulates bizarrely squiggled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mantis to Goofy kicking Donald Duck – to cram their opponents into a limited area or otherwise guarantee votes .
Michigan is one of the most gerrymandered states in the US .
Leaked emails have even revealed a Republican aide boasted about packing “ Dem garbage ” into select districts during the 2011 GOP legislative redrawing .
On 11 November 2016 , Fahey posted a Facebook status : “ I ’ d like to take on gerrymandering in Michigan , if you ’ re interested in doing this as well , please let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours , she ’ d created a new Facebook group and soon , the non-partisan Voters Not Politicians ( VNP ) was born .
Fahey was the face of a movement .
Well , almost .
For the next few months , Fahey never met her supporters .
They strategized and bonded online , something Fahey said helped build her confidence because “ it ’ s easier to be vulnerable behind a screen ” .
But by March 2017 , she and her fellow volunteers were ready to hold meetings across the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see a new redistricting system work .
“ Everybody just thought that was absolutely absurd that you would talk to people before changing the constitution , ” she said of the skepticism her plan received from political insiders .
“ [ I thought ] isn ’ t this how democracy works ?
” It ’ s in those meetings that Fahey ’ s improv experience came in handy .
She had an ease onstage , and in front of crowds – rumors even circulated that she was a paid actor , a plant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole Facebook-origin story was an elaborate hoax .
“ A lot of people were more skeptical and more dismissive of us being able to be the ‘ real deal ’ because of my age and gender , ” she said .
Voters Not Politicians ’ final proposal emerged after 33 days : take the power out of the politicians ’ hands , starting with the 2021 redistricting , by creating a 13-person citizens ’ committee , composed of four Republicans , four Democrats and five unaffiliated people .
But that was just the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot as a proposed constitutional amendment in the November 2018 midterm election , they would need 315,000 signatures in the next 180 days and , with limited funds and virtually no experience , they were starting at a huge disadvantage .
“ Normally , before you ’ d announce , you ’ d have your constitutional language written and you would have raised millions of dollars , ” Fahey says .
“ Literally , we had just opened our bank account the day before because we couldn ’ t figure out how.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4,000 volunteers , many of whom had also never been politically active , to contribute their skills , down to the woodcarver who helped make their clipboards .
Jennifer Lawrence and Arnold Schwarzenegger chimed in with support .
Even Republican voters and legislators were eager to sign and “ the only people who would ever say no were usually people who were involved in the redistricting process before or somehow really , really involved in partisan politics ” .
“ Without Katie , I believe , we would not have been successful , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Traverse City who volunteered for the campaign .
“ She was a hands-on leader who worked diligently with as many volunteers as she had time to meet personally or talk with on the phone.
” Defying predictions , Voters Not Politicians managed to get more than 425,000 signatures two months before the deadline .
On election day , the proposal , Prop 2 , passed with a sweeping 61 % of the vote .
“ People don ’ t realize their own power .
A lot of people , especially women , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go into leadership positions , ” Fahey says , noting that after the campaign ended “ we had , like , 17 people who ended up running for local office ” .
Next year , Michigan ’ s district lines will be redrawn by voters , not politicians for the first time .
Slay the Dragon will be released this week during a census year – when the US population will be carefully counted in order to determine the size of electoral districts next year .
It ’ s clear that Fahey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Republicans across the country during that process .
Michigan ’ s Republican party and activists continue to try and block the change with multiple lawsuits , claiming it is unconstitutional and discriminatory .
But Fahey is hoping the momentum from VNP can be replicated in the 35 other states that still use congressional redistricting .
She self-identifies as a “ democracy entrepreneur ” .
( That label worn by anyone else could seem insufferable , but on Fahey , who radiates an infectious earnestness , it works . )
And she founded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People , which hopes to create Katie 2.0s across the country by giving frustrated citizens the tools to tackle systemic issues they care about , such as the partisan primary process and election security .
To be successful , those initiatives might need people like Katie at the forefront .
“ She is an inspiring , motivating and tireless leader , ” Gurian said .
While the impact of her work can ’ t be measured quite yet , the ripple effects are clear .
In early March , the Democrat-majority Virginia senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a committee .
Groups in Nebraska , Oregon , Arkansas and Oklahoma are currently pushing for reform .
Meanwhile Fahey keeps a surprisingly low profile from her home in Grand Rapids , which she shares with three rescue dogs .
Though her platform started with a Facebook post , she has no public Instagram and a modest Twitter presence .
Even the fact that she ’ s the face of Slay the Dragon doesn ’ t sit well with her .
And don ’ t expect her to run for office anytime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more excited about governing than I would about running or feeling like I have to follow the party line because that ’ s just not me , ” she said .
For now , she spends what little free time she has taking her dogs to the park or escaping from “ real-world problems ” with video games .
Role-playing fantasies are her favorite , including , of course , Dragon Quest .
“ I think what I like about them is – this is so dumb – you have these different characters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if there is a main character , your team is only stronger because everybody ’ s bringing their strengths to the table , ” she says .
“ That is just so how I live my life .
”

For many years Michigan was divided evenly along party lines – a checkerboard of red and blue every election. Then, in 2011, Michigan’s Republican party legally rigged the system. Charged with drawing new district lines, the lawmakers did so with unprecedented precision – carving unnatural boundaries to keep their favored voters and locales in hand – to guarantee a majority for their party.
It worked perfectly. The process of creating these doctored maps, known as gerrymandering, resulted in widespread victories for the Republicans. The party controlled almost every level of government, from the state supreme court to municipal workers. And with tangible impact on Michigan’s people: the Flint water crisis, which killed 12 people, happened because party legislators appointed emergency managers whom voters opposed.
But in 2016, a then 26-year-old with no political experience uprooted the system.
Katie Fahey hates politics. She can’t stand cable news punditry. She has little confidence in any of the 2020 presidential candidates. And she refuses to identify with a political party. But she dedicated two years of her life to launching and leading a grassroots campaign that started with a Facebook post and, against the odds, ended gerrymandering in Michigan.
“Part of the problem we have right now is everybody’s looking for a savior, whether it’s an individual politician or a political party,” Fahey said. “We as a whole aren’t working as hard to make sure that our voice is staying at the table and that we are watching what’s being done.”
In hindsight, it’s easy to see why thousands flocked to her passionate message in Michigan – and why film-makers found Fahey the perfect anchor for their gerrymandering documentary Slay the Dragon, named for the oddly shaped district in Massachusetts created by the man who gerrymandering its name, former vice-president Elbridge Gerry. The film arrives on demand on 3 April.
But for Fahey, being a young woman and a political outsider meant she faced an uphill battle to reform the redistricting process every step of the way.
Fahey’s political frustration reached a boiling point after the 2016 presidential election. She had flown from Michigan to New York in a red pantsuit on 8 November, expecting to celebrate the first female president at Hillary Clinton campaign’s watch party. Instead, she was left stunned by Donald Trump’s victory. And she dreaded spending Thanksgiving with her extended, politically divided family in their home town just outside Detroit.
Born Katie Rogala, her family mostly steered clear of politics during her childhood in Livonia, Michigan, though her dad’s veteran status meant patriotism surrounded them. Fahey considered herself an independent, and worked at a recycling coalition after college, doing improvisational comedy – even starting an improv festival from scratch. (She married her improv co-star Sean Fahey in 2013, but the pair recently divorced.)
That year, eager to find a unifying topic to focus on over turkey and stuffing, Fahey turned her attention to gerrymandering. “I didn’t want to talk about who we voted for because that was always leading back to literally people being like, ‘You’re evil for thinking that way,’” Fahey said. “So I thought, man, I wonder if systemic reform, getting back to one person, one vote would be something that appeals to everybody.”
Katie Fahey in Slay the Dragon. Photograph: Participant Media
While the practice of politicians redrawing district lines in their favor dates to the early 1800s in Massachusetts, recent technology has taken gerrymandering in America to the extreme. Now, following each decennial census count, it’s legal for state politicians to hire mapmakers to use software that precisely manipulates bizarrely squiggled districts – resembling everything from a praying mantis to Goofy kicking Donald Duck – to cram their opponents into a limited area or otherwise guarantee votes.
Michigan is one of the most gerrymandered states in the US. Leaked emails have even revealed a Republican aide boasted about packing “Dem garbage” into select districts during the 2011 GOP legislative redrawing.
On 11 November 2016, Fahey posted a Facebook status: “I’d like to take on gerrymandering in Michigan, if you’re interested in doing this as well, please let me know :).” Within hours, she’d created a new Facebook group and soon, the non-partisan Voters Not Politicians (VNP) was born. Fahey was the face of a movement. Well, almost.
For the next few months, Fahey never met her supporters. They strategized and bonded online, something Fahey said helped build her confidence because “it’s easier to be vulnerable behind a screen”. But by March 2017, she and her fellow volunteers were ready to hold meetings across the state asking residents how they would like to see a new redistricting system work.
“Everybody just thought that was absolutely absurd that you would talk to people before changing the constitution,” she said of the skepticism her plan received from political insiders. “[I thought] isn’t this how democracy works?”
It’s in those meetings that Fahey’s improv experience came in handy. She had an ease onstage, and in front of crowds – rumors even circulated that she was a paid actor, a plant supplied by the Democrats and that her whole Facebook-origin story was an elaborate hoax. “A lot of people were more skeptical and more dismissive of us being able to be the ‘real deal’ because of my age and gender,” she said.
A lot of people were more skeptical and more dismissive of us being able to be the ‘real deal’ because of my age and gender Katie Fahey
Voters Not Politicians’ final proposal emerged after 33 days: take the power out of the politicians’ hands, starting with the 2021 redistricting, by creating a 13-person citizens’ committee, composed of four Republicans, four Democrats and five unaffiliated people.
But that was just the beginning. To get it on the ballot as a proposed constitutional amendment in the November 2018 midterm election, they would need 315,000 signatures in the next 180 days and, with limited funds and virtually no experience, they were starting at a huge disadvantage. “Normally, before you’d announce, you’d have your constitutional language written and you would have raised millions of dollars,” Fahey says. “Literally, we had just opened our bank account the day before because we couldn’t figure out how.”
An undeterred and perpetually smiling Fahey led 4,000 volunteers, many of whom had also never been politically active, to contribute their skills, down to the woodcarver who helped make their clipboards. Jennifer Lawrence and Arnold Schwarzenegger chimed in with support. Even Republican voters and legislators were eager to sign and “the only people who would ever say no were usually people who were involved in the redistricting process before or somehow really, really involved in partisan politics”.
“Without Katie, I believe, we would not have been successful,” said Hal Gurian, a Republican from Traverse City who volunteered for the campaign. “She was a hands-on leader who worked diligently with as many volunteers as she had time to meet personally or talk with on the phone.”
Defying predictions, Voters Not Politicians managed to get more than 425,000 signatures two months before the deadline. On election day, the proposal, Prop 2, passed with a sweeping 61% of the vote.
“People don’t realize their own power. A lot of people, especially women, in the campaign, were so reluctant to go into leadership positions,” Fahey says, noting that after the campaign ended “we had, like, 17 people who ended up running for local office”.
Next year, Michigan’s district lines will be redrawn by voters, not politicians for the first time.
Slay the Dragon will be released this week during a census year – when the US population will be carefully counted in order to determine the size of electoral districts next year.
It’s clear that Fahey’s hard-won movement is a threat to Republicans across the country during that process. Michigan’s Republican party and activists continue to try and block the change with multiple lawsuits, claiming it is unconstitutional and discriminatory.
But Fahey is hoping the momentum from VNP can be replicated in the 35 other states that still use congressional redistricting. She self-identifies as a “democracy entrepreneur”. (That label worn by anyone else could seem insufferable, but on Fahey, who radiates an infectious earnestness, it works.) And she founded a national not-for-profit last year called the People, which hopes to create Katie 2.0s across the country by giving frustrated citizens the tools to tackle systemic issues they care about, such as the partisan primary process and election security.
To be successful, those initiatives might need people like Katie at the forefront. “She is an inspiring, motivating and tireless leader,” Gurian said.
I’d be more excited about governing than I would about running or feeling like I have to follow the party line because that’s just not me Katie Fahey
While the impact of her work can’t be measured quite yet, the ripple effects are clear. In early March, the Democrat-majority Virginia senate voted to relinquish their power in favor of a committee. Groups in Nebraska, Oregon, Arkansas and Oklahoma are currently pushing for reform.
Meanwhile Fahey keeps a surprisingly low profile from her home in Grand Rapids, which she shares with three rescue dogs. Though her platform started with a Facebook post, she has no public Instagram and a modest Twitter presence. Even the fact that she’s the face of Slay the Dragon doesn’t sit well with her. And don’t expect her to run for office anytime soon. “I’d be more excited about governing than I would about running or feeling like I have to follow the party line because that’s just not me,” she said.
For now, she spends what little free time she has taking her dogs to the park or escaping from “real-world problems” with video games. Role-playing fantasies are her favorite, including, of course, Dragon Quest.
“I think what I like about them is – this is so dumb – you have these different characters who all play their role and even if there is a main character, your team is only stronger because everybody’s bringing their strengths to the table,” she says.
“That is just so how I live my life.”


theguardian--2020-04-02--Sanders calls for Wisconsin to delay primary amid coronavirus pandemic

The Democratic National Committee has confirmed the party ’ s nominating convention will be postponed until mid-August amid concerns about the coronavirus outbreak .
The convention is one of the most high profile events of the 2020 election calendar , and is where the party ’ s presidential candidate is selected .
The week-long event is now due begin on 17 August in Milwaukee , Wisconsin , one week before the Republican convention .
“ Leadership means being able to adapt , and that ’ s exactly what our party is doing , ” DNC chairman Tom Perez said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health and safety of our convention attendees and the people of Milwaukee is our top priority .
And we will continue to be in contact with local , state , and federal health officials as we monitor this fluid situation.
” Joe Biden , frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination , said on Tuesday it was “ hard to envision ” that the Democratic national convention could continue as planned in July in Milwaukee due to the outbreak .
Speaking to MSNBC on Tuesday , Biden said the country had previously managed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the civil war all the way through to world war two ” but acknowledged this election cycle “ may have to be different ” .
“ We should listen to the scientists , ” he responded when asked whether it was safe for party leaders to gather for the convention , which had been slated for 13 July .
Biden ’ s rival , Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders , who trails Biden by a wide margin , this week called for Wisconsin to delay its primary election next week due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be forced to put their lives on the line ” to cast their vote for their preferred presidential candidate .
Sanders has faced increasing calls to drop out of the race , as Biden maintains a wide lead in pledged delegates .
But Sanders insisted there is a narrow path to winning the nomination .
More than 12 states that were due to hold votes in March or April have already postponed or adapted their primaries in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 people to help curb the spread of the virus .
But while Wisconsin has ordered its residents to stay at home , closed non-essential businesses , and placed a ban on “ public and private gatherings of any number of people ” , it has not yet postponed its elections on Tuesday 7 April , despite coming under heavy criticism .
“ People should not be forced to put their lives on the line to vote , ” Sanders , the Vermont senator , said in a statement .
“ The state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extend early voting and work to move entirely to vote-by-mail.
” Local election clerks across the state told the AP that poll workers were “ quitting in droves out of fears of contracting the coronavirus ” .
Wisconsin is also staging a state supreme court race and hundreds of local races .
More than 100 municipalities have reported a lack of staff to fill even one polling site .
Wisconsin ’ s governor , Tony Evers , told a federal judge that he will use members of the state ’ s army national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but even that move will probably not fill the deficit .
Governor Evers submitted the brief on Tuesday as US district judge William Conley considered three lawsuits seeking to postpone the election .
Conley is scheduled to hear testimony on Wednesday afternoon .
Evers and Republican legislative leaders have wanted to keep the Tuesday date , arguing postponement could leave countless local offices vacant .
But the two sides have sparred over how to conduct the election , including whether to relax photo ID requirements to make the absentee voting process easier .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a group of liberal organizations each filed lawsuits last month arguing that in-person voting should be postponed until after the state ’ s stay-at-home order expires on 24 April .
The order prohibits non-essential activities to slow the virus ’ s spread .
According to a live database from John Hopkins University , 14 people have died from the virus in Wisconsin .
Milwaukee has the highest number of deaths .
Nearly a dozen people have died in the city and there are more than 700 confirmed cases .
Evers said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American part of the city constituted “ a crisis within a crisis ” .
The CDC has dispatched a team to understand why the state ’ s coronavirus deaths were concentrated mainly on the city ’ s north side .
State and city leaders had already expressed concern that the future of the state ’ s primary and the DNC were in jeopardy .
“ We are looking at options and waiting for the DNC to make decisions , ” Meg Andrietsch , secretary of the Democratic party of Wisconsin , told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Bowen , was the first state lawmaker to be diagnosed with the virus .
Biden has rebuffed calls to cancel or postpone the general election , but has conceded “ it may be virtual ” .
• None The AP and reporter Danielle Renwick contributed to this report

The Democratic National Committee has confirmed the party’s nominating convention will be postponed until mid-August amid concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.
The convention is one of the most high profile events of the 2020 election calendar, and is where the party’s presidential candidate is selected. The week-long event is now due begin on 17 August in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, one week before the Republican convention.
“Leadership means being able to adapt, and that’s exactly what our party is doing,” DNC chairman Tom Perez said in a statement.
“Ultimately, the health and safety of our convention attendees and the people of Milwaukee is our top priority. And we will continue to be in contact with local, state, and federal health officials as we monitor this fluid situation.”
Joe Biden, frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, said on Tuesday it was “hard to envision” that the Democratic national convention could continue as planned in July in Milwaukee due to the outbreak.
Speaking to MSNBC on Tuesday, Biden said the country had previously managed to hold elections “in the middle of the civil war all the way through to world war two” but acknowledged this election cycle “may have to be different”.
“We should listen to the scientists,” he responded when asked whether it was safe for party leaders to gather for the convention, which had been slated for 13 July.
Biden’s rival, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, who trails Biden by a wide margin, this week called for Wisconsin to delay its primary election next week due to the coronavirus pandemic, saying people “should not be forced to put their lives on the line” to cast their vote for their preferred presidential candidate.
Sanders has faced increasing calls to drop out of the race, as Biden maintains a wide lead in pledged delegates. But Sanders insisted there is a narrow path to winning the nomination.
More than 12 states that were due to hold votes in March or April have already postponed or adapted their primaries in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which cautions against gatherings of more than 50 people to help curb the spread of the virus.
But while Wisconsin has ordered its residents to stay at home, closed non-essential businesses, and placed a ban on “public and private gatherings of any number of people”, it has not yet postponed its elections on Tuesday 7 April, despite coming under heavy criticism.
“People should not be forced to put their lives on the line to vote,” Sanders, the Vermont senator, said in a statement. “The state should delay Tuesday’s vote, extend early voting and work to move entirely to vote-by-mail.”
Local election clerks across the state told the AP that poll workers were “quitting in droves out of fears of contracting the coronavirus”. Wisconsin is also staging a state supreme court race and hundreds of local races.
More than 100 municipalities have reported a lack of staff to fill even one polling site.
Wisconsin’s governor, Tony Evers, told a federal judge that he will use members of the state’s army national guard to help as poll workers, but even that move will probably not fill the deficit.
Governor Evers submitted the brief on Tuesday as US district judge William Conley considered three lawsuits seeking to postpone the election. Conley is scheduled to hear testimony on Wednesday afternoon.
Evers and Republican legislative leaders have wanted to keep the Tuesday date, arguing postponement could leave countless local offices vacant.
But the two sides have sparred over how to conduct the election, including whether to relax photo ID requirements to make the absentee voting process easier.
The DNC, the state Democratic party and a group of liberal organizations each filed lawsuits last month arguing that in-person voting should be postponed until after the state’s stay-at-home order expires on 24 April.
The order prohibits non-essential activities to slow the virus’s spread. According to a live database from John Hopkins University, 14 people have died from the virus in Wisconsin.
Milwaukee has the highest number of deaths. Nearly a dozen people have died in the city and there are more than 700 confirmed cases.
Evers said the concentration of cases in a largely African American part of the city constituted “a crisis within a crisis”. The CDC has dispatched a team to understand why the state’s coronavirus deaths were concentrated mainly on the city’s north side.
State and city leaders had already expressed concern that the future of the state’s primary and the DNC were in jeopardy.
“We are looking at options and waiting for the DNC to make decisions,” Meg Andrietsch, secretary of the Democratic party of Wisconsin, told the Journal Times.
Wisconsin state representative, David Bowen, was the first state lawmaker to be diagnosed with the virus.
Biden has rebuffed calls to cancel or postpone the general election, but has conceded “it may be virtual”.


theguardian--2020-04-02--US coronavirus stimulus checks: are you eligible and how much will you get?

The US has agreed on a $ 2tn stimulus package , the largest economic stimulus in US history , in response to the economic impacts of Covid-19 .
While corporations will be the biggest recipients of the bailout , some of that money will be paid directly to Americans hit by the pandemic .
Most taxpayers will get a check in the mail , while those directly affected by the economic effects of Covid-19 are slated to receive robust government support .
Here ’ s what we know so far about how the new stimulus package will directly affect Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s eligible for a check from the government ?
Congress will spend about $ 250bn for checks up to $ 1,200 per person that will go directly to taxpayers .
To be eligible for the full amount , a person ’ s most recently filed tax return must show that they made $ 75,000 or under .
For couples , who can receive a maximum of $ 2,400 , the cutoff is $ 150,000 .
If a person makes more than $ 75,000 , the amount given goes down incrementally by $ 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So a person who makes $ 85,000 would get $ 700 while a person who makes $ 95,000 would get $ 200 .
If a person makes above $ 99,000 , or a couple makes above $ 198,000 , no check will be given .
There are some requirements and exceptions .
Those getting a check must be living and working in the US and have a valid social security number .
If a person is listed as a dependent on their parents ’ tax return – the case for many college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tax Foundation , a DC-based thinktank , estimates that 93.6 % of Americans will be eligible for a check coming from the stimulus package .
Taxpayers will be given $ 500 per child 16 or under listed as a dependent on their latest tax return .
When will I get this money ?
That is still unclear .
Experts say that Americans will probably not get the money until May , given how long it takes the Internal Revenue Service ( IRS ) to send out checks .
The treasury secretary , Steven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information is already with the IRS from previous tax returns can expect a payment “ within three weeks ” .
For those who still need to give the IRS their bank account information , a web-based portal will be opening soon to allow people to provide the IRS with their information .
The IRS says this is to make sure people get their checks immediately , instead of sending them through the mail .
This is not the first time the government has sent checks to Americans .
The federal government gave up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 600 in 2008 to taxpayers who met a certain income bracket to similarly stimulate the economy .
What if a person did not file their 2018 or 2019 return ?
The IRS recommends people file their 2018 or 2019 tax return as soon as possible to get the payment .
A check will be sent to any qualified person so long as they file their return within 2020 .
What if a person does not file their taxes ?
A person may still be eligible even if they do not file the taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not file taxes – low-income taxpayers and some veterans – will need to file a “ simple tax return ” in order to get the payment .
Social security beneficiaries will not need to fill out the tax return , even if they do not file their taxes , to get the payment .
Does the package help unemployed workers ?
Yes , specifically the bill will increase unemployment insurance by $ 600 for 13 weeks – about four months – for every person , added to the existing unemployment compensation a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program .
The length and amount of compensation varies from state to state .
A majority of states providing a maximum of 26 weeks of compensation , while average weekly compensation ranges from 20 % of a person ’ s wage to just over 50 % .
What about freelance and gig workers ?
While unemployment insurance typically does not cover people who are self-employed – freelancers , contractors and gig workers – the bill comes with a “ pandemic unemployment assistance ” measure that will extend insurance to those workers .
Have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Not in this bill .
Earlier last week , Donald Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act , a bill worth about $ 100bn meant to expand paid sick leave and emergency paid leave , but it came with major loopholes .
Companies with over 500 employees were not mentioned in the bill , while companies with under 50 employees can apply for exemptions .
The bill mandates 10 days of fully paid sick leave for employees of companies with 500 employees or less .
Parents of those companies affected by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those leaving for medical reasons can get 12 weeks of pay at 67 % of their salary .
Will there be anything to offset healthcare costs related to Covid-19 ?
Again , not in this bill .
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act included a measure that mandated all Covid-19 testing is free , but treatment for any symptoms ( there is currently no cure for the illness ) still comes at a cost .
A few states have reopened enrollment for their health insurance programs to allow those concerned about costs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies said they will be waiving any high costs for treatment , but there are still stories of people getting bills for as much as $ 34,000 to cover treatment of the virus ’ s symptoms .

The US has agreed on a $2tn stimulus package, the largest economic stimulus in US history, in response to the economic impacts of Covid-19. While corporations will be the biggest recipients of the bailout, some of that money will be paid directly to Americans hit by the pandemic.
Most taxpayers will get a check in the mail, while those directly affected by the economic effects of Covid-19 are slated to receive robust government support.
Here’s what we know so far about how the new stimulus package will directly affect Americans in the coming weeks:
Who’s eligible for a check from the government?
Congress will spend about $250bn for checks up to $1,200 per person that will go directly to taxpayers.
To be eligible for the full amount, a person’s most recently filed tax return must show that they made $75,000 or under. For couples, who can receive a maximum of $2,400, the cutoff is $150,000.
If a person makes more than $75,000, the amount given goes down incrementally by $5 for every $100 increase in salary. So a person who makes $85,000 would get $700 while a person who makes $95,000 would get $200.
If a person makes above $99,000, or a couple makes above $198,000, no check will be given.
There are some requirements and exceptions. Those getting a check must be living and working in the US and have a valid social security number. If a person is listed as a dependent on their parents’ tax return – the case for many college students – they are excluded.
The Tax Foundation, a DC-based thinktank, estimates that 93.6% of Americans will be eligible for a check coming from the stimulus package.
What about parents?
Taxpayers will be given $500 per child 16 or under listed as a dependent on their latest tax return.
When will I get this money?
That is still unclear. Experts say that Americans will probably not get the money until May, given how long it takes the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to send out checks. The treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, said those whose bank account information is already with the IRS from previous tax returns can expect a payment “within three weeks”.
For those who still need to give the IRS their bank account information, a web-based portal will be opening soon to allow people to provide the IRS with their information. The IRS says this is to make sure people get their checks immediately, instead of sending them through the mail.
This is not the first time the government has sent checks to Americans. The federal government gave up to $300 in 2001 and $600 in 2008 to taxpayers who met a certain income bracket to similarly stimulate the economy.
What if a person did not file their 2018 or 2019 return?
The IRS recommends people file their 2018 or 2019 tax return as soon as possible to get the payment. A check will be sent to any qualified person so long as they file their return within 2020.
What if a person does not file their taxes?
A person may still be eligible even if they do not file the taxes. The IRS says people who typically do not file taxes – low-income taxpayers and some veterans – will need to file a “simple tax return” in order to get the payment. Social security beneficiaries will not need to fill out the tax return, even if they do not file their taxes, to get the payment.
Does the package help unemployed workers?
Yes, specifically the bill will increase unemployment insurance by $600 for 13 weeks – about four months – for every person, added to the existing unemployment compensation a person gets from their state’s program.
The length and amount of compensation varies from state to state. A majority of states providing a maximum of 26 weeks of compensation, while average weekly compensation ranges from 20% of a person’s wage to just over 50%.
What about freelance and gig workers?
While unemployment insurance typically does not cover people who are self-employed – freelancers, contractors and gig workers – the bill comes with a “pandemic unemployment assistance” measure that will extend insurance to those workers.
02:25 'The universe is collapsing': Bernie Sanders mocks Republicans over coronavirus aid – video
Have there been any changes to paid leave?
Not in this bill. Earlier last week, Donald Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, a bill worth about $100bn meant to expand paid sick leave and emergency paid leave, but it came with major loopholes. Companies with over 500 employees were not mentioned in the bill, while companies with under 50 employees can apply for exemptions.
The bill mandates 10 days of fully paid sick leave for employees of companies with 500 employees or less. Parents of those companies affected by their children’s school closing and those leaving for medical reasons can get 12 weeks of pay at 67% of their salary.
Will there be anything to offset healthcare costs related to Covid-19?
Again, not in this bill. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act included a measure that mandated all Covid-19 testing is free, but treatment for any symptoms (there is currently no cure for the illness) still comes at a cost.
A few states have reopened enrollment for their health insurance programs to allow those concerned about costs to enroll, and three major health insurance companies said they will be waiving any high costs for treatment, but there are still stories of people getting bills for as much as $34,000 to cover treatment of the virus’s symptoms.