theguardian--2020-03-18--The Democratic race is over. Voters have picked Joe Biden | Richard Wolffe

This Democratic race isn ’ t pining for the fjords .
It is no more .
It has ceased to be .
Its metabolic processes are now history .
This is an ex-presidential contest .
The only reason the news networks could not call the Florida primary as soon as the votes piled up for Joe Biden was because the state ’ s panhandle voters were still at the polls .
Once those polls closed , the obvious was made official : it was a blowout for Biden .
The last time we heard from Bernie Sanders after losing big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said he wanted to debate the former vice-president head-to-head , one-on-one , to press his case directly and finally .
“ While our campaign has won the ideological debate , we are losing the debate over electability , ” Sanders said the day after his Super Tuesday defeats .
“ Donald Trump must be defeated , and I will do everything in my power to make that happen .
On Sunday night , in the first one-on-one debate of this campaign , the American people will have the opportunity to see which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal.
” Well the American people had that opportunity and they chose Joe Biden .
If this is what winning the ideological debate looks like , Sanders should seriously consider debating another topic .
The only topic the American people want to debate is the coronavirus pandemic and the severe recession that looks like the certain outcome of this quasi-national quarantine .
Trump ’ s treasury secretary , Steve Mnuchin , told Republican senators on Tuesday that unemployment could hit 20 % if they didn ’ t push through a huge economic stimulus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that into context , unemployment peaked at 10 % after the financial collapse of 2008 .
It hit 24.9 % in the Great Depression in 1933 .
Just one week ago , Bernie Sanders pledged to fight on , at a time when he was losing the delegate count by around 100 attendees of the Democratic convention .
Judging from the projected vote counts on Tuesday , that delegate deficit just tripled .
There is no reason for Sanders to stay in this race , no matter how fervent his fans and no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his policies .
He has spent the last four years advocating for those policies , pushing the Democratic party towards his ideas to remarkable effect .
Back in the 2008 election and Barack Obama ’ s first term , it was unthinkable to propose a public healthcare option : the defeat of Clinton ’ s healthcare proposals was still too raw , more than a decade after they had failed .
Today all the Democratic contenders proposed a public option , and Joe Biden ’ s healthcare policies are far to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accomplished ?
Apparently not .
Bernie ’ s advisers say Biden hasn ’ t done enough to unify the party , or generate voter enthusiasm .
This is not a position supported by the primary results .
Biden has won in the south and the north ; the east coast and the north-west .
When you win Florida by more than 60 % of the vote , you ’ ve pretty much unified the party .
When you drive record turnout in the middle of a pandemic – which is frankly a reckless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then you have reasonably generated voter enthusiasm .
By any measure , Biden can feel confident in turning towards the general election and , more importantly , beyond that : to the historic challenge of pulling this country , and the rest of the world , out of a pandemic and global recession .
It ’ s unlikely that he will agree to another debate with Sanders .
The pandemic is only accelerating the process that was first set in train by South Carolina ’ s Democrats .
State by state , poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in general – are saying that Biden is best placed to handle a crisis , and to unify the country .
Those are not small issues at a time of multiple , historic challenges .
Biden himself addressed the nation via live-stream from his Delaware home , standing at a podium in front of two American flags .
If it was indeed Biden ’ s home , he has a strange taste in interior styling .
Most of what Biden said was not a victory speech but the words of someone trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its core .
“ Tackling this pandemic is a national emergency akin to fighting a war , ” Biden explained .
“ Yes , this is a moment where we need our leaders to lead .
But it ’ s also a moment where the choices and decisions we make as individuals are going to collectively impact what happens.
” He praised the public officials who allowed the voting to take place while supposedly protecting public health .
And he praised Bernie ’ s young voters for their enthusiasm and commitment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign .
“ I hear you , ” he told them .
“ I know what ’ s at stake .
I know what we have to do .
Our goal as a campaign , and my goal as a candidate for president is to unify this party and then to unify the nation.
” He may not actually know what those young Sanders voters want – or he may not be prepared to adopt their agenda in full .
But he was prepared to strike a patriotic note of national unity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us to see and believe the best in every one of us , ” Biden said .
“ To believe in one another.
” There will surely come a time for another , younger Sanders-like leader to press for a political revolution that overhauls America ’ s economy and social safety net .
If this recession plays out like the last one , voters of all kinds will be hungrier than ever for radical change in four years ’ time .
That leader may already be well-known to American voters : Alexandria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the constitutional minimum age of a president – by the time of the next presidential election .
Bernie ’ s ideas will live on long after his presidential campaign ends , which it should do within days , if he is serious about wanting the Democrats to defeat Donald Trump .

This Democratic race isn’t pining for the fjords. It is no more. It has ceased to be. Its metabolic processes are now history. This is an ex-presidential contest.
The only reason the news networks could not call the Florida primary as soon as the votes piled up for Joe Biden was because the state’s panhandle voters were still at the polls. Once those polls closed, the obvious was made official: it was a blowout for Biden.
The last time we heard from Bernie Sanders after losing big in the last round of primaries, he said he wanted to debate the former vice-president head-to-head, one-on-one, to press his case directly and finally.
“While our campaign has won the ideological debate, we are losing the debate over electability,” Sanders said the day after his Super Tuesday defeats. “Donald Trump must be defeated, and I will do everything in my power to make that happen. On Sunday night, in the first one-on-one debate of this campaign, the American people will have the opportunity to see which candidate is best positioned to accomplish that goal.”
Well the American people had that opportunity and they chose Joe Biden. If this is what winning the ideological debate looks like, Sanders should seriously consider debating another topic.
The only topic the American people want to debate is the coronavirus pandemic and the severe recession that looks like the certain outcome of this quasi-national quarantine. Trump’s treasury secretary, Steve Mnuchin, told Republican senators on Tuesday that unemployment could hit 20% if they didn’t push through a huge economic stimulus as soon as possible.
To put that into context, unemployment peaked at 10% after the financial collapse of 2008. It hit 24.9% in the Great Depression in 1933.
Just one week ago, Bernie Sanders pledged to fight on, at a time when he was losing the delegate count by around 100 attendees of the Democratic convention. Judging from the projected vote counts on Tuesday, that delegate deficit just tripled.
There is no reason for Sanders to stay in this race, no matter how fervent his fans and no matter how passionately he wants to advocate for his policies. He has spent the last four years advocating for those policies, pushing the Democratic party towards his ideas to remarkable effect.
Back in the 2008 election and Barack Obama’s first term, it was unthinkable to propose a public healthcare option: the defeat of Clinton’s healthcare proposals was still too raw, more than a decade after they had failed. Today all the Democratic contenders proposed a public option, and Joe Biden’s healthcare policies are far to the left of Obama’s.
Mission accomplished? Apparently not. Bernie’s advisers say Biden hasn’t done enough to unify the party, or generate voter enthusiasm.
This is not a position supported by the primary results. Biden has won in the south and the north; the east coast and the north-west. When you win Florida by more than 60% of the vote, you’ve pretty much unified the party. When you drive record turnout in the middle of a pandemic – which is frankly a reckless situation from a public health perspective – then you have reasonably generated voter enthusiasm.
By any measure, Biden can feel confident in turning towards the general election and, more importantly, beyond that: to the historic challenge of pulling this country, and the rest of the world, out of a pandemic and global recession. It’s unlikely that he will agree to another debate with Sanders.
The pandemic is only accelerating the process that was first set in train by South Carolina’s Democrats. State by state, poll by poll, Democrats – and voters in general – are saying that Biden is best placed to handle a crisis, and to unify the country. Those are not small issues at a time of multiple, historic challenges.
Biden himself addressed the nation via live stream from his Delaware home, standing at a podium in front of two American flags. If it was indeed Biden’s home, he has a strange taste in interior styling.
Most of what Biden said was not a victory speech but the words of someone trying to reassure and rally a country being shaken to its core. “Tackling this pandemic is a national emergency akin to fighting a war,” Biden explained. “Yes, this is a moment where we need our leaders to lead. But it’s also a moment where the choices and decisions we make as individuals are going to collectively impact what happens.”
He praised the public officials who allowed the voting to take place while supposedly protecting public health. And he praised Bernie’s young voters for their enthusiasm and commitment, urging them to rally together with his campaign. “I hear you,” he told them. “I know what’s at stake. I know what we have to do. Our goal as a campaign, and my goal as a candidate for president is to unify this party and then to unify the nation.”
He may not actually know what those young Sanders voters want – or he may not be prepared to adopt their agenda in full. But he was prepared to strike a patriotic note of national unity. “This is a moment for each of us to see and believe the best in every one of us,” Biden said. “To believe in one another.”
There will surely come a time for another, younger Sanders-like leader to press for a political revolution that overhauls America’s economy and social safety net. If this recession plays out like the last one, voters of all kinds will be hungrier than ever for radical change in four years’ time.
That leader may already be well-known to American voters: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will have just turned 35 – the constitutional minimum age of a president – by the time of the next presidential election. Bernie’s ideas will live on long after his presidential campaign ends, which it should do within days, if he is serious about wanting the Democrats to defeat Donald Trump.


theguardian--2020-03-18--US coronavirus live: Senate votes to expand free testing and paid leave

McDaniel is one of nearly 60,000 people who have been tested in the US , as public health experts continue to raise concerns about shortages .
The Guardian ’ s Lauren Aratani reports that not everyone who needs a test has been able to get one : Who is getting tested in the US ?
Decisions about who is getting tested are being made at the county and state level .
Broadly , CDC guidelines to healthcare professionals say that those tested must be showing symptoms , and priority is given to those who are in hospital , are at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly effects ( elderly people and those with chronic medical conditions or weakened immune systems ) or had known contact with a person who tested positive as priorities for testing .
The CDC also says those who have a history of travel from “ affected geographic areas ” – China , Iran , South Korea and parts of Europe – should be prioritized .
But there appears to be no guarantee of a test .
Over the past few weeks , there has been a flood of stories of people who are symptomatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but were not : for example , the elderly husband of a coronavirus patient who died from the illness , healthcare workers who may have been exposed to the virus and countless numbers of symptomatic travelers to countries with known outbreaks .
Those who have been tested have often described frustrating experiences of being sent from one place to another seeking a test .
Fueling the frustration are stories of high-profile figures who have managed to get tested .
The NBA got 58 tests within six hours for players of the Utah Jazz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players were actually showing symptoms .
A fashion influencer who had body aches and a fever was tested with the help of a friend , after other doctors she spoke with told her she did not qualify for testing in New York state .

Maanvi Singh in San Francisco (now), Joan E Greve, Adam Gabbatt and Martin Belam (earlier)

19 Mar 2020 00.22 GMT Summary Ice will temporarily shift its priorities amid the coronavirus pandemic, delaying arrests of foreign nationals except for those who have committed crimes.
amid the coronavirus pandemic, delaying arrests of foreign nationals except for those who have committed crimes. A Florida representative said that he tested positive for coronavirus, marking the first case in Congress.
marking the first case in Congress. The iconic New York Stock Exchange will close floor trading beginning on Monday. Electronic trading will continue.
Electronic trading will continue. After invoking the Defense Production Act to help make up for medical supply shortages, Donald Trump walked back the move, adding to the confusion surrounding his administration’s coronavirus response.
walked back the move, adding to the confusion surrounding his administration’s coronavirus response. The Senate passed the second coronavirus bill, which expands paid sick leave and provides funding for free testing, on a vote of 90-8. It now heads to Trump ’s desk for his signature.
which expands paid sick leave and provides funding for free testing, on a vote of 90-8. It now heads to ’s desk for his signature. The Dow closed down more than 1,300 points, marking another dismal day for the markets as investors panic over the coronavirus crisis. With today’s drop, nearly all the stock market gains since Trump took office have been wiped out.
marking another dismal day for the markets as investors panic over the coronavirus crisis. With today’s drop, nearly all the stock market gains since Trump took office have been wiped out. Bernie Sanders’ campaign said he was assessing the path forward for his presidential bid, after Joe Biden completed a three-state sweep last night and moved closer toward securing the Democratic nomination.
after completed a three-state sweep last night and moved closer toward securing the Democratic nomination. The US-Canadian border will be closed to all non-essential travel in the hope of mitigating the spread of coronavirus. Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the two countries had mutually agreed to the closure.
Updated at 00.25 GMT
19 Mar 2020 00.04 GMT The temporary policies that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has announced in response to the coronavirus pandemic resemble the Obama administration’s “felons, not families” approach.
Under the previous administration, immigrants without serious criminal offenses were often spared deportation. Donald Trump changed priorities, and his administration has often underscored that all undocumented immigrants are subject to deportation. The new Ice policy comes after immigration lawyers joined with labor unions representing Ice prosecutors and immigration judges to ask the Justice Department to temporarily close the immigration courts. Though there are no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ice detention facilities, doctors and public health officials have warned that detained populations are at high risk. It’s unclear whether the 37,000 people already in Ice detention will remain there. Overcrowding at detention facilities puts not only those who are detained but also enforcement agents and officers at risk, according to the internal watchdog for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Ice. Although no cases of coronavirus have been confirmed at detention centers, one person was evaluated with coronavirus symptoms at a facility in San Diego. Another center in Washington state’s King’s county closed for two weeks due to concerns that an employee was infected. The enforcement agency has not said for how long the new policies will be in place.
Updated at 00.15 GMT
18 Mar 2020 23.47 GMT FLOTUS to star in coronavirus PSAs Melania Trump Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images Melania Trump will appear in public service announcements that “address the “important ways Americans can protect themselves and those most at risk” from contracting and spreading the coronavirus, according to the White House. Coronavirus PSAs featuring Surgeon General Jerome Adams, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Deborah Birx and other officials will also be nationally broadcast. It’s unclear when these will launch. Melania Trump has been notably disengaged from the White House’s messaging on coronavirus thus far. On Tuesday, she tweeted, “Consider taking advantage of time working from home to connect with your loved ones via email or FaceTime, spend time w family, or work on your well-being by reading a book or spending time on a hobby,” apparently unaware that most people who work from home have to spend their time ... working.
18 Mar 2020 23.28 GMT Miami-Dade County will restrict of close all non-essential business, its mayor announced. Starting tomorrow, non-essential retail, private educational facilities and casinos will be closed. “These actions are necessary to keep our community safe from the spread of COVID-19 while ensuring the continuity of essential services,” officials said in a statement.
The county declared a state of emergency last week. Now, food service establishments, bars and clubs have been ordered to close. Restaurants can remain open for takeout and delivery. Miami shut down its beach earlier after spring break revelers failed to practice social distancing.
18 Mar 2020 23.14 GMT Ice confirms that it will “temporarily adjust its enforcement posture”. The agency will focus “on public safety risks and individuals subject to mandatory detention based on criminal grounds,” it said in a statement. In all other cases agents “will exercise discretion to delay enforcement actions until after the crisis or utilize alternatives to detention, as appropriate,” the agency said. Coronavirus inevitable in prison-like US immigration centers, doctors say Read more
18 Mar 2020 22.59 GMT Ice to change enforcement policies Immigration and Customs Enforcement is reportedly making changes to its policies, in response to the coronavirus pandemic according to multiple reports. BREAKING: ICE is making major changes to how it enforces and detains immigrants.
The agency will "focus enforcement on public safety risks and individuals subject to mandatory detention based on criminal grounds" and delay arresting those who fall out of this category. — Hamed Aleaziz (@Haleaziz) March 18, 2020 BREAKING: ICE notified congressional staffers this afternoon that it's adjusting its "enforcement posture," beginning today, and will focus on those who pose a public safety risk or are "subject to mandatory detention based on criminal grounds." — Priscilla Alvarez (@priscialva) March 18, 2020
Updated at 23.40 GMT
18 Mar 2020 22.53 GMT Representatives reports first coronavirus case in Congress Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, a Republican of Florida, has tested positive for coronavirus, he said in a statement. “I’m feeling much better,” he said. “However, it’s important that everyone take this seriously.” I'm feeling much better. However, it's important that everyone take this seriously and follow @CDCgov guidelines in order to avoid getting sick & mitigate the spread of this virus. We must continue to work together to emerge stronger as a country during these trying times. pic.twitter.com/g5W5vSQIyH — Mario Diaz-Balart (@MarioDB) March 18, 2020 Diaz-Balart appears to be the first member of Congress who has tested positive for the disease.
Updated at 23.41 GMT
18 Mar 2020 22.25 GMT The New York Stock Exchange’s decision to temporarily close the floor was prompted by the positive coronavirus test results of two people, Stacey Cunningham, President of the NYSE, told CNBC.
“We implemented a number a number of safety precautions over the past couple of weeks, and starting on Monday this week we started pre-emptive testing of employees and screening of anyone who came into the building,” Cunningham said on “Closing Bell.” “If that screening warranted additional testing, we tested people and they were sent home and not given access to the building. A couple of those test cases have come back positive.”
This is the first time the physical trading floor will be shut while electronic trading continues. The floor was previously closed during World War II and in the aftermath of 9/11.
18 Mar 2020 22.16 GMT After invoking the Defense Production Act to help make up for medical supply shortages and deploy hospital ships to help mitigate the coronavirus pandemic, Donald Trump appears to be walking back the move. Trump tweeted that he’d only signed an executive order signaling he’d invoke the DPA “should we need to invoke it in a worst case scenario in the future.” I only signed the Defense Production Act to combat the Chinese Virus should we need to invoke it in a worst case scenario in the future. Hopefully there will be no need, but we are all in this TOGETHER! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020 The message contradicts his earlier statements. During the White House press briefing today, Trump said he sees himself “in a sense as a wartime president” after invoking an act established in 1950 in response to production needs during the Korean war as a response to the coronavirus crisis. Trump’s executive order said he’d use the DPA to help provide “health and medical resources needed to respond to the spread of COVID-19, including personal protective equipment and ventilators.”
Updated at 22.19 GMT
18 Mar 2020 21.49 GMT The chair of the Republican party has tested negative for coronavirus. Ronna McDaniel was tested, “on the advice of her doctor,” according to a spokesperson. “That test has, fortunately, come back negative.” On the advice of her doctor, @GOPChairwoman was administered a test for COVID-19.
That test has fortunately come back negative. — Michael Ahrens (@michaelahrens) March 18, 2020
18 Mar 2020 21.45 GMT Nina Lakhani One Native American tribe’s trailblazing coronavirus response: The Lummi nation, a sovereign Native American tribe in the Pacific north-west, will soon open a pioneering field hospital to treat coronavirus patients, as part of a wave of strong public health measures which have gone further than many governments. Tribal leaders have been preparing for Covid-19 since the virus first appeared in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, with medical staff beefing up emergency plans, reorganizing services and gathering medical supplies, including test kits and personal protective equipment. The Lummi reservation is located in Whatcom county – 115 miles north of Seattle, Washington, where the first US Covid-19 case was confirmed in January, followed by the first death in February. So far, the tribe has reported three Covid-19 cases, but expect numbers to rise as the pandemic progresses. As the Trump administration stalled, the tribe swiftly introduced mitigation and prevention measures such as social distancing, drive-through testing, telemedicine clinics, and a home delivery service for the elderly.
The tribal council declared a state of emergency on 3 March – 10 days before Donald Trump did the same in the US – and approved $1m to prepare and respond for the evolving pandemic, which includes setting up the hospital. Native American tribe takes trailblazing steps to fight Covid-19 outbreak Read more
18 Mar 2020 21.33 GMT Donald Trump announced plans to formally nominate Russ Vought to direct the Office of Management and Budget. Vought has served as the acting director of the office for more than a year. Vought has come under fire for doubling down on proposed cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last week, despite the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, Matt Cartwright, a Democratic representative of Pennsylvania, pushed Vought on Trump’s proposal to cut Health and Human Services funding by $9.5 billion. The cut included a $1.2bn decrease to the CDC and a $35m decrease to the Infectious Diseases Rapid Response Reserve Fund’s annual contribution. “If you’re asking if I’m sending up a budget amendment, no, I’m not sending up a budget amendment,” Vought said.
The OMB later said that the CDC cuts in the budget didn’t affect infectious diseases and that Trump’s budget request included $4.3bn in funds for Infectious Diseases and Preparedness.
18 Mar 2020 21.17 GMT Hi, there — this is Maanvi Singh, taking over from the West Coast. The New Yor Stock Exchange will temporarily switch to electronic trading starting on Monday. Floor trading will be suspended in order to protect everyone from the spread of coronavirus. “The decision to temporarily close the trading floors represents a precautionary step to protect the health and well-being of employees and the floor community in response to COVID-19,” said Intercontinental Exchange, Inc, which operates global exchanges and clearinghouses.
18 Mar 2020 21.04 GMT Today so far That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours. Here’s where the day stands so far: The Senate passed the second coronavirus bill, which expands paid sick leave and provides funding for free testing, on a vote of 90-8. It now heads to Trump ’s desk for his signature.
which expands paid sick leave and provides funding for free testing, on a vote of 90-8. It now heads to ’s desk for his signature. The Dow closed down more than 1,300 points, marking another dismal day for the markets as investors panic over the coronavirus crisis. With today’s drop, nearly all the stock market gains since Trump took office have been wiped out.
marking another dismal day for the markets as investors panic over the coronavirus crisis. With today’s drop, nearly all the stock market gains since Trump took office have been wiped out. Bernie Sanders’ campaign said he was assessing the path forward for his presidential bid, after Joe Biden completed a three-state sweep last night and moved closer toward securing the Democratic nomination.
after completed a three-state sweep last night and moved closer toward securing the Democratic nomination. The US-Canadian border will be closed to all non-essential travel in the hope of mitigating the spread of coronavirus. Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the two countries had mutually agreed to the closure. Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.


theguardian--2020-03-18--Italy records its deadliest day of coronavirus outbreak with 475 deaths

Italy has suffered its deadliest day yet in the coronavirus outbreak and is poised to overtake China as the world ’ s worst affected country , as Europe tightened a lockdown affecting about 250 million people .
In all , 475 people died in Italy during the previous 24 hours , taking the overall death toll to 2,978 , with almost 36,000 cases reported by Wednesday evening .
About 4,000 people have recovered , with 2,250 in intensive care .
With an economic and social shutdown deepening across Europe , Angela Merkel , the German chancellor , described the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second world war ” .
In a rare TV address to the nation , she appealed to citizens to help protect each other by restricting social interactions .
All state-run attempts to curb the spread of Covid-19 would prove futile unless individuals changed their behaviour , Merkel said .
“ This is serious , so take it seriously , ” the chancellor said in pre-recorded remarks that will go out on German television just before the night ’ s main news programmes .
“ Since German reunification , actually , since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a challenge for our country in which acting in solidarity was so very crucial.
” Merkel said her government was focused on the main goal of “ slowing down the spread of the virus , to stretch it out over months and thus win time ” .
Describing Covid-19 as “ an enemy against humanity ” , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , the World Health Organization ’ s director general , said Africa must “ wake up and prepare ” .
Countries around the world must take a comprehensive approach , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries must isolate , test , treat and trace , ” Tedros said , adding that this strategy “ must be the backbone of the response in every country ” .
The International Labour Organization said the pandemic was becoming “ a major labour-market and economic crisis ” that would significantly increase global unemployment and risked leaving up to 25 million more people out of work as well as dramatically reducing workers ’ incomes .
The coronavirus has infected more than 212,000 people worldwide and killed more than 8,700 , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where the virus originated , two-thirds of all cases and three-quarters of all deaths are in Europe , which has now recorded more than 3,800 deaths .
Belgium , which has reported 1,085 cases of Covid-19 and 10 deaths , became the latest EU state to confine its citizens on Wednesday , with all shops except supermarkets , pharmacies , banks and bookstores closing at midday and employees expected to work from home unless social distancing is guaranteed at work .
“ These decisions were not taken lightly , and were taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evolving situation , ” said the prime minister , Sophie Wilmès .
“ Success in our struggle against Covid-19 is inextricably linked to the efforts of each person.
” In Germany , which has reported 9,367 infections and 27 deaths , non-essential businesses and shops have shut , religious gatherings are banned and holiday travel has been halted .
Restrictions in both countries are still less severe than elsewhere .
In France , where the daily update of its coronavirus cases had risen to 9,134 , with 264 deaths , residents who leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are outside for one of five permitted reasons , including to shop , work or visit the doctor .
More than 100,000 police officers are enforcing the regulations , with the fine for flouting them raised to €135 ( £124 ) .
The health minister , Olivier Véran , said on Wednesday the country could hope to start seeing a slowdown of infections in eight to 12 days .
Javier Marion , the director of health in the Aragon region of Spain , broke down in tears during a news conference on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pedro Sánchez , told an audience of 28 MPs and five ministers in the near-empty 350-seat parliament that the nation needed to rally in what he called a “ war ” against the virus .
Spain , which has reported nearly 12,000 cases and nearly 500 deaths , is – like Italy and France – in near-total lockdown , and the consequences for the economy would be grave unless “ major and irreparable damage ” could be averted , Sánchez said .
“ We have never lived through anything like this and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes that expand our possibilities of knowledge , health and life , now finds itself in a war to defend all we have taken for granted , ” he said .
• None The pandemic is likely to take about two years to run its course and the virus will eventually infect 60-70 % of the global population , according to Lothar Wieler , the head of Germany ’ s public health agency .
• None The US and Canada are temporarily closing the world ’ s longest border to non-essential traffic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a state of emergency .
• None Russian media have deployed a “ significant disinformation campaign ” against the west to worsen the impact of the coronavirus , according to an EU document .
• None Iran reported 147 more deaths from the coronavirus , its single biggest one-day jump , bringing the death toll to 1,135 people nationwide .
• None Imported coronavirus cases in China outnumbered cases of domestic transmission for the fifth straight day , with 12 of the country ’ s 13 new confirmed cases involving travellers from abroad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prime minister , Taro Aso , said holding the Tokyo Olympics “ would not make sense ” if countries could not send their athletes .
The EU has so far struggled to find a coherent response to the outbreak , with countries imposing their own border checks in what is normally a zone of control-free travel , and restricting exports of vital medical equipment .
But on Tuesday evening its leaders agreed in a video conference to close the external borders of most European countries to non-EU nationals for 30 days and establish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internal frontiers to keep supplies of medicines and food moving .
In the US , where the number of infections is nearing 6,500 , with the virus causing more than 100 deaths , the Trump administration pressed for enactment of a $ 1tn ( £860bn ) stimulus package to combat the devastating economic impact of the epidemic – possibly including direct payments of $ 1,000 to individual Americans .
New York ’ s mayor , Bill de Blasio , said he was considering whether to order the city ’ s 8.5 million residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , as state and local officials escalated social distancing policies by closing schools , restaurants and theatres .
Travellers across the world scrambled to find flights home as governments , including those of Australia , Canada , New Zealand and Indonesia , urged their citizens to return home as soon as possible and several countries announced the imminent closure of airports .

Italy has suffered its deadliest day yet in the coronavirus outbreak and is poised to overtake China as the world’s worst affected country, as Europe tightened a lockdown affecting about 250 million people.
In all, 475 people died in Italy during the previous 24 hours, taking the overall death toll to 2,978, with almost 36,000 cases reported by Wednesday evening.
About 4,000 people have recovered, with 2,250 in intensive care.
With an economic and social shutdown deepening across Europe, Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, described the coronavirus crisis as “the biggest challenge since the second world war”.
In a rare TV address to the nation, she appealed to citizens to help protect each other by restricting social interactions. All state-run attempts to curb the spread of Covid-19 would prove futile unless individuals changed their behaviour, Merkel said.
“This is serious, so take it seriously,” the chancellor said in pre-recorded remarks that will go out on German television just before the night’s main news programmes.
Quick Guide What to do if you have coronavirus symptoms in the UK Show Symptoms are defined by the NHS as either: a high temperature - you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
a new continuous cough - this means you've started coughing repeatedly NHS advice is that anyone with symptoms should stay at home for at least 7 days.
If you live with other people, they should stay at home for at least 14 days, to avoid spreading the infection outside the home. After 14 days, anyone you live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine. But, if anyone in your home gets symptoms, they should stay at home for 7 days from the day their symptoms start. Even if it means they're at home for longer than 14 days. If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days. If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible. After 7 days, if you no longer have a high temperature you can return to your normal routine. If you still have a high temperature, stay at home until your temperature returns to normal. If you still have a cough after 7 days, but your temperature is normal, you do not need to continue staying at home. A cough can last for several weeks after the infection has gone.
Staying at home means you should: not go to work, school or public areas
not use public transport or taxis
not have visitors, such as friends and family, in your home
not go out to buy food or collect medicine – order them by phone or online, or ask someone else to drop them off at your home You can use your garden, if you have one. You can also leave the house to exercise – but stay at least 2 metres away from other people. If you have symptoms of coronavirus, use the NHS 111 coronavirus service to find out what to do. Source: NHS England on 23 March 2020 Was this helpful? Thank you for your feedback.
“Since German reunification, actually, since the second world war, there has never been a challenge for our country in which acting in solidarity was so very crucial.”
Merkel said her government was focused on the main goal of “slowing down the spread of the virus, to stretch it out over months and thus win time”.
Describing Covid-19 as “an enemy against humanity”, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organization’s director general, said Africa must “wake up and prepare”. Countries around the world must take a comprehensive approach, he said.
The centre of Brussels on Wednesday. Photograph: Isopix/Rex/Shutterstock
“To suppress and control, countries must isolate, test, treat and trace,” Tedros said, adding that this strategy “must be the backbone of the response in every country”.
The International Labour Organization said the pandemic was becoming “a major labour-market and economic crisis” that would significantly increase global unemployment and risked leaving up to 25 million more people out of work as well as dramatically reducing workers’ incomes.
The coronavirus has infected more than 212,000 people worldwide and killed more than 8,700, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. Outside China, where the virus originated, two-thirds of all cases and three-quarters of all deaths are in Europe, which has now recorded more than 3,800 deaths.
Belgium, which has reported 1,085 cases of Covid-19 and 10 deaths, became the latest EU state to confine its citizens on Wednesday, with all shops except supermarkets, pharmacies, banks and bookstores closing at midday and employees expected to work from home unless social distancing is guaranteed at work.
“These decisions were not taken lightly, and were taken because we are obliged to by the evolving situation,” said the prime minister, Sophie Wilmès. “Success in our struggle against Covid-19 is inextricably linked to the efforts of each person.”
In Germany, which has reported 9,367 infections and 27 deaths, non-essential businesses and shops have shut, religious gatherings are banned and holiday travel has been halted.
Restrictions in both countries are still less severe than elsewhere. In France, where the daily update of its coronavirus cases had risen to 9,134, with 264 deaths, residents who leave home must now carry a form declaring they are outside for one of five permitted reasons, including to shop, work or visit the doctor.
More than 100,000 police officers are enforcing the regulations, with the fine for flouting them raised to €135 (£124). The health minister, Olivier Véran, said on Wednesday the country could hope to start seeing a slowdown of infections in eight to 12 days.
Javier Marion, the director of health in the Aragon region of Spain, broke down in tears during a news conference on Wednesday, while the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, told an audience of 28 MPs and five ministers in the near-empty 350-seat parliament that the nation needed to rally in what he called a “war” against the virus.
Spain, which has reported nearly 12,000 cases and nearly 500 deaths, is – like Italy and France – in near-total lockdown, and the consequences for the economy would be grave unless “major and irreparable damage” could be averted, Sánchez said.
“We have never lived through anything like this and our society, which had grown used to changes that expand our possibilities of knowledge, health and life, now finds itself in a war to defend all we have taken for granted,” he said.
Among other developments:
The pandemic is likely to take about two years to run its course and the virus will eventually infect 60-70% of the global population, according to Lothar Wieler, the head of Germany’s public health agency.
The US and Canada are temporarily closing the world’s longest border to non-essential traffic.
The president of Portugal declared a state of emergency.
Russian media have deployed a “significant disinformation campaign” against the west to worsen the impact of the coronavirus, according to an EU document.
Iran reported 147 more deaths from the coronavirus, its single biggest one-day jump, bringing the death toll to 1,135 people nationwide.
Imported coronavirus cases in China outnumbered cases of domestic transmission for the fifth straight day, with 12 of the country’s 13 new confirmed cases involving travellers from abroad.
Japan’s deputy prime minister, Taro Aso, said holding the Tokyo Olympics “would not make sense” if countries could not send their athletes.
The EU has so far struggled to find a coherent response to the outbreak, with countries imposing their own border checks in what is normally a zone of control-free travel, and restricting exports of vital medical equipment. But on Tuesday evening its leaders agreed in a video conference to close the external borders of most European countries to non-EU nationals for 30 days and establish fast-track lanes at the bloc’s internal frontiers to keep supplies of medicines and food moving.
In the US, where the number of infections is nearing 6,500, with the virus causing more than 100 deaths, the Trump administration pressed for enactment of a $1tn (£860bn) stimulus package to combat the devastating economic impact of the epidemic – possibly including direct payments of $1,000 to individual Americans.
New York’s mayor, Bill de Blasio, said he was considering whether to order the city’s 8.5 million residents to “shelter in place” at home, as state and local officials escalated social distancing policies by closing schools, restaurants and theatres.
Travellers across the world scrambled to find flights home as governments, including those of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Indonesia, urged their citizens to return home as soon as possible and several countries announced the imminent closure of airports.


theguardian--2020-03-18--Bernie Sanders reassesses campaign after Biden builds formidable lead

The Vermont senator Bernie Sanders got thumped in the latest round of Democratic presidential primary contests and , once again , Sanders and his team are reassessing their path forward .
It ’ s becoming a familiar cycle : former vice-president Joe Biden beats Sanders , the darling of progressive grassroots voters ; the Sanders campaign concedes the situation isn ’ t ideal , and spends some time reassessing .
That ’ s what happened earlier this month after the Super Tuesday contests on 3 March , and this Tuesday night and Wednesday morning .
On Wednesday Sanders , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus legislation in the Senate and then later in the day he would fly with his wife Jane back to Vermont where he would have conversations with supporters .
“ The next primary contest is at least three weeks away .
Senator Sanders is going to be having conversations with supporters to assess his campaign , ” Sanders ’ campaign manager , Faiz Shakir , said in a statement .
“ In the immediate term , however , he is focused on the government response to the coronavirus outbreak and ensuring that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most vulnerable.
” The Sanders campaign also sent out an email to supporters with a similarly gloomy tone .
“ No sugarcoating it , last night did not go the way we wanted , ” Shakir wrote in that email .
“ And while our campaign has won the battle of ideas , we are losing the battle over electability to Joe Biden.
” The email did not include a usual link to make a donation to the campaign .
Instead it linked to Sanders ’ response on how the federal government should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a signal that the campaign is at least slightly inching away from a relentless campaign mode .
There were three contests on Tuesday night and Biden beat Sanders in all of them .
More ominous for Sanders , Biden beat him by double digits in all three states .
Biden won decisively by about 14 points in Illinois .
In 2016 , Sanders narrowly lost to former secretary of state Hillary Clinton there by less than three percentage points .
In Florida , Biden beat Sanders by almost 40 percentage points .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the same margin he lost to Clinton in 2016 .
The prospect of Sanders dropping out is so strong that for a few moments on Wednesday a report about Sanders suspending campaign ads on Facebook was misread as Sanders suspending his campaign .
The next set of contests are in states that were more favorable to Sanders in 2016 –Hawaii and Alaska , in particular .
But the larger problem for the Vermont senator is the delegate math .
As of Wednesday Biden led Sanders by 1,153 pledged delegates to 874 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have won the lion ’ s share of delegates in coming contests .
The Biden campaign has been hesitant to declare victory outright but has argued publicly and behind the scenes that Biden ’ s delegate advantage is unassailable .
In a conference call with donors ahead of the Tuesday ’ s primary results , Greg Schultz , a top adviser for the campaign , said the Biden team felt they had a “ very clear delegate trajectory that would require Sanders to so overwhelmingly out-perform ” in the next few primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Guardian .
On Wednesday morning , Unite the Country , a Super Pac supporting Biden , released a memo going even further .
“ Last night ’ s overwhelming victories in Arizona , Illinois and Florida are likely to add at least 150 delegates to Joe Biden ’ s already commanding delegate lead .
Even without Ohio voting , Joe Biden effectively ended the race last night , ” the memo said .
“ He will be the Democratic nominee , and for Unite the Country , the focus now turns to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice-president continues to surprise everyone .
Despite the virus , total turnout in Arizona and Florida exceeded 2016 numbers , and just like in previous states this primary season , there was particularly robust turnout in the types of suburban communities where we need to show strength this fall.
” More concerning for Sanders and his progressive movement within the primary contest are the limitations the coronavirus outbreak is putting on the campaign .
Because of the pandemic , Sanders ’ campaign can not hold the energetic rallies that are a pillar of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who advised Sanders in 2016 , said .
“ Part of the difficult challenge now is they can ’ t hold rallies .
The rallies have always been , in one sense , the central part of the campaign , ” Mulvey said .
“ It ’ s direct connection with Bernie and the grassroots and people .
It ’ s him getting on the ground , delivering his 90-minute stump speech – delivering his giant stump speech .
I think it ’ s very important for the energy on the ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernie.
” But Sanders allies and strategists from the progressive wing of the party still see value in the Vermont senator continuing the campaign .
“ In this moment of national crisis , Bernie ’ s platform is more salient than ever : Republicans and centrist Democrats alike are suddenly echoing his calls for free healthcare , expanded paid sick leave , and unemployment insurance , ” progressive Democratic strategist Monica Klein said in an email to the Guardian on Wednesday .
She added : “ We ’ ve seen from exit polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platforms are widely supported by Democratic voters – so whoever we end up with as our nominee , the Democratic ticket needs to embrace the bold economic solutions that Bernie has championed since day one .
”

The Vermont senator Bernie Sanders got thumped in the latest round of Democratic presidential primary contests and, once again, Sanders and his team are reassessing their path forward.
It’s becoming a familiar cycle: former vice-president Joe Biden beats Sanders, the darling of progressive grassroots voters; the Sanders campaign concedes the situation isn’t ideal, and spends some time reassessing. That’s what happened earlier this month after the Super Tuesday contests on 3 March, and this Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
On Wednesday Sanders, the campaign said, would first vote on coronavirus legislation in the Senate and then later in the day he would fly with his wife Jane back to Vermont where he would have conversations with supporters.
“The next primary contest is at least three weeks away. Senator Sanders is going to be having conversations with supporters to assess his campaign,” Sanders’ campaign manager, Faiz Shakir, said in a statement. “In the immediate term, however, he is focused on the government response to the coronavirus outbreak and ensuring that we take care of working people and the most vulnerable.”
The Sanders campaign also sent out an email to supporters with a similarly gloomy tone.
“No sugarcoating it, last night did not go the way we wanted,” Shakir wrote in that email. “And while our campaign has won the battle of ideas, we are losing the battle over electability to Joe Biden.”
The email did not include a usual link to make a donation to the campaign. Instead it linked to Sanders’ response on how the federal government should be responding to the coronavirus pandemic, a signal that the campaign is at least slightly inching away from a relentless campaign mode.
There were three contests on Tuesday night and Biden beat Sanders in all of them. More ominous for Sanders, Biden beat him by double digits in all three states. Biden won decisively by about 14 points in Illinois.
In 2016, Sanders narrowly lost to former secretary of state Hillary Clinton there by less than three percentage points. In Florida, Biden beat Sanders by almost 40 percentage points. In Arizona, Sanders lost to Biden by about the same margin he lost to Clinton in 2016.
The prospect of Sanders dropping out is so strong that for a few moments on Wednesday a report about Sanders suspending campaign ads on Facebook was misread as Sanders suspending his campaign.
The next set of contests are in states that were more favorable to Sanders in 2016 –Hawaii and Alaska, in particular. But the larger problem for the Vermont senator is the delegate math. As of Wednesday Biden led Sanders by 1,153 pledged delegates to 874. Even before Tuesday, Sanders would have to have won the lion’s share of delegates in coming contests.
The Biden campaign has been hesitant to declare victory outright but has argued publicly and behind the scenes that Biden’s delegate advantage is unassailable.
In a conference call with donors ahead of the Tuesday’s primary results, Greg Schultz, a top adviser for the campaign, said the Biden team felt they had a “very clear delegate trajectory that would require Sanders to so overwhelmingly out-perform” in the next few primary contests, according to audio obtained by the Guardian.
On Wednesday morning, Unite the Country, a Super Pac supporting Biden, released a memo going even further.
“Last night’s overwhelming victories in Arizona, Illinois and Florida are likely to add at least 150 delegates to Joe Biden’s already commanding delegate lead. Even without Ohio voting, Joe Biden effectively ended the race last night,” the memo said.
“He will be the Democratic nominee, and for Unite the Country, the focus now turns to November. The turnout generated by the vice-president continues to surprise everyone. Despite the virus, total turnout in Arizona and Florida exceeded 2016 numbers, and just like in previous states this primary season, there was particularly robust turnout in the types of suburban communities where we need to show strength this fall.”
Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders greet each other with their elbows at the last Democratic presidential debate, in Washington. Sanders has been forced to cancel the rallies that are a pillar of his campaign. Photograph: Gabriella Demczuk For Cnn/EPA
More concerning for Sanders and his progressive movement within the primary contest are the limitations the coronavirus outbreak is putting on the campaign. Because of the pandemic, Sanders’ campaign cannot hold the energetic rallies that are a pillar of the campaign, Democratic strategist Julian Mulvey, who advised Sanders in 2016, said.
“Part of the difficult challenge now is they can’t hold rallies. The rallies have always been, in one sense, the central part of the campaign,” Mulvey said. “It’s direct connection with Bernie and the grassroots and people. It’s him getting on the ground, delivering his 90-minute stump speech – delivering his giant stump speech. I think it’s very important for the energy on the ground, it’s very important for Bernie.”
But Sanders allies and strategists from the progressive wing of the party still see value in the Vermont senator continuing the campaign.
“In this moment of national crisis, Bernie’s platform is more salient than ever: Republicans and centrist Democrats alike are suddenly echoing his calls for free healthcare, expanded paid sick leave, and unemployment insurance,” progressive Democratic strategist Monica Klein said in an email to the Guardian on Wednesday.
She added: “We’ve seen from exit polls that Bernie’s economic and healthcare platforms are widely supported by Democratic voters – so whoever we end up with as our nominee, the Democratic ticket needs to embrace the bold economic solutions that Bernie has championed since day one.”


theguardian--2020-03-18--How Trump changed his tune on coronavirus again and again … and again

“ We have it totally under control , ” Donald Trump said .
It was 22 January , and he was asked in public for the first time about his worries about the coronavirus .
“ It ’ s one person coming in from China , and we have it under control , ” he said .
“ It ’ s going to be just fine.
” As with anything said by Trump , it remains unclear if he was lying , under-informed , or uninterested in becoming so .
( Or all three . )
And as in so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lies and/or carelessness have had disastrous effects .
The first time Trump tweeted about the virus came on 24 January .
“ It will all work out well , ” he reassured us .
He followed up again a few days later .
On 28 January , he shared an article from the unreliable One America News Network that suggested Johnson & Johnson was working on a vaccine .
The article no longer exists , presumably because it was false .
The next day , he announced the creation of a taskforce led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The risk of infection for Americans remains low , and all agencies are working aggressively to monitor this continuously evolving situation and to keep the public informed , ” it explained in a release .
The day after that Trump touted that there were only five cases in the US .
Meanwhile , he continued to explain how closely he was working with China on the coronavirus “ a new thing that a lot of people are talking about ” .
“ Hopefully it won ’ t be as bad as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
On 31 January , he banned non-citizens who had recently visited China from entering the US .
“ We pretty much shut it down coming in from China , ” he told Sean Hannity a couple of days later .
As February began , the administration reportedly declined to begin using tests for the virus produced by the World Health Organization .
A month later , about what to do about a cruise ship docked off of California with confirmed patients , Trump said : “ I like the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t need to have the numbers double because of one ship that wasn ’ t our fault.
” “ We had 12 , at one point .
And now they ’ ve gotten very much better .
Many of them are fully recovered , ” he told the media on 23 February .
Thefollowing day , he tweeted : “ The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA.
” At this point , while continuing his war with the media , he continued to suggest the warm weather would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is , quoting Fox ’ s Trish Regan .
On 27 February , Trump began blaming the spread of the virus on immigrants and suggested closing the border was the solution .
“ The Democrat policy of open borders is a direct threat to the health and well being of all Americans .
Now you see it with the coronavirus , ” he said at a rally in South Carolina .
The first death in the US came the following day .
As March began and the scope of the virus had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the media and to congratulate himself .
On 9 March he tweeted one of his most dangerous and false statements about the virus , comparing it to the flu , a common refrain among his media sycophants at the time .
“ So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu , ” he tweeted .
“ It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year .
Nothing is shut down , life & the economy go on .
At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus , with 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The next day , he lied again about the availability of tests .
“ When people need a test , they can get a test , ” he said .
“ When the professionals need a test , when they need tests for people , they can get the test .
It ’ s gone really well .
Look , the biggest thing that we did was stopping the inflow of people early on , and that was weeks ahead of schedule , weeks ahead of what other people would have done.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the stock market , he injected billions into the economy and suggested a payroll tax as a solution for a pandemic .
Around that time he started calling for unity .
On 13 March , he finally declared a national emergency .
“ Two very big words , ” he said .
Almost immediately he began blaming the Obama administration .
The next day he suggested falsely that precise screenings were being done at airports .
Had the border security been weaker , he suggested that day , the number of deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He provided no evidence for the claim .
On Monday this week Trump , seeming to finally take the threat seriously , said : “ We have a problem that a month ago nobody ever thought about.
” The next day , attempting to rewrite history , he said he felt it was a pandemic long before it was declared a pandemic .
And then , on Wednesday morning : “ I always treated the Chinese Virus very seriously , and have done a very good job from the beginning , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ borders ’ from China – against the wishes of almost all .
Many lives were saved.
” Again , he used what has become a racist term for the virus , and tried to divert responsibility .
“ The Fake News new narrative is disgraceful & false !
”

“We have it totally under control,” Donald Trump said.
It was 22 January, and he was asked in public for the first time about his worries about the coronavirus.
“It’s one person coming in from China, and we have it under control,” he said. “It’s going to be just fine.”
As with anything said by Trump, it remains unclear if he was lying, under-informed, or uninterested in becoming so. (Or all three.) And as in so many other instances, Trump’s lies and/or carelessness have had disastrous effects.
The first time Trump tweeted about the virus came on 24 January. “It will all work out well,” he reassured us. He followed up again a few days later.
We are in very close communication with China concerning the virus. Very few cases reported in USA, but strongly on watch. We have offered China and President Xi any help that is necessary. Our experts are extraordinary! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 27, 2020
On 28 January, he shared an article from the unreliable One America News Network that suggested Johnson & Johnson was working on a vaccine. The article no longer exists, presumably because it was false.
The next day, he announced the creation of a taskforce led by Alex Azar, the health secretary.
“The risk of infection for Americans remains low, and all agencies are working aggressively to monitor this continuously evolving situation and to keep the public informed,” it explained in a release.
The day after that Trump touted that there were only five cases in the US.
Working closely with China and others on Coronavirus outbreak. Only 5 people in U.S., all in good recovery. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2020
Meanwhile, he continued to explain how closely he was working with China on the coronavirus “a new thing that a lot of people are talking about”.
“Hopefully it won’t be as bad as some people think it could be,” he said.
On 31 January, he banned non-citizens who had recently visited China from entering the US. “We pretty much shut it down coming in from China,” he told Sean Hannity a couple of days later.
As February began, the administration reportedly declined to begin using tests for the virus produced by the World Health Organization.
A month later, about what to do about a cruise ship docked off of California with confirmed patients, Trump said: “I like the numbers being where they are. I don’t need to have the numbers double because of one ship that wasn’t our fault.”
"I like the numbers being where they are. I don't need to have the numbers double because of one ship" -- Trump explains that he doesn't want to let people off the Grand Princess cruise ship because he doesn't want the number of coronavirus cases in the country to go up pic.twitter.com/ELhZDjiZW9 — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 6, 2020
“We had 12, at one point. And now they’ve gotten very much better. Many of them are fully recovered,” he told the media on 23 February.
Thefollowing day, he tweeted: “The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA.”
At this point, while continuing his war with the media, he continued to suggest the warm weather would make the virus go away.
Low Ratings Fake News MSDNC (Comcast) & @CNN are doing everything possible to make the Caronavirus look as bad as possible, including panicking markets, if possible. Likewise their incompetent Do Nothing Democrat comrades are all talk, no action. USA in great shape! @CDCgov..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 26, 2020
Here he is, quoting Fox’s Trish Regan.
“Anti-Trump Network @CNN doing whatever it can to stoke a national Coronavirus panic. The far left Network pretty much ignoring anyone who they interview who doesn’t blame President Trump.” @trish_regan @FoxNews Media refuses to discuss the great job our professionals are doing! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2020
(A couple of weeks later, Regan was taken off the air by Fox after she dismissed the virus as “another attempt to impeach the president.”)
On 27 February, Trump began blaming the spread of the virus on immigrants and suggested closing the border was the solution.
“The Democrat policy of open borders is a direct threat to the health and well being of all Americans. Now you see it with the coronavirus,” he said at a rally in South Carolina.
The first death in the US came the following day.
As March began and the scope of the virus had increased exponentially, Trump continued to fight with the media and to congratulate himself.
I NEVER said people that are feeling sick should go to work. This is just more Fake News and disinformation put out by the Democrats, in particular MSDNC. Comcast covers the CoronaVirus situation horribly, only looking to do harm to the incredible & successful effort being made! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 5, 2020
Gallup just gave us the highest rating ever for the way we are handling the CoronaVirus situation. The April 2009-10 Swine Flu, where nearly 13,000 people died in the U.S., was poorly handled. Ask MSDNC & lightweight Washington failure @RonaldKlain, who the President was then? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 5, 2020
We have a perfectly coordinated and fine tuned plan at the White House for our attack on CoronaVirus. We moved VERY early to close borders to certain areas, which was a Godsend. V.P. is doing a great job. The Fake News Media is doing everything possible to make us look bad. Sad! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 8, 2020
On 9 March he tweeted one of his most dangerous and false statements about the virus, comparing it to the flu, a common refrain among his media sycophants at the time.
“So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu,” he tweeted. “It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that!”
So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2020
The next day, he lied again about the availability of tests.
“When people need a test, they can get a test,” he said. “When the professionals need a test, when they need tests for people, they can get the test. It’s gone really well. Look, the biggest thing that we did was stopping the inflow of people early on, and that was weeks ahead of schedule, weeks ahead of what other people would have done.”
On 11 March, still more concerned with the stock market, he injected billions into the economy and suggested a payroll tax as a solution for a pandemic. Around that time he started calling for unity.
The Media should view this as a time of unity and strength. We have a common enemy, actually, an enemy of the World, the CoronaVirus. We must beat it as quickly and safely as possible. There is nothing more important to me than the life & safety of the United States! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 11, 2020
It didn’t last long.
On 13 March, he finally declared a national emergency. “Two very big words,” he said. Almost immediately he began blaming the Obama administration.
For decades the @CDCgov looked at, and studied, its testing system, but did nothing about it. It would always be inadequate and slow for a large scale pandemic, but a pandemic would never happen, they hoped. President Obama made changes that only complicated things further..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2020
The next day he suggested falsely that precise screenings were being done at airports.
We are doing very precise Medical Screenings at our airports. Pardon the interruptions and delays, we are moving as quickly as possible, but it is very important that we be vigilant and careful. We must get it right. Safety first! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2020
Had the border security been weaker, he suggested that day, the number of deaths in the US would be much worse. He provided no evidence for the claim.
To this point, and because we have had a very strong border policy, we have had 40 deaths related to CoronaVirus. If we had weak or open borders, that number would be many times higher! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2020
On Monday this week Trump, seeming to finally take the threat seriously, said: “We have a problem that a month ago nobody ever thought about.”
The next day, attempting to rewrite history, he said he felt it was a pandemic long before it was declared a pandemic.
And then, on Wednesday morning: “I always treated the Chinese Virus very seriously, and have done a very good job from the beginning, including my very early decision to close the ‘borders’ from China – against the wishes of almost all. Many lives were saved.”
Again, he used what has become a racist term for the virus, and tried to divert responsibility. “The Fake News new narrative is disgraceful & false!”


theguardian--2020-03-18--US airlines pushing for massive bailout gave $45bn to shareholders in five years

The United States ’ five largest airlines – which are pushing for a $ 50bn-plus bailout to help them survive the Covid-19 crisis – have handed out more than $ 45bn to shareholders and executives over the last five years , research by the Guardian has found .
The US government is currently considering a request from Airlines for America , a group that represents the nation ’ s major carriers , for a payout to help firms cope with the pandemic .
With travel bans in place across the globe , industry groups are warning that airlines could run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airlines are now facing criticism for paying out billions to investors – mainly through share buybacks – rather than saving this money up .
Delta , American Airlines , United , Southwest and Alaska have spent $ 44.9bn on share repurchases and dividends in the last five years , according to Guardian research .
In addition , nearly $ 750m has been paid out to executives over the same time period .
According to separate data compiled by Bloomberg , these five airlines have spent 96 % of their free cashflow on buying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decade .
According to the Guardian ’ s data , from public filings made to the Securities and Exchange Commission , Delta spent $ 13.6bn on share buybacks and dividends between 2015 and 2019 .
The firm paid out a further $ 208m to executives between 2014 and 2018 , according to data released in proxy statements sent to investors .
Pay figures for 2019 should be released ahead of Delta ’ s 2020 annual meeting .
Over the same periods , American Airlines spent $ 12.6bn on dividends and buybacks , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
United spent $ 8.4bn on share buybacks , and paid executives $ 186m .
Southwest has not yet released its dividend and buyback data for 2019 , but spent $ 8.7bn between 2014 and 2018 , and handed out $ 97m to executives in this period .
Alaska , the smallest of the five , spent $ 1.6bn on buybacks and dividends , in addition to $ 71m on executive pay .
Sara Nelson , president of the Association of Flight Attendants , has demanded that any US government bailout package come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not allow companies to “ enrich shareholders or pad executive bonuses ” .
She said : “ We have told Congress that any stimulus funds for the aviation industry must come with strict rules .
That includes requiring employers across aviation to maintain pay and benefits for every worker ; no taxpayer money for CEO bonuses , stock buybacks or dividends ; no breaking contracts through bankruptcy ; and no federal funds for airlines that are fighting their workers ’ efforts to join a union.
” Any airline collapses would imperil the jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the industry .
According to figures provided to the Guardian by Challenger , Gray & Christmas , the five biggest airlines have cut more than 10,000 jobs between them in the past five years .
Since 2015 , Delta has announced 4,325 job cuts , United 3,325 , American 2,147 , Alaska 170 and Southwest 118 , according to the firm .
Senator Edward Markey , a Democratic member of the commerce , science and transportation committee , also called for “ major strings ” to be attached to any deal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smaller industry firms , and to ensure carbon emissions are reduced in the future .
On Monday , Airlines for America made a proposal to the US government for a $ 50bn-plus bailout package – including direct grants , loans , and tax relief – to help the industry deal with coronavirus .
Over the weekend , the Centre for Aviation warned that most of the world ’ s airlines will be bankrupt by the end of May this year without help from governments and industry action .
Donald Trump said on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are going to help them ” , adding : “ We have to back the airlines.
” However , it is currently unknown what kind of help will be offered .
Several airlines in the United Kingdom are also calling for an immediate emergency bailout , while firms in Australia have struck an agreement with their government .
A spokesperson for Airlines for America said operators in the US have invested 73 % of their operating cashflow “ back into the product ” – including investments in new aircraft , facilities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debts by $ 91bn .
They added that airlines have invested “ heavily in their employees ” , with average pay increasing 41 % between 2010 and 2018 .
The spokesperson added that airlines ’ coronavirus crisis is “ getting worse each day ” and that the US industry is currently expecting a “ collective burn rate ” of $ 10bn per month .
An American Airlines spokesman said the firm had spent more than $ 30bn on capital improvements – including $ 23bn on new aircraft – as well as $ 20bn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while keeping $ 7bn of total available liquidity .

The United States’ five largest airlines – which are pushing for a $50bn-plus bailout to help them survive the Covid-19 crisis – have handed out more than $45bn to shareholders and executives over the last five years, research by the Guardian has found.
The US government is currently considering a request from Airlines for America, a group that represents the nation’s major carriers, for a payout to help firms cope with the pandemic.
With travel bans in place across the globe, industry groups are warning that airlines could run out of money within months.
But airlines are now facing criticism for paying out billions to investors – mainly through share buybacks – rather than saving this money up.
Delta, American Airlines, United, Southwest and Alaska have spent $44.9bn on share repurchases and dividends in the last five years, according to Guardian research. In addition, nearly $750m has been paid out to executives over the same time period.
According to separate data compiled by Bloomberg, these five airlines have spent 96% of their free cashflow on buying back their own shares over the last decade.
According to the Guardian’s data, from public filings made to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Delta spent $13.6bn on share buybacks and dividends between 2015 and 2019. The firm paid out a further $208m to executives between 2014 and 2018, according to data released in proxy statements sent to investors. Pay figures for 2019 should be released ahead of Delta’s 2020 annual meeting.
Over the same periods, American Airlines spent $12.6bn on dividends and buybacks, as well as $177m on executive pay. United spent $8.4bn on share buybacks, and paid executives $186m. Southwest has not yet released its dividend and buyback data for 2019, but spent $8.7bn between 2014 and 2018, and handed out $97m to executives in this period.
Alaska, the smallest of the five, spent $1.6bn on buybacks and dividends, in addition to $71m on executive pay.
Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, has demanded that any US government bailout package come with “significant conditions” that would not allow companies to “enrich shareholders or pad executive bonuses”.
She said: “We have told Congress that any stimulus funds for the aviation industry must come with strict rules. That includes requiring employers across aviation to maintain pay and benefits for every worker; no taxpayer money for CEO bonuses, stock buybacks or dividends; no breaking contracts through bankruptcy; and no federal funds for airlines that are fighting their workers’ efforts to join a union.”
Any airline collapses would imperil the jobs of an estimated 750,000 people who work in the industry.
According to figures provided to the Guardian by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the five biggest airlines have cut more than 10,000 jobs between them in the past five years.
Since 2015, Delta has announced 4,325 job cuts, United 3,325, American 2,147, Alaska 170 and Southwest 118, according to the firm.
Senator Edward Markey, a Democratic member of the commerce, science and transportation committee, also called for “major strings” to be attached to any deal to help protect consumers, frontline workers and smaller industry firms, and to ensure carbon emissions are reduced in the future.
On Monday, Airlines for America made a proposal to the US government for a $50bn-plus bailout package – including direct grants, loans, and tax relief – to help the industry deal with coronavirus.
Over the weekend, the Centre for Aviation warned that most of the world’s airlines will be bankrupt by the end of May this year without help from governments and industry action.
Donald Trump said on Monday that the government had told airlines “we are going to help them”, adding: “We have to back the airlines.” However, it is currently unknown what kind of help will be offered.
Several airlines in the United Kingdom are also calling for an immediate emergency bailout, while firms in Australia have struck an agreement with their government.
A spokesperson for Airlines for America said operators in the US have invested 73% of their operating cashflow “back into the product” – including investments in new aircraft, facilities, grounding equipment and technologies – while reducing debts by $91bn. They added that airlines have invested “heavily in their employees”, with average pay increasing 41% between 2010 and 2018.
The spokesperson added that airlines’ coronavirus crisis is “getting worse each day” and that the US industry is currently expecting a “collective burn rate” of $10bn per month.
An American Airlines spokesman said the firm had spent more than $30bn on capital improvements – including $23bn on new aircraft – as well as $20bn on improving pay for staff since 2013, while keeping $7bn of total available liquidity.


theguardian--2020-03-18--Steven Mnuchin warns coronavirus could bring 20% unemployment

Unemployment in the US could soar from record low levels to 20 % if strong action is not taken to tackle the coronavirus , the US treasury secretary , Steven Mnuchin , has warned , as officials said Covid-19 has spread to all 50 states and the mayor of New York City accused the president of sidelining the US military as the crisis unfolds .
Donald Trump continued on Wednesday to call the illness “ the Chinese Virus ” , despite criticism over such blatant racially biased labeling , and boasted that he had treated the outbreak seriously from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handling it , in the face of much evidence to the contrary .
Mnuchin reportedly told Republican senators on Tuesday night that joblessness could soar without government action .
Overnight , the Trump administration requested another $ 45.8bn from Congress to pump into running the government and dealing with the virus – in addition to an economic stimulus package of about a trillion dollars suggested already this week .
Congress is also being asked to consider issuing payments of $ 1,000 or more to individual Americans , although it is unclear who would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much they would be paid .
Much of the discussion so far has focused on an across-the-board payment , with everyone receiving a check , owing to limited time to do means testing if checks are to go out quickly .
But on Wednesday Trump signaled that payments could be more limited , as he was able to offer little comfort to those losing jobs as businesses suddenly shut down or see income tumble as people stay home , whether by government order or recommendation depending on their locality .
The online system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ For the people that are now out of work because of the important and necessary containment policies , for instance the shutting down of hotels , bars and restaurants , money will soon be coming to you , ” Trump said in a tweet .
Mnuchin ’ s warning over jobs , reported by CNN , came as politicians wrangled over financial packages to combat the effects of the virus .
According to CNN , Mnuchin made the unemployment claims in a private meeting on Tuesday .
The treasury secretary urged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy , and also warned that the financial impact of the coronavirus could exceed that of the 2008 financial crisis .
The Republican-controlled Senate is likely to vote on Wednesday on a multibillion-dollar plan that has already been approved by the Democratic-majority House of Representatives .
The Senate Republican leader , Mitch McConnell , has urged his colleagues to approve it quickly , despite their qualms .
“ Gag and vote for it , ” he said at a news conference on Tuesday .
Some Senate Republicans are said to be concerned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs on small businesses , while others say it does not cover those who work at corporations that employ more than 500 people .
Meanwhile West Virginia confirmed its first case of the coronavirus on Tuesday night , meaning the virus is now present in all 50 US states .
In an update , the state said a person in the eastern panhandle region of the state had been diagnosed with Covid-19 .
The individual had not been hospitalized , the state said .
According to the World Health Organization there were 179,112 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The number of confirmed cases in the US has exceeded 6,400 , deaths 105 , both numbers that have multiplied rapidly in the last week , CNN reported .
New York City ’ s Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday called on the federal government to unleash military assistance for US states and cities trying to prevent a worst-case scenario for the coronavirus outbreak in the US , after an initially slow response .
“ It ’ s unbelievable how rapidly this crisis is growing right now , ” the mayor said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Today show he called for the federal government to increase the supply of ventilators , respirators and other supplies , saying : “ The American military is being sidelined.
” He predicted cases of coronavirus in the city would exceed 1,000 on Wednesday and there have been at least 10 deaths .
Establishments such as bars , restaurants and gyms have been closed , except for food takeout and delivery , in New York , New Jersey and Connecticut .
Schools are closed for at least 5 million American children and many universities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blasio is on a collision course with the New York state governor , Andrew Cuomo .
De Blasio has warned that New York City ’ s more than 8 million residents may need to be ordered to “ shelter in place ” , while Cuomo , whose authority would be needed for any part of the state to go into such a “ lockdown ” or quarantine has said publicly he has no interest in such a move .
Such restrictions have gone into effect in the San Francisco Bay Area .

Unemployment in the US could soar from record low levels to 20% if strong action is not taken to tackle the coronavirus, the US treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, has warned, as officials said Covid-19 has spread to all 50 states and the mayor of New York City accused the president of sidelining the US military as the crisis unfolds.
Donald Trump continued on Wednesday to call the illness “the Chinese Virus”, despite criticism over such blatant racially biased labeling, and boasted that he had treated the outbreak seriously from the beginning and done a great job at handling it, in the face of much evidence to the contrary.
I always treated the Chinese Virus very seriously, and have done a very good job from the beginning, including my very early decision to close the “borders” from China - against the wishes of almost all. Many lives were saved. The Fake News new narrative is disgraceful & false! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020
Mnuchin reportedly told Republican senators on Tuesday night that joblessness could soar without government action. Overnight, the Trump administration requested another $45.8bn from Congress to pump into running the government and dealing with the virus – in addition to an economic stimulus package of about a trillion dollars suggested already this week.
Congress is also being asked to consider issuing payments of $1,000 or more to individual Americans, although it is unclear who would receive the payouts, and exactly how much they would be paid. Much of the discussion so far has focused on an across-the-board payment, with everyone receiving a check, owing to limited time to do means testing if checks are to go out quickly.
But on Wednesday Trump signaled that payments could be more limited, as he was able to offer little comfort to those losing jobs as businesses suddenly shut down or see income tumble as people stay home, whether by government order or recommendation depending on their locality. The online system for applying for unemployment benefits crashed overnight.
“For the people that are now out of work because of the important and necessary containment policies, for instance the shutting down of hotels, bars and restaurants, money will soon be coming to you,” Trump said in a tweet.
For the people that are now out of work because of the important and necessary containment policies, for instance the shutting down of hotels, bars and restaurants, money will soon be coming to you. The onslaught of the Chinese Virus is not your fault! Will be stronger than ever! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020
Mnuchin’s warning over jobs, reported by CNN, came as politicians wrangled over financial packages to combat the effects of the virus.
According to CNN, Mnuchin made the unemployment claims in a private meeting on Tuesday. The treasury secretary urged Republicans to approve measures to boost the economy, and also warned that the financial impact of the coronavirus could exceed that of the 2008 financial crisis.
The Republican-controlled Senate is likely to vote on Wednesday on a multibillion-dollar plan that has already been approved by the Democratic-majority House of Representatives.
The Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, has urged his colleagues to approve it quickly, despite their qualms.
“Gag and vote for it,” he said at a news conference on Tuesday.
Some Senate Republicans are said to be concerned the plan’s sick-leave provisions could heap costs on small businesses, while others say it does not cover those who work at corporations that employ more than 500 people.
Meanwhile West Virginia confirmed its first case of the coronavirus on Tuesday night, meaning the virus is now present in all 50 US states. In an update, the state said a person in the eastern panhandle region of the state had been diagnosed with Covid-19. The individual had not been hospitalized, the state said.
Q&A How can I protect myself and others from the coronavirus outbreak? Show The World Health Organization is recommending that people take simple precautions to reduce exposure to and transmission of the coronavirus, for which there is no specific cure or vaccine. The UN agency advises people to: Frequently wash their hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or warm water and soap
Cover their mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue when sneezing or coughing
Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever or cough
Seek early medical help if they have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, and share their travel history with healthcare providers
Advice about face masks varies. Wearing them while out and about may offer some protection against both spreading and catching the virus via coughs and sneezes, but it is not a cast-iron guarantee of protection Many countries are now enforcing or recommending curfews or lockdowns. Check with your local authorities for up-to-date information about the situation in your area. In the UK, NHS advice is that anyone with symptoms should stay at home for at least 7 days. If you live with other people, they should stay at home for at least 14 days, to avoid spreading the infection outside the home. Was this helpful? Thank you for your feedback.
According to the World Health Organization there were 179,112 confirmed cases worldwide as of Tuesday evening. The number of confirmed cases in the US has exceeded 6,400, deaths 105, both numbers that have multiplied rapidly in the last week, CNN reported.
New York City’s Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday called on the federal government to unleash military assistance for US states and cities trying to prevent a worst-case scenario for the coronavirus outbreak in the US, after an initially slow response.
“It’s unbelievable how rapidly this crisis is growing right now,” the mayor said on morning television.
On the NBC Today show he called for the federal government to increase the supply of ventilators, respirators and other supplies, saying: “The American military is being sidelined.”
He predicted cases of coronavirus in the city would exceed 1,000 on Wednesday and there have been at least 10 deaths.
Establishments such as bars, restaurants and gyms have been closed, except for food takeout and delivery, in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Schools are closed for at least 5 million American children and many universities are holding classes remotely online.
De Blasio is on a collision course with the New York state governor, Andrew Cuomo. De Blasio has warned that New York City’s more than 8 million residents may need to be ordered to “shelter in place”, while Cuomo, whose authority would be needed for any part of the state to go into such a “lockdown” or quarantine has said publicly he has no interest in such a move.
Such restrictions have gone into effect in the San Francisco Bay Area.


theguardian--2020-03-18--'Not racist at all': Donald Trump defends calling coronavirus the 'Chinese virus' – video

The US president has dismissed accusations that his use of the term 'Chinese virus ' to refer to the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ his daily coronavirus taskforce briefing , he said it was 'not racist at all .
@ @ @ @ @ I want to be accurate . '
The World Health Organization has advised against terms @ @ @ @ @ China to avoid stigmatisation

The US president has dismissed accusations that his use of the term 'Chinese virus' to refer to the coronavirus is racist. Speaking at his daily coronavirus taskforce briefing, he said it was 'not racist at all. It comes from China; I want to be accurate.' The World Health Organization has advised against terms that link the virus to China to avoid stigmatisation