theguardian--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: New York mayor says city should prepare for 'shelter in place', contradicting governor

Coronavirus: New York mayor says city should prepare for 'shelter in place', contradicting governor – as it happened

The Department of Defense will make 5m masks available from “ strategic reserves ” said secretary Mark Esper .
One million will be made available immediately .
The DOD will also make available 13 laboratories capable of testing for COVID-19 , as well as 2000 ventilators .
“ We are considering activating national guard and reserve units , ” he added , to help with coronavirus challenge .
He said he ’ s also willing to make the Army Corps of Engineers available to help if asked .
Hospital ships USNS Comfort ( in Norfolk , Virginia ) and USNS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) may also become available to help relieve civilian hospitals .
Since these ships are geared toward treating trauma rather than illness , those theoretically could take trauma cases out of hospitals to make room for coronavirus patients .
The ventilators that the DOD has are a bit different than civilian ventilators , Esper said , but military personnel could train medical staff on how to use them .
“ In some ways , we want to be the last resort , ” Esper added , in a measured response .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about how forces are used .

Maanvi Singh (now), Joanna Walters and Martin Belam (earlier)

17 Mar 2020 22.04 GMT Summary Officials are telling Americans to “stop going out” to crowded places, in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus .
. Several Bay Area counties have been ordered to shelter in place. South Carolina has announced sweeping social distancing measures, and Navajo Nation has told citizens to stay home after a member tested positive.
counties have been ordered to shelter in place. has announced sweeping social distancing measures, and has told citizens to stay home after a member tested positive. New York ’s mayor has told residents to brace for similar shelter in place orders, even as the state’s government insisted that no quarantine measures will be taken for now.
’s mayor has told residents to brace for similar shelter in place orders, even as the state’s government insisted that no quarantine measures will be taken for now. Coronavirus is in all 50 states now, after West Virginia confirmed its first case.
confirmed its first case. US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin met with Republican senators to discuss a stimulus plan that would cost $1 trillion, and include $250bn in payments to Americans.
met with Republican senators to discuss a stimulus plan that would cost $1 trillion, and include $250bn in payments to Americans. Primary voting is underway in Florida, Arizona and Illinois today. The Ohio democratic party is fighting a state department of health decision to postpone its primary until June. My colleague Joan E Greve in Washington DC will be providing live updates as the results from the primaries roll in. Follow along: Democratic primaries: three states head to polls amid coronavirus crisis – live Read more
Updated at 22.39 GMT
17 Mar 2020 21.51 GMT Ohio democratic party fights decision to delay primary The party has filed a writ of prohibition with the Ohio Supreme Court to ensure that the primaries will move forward despite orders from the state’s department of health. “This primary election must move forward,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper said in a statement. “Today’s action seeks that court order, preserving the primary while also proposing a more workable window for the election to take place, along with multiple opportunities and a reasonable amount of time for voters to vote.” Ohio primary vote halted at last minute amid coronavirus court battle Read more
Updated at 21.52 GMT
17 Mar 2020 21.30 GMT Democratic National Committee urges states to adopt vote by mail and other safety measures In a new statement, the DNC urged states that have yet to hold their primary to use vote by mail and “other critical mechanisms that will make voting easier and safer for voters and election officials alike” rather than reschedule elections. “Where in-person voting can still take place under public health guidelines, states should expand days and hours of early voting to reduce lines,” said DNC Chair Tom Perez. Perez criticized Ohio, which postponed its primary. “What happened in Ohio last night has only bred more chaos and confusion,” he said. “Eligible voters deserve certainty, safety, and accessibility.” Coronavirus exposes absurdity of vote by mail restrictions in US Read more
Updated at 21.32 GMT
17 Mar 2020 21.23 GMT A customer picks up a bag of free pastries from the worker-owned Arizmendi bakery in San Francisco, the morning after the cooperative voted to temporarily shut its doors during day one of the citywide shelter in place order amid the outbreak of coronavirus disease in Photograph: Stephen Lam/Reuters San Francisco’s mayor London Breed has announced a moratorium on commercial evictions through the coronavirus crisis. Small and medium-sized businesses that lose income during the pandemic won’t be evicted if they can’t make rent, Breed announced. “Under normal state law, localities are prohibited from regulating commercial evictions,” Breen said in a statement. “San Francisco is allowed to take this action following Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order that was signed yesterday, and Mayor Breed issued this moratorium under the powers of the Local Emergency she declared on February 25th.” The moratorium will be in effect for 30 days and can be extended for another 30 days through executive order. Businesses that have less than $25 million in annual gross receipts are covered.
Updated at 21.32 GMT
17 Mar 2020 21.05 GMT Navajo Nation reports its first case of Covid-19, and urges social distancing “We call upon our Navajo people to do their best to remain calm and make good decisions by staying home to prevent the spread of the virus among our communities,” said president Jonathan Nez. We have health and emergency experts who have been planning and preparing for this situation for several weeks. We call upon our Navajo people to do their best to remain calm and make good decisions by staying home to prevent the spread of the virus among our communities. pic.twitter.com/kdzqtQAwyf — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez (@NNPrezNez) March 17, 2020 Last week, Navajo officials made the decision to close parks on the Nation’s land, including the Four Corners. They also announced travel restrictions for executive members and canceled events that take people off the Nation. “We have health and emergency experts who have been planning and preparing for this situation for several weeks,” Nez reassured.
Updated at 21.05 GMT
17 Mar 2020 20.56 GMT South Carolina announces sweeping new social distancing measures Governor Henry McMaster announced executive orders to close all bars and restaurants’ dine-in services, push state tax filing deadlines to June, ban gatherings of 50 or more in public/gov’t-owned facilities and mobilize the National Guard to help hospitals. The governor also requested that insurance companies pay for office visits, tests and procedures for coronavirus patients, that grocery stores limit customer purchases of certain essentials, and have special hours for senior citizens, among other suggestions.
17 Mar 2020 20.42 GMT Elizabeth Warren has laid out a progressive “litmus test” for a bailout package. .@ewarren is laying down progressive markers for a bailout package: “Let me be clear: we’re not doing no-strings-attached bailouts that enrich shareholders or pay CEO bonuses. Period.” pic.twitter.com/hezX7nh6Lv — Lauren Gambino (@laurenegambino) March 17, 2020 Among her suggestions: Companies must maintain their payrolls Companies must provide a $15 minimum wage... no later than one year of the national emergency declaration ending. Companies are permanently prohibited from engaging in share repurchases. Warren has called for a $750 billion economic stimulus package focused “on recovery from the grassroots up, not Wall Street down” her office said in a statement. Though she’s no longer running for president, it seems Warren is using her newfound national platform and leverage as senator to push progressive priorities.
Updated at 20.57 GMT
17 Mar 2020 20.26 GMT As New York mayor Bill de Blasio tells the city to brace for a shelter in place order, a senior advisor to New York governor Andrew Cuomo reiterated what the governor had said earlier: That a city can’t unilaterally declare a quarantine without the state’s approval. A reminder of what @NYGovCuomo said earlier today. Further comment from the administration to come. pic.twitter.com/kIF7kGbk1f — Rich Azzopardi (@RichAzzopardi) March 17, 2020
17 Mar 2020 20.05 GMT Joe Biden campaign memo underscores slim chances for Sanders victory Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden at the 11th Democratic debate. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters “We expect to emerge tonight with a bigger delegate lead than we had going into the night,” said Kate Bedingfield, Biden’s deputy campaign manager in a memo. “It would take a drastic, historically-incomparable swing for Senator Sanders to win more delegates than Biden today or to close the delegate differential.” Although coronavirus concerns will affect voter turnout today, “we believe that, with early vote and vote by mail, overall turnout will be roughly on pace for 2016 in Arizona and Florida and roughly on pace for 2018 in Illinois, and that voter turnout in all three states will reflect the population at large,” Bedingfield added.
Updated at 20.07 GMT
17 Mar 2020 19.42 GMT What exactly does a shelter in place order entail? The Guardian’s West Coast reporter Vivian Ho explains how it works in California: What happens to retail and restaurants? All businesses considered non-essential, like bars, shops and fitness centers, were ordered to close. Restaurants will remain open in only a takeout and delivery capacity. Grocery stores, hardware stores and pharmacies will stay open. What about transit? All non-essential travel “on foot, bicycle, scooter, automobile or public transit” is prohibited. Under the order, essential travel is categorized as traveling for necessary supplies, accessing healthcare or going to provide aid to family or friends. Airports, taxis, Uber, Lyft and public transit will continue running to service essential travel, but those using any mode of travel are expected to practice social distancing. What does 'shelter in place' mean? California's coronavirus order, explained Read more
17 Mar 2020 19.38 GMT Earlier today, New York governor had said that he would not yet order people to shelter in place. “No city in the state can quarantine itself without state approval, and I have no interest whatsoever and no plan whatsoever to quarantine any city,” said governor Andrew Cuomo. The Guardian’s Amanda Holpuch reported: Cuomo said he would not yet order people to shelter in place in part because such a dramatic decision would need to be made in a uniform fashion. It would not be helpful, he said, if there was a shelter in place in New York City or the state capital, Albany, because it could drive large groups of people to leave. The state would use other measures to reduce transmission, he said, such as a greater reduction in business operations, before it would need to advise a regional quarantine.
New York coronavirus cases jump to 1,374 as governor urges ‘compassion and cooperation’ Read more
17 Mar 2020 19.31 GMT NYC mayor says should prepare for possible "shelter in place" order, contradicting governor Mayor Bill de Blasio said the order could come within the next 48 hours. “It is definitely a possibility at this point,” he said in a briefing. “It is a difficult, difficult decision.” New York governor Andrew Cuomo had said there were no plans to enact such a “drastic” order as yet, and indicated that the state would use other measures to limit the trasmission coronavirus. A shelter in place order in the Bay Area requires people to stay home except for essential activities. De Blasio did not elaborate on what a similar order in New York would look like. He also announced that the city will soon have the capacity to test 5,000 people a day for coronavirus.
Updated at 19.48 GMT
17 Mar 2020 19.21 GMT Department of Defense will deploy national guard and reserve units to help The Department of Defense will make 5m masks available from “strategic reserves” said secretary Mark Esper. One million will be made available immediately. The DOD will also make available 13 laboratories capable of testing for COVID-19, as well as 2000 ventilators. “We are considering activating national guard and reserve units,” he added, to help with coronavirus challenge. He said he’s also willing to make the Army Corps of Engineers available to help if asked. Hospital ships USNS Comfort (in Norfolk, Virginia) and USNS Mercy (in San Diego, California) may also become available to help relieve civilian hospitals. Since these ships are geared toward treating trauma rather than illness, those theoretically could take trauma cases out of hospitals to make room for coronavirus patients. The ventilators that the DOD has are a bit different than civilian ventilators, Esper said, but military personnel could train medical staff on how to use them. “In some ways, we want to be the last resort,” Esper added, in a measured response. He said he wants to be careful and strateguc about how forces are used.
Updated at 19.27 GMT
17 Mar 2020 19.08 GMT Stimulus plan costing $1 trillion is in consideration as Senate moves to pass Phase 2 relief bill During a closed-door lunch with Republican Senators, treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin proposed a stimulus plan that would cost up to $1 trillion. The plan includes $250bn of direct aide to Americans, with a number of Republican senators telling reporters they’d prefer that to tax cuts. Majority leader Mitch McConnell also said the Senate will pass the Phase 2 House coronavirus bill, and begin to work on a Phase 3 bill. “The Senate will not leave” until work on the third relief bill is done, he told reporters.
Updated at 19.11 GMT
17 Mar 2020 18.56 GMT Jessica Glenza After pictures of Florida beaches packed with spring breakers appeared on social media, Florida Governor Rick DeSantis has issued an executive order in an effort to quell critics. However, his new order is muddy at best. BUSY BEACH! This is what @MyClearwater Beach looks like right now as spring break crowds flock to the sand. #Clearwater leaders haven’t decided if they should add a curfew or close beaches but they may vote on measures related to the #coronavirus this Thursday. @abcactionnews pic.twitter.com/jGoxQdYJg5 — Sarah J. Hollenbeck (@SarahHollenbeck) March 16, 2020 The order closes nightclubs and bars for 30 days, but encourages restaurants to stay open while only seating people at half-capacity. Restaurants are also required to stagger seating. The order also asks people not to go to public beaches in groups greater than 10, “per CDC guidance”. However, the CDC has strongly encouraged people to go much further than DeSantis’s order. The CDC has directed people “avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants and food courts,” to “avoid travel, shopping trips, and social visits”.
These practices are part of “social distancing”. Here’s an expert guide on how to practice social distancing and slow the spread of the virus.
17 Mar 2020 18.53 GMT
A Lime scooter is seen on Hollywood Blvd. Photograph: Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images The Guardian’s tech reporter Kari Paul reports: Shared scooter company Lime is suspending services in US markets including California and Washington state, as well as in Italy, France, Spain, due to coronavirus concerns, it said in a statement on Monday evening.
The company, which is partnered with Uber, said it is pausing services to “help people stay put, and stay safe” as a number of states and cities enact shelter in place orders. Uber and other rideshare services are not affected by the shelter in place order in California as they are considered essential businesses, but Lime is still shutting down services.
“In the Bay Area we are temporarily pausing operations and taking scooters offline to comply with government orders, and we ask the Lime community to do their part in protecting themselves and each other”, a spokesman said. “We are committed to quickly reactivating once the coronavirus virus is under control”.
Lyft is still running its scooters, it said in a Monday email, and regularly sanitizing them. Bay Area residents could still be seen riding them Monday, some wearing masks. Bird, another commonly used shared scooter startup in the Bay Area, did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the status of its program.
Updated at 20.12 GMT
17 Mar 2020 18.49 GMT In a meeting with tourism industry executives, Donald Trump previewed the relief plan being considered in Congress, according to the White House press pool. “Thank you very much we have tourism industry executives...the true leaders of our tourism and hospitality industries,” Trump said. “We are going to come out stronger than ever before.” The president said he asked Small Business Administration lending to go up To $50 billion, “and actually more”.


theguardian--2020-03-17--Democratic primaries results: follow the latest votes

There are 67 pledged delegates available in Arizona ’ s Democratic presidential primary vote .
Infrastructure , healthcare , the @ @ @ @ @ rank among the issues Democratic voters care most about .
The state is home to @ @ @ @ @ , the largest Native American reservation in the US .
Hillary Clinton heavily defeated Bernie @ @ @ @ @ primary race , but Donald Trump won convincingly in the general election .
There are @ @ @ @ @ in Florida ’ s Democratic presidential primary vote .
The economy , healthcare and immigration @ @ @ @ @ care most about .
Hillary Clinton defeated Bernie Sanders by a landslide in the 2016 @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump narrowly won the state in the November general election .
There are 155 @ @ @ @ @ in Illinois ’ s Democratic presidential primary vote .
Healthcare , the economy and criminal @ @ @ @ @ issues Democratic voters care most about .
Hillary Clinton narrowly defeated Bernie Sanders in the @ @ @ @ @ but won convincingly in the state against Donald Trump in the general election .

Juweek Adolphe, Peter Andringa, Seán Clarke, Niko Kommenda and Enjoli Liston

Arizona
There are 67 pledged delegates available in Arizona’s Democratic presidential primary vote. Infrastructure, healthcare, the economy and the climate crisis rank among the issues Democratic voters care most about. The state is home to much of the Navajo nation, the largest Native American reservation in the US. Hillary Clinton heavily defeated Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Illinois primary race, but Donald Trump won convincingly in the general election.
Still loading...
Florida
There are 219 pledged delegates at stake in Florida’s Democratic presidential primary vote. The economy, healthcare and immigration rank among the issues voters care most about. Hillary Clinton defeated Bernie Sanders by a landslide in the 2016 primary race here, but Donald Trump narrowly won the state in the November general election.
Still loading...
Illinois
There are 155 pledged delegates up for grabs in Illinois’s Democratic presidential primary vote. Healthcare, the economy and criminal justice reform rank among the issues Democratic voters care most about. Hillary Clinton narrowly defeated Bernie Sanders in the 2016 primary race here, but won convincingly in the state against Donald Trump in the general election.


theguardian--2020-03-17--Trump says 'keep politics out' of coronavirus then picks fight with Democrats

Donald Trump picked fights with Democrats on Tuesday even as he called for them to “ keep politics out ” of the battle against what he called , in a return to nationalist rhetoric , “ the Chinese virus ” .
As the White House prepares a massive stimulus package to counter the effect of the Covid-19 outbreak , the president gave an upbeat assessment of the economy , seen as critical to his political future , promising it would “ pop ” again soon .
“ We ’ re going to win , ” he vowed .
That this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year is impossible to ignore .
“ I watched the debate – not too exciting , ” Trump said of last Sunday ’ s meeting between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders .
“ But what they said about me – and we ’ ve done a great job – when you talk about not being bipartisan , what they said about me.
” He accused the Obama administration , in which Biden was vice-president , of making “ terrible ” and “ horrific ” mistakes in handling a swine flu outbreak in 2009 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump told reporters at a coronavirus taskforce briefing .
In fact the official death toll in the US was 12,469 .
“ They shouldn ’ t be criticising because we ’ ve done a fantastic job , ” Trump added , before airing a familiar grievance .
“ The only thing we haven ’ t done well is to get good press .
We ’ ve done a fantastic job but it hasn ’ t been appreciated .
“ Even the closing down of the borders , which had never been done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them but we closed them early .
The press doesn ’ t like writing about it .
So we ’ ve done a poor job on press relationships and I guess I don ’ t know who to blame for that .
I don ’ t know , maybe I can blame ourselves for that .
I will blame ourselves.
” In a rare Oval Office address last week , Trump urged unity .
But almost every day since he has attacked Obama , Biden or Democratic governors .
He began Tuesday by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan .
He tweeted : “ Cuomo wants ‘ all states to be treated the same.
’ But all states aren ’ t the same .
Some are being hit hard by the Chinese Virus , some are being hit practically not at all .
New York is a very big ‘ hotspot ’ , West Virginia has , thus far , zero cases.
” Trump added : “ Andrew , keep politics out of it … ” New York is now among the worst affected by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Albany , Cuomo struck a conciliatory tone : “ I said to the president , who is a New Yorker … ‘ I put my hand out in partnership .
I want to work together 100 % .
I want your help .
I need your help .
“ I think the president was 100 % sincere in saying he wanted to work together in partnership , in a spirt of cooperation .
The actions he has taken evidence that .
His team are on it.
” Trump also attacked Whitmer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden .
“ Failing Michigan governor must work harder and be much more proactive , ” he wrote .
“ We are pushing her to get the job done .
I stand with Michigan !
” Whitmer shot back , seeking “ swift and clear guidance , tests , personal protective equipment , and resources ” .
She went on to list measures taken in her state , a key election battleground .
At the White House , Trump insisted : “ I only do that when I have to respond .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She said something that was false and therefore I did do that and I will continue to do that .
“ If they ’ re not going to play fair , because you know , they have the media on their side .
I don ’ t .
I just have me .
And if they ’ re not going to play fair , I ’ m going to do that .
If they are going to play fair , there ’ s going to be nobody better than Donald Trump in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism for his use of the phrase “ Chinese virus ” .
Congressman Ted Lieu tweeted : “ There ’ s a difference between saying a virus came from China versus calling it a Chinese virus .
Asian Americans have already been assaulted because of this type of rhetoric.
” Asked by the Guardian if he intended to continue using the phrase , Trump replied : “ China was putting out information , which was false , that our military gave this to them .
That was false and rather than having an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it where it came from .
It did come from China so I think it ’ s a very accurate term.
” More than a month ago , the World Health Organization director general , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , said the novel strain of the coronavirus had an official name , Covid-19 , which should “ prevent the use of other names that can be inaccurate or stigmatizing ” .
A robust economy had been seen as Trump ’ s strongest suit for re-election .
Now he faces recession .
Airlines are said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9/11 .
Trump insisted : “ If we do this right , our country can be rolling again pretty quickly .
We have to fight that invisible enemy .
I guess , unknown – but we ’ re getting to know it a lot better.
” He added : “ The best thing we can do is get rid of the virus .
Once that ’ s gone , it ’ s going to pop back like nobody ’ s ever seen before , that ’ s my opinion … I think our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One day we ’ ll be standing possibly up here , we ’ ll say , ‘ Well , we won.
’ Sure as you ’ re sitting here , we ’ re going to say that .
We ’ re going to win.
” Trump has claimed credit for banning travel from China early on but faced condemnation for not moving faster on widespread testing .
Despite a long list of public statements in which he downplayed the threat , on Tuesday he made a startling claim : “ I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is a pandemic .
“ I felt it was a pandemic long before it was called a pandemic .
”

Donald Trump picked fights with Democrats on Tuesday even as he called for them to “keep politics out” of the battle against what he called, in a return to nationalist rhetoric, “the Chinese virus”.
As the White House prepares a massive stimulus package to counter the effect of the Covid-19 outbreak, the president gave an upbeat assessment of the economy, seen as critical to his political future, promising it would “pop” again soon.
“We’re going to win,” he vowed.
That this crisis is taking place in an election year is impossible to ignore.
“I watched the debate – not too exciting,” Trump said of last Sunday’s meeting between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. “But what they said about me – and we’ve done a great job – when you talk about not being bipartisan, what they said about me.”
He accused the Obama administration, in which Biden was vice-president, of making “terrible” and “horrific” mistakes in handling a swine flu outbreak in 2009.
“Seventeen thousand people died,” Trump told reporters at a coronavirus taskforce briefing. In fact the official death toll in the US was 12,469.
“They shouldn’t be criticising because we’ve done a fantastic job,” Trump added, before airing a familiar grievance.
“The only thing we haven’t done well is to get good press. We’ve done a fantastic job but it hasn’t been appreciated.
“Even the closing down of the borders, which had never been done, and not only did we close them but we closed them early. The press doesn’t like writing about it. So we’ve done a poor job on press relationships and I guess I don’t know who to blame for that. I don’t know, maybe I can blame ourselves for that. I will blame ourselves.”
In a rare Oval Office address last week, Trump urged unity. But almost every day since he has attacked Obama, Biden or Democratic governors. He began Tuesday by going after governors Andrew Cuomo of New York and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan.
He tweeted: “Cuomo wants ‘all states to be treated the same.’ But all states aren’t the same. Some are being hit hard by the Chinese Virus, some are being hit practically not at all. New York is a very big ‘hotspot’, West Virginia has, thus far, zero cases.”
Trump added: “Andrew, keep politics out of it …”
New York is now among the worst affected by the coronavirus. But at a press conference in Albany, Cuomo struck a conciliatory tone: “I said to the president, who is a New Yorker … ‘I put my hand out in partnership. I want to work together 100%. I want your help. I need your help.
“I think the president was 100% sincere in saying he wanted to work together in partnership, in a spirt of cooperation. The actions he has taken evidence that. His team are on it.”
Trump also attacked Whitmer, seen as a potential running mate for Biden.
“Failing Michigan governor must work harder and be much more proactive,” he wrote. “We are pushing her to get the job done. I stand with Michigan!”
Whitmer shot back, seeking “swift and clear guidance, tests, personal protective equipment, and resources”. She went on to list measures taken in her state, a key election battleground.
At the White House, Trump insisted: “I only do that when I have to respond. I watched her [Whitmer] on television. She said something that was false and therefore I did do that and I will continue to do that.
“If they’re not going to play fair, because you know, they have the media on their side. I don’t. I just have me. And if they’re not going to play fair, I’m going to do that. If they are going to play fair, there’s going to be nobody better than Donald Trump in terms of bipartisanship.”
Trump also faced criticism for his use of the phrase “Chinese virus”. Congressman Ted Lieu tweeted: “There’s a difference between saying a virus came from China versus calling it a Chinese virus. Asian Americans have already been assaulted because of this type of rhetoric.”
Asked by the Guardian if he intended to continue using the phrase, Trump replied: “China was putting out information, which was false, that our military gave this to them. That was false and rather than having an argument I said I have to call it where it came from. It did come from China so I think it’s a very accurate term.”
More than a month ago, the World Health Organization director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the novel strain of the coronavirus had an official name, Covid-19, which should “prevent the use of other names that can be inaccurate or stigmatizing”.
A robust economy had been seen as Trump’s strongest suit for re-election. Now he faces recession. Airlines are said to face a bigger crisis than after 9/11.
Trump insisted: “If we do this right, our country can be rolling again pretty quickly. We have to fight that invisible enemy. I guess, unknown – but we’re getting to know it a lot better.”
He added: “The best thing we can do is get rid of the virus. Once that’s gone, it’s going to pop back like nobody’s ever seen before, that’s my opinion … I think our economy will come back really rapidly. One day we’ll be standing possibly up here, we’ll say, ‘Well, we won.’ Sure as you’re sitting here, we’re going to say that. We’re going to win.”
Trump has claimed credit for banning travel from China early on but faced condemnation for not moving faster on widespread testing. Despite a long list of public statements in which he downplayed the threat, on Tuesday he made a startling claim: “I’ve always known this is a real – this is a pandemic.
“I felt it was a pandemic long before it was called a pandemic.”


theguardian--2020-03-17--States delaying primaries past 9 June may face delegate penalty, warns DNC memo

A new memo from the Democratic National Committee panel that handles delegate selection for the presidential nomination warns that states that hastily change the “ first determining step ” of their own process could be subject to penalties – including a 50 % reduction in delegates – if they hold primaries after a June cut-off date .
The memo also says the panel is looking at ways to adjust how delegates are selected in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Three states will hold primaries on Tuesday .
A fourth , Ohio , postponed its vote on Monday , due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public life .
Louisiana , Kentucky , Georgia and Maryland have also postponed their votes .
As in virtually every part of US society , election officials at every level have been discussing ways to safely administer elections without spreading the coronavirus .
The new DNC memo , obtained by the Guardian , was sent to members of the rules and bylaws committee on Wednesday night .
“ We are working with state parties that need to make adjustments as needed to their delegate selection processes so they can continue without major interruptions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miller , the co-chairs of the rules and bylaws committee , in the memo .
“ The regulations allow technical changes to be approved by the co-chairs.
” A number of states have taken dramatic steps to prevent spreading the coronavirus .
Late on Monday night , Ohio ’ s governor , Mike DeWine , announced that his administration would order polling stations closed because of the “ health emergency ” .
“ Several states have taken steps to change the date of their first determining step , ” the DNC memo said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Selection Rules provide that each state ’ s first determining step must take place by 9 June .
If a state violates the rule on timing , or any other rule , they could be subject to penalties as prescribed in Rule 21 , including at least a 50 % reduction in delegates , which will need to be reviewed by the RBC .
“ The deadline to elect convention participants is 20 June , so state parties should have plenty of time to elect their delegates , alternates and standing committee members.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ to follow the recommendations of local health officials and prioritize health and safety of all individuals .
We acknowledge the situation is very different in every state and want to give state parties flexibility to adjust their plans to address their own situations and local guidance.
” When Louisiana moved its primary , the DNC issued a similar warning .
“ We will continue to work with every state party as they adjust their delegate selection plans around coronavirus , ” the DNC said then , adding a similar warning about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ article was corrected on 17 March 2020 , to show that states not parties may be subject to penalties and that such penalties would only be applied if primaries are held after 9 June

A new memo from the Democratic National Committee panel that handles delegate selection for the presidential nomination warns that states that hastily change the “first determining step” of their own process could be subject to penalties – including a 50% reduction in delegates – if they hold primaries after a June cut-off date.
The memo also says the panel is looking at ways to adjust how delegates are selected in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Three states will hold primaries on Tuesday. A fourth, Ohio, postponed its vote on Monday, due to Covid-19 and its drastic effect on public life. Louisiana, Kentucky, Georgia and Maryland have also postponed their votes.
As in virtually every part of US society, election officials at every level have been discussing ways to safely administer elections without spreading the coronavirus.
The new DNC memo, obtained by the Guardian, was sent to members of the rules and bylaws committee on Wednesday night.
“We are working with state parties that need to make adjustments as needed to their delegate selection processes so they can continue without major interruptions,” wrote James Roosevelt and Lorraine Miller, the co-chairs of the rules and bylaws committee, in the memo.
“The regulations allow technical changes to be approved by the co-chairs.”
A number of states have taken dramatic steps to prevent spreading the coronavirus. Late on Monday night, Ohio’s governor, Mike DeWine, announced that his administration would order polling stations closed because of the “health emergency”.
“Several states have taken steps to change the date of their first determining step,” the DNC memo said.
It continued: “The Delegate Selection Rules provide that each state’s first determining step must take place by 9 June. If a state violates the rule on timing, or any other rule, they could be subject to penalties as prescribed in Rule 21, including at least a 50% reduction in delegates, which will need to be reviewed by the RBC.
“The deadline to elect convention participants is 20 June, so state parties should have plenty of time to elect their delegates, alternates and standing committee members.”
The committee also advised state parties “to follow the recommendations of local health officials and prioritize health and safety of all individuals. We acknowledge the situation is very different in every state and want to give state parties flexibility to adjust their plans to address their own situations and local guidance.”
When Louisiana moved its primary, the DNC issued a similar warning.
“We will continue to work with every state party as they adjust their delegate selection plans around coronavirus,” the DNC said then, adding a similar warning about the 9 June deadline.


theguardian--2020-03-18--Biden sweeps to victory in coronavirus affected primaries - live updates

The global pandemic is straining ties between the United States and China further .
Matthew Lee , diplomatic writer at Associated Press , has been looking at how coronavirus became the latest flashpoint between the two nations : Since the virus has spread , he reports , Trump and his top aides have stepped up their criticism of China , noting consistently that the outbreak was first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan .
They have referred to Covid-19 as the “ Wuhan virus ” or the “ Chinese virus ” on multiple occasions , disregarding World Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ geography .
On Tuesday alone , Trump discussed the Chinese source of virus outbreak during at least two events .
At a State Department news conference , Mike Pompeo referred six times to Covid-19 as the “ Wuhan virus ” , and suggested the Chinese are attempting to distract the world from the shortcomings of its initial response .
In a meeting with hotel executives at the White House , Trump took pains to make clear that the virus originated in China , asking pointed questions of Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson about where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And this all started in China ?
That ’ s where you first saw the problem and where you first got hit ?
” Trump asked .
Having already been targeted by Trump in a trade war and by Pompeo and others for repression of Muslim and other religious and ethnic minorities in western Xinjiang Province , the Chinese have taken particular offence to the constant repetition , complaining vociferously and suggesting that the US military may have actually introduced the virus to Wuhan .
“ Recently , some American politicians have linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China .
We express strong indignation and opposition to it , ” foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Tuesday .
“ We urge the US to immediately correct its mistakes and stop unwarranted accusations against China.
” That , in turn , has prompted angry US protests with the State Department hauling in China ’ s ambassador to the United States to complain and Pompeo calling the top Chinese diplomat to re-register the anger .
“ The disinformation campaign that they are waging is designed to shift responsibility , ” Pompeo said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the time for recriminations.
” Yet recriminations seem to be the order of the day .
“ China was putting out information which was false that our military gave this to them , ” Trump said .
“ That was false .
And rather than having an argument I said I have to call it where it came from .
It did come from China .
So I think it ’ s a very accurate term .
But no , I didn ’ t appreciate the fact that China was saying that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shortly after Trump ’ s comments , the Chinese foreign ministry announced the expulsion of American reporters from the New York Times , Wall Street Journal and Washington Post .
Pompeo responded to that news : “ I regret China ’ s decision today to further foreclose the world ’ s ability to conduct free press operations that frankly , would be really good , really good for the Chinese people in these incredibly challenging global times .
Where more information , more transparency are what will save lives .
This is unfortunate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope they will reconsider .
”

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--The pandemic primary: how a Florida polling station fared amid coronavirus

When a primary takes place during a pandemic , civic duty clashes with social responsibility .
Everybody should stay in .
Everybody should vote .
My story begins on the Friday before the Tuesday primary in Florida .
I saw a post on Facebook that urged healthy people who could help out on election day to become poll workers .
Around 100 poll workers ( likely older folks ) in Alachua county , where I attend university , had dropped out due to coronavirus fears .
I ’ m 22 years old .
I ’ m pretty healthy .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One hour later , I was at the office undergoing deputy training .
Deputies are the people who stand by the entrance telling people to take out their IDs and silence their phones .
They keep the peace , which I suppose would be a lot easier not during a pandemic .
On Saturday , I was assigned to a precinct .
On Monday , the clerk called me to tell me to be there Tuesday at 6am and that she was bringing chicken soup .
On election day , I loaded my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isopropyl alcohol into my backpack and headed to the church that would be my home for the next 16 hours .
When I got there at 5am I was happy to see the Supervisor of Elections office had provided our site with ample hand sanitizer , hydrogen peroxide , paper towels , gloves and even a spray bottle with alcohol .
My first job was putting up the “ no soliciting ” sign , which state law mandates has to be 150ft away from the entrance of the polling site .
I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off , with one end to the door handle of the entrance .
I really don ’ t know how I managed to tangle the brand new rope as I unwrapped it but I know that I will never feel as bad about tangling my headphones from now on .
Then we set up signs marking accessible parking , signs helping point people toward the entrance , signs telling people to turn off their phones and so on .
When we opened at 7am , there was a line of people who hoped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As the day went on , some people came with gloves and masks .
Others held their driver ’ s licenses through plastic bags , napkins and receipts .
Several asked to use their own pens .
While posted outside , I propped open the doors to circumvent to save voters from having to interact with one more “ high-touch ” surface .
Every 15 minutes , I sanitized the guardrails by the steps leading to the door .
After a moment of divine inspiration , I placed “ I voted ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apart from each other so when a line formed , it would conform to the principle of social distancing .
Nothing says “ social distancing ” like spending your day interacting with almost 300 strangers , right ?
Over the course of the day , I had four bowls of chicken soup and countless packets of fruit gummies .
The people who passed through our polling site were grateful and thanked us for “ risking it ” .
They were jittery and cautious but also determined to cast their ballot .
They were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking hygiene and social distancing seriously .
At final count , 280 people voted at our station before I closed the doors at 7pm .
We spent the next two hours cleaning up and completing paperwork .
There was a lot of pushback toward the state of Florida for holding elections during a pandemic as opposed to delaying like other states .
It ’ s hard to say if it was the right decision , as conditions may very well worsen in the future .
But looking back on today , I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker .
We did everything we could to mitigate risk to those who wanted to make their voice heard .
These are trying times that have tested everything that we used to take for granted .
I don ’ t think I ’ ll ever see voting in the same light , now that I ’ ve seen all the people who put in countless hours and , in this election , put their health at risk in order to keep a polling location open .
Zachariah Chou is a political science senior @ @ @ @ @ @

When a primary takes place during a pandemic, civic duty clashes with social responsibility. Everybody should stay in. Everybody should vote.
My story begins on the Friday before the Tuesday primary in Florida. I saw a post on Facebook that urged healthy people who could help out on election day to become poll workers. About 100 poll workers (probably older folks) in Alachua county, where I attend university, had dropped out due to coronavirus fears.
I’m 22 years old. I’m pretty healthy. I called the supervisor of elections office. One hour later, I was at the office undergoing deputy training. Deputies are the people who stand by the entrance telling people to take out their IDs and silence their phones. They keep the peace, which I suppose would be a lot easier not during a pandemic.
On Saturday, I was assigned to a precinct. On Monday, the clerk called me to tell me to be there Tuesday at 6am and that she was bringing chicken soup. On election day, I loaded my own hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and isopropyl alcohol into my backpack and headed to the church that would be my home for the next 16 hours.
I was happy to see the supervisor of elections office had provided our site with ample hand sanitizer, hydrogen peroxide, paper towels, gloves and even a spray bottle with alcohol.
My first job was putting up the “no soliciting” sign, which state law mandates has to be 150ft away from the entrance of the polling site. I was supplied with a 150ft rope and set off, with one end to the door handle of the entrance. I really don’t know how I managed to tangle the brand new rope as I unwrapped it but I know that I will never feel as bad about tangling my headphones from now on.
Voters of precinct 40 in Alachua county, Florida, line up outside of their polling location. I placed stickers on the ground at least six feet away from each other to make sure people weren’t standing too close to each other. Photograph: Zachariah Chou
Then we set up signs marking accessible parking, signs helping point people toward the entrance, signs telling people to turn off their phones and so on.
When we opened at 7am, there was a line of people who hoped to beat the crowd by coming early. As the day went on, some people came with gloves and masks. Others held their driver’s licenses through plastic bags, napkins and receipts. Several asked to use their own pens.
While posted outside, I propped open the doors to circumvent to save voters from having to interact with one more “high-touch” surface. Every 15 minutes, I sanitized the guardrails by the steps leading to the door.
After a moment of divine inspiration, I placed “I voted” stickers on the ground, six feet apart from each other so when a line formed, it would conform to the principle of social distancing. Nothing says “social distancing” like spending your day interacting with almost 300 strangers, right?
Over the course of the day, I had four bowls of chicken soup and countless packets of fruit gummies. The people who passed through our polling site were grateful and thanked us for “risking it”. They were jittery and cautious but also determined to cast their ballot. They were relieved when they saw that we were taking hygiene and social distancing seriously.
These are trying times that have tested everything that we used to take for granted. I don’t think I’ll ever see voting in the same light
At final count, 280 people voted at our station before I closed the doors at 7pm. We spent the next two hours cleaning up and completing paperwork.
There was a lot of pushback toward the state of Florida for holding elections during a pandemic as opposed to delaying like other states. It’s hard to say if it was the right decision, as conditions may very well worsen in the future. But looking back on today, I am proud to have served as a poll worker. We did everything we could to mitigate risk to those who wanted to make their voice heard.
These are trying times that have tested everything that we used to take for granted. I don’t think I’ll ever see voting in the same light, now that I’ve seen all the people who put in countless hours and, in this election, put their health at risk in order to keep a polling location open.
Zachariah Chou is a political science senior at the University of Florida


theguardian--2020-03-18--Democratic primaries key takeaways: Biden's lead looks insurmountable

The coronavirus crisis is upending the election One of the four states that was supposed to hold its primary today , Ohio , postponed in-person voting to mitigate the spread of the virus , the other states employed hand sanitiser and social distancing tactics as an apparently low turnout of voters came to the polls , and Democratic candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders addressed supporters virtually without an audience to avoid any kind of large gathering .
The former vice-president increased his all important delegate lead with sweeping victories in Florida , Illinois and Arizona .
Looking at Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by about 39 points in the state , where 219 pledged delegates are up for grabs .
Sanders is facing intensifying calls to drop out of the race A number of Democratic strategists have declared the nominating contest to be effectively over , and have suggested the Vermont senator should withdraw and allow Biden to focus on the November general election and the more immediate threat of the coronavirus public health emergency .
Biden made a pitch for unity in his primary-night speech He called on Sanders ’ supporters to “ put politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders share a “ common vision ” for America , arguing all Democrats need to rally together to defeat Donald Trump and be kind to one another during the pandemic .
Sanders addressed supporters early in the night and made no mention of tonight ’ s primaries Instead , the Vermont senator focused on the proposals he would be submitting to Senate leadership to combat the coronavirus crisis and avoided discussing tonight ’ s results , leading some to wonder if Sanders similarly sees no path forward for his campaign .
Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 His win in the Florida Republican primary gave the president the delegates he needs to his party ’ s nomination .
Though he faced some challengers , none ever gained significant support , and there was almost no question that Trump would be the Republican candidate fighting the November election .

The coronavirus crisis is upending the election
One of the four states that was supposed to hold its primary today, Ohio, postponed in-person voting to mitigate the spread of the virus, the other states employed hand sanitiser and social distancing tactics as an apparently low turnout of voters came to the polls, and Democratic candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders addressed supporters virtually without an audience to avoid any kind of large gathering.
Joe Biden’s lead now looks insurmountable
The former vice-president increased his all important delegate lead with sweeping victories in Florida, Illinois and Arizona. Looking at Florida alone, he appeared to be leading by about 39 points in the state, where 219 pledged delegates are up for grabs.
Sanders is facing intensifying calls to drop out of the race
A number of Democratic strategists have declared the nominating contest to be effectively over, and have suggested the Vermont senator should withdraw and allow Biden to focus on the November general election and the more immediate threat of the coronavirus public health emergency.
Biden made a pitch for unity in his primary-night speech
He called on Sanders’ supporters to “put politics aside”. Biden said he and Sanders share a “common vision” for America, arguing all Democrats need to rally together to defeat Donald Trump and be kind to one another during the pandemic.
Sanders addressed supporters early in the night and made no mention of tonight’s primaries
Instead, the Vermont senator focused on the proposals he would be submitting to Senate leadership to combat the coronavirus crisis and avoided discussing tonight’s results, leading some to wonder if Sanders similarly sees no path forward for his campaign.
Donald Trump is officially the Republican presidential nominee for 2020
His win in the Florida Republican primary gave the president the delegates he needs to his party’s nomination. Though he faced some challengers, none ever gained significant support, and there was almost no question that Trump would be the Republican candidate fighting the November election.


theguardian--2020-03-18--Biden wins latest Democratic primaries, building formidable lead over Sanders – as it happened

Progressive congressional candidate Marie Newman has declared victory over longtime House Democrat Dan Lipinski in Illinois .
The AP has @ @ @ @ @ , so Newman ’ s victory is not official , but she currently leads Lipinski @ @ @ @ @ % of precincts reporting .
I am bursting with pride and gratitude for the amazing @ @ @ @ @ much needed change in our district .
We are going to work together to lower @ @ @ @ @ fight climate change , and to build an economy that works for everyone .
# @ @ @ @ @ lost a 2018 primary to Lipinski , who is one of the last pro-life Democrats @ @ @ @ @ This time around , Newman was backed by a number of liberal organizations and enjoyed @ @ @ @ @ 2018 bid , which appears to have carried her to victory .
Newman ’ s @ @ @ @ @ primary challenges against some of the more conservative members of the House Democratic caucus .

18 Mar 2020 04.09 GMT Primary night summary That’s it from me after another eventful primary night. Here’s how the results shook out: Joe Biden increased his delegate lead with a sweep of Florida, Illinois and Arizona. With Biden currently leading by about 39 points in Florida, where 219 pledged delegates are up for grabs, the former vice-president’s delegate lead over Bernie Sanders is starting to look insurmountable.
With Biden currently leading by about 39 points in Florida, where 219 pledged delegates are up for grabs, the former vice-president’s delegate lead over is starting to look insurmountable. Sanders is facing intensifying calls to drop out of the race. A number of Democratic strategists have declared the nominating contest to be effectively over and have suggested Sanders should withdraw and allow Biden to focus on the general election.
A number of Democratic strategists have declared the nominating contest to be effectively over and have suggested Sanders should withdraw and allow Biden to focus on the general election. Biden made a pitch for unity in his primary-night speech, calling on Sanders’ supporters to “put politics aside”. Biden said he and Sanders share a “common vision” for America, arguing all Democrats need to rally together to defeat Donald Trump.
calling on Sanders’ supporters to “put politics aside”. Biden said he and Sanders share a “common vision” for America, arguing all Democrats need to rally together to defeat Sanders addressed supporters early in the night and made no mention of tonight’s primaries. Instead, the Vermont senator focused on the proposals he would be submitting to Senate leadership to combat the coronavirus crisis and avoided discussing tonight’s results, leading some to wonder if Sanders similarly sees no path forward for his campaign.
Instead, the Vermont senator focused on the proposals he would be submitting to Senate leadership to combat the coronavirus crisis and avoided discussing tonight’s results, leading some to wonder if Sanders similarly sees no path forward for his campaign. The coronavirus crisis is upending the presidential primary. One of the four states that was supposed to hold its primary today, Ohio, postponed in-person voting to mitigate the spread of the virus, and Biden and Sanders addressed supporters virtually without an audience to avoid any kind of large gathering. Thanks for following our primary night coverage, and tune back in tomorrow morning when the US politics live blog returns. Joe Biden sweeps key primaries and moves closer to nomination Read more
Updated at 04.20 GMT
18 Mar 2020 03.54 GMT Progressive challenger declares victory over longtime House Democrat Progressive congressional candidate Marie Newman has declared victory over longtime House Democrat Dan Lipinski in Illinois. The AP has not yet called the race, so Newman’s victory is not official, but she currently leads Lipinski by four points with 92% of precincts reporting. I am bursting with pride and gratitude for the amazing coalition that helped bring about much needed change in our district. We are going to work together to lower health care costs, to fight climate change, and to build an economy that works for everyone. #NewDayInIL03 #IL03 — Marie Newman (@Marie4Congress) March 18, 2020 Newman narrowly lost a 2018 primary to Lipinski, who is one of the last pro-life Democrats left in the House. This time around, Newman was backed by a number of liberal organizations and enjoyed better name recognition after her 2018 bid, which appears to have carried her to victory. Newman’s apparent victory could inspire more primary challenges against some of the more conservative members of the House Democratic caucus.
Updated at 04.10 GMT
18 Mar 2020 03.35 GMT After tonight, about 60% of pledged delegates will have been awarded, and Joe Biden has built a significant delegate lead. With that in mind, some Democratic strategists are saying this marks the effective end to Bernie Sanders’ campaign. From a former senior adviser to Barack Obama: At this point in 2008, @BarackObama was headed of @HillaryClinton by 100 delegates. At the end of tonight, @JoeBiden’s lead will be 3X that. No Dem has ever come back from anything like this deficit.
The race for the nomination is over. That is the reality @BernieSanders faces. — David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) March 18, 2020 The question now is whether the Vermont senator will choose to drop out of the race or continue even though virtually no path to the nomination remains.
Updated at 03.39 GMT
18 Mar 2020 03.30 GMT Tonight’s results provide more evidence that Bernie Sanders may have benefitted from opposition to Hillary Clinton in 2016. In Illinois, for example, Sanders is currently losing to Joe Biden by about 23 points, while he lost by only 2 points in 2016. Exit polls indicate Sanders lost a higher portion of self-described “moderate” and “somewhat liberal” voters in Illinois this time around. Illinois Dem primary phone poll
"Somewhat liberal":
Biden 68%
Sanders 28%
[In '16 exit poll, it was 51-49% Sanders]
"Moderate":
Biden 76%
Sanders 19%
[In '16 exit poll, it was 57-41% Clinton] — Steve Kornacki (@SteveKornacki) March 18, 2020 Considering Sanders’ progressive platform, those numbers indicate some of his support in 2016 was meant more as a rebuke of Clinton.
18 Mar 2020 03.15 GMT Biden wins Arizona and completes sweep Joe Biden has been declared the winner of the Arizona primary, completing his three-state sweep tonight. Biden is leading Bernie Sanders by 39 points in Florida and 23 points in Illinois, meaning his victories tonight will signficantly increase his delegate lead. With his three wins tonight, Biden could soon secure an insurmountable delegate lead over Sanders, sparking questions about whether Sanders will drop out of the race.
Updated at 03.16 GMT
18 Mar 2020 03.04 GMT Like Florida, Arizona has a robust early voting operation, so the two states were not as affected by the coronavirus crisis. However, in Illinois, where early voting is less common, there appears to have been a notable drop in turnout today. Raw votes cast vs. '16 in '20 Dem primaries so far:
VA: +69%
TX: +45%
SC: +45%
TN: +38%
MI: +31%
MS: +19%
NH: +17%
VT: +17%
NC: +16%
MA: +15%
AL: +14%
MO: +6%
CA: +4% (still counting)
AR: +3%
OK: -10%
Wouldn't be surprised if IL ends up at -40%. — Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) March 17, 2020
18 Mar 2020 02.46 GMT Joe Biden appears to have secured a landslide victory in Illinois, which Hillary Clinton won by just 2 points in 2016. With 77% of precincts reporting, Biden leads Bernie Sanders by 23 points in Illinois, where 155 pledged delegates are up for grabs. Biden’s large margin of victory will help him pull farther ahead in the delegate count, as the former vice-president approaches a nearly insurmountable delegate lead over Sanders. For comparison, Clinton only won two more Illinois delegates than Sanders did in 2016.
Updated at 03.22 GMT
18 Mar 2020 02.35 GMT It will still be another half hour before we start seeing results from Arizona, even though polls closed there about 30 minutes ago. That’s because state law prohibits reporting of results until at least one hour after polls have closed, according to Politico. However, the race could quickly be called for Biden once results start to roll in, considering the former vice-president was leading Bernie Sanders by 20 points in a recent Arizona poll.
Updated at 03.23 GMT
18 Mar 2020 02.25 GMT While primary results continue to roll in, New York’s mayor, Bill de Blasio, provided an update on the city’s coronavirus cases. De Blasio said the city has now seen 923 cases of coronavirus and 10 deaths from the virus. “The idea of shelter-in-place has to be considered now,” the mayor said.
Updated at 03.23 GMT
18 Mar 2020 02.05 GMT Arizona polls close It is 10pm ET, so the polls have now closed in Arizona, where 67 pledged delegates are up for grabs. Joe Biden is considered the favorite to win the state, as a recent poll showed him leading Bernie Sanders there by 20 points. If Biden can win Arizona, he will have pulled off a sweep of the three states that held primaries today.
Updated at 03.31 GMT
18 Mar 2020 02.00 GMT A number of Democratic strategists are declaring the presidential primary to be effectively over after Joe Biden’s victories in Florida and Illinois. “This is over,” former Obama adviser David Axelrod said on CNN. “It’s over. The election is over tonight. I think that is very clear.” After Biden’s strong performance last week, some Democratic super Pacs said they were going to turn their attention to the general election, viewing Biden as the presumptive nominee. However, a number of primary contests are still ahead, and Bernie Sanders has not yet indicated he intends to call it quits.
Updated at 02.13 GMT
18 Mar 2020 01.45 GMT Biden to Sanders' supporters: 'I hear you' Joe Biden celebrated his primary victories in Florida and Illinois, saying his campaign had had a “very good night” and moved closer to securing the nomination. The former vice president then made a pitch for unity, directly addressing the supporters of Bernie Sanders and asserting it was time to “put politics aside.” Biden said he and Sanders shared a “common vision” to provide Americans with affordable health care and reduce income inequality in the country. Biden commended the “remarkable passion and tenacity” of Sanders’ supporters, asserting they had “shifted the fundamental conversation in this country.” “I hear you,” Biden told his opponent’s supporters. “I know what’s at stake. I know what we have to do.” The message was clearly meant to unify Democratic voters as Biden looks ahead to his likely general-election race against Trump.
Updated at 01.52 GMT
18 Mar 2020 01.41 GMT Joe Biden delivered primary-night remarks from Wilmington, Delaware, after winning Florida and Illinois tonight. Biden noted he was speaking tonight without any kind of audience, in compliance with the CDC’s guideline to avoid gatherings larger than 10 people. Biden opened by saying he was thinking of those directly affected by the pandemic and thanking first responders who are fighting the virus. “I know we as a people are up to this challenge,” Biden said. “We always have been.”
18 Mar 2020 01.19 GMT Bernie Sanders is not currently winning a single Florida county, underscoring the scale of Joe Biden’s victory there. Bernie Sanders got crushed in Florida in 2016, but he still managed to win 9 counties and get 33% of the vote.
Now looks like he's not going to win single county and is just shy of 23%. pic.twitter.com/E5a4iNMKLM — Alex Seitz-Wald (@aseitzwald) March 18, 2020 Considering the 219 pledged delegates up for grabs in Florida, Biden’s landslide victory will likely give him a signficant boost over Sanders in the delegate count.
18 Mar 2020 01.14 GMT Joe Biden will soon start delivering a primary-night speech after winning Florida and Illinois. (Watch his remarks here.) Biden is hoping to pull off a sweep tonight once Arizona’s polls close in about 45 minutes. But Biden’s apparently decisive victories in Florida and Illinois have already intensified calls for Bernie Sanders to drop out of the race.
18 Mar 2020 00.55 GMT Trump clinches Republican nomination Trump has officially secured the Republican presidential nomination after winning the Florida and Illinois primaries tonight. Trump has now been awarded more than the 1,276 delegates needed to win the nomination, as Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders continue to fight for the Democratic nomination. This was the earliest point in the primary calendar that Trump could have secured the nomination. The president did attract a few primary challengers, such as former congressman Joe Walsh and former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld, but none of them picked up any kind of signficant support among Republican voters. “Fueled by both our longtime supporters and the thousands of new voters that continue to join our movement, we are united and enthusiasm is on our side,” Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement. “We have the strongest record of success, an unparalleled grassroots infrastructure, and are thrilled to have President Trump as our Party’s presumptive nominee once again.” Congratulations to Donald J. Trump on officially becoming the presumptive Republican nominee for President!
His home state of Florida just delivered him the delegates he needed.
Our party is united, our grassroots movement is fired up, and we are ready for FOUR MORE YEARS! pic.twitter.com/B4X9IaQp7f — Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) March 18, 2020
18 Mar 2020 00.45 GMT Eric Lutz reports for the Guardian from Chicago, Illinois: Former vice president Joe Biden has won the Illinois primary, dealing another sharp blow to Vermont senator Bernie Sanders in the race for the Democratic nomination. Biden, the campaign’s moderate frontrunner, had been heavily favored in the state, which went to Hillary Clinton in 2016. The Associated Press called the race just before 7:30pm local time, shortly after most polls closed. This year’s contest was complicated by concerns about coronavirus, which appeared to depress voter turnout in the state’s primary. Though Chicago officials reported a record-high turnout in early voting, authorities said voting on primary day on Tuesday was low and beset by technical challenges apparently brought on by the public health crisis. The win in Illinois continued the momentum Biden has been building since the South Carolina primary, which propelled him to a massive Super Tuesday victory — and further narrows Sanders’ path to the Democratic nominiation. Biden won Florida’s primary just minutes earlier. Polls have not yet closed in Arizona.


theguardian--2020-03-18--Joe Biden sweeps key primaries and moves closer to nomination

Joe Biden swept three key primaries in Florida , Illinois and Arizona on Tuesday night , dominating a third consecutive week of elections as he built a nearly indomitable lead in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination under the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic .
His resounding victories all but eliminated a path for his rival , Bernie Sanders , whose campaign is at a crossroads as he contemplates whether to stay in a fight for the liberal agenda he ’ s championed for decades , or to exit and help Democrats unify the party behind his opponent as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Our campaign has had a very good night – and is a little closer to securing the Democratic party ’ s nomination for president , ” Biden said on Tuesday in a speech live-streamed from his home in Wilmington , Delaware , after he was declared the winner of Florida and Illinois .
It came as Donald Trump formally sealed the Republican presidential nomination , surpassing the necessary delegate threshold after facing no significant opposition .
Tuesday ’ s elections underscored the uncertainty surrounding the Democratic presidential primary amid a global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy and touched nearly every corner of public life .
Ohio , which was also due to vote on Tuesday , postponed its elections , defying a court order and closing polls , even as Florida , Illinois and Arizona moved forward in spite of pressure to delay their contests .
Before polls closed on Tuesday , Sanders delivered an address responding to the public health and economic crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak .
He predicted the US government would ultimately spend $ 2tn “ to prevent deaths , job losses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and called for every American household to receive monthly payments of $ 2,000 during the crisis .
“ Our country and our world are facing an unprecedented series of crises , ” he said in remarks that made no reference to the election .
More than 6,300 Americans have tested positive for the virus , despite limited testing , with 108 deaths as of Tuesday evening .
The message from officials is that the outbreak will worsen dramatically .
On Monday , Trump advised Americans not to gather in groups of more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , which recommended that no gatherings with 50 people or more be held for the next eight weeks .
Against that backdrop , Mike DeWine , the Republican governor of Ohio , announced on Monday afternoon that he would seek to postpone the election until 2 June .
Hours later an Ohio county judge rejected the request , saying it would set a “ terrible ” precedent .
DeWine instructed the state ’ s director of health to declare a public health emergency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ place voters and poll workers in potential danger .
“ We should not force people to make this choice , a choice between their health and their constitutional rights and their duties as American citizens , ” DeWine said at a press conference , adding : “ I think when we look back on this , we are going to be glad we did this.
” Tom Perez , chairman of the Democratic National Committee , assailed the move for causing “ more chaos and confusion ” and sought to discourage other states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be too late .
Louisiana and Georgia were the first states to announce they would delay their primaries in response to the outbreak .
Kentucky joined Ohio on Monday , choosing to delay its primary from 19 May to 23 June .
And on Tuesday , Maryland became the fifth state to postpone its presidential primary election , moving it from 28 April to 2 June .
Officials in Florida , Arizona and Illinois took additional precautions to ensure the safety of voters and poll workers , including sanitizing voting machines and offering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of poll worker shortages and confusion over polling locations .
The virus has reshaped the 2020 election campaign in other ways .
Trump is not holding his signature rallies and the Democratic candidates , both in their late 70s , are forgoing big gatherings , opting instead to hold virtual town halls and live-streamed events .
On the eve of the latest primaries , Sanders participated in a digital rally from his hometown of Burlington , while Biden held a “ tele-town hall ” .
The election delays have added another layer of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months of twists and surprises .
Simon Rosenberg , a veteran consultant and the president of the New Democrat Network and the New Policy Institute , said coronavirus presented an “ unprecedented ” challenge for the party .
“ Democrats now must to find a way to complete this primary given the uncertainty of when each state is going to vote and whether we ’ re even going to be able to have a convention in July , ” he said .
In recent weeks , exit polls found that voters trust Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He entered Tuesday with a lead of more than 150 delegates .
But Sanders , the frontrunner after the Nevada caucuses in February , faced a narrow path to the nomination that would have required him to greatly outperform expectations in states he lost in 2016 .
Padding his delegate lead further , Biden was also finally declared the winner of last week ’ s primary in Washington , a state Sanders hoped to win .
Lifted by a hasty alignment of the party ’ s establishment , Biden has built a coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African Americans and older voters .
But Sanders continues to dominate with young voters , a constituency the former vice-president will need in the general election .
In his remarks on Tuesday night , Biden made an explicit appeal to Sanders ’ loyal supporters .
“ I hear you .
I know what ’ s at stake .
I know what we have to do , ” he said .
“ Our goal as a campaign , and my goal as a candidate , is to unify this party and unify this nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disagree on tactics , but we share a common vision , ” Biden said , before running through a list of issues Sanders and his supporters have championed , including healthcare , income inequality and the climate crisis .
“ Together , they have shifted the fundamental conversation in this country , ” Biden said .
“ So let me say , especially to the young voters who have been inspired by Senator Sanders : I hear you .
I know what ’ s at stake .
I know what we have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and my goal as a candidate for president , is to unify this party and then to unify the nation .
”

Joe Biden swept three key primaries in Florida, Illinois and Arizona on Tuesday night, dominating a third consecutive week of elections as he built a nearly indomitable lead in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination under the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic.
His resounding victories all but eliminated a path for his rival, Bernie Sanders, whose campaign is at a crossroads as he contemplates whether to stay in a fight for the liberal agenda he has championed for decades, or to exit and help Democrats unify the party behind his opponent as the country faces a public health crisis.
After the win, Biden made an overture to Sanders’ supporters, as he seeks to add to his lead. Biden said he and Sanders shared common goals, regarding healthcare, inequality and the climate crisis.
“So let me say especially to the young voters who have been inspired by Senator Sanders, I hear you. I know what’s at stake,” Biden said, in a a livestream video posted after the Florida and Illinois results were declared.
“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.”
Sanders has far more support than Biden among young voters, who are more likely to be skeptical of Biden’s incremental approach.
Biden’s victories came as Donald Trump formally sealed the Republican presidential nomination, surpassing the necessary delegate threshold after facing no significant opposition.
Tuesday’s elections underscored the uncertainty surrounding the Democratic presidential primary amid a global outbreak that has closed borders, roiled the economy and touched nearly every corner of public life. Ohio, which was also due to vote on Tuesday, postponed its elections, defying a court order and closing polls, even as Florida, Illinois and Arizona moved forward despite pressure to delay their contests.
Before polls closed on Tuesday, Sanders delivered an address responding to the public health and economic crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak. He predicted the US government would ultimately spend $2tn “to prevent deaths, job losses and to avoid an economic catastrophe” and called for every American household to receive monthly payments of $2,000 during the crisis.
“Our country and our world are facing an unprecedented series of crises,” he said in remarks that made no reference to the election.
More than 6,300 Americans have tested positive for the virus, despite limited testing, with 108 deaths as of Tuesday evening. The message from officials is that the outbreak will worsen dramatically.
On Monday, Trump advised Americans not to gather in groups of more than 10, further restricting guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which recommended that no gatherings with 50 people or more be held for the next eight weeks.
Against that backdrop, Mike DeWine, the Republican governor of Ohio, announced on Monday afternoon that he would seek to postpone the election until 2 June. Hours later an Ohio county judge rejected the request, saying it would set a “terrible” precedent.
DeWine instructed the state’s director of health to declare a public health emergency. He argued that holding the election would place voters and poll workers in potential danger.
“We should not force people to make this choice, a choice between their health and their constitutional rights and their duties as American citizens,” DeWine said at a press conference, adding: “I think when we look back on this, we are going to be glad we did this.”
Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, assailed the move for causing “more chaos and confusion” and sought to discourage other states from following suit.
But it may be too late. Louisiana and Georgia were the first states to announce they would delay their primaries in response to the outbreak. Kentucky joined Ohio on Monday, choosing to delay its primary from 19 May to 23 June. And on Tuesday, Maryland became the fifth state to postpone its presidential primary election, moving it from 28 April to 2 June.
Officials in Florida, Arizona and Illinois took additional precautions to ensure the safety of voters and poll workers, including sanitizing voting machines and offering curbside voting. But there were reports of poll worker shortages and confusion over polling locations.
This video has been removed. This could be because it launched early, our rights have expired, there was a legal issue, or for another reason. Biden and Sanders bump elbows in 'hands-off' Democratic debate – video
The virus has reshaped the 2020 election campaign in other ways. Trump is not holding his signature rallies and the Democratic candidates, both in their late 70s, are forgoing big gatherings, opting instead to hold virtual town halls and live-streamed events. On the eve of the latest primaries, Sanders participated in a digital rally from his hometown of Burlington, while Biden held a “tele-town hall”.
The election delays have added another layer of unpredictability to a primary that has seen months of twists and surprises. Simon Rosenberg, a veteran consultant and the president of the New Democrat Network and the New Policy Institute, said coronavirus presented an “unprecedented” challenge for the party.
“Democrats now must to find a way to complete this primary given the uncertainty of when each state is going to vote and whether we’re even going to be able to have a convention in July,” he said.
Padding his delegate lead further, Biden was also finally declared the winner of last week’s primary in Washington, a state Sanders hoped to win.
In his remarks on Tuesday night, Biden made an explicit appeal to Sanders’ loyal supporters.
“I hear you. I know what’s at stake. I know what we have to do,” he said. “Our goal as a campaign, and my goal as a candidate, is to unify this party and unify this nation.
“Senator Sanders and I may disagree on tactics, but we share a common vision,” Biden said, before running through a list of issues Sanders and his supporters have championed, including healthcare, income inequality and the climate crisis.
Daniel Strauss and Adam Gabbatt contributed to this story.