shareblue--2020-04-23--Most Republicans back stay-at-home orders even as GOP leaders fight them

Donald Trump and Republican officials around the country have been pushing for weeks for an end to stay-at-home orders aimed at curbing the coronavirus pandemic .
But a new poll finds that even a large majority of self-identified Republicans back continuing the social distancing orders .
The latest KFF Health Tracking Poll , released Thursday , found that 80 % of Americans believe that `` strict shelter-in-place measures are worth it in order to protect people and limit the spread of coronavirus . ''
Among Republicans , 61 % agreed with this position .
Just 38 % of Republicans — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — view the measures as `` placing unnecessary burdens on people and the economy '' and `` causing more harm than good . ''
Similarly , 81 % of Americans said they could follow strict social distancing and shelter-in-place guidelines for at least another month to help reduce the coronavirus ' spread .
This comes as Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed for governors to lift their stay-at-home orders and backed protesters fighting against their states ' restrictions .
Last week , he announced a rough plan for states to gradually reopen .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shots , '' he reportedly told governors during a videoconference .
`` We 're going to be standing alongside of you . ''
Hours later , he fired off several tweets demanding people `` liberate '' their states from the stay-at-home orders .
Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp and lawmakers in other states have taken steps that align with Trump 's call , announcing Monday that they would allow businesses to reopen in the near future .
On Wednesday , Trump said Kemp was moving too quickly , but noted , `` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his decision . ''
Other Republican lawmakers have also been calling for a speedy reopening .
Rep. Trey Hollingsworth ( R-IN ) said last Tuesday that lawmakers should `` put on our big boy and big girl pants '' and end safety measures and that people dying was the `` lesser of two evils '' if it would help the economy .
Sen. John Kennedy ( R-LA ) has repeatedly pushed for an end to stay-at-home orders , despite public health experts ' advice .
He said last Wednesday , `` The American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen , and when we do , the coronavirus is gon na spread faster , and we got ta be ready . ''
Rep. Andy Biggs ( R-AZ ) said Monday that the economy should be reopened immediately and that doctors who urge otherwise should instead `` come back and help revitalize the economy . ''
On Tuesday , Republican legislators in Virginia and Wisconsin filed lawsuits aimed at stopping forced social distancing rules in their states .
The Wisconsin state Senate president and Assembly speaker accused Gov .
Tony Evers ' administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordering people to stay home .
Michigan 's state Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey tweeted Wednesday , `` Michiganders have complied with [ Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer 's ] stay-at-home order .
Now 's the time to trust them to return to work SAFELY . ''
In a Facebook post , he endorsed mass protests against `` Michigan continuing to be an unnecessary outlier in restrictions under our Stay Home Stay Safe order . ''
But experts say lifting social distancing orders before the pandemic is under control could cause harm to both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation 's top epidemiologist , Dr. Anthony Fauci , warned Monday that `` unless we get the virus under control , the real recovery economically is not going to happen . ''
`` So what you do if you jump the gun and go into a situation where you have a big spike , you ’ re going to set yourself back , '' he told ABC News .
`` So as painful as it is to go by the careful guidelines of gradually phasing into a reopening , it ’ s going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem . ''
Fox News host Sean Hannity said on his radio show Wednesday , `` It 's amazing how much people want to get to work , they just — they 're dying to get back to work . ''
More than 44,500 Americans have died so far of COVID-19 .
And poll after poll has shown that the vast majority of Americans support stay-at-home orders for as long as they are needed to protect public health .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump and Republican officials around the country have been pushing for weeks for an end to stay-at-home orders aimed at curbing the coronavirus pandemic. But a new poll finds that even a large majority of self-identified Republicans back continuing the social distancing orders.
The latest KFF Health Tracking Poll, released Thursday, found that 80% of Americans believe that “strict shelter-in-place measures are worth it in order to protect people and limit the spread of coronavirus.”
Among Republicans, 61% agreed with this position. Just 38% of Republicans — and 19% of all American adults — view the measures as “placing unnecessary burdens on people and the economy” and “causing more harm than good.”
Similarly, 81% of Americans said they could follow strict social distancing and shelter-in-place guidelines for at least another month to help reduce the coronavirus’ spread.
This comes as Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed for governors to lift their stay-at-home orders and backed protesters fighting against their states’ restrictions.
Last week, he announced a rough plan for states to gradually reopen. “You’re going to call your own shots,” he reportedly told governors during a videoconference. “We’re going to be standing alongside of you.”
Hours later, he fired off several tweets demanding people “liberate” their states from the stay-at-home orders.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and lawmakers in other states have taken steps that align with Trump’s call, announcing Monday that they would allow businesses to reopen in the near future. On Wednesday, Trump said Kemp was moving too quickly, but noted, “I’m going to let him make his decision.”
Other Republican lawmakers have also been calling for a speedy reopening.
Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (R-IN) said last Tuesday that lawmakers should “put on our big boy and big girl pants” and end safety measures and that people dying was the “lesser of two evils” if it would help the economy.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) has repeatedly pushed for an end to stay-at-home orders, despite public health experts‘ advice. He said last Wednesday, “The American people get it: We gotta reopen, and when we do, the coronavirus is gonna spread faster, and we gotta be ready.”
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) said Monday that the economy should be reopened immediately and that doctors who urge otherwise should instead “come back and help revitalize the economy.”
On Tuesday, Republican legislators in Virginia and Wisconsin filed lawsuits aimed at stopping forced social distancing rules in their states. The Wisconsin state Senate president and Assembly speaker accused Gov. Tony Evers’ administration of asserting “czar-like powers” by ordering people to stay home.
Michigan’s state Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey tweeted Wednesday, “Michiganders have complied with [Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s] stay-at-home order. Now’s the time to trust them to return to work SAFELY.” In a Facebook post, he endorsed mass protests against “Michigan continuing to be an unnecessary outlier in restrictions under our Stay Home Stay Safe order.”
But experts say lifting social distancing orders before the pandemic is under control could cause harm to both public health and the economy.
The nation’s top epidemiologist, Dr. Anthony Fauci, warned Monday that “unless we get the virus under control, the real recovery economically is not going to happen.”
“So what you do if you jump the gun and go into a situation where you have a big spike, you’re going to set yourself back,” he told ABC News. “So as painful as it is to go by the careful guidelines of gradually phasing into a reopening, it’s going to backfire. That’s the problem.”
Fox News host Sean Hannity said on his radio show Wednesday, “It’s amazing how much people want to get to work, they just — they’re dying to get back to work.”
More than 44,500 Americans have died so far of COVID-19. And poll after poll has shown that the vast majority of Americans support stay-at-home orders for as long as they are needed to protect public health.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-24--News you might have missed: New Yorkers can now say 'I do' online

Also this week , a Supreme Court ruling protected criminal defendants , and an online program lets students learn about Alexander Hamilton and the hit musical based on his life .
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news .
New Yorkers can now marry online New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo made it easier for people to get married in a time of social distancing .
On Saturday , he announced an executive order `` allowing New Yorkers to obtain a marriage license remotely and allowing clerks to perform ceremonies via video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the moment , the order temporarily suspends a state law requiring in-person visits for marriages .
`` There is now no excuse when the question comes up for marriage .
No excuse , '' Cuomo quipped .
`` You can do it by Zoom .
Yes or no . ''
The District of Columbia is also letting people obtain marriage licenses online , with the Superior Court issuing a notice last week that online applications would be accepted `` effective immediately . ''
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that criminal defendants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jury verdict .
`` Every judge must learn to live with the fact he or she will make some mistakes ; it comes with the territory .
But it is something else entirely to perpetuate something we all know to be wrong only because we fear the consequences of being right , '' Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote for the majority .
The Ramos v. Louisiana decision applies to all 50 states , but only one state — Oregon — was still allowing non-unanimous criminal verdicts by the time the case was decided .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow online voter registration .
So the Texas Democratic Party devised a workaround .
The party announced Tuesday that it is launching RegisterTexas.com , a site on which voters can safely register to vote from home .
The party will mail any Texan who provides their information a pre-filled registration application and a postage-paid envelope addressed to their registrar 's office .
`` All the voter has to do is sign the pre-filled application and then put it in the mail , '' the party press release explained .
Wisconsin made national news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postpone or replace in-person voting in the state 's primary election .
On Tuesday , Milwaukee 's Common Council unanimously voted to establish a `` SafeVote '' program to send all of the city 's registered voters a mail-in ballot application .
`` Under these circumstances , voting by mail must be seen as the best way to ensure the best possible participation in a vital election , '' the council stated in its resolution .
Each of the city 's roughly 300,000 registered voters will automatically be sent an absentee ballot application @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return it .
Elections officials in Allegheny County , Pennsylvania , also announced they would send every eligible voter an absentee application for the upcoming June 2 primary .
A history nonprofit and the creators of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical `` Hamilton '' on Tuesday launched # EduHam at Home , a free digital American history curriculum .
`` Our friends at the Gilder Lehrman Institute have come up with a way for you to participate in the Hamilton education program from your very own creative Batcave , '' the show 's author @ @ @ @ @ @ @ YouTube video .
Students can access primary historical documents , watch clips of the show , and create and perform their own song , rap , spoken word performance , or scene .
Each week , 10 performances will be selected to be shared online .
Michelle Obama announced in a video on Monday that has already received more than 3 million views that she will host a weekly series of `` Read-Along '' videos in collaboration with the PBS Kids educational network and publisher Penguin Random House .
`` I ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with kids everywhere by reading a beloved children 's book every Monday , '' she tweeted .
The videos , beginning with Obama 's reading of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 's `` The Gruffalo , '' will be available on the PBS Kids Facebook and YouTube pages .

Also this week, a Supreme Court ruling protected criminal defendants, and an online program lets students learn about Alexander Hamilton and the hit musical based on his life.
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo made it easier for people to get married in a time of social distancing. On Saturday, he announced an executive order “allowing New Yorkers to obtain a marriage license remotely and allowing clerks to perform ceremonies via video conference.”
With marriage bureaus closed at the moment, the order temporarily suspends a state law requiring in-person visits for marriages.
“There is now no excuse when the question comes up for marriage. No excuse,” Cuomo quipped. “You can do it by Zoom. Yes or no.”
The District of Columbia is also letting people obtain marriage licenses online, with the Superior Court issuing a notice last week that online applications would be accepted “effective immediately.”
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that criminal defendants cannot be convicted without a unanimous jury verdict.
“Every judge must learn to live with the fact he or she will make some mistakes; it comes with the territory. But it is something else entirely to perpetuate something we all know to be wrong only because we fear the consequences of being right,” Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote for the majority.
The Ramos v. Louisiana decision applies to all 50 states, but only one state — Oregon — was still allowing non-unanimous criminal verdicts by the time the case was decided.
The Republican-controlled Texas state government does not allow online voter registration. So the Texas Democratic Party devised a workaround.
The party announced Tuesday that it is launching RegisterTexas.com, a site on which voters can safely register to vote from home.
The party will mail any Texan who provides their information a pre-filled registration application and a postage-paid envelope addressed to their registrar’s office.
“All the voter has to do is sign the pre-filled application and then put it in the mail,” the party press release explained.
Wisconsin made national news earlier this month after Republicans refused to postpone or replace in-person voting in the state’s primary election. On Tuesday, Milwaukee’s Common Council unanimously voted to establish a “SafeVote” program to send all of the city’s registered voters a mail-in ballot application.
“Under these circumstances, voting by mail must be seen as the best way to ensure the best possible participation in a vital election,” the council stated in its resolution.
Each of the city’s roughly 300,000 registered voters will automatically be sent an absentee ballot application and a pre-stamped envelope in which to return it.
Elections officials in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, also announced they would send every eligible voter an absentee application for the upcoming June 2 primary.
A history nonprofit and the creators of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “Hamilton” on Tuesday launched #EduHam at Home, a free digital American history curriculum.
“Our friends at the Gilder Lehrman Institute have come up with a way for you to participate in the Hamilton education program from your very own creative Batcave,” the show’s author, Lin-Manuel Miranda, announced in a YouTube video.
Students can access primary historical documents, watch clips of the show, and create and perform their own song, rap, spoken word performance, or scene. Each week, 10 performances will be selected to be shared online.
Michelle Obama announced in a video on Monday that has already received more than 3 million views that she will host a weekly series of “Read-Along” videos in collaboration with the PBS Kids educational network and publisher Penguin Random House.
“I can’t wait to share the magic of storytelling with kids everywhere by reading a beloved children’s book every Monday,” she tweeted.
The videos, beginning with Obama’s reading of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s “The Gruffalo,” will be available on the PBS Kids Facebook and YouTube pages.


shareblue--2020-04-24--Trump suddenly goes silent as studies show 'miracle' drug may be ineffective

Since the middle of March , Donald Trump has been pushing hydroxychloroquine , a malaria drug he has described as a `` miracle '' and a `` game changer '' in the fight against the novel coronavirus .
A review of transcripts from Trump 's daily coronavirus task force briefings shows that Trump touted the drug more than a dozen times , and patted himself on the back for securing millions of doses for doctors to use to treat COVID-19 .
But beginning on April 13 — when reports started surfacing that use of hydroxychloroquine proved to have deadly side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the topic .
A review of briefing transcripts reveals he has n't pushed the drug or praised it effusively the way he did previously since then .
Prior to April 13 , Trump had promoted the drug and pointed to the number of doses his administration secured to help treat COVID-19 almost every day for nearly a month .
Below is a timeline of Trump 's promotion of the drug , including when reports started popping up about how the drug was ineffective and shown to have caused deadly heart complications for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question about a French study of hydroxychorloquine at a White House news briefing on March 18 .
`` Dr. Birx , French researchers have had some luck with hydroxychloroquine in shortening the duration of disease .
Is that something that might be in the arsenal of therapeutics here in the United States ? ''
a reporter asked .
Birx replied , `` I think we 're exploring every one of those issues .
The president asked for a critical briefing on that today ; he opened with that . ''
Trump first made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , calling it a `` game changer '' in treating COVID-19 .
`` So you have remdesivir and you have chloroquine and ... hydroxychloroquine .
So those are two that are out now , essentially approved for prescribed use , '' Trump said at one of his daily news conferences .
`` And I think it 's going to be very exciting .
I think it could be a game changer and maybe not .
And maybe not .
But I think it could be , based on what I see , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Very powerful .
They 're very powerful . ''
In a call with governors later that day , Trump once again touted hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19 .
`` We have a drug called chloroquine .
A derivation would be hydroxychloroquine , which I hear even better about .
It 's a common malaria drug .
It 's been available , so therefore the safety level we understand very well .
It 's been relatively safe .
And it showed very encouraging early results .
Really encouraging , '' Trump said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its possible risks , given that the evidence that it worked to treat COVID-19 was based on two small and flawed studies out of China and France .
Dr. Anthony Fauci — an infectious disease expert on Trump 's coronavirus task force — knocked down the idea that the drug could be used to stop the spread of COVID-19 .
`` No .
The answer is no , '' Fauci said at a daily news briefing .
`` And the evidence that you 're talking about ... is anecdotal evidence .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drug Administration ] and the president mentioned yesterday , we 're trying to strike a balance between making something with a potential of an effect to the American people available , at the same time that we do it under the auspices of a protocol that would give us information to determine if it 's truly safe and truly effective . ''
Trump followed Fauci 's comments with his own optimism about the drug .
`` I think , without saying too much , I 'm probably more of a fan of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said , referring to hydroxychloroquine .
`` But I 'm a big fan , and we ’ ll see what happens .
And we all understand what the doctor said is 100 % correct .
It 's early .
But we 've — you know , I 've seen things that are impressive . ''
Trump again pushed the drug at his daily news conference , saying `` What do we have to lose ? ''
— a comment medical experts said was reckless , given that the drug was untested for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confident , '' Trump said at the time .
`` I mean , I 've seen things that surprise me , frankly .
There are — as [ Dr. Fauci ] said , there are other things we 're looking at too .
Vaccine , of course , is incredible , but this is more immediate . ''
Trump said at a daily news conference that there were talks about prescribing hydroxychloroquine as a prophylaxis to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
He said that researchers in New York were going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're going to start the process .
We 've gotten them the drug , '' Trump said .
`` I think they ’ re going to start the process of giving the drug — mouth — you know , through — through mouth .
And I think that starts on Tuesday morning .
And that 'll be — I mean , I tell you what : I do n't want to get anybody overly excited , but I ’ m very excited by that , by the prospect of it . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his daily news conferences .
`` I 'm pleased to report that clinical trials in New York will begin existing for existing drugs that may prove effective against the virus , '' Trump said .
`` At my direction , the federal government is working to help obtain large quantities of chloroquine .
And you can look from any standpoint tomorrow , in New York — we think tomorrow pretty early — the hydroxychloroquine and the Z-Pak , I think as a combination , probably , is looking very , very good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distributed . ''
Trump claimed at a daily news conference on March 27 that the drug would n't kill anyone , and that he wanted it to be in use now before clinical trials , which he claimed would take too long .
`` So , look , hydroxychloroquine is — is a very powerful drug for certain things , and it 's a very successful drug .
There ’ s reason to believe that it could be successful here , '' he said .
He added , `` But this is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So , we can go in and we can test , or we can take our time . ''
The FDA approved an Emergency Use Authorization for hydroxychloroquine , allowing health care providers to administer the drug `` to treat adult and adolescent patients ... hospitalized with COVID-19 , for whom a clinical trial is not available , or participation is not feasible . ''
At his daily news conference , Trump thanked the FDA commissioner for giving the drug emergency approval for use .
`` I want to point out that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients — people in New York — along with the Z-Pak , which is azithromycin .
And it 's very early yet ; it 's only — it started two days ago .
But we will see what happens , '' Trump said .
`` I want to thank Stephen Hahn , who 's a great doctor — left one of the best jobs in our country running an incredible Hospital in Texas .
And he 's the head of the FDA .
And Stephen got approval for that so fast , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily news conference and boasted about how the government had secured millions of doses of the drug for use .
`` Thirty million doses of the hydroxychloroquine to the United States government has been given , '' Trump said .
`` And Bayer has donated 1 million doses of the chloroquine , which will soon be distributed to states and state health officials around the country .
Teva Pharmaceuticals is also donating 6 million doses of hydroxychloroquine to U.S. hospitals .
That 's 6 million doses .
So the private sector ... has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily news conference , Trump said he had yet to hear bad news about the trials of the drug , but added it 's `` a little bit too soon '' to know what the trials were finding .
He claimed , however , that because the drug had been around for some time , it was safe for use .
`` The one thing with the drug you just mentioned — right ?
— is that that 's been out .
It 's a malaria drug and also an arthritis drug .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long time .
A very powerful drug .
But it 's been out there for a long time .
So it 's tested in the sense that you know it does n't kill you , '' Trump said .
`` We continue to study the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine and other therapies , and the treatment and prevention of the virus , '' Trump said at a daily news conference .
`` And we will keep the American people fully informed on our findings .
Hydroxychloroquine — I do n't know , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good results .
I hope that — that would be a phenomenal thing . ''
Trump said those sick with COVID-19 should use the drug , despite the lack of clinical evidence that it helps .
`` And I hope they use the hydroxychloroquine , and they can also do it with Z-Pak , subject to your doctor 's approval , and all of that .
But I hope they use it because I 'll tell you what : What do you have to lose ? ''
Trump said at his daily news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're in bad shape .
What do you have to lose ?
It 's been out there for a long time , and I hope they use it .
And they 're going to look at the — with doctors .
Work with doctors .
Get what you have to get .
But we have it stockpiled , and it 's — we have a lot of it , and we 're getting more of it . ''
Trump also said he would take the drug if he came down with COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — if it were me — in fact , I might do it anyway .
I may take it .
Okay ?
I may take it .
And I 'll have to ask my doctors about that , but I may take it , '' he said .
Trump once again highlighted how many doses of the drug his administration secured as a way to fight the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` And the other thing that we bought a tremendous amount of is the hydroxychloroquine — hydroxychloroquine — which I think — as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ malaria drug .
It 's worked unbelievably , '' Trump said at another one of his daily news conferences .
`` It 's this powerful drug on malaria .
And there are signs that it works on this .
Some very strong signs .
And , in the meantime , it 's been around a long time .
It also works very powerfully on lupus .
Lupus . ''
Trump told an anecdote about a state representative from Michigan who he claimed used the drug and recovered .
`` You read about State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much appreciate her going public , '' Trump said at a daily news conference .
`` But she was , I think , very , very much helped by this pill .
She saw what I was saying on television .
She thought she was in very bad shape .
I do n't want to go further than that , but you see her story ; you know her story .
She 's a highly respected state rep from Michigan .
And she did a — she did a — I think she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what she 's done .
She 's in terrific shape .
She looks fantastic .
And she was very generous with her statements . ''
Trump again mentioned how many millions of doses of the drug he had secured .
`` And I 'm pleased to inform you — we 're just having — a lot of good things are happening , but we 'll have to see how that all works out .
But we have — we 've purchased and we have stockpiled millions and millions of doses , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a news conference .
`` Some states want it very badly .
Michigan — we just sent a lot to Michigan and other areas . ''
Trump made yet another comment about how many doses of hydroxychloroquine he had sent to various states .
`` Since Monday , we 've deployed two major shipments of hydroxychloroquine from our National Stockpile .
And it ’ s going to various cities , '' Trump said at his daily news conference .
The New York Times reported that a study of hydroxychloroquine in Brazil was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients were developing deadly heart complications .
Trump claimed one of his friends took the drug and got better , but did not name names .
`` Over the last seven days , my administration has deployed roughly 28 million doses of hydroxychloroquine from our National Stockpile , '' he said at a daily news conference .
`` We have millions of doses that we bought and many people are using it all over the country .
And just recently , a friend of mine told me he got better because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , who knows ? ''
An American study found no benefit to COVID-19 patients who took the drug .
At a briefing that same day , Trump was asked about the study but said he had n't seen it .
`` No , we did n't discuss it , and I do n't know of the report , '' Trump said .
He added , `` Obviously , there have been some very good reports and perhaps this one is not a good report .
But we 'll be looking at it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on it as soon . ''
A reporter pointed out to Trump that he had stopped pushing the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 .
Trump denied this was the case , even though there was a week-long pause from the last time he had promoted the drug .
`` I have n't at all .
I have n't at all , '' Trump said at a news conference , in response to why he stopped hyping hydroxychloroquine .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Since the middle of March, Donald Trump has been pushing hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug he has described as a “miracle” and a “game changer” in the fight against the novel coronavirus.
A review of transcripts from Trump’s daily coronavirus task force briefings shows that Trump touted the drug more than a dozen times, and patted himself on the back for securing millions of doses for doctors to use to treat COVID-19.
But beginning on April 13 — when reports started surfacing that use of hydroxychloroquine proved to have deadly side effects — Trump suddenly went silent on the topic. A review of briefing transcripts reveals he hasn’t pushed the drug or praised it effusively the way he did previously since then.
Prior to April 13, Trump had promoted the drug and pointed to the number of doses his administration secured to help treat COVID-19 almost every day for nearly a month.
Below is a timeline of Trump’s promotion of the drug, including when reports started popping up about how the drug was ineffective and shown to have caused deadly heart complications for some patients.
March 18
Dr. Deborah Birx received a question about a French study of hydroxychorloquine at a White House news briefing on March 18.
“Dr. Birx, French researchers have had some luck with hydroxychloroquine in shortening the duration of disease. Is that something that might be in the arsenal of therapeutics here in the United States?” a reporter asked.
Birx replied, “I think we’re exploring every one of those issues. The president asked for a critical briefing on that today; he opened with that.”
March 19
Trump first made mention of the drug the very next day, calling it a “game changer” in treating COVID-19.
“So you have remdesivir and you have chloroquine and … hydroxychloroquine. So those are two that are out now, essentially approved for prescribed use,” Trump said at one of his daily news conferences. “And I think it’s going to be very exciting. I think it could be a game changer and maybe not. And maybe not. But I think it could be, based on what I see, it could be a game changer. Very powerful. They’re very powerful.”
In a call with governors later that day, Trump once again touted hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19.
“We have a drug called chloroquine. A derivation would be hydroxychloroquine, which I hear even better about. It’s a common malaria drug. It’s been available, so therefore the safety level we understand very well. It’s been relatively safe. And it showed very encouraging early results. Really encouraging,” Trump said.
March 20
Reporters started asking questions about the drug and its possible risks, given that the evidence that it worked to treat COVID-19 was based on two small and flawed studies out of China and France.
Dr. Anthony Fauci — an infectious disease expert on Trump’s coronavirus task force — knocked down the idea that the drug could be used to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“No. The answer is no,” Fauci said at a daily news briefing. “And the evidence that you’re talking about … is anecdotal evidence. So as the commissioner of [Food and Drug Administration] and the president mentioned yesterday, we’re trying to strike a balance between making something with a potential of an effect to the American people available, at the same time that we do it under the auspices of a protocol that would give us information to determine if it’s truly safe and truly effective.”
Trump followed Fauci’s comments with his own optimism about the drug.
“I think, without saying too much, I’m probably more of a fan of that than — maybe than anybody,” Trump said, referring to hydroxychloroquine. “But I’m a big fan, and we’ll see what happens. And we all understand what the doctor said is 100% correct. It’s early. But we’ve — you know, I’ve seen things that are impressive.”
March 21
Trump again pushed the drug at his daily news conference, saying “What do we have to lose?” — a comment medical experts said was reckless, given that the drug was untested for COVID-19 treatment.
“I feel very confident,” Trump said at the time. “I mean, I’ve seen things that surprise me, frankly. There are — as [Dr. Fauci] said, there are other things we’re looking at too. Vaccine, of course, is incredible, but this is more immediate.”
March 22
Trump said at a daily news conference that there were talks about prescribing hydroxychloroquine as a prophylaxis to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
He said that researchers in New York were going to start testing it.
“I think they’re going to start the process. We’ve gotten them the drug,” Trump said. “I think they’re going to start the process of giving the drug — mouth — you know, through — through mouth. And I think that starts on Tuesday morning. And that’ll be — I mean, I tell you what: I don’t want to get anybody overly excited, but I’m very excited by that, by the prospect of it.”
March 23
Trump again promoted the drug at one of his daily news conferences.
“I’m pleased to report that clinical trials in New York will begin existing for existing drugs that may prove effective against the virus,” Trump said. “At my direction, the federal government is working to help obtain large quantities of chloroquine. And you can look from any standpoint tomorrow, in New York — we think tomorrow pretty early — the hydroxychloroquine and the Z-Pak, I think as a combination, probably, is looking very, very good. And it’s going to be distributed.”
March 27
Trump claimed at a daily news conference on March 27 that the drug wouldn’t kill anyone, and that he wanted it to be in use now before clinical trials, which he claimed would take too long.
“So, look, hydroxychloroquine is — is a very powerful drug for certain things, and it’s a very successful drug. There’s reason to believe that it could be successful here,” he said.
He added, “But this is not something that’s going to kill people. So, we can go in and we can test, or we can take our time.”
March 28
The FDA approved an Emergency Use Authorization for hydroxychloroquine, allowing health care providers to administer the drug “to treat adult and adolescent patients … hospitalized with COVID-19, for whom a clinical trial is not available, or participation is not feasible.”
March 29
At his daily news conference, Trump thanked the FDA commissioner for giving the drug emergency approval for use.
“I want to point out that the hydroxychloroquine is being administered to 1,100 patients — people in New York — along with the Z-Pak, which is azithromycin. And it’s very early yet; it’s only — it started two days ago. But we will see what happens,” Trump said.
“I want to thank Stephen Hahn, who’s a great doctor — left one of the best jobs in our country running an incredible Hospital in Texas. And he’s the head of the FDA. And Stephen got approval for that so fast,” Trump added.
March 30
Trump spoke at his daily news conference and boasted about how the government had secured millions of doses of the drug for use.
“Thirty million doses of the hydroxychloroquine to the United States government has been given,” Trump said. “And Bayer has donated 1 million doses of the chloroquine, which will soon be distributed to states and state health officials around the country. Teva Pharmaceuticals is also donating 6 million doses of hydroxychloroquine to U.S. hospitals. That’s 6 million doses. So the private sector … has been amazing.”
March 31
At yet another daily news conference, Trump said he had yet to hear bad news about the trials of the drug, but added it’s “a little bit too soon” to know what the trials were finding.
He claimed, however, that because the drug had been around for some time, it was safe for use.
“The one thing with the drug you just mentioned — right? — is that that’s been out. It’s a malaria drug and also an arthritis drug. So it’s been out there for a long time. A very powerful drug. But it’s been out there for a long time. So it’s tested in the sense that you know it doesn’t kill you,” Trump said.
April 3
Trump again touted hydroxychloroquine.
“We continue to study the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine and other therapies, and the treatment and prevention of the virus,” Trump said at a daily news conference. “And we will keep the American people fully informed on our findings. Hydroxychloroquine — I don’t know, it’s looking like it’s having some good results. I hope that — that would be a phenomenal thing.”
April 4
Trump said those sick with COVID-19 should use the drug, despite the lack of clinical evidence that it helps.
“And I hope they use the hydroxychloroquine, and they can also do it with Z-Pak, subject to your doctor’s approval, and all of that. But I hope they use it because I’ll tell you what: What do you have to lose?” Trump said at his daily news conference. “In some cases, they’re in bad shape. What do you have to lose? It’s been out there for a long time, and I hope they use it. And they’re going to look at the — with doctors. Work with doctors. Get what you have to get. But we have it stockpiled, and it’s — we have a lot of it, and we’re getting more of it.”
Trump also said he would take the drug if he came down with COVID-19.
“But I think people should — if it were me — in fact, I might do it anyway. I may take it. Okay? I may take it. And I’ll have to ask my doctors about that, but I may take it,” he said.
April 5
Trump once again highlighted how many doses of the drug his administration secured as a way to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
“And the other thing that we bought a tremendous amount of is the hydroxychloroquine — hydroxychloroquine — which I think — as you know, it’s a great malaria drug. It’s worked unbelievably,” Trump said at another one of his daily news conferences. “It’s this powerful drug on malaria. And there are signs that it works on this. Some very strong signs. And, in the meantime, it’s been around a long time. It also works very powerfully on lupus. Lupus.”
April 8
Trump told an anecdote about a state representative from Michigan who he claimed used the drug and recovered.
“You read about State Rep. Karen Whitsett, who I very much appreciate her going public,” Trump said at a daily news conference. “But she was, I think, very, very much helped by this pill. She saw what I was saying on television. She thought she was in very bad shape. I don’t want to go further than that, but you see her story; you know her story. She’s a highly respected state rep from Michigan. And she did a — she did a — I think she did a great service, what she what she’s done. She’s in terrific shape. She looks fantastic. And she was very generous with her statements.”
April 9
Trump again mentioned how many millions of doses of the drug he had secured.
“And I’m pleased to inform you — we’re just having — a lot of good things are happening, but we’ll have to see how that all works out. But we have — we’ve purchased and we have stockpiled millions and millions of doses, and we’re distributing it,” Trump said at a news conference. “Some states want it very badly. Michigan — we just sent a lot to Michigan and other areas.”
April 10
Trump made yet another comment about how many doses of hydroxychloroquine he had sent to various states.
“Since Monday, we’ve deployed two major shipments of hydroxychloroquine from our National Stockpile. And it’s going to various cities,” Trump said at his daily news conference.
April 12
The New York Times reported that a study of hydroxychloroquine in Brazil was halted, after it was found that patients were developing deadly heart complications.
April 13
Trump claimed one of his friends took the drug and got better, but did not name names.
“Over the last seven days, my administration has deployed roughly 28 million doses of hydroxychloroquine from our National Stockpile,” he said at a daily news conference. “We have millions of doses that we bought and many people are using it all over the country. And just recently, a friend of mine told me he got better because of the use of that — that drug. So, who knows?”
April 21
An American study found no benefit to COVID-19 patients who took the drug.
At a briefing that same day, Trump was asked about the study but said he hadn’t seen it.
“No, we didn’t discuss it, and I don’t know of the report,” Trump said.
He added, “Obviously, there have been some very good reports and perhaps this one is not a good report. But we’ll be looking at it. We’ll have a comment on it as soon.”
April 23
A reporter pointed out to Trump that he had stopped pushing the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19.
Trump denied this was the case, even though there was a week-long pause from the last time he had promoted the drug.
“I haven’t at all. I haven’t at all,” Trump said at a news conference, in response to why he stopped hyping hydroxychloroquine.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-24--North Dakota will hold all-mail primary instead of forcing voters outside amid virus

North Dakota 's June 9 primary will be conducted entirely by mail after all 53 counties chose to avoid in-person @ @ @ @ @ .
Gov .
Doug Burgum , a Republican , signed an executive order in March @ @ @ @ @ of a requirement that they open at least one physical polling location .
On Thursday @ @ @ @ @ every county commission had authorized voting by mail only .
The state said it would @ @ @ @ @ eligible voter .
The challenge of conducting elections safely amid the coronavirus crisis became a @ @ @ @ @ to Wisconsin 's April 7 presidential primary , where Republicans went to court to force @ @ @ @ @ voters were forced to congregate for hours in long lines , some without protective gear @ @ @ @ @ home rather than risk their health .
Burgum issued his executive order at the request @ @ @ @ @ Auditors Association , which had also requested that no polling locations be open during the @ @ @ @ @

North Dakota’s June 9 primary will be conducted entirely by mail after all 53 counties chose to avoid in-person voting due to the coronavirus.
Gov. Doug Burgum, a Republican, signed an executive order in March to let counties opt out of a requirement that they open at least one physical polling location. On Thursday, the state announced that every county commission had authorized voting by mail only.
The state said it would mail ballot applications to every eligible voter.
The challenge of conducting elections safely amid the coronavirus crisis became a national flashpoint in the lead-up to Wisconsin’s April 7 presidential primary, where Republicans went to court to force in-person voting. Thousands of voters were forced to congregate for hours in long lines, some without protective gear, and thousands more stayed home rather than risk their health.
Burgum issued his executive order at the request of the North Dakota County Auditors Association, which had also requested that no polling locations be open during the primary for safety reasons.


shareblue--2020-04-24--Doctors push for telemedicine to keep patients safe — but GOP is fighting it

At a time when telemedicine is becoming both more available and more necessary because of the coronavirus pandemic , Republicans are working to ban telehealth procedures for medication abortions .
Lack of access to telemedicine for abortion services may mean that people ca n't get abortions until later in pregnancy or possibly not get them at all .
Social distancing and stay-at-home requirements have led to a swift and steep increase in the number of telehealth visits , which helps alleviate the strain on doctors ' offices and eliminates risks to both health care workers and patients .
Even Medicare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an eye toward expanding telehealth availability for abortion during the pandemic , doctors in several states are asking the federal government to lift the existing ban on sending medication abortion pills through the mail .
Doing so would mean people wouldn ’ t have to take the twin risks of travel and interaction with health care workers in order to get an abortion in the early stages of pregnancy .
Currently , when telehealth is used for a medication abortion , most patients must still travel , either to a site where abortions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There , they have a videoconference with a clinician who reviews patient records , answers questions , and then remotely prescribes medication .
Only a few states , as part of a Food and Drug Administration pilot program , allow the medication to be mailed directly to the patient after a clinician prescribes it .
What doctors — and the attorneys general of 21 states — are asking the Department of Health and Human Services to do is to lift the general ban on mailing medications used for abortion .
That way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home at all .
It would also ensure that doctors need not use any personal protective equipment , as they would not be seeing patients directly .
According to Republicans , the recent attempts to ban abortion in GOP-dominated states are based on the idea that abortion consumes equipment that should be reserved for those health care workers fighting coronavirus .
However , the Tennessee court considering a ban rightly noted that the government there could n't show `` any appreciable amount '' of equipment could be saved by prohibiting even surgical abortions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far more equipment and requires much more patient interaction .
It 's unlikely that HHS Secretary Alex Azar will be amenable to a request to allow abortion medications to be mailed directly to patients needing an abortion .
Azar is anti-choice and recently called HHS as `` the Department of Life '' in a press release touting one of the anti-abortion movement 's key events , March for Life .
Moreover , Republicans have been working to ensure telehealth procedures for medication abortions are banned entirely .
If the federal government would allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even temporarily for the duration of the pandemic only , it has an opportunity to take a minor step with a major upside : decreasing the amount of contact between health care workers and patients at a time when that interaction is dangerous .
If the federal government refused to take such a step , people will have to decide whether they feel comfortable traveling and engaging with health care facilities in order to obtain a medication abortion .
And if their state is one that does n't offer such services in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several states using the pandemic to ban abortion outright , people will be forced to determine whether they can safely delay their abortion until a yet-undetermined time when it will be legal in their state again .
Worse , they may have to decide whether they can afford the time , expense , and risk of traveling to another state .
Some people may be able to afford an expensive out-of-state trip and an expensive later abortion procedure , but not all .
Out-of-state travel means taking days off work and finding lodging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involves obtaining child care , as nearly 60 % of people seeking abortions already have at least one child .
So , for many people , a delay in abortion care can be an abortion denied .

At a time when telemedicine is becoming both more available and more necessary because of the coronavirus pandemic, Republicans are working to ban telehealth procedures for medication abortions.
Lack of access to telemedicine for abortion services may mean that people can’t get abortions until later in pregnancy or possibly not get them at all.
Social distancing and stay-at-home requirements have led to a swift and steep increase in the number of telehealth visits, which helps alleviate the strain on doctors’ offices and eliminates risks to both health care workers and patients. Even Medicare has temporarily expanded telehealth coverage.
With an eye toward expanding telehealth availability for abortion during the pandemic, doctors in several states are asking the federal government to lift the existing ban on sending medication abortion pills through the mail.
Doing so would mean people wouldn’t have to take the twin risks of travel and interaction with health care workers in order to get an abortion in the early stages of pregnancy.
Currently, when telehealth is used for a medication abortion, most patients must still travel, either to a site where abortions are performed or another health center site.
There, they have a videoconference with a clinician who reviews patient records, answers questions, and then remotely prescribes medication.
Only a few states, as part of a Food and Drug Administration pilot program, allow the medication to be mailed directly to the patient after a clinician prescribes it.
What doctors — and the attorneys general of 21 states — are asking the Department of Health and Human Services to do is to lift the general ban on mailing medications used for abortion. That way, patients would not have to leave home at all.
It would also ensure that doctors need not use any personal protective equipment, as they would not be seeing patients directly. According to Republicans, the recent attempts to ban abortion in GOP-dominated states are based on the idea that abortion consumes equipment that should be reserved for those health care workers fighting coronavirus.
However, the Tennessee court considering a ban rightly noted that the government there couldn’t show “any appreciable amount” of equipment could be saved by prohibiting even surgical abortions and also held that giving birth consumes far more equipment and requires much more patient interaction.
It’s unlikely that HHS Secretary Alex Azar will be amenable to a request to allow abortion medications to be mailed directly to patients needing an abortion. Azar is anti-choice and recently called HHS as “the Department of Life” in a press release touting one of the anti-abortion movement’s key events, March for Life.
Moreover, Republicans have been working to ensure telehealth procedures for medication abortions are banned entirely.
If the federal government would allow widespread mail delivery of abortion medication, even temporarily for the duration of the pandemic only, it has an opportunity to take a minor step with a major upside: decreasing the amount of contact between health care workers and patients at a time when that interaction is dangerous.
If the federal government refused to take such a step, people will have to decide whether they feel comfortable traveling and engaging with health care facilities in order to obtain a medication abortion.
And if their state is one that doesn’t offer such services in the first place, or is one of several states using the pandemic to ban abortion outright, people will be forced to determine whether they can safely delay their abortion until a yet-undetermined time when it will be legal in their state again. Worse, they may have to decide whether they can afford the time, expense, and risk of traveling to another state.
Some people may be able to afford an expensive out-of-state trip and an expensive later abortion procedure, but not all. Out-of-state travel means taking days off work and finding lodging in another state. It often also involves obtaining child care, as nearly 60% of people seeking abortions already have at least one child. So, for many people, a delay in abortion care can be an abortion denied.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-24--Cuomo to McConnell: 'I dare you' to pass a bill letting states declare bankruptcy

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , while expressing his opposition to financial aid for states suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic , suggested that states `` use the bankruptcy route . ''
On Thursday New York governor Andrew Cuomo ( D ) called the proposal `` one of the really dumb ideas of all time . ''
On Friday , he again commented on the Republican idea .
ANDREW CUOMO : Some people have suggested , `` Well , states should declare bankruptcy . ''
I think , as I said yesterday , it 's a really dumb idea .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy back , reopen , we have to get the economy moving again , and then rather than provide financial aid to the states that got hit by this economic tsunami through no fault of their own , suggestion was made , states should declare bankruptcy .
Little — few problems with that premise .
Forget the morality of it , and the ethics of it , and the absurdity of it , and the meanness of it .
Legally , a state ca n't declare bankruptcy .
You would need a federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , to the Senate that proposed it , I say : Pass a law allowing states to declare bankruptcy , I dare you .
And let the president sign that bill that says I give the states the legal ability to declare bankruptcy .
It 's your suggestion , Senator McConnell ?
Pass the law , I dare you .
And then go to the president and say , `` Sign this bill allowing states to declare bankruptcy . ''
You want to send a signal to the markets that this nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to send an international message that the economy is in turmoil ?
Do that .
Allow states to declare bankruptcy legally because you passed the bill .
It 'll be the first time in our nation 's history that that happened .
I dare you to do that , and then we 'll see how many states actually take you up on it .
I know I would n't .
But if you believe what you said , and you have the courage of conviction , because you 're a man of your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you were n't just playing politics .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, while expressing his opposition to financial aid for states suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic, suggested that states “use the bankruptcy route.”
On Thursday New York governor Andrew Cuomo (D) called the proposal “one of the really dumb ideas of all time.” On Friday, he again commented on the Republican idea.
From an April 24 press conference:
ANDREW CUOMO: Some people have suggested, “Well, states should declare bankruptcy.” I think, as I said yesterday, it’s a really dumb idea.
People are trying to talk about bringing the economy back, reopen, we have to get the economy moving again, and then rather than provide financial aid to the states that got hit by this economic tsunami through no fault of their own, suggestion was made, states should declare bankruptcy.
Little — few problems with that premise. Forget the morality of it, and the ethics of it, and the absurdity of it, and the meanness of it.
Legally, a state can’t declare bankruptcy. You would need a federal law allowing states to declare bankruptcy. So, to the Senate that proposed it, I say: Pass a law allowing states to declare bankruptcy, I dare you. And let the president sign that bill that says I give the states the legal ability to declare bankruptcy.
It’s your suggestion, Senator McConnell? Pass the law, I dare you. And then go to the president and say, “Sign this bill allowing states to declare bankruptcy.”
You want to send a signal to the markets that this nation is in real trouble? You want to send an international message that the economy is in turmoil? Do that.
Allow states to declare bankruptcy legally because you passed the bill. It’ll be the first time in our nation’s history that that happened.
I dare you to do that, and then we’ll see how many states actually take you up on it. I know I wouldn’t.
But if you believe what you said, and you have the courage of conviction, because you’re a man of your word, pass that bill. If you weren’t just playing politics.


shareblue--2020-04-24--Even Fox News isn't buying Trump's claim bleach-drinking advice was 'sarcasm'

Donald Trump attempted on Friday to walk back his Thursday suggestion that COVID-19 patients could be treated by injecting disinfectant into their bodies , claiming his comments had been merely `` a very sarcastic question to the reporters . ''
Even the very pro-Trump Fox News was not buying it .
On Friday 's `` Outnumbered , '' Fox 's chief political anchor Brett Baier was asked about Trump 's `` sarcasm '' excuse .
MELISSA FRANCIS ( host ) : He claims he did n't ask medical experts to look into it .
He was simply asking a sarcastic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ?
BRETT BAIER : Well , that 's not how it looked in the briefing , and not how it came across in the briefing .
What 's problematic for this president is that sometimes he goes on these riffs .
And when you 're dealing with medical things , statements , when you are riffing from a podium — sometimes that works great on other topics , when politics comes into play — but when riffing about possible cures or treatments , it did n't seem like it was coming off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turning to [ Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah ] Birx on the side .
Obviously , this spurred all kinds of coverage .
It 's spurred a statement by Lysol not to inject its products .
It spurred the FDA to put out something , as well .
And obviously , this is his answer to all of that criticism .
But the president does get himself into these issues .
I do n't think he wants to cause any harm to anyone , obviously .
And no one at home thinks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to go drink bleach . ''
I do n't think .
But it is something that he clearly stepped in , here .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump attempted on Friday to walk back his Thursday suggestion that COVID-19 patients could be treated by injecting disinfectant into their bodies, claiming his comments had been merely “a very sarcastic question to the reporters.”
Even the very pro-Trump Fox News was not buying it.
On Friday’s “Outnumbered,” Fox’s chief political anchor Brett Baier was asked about Trump’s “sarcasm” excuse.
MELISSA FRANCIS (host): He claims he didn’t ask medical experts to look into it. He was simply asking a sarcastic question. What is your thought on that? BRETT BAIER: Well, that’s not how it looked in the briefing, and not how it came across in the briefing. What’s problematic for this president is that sometimes he goes on these riffs. And when you’re dealing with medical things, statements, when you are riffing from a podium — sometimes that works great on other topics, when politics comes into play — but when riffing about possible cures or treatments, it didn’t seem like it was coming off as sarcastic when he was talking and turning to [Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah] Birx on the side. Obviously, this spurred all kinds of coverage. It’s spurred a statement by Lysol not to inject its products. It spurred the FDA to put out something, as well. And obviously, this is his answer to all of that criticism. But the president does get himself into these issues. I don’t think he wants to cause any harm to anyone, obviously. And no one at home thinks, “You know what? I’m going to go drink bleach.” I don’t think. But it is something that he clearly stepped in, here. FRANCIS: Yeah, it’s a distraction.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-24--Trump claims he was being 'sarcastic' about injecting disinfectants

Donald Trump suggested in his press conference on Thursday that disinfectant could be injected to fight coronavirus .
`` And then I see the disinfectant , where it knocks it out in a minute .
One minute .
And is there a way we can do something like that , by injection inside or almost a cleaning , '' he said .
On Friday , Trump claimed that he was merely being `` sarcastic '' and suggested he was trying to trick reporters .
REPORTER : Can you clarify your comments about injections of disinfectant ?
There are quite provocative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a question sarcastically to reporters like you , just to see what would happen .
Now , disinfectant where doing this — maybe on the hands would work — and I was asking a question of the gentleman who was there yesterday , Bill .
Because when they say that something will last three or four hours , or six hours , but if the sun is out , or if they use disinfectant it goes away less than a minute .
Did you hear about this yesterday ?
But I was asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question — to the reporters in the room , about disinfectant on the inside .
But it does kill it and it would kill it on the hands and that would make things much better .
That was done in the form of a sarcastic question to the reporters .
REPORTER : But you were asking your medical experts to look into it .
Were you being sarcastic with them ?
TRUMP : No .
No .
No .
No .
To look into whether or not sun and disinfectant on the hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help us .
Because , I mean he came in yesterday and he said they 've done a big study .
This is a study .
This is it — he has n't done it — this is where they come in with a final report .
That sun has a massive impact negatively on this .
In other words , it does not live well with humidity and it does n't live well with sun .
Sunlight .
Heat .
Does n't live well with heat and sun and disinfectant .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I thought it was clear .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump suggested in his press conference on Thursday that disinfectant could be injected to fight coronavirus.
“And then I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning,” he said.
On Friday, Trump claimed that he was merely being “sarcastic” and suggested he was trying to trick reporters.
From an April 24 White House signing ceremony:
REPORTER: Can you clarify your comments about injections of disinfectant? There are quite provocative. DONALD TRUMP: I was asking a question sarcastically to reporters like you, just to see what would happen. Now, disinfectant where doing this — maybe on the hands would work — and I was asking a question of the gentleman who was there yesterday, Bill. Because when they say that something will last three or four hours, or six hours, but if the sun is out, or if they use disinfectant it goes away less than a minute. Did you hear about this yesterday? But I was asking a sarcastic — and a very sarcastic question — to the reporters in the room, about disinfectant on the inside. But it does kill it and it would kill it on the hands and that would make things much better. That was done in the form of a sarcastic question to the reporters. REPORTER: But you were asking your medical experts to look into it. Were you being sarcastic with them? TRUMP: No. No. No. No. To look into whether or not sun and disinfectant on the hands, but whether or not sun can help us. Because, I mean he came in yesterday and he said they’ve done a big study. This is a study. This is it — he hasn’t done it — this is where they come in with a final report. That sun has a massive impact negatively on this. In other words, it does not live well with humidity and it doesn’t live well with sun. Sunlight. Heat. Doesn’t live well with heat and sun and disinfectant. And that’s what I brought out, and I thought it was clear.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-24--Republican senators too 'nervous' to speak out against stay-at-home protests

The latest demonstration by right-wing groups against measures to contain the coronavirus is headed for Wisconsin , where hundreds of people or more plan to descend on the state Capitol to protest the Democratic governor 's stay-home ordinance .
Friday 's event is expected to be among the biggest of the protests that have popped up around the U.S. in recent days .
But as with some earlier events , one group will be noticeably absent : the state 's most prominent Republicans .
That includes Sen. Ron Johnson , a Trump ally , who says he 'll be sheltering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 90 miles from Madison .
`` I 'm neither encouraging nor discouraging them , '' said Johnson , 65 , whose career was launched by the tea party movement , a protest effort with ties to the current one .
He urged anyone who decides to attend the protest to practice good personal hygiene and social distancing .
Johnson 's distance and ambivalence are shared by many Republicans as they warily watch the protests — with their images of gun-toting activists , the occasional Confederate flag , and protesters wearing Trump hats but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from an election , the protests are forcing some Republicans to reckon with a restless right flank advocating an unpopular opinion even as the party seeks to make gains with moderates , women , and suburban voters .
Polls show the sentiment behind these groups is unpopular .
A survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found only 12 % of Americans say the measures in place where they live to prevent the spread of the coronavirus go too far , though Republicans are roughly four times as likely as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 5 % .
The majority of Americans — 61 % — feel the steps taken by government officials in their area are about right .
Still , a network of conservative groups has activated to support the efforts — seizing on the anxiety and distrust that comes with a moment of turmoil .
Conservative groups with national networks , including FreedomWorks and Tea Party Patriots , have pushed the `` reopen '' message on social media .
Friday 's rally was promoted by Thomas Leager , a prominent Wisconsin gun rights advocate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook group for the event or have advocated for rallying to reopen the state include Matt Batzel , executive director of the Wisconsin chapter of American Majority , a group that helps conservative candidates get elected ; Christian Gomez , research project manager at the John Birch Society ; and Stephen Moore , a fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation .
`` The polls are very clear .
That 's why I think Republicans are nervous about this , '' said Moore , who is on Trump 's economic task force and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow social distancing guidelines .
`` But these things can change .
That 's the point of these protests — to change public opinion . ''
The many unknowns of the pandemic — including what the death toll might be if restrictions like stay-home orders were lifted — complicate the political calculations .
And Trump himself has positioned himself on both sides of the divide in the party .
After issuing guidelines for states to reopen , he tweeted support for protesters who were violating them , calling on them to `` LIBERATE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He empathized with protesters , saying they have `` cabin fever '' and `` want their lives back , '' then criticized Georgia 's governor for reopening his state too early .
That 's left most Republicans — particularly those in tough reelection fights this fall — playing it safe by staying away from protests or from being overly vocal about reopening things .
In North Carolina , Sen. Thom Tillis , who is among the GOP senators whose elections could determine if the party keeps control of the Senate , has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cooper and his decisions .
`` We need to let people know that now is not the time to let their guard down , '' Tillis said on Thursday during a coronavirus conference call with constituents .
He said he thinks one or two other states talking about reopening `` may be doing it just a little bit too soon based on the data and the presidential guidelines . ''
`` People need to wear a mask , they need to avoid going out if they do n't need to , '' Tillis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way that we are ultimately going to beat this virus and get our economy back on sound footing . ''
For some Republican candidates and elected officials , the protests have been a way to get attention from a vocal faction of the party , said Wisconsin-based pollster Charles Franklin .
In Minnesota , former GOP congressman and Senate candidate Jason Lewis made a protest outside the governor 's mansion one of the first stops on an RV tour of the state where he 's pushing for an end to the shutdowns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ polling on the question , noting that people are honking in support and giving thumbs-up as his RV passes by , particularly in smaller towns where people feel like the restrictions are unfair and killing their businesses and livelihood .
`` People are saying 'Finally someone is saying what I feel , ' '' he said , predicting the shutdowns will be `` the defining issue '' in his race against Sen. Tina Smith .
In Maine , where Republican Sen. Susan Collins is up for reelection , rural residents were behind a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Augusta .
The event divided GOP contenders in a congressional primary : One Republican , Eric Brakey , joined the protesters , while one of his opponents skipped the event but called on others to join her in a `` virtual '' protest using social media .
Republican Adrienne Bennett said it 's important to be `` safe and responsible . ''
Collins did not respond to a request for comment about the protest .
Wisconsin Republicans , who control the state 's Legislature , initially supported Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they broke last week when he extended a stay-at-home order for another month , until May 26 , which was the latest in the Midwest at the time and one of the latest in the country .
This week , Republican legislative leaders asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to block the order and force the state Department of Health Services to work with them on a new approach to reopening the state .
`` There 's a lot of frustration out there , '' said Republican state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Evers .
`` The fact that Governor Evers ' voicemail is full and people are n't getting a reply to their emails makes people feel like they 're not being heard . ''
Vos , who made headlines for declaring Wisconsin polling places safe for voters while he was covered in protective gear , would not say whether he will attend Friday 's rally .
His counterpart in filing the lawsuit , state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald — who is running for Congress — did not respond to requests for comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Madison Elmer , said organizers were approached by at least one officeholder who wanted to speak , but they turned them down .
Elmer would not identify the person .
Instead , the rally will feature speeches by business owners , farmers , a doctor , and a nurse .

The latest demonstration by right-wing groups against measures to contain the coronavirus is headed for Wisconsin, where hundreds of people or more plan to descend on the state Capitol to protest the Democratic governor’s stay-home ordinance.
Friday’s event is expected to be among the biggest of the protests that have popped up around the U.S. in recent days. But as with some earlier events, one group will be noticeably absent: the state’s most prominent Republicans.
That includes Sen. Ron Johnson, a Trump ally, who says he’ll be sheltering in place at home in Oshkosh about 90 miles from Madison.
“I’m neither encouraging nor discouraging them,” said Johnson, 65, whose career was launched by the tea party movement, a protest effort with ties to the current one. He urged anyone who decides to attend the protest to practice good personal hygiene and social distancing.
Johnson’s distance and ambivalence are shared by many Republicans as they warily watch the protests — with their images of gun-toting activists, the occasional Confederate flag, and protesters wearing Trump hats but no face masks. Six months away from an election, the protests are forcing some Republicans to reckon with a restless right flank advocating an unpopular opinion even as the party seeks to make gains with moderates, women, and suburban voters.
Polls show the sentiment behind these groups is unpopular. A survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found only 12% of Americans say the measures in place where they live to prevent the spread of the coronavirus go too far, though Republicans are roughly four times as likely as Democrats to say so — 22% to 5%. The majority of Americans — 61% — feel the steps taken by government officials in their area are about right.
Still, a network of conservative groups has activated to support the efforts — seizing on the anxiety and distrust that comes with a moment of turmoil. Conservative groups with national networks, including FreedomWorks and Tea Party Patriots, have pushed the “reopen” message on social media.
Friday’s rally was promoted by Thomas Leager, a prominent Wisconsin gun rights advocate. Those who are members of the Facebook group for the event or have advocated for rallying to reopen the state include Matt Batzel, executive director of the Wisconsin chapter of American Majority, a group that helps conservative candidates get elected; Christian Gomez, research project manager at the John Birch Society; and Stephen Moore, a fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation.
“The polls are very clear. That’s why I think Republicans are nervous about this,” said Moore, who is on Trump’s economic task force and has promoted some of the protests provided attendees follow social distancing guidelines. “But these things can change. That’s the point of these protests — to change public opinion.”
The many unknowns of the pandemic — including what the death toll might be if restrictions like stay-home orders were lifted — complicate the political calculations. And Trump himself has positioned himself on both sides of the divide in the party.
After issuing guidelines for states to reopen, he tweeted support for protesters who were violating them, calling on them to “LIBERATE” three states with Democratic governors. He empathized with protesters, saying they have “cabin fever” and “want their lives back,” then criticized Georgia’s governor for reopening his state too early.
That’s left most Republicans — particularly those in tough reelection fights this fall — playing it safe by staying away from protests or from being overly vocal about reopening things.
In North Carolina, Sen. Thom Tillis, who is among the GOP senators whose elections could determine if the party keeps control of the Senate, has been repeatedly complimentary of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and his decisions.
“We need to let people know that now is not the time to let their guard down,” Tillis said on Thursday during a coronavirus conference call with constituents. He said he thinks one or two other states talking about reopening “may be doing it just a little bit too soon based on the data and the presidential guidelines.”
“People need to wear a mask, they need to avoid going out if they don’t need to,” Tillis said. “That’s the only way that we are ultimately going to beat this virus and get our economy back on sound footing.”
For some Republican candidates and elected officials, the protests have been a way to get attention from a vocal faction of the party, said Wisconsin-based pollster Charles Franklin.
In Minnesota, former GOP congressman and Senate candidate Jason Lewis made a protest outside the governor’s mansion one of the first stops on an RV tour of the state where he’s pushing for an end to the shutdowns. Lewis said he’s skeptical of the polling on the question, noting that people are honking in support and giving thumbs-up as his RV passes by, particularly in smaller towns where people feel like the restrictions are unfair and killing their businesses and livelihood.
“People are saying ‘Finally someone is saying what I feel,'” he said, predicting the shutdowns will be “the defining issue” in his race against Sen. Tina Smith.
In Maine, where Republican Sen. Susan Collins is up for reelection, rural residents were behind a protest Monday in the capital city of Augusta. The event divided GOP contenders in a congressional primary: One Republican, Eric Brakey, joined the protesters, while one of his opponents skipped the event but called on others to join her in a “virtual” protest using social media.
Republican Adrienne Bennett said it’s important to be “safe and responsible.” Collins did not respond to a request for comment about the protest.
Wisconsin Republicans, who control the state’s Legislature, initially supported Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ approach to fighting the coronavirus, but they broke last week when he extended a stay-at-home order for another month, until May 26, which was the latest in the Midwest at the time and one of the latest in the country. This week, Republican legislative leaders asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to block the order and force the state Department of Health Services to work with them on a new approach to reopening the state.
“There’s a lot of frustration out there,” said Republican state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who is among those who filed the lawsuit against Evers. “The fact that Governor Evers’ voicemail is full and people aren’t getting a reply to their emails makes people feel like they’re not being heard.”
Vos, who made headlines for declaring Wisconsin polling places safe for voters while he was covered in protective gear, would not say whether he will attend Friday’s rally. His counterpart in filing the lawsuit, state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald — who is running for Congress — did not respond to requests for comment.
One of the rally’s organizers, Madison Elmer, said organizers were approached by at least one officeholder who wanted to speak, but they turned them down. Elmer would not identify the person. Instead, the rally will feature speeches by business owners, farmers, a doctor, and a nurse.


shareblue--2020-04-24--Judge ordered to remove pride flag from her courtroom because it shows 'bias'

Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez , the first openly gay judge to be elected in Bexar County , Texas , has been ordered to take down her rainbow LGBTQ pride flag by a state commission that claimed it showed `` bias . ''
Gonzalez said the State Commission on Judicial Conduct issued her a private warning last month and said that anything that displayed rainbows , including her glasses , mouse pad , and pen , must be removed .
She had previously displayed the pride flag behind her bench , alongside the U.S. and Texas flags .
She is appealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Antonio Express-News .
The decision came after Flavio Hernandez , a criminal defense attorney , filed a motion to recuse Gonzalez from cases he handled , as well as a complaint with the Judicial Conduct commission .
Hernandez told the Express-News last week , `` I may not be able to turn the dark tide of immorality sweeping through our nation like a virus .
But in my small way , I voiced my support of traditional American family values . ''
In a written statement flagged by NBC News , he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as white supremacy ( swastikas ) , or black slavery ( confederacy ) are also divisive and inappropriate symbols in our courtrooms . ''
Gonzalez 's lawyer , Deanna Whitley , said Texas judges have a right to express their First Amendment rights and that there is n't evidence that the judge has shown bias in her rulings .
This would n't be the first time that governmental bodies in Texas have resisted displays of the pride flag .
Last year , Williamson County Commissioners Court rejected a request from two justices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ KT Musselman , who identify as queer and gay respectively , allowing them to fly the flag outside of their office buildings .
Commissioners voted unanimously to allow only the U.S. flag , Texas flag , and county flag to be flown outside county facilities moving forward .
Hackenberg told the court that she faced criticism on social media from people who told her the U.S. flag already represented freedom and equality .
`` As long as lesbians and gays risk losing their employment for marrying , then none of us are free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long as transgender service members can not serve our country , then none of us are free . ''
It has been one year since Donald Trump 's ban on transgender people serving in the military went into effect .
And as Hackenberg noted , there is only a patchwork of state protections barring employment discrimination against LGBTQ people .
( One of the biggest questions before the U.S. Supreme Court right now is whether LGBTQ people are protected from discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ over whether the Pride flag should be flown at government buildings .
Last year , Wisconsin flew the pride flag over the state Capitol for the first time .
A Republican lawmaker , Rep. Scott Allen , told the Associated Press at the time that the flag was `` divisive '' because it `` advocates a behavior or lifestyle that some Wisconsin residents may not condone . ''
After Montana Gov .
Steve Bullock , a Democrat , approved the flying of the pride flag over the state capitol , state House speaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reps. Steve Gunderson and Derek Skees , all Republicans , spoke out in opposition to the decision .
Hertz said on Facebook that the flag poles should not used for `` political speech . ''
Bullock later responded , `` Contrary to your statement that the pride flag represents a political movement , the flag actually represents civil rights and social and economic equality for Montanans of the LGBTQ+ community . ''
Republican opposition to flying the pride flag has also reached the federal level .
The Trump administration rejected requests to fly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
A source from the U.S. Embassy in Berlin told CNN that at the time that flying the pride flag had , in the past , been `` a routine thing that happens every year . ''
Vice President Mike Pence defended the decision at the time .
`` I 'm aware that the State Department indicated that on the flag pole of our American embassies that one flag should fly , and that 's the American flag , and I support that , '' he said .
Published with permission of @ @ @ @ @

Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez, the first openly gay judge to be elected in Bexar County, Texas, has been ordered to take down her rainbow LGBTQ pride flag by a state commission that claimed it showed “bias.”
Gonzalez said the State Commission on Judicial Conduct issued her a private warning last month and said that anything that displayed rainbows, including her glasses, mouse pad, and pen, must be removed. She had previously displayed the pride flag behind her bench, alongside the U.S. and Texas flags.
She is appealing that decision, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
The decision came after Flavio Hernandez, a criminal defense attorney, filed a motion to recuse Gonzalez from cases he handled, as well as a complaint with the Judicial Conduct commission.
Hernandez told the Express-News last week, “I may not be able to turn the dark tide of immorality sweeping through our nation like a virus. But in my small way, I voiced my support of traditional American family values.”
In a written statement flagged by NBC News, he added, “Other flags expressing personal bias such as white supremacy (swastikas), or black slavery (confederacy) are also divisive and inappropriate symbols in our courtrooms.”
Gonzalez’s lawyer, Deanna Whitley, said Texas judges have a right to express their First Amendment rights and that there isn’t evidence that the judge has shown bias in her rulings.
This wouldn’t be the first time that governmental bodies in Texas have resisted displays of the pride flag. Last year, Williamson County Commissioners Court rejected a request from two justices of the peace, Stacy Hackenberg and KT Musselman, who identify as queer and gay respectively, allowing them to fly the flag outside of their office buildings.
Commissioners voted unanimously to allow only the U.S. flag, Texas flag, and county flag to be flown outside county facilities moving forward.
Hackenberg told the court that she faced criticism on social media from people who told her the U.S. flag already represented freedom and equality.
“As long as lesbians and gays risk losing their employment for marrying, then none of us are free,” she said. “As long as transgender service members cannot serve our country, then none of us are free.”
It has been one year since Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military went into effect. And as Hackenberg noted, there is only a patchwork of state protections barring employment discrimination against LGBTQ people. (One of the biggest questions before the U.S. Supreme Court right now is whether LGBTQ people are protected from discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.)
Each Pride Month, there are controversies over whether the Pride flag should be flown at government buildings.
Last year, Wisconsin flew the pride flag over the state Capitol for the first time. A Republican lawmaker, Rep. Scott Allen, told the Associated Press at the time that the flag was “divisive” because it “advocates a behavior or lifestyle that some Wisconsin residents may not condone.”
After Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat, approved the flying of the pride flag over the state capitol, state House speaker Greg Hertz, as well as state Reps. Steve Gunderson and Derek Skees, all Republicans, spoke out in opposition to the decision.
Hertz said on Facebook that the flag poles should not used for “political speech.”
Bullock later responded, “Contrary to your statement that the pride flag represents a political movement, the flag actually represents civil rights and social and economic equality for Montanans of the LGBTQ+ community.”
Republican opposition to flying the pride flag has also reached the federal level.
The Trump administration rejected requests to fly the pride flag over American embassies last year. A source from the U.S. Embassy in Berlin told CNN that at the time that flying the pride flag had, in the past, been “a routine thing that happens every year.”
Vice President Mike Pence defended the decision at the time.
“I’m aware that the State Department indicated that on the flag pole of our American embassies that one flag should fly, and that’s the American flag, and I support that,” he said.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-24--White House attacks media for reporting Trump's idea to inject disinfectant

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany attempted on Friday to blame the press for Donald Trump 's suggestion that the coronavirus could be treated by injecting disinfectant .
In a press statement , McEnany scolded the media for reporting on Trump 's Thursday COVID-19 briefing .
`` President Trump has repeatedly said that Americans should consult with medical doctors regarding coronavirus treatment , a point that he emphasized again during yesterday 's briefing , '' she wrote .
`` Leave it to the media to irresponsibly take President Trump out of context and run with negative headlines . ''
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Trump made the claim on live television that disinfectants quickly kill the virus .
After suggesting that perhaps the coronavirus could be killed by hitting `` the body with a tremendous ... ultraviolet or very powerful light , '' he said : And then I see the disinfectant , where it knocks it out in a minute .
One minute .
And is there a way we can do something like that , by injection inside or almost a cleaning .
Because you see it gets in the lungs and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So it would be interesting to check that .
So , that , you 're going to have to use medical doctors with .
But it sounds interesting to me .
Though Trump did acknowledge that doctors would have to determine whether injecting deadly disinfectants was an effective treatment , he has repeatedly undermined doctors and medical science throughout the pandemic .
In February , after Nancy Messonnier , head of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control , said the government should prepare for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that might cause `` severe '' disruption , a `` furious '' Trump threatened to fire her , according to a recent Wall Street Journal report .
At the time , Trump was claiming the virus was `` very much under control . ''
Without evidence , Trump repeatedly accused health care workers of stealing medical equipment last month .
`` When you go from 10,000 masks to 300,000 masks , '' Trump said , `` there 's something going on . ''
This allegation that did not sit well with the head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` [ New York 's healthcare workers ] deserve better than their president suggesting that [ Personal Protective Equipment ] is 'going out the back door ' of New York hospitals , '' he responded in a March 29 statement .
Earlier this month , Trump retweeted a former Republican congressional candidate who said it was `` Time to # FireFauci , '' after the nation 's top epidemiologist acknowledged that Trump 's slow response to the pandemic cost lives .
`` I mean , obviously , you could logically say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing and you started mitigation earlier , you could have saved lives , '' Dr. Anthony Fauci told CNN on April 12 .
`` Obviously , no one is going to deny that . ''
On Sunday , CDC Director Robert Redfield predicted that `` the assault of the virus on our nation next winter '' might `` actually be more difficult than the one we just went through . ''
Trump claimed Redfield had been `` misquoted , '' though the CDC head acknowledged the quote 's accuracy .
This week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agency tasked with developing a coronavirus vaccine , Dr. Rick Bright .
Bright claimed he was punished for demanding stringent testing of a `` potentially dangerous '' anti-malarial medication Trump touted as a `` miracle '' cure for COVID-19 .
Though public health experts have consistently said continued social distancing is necessary to curb the coronavirus ' spread , Trump has repeatedly pushed for them to end quickly .
`` If it were up to the doctors , they may say let 's keep it shut down , '' he admitted last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ca n't do that and you ca n't do that with the country , especially the number one economy anywhere in the world by far .
Number one economy in the world .
You ca n't do that . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany attempted on Friday to blame the press for Donald Trump’s suggestion that the coronavirus could be treated by injecting disinfectant.
In a press statement, McEnany scolded the media for reporting on Trump’s Thursday COVID-19 briefing.
“President Trump has repeatedly said that Americans should consult with medical doctors regarding coronavirus treatment, a point that he emphasized again during yesterday’s briefing,” she wrote. “Leave it to the media to irresponsibly take President Trump out of context and run with negative headlines.”
But the news outlets accurately reported what Trump said.
Trump made the claim on live television that disinfectants quickly kill the virus. After suggesting that perhaps the coronavirus could be killed by hitting “the body with a tremendous … ultraviolet or very powerful light,” he said:
And then I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning. Because you see it gets in the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs. So it would be interesting to check that. So, that, you’re going to have to use medical doctors with. But it sounds interesting to me.
Though Trump did acknowledge that doctors would have to determine whether injecting deadly disinfectants was an effective treatment, he has repeatedly undermined doctors and medical science throughout the pandemic.
In February, after Nancy Messonnier, head of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control, said the government should prepare for a coronavirus pandemic in the United States that might cause “severe” disruption, a “furious” Trump threatened to fire her, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report. At the time, Trump was claiming the virus was “very much under control.”
Without evidence, Trump repeatedly accused health care workers of stealing medical equipment last month.
“When you go from 10,000 masks to 300,000 masks,” Trump said, “there’s something going on.”
This allegation that did not sit well with the head of the Greater New York Hospital Association.
“[New York’s healthcare workers] deserve better than their president suggesting that [Personal Protective Equipment] is ‘going out the back door’ of New York hospitals,” he responded in a March 29 statement.
Earlier this month, Trump retweeted a former Republican congressional candidate who said it was “Time to #FireFauci,” after the nation’s top epidemiologist acknowledged that Trump’s slow response to the pandemic cost lives. “I mean, obviously, you could logically say that if you had a process that was ongoing and you started mitigation earlier, you could have saved lives,” Dr. Anthony Fauci told CNN on April 12. “Obviously, no one is going to deny that.”
On Sunday, CDC Director Robert Redfield predicted that “the assault of the virus on our nation next winter” might “actually be more difficult than the one we just went through.” Trump claimed Redfield had been “misquoted,” though the CDC head acknowledged the quote’s accuracy.
This week, Trump’s administration demoted the head of the agency tasked with developing a coronavirus vaccine, Dr. Rick Bright. Bright claimed he was punished for demanding stringent testing of a “potentially dangerous” anti-malarial medication Trump touted as a “miracle” cure for COVID-19.
Though public health experts have consistently said continued social distancing is necessary to curb the coronavirus’ spread, Trump has repeatedly pushed for them to end quickly.
“If it were up to the doctors, they may say let’s keep it shut down,” he admitted last month. “You know, we can’t do that and you can’t do that with the country, especially the number one economy anywhere in the world by far. Number one economy in the world. You can’t do that.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.