shareblue--2020-05-04--Right-wing militia group threatens police at protests: Stop enforcing laws or else

The anti-government militia group Oath Keepers on Monday threatened law enforcement officers , calling on the police to stop protecting the public from the people attending protests against social distancing and stay-at-home orders in the midst of a global pandemic .
`` Police in the U.S. need to realize they stand at the precipice of losing the trust , support , and protection of millions of American patriots .
They must reverse course and refuse unlawful orders , or risk being declared domestic enemies of the Constitution , '' the group , which the Southern Poverty Law Center calls `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. today , '' said in a tweet .
The statement was in response to a video that showed police standing between the California state Capitol building in Sacramento and a group of protesters demanding that Gov .
Gavin Newsom reopen California 's economy .
Donald Trump has encouraged protests against stay-at-home orders .
With an eye on the 2020 election , he has pushed for states to reopen , fearing a poor economy will imperil his reelection chances .
The protests against stay-at-home orders in multiple states nationwide have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups .
The Washington Post noted , `` These groups see the coronavirus crisis as a vehicle to spread their beliefs , said Devin Burghart , president of the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights , a nonprofit group that monitors far-right activity and has been tallying the protests . ''
The Anti-Defamation League notes , `` While many of the protests calling for the reopening of the economy and the lifting of state-issued quarantine mandates have been organized by more mainstream conservative organizations , a number have been sponsored in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a range of rally participants have carried signs or flags affiliated with various right-wing extremist ideologies . ''
The Oath Keepers were reported to be involved in a rally in Olympia , Washington , on April 19 .
Multiple polls show the vast majority Americans support social distancing measures and want them to continue as long as public health experts say they 're necessary .
This is n't the first time the Oath Keepers have put their presence and their extremist views in the spotlight in support of Trump policies .
In June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the construction of Trump 's promised border wall between the United States and Mexico .
And in 2016 , when Trump said there would be rampant voter fraud in the presidential election , the Oath Keepers called on members to `` help prevent criminal vote fraud and attempted criminal voter intimidation on election day . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The anti-government militia group Oath Keepers on Monday threatened law enforcement officers, calling on the police to stop protecting the public from the people attending protests against social distancing and stay-at-home orders in the midst of a global pandemic.
“Police in the U.S. need to realize they stand at the precipice of losing the trust, support, and protection of millions of American patriots. They must reverse course and refuse unlawful orders, or risk being declared domestic enemies of the Constitution,” the group, which the Southern Poverty Law Center calls “one of the largest radical antigovernment groups in the U.S. today,” said in a tweet.
The statement was in response to a video that showed police standing between the California state Capitol building in Sacramento and a group of protesters demanding that Gov. Gavin Newsom reopen California’s economy.
Donald Trump has encouraged protests against stay-at-home orders. With an eye on the 2020 election, he has pushed for states to reopen, fearing a poor economy will imperil his reelection chances.
The protests against stay-at-home orders in multiple states nationwide have been attended by right-wing militias and white supremacist groups. The Washington Post noted, “These groups see the coronavirus crisis as a vehicle to spread their beliefs, said Devin Burghart, president of the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights, a nonprofit group that monitors far-right activity and has been tallying the protests.”
The Anti-Defamation League notes, “While many of the protests calling for the reopening of the economy and the lifting of state-issued quarantine mandates have been organized by more mainstream conservative organizations, a number have been sponsored in whole or part by identified extremists and a range of rally participants have carried signs or flags affiliated with various right-wing extremist ideologies.”
The Oath Keepers were reported to be involved in a rally in Olympia, Washington, on April 19.
Multiple polls show the vast majority Americans support social distancing measures and want them to continue as long as public health experts say they’re necessary.
This isn’t the first time the Oath Keepers have put their presence and their extremist views in the spotlight in support of Trump policies.
In June 2019, the Oath Keepers openly supported the construction of Trump’s promised border wall between the United States and Mexico.
And in 2016, when Trump said there would be rampant voter fraud in the presidential election, the Oath Keepers called on members to “help prevent criminal vote fraud and attempted criminal voter intimidation on election day.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-04--Senator accused of insider trading brags about her private jet in new ad

Sen. Kelly Loeffler 's ( R-GA ) campaign released an ad on Monday that attempts to push past her recent stock-trading scandal , which involved Loeffler selling off hundreds of thousands of dollars in stock in February , before the markets crashed over coronavirus fears .
In the ad , a narrator talks about the things Loeffler has done to help her state handle the coronavirus , including using her private jet to `` bring stranded Georgians home safely . ''
`` Untrue , unfairly targeted , all because she 's a strong , conservative woman , '' the narrator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a $ 4 million ad buy , according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution .
`` The truth ?
Kelly Loeffler donated her Senate pay to help Georgia fight coronavirus .
Kelly used her personal plane to bring stranded Georgians home safely .
And Kelly gave a million dollars to help a Georgia hospital save lives .
Kelly Loeffler is all about Georgia , and it shows , every day . ''
It 's rare for a politician in any political climate to promote the use of a private plane .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the aisle tout their decisions not to fly first class — and have railed against Trump administration officials who flew on private jets on the taxpayer dime .
However , Loeffler — who was appointed to the Senate by Georgia 's Republican governor , Brian Kemp — is trying to earn back the public trust , after she faced calls to resign for the appearance of personally profiting off the virus .
Loeffler , along with Sen. Richard Burr ( R-NC ) , traded stocks after receiving private briefings on the severity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact the American economy .
Loeffler will face voters for the first time in a November special election , the winner of which will serve out the remainder of former Sen. Johnny Isakson 's term .
Isakson , a Republican , resigned last year due to health problems .
Rep. Doug Collins ( R-GA ) — who is running in the November special election — said in March he was `` disgusted '' by Loeffler 's stock trade .
There have been few polls of the race .
However , a poll from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a double-digit lead over Loeffler .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Kelly Loeffler’s (R-GA) campaign released an ad on Monday that attempts to push past her recent stock-trading scandal, which involved Loeffler selling off hundreds of thousands of dollars in stock in February, before the markets crashed over coronavirus fears.
In the ad, a narrator talks about the things Loeffler has done to help her state handle the coronavirus, including using her private jet to “bring stranded Georgians home safely.”
“Untrue, unfairly targeted, all because she’s a strong, conservative woman,” the narrator says in the spot — which is part of a $4 million ad buy, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
“The truth? Kelly Loeffler donated her Senate pay to help Georgia fight coronavirus. Kelly used her personal plane to bring stranded Georgians home safely. And Kelly gave a million dollars to help a Georgia hospital save lives. Kelly Loeffler is all about Georgia, and it shows, every day.”
It’s rare for a politician in any political climate to promote the use of a private plane. In fact, many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle tout their decisions not to fly first class — and have railed against Trump administration officials who flew on private jets on the taxpayer dime.
However, Loeffler — who was appointed to the Senate by Georgia’s Republican governor, Brian Kemp — is trying to earn back the public trust, after she faced calls to resign for the appearance of personally profiting off the virus.
Loeffler, along with Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), traded stocks after receiving private briefings on the severity of the coronavirus and how it could impact the American economy.
Loeffler will face voters for the first time in a November special election, the winner of which will serve out the remainder of former Sen. Johnny Isakson’s term. Isakson, a Republican, resigned last year due to health problems.
Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) — who is running in the November special election — said in March he was “disgusted” by Loeffler’s stock trade.
There have been few polls of the race. However, a poll from Collins’ campaign from April showed Collins with a double-digit lead over Loeffler.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-04--Missouri governor wants people out shopping and going to concerts — now

Missouri 's Republican Gov .
Mike Parson has asked residents to stop shopping online and instead go shopping in person in an effort to reopen businesses in the state .
As of Monday , Parson is also allowing large gatherings and live events to move ahead , including concerts .
According to reopening guidelines in Parson 's `` Show Me Strong '' recovery plan , concert venues in Missouri do not have to abide by any occupancy limits like those set for retail businesses .
Instead , the plan expects such venues to take `` necessary precautions '' to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintained between individuals and/or families . ''
While some venues in the state may reopen , Lyda Krewson , mayor of St. Louis , said on Friday that the city 's stay-at-home order remains in place , adding she `` will continue to be guided by data , not dates . ''
But Parson encouraged Missouri residents to go out in public .
At a Friday press conference , Parson asked residents to make a `` special effort '' to visit local businesses as a way to help the state 's economy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraging residents to venture into their communities came as the state reported three consecutive days of 200 or more confirmed coronavirus cases .
As of Sunday , the Missouri Hospital Association reported 8,386 cases in the state and 352 deaths .
Missouri is also home to a coronavirus hotspot at a Triumph Foods meat packing plant in Buchanan County .
According to CNN , 373 workers at the plant tested positive for coronavirus , and all of them were asymptomatic .
The news about the plant broke less than a week after Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at meat processing plants back to work despite the pandemic .
Parson 's plan to reopen businesses in Missouri follows a slow and chaotic response to the coronavirus crisis in the state .
When the crisis started , Parson refused to order schools in the state to close , leaving it up to each of the 555 school districts to make their own decision .
It was only after every single district made a decision to close that Parson ordered a statewide school closure order .
In mid-March , Parson refused to issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Missouri State Medical Association asking him to do so .
Parson defended his decision by stating such an order would hurt local economies , and adding , `` I do n't believe I am costing lives at all . ''
At the time he made that statement , only eight Missourians had died .
Parson 's concern for the health of the economy did not extend to citizens when it comes to voting .
In mid-April , Parson was asked if he thinks the current pandemic was a valid reason for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote by mail .
`` I do not , '' he responded , calling efforts to expand absentee voting `` more a political issue than it is anything . ''
After Republicans in Wisconsin forced voters to the polls on April 7 , more than 50 people who voted or worked at the polls tested positive for coronavirus .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Missouri Republican Gov. Mike Parson has asked residents to stop shopping online and instead go in person in an effort to reopen businesses in the state. As of Monday, Parson is also allowing large gatherings and live events to move ahead, including concerts.
According to reopening guidelines in Parson’s “Show Me Strong” recovery plan, concert venues in Missouri do not have to abide by any occupancy limits like those set for retail businesses. Instead, the plan expects such venues to take “necessary precautions” to ensure “six feet of distance can be maintained between individuals and/or families.”
While some venues in the state may reopen, Lyda Krewson, mayor of St. Louis, said on Friday that the city’s stay-at-home order remains in place, adding she “will continue to be guided by data, not dates.”
But Parson encouraged Missouri residents to go out in public. At a Friday press conference, Parson asked residents to make a “special effort” to visit local businesses as a way to help the state’s economy.
The push for opening concert venues and encouraging residents to venture into their communities came as the state reported three consecutive days of 200 or more confirmed coronavirus cases.
As of Sunday, the Missouri Hospital Association reported 8,386 cases in the state and 352 deaths.
Missouri is also home to a coronavirus hotspot at a Triumph Foods meat packing plant in Buchanan County. According to CNN, 373 workers at the plant tested positive for coronavirus, and all of them were asymptomatic.
The news about the plant broke less than a week after Donald Trump signed an executive order forcing workers at meat processing plants back to work despite the pandemic.
Parson’s plan to reopen businesses in Missouri follows a slow and chaotic response to the coronavirus crisis in the state.
When the crisis started, Parson refused to order schools in the state to close, leaving it up to each of the 555 school districts to make their own decision. It was only after every single district made a decision to close that Parson ordered a statewide school closure order.
In mid-March, Parson refused to issue a statewide stay-at-home order despite a request by the Missouri State Medical Association asking him to do so. Parson defended his decision by stating such an order would hurt local economies, and adding, “I don’t believe I am costing lives at all.”
At the time he made that statement, only eight Missourians had died.
Parson’s concern for the health of the economy did not extend to citizens when it comes to voting.
In mid-April, Parson was asked if he thinks the current pandemic was a valid reason for residents to request an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
“I do not,” he responded, calling efforts to expand absentee voting “more a political issue than it is anything.”
After Republicans in Wisconsin forced voters to the polls on April 7, more than 50 people who voted or worked at the polls tested positive for coronavirus.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-04--Obamacare is critical for millions of Americans during pandemic

COVID-19 could have stamped a person `` uninsurable '' if not for the Affordable Care Act .
The ban on insurers using preexisting conditions to deny coverage is a key part of the Obama-era law that the Trump administration still seeks to overturn .
Without the law , people who recovered from COVID-19 and tried to purchase an individual health insurance policy could be turned down , charged higher premiums , or have follow-up care excluded from coverage .
Those considered vulnerable because of conditions such as respiratory problems or early-stage diabetes would have run into a wall of insurer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ACA submit written arguments to the Supreme Court next week countering the latest challenge to its existence , the Trump administration remains adamant that former President Barack Obama 's health law , known as Obamacare , must go .
`` A global pandemic does not change what Americans know : Obamacare has been an unlawful failure and further illustrates the need to focus on patient care , '' White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement .
Deere asserted that the law limits patient choice , has premiums that are too expensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from going to the doctors and hospitals they need .
Donald Trump has said he would protect people with preexisting conditions , as have other Republicans , but he has n't spelled out a plan .
Some GOP lawmakers in contested races this fall are unnerved by the prospect of Trump administration lawyers asking the Supreme Court during the coronavirus outbreak to toss out a law that provides coverage to at least 20 million Americans .
`` The ACA remains the law of the land , and it is the Department of Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Sen. Susan Collins ( R-ME ) .
`` That is especially true during the current public health crisis our country is facing due to COVID-19 . ''
She is among those urging the administration not to get rid of the law but instead make broader use of it to cover uninsured people during the pandemic .
Collins is considered among the most endangered incumbents as Republicans try to keep their Senate majority .
It 's unclear whether the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments before the November election .
A group of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an ACA tax penalty , the law 's requirement for individuals to carry health insurance is unconstitutional .
If the insurance mandate is unconstitutional , their argument goes , then the rest of the law must collapse like a house of cards .
The administration agrees but has also suggested that federal judges could decide to keep some parts of the law .
The Supreme Court took the case after a federal appeals court in New Orleans said the ACA 's insurance mandate is unconstitutional but did not rule on the rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35 million people could lose their workplace coverage due to layoffs in the coronavirus shutdown , according to an estimate by the consulting firm Health Management Associates .
They have more options because of the Obama-era law .
They are entitled to a special sign-up opportunity for coverage through HealthCare.gov or their state insurance market and may qualify for financial assistance with premiums and other costs .
They can not be asked about health problems .
In states that expanded Medicaid , some may qualify for that program , usually at little or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who lost their jobs and wanted to keep their employer health insurance could do so under a law known as COBRA .
It 's still on the books , but it requires them to pay the full premium , plus an administrative fee .
That 's often cost-prohibitive .
Karen Pollitz of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation said people seeking an individual health insurance policy `` would have been very much at risk in today 's pandemic '' were it not for the health law .
`` The conditions associated with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been especially radioactive , '' she said .
For Republicans , the Supreme Court case `` has to be the ultimate in 'be careful you do n't get what you wish for , ' '' said health industry consultant Robert Laszewski .
Part of the reason Trump failed to repeal and replace the law in 2017 was that Republicans did n't have a plan they could agree on , he said .
`` Before COVID , if they won the suit , then what ? ''
asked Laszewski .
`` And now with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major medical crisis , and depression-level unemployment , and people losing their health insurance ?
Yikes ! ''
Last week the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and some 30 health groups called on Congress to help maintain health insurance coverage during the economic shutdown caused by the pandemic .
They urged a broad approach that includes subsidies for COBRA , opening up the ACA to more people , and allowing those with tax-sheltered health accounts to use that money for premiums .
But the White House is resisting anything that includes Obamacare .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system relief fund created by Congress to reimburse hospitals for treating uninsured patients with COVID-19 .
That `` is way less than adequate , '' said Richard Pollack , president of the American Hospital Association .
`` What we need to do is provide coverage in a more comprehensive way for people . ''

COVID-19 could have stamped a person “uninsurable” if not for the Affordable Care Act. The ban on insurers using preexisting conditions to deny coverage is a key part of the Obama-era law that the Trump administration still seeks to overturn.
Without the law, people who recovered from COVID-19 and tried to purchase an individual health insurance policy could be turned down, charged higher premiums, or have follow-up care excluded from coverage. Those considered vulnerable because of conditions such as respiratory problems or early-stage diabetes would have run into a wall of insurer suspicion.
Yet as defenders of the ACA submit written arguments to the Supreme Court next week countering the latest challenge to its existence, the Trump administration remains adamant that former President Barack Obama’s health law, known as Obamacare, must go.
“A global pandemic does not change what Americans know: Obamacare has been an unlawful failure and further illustrates the need to focus on patient care,” White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement.
Deere asserted that the law limits patient choice, has premiums that are too expensive, and restricts patients with high-risk conditions from going to the doctors and hospitals they need. Donald Trump has said he would protect people with preexisting conditions, as have other Republicans, but he hasn’t spelled out a plan.
Some GOP lawmakers in contested races this fall are unnerved by the prospect of Trump administration lawyers asking the Supreme Court during the coronavirus outbreak to toss out a law that provides coverage to at least 20 million Americans.
“The ACA remains the law of the land, and it is the Department of Justice’s duty to defend it,” said Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). “That is especially true during the current public health crisis our country is facing due to COVID-19.”
She is among those urging the administration not to get rid of the law but instead make broader use of it to cover uninsured people during the pandemic. Collins is considered among the most endangered incumbents as Republicans try to keep their Senate majority.
It’s unclear whether the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments before the November election. A group of GOP-led states contends that because Congress repealed an ACA tax penalty, the law’s requirement for individuals to carry health insurance is unconstitutional. If the insurance mandate is unconstitutional, their argument goes, then the rest of the law must collapse like a house of cards.
The administration agrees but has also suggested that federal judges could decide to keep some parts of the law. The Supreme Court took the case after a federal appeals court in New Orleans said the ACA’s insurance mandate is unconstitutional but did not rule on the rest of the law.
Nearly 12 million to 35 million people could lose their workplace coverage due to layoffs in the coronavirus shutdown, according to an estimate by the consulting firm Health Management Associates. They have more options because of the Obama-era law.
They are entitled to a special sign-up opportunity for coverage through HealthCare.gov or their state insurance market and may qualify for financial assistance with premiums and other costs. They cannot be asked about health problems. In states that expanded Medicaid, some may qualify for that program, usually at little or no cost.
Before the law, people who lost their jobs and wanted to keep their employer health insurance could do so under a law known as COBRA. It’s still on the books, but it requires them to pay the full premium, plus an administrative fee. That’s often cost-prohibitive.
Karen Pollitz of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation said people seeking an individual health insurance policy “would have been very much at risk in today’s pandemic” were it not for the health law.
“The conditions associated with a more complicated case of COVID-19 would have been especially radioactive,” she said.
For Republicans, the Supreme Court case “has to be the ultimate in ‘be careful you don’t get what you wish for,'” said health industry consultant Robert Laszewski.
Part of the reason Trump failed to repeal and replace the law in 2017 was that Republicans didn’t have a plan they could agree on, he said.
“Before COVID, if they won the suit, then what?” asked Laszewski. “And now with COVID … in the face of a major medical crisis, and depression-level unemployment, and people losing their health insurance? Yikes!”
Last week the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and some 30 health groups called on Congress to help maintain health insurance coverage during the economic shutdown caused by the pandemic. They urged a broad approach that includes subsidies for COBRA, opening up the ACA to more people, and allowing those with tax-sheltered health accounts to use that money for premiums.
But the White House is resisting anything that includes Obamacare. Instead, the administration is using a health system relief fund created by Congress to reimburse hospitals for treating uninsured patients with COVID-19.
That “is way less than adequate,” said Richard Pollack, president of the American Hospital Association. “What we need to do is provide coverage in a more comprehensive way for people.”


shareblue--2020-05-04--Gaetz: Michigan governor only complains about lack of supplies to attack Trump

Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-FL ) , a top ally of Donald Trump , dismissed Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer 's ( D ) concerns about the availability of virus testing equipment in her state as merely `` auditioning to be the vice president . ''
On Sunday , Whitmer told CNN that she rejected Trump aide and son-in-law Jared Kushner 's allegation that the `` the biggest thing '' holding back national testing is `` the states ' ability to collect more samples . ''
`` That 's not true in Michigan , '' Whitmer said , noting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get to full capacity because we are missing things in the supply chain . ''
She reiterated a call made by multiple governors , across parties , for a national strategy .
More than 4,000 people in Michigan have died from COVID-19 .
A recent poll in the state showed that 57 % of residents support how Gov .
Whitmer has responded to the outbreak , while only 44 % have a positive appraisal of how Trump has dealt with the issue .
From the May 3 edition of Fox News ' `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GAETZ ( R-FL ) : The governor of Michigan is auditioning to be the vice president of the United States .
And so whether things are going well , or whether they 're going poorly regarding the federal coordination , she exists to be a theatrical critic of the president , regardless of the support that 's being provided .
And if she 's having problems with testing , maybe those are her challenges in execution , not the federal government 's challenges ... .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation @

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), a top ally of Donald Trump, dismissed Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s (D) concerns about the availability of virus testing equipment in her state as merely “auditioning to be the vice president.”
On Sunday, Whitmer told CNN that she rejected Trump aide and son-in-law Jared Kushner’s allegation that the “the biggest thing” holding back national testing is “the states’ ability to collect more samples.”
“That’s not true in Michigan,” Whitmer said, noting that “we have never been able to get to full capacity because we are missing things in the supply chain.” She reiterated a call made by multiple governors, across parties, for a national strategy.
More than 4,000 people in Michigan have died from COVID-19.
A recent poll in the state showed that 57% of residents support how Whitmer has responded to the outbreak, while only 44% have a positive appraisal of how Trump has dealt with the issue.
From the May 3 edition of Fox News’ “The Next Revolution”:
REP. MATT GAETZ (R-FL): The governor of Michigan is auditioning to be the vice president of the United States. And so whether things are going well, or whether they’re going poorly regarding the federal coordination, she exists to be a theatrical critic of the president, regardless of the support that’s being provided. And if she’s having problems with testing, maybe those are her challenges in execution, not the federal government’s challenges … .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-04--McConnell brags about federal aid for his state after opposing 'blue state bailouts'

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell boasted on Sunday that , thanks to his coronavirus economic bailout bill , Kentucky has received more than $ 15 million in funds from the Department of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
But just days ago , he vowed to oppose `` Blue State Bailouts '' and questioned the value of new federal funding to states and localities .
`` As Kentucky continues battling the effects of the coronavirus , I 'm proud my CARES Act is providing the vital resources to help communities in need , '' McConnell ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday .
`` The unprecedented crisis requires a bold response , and these federal funds from the CDC and Justice Department can help keep families healthy and safe during this challenging time . ''
`` As Senate Majority Leader , I 'm putting Kentucky 's priorities at the center of the national response and working to deliver the resources to beat this virus , '' he added .
The $ 15,121,392 , McConnell noted , includes `` $ 8.3 million to strengthen testing , containment and treatment as well as to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy '' and `` $ 6.8 million to Kentucky to help state and local governments respond the virus ’ spread . ''
The funds came from Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act , which McConnell sponsored .
But a few weeks ago , McConnell said he thought it was time to rethink whether federal funding to struggling states and localities is even a good idea .
`` I said yesterday we 're going to push the pause button here , because I think this whole business of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be thoroughly evaluated , '' he told right-wing talk show host Hugh Hewitt on April 22 .
`` There 's not going to be any desire on the Republican side to bail out state pensions by borrowing money from future generations . ''
After asking the federal government for emergency `` major disaster '' aid for Kentucky 's COVID-19 pandemic response in March , McConnell urged other state and local governments to `` use the bankruptcy route '' in that interview , instead of getting more money from Washington .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle of an economic crisis is to have states all filing bankruptcy all across America and not able to provide services to people who desperately need them , '' Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan , a Republican , responded at the time .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , a Democrat , called the comments `` vicious . ''
He suggested that `` if there was ever a time to stop your political — obsessive political bias and anger , which is what it ’ s morphed into — just a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` McConnell 's dismissive remark that States devastated by Coronavirus should go bankrupt rather than get the federal assistance they need and deserve is shameful and indefensible , '' said Rep. Peter King ( R-NY ) .
Though McConnell has attempted to frame Democratic-controlled states and cities as reliant on the federal government for money , Kentucky is actually the third-ranking state in the Rockefeller Institute of Government 's study of states that take more than they pay in federal tax .
It receives about $ 70.8 billion in federal funds while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in taxes .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell boasted on Sunday that, thanks to his coronavirus economic bailout bill, Kentucky has received more than $15 million in funds from the Department of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But just days ago, he vowed to oppose “Blue State Bailouts” and questioned the value of new federal funding to states and localities.
“As Kentucky continues battling the effects of the coronavirus, I’m proud my CARES Act is providing the vital resources to help communities in need,” McConnell (R-KY) said in his press release on Sunday. “The unprecedented crisis requires a bold response, and these federal funds from the CDC and Justice Department can help keep families healthy and safe during this challenging time.”
“As Senate Majority Leader, I’m putting Kentucky’s priorities at the center of the national response and working to deliver the resources to beat this virus,” he added.
The $15,121,392, McConnell noted, includes “$8.3 million to strengthen testing, containment and treatment as well as to help Kentucky make progress toward safely re-opening the economy” and “$6.8 million to Kentucky to help state and local governments respond the virus’ spread.”
The funds came from Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which McConnell sponsored.
But a few weeks ago, McConnell said he thought it was time to rethink whether federal funding to struggling states and localities is even a good idea.
“I said yesterday we’re going to push the pause button here, because I think this whole business of additional assistance for state and local governments needs to be thoroughly evaluated,” he told right-wing talk show host Hugh Hewitt on April 22. “There’s not going to be any desire on the Republican side to bail out state pensions by borrowing money from future generations.”
After asking the federal government for emergency “major disaster” aid for Kentucky’s COVID-19 pandemic response in March, McConnell urged other state and local governments to “use the bankruptcy route” in that interview, instead of getting more money from Washington.
Those comments earned McConnell bipartisan criticism.
“The last thing we need in the middle of an economic crisis is to have states all filing bankruptcy all across America and not able to provide services to people who desperately need them,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, responded at the time.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, called the comments “vicious.” He suggested that “if there was ever a time to stop your political — obsessive political bias and anger, which is what it’s morphed into — just a political anger — now is the time.”
“McConnell’s dismissive remark that States devastated by Coronavirus should go bankrupt rather than get the federal assistance they need and deserve is shameful and indefensible,” said Rep. Peter King (R-NY).
Though McConnell has attempted to frame Democratic-controlled states and cities as reliant on the federal government for money, Kentucky is actually the third-ranking state in the Rockefeller Institute of Government’s study of states that take more than they pay in federal tax.
It receives about $70.8 billion in federal funds while paying only about $30 billion back in taxes.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-04--Trump says he'll block virus aid unless Congress cuts taxes for businesses

Donald Trump on Sunday said he will not approve any more aid for the tens of millions of Americans who have lost their jobs as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic unless Congress cuts taxes for businesses .
`` We ’ re not doing anything without a payroll tax cut , '' Trump said Sunday night during a Fox News town hall .
A payroll tax cut would cut taxes for businesses and for employees who are still receiving paychecks , but would do nothing to aid the more than 30 million Americans who have been laid off .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut like what the White House is proposing , the literature generally finds there is n't a big effect on employment levels , '' Garrett Watson , an analyst at the Tax Foundation think tank , told ABC News .
Payroll taxes go toward funding Social Security and Medicare — two programs already facing financial strain .
With millions out of work and no longer contributing to the popular safety net programs , that strain could grow even greater .
With the federal budget deficit already enormous thanks to the tax law passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dollars in coronavirus relief aid Congress is now passing have only added to it ; a payroll tax cut would explode the deficit even more .
Some Republicans , such as Indiana Sen. Mike Braun , are against the proposal .
`` I think there are going to be a lot of fiscal conservatives , and I think that ’ s going to go deeper into the conference than normal , '' Braun told the Hill in March .
`` My gut is there ’ s going to be folks not interested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's insistence on a payroll tax cut could intensify the expected battle on Capitol Hill over the next coronavirus relief package .
Democrats are pushing for hazard pay for essential workers and aid to state governments facing massive budget shortfalls .
But GOP lawmakers do n't want to help aid state governments , saying it 's unfair that their constituents should have to bail out what they say are states badly run by Democratic governors .
Additionally Republicans want to ban Americans from suing their employers if they contract the coronavirus on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell claiming he will block any relief legislation that does not contain the measure .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Sunday said he will not approve any more aid for the tens of millions of Americans who have lost their jobs as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic unless Congress cuts taxes for businesses.
“We’re not doing anything without a payroll tax cut,” Trump said Sunday night during a Fox News town hall.
A payroll tax cut would cut taxes for businesses and for employees who are still receiving paychecks, but would do nothing to aid the more than 30 million Americans who have been laid off.
Experts say a payroll tax cut wouldn’t help create jobs.
“When you do a temporary tax cut like what the White House is proposing, the literature generally finds there isn’t a big effect on employment levels,” Garrett Watson, an analyst at the Tax Foundation think tank, told ABC News.
Payroll taxes go toward funding Social Security and Medicare — two programs already facing financial strain. With millions out of work and no longer contributing to the popular safety net programs, that strain could grow even greater.
With the federal budget deficit already enormous thanks to the tax law passed by Republicans in 2017, the trillions of dollars in coronavirus relief aid Congress is now passing have only added to it; a payroll tax cut would explode the deficit even more.
Some Republicans, such as Indiana Sen. Mike Braun, are against the proposal.
“I think there are going to be a lot of fiscal conservatives, and I think that’s going to go deeper into the conference than normal,” Braun told the Hill in March. “My gut is there’s going to be folks not interested in doing it quickly.”
Trump’s insistence on a payroll tax cut could intensify the expected battle on Capitol Hill over the next coronavirus relief package.
Democrats are pushing for hazard pay for essential workers and aid to state governments facing massive budget shortfalls.
But GOP lawmakers don’t want to help aid state governments, saying it’s unfair that their constituents should have to bail out what they say are states badly run by Democratic governors.
Additionally Republicans want to ban Americans from suing their employers if they contract the coronavirus on the job, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell claiming he will block any relief legislation that does not contain the measure.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-05--Trump: Wind down task force because we can't stay 'closed for the next 5 years'

On Tuesday , Donald Trump defended the idea of winding down the White House coronavirus task force because he is eager to reopen the American economy .
`` We ca n't keep our country closed for the next five years , '' Trump said in response to reports that the task force may dissolve this month .
`` You can say there might be a recurrence , and there might be .
And most doctors or some doctors say that it will happen , and it 'll be a flame and we 're gon na put the flame out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ country have pushed to reopen many parts of the economy even as experts warn that such a decision will likely result in more coronavirus cases and a higher death toll .
A new model from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington estimates 135,000 deaths in the country through the beginning of August , the New York Times reported on Monday .
Researchers said the higher estimate is based in part on `` rising mobility in most U.S. states as well as the easing of social distancing measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , indicating that growing contacts among people will promote transmission of the coronavirus . ''
The Times also reported on a White House projection showing the death toll from the pandemic will increase to 3,000 people per day by June 1 , around the same time the task force would be disbanded .
The death toll is currently around 1,750 people per day .
Despite the rising death toll , Vice President Mike Pence told reporters on Tuesday afternoon that the administration is considering disbanding the task force because of `` the tremendous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
As of Tuesday afternoon , nearly 1.2 million people in the country have confirmed coronavirus cases , according to the New York Times , and more than 70,000 people have died .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

On Tuesday, Donald Trump defended the idea of winding down the White House coronavirus task force because he is eager to reopen the American economy.
“We can’t keep our country closed for the next five years,” Trump said in response to reports that the task force may dissolve this month. “You can say there might be a recurrence, and there might be. And most doctors or some doctors say that it will happen, and it’ll be a flame and we’re gonna put the flame out.”
Trump and many Republicans around the country have pushed to reopen many parts of the economy even as experts warn that such a decision will likely result in more coronavirus cases and a higher death toll.
A new model from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington estimates 135,000 deaths in the country through the beginning of August, the New York Times reported on Monday.
Researchers said the higher estimate is based in part on “rising mobility in most U.S. states as well as the easing of social distancing measures expected in 31 states by May 11, indicating that growing contacts among people will promote transmission of the coronavirus.”
The Times also reported on a White House projection showing the death toll from the pandemic will increase to 3,000 people per day by June 1, around the same time the task force would be disbanded. The death toll is currently around 1,750 people per day.
Despite the rising death toll, Vice President Mike Pence told reporters on Tuesday afternoon that the administration is considering disbanding the task force because of “the tremendous progress we’ve made as a country.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, nearly 1.2 million people in the country have confirmed coronavirus cases, according to the New York Times, and more than 70,000 people have died.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-05--Ohio to workers: No benefits if you aren't willing to risk your lives

As Ohio Republican Gov .
Mike DeWine prepares to lift many stay-at-home orders and reopen his state for business , his administration is asking employers to report workers who refuse to return to their jobs over continued fears for their health .
The Office of Unemployment Insurance Operations section of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services website has posted a form that employers can fill out and submit to notify the department when a worker has quit or refused to work when a job was available `` due to COVID-19 . ''
Since in general employees are eligible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've lost their jobs through no fault of their own , the state would be able to use the reported information to cut off payments .
Some congressional Republicans have suggested that people will choose not to work because of the benefits included in the coronavirus relief package Congress passed last month .
Republican senators , including Ben Sasse of Nebraska , Lindsey Graham of South Carolina , and Tim Scott of South Carolina , had tried to make the benefits package less generous than proposed but ultimately failed .
DeWine is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lift social distancing measures .
DeWine urged those who can work from home to continue to do so , but is gradually allowing employers to reopen their doors .
DeWine tweeted on Sunday that health care providers were allowed to reopen on May 1 ; manufacturing , construction , and `` general office workplaces '' could reopen on Monday ; and retail businesses would be allowed to reopen on May 12 .
The DeWine administration joins Iowa Republican Gov .
Kim Reynolds in saying that residents who do n't go back to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for unemployment benefits .
Meanwhile , though , many are afraid to go back .
Infection and death rates connected with the coronavirus continue to rise across the country .
In a recent ABC News/Ipsos poll , 80 % of respondents said they are worried about contracting the coronavirus .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

As Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine prepares to lift many stay-at-home orders and reopen his state for business, his administration is asking employers to report workers who refuse to return to their jobs over continued fears for their health.
The Office of Unemployment Insurance Operations section of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services website has posted a form that employers can fill out and submit to notify the department when a worker has quit or refused to work when a job was available “due to COVID-19.”
The form link reads, “Report COVID-19 Employee Fraud.”
Since in general employees are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits only if they’ve lost their jobs through no fault of their own, the state would be able to use the reported information to cut off payments.
Some congressional Republicans have suggested that people will choose not to work because of the benefits included in the coronavirus relief package Congress passed last month. Republican senators, including Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Tim Scott of South Carolina, had tried to make the benefits package less generous than proposed but ultimately failed.
DeWine is one of a handful of governors starting to lift social distancing measures.
DeWine urged those who can work from home to continue to do so, but is gradually allowing employers to reopen their doors. DeWine tweeted on Sunday that health care providers were allowed to reopen on May 1; manufacturing, construction, and “general office workplaces” could reopen on Monday; and retail businesses would be allowed to reopen on May 12.
The DeWine administration joins Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds in saying that residents who don’t go back to work when their workplaces reopen will be ineligible for unemployment benefits. Meanwhile, though, many are afraid to go back. Infection and death rates connected with the coronavirus continue to rise across the country.
In a recent ABC News/Ipsos poll, 80% of respondents said they are worried about contracting the coronavirus.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-05--8 times Trump changed his mind about how bad the virus death toll would be

In just three months ' time , Donald Trump has shifted his position on how much to worry about coronavirus deaths at least 8 times , about once every 11 days .
Trump 's `` predictions '' have ranged from foreseeing a complete elimination of new infections to saying there would be 200,000 deaths from the pandemic .
But Trump remained consistent in the notion that he deserved praise , even as his own definition of success changed over time .
Just under two weeks after the first coronavirus case was confirmed in the United States on Jan. 21 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely under control .
`` Well , we pretty much shut it down coming in from China , '' Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity .
`` We ca n't have thousands of people coming in who may have this problem , the coronavirus .
So we 're gon na see what happens , but we did shut it down , yes . ''
On Feb. 2 , nine people in the United States had confirmed coronavirus cases , according to a CNN report at the time .
Feb. 26 : 'Close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even as the virus spread , Trump continued to exude confidence , predicting that the number of cases would soon dwindle down almost completely .
`` And again , when you have 15 people , and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero , that 's a pretty good job we 've done , '' Trump said at a White House press briefing .
At the time Trump made the statement , there were 60 confirmed cases , not 15 .
March 5 : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Feb. 29 , Washington state reported the first known coronavirus death in the United States .
Less than a week later , Trump wrote on Twitter that he wanted the number of deaths to stay low .
`` With approximately 100,000 CoronaVirus cases worldwide , and 3,280 deaths , the United States , because of quick action on closing our borders , has , as of now , only 129 cases ( 40 Americans brought in ) and 11 deaths , '' Trump tweeted .
`` We are working very hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! ''
A day later , on March 6 , the New York Times reported 307 coronavirus cases and 17 deaths .
Before declaring a national emergency , Trump often compared the new coronavirus to the flu .
On March 9 , Trump tweeted , `` So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu .
It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year .
Nothing is shut down , life & the economy go on .
At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus , with 22 deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the impact of the new coronavirus would be significantly less than the seasonal flu , despite warnings from medical experts that the new virus was much more dangerous .
On the same day , the New York Times reported 539 people in the United States had confirmed coronavirus cases , and at least 22 people had died .
In late March , Trump significantly moved the goal posts from a month earlier , stating that anything less than 200,000 deaths should be hailed as a success .
`` And so , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're saying , to 100,000 — that 's a horrible number — maybe even less , but to 100,000 , so we have between 100 and 200,000 [ deaths from coronavirus ] , we all together have done a very good job , '' Trump said during a Rose Garden press conference .
Trump used a coronavirus task force briefing to shift his goal yet again .
`` But we did the right thing , because if we did n't do it , you would have had a million people , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 million people dead , '' Trump said .
`` Now , we 're going toward 50 , I 'm hearing , or 60,000 people .
One is too many .
I always say it : One is too many .
But we 're going toward 50- or 60,000 people .
That 's at the lower — as you know , the low number was supposed to be 100,000 people .
We — we could end up at 50 to 60 .
Okay ?
It 's horrible . ''
At the time Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 787,000 people in the country had confirmed coronavirus cases , and more than 42,000 people had died .
It only took a week for Trump to increase his projection by another 10,000 deaths .
`` So , yeah , we 've lost a lot of people , '' Trump said at a White House press briefing .
`` But if you look at what original projections were — 2.2 million — we 're probably heading to 60,000 , 70,000 .
It 's far too many .
One person is too many for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this statement , the number of confirmed coronavirus cases was nearly 1 million and more than 56,000 people had died .
Days after his previous prediction , Trump changed his mind yet again .
`` Look , we 're going to lose anywhere from 75 , 80 , to 100,000 people , '' Trump said during a Fox News interview .
`` That 's a horrible thing .
We should n't lose one person out of this . ''
A day after that interview , the New York Times reported that one model @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily coronavirus death toll would reach 3,000 on June 1 .
The Times also reported that a different model , the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington estimated 135,000 deaths by August .
As Trump continued missing the mark about the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the nation , he nonetheless praised his own efforts .
On March 16 , Trump rated his handling of the crisis a 10 out of 10 .
A Washington Post analysis of more than 13 hours of Trump talking at coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45 minutes praising his own efforts .
The same report showed he only spent only four-and-a-half minutes offering condolences to the tens of thousands of people who died .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

In just three months’ time, Donald Trump has shifted his position on how much to worry about coronavirus deaths at least 8 times, about once every 11 days.
Trump’s “predictions” have ranged from foreseeing a complete elimination of new infections to saying there would be 200,000 deaths from the pandemic.
But Trump remained consistent in the notion that he deserved praise, even as his own definition of success changed over time.
Feb. 2: Few cases, zero deaths
Just under two weeks after the first coronavirus case was confirmed in the United States on Jan. 21, Trump said that the new virus was completely under control.
“Well, we pretty much shut it down coming in from China,” Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity. “We can’t have thousands of people coming in who may have this problem, the coronavirus. So we’re gonna see what happens, but we did shut it down, yes.”
On Feb. 2, nine people in the United States had confirmed coronavirus cases, according to a CNN report at the time.
Feb. 26: ‘Close to zero’ cases, zero deaths
Even as the virus spread, Trump continued to exude confidence, predicting that the number of cases would soon dwindle down almost completely.
“And again, when you have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero, that’s a pretty good job we’ve done,” Trump said at a White House press briefing.
At the time Trump made the statement, there were 60 confirmed cases, not 15.
March 5: Deaths will be ‘as low as possible’
On Feb. 29, Washington state reported the first known coronavirus death in the United States. Less than a week later, Trump wrote on Twitter that he wanted the number of deaths to stay low.
“With approximately 100,000 CoronaVirus cases worldwide, and 3,280 deaths, the United States, because of quick action on closing our borders, has, as of now, only 129 cases (40 Americans brought in) and 11 deaths,” Trump tweeted. “We are working very hard to keep these numbers as low as possible!”
A day later, on March 6, the New York Times reported 307 coronavirus cases and 17 deaths.
March 9: Less than 37,000 deaths
Before declaring a national emergency, Trump often compared the new coronavirus to the flu.
On March 9, Trump tweeted, “So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that!”
Trump implied that the impact of the new coronavirus would be significantly less than the seasonal flu, despite warnings from medical experts that the new virus was much more dangerous.
On the same day, the New York Times reported 539 people in the United States had confirmed coronavirus cases, and at least 22 people had died.
March 29: 100,000 to 200,000 deaths
In late March, Trump significantly moved the goal posts from a month earlier, stating that anything less than 200,000 deaths should be hailed as a success.
“And so, if we can hold that down, as we’re saying, to 100,000 — that’s a horrible number — maybe even less, but to 100,000, so we have between 100 and 200,000 [deaths from coronavirus], we all together have done a very good job,” Trump said during a Rose Garden press conference.
April 20: 50,000 to 60,000 deaths
Trump used a coronavirus task force briefing to shift his goal yet again.
“But we did the right thing, because if we didn’t do it, you would have had a million people, a million and a half people, maybe 2 million people dead,” Trump said. “Now, we’re going toward 50, I’m hearing, or 60,000 people. One is too many. I always say it: One is too many. But we’re going toward 50- or 60,000 people. That’s at the lower — as you know, the low number was supposed to be 100,000 people. We — we could end up at 50 to 60. Okay? It’s horrible.”
At the time Trump made this new prediction, more than 787,000 people in the country had confirmed coronavirus cases, and more than 42,000 people had died.
April 27: 60,000 to 70,000 deaths
It only took a week for Trump to increase his projection by another 10,000 deaths.
“So, yeah, we’ve lost a lot of people,” Trump said at a White House press briefing. “But if you look at what original projections were — 2.2 million — we’re probably heading to 60,000, 70,000. It’s far too many. One person is too many for this.”
At the time Trump made this statement, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases was nearly 1 million and more than 56,000 people had died.
May 3: 75,000, 80,000, or 100,000 deaths
Days after his previous prediction, Trump changed his mind yet again.
“Look, we’re going to lose anywhere from 75, 80, to 100,000 people,” Trump said during a Fox News interview. “That’s a horrible thing. We shouldn’t lose one person out of this.”
A day after that interview, the New York Times reported that one model used by the Trump administration predicted the daily coronavirus death toll would reach 3,000 on June 1. The Times also reported that a different model, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington estimated 135,000 deaths by August.
As Trump continued missing the mark about the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the nation, he nonetheless praised his own efforts.
On March 16, Trump rated his handling of the crisis a 10 out of 10.
A Washington Post analysis of more than 13 hours of Trump talking at coronavirus briefings during April showed that he spent 45 minutes praising his own efforts. The same report showed he only spent only four-and-a-half minutes offering condolences to the tens of thousands of people who died.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-05--Scientist files whistleblower complaint after being fired for refusing to push drug

A government scientist says he was ousted from his position after raising concerns that the Trump administration wanted to `` flood '' coronavirus hot spots like New York and New Jersey with a malaria drug that Donald Trump was pushing despite scant scientific evidence it helped .
Rick Bright , former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority , filed the complaint Tuesday with the Office of Special Counsel , a government agency responsible for whistleblower complaints .
He alleges he was reassigned to a lesser role because he resisted political pressure to allow widespread use of hydroxychloroquine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bright also said the Trump administration rejected his warnings on COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus .
Bright said he `` acted with urgency '' to address the growing spread of COVID-19 after the World Health Organization issued a warning in January .
He said he `` encountered resistance from HHS leadership , including Health and Human Services Secretary ( Alex ) Azar , who appeared intent on downplaying this catastrophic event . ''
Bright alleges in the complaint that political appointees at the Department of Health and Human Services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a panacea . ''
The officials also `` demanded that New York and New Jersey be 'flooded ' with these drugs , which were imported from factories in Pakistan and India that had not been inspected by the FDA , '' the complaint says .
But Bright opposed broad use of the drug , arguing the scientific evidence was n't there to back up its use in coronavirus patients .
He felt an urgent need to tell the public that there was n't enough scientific evidence to support using the drugs for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned doctors against prescribing the drug except in hospitals and research studies .
In an alert , regulators flagged reports of sometimes fatal heart side effects among coronavirus patients taking hydroxychloroquine or the related drug chloroquine .
The decades-old drugs , also prescribed for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis , can cause a number of side effects , including heart rhythm problems , severely low blood pressure and muscle or nerve damage .

A government scientist says he was ousted from his position after raising concerns that the Trump administration wanted to “flood” coronavirus hot spots like New York and New Jersey with a malaria drug that Donald Trump was pushing despite scant scientific evidence it helped.
Rick Bright, former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, filed the complaint Tuesday with the Office of Special Counsel, a government agency responsible for whistleblower complaints. He alleges he was reassigned to a lesser role because he resisted political pressure to allow widespread use of hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug favored by Trump.
Bright also said the Trump administration rejected his warnings on COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. Bright said he “acted with urgency” to address the growing spread of COVID-19 after the World Health Organization issued a warning in January.
He said he “encountered resistance from HHS leadership, including Health and Human Services Secretary (Alex) Azar, who appeared intent on downplaying this catastrophic event.”
Bright alleges in the complaint that political appointees at the Department of Health and Human Services had tried to promote hydroxychloroquine “as a panacea.” The officials also “demanded that New York and New Jersey be ‘flooded’ with these drugs, which were imported from factories in Pakistan and India that had not been inspected by the FDA,” the complaint says.
But Bright opposed broad use of the drug, arguing the scientific evidence wasn’t there to back up its use in coronavirus patients. He felt an urgent need to tell the public that there wasn’t enough scientific evidence to support using the drugs for COVID-19 patients, the complaint states.
Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned doctors against prescribing the drug except in hospitals and research studies. In an alert, regulators flagged reports of sometimes fatal heart side effects among coronavirus patients taking hydroxychloroquine or the related drug chloroquine.
The decades-old drugs, also prescribed for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, can cause a number of side effects, including heart rhythm problems, severely low blood pressure and muscle or nerve damage.


shareblue--2020-05-05--Senators demand investigation of veterans homes after wave of virus deaths

A group of U.S. senators is seeking an investigation into the Department of Veterans Affairs ' oversight of homes for aging veterans amid a spate of coronavirus deaths at the state-run centers .
In a letter sent Tuesday , the senators asked the head of the Government Accountability Office to look into the VA and states ' roles in ensuring veterans get proper care at the homes and whether the agency or states have a system to `` capture real time spikes in mortality rates , '' among other things .
`` Given the importance of State Veterans Homes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care to veterans and our ongoing concerns about VA 's role monitoring states ' operation of these facilities , we would like GAO to conduct a more detailed examination of VA 's oversight of State Veterans Homes ' quality of care , '' Democratic Sens .
Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of Massachusetts , Jon Tester of Montana , and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania wrote .
Their request comes as outrage builds over the death of more than 70 veterans sickened by the coronavirus at a home in Massachusetts .
State and federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Soldiers ' Home in Holyoke , where an additional 80 veterans and 81 staff members have tested positive for the virus .
It 's one of the deadliest known outbreaks at long-term care facilities in the U.S. VA officials did not immediately respond Tuesday to an email seeking comment .
Veterans homes have also been hit hard by the virus in other states .
In New York , the Long Island State Veterans Home has reported 53 deaths , including 48 confirmed and five presumed COVID-19 deaths .
The New York State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York City has reported 33 deaths .
Veterans homes are owned operated by the states , but the VA pays for veterans to receive care in them and inspects them each year to ensure they are up to the agency 's standards .
A 2019 Government Accountability Office review found that the VA did not regularly monitor the performance of its contractor doing the inspections .
As a result , the `` VA does not know whether , or to what extent , VA 's contractor needs to improve its ability to identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with quality standards , which increases the possibility that quality concerns in some SVHs could go overlooked , potentially placing veterans at risk , '' according to the report .
The senators are seeking information on the steps the VA has taken to implement the recommendations in the watchdog 's 2019 report , which called for the agency to come up with a strategy to regularly monitor the performance of its contractor inspectors , among other things .

A group of U.S. senators is seeking an investigation into the Department of Veterans Affairs’ oversight of homes for aging veterans amid a spate of coronavirus deaths at the state-run centers.
In a letter sent Tuesday, the senators asked the head of the Government Accountability Office to look into the VA and states’ roles in ensuring veterans get proper care at the homes and whether the agency or states have a system to “capture real time spikes in mortality rates,” among other things.
“Given the importance of State Veterans Homes in VA’s overall portfolio for providing institutional care to veterans and our ongoing concerns about VA’s role monitoring states’ operation of these facilities, we would like GAO to conduct a more detailed examination of VA’s oversight of State Veterans Homes’ quality of care,” Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Jon Tester of Montana, and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania wrote.
Their request comes as outrage builds over the death of more than 70 veterans sickened by the coronavirus at a home in Massachusetts. State and federal officials are now investigating the deaths at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, where an additional 80 veterans and 81 staff members have tested positive for the virus. It’s one of the deadliest known outbreaks at long-term care facilities in the U.S.
VA officials did not immediately respond Tuesday to an email seeking comment.
Veterans homes have also been hit hard by the virus in other states. In New York, the Long Island State Veterans Home has reported 53 deaths, including 48 confirmed and five presumed COVID-19 deaths. The New York State Veterans Home at St. Albans in New York City has reported 33 deaths.
Veterans homes are owned operated by the states, but the VA pays for veterans to receive care in them and inspects them each year to ensure they are up to the agency’s standards.
A 2019 Government Accountability Office review found that the VA did not regularly monitor the performance of its contractor doing the inspections. As a result, the “VA does not know whether, or to what extent, VA’s contractor needs to improve its ability to identify (state veterans homes’) compliance with quality standards, which increases the possibility that quality concerns in some SVHs could go overlooked, potentially placing veterans at risk,” according to the report.
The senators are seeking information on the steps the VA has taken to implement the recommendations in the watchdog’s 2019 report, which called for the agency to come up with a strategy to regularly monitor the performance of its contractor inspectors, among other things.


shareblue--2020-05-05--States with fewest virus cases receive giant share of federal relief funds

Alaska , Hawaii , Montana , and Wyoming are among the least-populated states in the United States , and not surprisingly have the lowest numbers of residents who have tested positive for the new coronavirus .
But despite their small size , they scored big this spring when Congress pumped out direct federal aid to the states .
An Associated Press analysis shows those four , along with other small states , took in an outsize proportion of the $ 150 billion in federal money that was designed to address coronavirus-related expenses , when measured by the number of positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ haul ranged from $ 2 million per positive test in Hawaii to nearly $ 3.4 million per test in Alaska .
In Wyoming , the smallest state with fewer than 600 positive cases , the $ 1.25 billion it received from the congressional package equates to 80 % of its annual general state budget .
By comparison , New York and New Jersey , by far the hardest-hit states , respectively received about $ 24,000 and $ 27,000 per positive coronavirus test .
Other states with high numbers of coronavirus cases , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received less than $ 100,000 per positive case .
The money for state governments is a slice of a $ 2.2 trillion federal stimulus passed in late March .
Governments are supposed to use it for new coronavirus expenses incurred from March 1 through Dec. 30 .
Under federal guidelines issued last month , the money has to be linked to coronavirus-related expenses but can not be used , for example , to make up for lost tax revenue to keep general government services running .
`` I wish New Jersey had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second-most in the country , but the second-least , '' said Steve Sweeney , the Democratic state Senate president in New Jersey .
`` We 'd give the money to somebody else . ''
To be sure , the states with the lowest populations often receive higher dollar amounts per capita when Congress doles out federal aid to every state .
That 's due in part to political reality : Small states have the same number of U.S. senators as more populous ones , and those senators lobby hard for their states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief act passed in late March were based on population , but with a catch : Every state was to receive at least $ 1.25 billion , regardless of its size .
Lawmakers said setting such a minimum was needed to reach a deal in a divided government .
But in the coronavirus fight , the disproportionate share going to the smaller states has consequences .
States with high numbers of cases and deaths say they need that federal money for immediate expenses related to fighting an outbreak that threatened to overwhelm their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setting up makeshift hospitals .
Some of the states with relatively few cases have been able to reopen their economies at a quicker pace and have more options on how to spend the federal largess .
Many of them are now trying to determine how they can spend the windfall while keeping within the federal guidelines .
Wyoming Gov .
Mark Gordon , a Republican , is proposing using a portion of the money for direct help for businesses that have suffered because of government-imposed shutdowns and shrunken demand .
Other parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals and businesses .
Gordon said his plan to help businesses should be fair under the federal rules in part because neighboring Idaho — which received more than $ 600,000 per positive test — already has a similar system in place .
In a public meeting streamed on video , Gordon said he knew the state would be watched carefully .
The state 's allocation is five times per capita what New York received and nearly 90 times as much per positive coronavirus test .
`` There will be unduly high scrutiny on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gordon said .
Max D'Onofrio , spokesman for Republican Sen. Mike Enzi , defended the state 's share , saying Wyoming `` is often the target of per capita biases due to its low population '' and faces unique challenges because of its rural nature .
Hawaii 's tourism industry was halted as the virus was spreading , and the financial consequences are dire .
Gov .
David Ige said the state 's share was `` sorely needed . ''
Other smaller states are considering dividing up chunks of the federal money among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covering the state 's health expenses .
That 's the preliminary plan in Alaska .
West Virginia has the seventh-lowest number of coronavirus cases , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , but received just over $ 1 million per positive test .
It has not determined how to use the money beyond medical expenses .
Gov .
Jim Justice , a Republican , has said he hopes the federal government will allow the state to use the relief money to alleviate its growing budget shortfall , even though federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be allowed .
New York does n't have the luxury of trying to use the money to help cover a massive drop in tax revenue .
While it received billions of federal dollars for coronavirus-related expenses , it has received no money to help offset the loss of more than $ 13 billion in revenue , said Freeman Klopott , spokesman for the state budget division .
The state is now considering $ 10 billion in cuts .
`` New York state has been the epicenter of the pandemic and unfortunately has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. COVID-19 related deaths , and federal funding provided so far has failed to recognize this reality , '' Klopott said in a statement to the AP .
New York and other states with high numbers of cases have been lobbying for Congress to provide more direct aid to state and local governments in a future coronavirus relief package .
Sens .
Bill Cassidy , a Louisiana Republican , and Robert Menendez , a New Jersey Democrat , are proposing $ 500 billion more for state and local governments .
Under their plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be allocated based on population , the second on the number of coronavirus cases , and the third on the toll the pandemic has taken on government budgets .
Under their proposal , every state again would receive at least $ 1.25 billion — and this time with looser restrictions on how the money could be spent .
Menendez said the baseline amount was a nod to political reality : `` We need to get 60 votes in the Senate . ''

Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, and Wyoming are among the least-populated states in the United States, and not surprisingly have the lowest numbers of residents who have tested positive for the new coronavirus. But despite their small size, they scored big this spring when Congress pumped out direct federal aid to the states.
An Associated Press analysis shows those four, along with other small states, took in an outsize proportion of the $150 billion in federal money that was designed to address coronavirus-related expenses, when measured by the number of positive tests for the COVID-19 disease.
Their haul ranged from $2 million per positive test in Hawaii to nearly $3.4 million per test in Alaska. In Wyoming, the smallest state with fewer than 600 positive cases, the $1.25 billion it received from the congressional package equates to 80% of its annual general state budget.
By comparison, New York and New Jersey, by far the hardest-hit states, respectively received about $24,000 and $27,000 per positive coronavirus test. Other states with high numbers of coronavirus cases, including Massachusetts, Michigan, and Illinois, received less than $100,000 per positive case.
The money for state governments is a slice of a $2.2 trillion federal stimulus passed in late March. Governments are supposed to use it for new coronavirus expenses incurred from March 1 through Dec. 30.
Under federal guidelines issued last month, the money has to be linked to coronavirus-related expenses but cannot be used, for example, to make up for lost tax revenue to keep general government services running.
“I wish New Jersey had a low impact … and was hit not the second-most in the country, but the second-least,” said Steve Sweeney, the Democratic state Senate president in New Jersey. “We’d give the money to somebody else.”
To be sure, the states with the lowest populations often receive higher dollar amounts per capita when Congress doles out federal aid to every state. That’s due in part to political reality: Small states have the same number of U.S. senators as more populous ones, and those senators lobby hard for their states’ interests.
The awards in the relief act passed in late March were based on population, but with a catch: Every state was to receive at least $1.25 billion, regardless of its size. Lawmakers said setting such a minimum was needed to reach a deal in a divided government.
But in the coronavirus fight, the disproportionate share going to the smaller states has consequences. States with high numbers of cases and deaths say they need that federal money for immediate expenses related to fighting an outbreak that threatened to overwhelm their hospital systems, from staff overtime to setting up makeshift hospitals.
Some of the states with relatively few cases have been able to reopen their economies at a quicker pace and have more options on how to spend the federal largess. Many of them are now trying to determine how they can spend the windfall while keeping within the federal guidelines.
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, is proposing using a portion of the money for direct help for businesses that have suffered because of government-imposed shutdowns and shrunken demand. Other parts of the federal aid are already aimed at individuals and businesses.
Gordon said his plan to help businesses should be fair under the federal rules in part because neighboring Idaho — which received more than $600,000 per positive test — already has a similar system in place.
In a public meeting streamed on video, Gordon said he knew the state would be watched carefully. The state’s allocation is five times per capita what New York received and nearly 90 times as much per positive coronavirus test.
“There will be unduly high scrutiny on how Wyoming uses those funds,” Gordon said.
Max D’Onofrio, spokesman for Republican Sen. Mike Enzi, defended the state’s share, saying Wyoming “is often the target of per capita biases due to its low population” and faces unique challenges because of its rural nature.
Hawaii’s tourism industry was halted as the virus was spreading, and the financial consequences are dire. Gov. David Ige said the state’s share was “sorely needed.”
Other smaller states are considering dividing up chunks of the federal money among local governments and businesses in addition to covering the state’s health expenses. That’s the preliminary plan in Alaska.
West Virginia has the seventh-lowest number of coronavirus cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but received just over $1 million per positive test. It has not determined how to use the money beyond medical expenses. Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, has said he hopes the federal government will allow the state to use the relief money to alleviate its growing budget shortfall, even though federal guidance on the bill suggests that would not be allowed.
New York doesn’t have the luxury of trying to use the money to help cover a massive drop in tax revenue.
While it received billions of federal dollars for coronavirus-related expenses, it has received no money to help offset the loss of more than $13 billion in revenue, said Freeman Klopott, spokesman for the state budget division. The state is now considering $10 billion in cuts.
“New York state has been the epicenter of the pandemic and unfortunately has been home to about one-third of all U.S. COVID-19 related deaths, and federal funding provided so far has failed to recognize this reality,” Klopott said in a statement to the AP.
New York and other states with high numbers of cases have been lobbying for Congress to provide more direct aid to state and local governments in a future coronavirus relief package.
Sens. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, and Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, are proposing $500 billion more for state and local governments. Under their plan, the first third of the money would be allocated based on population, the second on the number of coronavirus cases, and the third on the toll the pandemic has taken on government budgets.
Under their proposal, every state again would receive at least $1.25 billion — and this time with looser restrictions on how the money could be spent.
Menendez said the baseline amount was a nod to political reality: “We need to get 60 votes in the Senate.”


shareblue--2020-05-05--Watch Wisconsin judge compare stay-home orders to WWII internment

On Tuesday , the Wisconsin Supreme Court heard oral arguments via teleconference on a challenge from the state 's Republican lawmakers to the `` safer at home '' order issued by the administration of Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers to protect citizens during the COVID-19 outbreak and slow the spread of the disease .
During the hearing , conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley invoked the landmark United States Supreme Court case Korematsu v. United States , which allowed the government to hold Japanese Americans in internment camps during World War II .
Bradley suggested that requiring Wisconsin residents to stay home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was similar to that decision .
Bradly was first appointed to the circuit court in Milwaukee by then-Gov .
Scott Walker in 2012 and won election to the state Supreme Court in 2016 even after columns surfaced in which she said she had no sympathy for AIDS patients — she referred to them as `` queers '' and `` degenerate drug addicts '' — and called people who voted for Bill Clinton `` either totally stupid or entirely evil . ''
JUSTICE REBECCA BRADLEY : One of the rationales that we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this case is that , well , it 's a pandemic and there is n't enough time to promulgate a rule and have the Legislature involved with determining the details of the scope of the secretary 's authority .
I 'll direct your attention to another time in history , the Korematsu decision , where the court said the need for action was great and time was short and that justified , and I 'm quoting , `` assembling together and placing under guard all those of Japanese ancestry in assembly centers '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary , under this broad delegation of legislative power , or legislative-like power , order people out of their homes into centers where they are properly socially distanced in order to combat the pandemic ?
COLIN ROTH , assistant attorney general for Wisconsin : Your honor , Korematsu was an equal protection challenge to the action that the government took to address the crisis .
This is not a substantive constitutional challenge to what DHS has done .
BRADLEY : My question goes to the scope , again , of the secretary 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What I 'm hearing is , well , the Legislature does n't need to specify the limits , it 's a time of pandemic , there is n't enough time to go through rule-making , so the secretary just has to do whatever she alone deems necessary to combat the pandemic .
So , my question to you , in invoking Korematsu , is not the basis for the claims that were brought in that case versus this case .
The point of my question is what are the limits , constitutional or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , do n't there , counsel ?
ROTH : Yes , they absolutely are your honor .
Justice Bradley , I think if you read the petition for an original action that was filed with your court just last evening , there are a variety of fundamental rights-based claims that target different pieces of Executive Order 28 .
On the basis of the freedom of religion , the freedom to travel , and I do n't know all what 's in there — it 's a long petition — but there 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That is one of the fundamental backstops against an unreasonable and unconstitutional exercise of power by DHS .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court heard oral arguments via teleconference on a challenge from the state’s Republican lawmakers to the “safer at home” order issued by the administration of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to protect citizens during the COVID-19 outbreak and slow the spread of the disease.
During the hearing, conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley invoked the landmark United States Supreme Court case Korematsu v. United States, which allowed the government to hold Japanese Americans in internment camps during World War II. Bradley suggested that requiring Wisconsin residents to stay home, and to keep non-essential businesses closed, was similar to that decision.
Bradly was first appointed to the circuit court in Milwaukee by then-Gov. Scott Walker in 2012 and won election to the state Supreme Court in 2016 even after columns surfaced in which she said she had no sympathy for AIDS patients — she referred to them as “queers” and “degenerate drug addicts” — and called people who voted for Bill Clinton “either totally stupid or entirely evil.”
From a May 5 hearing:
JUSTICE REBECCA BRADLEY: One of the rationales that we’re hearing justifying the secretary’s order in this case is that, well, it’s a pandemic and there isn’t enough time to promulgate a rule and have the Legislature involved with determining the details of the scope of the secretary’s authority. I’ll direct your attention to another time in history, the Korematsu decision, where the court said the need for action was great and time was short and that justified, and I’m quoting, “assembling together and placing under guard all those of Japanese ancestry in assembly centers” during World War II. Could the secretary, under this broad delegation of legislative power, or legislative-like power, order people out of their homes into centers where they are properly socially distanced in order to combat the pandemic? COLIN ROTH, assistant attorney general for Wisconsin: Your honor, Korematsu was an equal protection challenge to the action that the government took to address the crisis. This is not a substantive constitutional challenge to what DHS has done. BRADLEY: My question goes to the scope, again, of the secretary’s authority and what the limits are. What I’m hearing is, well, the Legislature doesn’t need to specify the limits, it’s a time of pandemic, there isn’t enough time to go through rule-making, so the secretary just has to do whatever she alone deems necessary to combat the pandemic. So, my question to you, in invoking Korematsu, is not the basis for the claims that were brought in that case versus this case. The point of my question is what are the limits, constitutional or statutory? There have to be some, don’t there, counsel? ROTH: Yes, they absolutely are your honor. Justice Bradley, I think if you read the petition for an original action that was filed with your court just last evening, there are a variety of fundamental rights-based claims that target different pieces of Executive Order 28. On the basis of the freedom of religion, the freedom to travel, and I don’t know all what’s in there — it’s a long petition — but there’s a lot of constitutional rights in it. That is one of the fundamental backstops against an unreasonable and unconstitutional exercise of power by DHS.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-05--Trump economic team's model claims death rate will be near zero soon

A Trump administration economic adviser with no experience in epidemiology created a coronavirus model that predicted deaths from the virus dropping to near zero by May 15 , the Washington Post reported on Monday .
The model offers an extremely optimistic prediction that no others have shown .
The adviser who created the model , Kevin Hassett , has denied it plays a role in decisions related to the virus .
`` I have never , ever said that that 's my projection of what the death count was going to be , and no administration policy has been influenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Post .
However , according to a Post report , Trump and his aides used that model to justify plans to start reopening the economy .
White House officials , like Trump 's son-in-law Jared Kushner , were reported to have relied on it because it `` affirmed their own skepticism about the severity of the virus and bolstered their case to shift the focus to the economy , which they firmly believed would determine whether Trump wins a second term , '' according to the Post .
With coronavirus deaths now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds more dying from COVID-19 each day , there is no way that deaths will drop to zero in just 10 days .
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation — which produces another model the White House has been using — revised its death count higher on Monday , following some states ' decisions to start reopening their economies .
That model now predicts 1,551 deaths on May 15 , the day Hassett 's model said deaths would stop .
This is not the first time Trump advisers have made bad predictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , another Trump economic adviser , said on Feb. 25 that the coronavirus was `` very well under control . ''
That turned out to be false , as the virus has now infected more than 1 million Americans and led to tens of thousands of deaths .
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross also predicted that the coronavirus — which was halting international travel — would be good for jobs in the United States .
`` We 're going to have Americans staying home instead of going and spending their money in other countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons the job numbers are so good , '' Ross said on March 6 .
Since then , more than 30 million Americans have filed for unemployment — which CNN reported amounts to 18.6 % of the country 's labor force .
What makes Hassett 's prediction different is that the White House used his model to justify its decisions about the virus , with life-and-death consequences for Americans .
According to the Post , Hassett 's model `` provided justification '' for Trump to focus on the economy rather than the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A Trump administration economic adviser with no experience in epidemiology created a coronavirus model that predicted deaths from the virus dropping to near zero by May 15, the Washington Post reported on Monday. The model offers an extremely optimistic prediction that no others have shown.
The adviser who created the model, Kevin Hassett, has denied it plays a role in decisions related to the virus. “I have never, ever said that that’s my projection of what the death count was going to be, and no administration policy has been influenced by my projections,” he told the Post.
However, according to a Post report, Trump and his aides used that model to justify plans to start reopening the economy. White House officials, like Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, were reported to have relied on it because it “affirmed their own skepticism about the severity of the virus and bolstered their case to shift the focus to the economy, which they firmly believed would determine whether Trump wins a second term,” according to the Post.
With coronavirus deaths now at a staggering 68,237, and with hundreds more dying from COVID-19 each day, there is no way that deaths will drop to zero in just 10 days.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation — which produces another model the White House has been using — revised its death count higher on Monday, following some states’ decisions to start reopening their economies. That model now predicts 1,551 deaths on May 15, the day Hassett’s model said deaths would stop.
This is not the first time Trump advisers have made bad predictions about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Larry Kudlow, another Trump economic adviser, said on Feb. 25 that the coronavirus was “very well under control.” That turned out to be false, as the virus has now infected more than 1 million Americans and led to tens of thousands of deaths.
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross also predicted that the coronavirus — which was halting international travel — would be good for jobs in the United States.
“We’re going to have Americans staying home instead of going and spending their money in other countries and maybe that’s one of the reasons the job numbers are so good,” Ross said on March 6.
Since then, more than 30 million Americans have filed for unemployment — which CNN reported amounts to 18.6% of the country’s labor force.
What makes Hassett’s prediction different is that the White House used his model to justify its decisions about the virus, with life-and-death consequences for Americans.
According to the Post, Hassett’s model “provided justification” for Trump to focus on the economy rather than the public health impacts of the coronavirus.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.