shareblue--2020-04-17--Watch Cuomo slam Trump for 16 minutes: 'How many times do you want me to say thank you?'

On Friday , Donald Trump attacked New York ’ s Democratic Gov .
Andrew Cuomo while Cuomo was giving his daily briefing .
`` Governor Cuomo should spend more time 'doing ' and less time 'complaining ' .
Get out there and get the job done .
Stop talking ! ''
Trump tweeted .
`` We have given New York far more money , help and equipment than any other state , by far , & these great men & women who did the job never hear you say thanks .
Your numbers are not good .
Less talk and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Over 12,100 people in New York have died as a result of the coronavirus — a higher death toll than in any other state .
Cuomo 's approval rating has risen to 87 % over the course of his administration 's response to the outbreak .
Cuomo was asked about Trump 's attack during his briefing .
`` Good , let ’ s respond to the president , '' Cuomo said — and then responded for more than 16 minutes .
`` First of all , if he 's sitting home , watching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and go to work . ''
`` When he says , 'Well , we built it , we did n't need it , ' it sounds like the suggestion is , well , it was a request by the state that was n't valid .
If he did n't really believe 2,500 beds was necessary , I do n't believe the federal government would have helped build 2,500 beds .
And the number came from a projection from him .
Him .
He should read the reports he issues .
`` The White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projected in the millions of people .
The CDC , which is the president , projected in the millions of people .
So , the projections were high .
They were the president 's projections .
So for him to say to anyone , 'Well , you relied on projections , and the projections were wrong ' — they 're your projections , Mr. President .
`` So were we foolish for relying on your projections , Mr. President ?
CDC , coronavirus White House task force — that 's you .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Should n't have relied on your projections . ''
`` I have said a number of times — I do n't know , what am I supposed to do , send a bouquet of flowers ?
They were very helpful on Javits .
Very helpful on sending the U.S. Navy ship Comfort .
They were very helpful in intervening with China and getting PPE equipment out of China .
They were very helpful in helping us find ventilators .
I said thank you , thank you , thank you , thank you .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're still in the midst of it .
The president does n't want to help on testing .
He said 11 times — I said the one issue we need help with is testing .
He said 11 times , ' I do n't want to get involved in testing , it 's too complicated , it 's too hard . '
I know it 's too complicated , and it 's too hard .
That 's why we need you to help . ''
`` He wants to say , 'Well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ none of us have done enough .
We have n't .
Because it 's not over .
So yes , thank you for the Javits , thank you for the U.S. Navy ship Comfort .
But it 's not over .
We have a lot more to do .
And no one can take the posture , 'Well , just say thank you for what I 've done , and I 'm now out .
I 'm not doing anything else .
I 've done my part . '
`` What if I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 'OK , I 'm done .
By the way , I saved hundreds of thousands of lives , I flattened the curve , I created more hospital beds than anyone ever imagined , I coordinated the entire state — I 'm done .
I 'm done .
I 'm going home .
I 'm going to go see my mother , I 'm going to spend time with my kids , and I 'm going to go out fishing .
In Connecticut .
Because their marinas are open .
That 's it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if I said that ?
That 's what he 's saying . '
I 'm done .
I do n't want to help on testing , testing is too hard . '
'' `` The only thing he 's doing — let 's be honest — while it 's up to the states to do reopen — I mean , it was always up to the states .
What , are you going to grant me what the Constitution gave me before you were born ?
It 's called the Tenth Amendment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States to tell me that I 'm governor .
I did n't need the president of the United States to tell me the powers of a state .
People did that .
Alexander Hamilton , Thomas Jefferson , James Madison — they are the ones who gave me the power .
And I do n't need the president of the United States to read the Constitution for me .
Maybe he should have read the Constitution before he said he had the power to open the states . ''
`` OK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I get it .
And you do n't want to help on testing .
Which is a national problem and replicates the same chaos that you created with medical supplies because FEMA was n't ready . ''
`` So thank you again , Mr. President , for Javits , thank you for the U.S. Navy ship Comfort — which , by the way , is just doing your job as president .
It 's not really thank you like you wrote a check yourself .
But thank you for that .
We 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to go forward .
We need help on testing .
And we need funding .
It 's up to the governors , it 's up to the state — well , then , provide the funding . ''
`` He did n't announce anything .
He said it 's up to the states .
That 's what he said .
And if you say it 's up to the states , and you just hold up a big microphone that can listen to all of the governors , you 'll hear some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen right away . '
Because some governors are in places where they do n't have a serious problem , they never did .
By the way , some states never even closed down .
So if you 're in a state that has a de minimis issue , yeah , you can open up faster , you can open up tomorrow .
Or you can start opening up tomorrow .
He 's doing nothing .
He said , 'It 's up to the states . '
It 's up to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was because it 's always been the governor 's power . ''
`` And then he says , 'it 's a 50-piece puzzle . '
Oh , no , no .
That 's called a map of the United States .
It 's not a puzzle .
And those lines are called states .
And those states have constitutional power .
Remember , the way this whole thing starts : The colonies create the federal government , not the other way around .
So , introduction to constitutional theory and policy .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the states are opening , on their own timelines .
We 're trying to coordinate with our neighboring states , western states are coordinating , middle states are coordinating .
All he 's doing is walking in front of the parade , but he has nothing to do with the timing of the parade . ''
`` How many times do you want me to say thank you ?
But I 'm saying thank you for doing your job .
This was your role as president , OK ? ''
`` You want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you for doing your job in helping build Javits and sending the U.S. Navy ship Comfort .
Thank you for participating in a modicum of federal responsibility in a national crisis .
Which you know is a national crisis because he declared a federal emergency .
So thank you for having the federal government participate in a federal emergency . ''
`` By the way , what did McKinsey say that we needed ?
140,000 beds .
They got it from the CDC .
As it says on the screen .
They got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why we built 2,500 beds at Javits .
Because we listened to you , Mr. President .
And if we were foolish for listening to you , then shame on us .
But , read your own report next time before you criticize it . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

On Friday, Donald Trump attacked New York’s Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo while Cuomo was giving his daily briefing.
“Governor Cuomo should spend more time ‘doing’ and less time ‘complaining’. Get out there and get the job done. Stop talking!” Trump tweeted.
“We have given New York far more money, help and equipment than any other state, by far, & these great men & women who did the job never hear you say thanks. Your numbers are not good. Less talk and more action!” he added.
Over 12,100 people in New York have died as a result of the coronavirus — a higher death toll than in any other state. Cuomo’s approval rating has risen to 87% over the course of his administration’s response to the outbreak.
Cuomo was asked about Trump’s attack during his briefing.
“Good, let’s respond to the president,” Cuomo said — and then responded for more than 16 minutes.
“First of all, if he’s sitting home, watching TV, maybe he should get up and go to work.”
—
“When he says, ‘Well, we built it, we didn’t need it,’ it sounds like the suggestion is, well, it was a request by the state that wasn’t valid. If he didn’t really believe 2,500 beds was necessary, I don’t believe the federal government would have helped build 2,500 beds. And the number came from a projection from him. Him. He should read the reports he issues.
“The White House coronavirus task force had enormous — projected in the millions of people. The CDC, which is the president, projected in the millions of people. So, the projections were high. They were the president’s projections. So for him to say to anyone, ‘Well, you relied on projections, and the projections were wrong’ — they’re your projections, Mr. President.
“So were we foolish for relying on your projections, Mr. President? CDC, coronavirus White House task force — that’s you. We relied on your projections. OK. Shouldn’t have relied on your projections.”
—
“I have said a number of times — I don’t know, what am I supposed to do, send a bouquet of flowers? They were very helpful on Javits. Very helpful on sending the U.S. Navy ship Comfort. They were very helpful in intervening with China and getting PPE equipment out of China. They were very helpful in helping us find ventilators. I said thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.
“Now, going forward, we’re still in the midst of it. The president doesn’t want to help on testing. He said 11 times — I said the one issue we need help with is testing. He said 11 times, ‘I don’t want to get involved in testing, it’s too complicated, it’s too hard.’ I know it’s too complicated, and it’s too hard. That’s why we need you to help.”
—
“He wants to say, ‘Well, I did enough.’ Yeah, none of us have done enough. We haven’t. Because it’s not over. So yes, thank you for the Javits, thank you for the U.S. Navy ship Comfort. But it’s not over. We have a lot more to do. And no one can take the posture, ‘Well, just say thank you for what I’ve done, and I’m now out. I’m not doing anything else. I’ve done my part.’
“What if I said to the people of my state, ‘OK, I’m done. By the way, I saved hundreds of thousands of lives, I flattened the curve, I created more hospital beds than anyone ever imagined, I coordinated the entire state — I’m done. I’m done. I’m going home. I’m going to go see my mother, I’m going to spend time with my kids, and I’m going to go out fishing. In Connecticut. Because their marinas are open. That’s it. I’m done.’ What if I said that? That’s what he’s saying. ‘I’m done. I don’t want to help on testing, testing is too hard.'”
—
“The only thing he’s doing — let’s be honest — while it’s up to the states to do reopen — I mean, it was always up to the states. What, are you going to grant me what the Constitution gave me before you were born? It’s called the Tenth Amendment. I didn’t need the president of the United States to tell me that I’m governor. I didn’t need the president of the United States to tell me the powers of a state. People did that. Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison — they are the ones who gave me the power. And I don’t need the president of the United States to read the Constitution for me. Maybe he should have read the Constitution before he said he had the power to open the states.”
—
“OK, I’m going to reopen. I get it. And you don’t want to help on testing. Which is a national problem and replicates the same chaos that you created with medical supplies because FEMA wasn’t ready.”
—
“So thank you again, Mr. President, for Javits, thank you for the U.S. Navy ship Comfort — which, by the way, is just doing your job as president. It’s not really thank you like you wrote a check yourself. But thank you for that. We’re not out of the woods. We have to go forward. We need help on testing. And we need funding. It’s up to the governors, it’s up to the state — well, then, provide the funding.”
—
“He didn’t announce anything. He said it’s up to the states. That’s what he said. And if you say it’s up to the states, and you just hold up a big microphone that can listen to all of the governors, you’ll hear some governors say, ‘I can start to reopen right away.’ Because some governors are in places where they don’t have a serious problem, they never did. By the way, some states never even closed down. So if you’re in a state that has a de minimis issue, yeah, you can open up faster, you can open up tomorrow. Or you can start opening up tomorrow. He’s doing nothing. He said, ‘It’s up to the states.’ It’s up to the governors. Which is what it always was because it’s always been the governor’s power.”
—
“And then he says, ‘it’s a 50-piece puzzle.’ Oh, no, no. That’s called a map of the United States. It’s not a puzzle. And those lines are called states. And those states have constitutional power. Remember, the way this whole thing starts: The colonies create the federal government, not the other way around. So, introduction to constitutional theory and policy. The states have the power to open, the states are opening, on their own timelines. We’re trying to coordinate with our neighboring states, western states are coordinating, middle states are coordinating. All he’s doing is walking in front of the parade, but he has nothing to do with the timing of the parade.”
—
“How many times do you want me to say thank you? But I’m saying thank you for doing your job. This was your role as president, OK?”
—
“You want me to say thank you? Thank you for doing your job in helping build Javits and sending the U.S. Navy ship Comfort. Thank you for participating in a modicum of federal responsibility in a national crisis. Which you know is a national crisis because he declared a federal emergency. So thank you for having the federal government participate in a federal emergency.”
—
“By the way, what did McKinsey say that we needed? 140,000 beds. They got it from the CDC. As it says on the screen. They got it from the CDC. That’s why we built 2,500 beds at Javits. Because we listened to you, Mr. President. And if we were foolish for listening to you, then shame on us. But, read your own report next time before you criticize it.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-17--GOP senator: Criticism of stock scandal is a 'socialist attack'

Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) appeared on Fox News Friday morning and claimed criticism of questionable stock sales she made were a `` socialist attack '' against her .
Loeffler and her husband , Jeffrey Sprecher , made the sales following a private Jan. 24 congressional briefing about the looming coronavirus crisis , prompting allegations of insider trading , which she has denied .
Sprecher is chairman and CEO of Intercontinental Exchange , the company that owns the New York Stock Exchange .
As a result of the media scrutiny , which Loeffler described as `` hurtful , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divest from all individual stocks .
She has maintained her innocence since news of the questionable transactions surfaced .
From an April 17 appearance on Fox News ' `` America 's Newsroom '' : SANDRA SMITH ( HOST ) : I want to circle back .
We had you on this program within 24 hours of the news coming out suggesting that , for some reason , that you had made an insider trade , you and your husband , with your individual investments , your private investments .
You came on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have since said that you are going to liquidate your individual stock positions , despite the fact that you are defending yourself on that , you said , just to avoid the controversy and the criticism .
Have you and your husband done that ?
SEN. KELLY LOEFFLER : Yes , Sandra .
And I 've been very open about addressing all those questions .
This is a political attack that is designed to distract from the issue at hand and to use this outbreak to play politics .
We have addressed this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we ca n't be attacked for our success .
This gets at the very heart of why I came to Washington : To defend free enterprise .
To defend capitalism .
And this is a socialist attack .
We have taken extraordinary measures , and I am focused solely on working for Georgians .
I 've been doing that seven days a week , around the clock .
And it 's my honor to be here and serve , and that 's why I stepped out of the private sector .
Published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) appeared on Fox News Friday morning and claimed criticism of questionable stock sales she made were a “socialist attack” against her.
Loeffler and her husband, Jeffrey Sprecher, made the sales following a private Jan. 24 congressional briefing about the looming coronavirus crisis, prompting allegations of insider trading, which she has denied. Sprecher is chairman and CEO of Intercontinental Exchange, the company that owns the New York Stock Exchange.
As a result of the media scrutiny, which Loeffler described as “hurtful,” she and her husband announced they would divest from all individual stocks.
She has maintained her innocence since news of the questionable transactions surfaced.
From an April 17 appearance on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom”:
SANDRA SMITH (HOST): I want to circle back. We had you on this program within 24 hours of the news coming out suggesting that, for some reason, that you had made an insider trade, you and your husband, with your individual investments, your private investments. You came on our program. You denied that. You have since said that you are going to liquidate your individual stock positions, despite the fact that you are defending yourself on that, you said, just to avoid the controversy and the criticism. Have you and your husband done that? SEN. KELLY LOEFFLER: Yes, Sandra. And I’ve been very open about addressing all those questions. This is a political attack that is designed to distract from the issue at hand and to use this outbreak to play politics. We have addressed this and taken extraordinary measures to make sure that we can’t be attacked for our success. This gets at the very heart of why I came to Washington: To defend free enterprise. To defend capitalism. And this is a socialist attack. We have taken extraordinary measures, and I am focused solely on working for Georgians. I’ve been doing that seven days a week, around the clock. And it’s my honor to be here and serve, and that’s why I stepped out of the private sector.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-17--Trump urges states to revolt against Democratic governors

Donald Trump appeared to encourage revolts in a number of Democratic-controlled states on Friday , tweeting for Minnesota , Michigan , and Virginia to be liberated .
Not long after , he tweeted , `` LIBERATE VIRGINIA , and save your great 2nd Amendment .
It is under siege ! ''
All three states have Democratic governors .
Trump posted the demands moments after Fox News ran a segment on a group in Minnesota protesting social distancing guidelines in front of the governor 's office earlier this week , Media Matters noted .
The group leading the protest called itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump praised the groups of protesters who were upset with Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer 's stay-at-home orders , sympathizing with them because they `` seem to be protesters that like me . ''
Trump has regularly launched partisan attacks against Democratic governors throughout the coronavirus crisis .
`` Failing Michigan Governor must work harder and be much more proactive , '' Trump tweeted on March 17 in response to Whitmer telling MSNBC that federal government refused to respond to the crisis with appropriate urgency .
Trump has also repeatedly tried to blame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own shortfalls on the pandemic .
`` Governors are supposed to be doing a lot of this work , '' Trump said at a March 19 White House briefing , dismissing state requests for emergency medical supplies .
`` The federal government is not supposed to be out there buying vast amounts of items and then shipping .
You know , we 're not a shipping clerk . ''
Trump also shrugged off requests for assistance from New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , who had requested more ventilators for New York City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions .
`` I think their estimates are high , '' Trump said on March 27 of Cuomo 's request for 30,000 ventilators .
Trump 's tweets on Friday came one day after he assured governors they were in total control of reopening the economy for business , amid widespread stay-at-home orders .
`` You 're going to call your own shots , '' Trump told governors in a phone call Thursday afternoon , according to the Associated Press .
`` We 're going to be standing alongside of you . ''
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen the economy .
`` For the purpose of creating conflict and confusion , some in the Fake News Media are saying that it is the Governors decision to open up the states , not that of the President of the United States & the Federal Government .
Let it be fully understood that this is incorrect , '' Trump tweeted on Monday .
`` It is the decision of the President , and for many good reasons . ''
Trump made a similar claim at a press briefing later that day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the United States , the authority is total , '' he said .
`` And that 's the way it 's got to be . ''
As of Friday morning , more than 667,000 people in the country have tested positive for the coronavirus , and at least 30,655 people have died .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump appeared to encourage revolts in a number of Democratic-controlled states on Friday, tweeting for Minnesota, Michigan, and Virginia to be liberated.
“LIBERATE MINNESOTA!” Trump tweeted at 11:21 a.m.
“LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” he tweeted moments later.
Not long after, he tweeted, “LIBERATE VIRGINIA, and save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege!”
All three states have Democratic governors.
Trump posted the demands moments after Fox News ran a segment on a group in Minnesota protesting social distancing guidelines in front of the governor’s office earlier this week, Media Matters noted. The group leading the protest called itself “Liberate Minnesota.”
On Thursday, Trump praised the groups of protesters who were upset with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home orders, sympathizing with them because they “seem to be protesters that like me.”
Trump has regularly launched partisan attacks against Democratic governors throughout the coronavirus crisis.
“Failing Michigan Governor must work harder and be much more proactive,” Trump tweeted on March 17 in response to Whitmer telling MSNBC that federal government refused to respond to the crisis with appropriate urgency.
Trump has also repeatedly tried to blame governors he doesn’t like for his own shortfalls on the pandemic.
“Governors are supposed to be doing a lot of this work,” Trump said at a March 19 White House briefing, dismissing state requests for emergency medical supplies. “The federal government is not supposed to be out there buying vast amounts of items and then shipping. You know, we’re not a shipping clerk.”
Trump also shrugged off requests for assistance from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who had requested more ventilators for New York City, one of the country’s hardest-hit regions.
“I think their estimates are high,” Trump said on March 27 of Cuomo’s request for 30,000 ventilators.
Trump’s tweets on Friday came one day after he assured governors they were in total control of reopening the economy for business, amid widespread stay-at-home orders.
“You’re going to call your own shots,” Trump told governors in a phone call Thursday afternoon, according to the Associated Press. “We’re going to be standing alongside of you.”
Trump previously claimed absolute authority to force states to reopen the economy.
“For the purpose of creating conflict and confusion, some in the Fake News Media are saying that it is the Governors decision to open up the states, not that of the President of the United States & the Federal Government. Let it be fully understood that this is incorrect,” Trump tweeted on Monday. “It is the decision of the President, and for many good reasons.”
Trump made a similar claim at a press briefing later that day.
“When somebody’s the president of the United States, the authority is total,” he said. “And that’s the way it’s got to be.”
As of Friday morning, more than 667,000 people in the country have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 30,655 people have died.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-17--Democratic lawmakers: Trump is giving more relief money to red states

A number of Democratic lawmakers are accusing the Trump administration of playing politics when determining what businesses receive coronavirus relief loans .
The lawmakers pointed to a Bloomberg News article that showed businesses in states Trump won in 2016 received loans to cover a far higher percentage of their payrolls than those in blue states .
`` I 'm hard pressed not to think that this is political , '' Rep. Jackie Speier ( D-CA ) tweeted Thursday night .
`` Blue states like California got a pathetic number of loans issued .
Nebraska got nearly 75 % of loans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orange hair . ''
Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney ( D-CA ) also tweeted a link to the report , and said Trump needed to address the disparities quickly .
`` The money is not getting through ... unless you ’ re in a red state .
 @ realDonaldTrump needs to put the money where the need is , now , '' Maloney claimed Friday morning .
Bloomberg News ' report hinges on a study by the investment advisory firm Evercore , which looked at how loans were distributed from the first $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The PPP was created by the $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief package Congress passed last month .
It is intended to help small businesses cover their payrolls while their businesses are either shuttered or seeing steep losses tied to the coronavirus outbreak .
Congress put $ 349 billion in the PPP , meaning that $ 100 billion more has been allocated since Evercore conducted its study .
However , Evercore found that small businesses in Nebraska and North Dakota — states that voted for Trump in the 2016 presidential election — received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eligible payroll from the first tranche of PPP loans .
Meanwhile , Evercore said small businesses in New York , California , and the District of Columbia — states Trump lost in 2016 — have received loans that cover less than a quarter of their eligible payroll .
It 's unclear whether there were other factors in play that led to the funding gap between states that Trump carried in the 2016 election versus those he did not .
Speier , for her part , has been speaking out about that disparity for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me how Texas has been approved for $ 1 billion more in SBA loans - & more than 30,000 loans !
- than California despite our economy being $ 1 trillion larger & California being much harder hit by COVID-19 ? ''
Speier tweeted on April 15 .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsome also said at an April 15 news conference that his administration is `` trying to understand exactly why '' there 's been such a difference in funding .
Trump has resisted the independent oversight Congress created when it passed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study accusations of impropriety with how funds were allocated .
He already removed the watchdog put in place to oversee disbursement .
“ President Trump is abusing the coronavirus pandemic to eliminate honest and independent public servants because they are willing to speak truth to power and because he is so clearly afraid of strong oversight , ” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted on April 7 , after reports emerged that Trump fired the Inspector General overseeing the relief package .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A number of Democratic lawmakers are accusing the Trump administration of playing politics when determining what businesses receive coronavirus relief loans.
The lawmakers pointed to a Bloomberg News article that showed businesses in states Trump won in 2016 received loans to cover a far higher percentage of their payrolls than those in blue states.
“I’m hard pressed not to think that this is political,” Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) tweeted Thursday night. “Blue states like California got a pathetic number of loans issued. Nebraska got nearly 75% of loans requested. I smell a rat with orange hair.”
Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-CA) also tweeted a link to the report, and said Trump needed to address the disparities quickly.
“The money is not getting through…unless you’re in a red state. @realDonaldTrump needs to put the money where the need is, now,” Maloney claimed Friday morning.
Bloomberg News’ report hinges on a study by the investment advisory firm Evercore, which looked at how loans were distributed from the first $248 billion of the Paycheck Protection Program.
The PPP was created by the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package Congress passed last month. It is intended to help small businesses cover their payrolls while their businesses are either shuttered or seeing steep losses tied to the coronavirus outbreak.
Congress put $349 billion in the PPP, meaning that $100 billion more has been allocated since Evercore conducted its study.
However, Evercore found that small businesses in Nebraska and North Dakota — states that voted for Trump in the 2016 presidential election — received funding to cover nearly three-quarters of their eligible payroll from the first tranche of PPP loans.
Meanwhile, Evercore said small businesses in New York, California, and the District of Columbia — states Trump lost in 2016 — have received loans that cover less than a quarter of their eligible payroll.
It’s unclear whether there were other factors in play that led to the funding gap between states that Trump carried in the 2016 election versus those he did not.
Speier, for her part, has been speaking out about that disparity for days.
“Can someone explain to me how Texas has been approved for $1 billion more in SBA loans – & more than 30,000 loans!- than California despite our economy being $1 trillion larger & California being much harder hit by COVID-19?” Speier tweeted on April 15.
California Gov. Gavin Newsome also said at an April 15 news conference that his administration is “trying to understand exactly why” there’s been such a difference in funding.
Trump has resisted the independent oversight Congress created when it passed the relief package, which was intended to study accusations of impropriety with how funds were allocated.
He already removed the watchdog put in place to oversee disbursement.
“President Trump is abusing the coronavirus pandemic to eliminate honest and independent public servants because they are willing to speak truth to power and because he is so clearly afraid of strong oversight,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted on April 7, after reports emerged that Trump fired the Inspector General overseeing the relief package.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-17--Coronavirus job losses are hitting women the hardest

As unemployment numbers skyrocket amid the coronavirus pandemic , research shows that the economic fallout from the crisis has so far impacted women more than men .
Analysis released Wednesday by the Economic Policy Institute estimated that women made up between 7.8 million and 8.4 million of the 15.1 million unemployment claims filed between mid-March and April 4 .
That means that women may account for more than 55 % of unemployment claims during that time .
The research was completed before new data , released on Thursday , showed 22 million unemployment claims had been filed in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found that while women made up 50 % of the payrolled workforce in February , they accounted for 59 % of the job losses in March .
Elise Gould , a senior economist with EPI and co-author of the study , explained Thursday why women were facing more hardship than men .
Sectors hit hardest by the economic downturn , such as leisure and hospitality , tend to have more women than men , she said in a phone interview .
The EPI report specifically shows that women make up 53 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounted for 57 % of the job losses .
Men , who made up 47 % of the sector , accounted for 43 % of the layoffs .
Norma , an undocumented immigrant from Honduras , is one of those women .
She told Time last month that she had lost her job at a local restaurant because of the current crisis .
In addition to losing income to help support her husband and 4-year-old daughter , Norma usually sends money to mother in Honduras .
`` I want to be like an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sand to not have to tell her , '' Norma said .
The economic relief package passed by Congress does not provide help to immigrants like Norma .
Gould also pointed this week to education and health services , where women make up about three-quarters of the sector and have also faced severe hardship as a result of the pandemic .
`` If you look at the last month , men gained jobs in education and health services while women lost jobs , '' she said , citing data in the report that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 113 % of the job losses .
Men in those sectors , by contrast , made up -13.2 % of the job losses .
Yasmin Torres , an 18-year-old who recently moved from Puerto Rico to Texas , was one of those who was laid off from her job at a daycare center when the virus began to spread , forcing schools to close their doors .
`` That job was very important to me , '' Torres , who lost her job in mid-March , told MarketWatch .
`` I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she added , `` I cry myself to sleep just thinking about money . ''
The EPI report noted that legislation passed by Congress allows people to claim unemployment insurance if they quit their jobs in order to care for sick family members or children who are no longer in school .
`` Considering caregiving responsibilities are often disproportionately borne by women , '' the report stated , `` this could mean that they continue to shoulder greater job losses and a larger share of unemployment insurance claims . ''
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial job losses were concentrated in construction and manufacturing , typically more male-dominated sectors , Gould said Thursday .
`` This is definitely a different picture than we saw then , '' she said .
While women are facing a disproportionate impact economically , preliminary data has shown that the virus is targeting other cross-sections of the global population as well .
Men , for instance , are at higher risk of becoming infected with the virus and more have died from COVID-19 than women .
In studies in China , Italy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more likely to be hospitalized for the virus and more likely to die from it , NPR reported .
In New York City , a hotspot for coronavirus in the United States , the health department reported 39 female deaths per 100,000 people versus 71 male deaths per 100,000 people .
On April 9 , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released data from 14 states showing one-third of hospital patients were black , despite black people making up only 13 % of the total population .
An analysis by the Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I think it 's important to understand who is being affected by this crisis , '' Gould said this week , adding that EPI would continue to unpack demographic data as it became available .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

As unemployment numbers skyrocket amid the coronavirus pandemic, research shows that the economic fallout from the crisis has so far impacted women more than men.
Analysis released Wednesday by the Economic Policy Institute estimated that women made up between 7.8 million and 8.4 million of the 15.1 million unemployment claims filed between mid-March and April 4.
That means that women may account for more than 55% of unemployment claims during that time.
The research was completed before new data, released on Thursday, showed 22 million unemployment claims had been filed in the past four weeks.
EPI’s analysis also found that while women made up 50% of the payrolled workforce in February, they accounted for 59% of the job losses in March.
Elise Gould, a senior economist with EPI and co-author of the study, explained Thursday why women were facing more hardship than men.
Sectors hit hardest by the economic downturn, such as leisure and hospitality, tend to have more women than men, she said in a phone interview.
The EPI report specifically shows that women make up 53% of the leisure and hospitality sector, yet accounted for 57% of the job losses. Men, who made up 47% of the sector, accounted for 43% of the layoffs.
Norma, an undocumented immigrant from Honduras, is one of those women. She told Time last month that she had lost her job at a local restaurant because of the current crisis. In addition to losing income to help support her husband and 4-year-old daughter, Norma usually sends money to mother in Honduras.
“I want to be like an ostrich and put my head in the sand to not have to tell her,” Norma said.
The economic relief package passed by Congress does not provide help to immigrants like Norma.
Gould also pointed this week to education and health services, where women make up about three-quarters of the sector and have also faced severe hardship as a result of the pandemic.
“If you look at the last month, men gained jobs in education and health services while women lost jobs,” she said, citing data in the report that showed women in those sectors comprised more than 113% of the job losses.
Men in those sectors, by contrast, made up -13.2% of the job losses.
Yasmin Torres, an 18-year-old who recently moved from Puerto Rico to Texas, was one of those who was laid off from her job at a daycare center when the virus began to spread, forcing schools to close their doors.
“That job was very important to me,” Torres, who lost her job in mid-March, told MarketWatch.
“I have such little to my name right now,” she added, “I cry myself to sleep just thinking about money.”
The EPI report noted that legislation passed by Congress allows people to claim unemployment insurance if they quit their jobs in order to care for sick family members or children who are no longer in school.
“Considering caregiving responsibilities are often disproportionately borne by women,” the report stated, “this could mean that they continue to shoulder greater job losses and a larger share of unemployment insurance claims.”
During the Great Recession, most of the initial job losses were concentrated in construction and manufacturing, typically more male-dominated sectors, Gould said Thursday.
“This is definitely a different picture than we saw then,” she said.
While women are facing a disproportionate impact economically, preliminary data has shown that the virus is targeting other cross-sections of the global population as well.
Men, for instance, are at higher risk of becoming infected with the virus and more have died from COVID-19 than women.
In studies in China, Italy, and the United States, men were more likely to be hospitalized for the virus and more likely to die from it, NPR reported. In New York City, a hotspot for coronavirus in the United States, the health department reported 39 female deaths per 100,000 people versus 71 male deaths per 100,000 people.
Beyond gender disparities, racial disparities also exist.
On April 9, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released data from 14 states showing one-third of hospital patients were black, despite black people making up only 13% of the total population.
An analysis by the Associated Press found a similarly disproportionate impact.
“I think it’s important to understand who is being affected by this crisis,” Gould said this week, adding that EPI would continue to unpack demographic data as it became available.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-17--Trump praises protesters who broke safety rules because they 'like' him

Donald Trump sympathized with Michigan protestors who violated national and state safety guidelines to express their anger at Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ( D-MI ) .
`` Do you urge those protestors to listen to local authorities ? ''
Trump was asked .
`` I think they 're listening .
I think they listen to me , '' Trump said .
`` They seem to be protestors that like me and respect this opinion , and my opinion is the same as just about all of the governors . ''
However , the protestors Trump mentioned were neither listening to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , hundreds of conservatives gathered at the Michigan state capitol to protest Whitmer 's stay-at-home order .
Chants of `` We will not comply '' were mixed with `` Lock her up , '' chants , the Washington Post reported .
The protestors ignored guidance prohibiting groups of more than 10 people together , as well as restrictions on discretionary travel .
The protests followed Whitmer 's executive order last Thursday , which the Post described as one of the country 's strictest stay-at-home orders .
The protests were organized by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has ties to Betsy DeVos , Trump 's education secretary .
Whitmer expressed concern for the safety of those going into public to protest .
`` We know that when people gather that way without masks … that 's how COVID-19 spreads , '' Whitmer said , according to the Post .
`` And so the sad irony here is that the protest was that they do n't like being in this stay-at-home order , and they may have just created a need to lengthen it , which is something we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
She added that `` I 'm trying to save lives here , '' and said , `` the enemy is the virus .
Not one another.
” Trump has repeatedly attacked Whitmer during the coronavirus crisis .
`` Failing Michigan Governor must work harder and be much more proactive , '' Trump tweeted on March 17 , after Whitmer accurately pointed out that the federal government was slow to take the coronavirus crisis seriously .
Later that month , Whitmer reached out to the federal government for assistance while Trump went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I reached out to the White House last night , asked for a phone call with the president , ironically at the same time that all this other stuff was going on , '' Whitmer said on March 27 .
`` She 's not stepping up , '' Trump said told Sean Hannity of Fox News as Whitmer sought his help .
`` All she does is sit there and blame the federal government .
She does n't get it done .
And we send her a lot . ''
Trump also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it 's not been pleasant . ''
Michigan has the fourth-highest number of reported coronavirus cases in the nation , at 29,119 .
The state has recorded at least 2,091 deaths from the pandemic .
Nationwide , more than 667,000 cases have been reported , and at least 30,665 people have died .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump sympathized with Michigan protesters who violated national and state safety guidelines to express their anger at Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI).
“Do you urge those protesters to listen to local authorities?” Trump was asked.
“I think they’re listening. I think they listen to me,” Trump said. “They seem to be protesters that like me and respect this opinion, and my opinion is the same as just about all of the governors.”
However, the protesters Trump mentioned were neither listening to state and federal health guidelines.
On Wednesday, hundreds of conservatives gathered at the Michigan state capitol to protest Whitmer’s stay-at-home order. Chants of “We will not comply” were mixed with “Lock her up,” chants, the Washington Post reported. The protesters ignored guidance prohibiting groups of more than 10 people together, as well as restrictions on discretionary travel.
The protests followed Whitmer’s executive order last Thursday, which the Post described as one of the country’s strictest stay-at-home orders. The protests were organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition and Michigan Freedom Fund, which has ties to Betsy DeVos, Trump’s education secretary.
Whitmer expressed concern for the safety of those going into public to protest.
“We know that when people gather that way without masks … that’s how COVID-19 spreads,” Whitmer said, according to the Post. “And so the sad irony here is that the protest was that they don’t like being in this stay-at-home order, and they may have just created a need to lengthen it, which is something we’re trying to avoid at all costs.”
She added that “I’m trying to save lives here,” and said, “the enemy is the virus. Not one another.”
Trump has repeatedly attacked Whitmer during the coronavirus crisis.
“Failing Michigan Governor must work harder and be much more proactive,” Trump tweeted on March 17, after Whitmer accurately pointed out that the federal government was slow to take the coronavirus crisis seriously.
Later that month, Whitmer reached out to the federal government for assistance while Trump went on television attacking her again.
“I reached out to the White House last night, asked for a phone call with the president, ironically at the same time that all this other stuff was going on,” Whitmer said on March 27.
“She’s not stepping up,” Trump said told Sean Hannity of Fox News as Whitmer sought his help. “All she does is sit there and blame the federal government. She doesn’t get it done. And we send her a lot.” Trump also said Whitmer “is a new governor, and it’s not been pleasant.”
Michigan has the fourth-highest number of reported coronavirus cases in the nation, at 29,119. The state has recorded at least 2,091 deaths from the pandemic.
Nationwide, more than 667,000 cases have been reported, and at least 30,665 people have died.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-17--Republicans in Congress choose the economy over saving American lives

Donald Trump released guidelines on Thursday for how to reopen the United States economy , even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues .
Many of his Republican allies in Congress have made it clear in recent days that they want social distancing measures eased immediately , despite expert warnings that it would not be safe .
The COVID-19 crisis is far from over .
According to the CDC , there have now been more than 630,000 cases in the United States and over 27,000 deaths .
Those numbers included more than 30,000 new cases and nearly 2,500 new deaths over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling : 22 million Americans have filed for unemployment in the last four weeks , wiping out the 6 million jobs Trump once boasted of creating and a lot more .
Here are some of the Republican lawmakers who believe the economy should be the top priority , rather than public health : '' It should have happened yesterday , '' Biggs told Politico this week of lifting stay-at-home orders .
`` I 'm trying to use every bully pulpit I can to make my case . ''
Biggs told a local radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to reopen in Arizona .
`` Allow retail shops to open up the way they normally would with social distancing you see in grocery stores … businesses are just dying on the vine .
We need to take care of that , '' he said .
`` If you can do it in a grocery store , for Pete 's sake , [ or ] at a liquor store , then I would suggest you can do it in a furniture store . ''
USA Today reported earlier this week that at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already died from COVID-19 , suggesting that attempts to implement social distancing in grocery stores has not prevented transmission .
More than 3,800 coronavirus cases have been reported in Arizona as of Thursday .
`` Yes , the virus is going to continue to exist .
But we have to get our economy going , '' Roy told the Washington Examiner last Thursday .
He claimed that `` we probably have two or three weeks at most '' to begin reopening things to avoid a prolonged economic crisis .
But last month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Robert Kim-Farley told the Guardian that if we ended social distancing too soon , we would likely see a `` second wave '' of cases .
`` We have to err on the side of protecting human life .
So we should not rush back to business as usual , at the expense of a second wave .
That indeed could be a tsunami that would endanger many more lives , '' he said .
More than 14,600 coronavirus cases have been reported in Texas as of Thursday .
In a March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his state had closed schools and demanded the economy immediately reopen .
`` The schools were canceled here in California , which is way overkill , '' he said .
`` It 's possible kids could 've went back to school in two weeks to four weeks , but they just canceled the rest of the schools . ''
`` I will tell you this : If we do n't start to get people back to work in this country over the next week to two weeks , I do n't believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the end of April , '' he added , `` I just think , I just do n't know of any economy that 's ever survived where you unplug the entire economy and expect things to go back and be normal . ''
According to state predictions , the death and hospitalization peaks for his state may not come until mid- or late June , even with the efforts already taken .
More than 23,300 coronavirus cases have been reported in California as of Thursday .
`` You 're dealing with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buck told Politico this week .
`` I do n't know anybody that wants to be the person who says , '33,000 deaths is okay , but 100,000 is not acceptable . '
But that 's what officials are elected to do . ''
The number of reported COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. has exceeded deaths in any other nation .
More than 7,900 coronavirus cases have been reported in Colorado as of Thursday .
Hollingsworth told a local radio station this week that ending social distancing was the `` lesser '' of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no zero-harm choice here .
Both of these decisions will lead to harm for individuals , whether that 's dramatic economic harm or whether that 's the loss of life , '' he said .
`` But it is always the American government 's position to say , in the choice between the loss of our way of life as Americans and the loss of life of American lives , we have to always choose the latter . ''
Hollingsworth added that it is `` policymakers ' decision to put on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say , This is the lesser of these two evils .
And it is not zero evil , but it is the lesser of these evils , and we intend to move forward in that direction .
That is our responsibility , and to abdicate that is to insult the Americans that voted us into office . ''
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation 's top infectious disease expert , told CNN on Sunday that `` there 's an extraordinary risk of there being a rebound '' if the economy is immediately reopened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases have been reported in Indiana as of Thursday .
`` Every politician , myself included sometimes , is just dancing around the issue , '' Kennedy told Fox News this week .
`` The American people get it : We got ta reopen , and when we do , the coronavirus is gon na spread faster , and we got ta be ready . ''
A Trump administration model , released last week , found that without the mitigation efforts already taken , the U.S. death total could have been 300,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifted after just 30 days , the death total could reach 200,000 .
More than 21,500 coronavirus cases have been reported in Louisiana as of Thursday .
Toomey told a local news outlet this week that he hopes to soon see the economy open gradually .
`` We are doing enormous damage every week that goes by where people are not allowed to work , '' he said .
`` I do n't think we can afford to wait and keep the economy closed until we have a massive scale of antibody testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing is the biggest obstacle to reopening the economy and lack of supplies has meant few Americans have been tested .
In a phone call with Donald Trump , business leaders reportedly warned Wednesday that without widespread testing , American customers will not come back even if businesses reopen .
More than 25,300 coronavirus cases have been reported in Pennsylvania as of Thursday .
`` We 've got to deal with the economic devastation of all of the people who are hurting and I ’ ll tell you it is time for Texans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cruz told a local station on Tuesday .
`` I 'm very glad that both the President and the governor are laying out a specific time frame , a specific plan to get Texans back to work . ''
`` Listen , obviously , those who are very vulnerable , those who are elderly , those who have serious health conditions , you should stay home if they if that describes you , you should stay home because this disease has been particularly devastating for the elderly and those with serious health conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people who are young and healthy and able to work , we need to get people back to work sooner rather than later . ''
But the number of new infections in Texas — 718 on Tuesday — is not yet declining .
And the World Health Organization has warned that while young people without preexisting conditions are less likely to die from COVID-19 , people of all ages have .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump released guidelines on Thursday for how to reopen the United States economy, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Many of his Republican allies in Congress have made it clear in recent days that they want social distancing measures eased immediately, despite expert warnings that it would not be safe.
The COVID-19 crisis is far from over. According to the CDC, there have now been more than 630,000 cases in the United States and over 27,000 deaths. Those numbers included more than 30,000 new cases and nearly 2,500 new deaths over the previous day.
But the economy is struggling: 22 million Americans have filed for unemployment in the last four weeks, wiping out the 6 million jobs Trump once boasted of creating and a lot more.
Here are some of the Republican lawmakers who believe the economy should be the top priority, rather than public health:
Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs
“It should have happened yesterday,” Biggs told Politico this week of lifting stay-at-home orders. “I’m trying to use every bully pulpit I can to make my case.”
Biggs told a local radio station Wednesday that nonessential businesses should be allowed to reopen in Arizona. “Allow retail shops to open up the way they normally would with social distancing you see in grocery stores … businesses are just dying on the vine. We need to take care of that,” he said. “If you can do it in a grocery store, for Pete’s sake, [or] at a liquor store, then I would suggest you can do it in a furniture store.”
USA Today reported earlier this week that at least 30 American grocery store employees have already died from COVID-19, suggesting that attempts to implement social distancing in grocery stores has not prevented transmission.
More than 3,800 coronavirus cases have been reported in Arizona as of Thursday.
Texas Rep. Chip Roy
“Yes, the virus is going to continue to exist. But we have to get our economy going,” Roy told the Washington Examiner last Thursday. He claimed that “we probably have two or three weeks at most” to begin reopening things to avoid a prolonged economic crisis.
But last month, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health epidemiologist Dr. Robert Kim-Farley told the Guardian that if we ended social distancing too soon, we would likely see a “second wave” of cases.
“We have to err on the side of protecting human life. So we should not rush back to business as usual, at the expense of a second wave. That indeed could be a tsunami that would endanger many more lives,” he said.
More than 14,600 coronavirus cases have been reported in Texas as of Thursday.
California Rep. Devin Nunes
In a March 31 Fox News appearance, Nunes complained that his state had closed schools and demanded the economy immediately reopen.
“The schools were canceled here in California, which is way overkill,” he said. “It’s possible kids could’ve went back to school in two weeks to four weeks, but they just canceled the rest of the schools.”
“I will tell you this: If we don’t start to get people back to work in this country over the next week to two weeks, I don’t believe we can wait until, you know, the end of April,” he added, “I just think, I just don’t know of any economy that’s ever survived where you unplug the entire economy and expect things to go back and be normal.”
According to state predictions, the death and hospitalization peaks for his state may not come until mid- or late June, even with the efforts already taken.
More than 23,300 coronavirus cases have been reported in California as of Thursday.
Colorado Rep. Ken Buck
“You’re dealing with a lot of hype about fatalities,” Buck told Politico this week. “I don’t know anybody that wants to be the person who says, ‘33,000 deaths is okay, but 100,000 is not acceptable.’ But that’s what officials are elected to do.”
The number of reported COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. has exceeded deaths in any other nation.
More than 7,900 coronavirus cases have been reported in Colorado as of Thursday.
Indiana Rep. Trey Hollingsworth
Hollingsworth told a local radio station this week that ending social distancing was the “lesser” of “two evils.”
“There is no zero-harm choice here. Both of these decisions will lead to harm for individuals, whether that’s dramatic economic harm or whether that’s the loss of life,” he said. “But it is always the American government’s position to say, in the choice between the loss of our way of life as Americans and the loss of life of American lives, we have to always choose the latter.”
Hollingsworth added that it is “policymakers’ decision to put on our big boy and big girl pants and say, This is the lesser of these two evils. And it is not zero evil, but it is the lesser of these evils, and we intend to move forward in that direction. That is our responsibility, and to abdicate that is to insult the Americans that voted us into office.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, told CNN on Sunday that “there’s an extraordinary risk of there being a rebound” if the economy is immediately reopened all at once.
More than 8,500 coronavirus cases have been reported in Indiana as of Thursday.
Lousiana Sen. John Kennedy
“Every politician, myself included sometimes, is just dancing around the issue,” Kennedy told Fox News this week. “The American people get it: We gotta reopen, and when we do, the coronavirus is gonna spread faster, and we gotta be ready.”
A Trump administration model, released last week, found that without the mitigation efforts already taken, the U.S. death total could have been 300,000, but that if stay-at-home orders are lifted after just 30 days, the death total could reach 200,000.
More than 21,500 coronavirus cases have been reported in Louisiana as of Thursday.
Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey
Toomey told a local news outlet this week that he hopes to soon see the economy open gradually.
“We are doing enormous damage every week that goes by where people are not allowed to work,” he said. “I don’t think we can afford to wait and keep the economy closed until we have a massive scale of antibody testing capability.”
Experts say lack of testing is the biggest obstacle to reopening the economy and lack of supplies has meant few Americans have been tested.
In a phone call with Donald Trump, business leaders reportedly warned Wednesday that without widespread testing, American customers will not come back even if businesses reopen.
More than 25,300 coronavirus cases have been reported in Pennsylvania as of Thursday.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz
“We’ve got to deal with the economic devastation of all of the people who are hurting and I’ll tell you it is time for Texans to go back to work,” Cruz told a local station on Tuesday. “I’m very glad that both the President and the governor are laying out a specific time frame, a specific plan to get Texans back to work.”
“Listen, obviously, those who are very vulnerable, those who are elderly, those who have serious health conditions, you should stay home if they if that describes you, you should stay home because this disease has been particularly devastating for the elderly and those with serious health conditions,” he added. “But for people who are young and healthy and able to work, we need to get people back to work sooner rather than later.”
But the number of new infections in Texas — 718 on Tuesday — is not yet declining. And the World Health Organization has warned that while young people without preexisting conditions are less likely to die from COVID-19, people of all ages have.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-18--States could need tens of thousands more health workers to reopen

Before stay-at-home orders are lifted , the nation 's public health agencies want to be ready to douse any new sparks of coronavirus infection — a task they say could require tens of thousands more investigators to call people who test positive , track down their contacts , and get them into quarantine .
Without the extra help , officials insist , states can not possibly be ready to resume normal everyday activities , and some agencies are so desperate they are considering recruiting librarians and Peace Corps volunteers to join the effort .
`` We are trying to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a crisis , '' said Sharon Bogan , a public health spokeswoman for Seattle and King County , which are seeking at least 20 more investigators .
As federal officials weigh how and when to reopen the country , experts worry that the United States does not have enough public health workers to suppress another outbreak , especially those qualified to do contact tracing , the critically important search for people who may have been exposed to the virus .
While the exact number of workers needed is a subject of debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week acknowledged the mandate to find many more .
`` Everybody agrees that our public health capacity at the local and state level is not ready to take this on at a very large scale without reinforcements , '' said Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , who oversees the agency 's coronavirus response work .
The work could require as many as 300,000 public health workers — a daunting number given that the combined federal , state , and local public health workforce has been shrinking and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to some estimates .
To address the shortage of help , governments are weighing whether to enlist people with little to no experience in public health , including the Peace Corps volunteers , furloughed social workers , and public health students .
San Francisco is training librarians , medical students , and people who work for the city attorney 's office .
The extra workers would help conduct testing , isolate sick cases , and trace everyone those sick people had contact with .
It 's crucial that such a system be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing guidelines , reopen schools , or lift stay-at-home orders , said Dr. Tom Frieden , a former CDC director .
`` If we have explosive spread when we reopen , we 'll have to close again .
That will be very damaging , not just economically but from a health standpoint , '' Frieden said .
The U.S. government has funneled about $ 800 million to states for coronavirus response work that can include contact tracing .
On top of hundreds of staff sent to states to help with coronavirus work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection teams '' of six to 12 people each to do contact tracing and investigate tools that could help with it .
Some have already been deployed to states where spread of the virus has been relatively low .
Tiny Rhode Island has nearly 100 people `` focused on nothing but contact tracing , '' reaching out to hundreds of contacts of infected people each day , Gov .
Gina Raimondo told reporters .
She has urged all residents to take a minute each evening to write down who they physically encountered that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` If I 'm going out to the store , I 'll put the date , what store I went to , and then the time I was there , '' said Drew Grande , 40 , of Cranston , Rhode Island .
He started a contacts diary on a note-taking app on his phone after he heard the governor 's request .
Contact tracing has changed over the last few months in the U.S .
When the first handful of infections were being identified , teams of 20 or more might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Investigations would often start with a staffer or two doing an in-person interview at a hospital bedside .
Disease trackers might spend hours asking a sick person and that person 's relatives who they had been in contact with since symptoms surfaced .
In-person interviews are often better , said Isaac Ghinai , a CDC disease tracker assigned to Chicago to work with that city 's health department .
`` There 's a value to looking someone in the eye .
You can build a relationship face to face that you ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Some people are comfortable sharing personal details over the phone , but others `` require more cajoling . ''
With hundreds of new cases emerging each day in Chicago , that kind of attention to individual infections has largely stopped .
Instead , the priority is large groups of people who are particularly vulnerable , like those at nursing homes or homeless shelters .
Many new confirmed cases are not being investigated , and when they are , the interviews may be done by only two or three people , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Could there be a digital solution ?
Apple and Google are teaming up on a contact-tracing app , and other efforts use Bluetooth to gather data from phones that came close to an infected person .
Seattle scientist Trevor Bedford has developed a digital interview that public health departments can use if they do n't have enough people trained in contact tracing .
Whatever the solution , it will take a while .
People have to be tested and diagnosed before contact tracing kicks into gear , and testing remains limited in many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Association of American Medical Colleges sent a letter to the White House Coronavirus Task Force saying that testing materials and machines remain in short supply .
Donald Trump has floated the idea of easing at least some restrictions as early as May 1 .
Some observers believe restrictions could be eased first in places where the spread is low , if rigorous testing and contact tracing could prevent a sudden explosion in infections .
But Schuchat warned that `` there is no way the entire country could relax mitigation on May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major resurgence . ''

Before stay-at-home orders are lifted, the nation’s public health agencies want to be ready to douse any new sparks of coronavirus infection — a task they say could require tens of thousands more investigators to call people who test positive, track down their contacts, and get them into quarantine.
Without the extra help, officials insist, states cannot possibly be ready to resume normal everyday activities, and some agencies are so desperate they are considering recruiting librarians and Peace Corps volunteers to join the effort.
“We are trying to build these teams and processes in the midst of a crisis,” said Sharon Bogan, a public health spokeswoman for Seattle and King County, which are seeking at least 20 more investigators.
As federal officials weigh how and when to reopen the country, experts worry that the United States does not have enough public health workers to suppress another outbreak, especially those qualified to do contact tracing, the critically important search for people who may have been exposed to the virus.
While the exact number of workers needed is a subject of debate, a top federal health official this week acknowledged the mandate to find many more.
“Everybody agrees that our public health capacity at the local and state level is not ready to take this on at a very large scale without reinforcements,” said Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who oversees the agency’s coronavirus response work.
The work could require as many as 300,000 public health workers — a daunting number given that the combined federal, state, and local public health workforce has been shrinking and is now probably less than 280,000, according to some estimates.
To address the shortage of help, governments are weighing whether to enlist people with little to no experience in public health, including the Peace Corps volunteers, furloughed social workers, and public health students. San Francisco is training librarians, medical students, and people who work for the city attorney’s office.
The extra workers would help conduct testing, isolate sick cases, and trace everyone those sick people had contact with.
It’s crucial that such a system be in place before government officials ease social distancing guidelines, reopen schools, or lift stay-at-home orders, said Dr. Tom Frieden, a former CDC director.
“If we have explosive spread when we reopen, we’ll have to close again. That will be very damaging, not just economically but from a health standpoint,” Frieden said.
The U.S. government has funneled about $800 million to states for coronavirus response work that can include contact tracing. On top of hundreds of staff sent to states to help with coronavirus work, the CDC has already assembled “community protection teams” of six to 12 people each to do contact tracing and investigate tools that could help with it. Some have already been deployed to states where spread of the virus has been relatively low.
Tiny Rhode Island has nearly 100 people “focused on nothing but contact tracing,” reaching out to hundreds of contacts of infected people each day, Gov. Gina Raimondo told reporters. She has urged all residents to take a minute each evening to write down who they physically encountered that day and where those encounters took place.
“If I’m going out to the store, I’ll put the date, what store I went to, and then the time I was there,” said Drew Grande, 40, of Cranston, Rhode Island. He started a contacts diary on a note-taking app on his phone after he heard the governor’s request.
Contact tracing has changed over the last few months in the U.S. When the first handful of infections were being identified, teams of 20 or more might be assigned to each confirmed case. Investigations would often start with a staffer or two doing an in-person interview at a hospital bedside. Disease trackers might spend hours asking a sick person and that person’s relatives who they had been in contact with since symptoms surfaced.
In-person interviews are often better, said Isaac Ghinai, a CDC disease tracker assigned to Chicago to work with that city’s health department.
“There’s a value to looking someone in the eye. You can build a relationship face to face that you can’t always do by phone,” he said. Some people are comfortable sharing personal details over the phone, but others “require more cajoling.”
With hundreds of new cases emerging each day in Chicago, that kind of attention to individual infections has largely stopped. Instead, the priority is large groups of people who are particularly vulnerable, like those at nursing homes or homeless shelters. Many new confirmed cases are not being investigated, and when they are, the interviews may be done by only two or three people, and over the phone, Ghinai said.
Could there be a digital solution? Apple and Google are teaming up on a contact-tracing app, and other efforts use Bluetooth to gather data from phones that came close to an infected person. Seattle scientist Trevor Bedford has developed a digital interview that public health departments can use if they don’t have enough people trained in contact tracing.
Whatever the solution, it will take a while.
People have to be tested and diagnosed before contact tracing kicks into gear, and testing remains limited in many parts of the country. This week, the Association of American Medical Colleges sent a letter to the White House Coronavirus Task Force saying that testing materials and machines remain in short supply.
Donald Trump has floated the idea of easing at least some restrictions as early as May 1.
Some observers believe restrictions could be eased first in places where the spread is low, if rigorous testing and contact tracing could prevent a sudden explosion in infections.
But Schuchat warned that “there is no way the entire country could relax mitigation on May 1 and the country not experience a major resurgence.”


shareblue--2020-04-18--Tribes press judge to halt Keystone XL work to protect communities from virus

Native American tribes and environmental groups pressured a federal judge on Thursday to shut down work on the disputed Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to Nebraska , citing fears that workers could spread the coronavirus and construction could damage land .
After years of delays , the company is rushing ahead amid the pandemic to get part of the line built so it will be harder to stop , attorneys for the project 's opponents argued in a teleconference to decide if the construction should be halted .
They warned that plans to build construction camps housing up to 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rural communities that already struggle to provide basic health care services and would face challenges responding to coronavirus outbreaks .
The first U.S. segment of the 1,200-mile oil sands pipeline was installed by TC Energy this week across the Canada border in northern Montana .
The fight over the line stretches back more than a decade after it became a lightning rod in the debate over fossil fuels ' contribution to climate change .
`` With the rise of the pandemic , it is even more important to protect the tribe to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity , take hard look at this , '' said Matthew Campbell , an attorney for the Native American Rights Fund representing the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota and the Assiniboine and Gros Ventre tribes of the Fort Belknap Reservation in Montana .
U.S. District Judge Brian Morris did not immediately rule following an almost four-hour hearing that also included arguments over whether Donald Trump 's authorization of the border crossing was legal .
Trump is a champion of the $ 8 billion project and gave it a presidential authorization last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court ruling from Morris that had blocked the project and prompted a new environmental review .
Late Wednesday , Morris handed another setback to TC Energy with a ruling that invalidated a key U.S. Army Corps of Engineers clean water permit .
The so-called nationwide permit applied to a broad range of projects including Keystone XL , and is needed so the pipeline can cross rivers , streams , and other waterways .
Keystone XL would have hundreds of those crossings along its 1,200-mile route from Hardisty , Alberta , to Steele City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 830,000 barrels ( 35 million gallons ) of crude daily , and opponents say a spill is inevitable .
Workers on Monday installed the first section of pipe across the U.S.-Canada border in northern Montana , according to court documents .
Calgary-based TC Energy says it 's taking steps to prevent any virus transmissions , including checking anyone entering work sites for symptoms and abiding by a 14-day quarantine for anyone who leaves Montana and returns .
The border crossing work does not require the Army Corps permit that was thrown out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But it 's a major obstacle to any further work , and a company spokesman warned the judge 's ruling has broad implications for projects across the U.S. '' The ruling directly impacts various utilities constructing and maintaining infrastructure projects , including natural gas , liquids , television cable , electrical transmission , telephone , internet , among others , '' pipeline spokesman Terry Cunha said .
`` This decision hampers their ability to build or maintain infrastructure projects in wetlands and water bodies across the U.S. '' The Army Corps referred questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who said government attorneys were evaluating options but provided no further details .
TC Energy plans to drill tunnels for the pipeline deep beneath major river crossings and says it will be operated safely .
The company has a history of spills from other oil pipelines it operates , including a 2017 accident near Amherst , South Dakota , that spilled almost 10,000 barrels ( 407,000 gallons ) of oil .
TC Energy 's surprise March 31 announcement that it planned to start construction on Keystone XL amid a global economic crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the provincial government in Alberta invested $ 1.1 billion to jump-start the work .
Tribal leaders and some residents of rural communities along the pipeline 's route worry thousands of workers needed for the project could spread the virus in small communities that are unprepared .
TC Energy wants to `` use this construction as justification for allowing the project to proceed whether or not it is legal , '' the tribes ' attorney said .
As many as 11 construction camps , some housing up to 1,000 people , were initially planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those are under review amid the pandemic and wo n't be needed until later in the summer .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The rural counties along the pipeline 's route so far have seen far fewer infections than other parts of the U.S .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deal with a large outbreak .
Construction on two worker camps could start as soon as this month in Montana and South Dakota , according to court documents filed by the company .
The construction under way in Montana involves about 100 workers .
It 's exempted from Democratic Gov .
Steve Bullock 's March 26 `` stay at home '' directive , which is aimed at preventing the spread of the virus by discouraging many daily activities , according to state officials .
The directive did not address worker camps .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants all coronavirus concerns addressed before TC Energy finalizes its plans in areas requiring camps .

Native American tribes and environmental groups pressured a federal judge on Thursday to shut down work on the disputed Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to Nebraska, citing fears that workers could spread the coronavirus and construction could damage land.
After years of delays, the company is rushing ahead amid the pandemic to get part of the line built so it will be harder to stop, attorneys for the project’s opponents argued in a teleconference to decide if the construction should be halted.
They warned that plans to build construction camps housing up to 1,000 workers each pose a risk to tribes and rural communities that already struggle to provide basic health care services and would face challenges responding to coronavirus outbreaks.
The first U.S. segment of the 1,200-mile oil sands pipeline was installed by TC Energy this week across the Canada border in northern Montana. The fight over the line stretches back more than a decade after it became a lightning rod in the debate over fossil fuels’ contribution to climate change.
“With the rise of the pandemic, it is even more important to protect the tribe to at least put a pause on this activity, take hard look at this,” said Matthew Campbell, an attorney for the Native American Rights Fund representing the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota and the Assiniboine and Gros Ventre tribes of the Fort Belknap Reservation in Montana.
U.S. District Judge Brian Morris did not immediately rule following an almost four-hour hearing that also included arguments over whether Donald Trump’s authorization of the border crossing was legal.
Trump is a champion of the $8 billion project and gave it a presidential authorization last year in a bid to circumvent a 2018 court ruling from Morris that had blocked the project and prompted a new environmental review.
Late Wednesday, Morris handed another setback to TC Energy with a ruling that invalidated a key U.S. Army Corps of Engineers clean water permit. The so-called nationwide permit applied to a broad range of projects including Keystone XL, and is needed so the pipeline can cross rivers, streams, and other waterways.
Keystone XL would have hundreds of those crossings along its 1,200-mile route from Hardisty, Alberta, to Steele City, Nebraska. It would carry up to 830,000 barrels (35 million gallons) of crude daily, and opponents say a spill is inevitable.
Workers on Monday installed the first section of pipe across the U.S.-Canada border in northern Montana, according to court documents. Calgary-based TC Energy says it’s taking steps to prevent any virus transmissions, including checking anyone entering work sites for symptoms and abiding by a 14-day quarantine for anyone who leaves Montana and returns.
The border crossing work does not require the Army Corps permit that was thrown out because there are no nearby waterways. But it’s a major obstacle to any further work, and a company spokesman warned the judge’s ruling has broad implications for projects across the U.S.
“The ruling directly impacts various utilities constructing and maintaining infrastructure projects, including natural gas, liquids, television cable, electrical transmission, telephone, internet, among others,” pipeline spokesman Terry Cunha said. “This decision hampers their ability to build or maintain infrastructure projects in wetlands and water bodies across the U.S.”
The Army Corps referred questions to U.S. Justice Department spokesman Wyn Hornbuckle, who said government attorneys were evaluating options but provided no further details.
TC Energy plans to drill tunnels for the pipeline deep beneath major river crossings and says it will be operated safely. The company has a history of spills from other oil pipelines it operates, including a 2017 accident near Amherst, South Dakota, that spilled almost 10,000 barrels (407,000 gallons) of oil.
TC Energy’s surprise March 31 announcement that it planned to start construction on Keystone XL amid a global economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic came after the provincial government in Alberta invested $1.1 billion to jump-start the work.
Tribal leaders and some residents of rural communities along the pipeline’s route worry thousands of workers needed for the project could spread the virus in small communities that are unprepared.
TC Energy wants to “use this construction as justification for allowing the project to proceed whether or not it is legal,” the tribes’ attorney said.
As many as 11 construction camps, some housing up to 1,000 people, were initially planned for the project. TC Energy says those are under review amid the pandemic and won’t be needed until later in the summer.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
The rural counties along the pipeline’s route so far have seen far fewer infections than other parts of the U.S. But they lack adequate health care services to deal with a large outbreak.
Construction on two worker camps could start as soon as this month in Montana and South Dakota, according to court documents filed by the company.
The construction under way in Montana involves about 100 workers. It’s exempted from Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock’s March 26 “stay at home” directive, which is aimed at preventing the spread of the virus by discouraging many daily activities, according to state officials.
The directive did not address worker camps. Bullock spokeswoman Marissa Perry said the governor wants all coronavirus concerns addressed before TC Energy finalizes its plans in areas requiring camps.


shareblue--2020-04-19--Democratic candidates are using their campaigns to help communities hit by virus

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the 2020 campaign , forcing candidates to cancel rallies , creating organizing challenges , and even calling into question how voters can safely cast ballots in November .
But as political operatives grapple with how to run a campaign in the middle of a public health crisis , a number of Democratic members of Congress and candidates are putting their campaigns to work for good — raising money for local food banks , collecting essential items for front-line health care workers , and distributing critical information to help their constituents stay informed .
Mary Anne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said those actions not only help the community but also gain the trust of voters .
`` People are keenly aware of who 's a leader and who 's not , '' Marsh said in a phone interview .
`` And I think this is a tremendous opportunity for people looking for hope , looking for leadership — where there 's a huge vacuum right now . ''
Among the Democrats using their campaign infrastructure for good is Jackie Gordon , a retired Army officer running in New York 's competitive 2nd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundraising list not to solicit campaign funds but to share information about local resources that could help her potential constituents navigate the new local rules put in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus , including social distancing .
`` I wanted to check in to see how you , your family , and other loved ones are doing , '' Gordon wrote in the email in early March , just as New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo was instituting new lockdowns to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on to list coronavirus testing sites in her district , draw attention to special grocery shopping hours for at-risk communities , and list ways people could help in amid the public health crisis .
Hiral Tipirneni , an emergency room physician running in Arizona 's 6th District , held a Facebook live event , in which her potential constituents could ask her questions about the pandemic .
The Facebook live was watched by 1,200 people and was received well by those commenting on the post .
It 's not just candidates using their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reps. Harley Rouda of California , Sean Casten of Illinois , and Elaine Luria of Virginia asked their campaign volunteers to make calls to check in on senior citizens and other constituents in their communities .
Rouda said `` several hundred '' of his more than 8,000 campaign volunteers from the 2018 election have been calling seniors in the district .
The volunteers are helping those seniors get help — either acquiring food or prescription drugs they need — or just being a friendly ear for the vulnerable population .
So far , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls to seniors in the district , adding that his campaign will continue to do so until there is no longer a need .
`` Nothing would be better than to not have a demand — that means we have gotten back to normal , '' Rouda said .
`` But I think the sense from the experts is that we have a long way to go , and we have to be prepared to maintain some level of physical distancing for some time . ''
Luria said her campaign is reaching out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district to check in on needs .
`` A phone call can go a long way right now to show our community that we ’ re listening and here for them , '' Luria said .
`` After each of my recent calls with local elected officials , faith community leaders , and small business owners , the response has been the same : 'Thank you for checking in .
It means so much to hear from you during this difficult time . '
'' Luria added that not only are her campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on seniors in the district , they are also sewing masks for health care professionals .
`` We are so thankful to have a volunteer team that is ready to get to work and give back in even the smallest way , '' Luria said .
And Rep. Joe Kennedy III — who is challenging fellow Massachusetts Democrat Ed Markey in a Senate primary in September — used his campaign fundraising list to solicit donations to local food pantries and Meals on Wheels , the Boston Globe reported .
Ultimately , campaigns will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that traditional in-person campaign activities may not be possible in 2020 .
But for now , Marsh said that Democrats have an opportunity to contrast their leadership with that of Donald Trump — who failed to take the coronavirus seriously early on .
`` This pandemic has brought to stark relief what this election is about , '' Marsh said .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the 2020 campaign, forcing candidates to cancel rallies, creating organizing challenges, and even calling into question how voters can safely cast ballots in November.
But as political operatives grapple with how to run a campaign in the middle of a public health crisis, a number of Democratic members of Congress and candidates are putting their campaigns to work for good — raising money for local food banks, collecting essential items for front-line health care workers, and distributing critical information to help their constituents stay informed.
Mary Anne Marsh, a Democratic strategist in Massachusetts, said those actions not only help the community but also gain the trust of voters.
“People are keenly aware of who’s a leader and who’s not,” Marsh said in a phone interview. “And I think this is a tremendous opportunity for people looking for hope, looking for leadership — where there’s a huge vacuum right now.”
Among the Democrats using their campaign infrastructure for good is Jackie Gordon, a retired Army officer running in New York’s competitive 2nd District.
Gordon has recently used her fundraising list not to solicit campaign funds but to share information about local resources that could help her potential constituents navigate the new local rules put in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus, including social distancing.
“I wanted to check in to see how you, your family, and other loved ones are doing,” Gordon wrote in the email in early March, just as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was instituting new lockdowns to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus in New York state.
The email went on to list coronavirus testing sites in her district, draw attention to special grocery shopping hours for at-risk communities, and list ways people could help in amid the public health crisis.
Hiral Tipirneni, an emergency room physician running in Arizona’s 6th District, held a Facebook live event, in which her potential constituents could ask her questions about the pandemic.
https://www.facebook.com/hiralforcongress/videos/224178482154444/?__xts__[0]=68.ARCZR4a-XygZVO4JdWLjZMbtnS5kgpDF9qfz5ot6WxOGgqi70kraOHkatx1DguRR7Tz4MGE5MxZrob_v1ts3-el3key30gigvHFok3HgjBq6JVYKaPEhcKqRmHUhc273omDpKpPbyNvaSaVHTIIjZboBp_qQ-h3cS6_OSutf5ypNsDOw9ckuNtyZYIXQlGuBzy8Go2aIqIDOqzQkHK42X27EVW9fKGcF0wWMAR5daOKt-jCC1MaDfQsIvVJIMuLTmzVEVzGNJdwdR1xC9iYC48TaRuzvEUAQqyeCatF2e0RpsgnysRD3rYi7xaAuxp8qC2MpxHsyCupwFbFUJf0kltiIFIv9txViJ10&__tn__=-R
The Facebook live was watched by 1,200 people and was received well by those commenting on the post.
It’s not just candidates using their campaign infrastructure for good.
Freshmen Democratic Reps. Harley Rouda of California, Sean Casten of Illinois, and Elaine Luria of Virginia asked their campaign volunteers to make calls to check in on senior citizens and other constituents in their communities.
Rouda said “several hundred” of his more than 8,000 campaign volunteers from the 2018 election have been calling seniors in the district. The volunteers are helping those seniors get help — either acquiring food or prescription drugs they need — or just being a friendly ear for the vulnerable population.
So far, Rouda said his campaign has made 7,000 calls to seniors in the district, adding that his campaign will continue to do so until there is no longer a need.
“Nothing would be better than to not have a demand — that means we have gotten back to normal,” Rouda said. “But I think the sense from the experts is that we have a long way to go, and we have to be prepared to maintain some level of physical distancing for some time.”
Luria said her campaign is reaching out to all sorts of people in her district to check in on needs.
“A phone call can go a long way right now to show our community that we’re listening and here for them,” Luria said. “After each of my recent calls with local elected officials, faith community leaders, and small business owners, the response has been the same: ‘Thank you for checking in. It means so much to hear from you during this difficult time.'”
Luria added that not only are her campaign volunteers making phone calls to check in on seniors in the district, they are also sewing masks for health care professionals.
“We are so thankful to have a volunteer team that is ready to get to work and give back in even the smallest way,” Luria said.
And Rep. Joe Kennedy III — who is challenging fellow Massachusetts Democrat Ed Markey in a Senate primary in September — used his campaign fundraising list to solicit donations to local food pantries and Meals on Wheels, the Boston Globe reported.
Ultimately, campaigns will have to adapt fully to the possibility that traditional in-person campaign activities may not be possible in 2020.
But for now, Marsh said that Democrats have an opportunity to contrast their leadership with that of Donald Trump — who failed to take the coronavirus seriously early on.
“This pandemic has brought to stark relief what this election is about,” Marsh said.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.