shareblue--2020-03-09--HHS secretary says 'nobody is trying to minimize' coronavirus as Trump does just that

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar appeared on Fox News on Monday and said `` nobody '' was attempting to minimize the coronavirus .
Azar made his remark at 10:41 A.M. Six minutes later , Donald Trump made a tweet attempting to minimize the severity of the virus .
ALEX AZAR : But make no mistake , this is a very serious health problem .
Nobody is trying to minimize that .
It is a very serious public health threat to the people of the United States and that 's why President Trump , from day one , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach and will continue to do so .
At 10:47 A.M. , Trump published his tweet , which was at complete odds with Azar .
`` So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu .
It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year , '' he wrote .
`` Nothing is shut down , life & the economy go on .
At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus , with 22 deaths .
Think about that ! ''
Trump 's data is most likely inaccurate .
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limiting the number of people who can be tested for the virus .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar appeared on Fox News on Monday and said “nobody” was attempting to minimize the coronavirus. Azar made his remark at 10:41 A.M.
Six minutes later, Donald Trump made a tweet attempting to minimize the severity of the virus.
From a March 9 interview on Fox News:
ALEX AZAR: But make no mistake, this is a very serious health problem. Nobody is trying to minimize that. It is a very serious public health threat to the people of the United States and that’s why President Trump, from day one, has been aggressive with a whole of government approach and will continue to do so.
At 10:47 A.M., Trump published his tweet, which was at complete odds with Azar.
“So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year,” he wrote. “Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that!”
So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2020
Trump’s data is most likely inaccurate. There is an ongoing shortage of test kits, limiting the number of people who can be tested for the virus.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-09--Trump hits the golf course as he continues to downplay coronavirus threat

As reported cases of coronavirus shot up over the weekend , Donald Trump spent his time golfing with Major League Baseball players instead of continuing work on the administration 's response to the outbreak .
Trump hit the links at one of his properties in Florida with World Series-winning players from the Washington Nationals , according to photos the players posted to their Instagram accounts .
Trump criticized former President Barack Obama back in 2014 for golfing while patients were being treated for Ebola .
`` President Obama has a major meeting on the N.Y.C .
Ebola outbreak , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , but decided to play golf ! ''
Trump tweeted at the time .
Of course , the Ebola scare was nothing like the possible pandemic the World Health Organization fears the coronavirus might cause .
There were only 11 cases of Ebola treated in the United States in 2014 .
Just two of the cases were from people who contracted the disease inside the United States and they were people who had taken care of Ebola patients .
Just two people died .
Trump and other Republicans managed to successfully use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2014 midterm elections .
Now , the novel coronavirus has impacted hundreds of people in the United States , with more than 500 people diagnosed and 22 people dead , the New York Times reported .
It 's possible many more people have COVID-19 — the disease caused by the virus — yet have n't been tested .
Yet Trump is trying to downplay the impacts of the virus as fears grow , downplaying the number of deaths .
`` So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year .
Nothing is shut down , life & the economy go on .
At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus , with 22 deaths .
Think about that ! ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

As reported cases of coronavirus shot up over the weekend, Donald Trump spent his time golfing with Major League Baseball players instead of continuing work on the administration’s response to the outbreak.
Trump hit the links at one of his properties in Florida with World Series-winning players from the Washington Nationals, according to photos the players posted to their Instagram accounts.
https://twitter.com/ParkerMolloy/status/1236846410202562561
Trump criticized former President Barack Obama back in 2014 for golfing while patients were being treated for Ebola.
“President Obama has a major meeting on the N.Y.C. Ebola outbreak, with people flying in from all over the country, but decided to play golf!” Trump tweeted at the time.
Of course, the Ebola scare was nothing like the possible pandemic the World Health Organization fears the coronavirus might cause.
There were only 11 cases of Ebola treated in the United States in 2014. Just two of the cases were from people who contracted the disease inside the United States and they were people who had taken care of Ebola patients. Just two people died.
Trump and other Republicans managed to successfully use fears of Ebola to win seats in the 2014 midterm elections.
Now, the novel coronavirus has impacted hundreds of people in the United States, with more than 500 people diagnosed and 22 people dead, the New York Times reported.
It’s possible many more people have COVID-19 — the disease caused by the virus — yet haven’t been tested.
Yet Trump is trying to downplay the impacts of the virus as fears grow, downplaying the number of deaths.
“So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu,” Trump tweeted Monday morning. “It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that!”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-10--Kentucky GOP tries to rush a bill to ban all abortion

Republicans in Kentucky , who fully control the state Legislature as of 2017 , are working hard at making it difficult for people to obtain abortions .
Their latest effort is a proposal to amend the state 's constitution to prohibit abortion entirely should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade .
The bill has passed through a House committee in late February and is set to move to the full House for a vote .
If the measure passes Kentucky 's General Assembly , it would appear on the ballot in November and would read : `` To protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion . ''
Even though the bill represents a major change to existing law , Republicans hurried through the debate in committee , blocking some opponents from testifying against the bill .
Democratic House Minority Floor Leader Joni Jenkins said it was `` very disrespectful to make such broad policy within a committee in 10 minutes . ''
The Kentucky Legislature , she noted , is only midway through its 2020 session , so such speed is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with 36 other House Republicans , sponsored the bill .
This is the fourth time in 20 years that Fischer has tried to get this measure on the ballot .
In the past , Fischer has tried to expand domestic violence protections to include abortion , saying `` [ t ] he most brutal form of domestic violence is the violence against unborn children . ''
Kentucky 's legislature is overwhelmingly Republican , so there 's a real chance this could move forward to the ballot .
Additionally , Fischer and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely anti-abortion picks for the Supreme Court — and the fact that court recently heard a case that could gut abortion access nationwide .
The attempt to enshrine anti-abortion thinking into the state 's constitution is n't the only way in which Kentucky legislators are attacking abortion rights .
Including the proposed constitutional amendment , the Kentucky legislature is considering seven measures to restrict abortion during this legislative session .
This includes an unnecessary `` born alive '' abortion bill that purports to penalize doctors who do n't care for newborn infants .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky and everywhere else , it 's a solution in search of a problem .
Kentucky is also considering a conscience bill , which would allow medical practitioners to refuse to provide abortion and birth-control related services if they morally oppose the practice .
The bill defines `` medical practitioners '' broadly to include `` any person or individual who may be or is asked to participate in a healthcare service , '' including nursing home employees , pharmacists , medical researches , lab technicians , and more .
Republican legislators are pushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( s ) of a miscarried or aborted fetus to make arrangements to dispose of the remains .
The bill would even charge the parents if they do n't choose to use the normal procedure by which the hospital or clinic would normally use .
If these laws were to pass , they would join Kentucky 's other restrictive anti-abortion measures , such as a ban on telemedicine , forced `` counseling '' designed to dissuade people from having abortions , a 24-hour waiting period , and a parental consent law .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an abortion , Kentucky also bars abortion after 20 weeks except in cases of a severe threat to the life or health of the mother .
The state also recently passed an incredibly invasive forced ultrasound law .
The U.S. Supreme Court recently refused to hear a challenge to that law .
And in 2019 , the state passed four new anti-abortion laws , including a law that will force doctors to give their patients incorrect medical information about medication abortions .
There is currently only one clinic in the state where people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Planned Parenthood clinic in Louisville is set to reopen later this year .
The restrictions make it hard for people to obtain an abortion in the state and may push some to seek abortions later in pregnancy , perhaps in another state .
States with parental consent laws see a delay in access to care .
Forcing people to get an ultrasound delays access to care .
A waiting period delays access to care , and barring telemedicine for abortions means people in rural parts of the state may lack access entirely .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ week of their pregnancy , they must travel out of state to obtain an abortion , drastically increasing the cost of and the time for the procedure .
Lack of access is certainly the goal of this latest piece of legislation , which would ban all abortions , period , if Roe is overturned at the federal level .
While that day may not come , an amendment to the constitution at the state level sends the message that the state does n't support people who need reproductive health care and may even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal in the state .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Republicans in Kentucky, who fully control the state Legislature as of 2017, are working hard at making it difficult for people to obtain abortions.
Their latest effort is a proposal to amend the state’s constitution to prohibit abortion entirely should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade.
The bill has passed through a House committee in late February and is set to move to the full House for a vote.
If the measure passes Kentucky’s General Assembly, it would appear on the ballot in November and would read: “To protect human life, nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.”
Even though the bill represents a major change to existing law, Republicans hurried through the debate in committee, blocking some opponents from testifying against the bill.
Democratic House Minority Floor Leader Joni Jenkins said it was “very disrespectful to make such broad policy within a committee in 10 minutes.” The Kentucky Legislature, she noted, is only midway through its 2020 session, so such speed is unnecessary.
GOP Rep. Joe Fischer, along with 36 other House Republicans, sponsored the bill. This is the fourth time in 20 years that Fischer has tried to get this measure on the ballot.
In the past, Fischer has tried to expand domestic violence protections to include abortion, saying “[t]he most brutal form of domestic violence is the violence against unborn children.”
Kentucky’s legislature is overwhelmingly Republican, so there’s a real chance this could move forward to the ballot.
Additionally, Fischer and other legislators are likely heartened by Trump’s extremely anti-abortion picks for the Supreme Court — and the fact that court recently heard a case that could gut abortion access nationwide.
The attempt to enshrine anti-abortion thinking into the state’s constitution isn’t the only way in which Kentucky legislators are attacking abortion rights.
Including the proposed constitutional amendment, the Kentucky legislature is considering seven measures to restrict abortion during this legislative session.
This includes an unnecessary “born alive” abortion bill that purports to penalize doctors who don’t care for newborn infants. Given that murder is already illegal in Kentucky and everywhere else, it’s a solution in search of a problem.
Kentucky is also considering a conscience bill, which would allow medical practitioners to refuse to provide abortion and birth-control related services if they morally oppose the practice.
The bill defines “medical practitioners” broadly to include “any person or individual who may be or is asked to participate in a healthcare service,” including nursing home employees, pharmacists, medical researches, lab technicians, and more.
Republican legislators are pushing another bill that would require the parent(s) of a miscarried or aborted fetus to make arrangements to dispose of the remains. The bill would even charge the parents if they don’t choose to use the normal procedure by which the hospital or clinic would normally use.
If these laws were to pass, they would join Kentucky’s other restrictive anti-abortion measures, such as a ban on telemedicine, forced “counseling” designed to dissuade people from having abortions, a 24-hour waiting period, and a parental consent law.
After throwing up all these roadblocks to obtaining an abortion, Kentucky also bars abortion after 20 weeks except in cases of a severe threat to the life or health of the mother.
The state also recently passed an incredibly invasive forced ultrasound law.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently refused to hear a challenge to that law. And in 2019, the state passed four new anti-abortion laws, including a law that will force doctors to give their patients incorrect medical information about medication abortions.
There is currently only one clinic in the state where people can obtain an abortion, though a Planned Parenthood clinic in Louisville is set to reopen later this year.
The restrictions make it hard for people to obtain an abortion in the state and may push some to seek abortions later in pregnancy, perhaps in another state.
States with parental consent laws see a delay in access to care. Forcing people to get an ultrasound delays access to care. A waiting period delays access to care, and barring telemedicine for abortions means people in rural parts of the state may lack access entirely.
If a person is past the 20th week of their pregnancy, they must travel out of state to obtain an abortion, drastically increasing the cost of and the time for the procedure.
Lack of access is certainly the goal of this latest piece of legislation, which would ban all abortions, period, if Roe is overturned at the federal level.
While that day may not come, an amendment to the constitution at the state level sends the message that the state doesn’t support people who need reproductive health care and may even engender confusion as to whether abortion remains legal in the state.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-10--US military says Trump's Taliban peace deal is mostly useless

The peace deal Donald Trump struck with the Taliban to end the war in Afghanistan is already falling apart , with the top U.S. commander saying that the Taliban is already violating the agreement by resuming attacks on Afghan forces .
Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie told the House Armed Services Committee Tuesday that if the Taliban continues with the level of violence , he will recommend that the military not withdraw troops from Afghanistan , as laid out in a deal Trump announced on Feb. 29 .
`` To date , Taliban attacks are higher than we believe are consistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this plan , '' McKenzie said , according to the Associated Press .
`` If they ’ re unable to draw down the current level of attacks , then the political leadership will be able to make decisions based on that . ''
The deal the Trump administration struck with the Taliban would require the group to renounce al-Qaida and prevent terrorist attacks in the country .
In exchange , the United States would begin drawing back troops from the country , with a full draw down to occur in 14 months .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying , `` We think we ’ ll be successful in the end . ''
However , it apparently took less than two weeks for the Taliban to drop its end of the deal , carrying out at least 76 attacks since the deal was announced , the New York Times reported .
One Democratic senator who was briefed on the situation said he thinks Trump got played by the group .
`` I got a classified briefing today on the agreement with the Taliban .
I have been a supporter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more I learn , the more concerned I become that Trump got fleeced , '' Sen. Chris Murphy ( D-CT ) tweeted late Monday night .
According to Murphy , `` The Taliban 's security guarantees are so vague as to be effectively void .
It 's not clear how we will track whether they are indeed renouncing terrorist groups . ''
McKenzie was asked about this specific concern on Tuesday .
He agreed that it was challenging to determine whether the Taliban was , in fact , renouncing al-Qaida .
`` That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] are going to have to demonstrate that has not yet been demonstrated , '' he said , according to the AP .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The peace deal Donald Trump struck with the Taliban to end the war in Afghanistan is already falling apart, with the top U.S. commander saying that the Taliban is already violating the agreement by resuming attacks on Afghan forces.
Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie told the House Armed Services Committee Tuesday that if the Taliban continues with the level of violence, he will recommend that the military not withdraw troops from Afghanistan, as laid out in a deal Trump announced on Feb. 29.
“To date, Taliban attacks are higher than we believe are consistent with an idea to actually carry out this plan,” McKenzie said, according to the Associated Press. “If they’re unable to draw down the current level of attacks, then the political leadership will be able to make decisions based on that.”
The deal the Trump administration struck with the Taliban would require the group to renounce al-Qaida and prevent terrorist attacks in the country. In exchange, the United States would begin drawing back troops from the country, with a full draw down to occur in 14 months.
Trump personally took credit for the deal, saying, “We think we’ll be successful in the end.”
However, it apparently took less than two weeks for the Taliban to drop its end of the deal, carrying out at least 76 attacks since the deal was announced, the New York Times reported.
One Democratic senator who was briefed on the situation said he thinks Trump got played by the group.
“I got a classified briefing today on the agreement with the Taliban. I have been a supporter of negotiations with the Taliban, but the more I learn, the more concerned I become that Trump got fleeced,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) tweeted late Monday night.
According to Murphy, “The Taliban’s security guarantees are so vague as to be effectively void. It’s not clear how we will track whether they are indeed renouncing terrorist groups.”
McKenzie was asked about this specific concern on Tuesday. He agreed that it was challenging to determine whether the Taliban was, in fact, renouncing al-Qaida.
“That’s something they [the Taliban] are going to have to demonstrate that has not yet been demonstrated,” he said, according to the AP.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-10--Immigration officials debunk GOP claims of coronavirus at the southern border

Trump administration immigration officials this week appeared to contradict claims by GOP lawmakers that immigrants coming into the country through the southern border or elsewhere were a threat because they could be carrying the new coronavirus .
Federal officials said that , as of Tuesday , there were no cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus , among those being held in immigrant detention facilities in the United States .
`` Currently , there are no detainees in ICE custody with confirmed COVID-19 , '' a spokesperson with Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in an email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four detainees in ICE custody had been tested .
On Monday , a Customs and Border Patrol spokesperson confirmed in a phone call that no detainees in CBP custody had tested positive for COVID-19 .
The spokesperson was unable to say how many detainees had been tested .
Republican lawmakers have been fearmongering for weeks about the threat immigrants pose to people living in the United States .
On Sunday , Rep. Brian Babin ( R-TX ) warned that `` it is not unlikely that people from other countries afflicted by the [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our border today . ''
Donald Trump too has used the growing epidemic to tout the need for his long-promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border .
`` We need the Wall more than ever ! ''
Trump tweeted Tuesday morning in response to a separate tweet about the COVID-19 epidemic .
Back in January , a pro-Trump group used racist tropes and described Chinese people more broadly as `` disease carriers '' when writing about the new coronavirus outbreak .
While there have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases thus far , detainees are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communicable diseases due to the cramped and often unsanitary conditions in which they are forced to live .
`` Detention facilities are breeding grounds for infection , '' Wendy Parmet , director of the Center for Health Policy and Law at Northeastern University School of Law , said earlier in March .
Parmet said detention facilities `` need more medical staff , and the staff need training on how to reduce the spread of infection , and protective equipment to keep themselves and migrants safe . ''
Spokespeople for both ICE and CBP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC in order to keep detainees safe .
`` ICE continues to incorporate CDC 's COVID-19 guidance , which is built upon the already established infectious disease monitoring and management protocols currently in use by the agency , '' the agency spokesperson said Tuesday .
If detainees present with COVID-19 symptoms , 80 % of ICE facilities are equipped with airborne infection isolation rooms .
Detainees with severe symptoms will be transported to hospitals for care , following CDC guidelines for notifying medical personnel of a potential COVID-19-infected person before arrival .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been sent to all detention facilities .
Last week , the spokesperson said the agency had issued guidance to all employees `` that outlines the current comprehensive use of Personal Protective Equipment including guidance regarding wearing masks in the appropriate circumstances . ''
Neither ICE and CBP released information about any additional deep cleaning or disinfecting taking place at detention facilities since the outbreak began .
In the past , many ICE and CBP detention centers were revealed to be overcrowded and unsanitary .
Last May , inspectors reported that detainees at an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing soiled clothing for days or weeks '' and found some detainees `` standing on toilets in the cells to make room and gain breathing space , thus limiting access to the toilets . ''
The Texas Tribune reported in June that migrants at a CBP processing facility near McAllen , Texas , were n't receiving adequate medical treatment .
A lawyer for the migrants said some of the mothers , `` unable to clean themselves , '' had resorted to `` wiping their children 's runny noses or vomit with their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security were criticized after officials refused to offer flu shots to migrant detainees , even when offered at no charge by a group of doctors .
Linking unfounded border concerns to the coronavirus outbreak appears to be part of a larger scheme to enact racist and xenophobic policies under the guise of national security .
Earlier this month , Trump said he might shut down the southern border to prevent further spread of COVID-19 , despite the fact that the United States has more than 67 times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the World Health Organization .
In the past , Trump has invoked national security in an attempt to ban Muslims from entering the United States .
In an email Tuesday , Rep. Judy Chu ( D-CA ) , the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress and chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus , slammed Trump 's fearmongering about immigrants amid the outbreak .
`` From the first day of his campaign , when he declared Mexican immigrants to be rapists and murderers , to the State of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to paint all immigrants as criminals , creating fear of immigrants has been central to Donald Trump ’ s bigoted agenda .
And Congressional Republicans have been willing partners , '' she said .
`` First they tried to claim that ten terrorists a day are crossing the border , a claim without any substance .
Now , they ’ re trying to claim immigrants are bringing disease — another claim that has been proven false .
Instead of spreading lies , xenophobia , and hate , Republicans should put facts first and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform that actually helps the country . ''
CDC guidance for preventing the spread of COVID-19 includes frequent hand-washing with soap and warm water , regularly disinfecting high-touch surfaces , and staying home when sick .
This article has been updated to include additional comment from California Rep. Judy Chu .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Trump administration immigration officials this week appeared to contradict claims by GOP lawmakers that immigrants coming into the country through the southern border or elsewhere were a threat because they could be carrying the new coronavirus.
Federal officials said that, as of Tuesday, there were no cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, among those being held in immigrant detention facilities in the United States.
“Currently, there are no detainees in ICE custody with confirmed COVID-19,” a spokesperson with Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in an email Tuesday.
As of March 3, four detainees in ICE custody had been tested.
On Monday, a Customs and Border Patrol spokesperson confirmed in a phone call that no detainees in CBP custody had tested positive for COVID-19. The spokesperson was unable to say how many detainees had been tested.
Republican lawmakers have been fearmongering for weeks about the threat immigrants pose to people living in the United States.
On Sunday, Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) warned that “it is not unlikely that people from other countries afflicted by the [corona]virus are illegally slipping through our border today.”
Donald Trump too has used the growing epidemic to tout the need for his long-promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
“We need the Wall more than ever!” Trump tweeted Tuesday morning in response to a separate tweet about the COVID-19 epidemic.
Back in January, a pro-Trump group used racist tropes and described Chinese people more broadly as “disease carriers” when writing about the new coronavirus outbreak.
While there have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases thus far, detainees are still at high risk for outbreaks of communicable diseases due to the cramped and often unsanitary conditions in which they are forced to live.
“Detention facilities are breeding grounds for infection,” Wendy Parmet, director of the Center for Health Policy and Law at Northeastern University School of Law, said earlier in March. Parmet said detention facilities “need more medical staff, and the staff need training on how to reduce the spread of infection, and protective equipment to keep themselves and migrants safe.”
Spokespeople for both ICE and CBP said both agencies are working closely with CDC in order to keep detainees safe.
“ICE continues to incorporate CDC’s COVID-19 guidance, which is built upon the already established infectious disease monitoring and management protocols currently in use by the agency,” the agency spokesperson said Tuesday.
If detainees present with COVID-19 symptoms, 80% of ICE facilities are equipped with airborne infection isolation rooms. Detainees with severe symptoms will be transported to hospitals for care, following CDC guidelines for notifying medical personnel of a potential COVID-19-infected person before arrival.
A CBP spokesperson said that CDC guidance has been sent to all detention facilities. Last week, the spokesperson said the agency had issued guidance to all employees “that outlines the current comprehensive use of Personal Protective Equipment including guidance regarding wearing masks in the appropriate circumstances.”
Neither ICE and CBP released information about any additional deep cleaning or disinfecting taking place at detention facilities since the outbreak began.
In the past, many ICE and CBP detention centers were revealed to be overcrowded and unsanitary.
Last May, inspectors reported that detainees at an El Paso-area ICE detention facility were “wearing soiled clothing for days or weeks” and found some detainees “standing on toilets in the cells to make room and gain breathing space, thus limiting access to the toilets.”
The Texas Tribune reported in June that migrants at a CBP processing facility near McAllen, Texas, weren’t receiving adequate medical treatment. A lawyer for the migrants said some of the mothers, “unable to clean themselves,” had resorted to “wiping their children’s runny noses or vomit with their own clothing.”
In December, Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security were criticized after officials refused to offer flu shots to migrant detainees, even when offered at no charge by a group of doctors.
Linking unfounded border concerns to the coronavirus outbreak appears to be part of a larger scheme to enact racist and xenophobic policies under the guise of national security.
Earlier this month, Trump said he might shut down the southern border to prevent further spread of COVID-19, despite the fact that the United States has more than 67 times as many confirmed cases as Mexico, according to the World Health Organization. In the past, Trump has invoked national security in an attempt to ban Muslims from entering the United States.
In an email Tuesday, Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress and chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, slammed Trump’s fearmongering about immigrants amid the outbreak.
“From the first day of his campaign, when he declared Mexican immigrants to be rapists and murderers, to the State of the Union, when he used one incident to paint all immigrants as criminals, creating fear of immigrants has been central to Donald Trump’s bigoted agenda. And Congressional Republicans have been willing partners,” she said.
“First they tried to claim that ten terrorists a day are crossing the border, a claim without any substance. Now, they’re trying to claim immigrants are bringing disease — another claim that has been proven false. Instead of spreading lies, xenophobia, and hate, Republicans should put facts first and work with us on common sense immigration reform that actually helps the country.”
CDC guidance for preventing the spread of COVID-19 includes frequent hand-washing with soap and warm water, regularly disinfecting high-touch surfaces, and staying home when sick.
This article has been updated to include additional comment from California Rep. Judy Chu.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-10--CDC chief confirms 8 of Trump's favorite coronavirus claims are misleading

The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday contradicted a number of false claims pushed by Donald Trump about the current COVID-19 outbreak .
CDC Director Robert Redfield was testifying before the House Appropriations Committee 's Subcommittee on Labor , Health and Human Services , Education , and Related Agencies about his agency 's budget request for the 2021 fiscal year .
During the hearing , Rep. Lois Frankel ( D-FL ) read a list of statements Trump had made about the outbreak and the administration 's response efforts in recent weeks , asking Redfield whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` 'Our tests have been perfect , ' '' she said , quoting Trump .
`` That 'the Coronavirus is like the regular flu . '
That it 's ' a hoax . '
That 'anyone who wants to be tested can be tested . '
That 'the number of cases will soon be down to zero .
They 'll 'magically disappear . '
'You can still go to work . '
And it 's 'okay to shake hands . '
'' She added , `` I 'm assuming you agree that those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to agree that the majority of the statements were misleading .
`` I do n't think I heard any that [ are ] not , '' he said .
He added , however , that the `` availability of testing in the last two days , through Quest and LabCorp , is finally getting us where we need to be . ''
Trump has repeatedly praise himself and his administration for their response to the ongoing outbreak , which has infected nearly 114,000 people worldwide .
The United States has reported at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 deaths resulting from the virus .
During a visit to the CDC on Friday , Trump said that the tests for the virus — like his communications with Ukraine 's president — `` are all perfect . ''
He also falsely claimed that `` As of right now and yesterday , anybody that needs a test [ can get one ] and that 's the important thing . ''
On Monday , he tweeted that the `` CoronaVirus [ sic ] '' has been less deadly `` the common Flu . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ influenza , he argued , and `` life & the economy go on . ''
At rallies last month , he blasted criticism of his response to the coronavirus as a `` new hoax , '' like impeachment , though he later clarified he did not mean the threat of the virus itself was a hoax .
He also predicted that once spring weather arrived in April , the virus would `` miraculously '' go away .
At a Feb. 27 briefing , Trump noted that there were 15 people diagnosed in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predicted `` the 15 , within a couple of days , is going to be down to close to zero , that ’ s a pretty good job we ’ ve done . ''
Last week , Trump also suggested in a Fox News interview that many people with the virus heal `` by sitting around and even going to work . ''
He attributed this to a `` hunch . ''
Trump has defiantly refused to stop shaking hands with supporters , even after he himself was exposed to several people now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people of this country , and you ca n't be a politician and not shake hands , '' he explained Thursday .
`` And I 'll be shaking hands with people — and they want to say hello and hug you and kiss you — I do n't care . ''
Trump and his administration have faced widespread criticism for their botched handling the coronavirus crisis .
But Trump in particular has repeatedly contradicted his own health officials and spread misinformation .
Frankel said Tuesday that the latter was especially dangerous .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health emergency , '' she said in an email Tuesday afternoon .
`` By spreading misinformation , Trump is putting people at risk .
We need to ensure all Americans know the facts so they can keep themselves healthy and help prevent the spread of the coronavirus . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday contradicted a number of false claims pushed by Donald Trump about the current COVID-19 outbreak.
CDC Director Robert Redfield was testifying before the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies about his agency’s budget request for the 2021 fiscal year.
During the hearing, Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL) read a list of statements Trump had made about the outbreak and the administration’s response efforts in recent weeks, asking Redfield whether he agreed with any of them.
“‘Our tests have been perfect,'” she said, quoting Trump. “That ‘the Coronavirus is like the regular flu.’ That it’s ‘a hoax.’ That ‘anyone who wants to be tested can be tested.’ That ‘the number of cases will soon be down to zero. They’ll ‘magically disappear.’ ‘You can still go to work.’ And it’s ‘okay to shake hands.'”
She added, “I’m assuming you agree that those are misleading statements.”
Redfield appeared to agree that the majority of the statements were misleading. “I don’t think I heard any that [are] not,” he said.
He added, however, that the “availability of testing in the last two days, through Quest and LabCorp, is finally getting us where we need to be.”
Trump has repeatedly praise himself and his administration for their response to the ongoing outbreak, which has infected nearly 114,000 people worldwide. The United States has reported at least 472 cases alone, as well as 19 deaths resulting from the virus.
During a visit to the CDC on Friday, Trump said that the tests for the virus — like his communications with Ukraine’s president — “are all perfect.” He also falsely claimed that “As of right now and yesterday, anybody that needs a test [can get one] and that’s the important thing.”
On Monday, he tweeted that the “CoronaVirus [sic]” has been less deadly “the common Flu.”
“Nothing is shut down” for influenza, he argued, and “life & the economy go on.”
At rallies last month, he blasted criticism of his response to the coronavirus as a “new hoax,” like impeachment, though he later clarified he did not mean the threat of the virus itself was a hoax. He also predicted that once spring weather arrived in April, the virus would “miraculously” go away.
At a Feb. 27 briefing, Trump noted that there were 15 people diagnosed in the United States at that point and incorrectly predicted “the 15, within a couple of days, is going to be down to close to zero, that’s a pretty good job we’ve done.”
Last week, Trump also suggested in a Fox News interview that many people with the virus heal “by sitting around and even going to work.” He attributed this to a “hunch.”
Trump has defiantly refused to stop shaking hands with supporters, even after he himself was exposed to several people now under quarantine. “I love the people of this country, and you can’t be a politician and not shake hands,” he explained Thursday. “And I’ll be shaking hands with people — and they want to say hello and hug you and kiss you — I don’t care.”
Trump and his administration have faced widespread criticism for their botched handling the coronavirus crisis. But Trump in particular has repeatedly contradicted his own health officials and spread misinformation.
Frankel said Tuesday that the latter was especially dangerous.
“We are in the middle of a public health emergency,” she said in an email Tuesday afternoon. “By spreading misinformation, Trump is putting people at risk. We need to ensure all Americans know the facts so they can keep themselves healthy and help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-10--Trump: I've been briefed on 'a lot of positive' coronavirus contingencies

Donald Trump has repeatedly downplayed concerns about the coronavirus and his administration 's response to it .
From a March @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Capitol : REPORTER : Have you been briefed that up to 100 million Americans @ @ @ @ @ the virus ?
DONALD TRUMP : I 've been briefed on every contingency you could @ @ @ @ @ .
A lot of positive .
Different numbers , all different numbers .
Very large @ @ @ @ @ numbers , too , by the way .
Look , right now I guess we @ @ @ @ @ and if you look at the flu – the flu – for this year , @ @ @ @ @ — we 're looking at 8,000 deaths .
And you know , hundreds of thousands @ @ @ @ @ have 8,000 deaths .
So you have 8,000 versus 26 deaths at this time .
@ @ @ @ @ said , we 're taking this unbelievably seriously , and I think we 're doing @ @ @ @ @

From a March 10 media availability at the U.S. Capitol:
REPORTER: Have you been briefed that up to 100 million Americans could ultimately be exposed to the virus?
DONALD TRUMP: I’ve been briefed on every contingency you could possibly imagine. Many contingencies. A lot of positive. Different numbers, all different numbers. Very large numbers. And some small numbers, too, by the way.
Look, right now I guess we’re at 26 deaths, and if you look at the flu – the flu – for this year, we’re at 8 mill — we’re looking at 8,000 deaths.
And you know, hundreds of thousands of cases, but we have 8,000 deaths. So you have 8,000 versus 26 deaths at this time.
With all of that being said, we’re taking this unbelievably seriously, and I think we’re doing a really good job.


shareblue--2020-03-10--GOP is using coronavirus as an excuse to push for Trump's wall

Republicans have begun using the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak to push for Donald Trump 's promised border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border .
`` We need the Wall more than ever ! ''
Trump himself tweeted Tuesday morning in response to the worsening outbreak .
Trump also claimed the wall is `` going up fast , '' despite the fact that his administration has only built one mile of new wall in three years .
Some Republican members of Congress have also linked the global pandemic to the need for heightened border security , which presumably includes Trump 's border wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global pandemic is only as strong as our control of entry into this country , so any meaningful legislation combating the coronavirus should include the resources we need to finally secure our border , '' Rep. Bradley Byrne ( R-AL ) said on Feb. 28 .
In a December 2018 speech , Byrne said a border wall was a necessary part of securing the southern border .
In a March 8 op-ed , Rep. Brian Babin ( R-TX ) similarly wrote that `` it is not unlikely that people from other countries afflicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegally slipping through our border today . ''
Babin focused his op-ed on Chinese nationals and the need to secure the southern border , which he described as `` porous . ''
`` On the eve of a potentially global pandemic , this situation underscores how imperative it is for our country to be able to prevent unidentified individuals from entering the country , '' Rep. Roger Marshall ( R-KS ) , a vocal supporter of Trump 's border wall , wrote in a March 2 op-ed .
The idea that a border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak does not sit well with some policy experts .
`` This is just foolish , '' Wendy Parmet , director of the Center for Health Policy and Law at Northeastern University School of Law , said in an email Tuesday .
`` Respiratory diseases do n't care about walls or immigration status .
If we think we can protect the public from COVID-19 or a similar outbreak by building a wall , we are in big trouble . ''
Former vice president and current Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden also criticized Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak .
`` A wall wo n't stop a virus .
Racism wo n't stop a virus , '' he tweeted .
`` Do your job . ''
According to the World Health Organization , Mexico has only seven confirmed COVID-19 cases .
Central and South America have a combined 87 confirmed cases while Canada has 62 .
The WHO reported that the United States has 213 confirmed cases .
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials also said in a phone call this week that there had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its facilities thus far , countering the Republican narrative .
Officials did not state how many immigrants had been tested .
Health care experts have warned against the kind of xenophobia and racism Trump and his congressional allies have exhibited amid the current outbreak .
In early March , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidance saying that `` stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate a disease , such as COVID-19 , with a population or nationality , even though not everyone in that population or from that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease . ''
Further , eliminating stigma `` is important to making communities and community members resilient . ''
Much of the racism around COVID-19 has been aimed at Asians and Asian Americans , since the specific strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19 originated in China .
The COVID-19 outbreak has led to `` a surge of discriminatory rhetoric and violent attacks against Asian Americans , '' members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus , led by Rep. Judy Chu ( D-CA ) , wrote in a Feb. 26 letter to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigrant with being `` dirty '' or carrying disease , such as Republicans have done with people crossing the U.S.-Mexico border , endorses a racist trope that has no basis in fact .
`` There is no evidence to show that migrants are spreading disease , '' Paul Spiegel , a medical doctor at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health , told NBC News in 2018 .
`` That is a false argument that is used to keep migrants out . ''
Since that letter , both House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist language when discussing the coronavirus outbreak .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Republicans have begun using the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak to push for Donald Trump’s promised border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
“We need the Wall more than ever!” Trump himself tweeted Tuesday morning in response to the worsening outbreak. Trump also claimed the wall is “going up fast,” despite the fact that his administration has only built one mile of new wall in three years.
Some Republican members of Congress have also linked the global pandemic to the need for heightened border security, which presumably includes Trump’s border wall.
“Our security against a possible global pandemic is only as strong as our control of entry into this country, so any meaningful legislation combating the coronavirus should include the resources we need to finally secure our border,” Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL) said on Feb. 28. In a December 2018 speech, Byrne said a border wall was a necessary part of securing the southern border.
In a March 8 op-ed, Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) similarly wrote that “it is not unlikely that people from other countries afflicted by the [corona]virus are illegally slipping through our border today.” Babin focused his op-ed on Chinese nationals and the need to secure the southern border, which he described as “porous.”
“On the eve of a potentially global pandemic, this situation underscores how imperative it is for our country to be able to prevent unidentified individuals from entering the country,” Rep. Roger Marshall (R-KS), a vocal supporter of Trump’s border wall, wrote in a March 2 op-ed.
The idea that a border wall would provide protection from the COVID-19 outbreak does not sit well with some policy experts.
“This is just foolish,” Wendy Parmet, director of the Center for Health Policy and Law at Northeastern University School of Law, said in an email Tuesday. “Respiratory diseases don’t care about walls or immigration status. If we think we can protect the public from COVID-19 or a similar outbreak by building a wall, we are in big trouble.”
Former vice president and current Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden also criticized Trump for linking a border wall to attempts to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.
“A wall won’t stop a virus. Racism won’t stop a virus,” he tweeted. “Do your job.”
According to the World Health Organization, Mexico has only seven confirmed COVID-19 cases. Central and South America have a combined 87 confirmed cases while Canada has 62.
The WHO reported that the United States has 213 confirmed cases.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials also said in a phone call this week that there had been zero cases of COVID-19 among immigrants detained in its facilities thus far, countering the Republican narrative. Officials did not state how many immigrants had been tested.
Health care experts have warned against the kind of xenophobia and racism Trump and his congressional allies have exhibited amid the current outbreak.
In early March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidance saying that “stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate a disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality, even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk for the disease.” Further, eliminating stigma “is important to making communities and community members resilient.”
Much of the racism around COVID-19 has been aimed at Asians and Asian Americans, since the specific strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19 originated in China.
The COVID-19 outbreak has led to “a surge of discriminatory rhetoric and violent attacks against Asian Americans,” members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, led by Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), wrote in a Feb. 26 letter to their colleagues.
However, language associating any immigrant with being “dirty” or carrying disease, such as Republicans have done with people crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, endorses a racist trope that has no basis in fact.
“There is no evidence to show that migrants are spreading disease,” Paul Spiegel, a medical doctor at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, told NBC News in 2018. “That is a false argument that is used to keep migrants out.”
Since that letter, both House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have used racist language when discussing the coronavirus outbreak.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-10--Trump wants Obamacare to cover coronavirus testing even as he tries to repeal it

The Trump administration plans to use a provision of Obamacare to help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus — even as it works to repeal the health care law through a court challenge .
In order to ensure that people experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 disease get tested without fear of receiving a surprise medical bill , the Trump administration is designating testing for the illness as an essential health benefit .
`` With regard to the cost , let me be very clear : [ The Department of Health and Human Services ] has designated the coronavirus test as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence said at a briefing on the virus on March 4 .
`` That means , by definition , it 's covered in the private health insurance of every American , as well as covered by Medicare and Medicaid . ''
Pence again said on Tuesday that private insurers will cover COVID-19 disease testing so that people do n't have to fear costs if they need to get a test .
Essential Health Benefits were created under Obamacare , officially called the Affordable Care Act .
They are `` a set of 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover , '' according to healthcare.gov , and include services such as emergency care , cancer screenings , and pregnancy and newborn care .
Donald Trump , his administration , and GOP lawmakers have all condemned the benefits — and even tried to eliminate them back in 2017 with their failed attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare .
One main refrain from Republicans about why they wanted to scrap the benefits was that men should n't have to pay for maternity and prenatal coverage in their plans since they could not give birth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to nix Obamacare , including essential health benefits , via a legal challenge that is now before the Supreme Court .
The challenge seeks to have the entire law invalidated , saying that because Republicans repealed the individual mandate part of the law — which is a main provision — the entire law is now bad .
Now , the Trump administration is claiming it will use the very law it 's trying to repeal as part of their strategy to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus .
`` Your daily reminder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provision of the Affordable Care Act to require that insurers cover the Coronavirus test .
b. Trump is in court right now trying to invalidate the entirety of the Affordable Care Act , '' Sen. Chris Murphy ( D-CT ) wrote on Facebook .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The Trump administration plans to use a provision of Obamacare to help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus — even as it works to repeal the health care law through a court challenge.
In order to ensure that people experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 disease get tested without fear of receiving a surprise medical bill, the Trump administration is designating testing for the illness as an essential health benefit.
“With regard to the cost, let me be very clear: [The Department of Health and Human Services] has designated the coronavirus test as an essential health benefit,” Mike Pence said at a briefing on the virus on March 4. “That means, by definition, it’s covered in the private health insurance of every American, as well as covered by Medicare and Medicaid.”
Pence again said on Tuesday that private insurers will cover COVID-19 disease testing so that people don’t have to fear costs if they need to get a test.
Vice President Pence says during a White House meeting with health insurance CEOs that "coronavirus testing and treatment will be covered" by insurance, adding that "more than 4 million" coronavirus tests will go out this week as the outbreak continues pic.twitter.com/g1aa51qldL — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) March 10, 2020
Essential Health Benefits were created under Obamacare, officially called the Affordable Care Act.
They are “a set of 10 categories of services health insurance plans must cover,” according to healthcare.gov, and include services such as emergency care, cancer screenings, and pregnancy and newborn care.
Donald Trump, his administration, and GOP lawmakers have all condemned the benefits — and even tried to eliminate them back in 2017 with their failed attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare.
One main refrain from Republicans about why they wanted to scrap the benefits was that men shouldn’t have to pay for maternity and prenatal coverage in their plans since they could not give birth.
The Trump administration is still trying to nix Obamacare, including essential health benefits, via a legal challenge that is now before the Supreme Court.
The challenge seeks to have the entire law invalidated, saying that because Republicans repealed the individual mandate part of the law — which is a main provision — the entire law is now bad.
Now, the Trump administration is claiming it will use the very law it’s trying to repeal as part of their strategy to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
“Your daily reminder that: a. Trump is using a provision of the Affordable Care Act to require that insurers cover the Coronavirus test. b. Trump is in court right now trying to invalidate the entirety of the Affordable Care Act,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) wrote on Facebook.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-10--Trump downplays coronavirus as it puts his businesses at risk

One of Donald Trump 's first impulses in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus in China was to suggest it was a buying opportunity in the U.S. stock market .
Even as the global peril of the virus has escalated , Trump has leaned hard on his decades of experience as a businessman , keeping his focus on the economy and financial markets and urging people to continue traveling and patronizing U.S. businesses .
`` You know , a lot of people are staying here and they 're going to be doing their business here , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tally of infected in the U.S. climbed .
`` They 're going to be traveling here .
And they 'll be going to resorts here . ''
And possibly to Trump 's own resorts .
The virus provides the latest example of how Trump 's public and personal interests are interwoven , but this time driven by a crisis with major global health implications in addition to financial ones .
`` If there is any public health shutdown of restaurants , conventions , and meetings , that will impact his property and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an ethics lawyer at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis and frequent critic of Trump 's .
`` I think a reasonable person can conclude that he is motivated by personal interests . ''
All of Trump 's properties , at home and abroad , would stand to suffer if travel and tourism business continues to evaporate .
A business travel group is estimating revenue losses globally of nearly $ 50 billion per month .
Trump 's comments Friday are the latest rosy depiction of the crisis as he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No president has more closely tied his political fortunes to the stock market , and a slowdown in the nation 's economy could imperil his reelection hopes .
Trump has peppered his economic advisers with questions about the virus ' impact and has boasted about the strength of the economy .
`` We have a great economy .
We have a very strong economy , '' Trump insisting during an appearance Monday in the White House briefing room .
Though a self-proclaimed firewall exists between Trump and the company that bears his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask his business associates , and namely his adult sons now its titular heads , how his properties are faring , according to two Republicans close to the White House not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations .
And in recent days , Trump was slow to embrace federal recommendations against the elderly boarding airplanes or passengers traveling on cruise ships .
The White House did not respond to a request for comment as to whether Trump 's handling of the epidemic was informed by the impact it could have on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington , said that he is n't sure Trump is thinking of his properties right now .
But in deciding to not sell his business before taking office , Bookbinder said , Trump has raised doubts about his motives and that in itself is damaging .
`` We have to ask with almost every major policy decision whether he 's acting in the country 's interest or his own interest , '' Bookbinder said .
`` In a time of crisis like this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that our government is making the right decision for our health , economy and security is incredibly important . ''
For now , the privately held Trump Organization does n't appear to have taken a blow .
As the coronavirus panic began to settle in during the first week of March , the high-vaulted lobby of his hotel in Washington and its bar remained crowded with visitors , including many sporting Trump 's trademark red campaign hats .
Next up , dozens of bankers from Texas who are planning a reception at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a four-day visit to the capital .
A spokeswoman for the group sponsoring the trip , the Texas Bankers Association , said that none of 81 registered to attend had pulled out yet .
`` I have n't seen much of a drop off — if at all , '' said Zach Everson , a frequent visitor who writes an online newsletter about the hotel called 1100 Pennsylvania Ave .
He added , referring to a recent visit , `` It was packed . ''
So too was Trump 's Mar-a-Largo in Palm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Sunday , the venue threw a birthday party for Donald Trump Jr. 's girlfriend , and social media posts showed the place was jammed .
The day before Trump hosted a dinner for Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro .
Still , the Trump properties can ill afford a downturn in business .
The Trump Organization has been struggling from lost business due to a backlash against Trump 's rhetoric and his policies .
Several buildings licensing his name have stripped it from their facades , major groups have canceled events at his resorts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lose millions .
Even his Washington hotel , for all its buzz , is showing signs of struggling , as rooms stand empty .
The Trump Organization recently put the hotel up for sale .
The company did not respond to requests for comment .
Trump has long governed with an eye toward increasing profits at his properties .
Since taking office , he has spent hundreds of days at his properties , particularly in Florida and New Jersey , the visits providing valuable promotional material .
Moreover , the Trump Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House staff and Secret Service — who then need to stay alongside Trump in Palm Beach or Bedminster , New Jersey , one of 17 Trump golf resorts around the world .
Trump has also floated hosting the international G7 at his property outside of Miami , only to relent after being met by howls of protests from Democrats and civic watchdogs .
When it comes to Trump 's response to the current crisis and potential conflicts with his vast financial interests , not all ethics expert are bothered .
Edwin Williamson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said that even if Trump had sold his properties before he took office and put the money into a stock or bond fund , as ethics rules suggest of many federal officials , critics might be raising questions .
`` Anyone who had a highly diversified funds under the rules would still have the same issue , '' said Williamson .
`` Did you see what the market did today ? ''
The Dow Jones index plunged 7.8 percent Monday , its steepest drop since the 2008 financial crisis .
Brian Friedman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among other Washington hotels and a bidder on the Trump hotel , said a falling stock market can wallop the front desk because people do n't want to travel as much when they feel less wealthy .
Throw in a virus , he said , and Trump , along with everyone else in the business , is going to take a big hit .
`` I do n't know of any big cancellations .
I have not seen the impact yet , '' Friedman said .
`` But I do think it 's @ @ @ @ @

One of Donald Trump’s first impulses in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus in China was to suggest it was a buying opportunity in the U.S. stock market.
Even as the global peril of the virus has escalated, Trump has leaned hard on his decades of experience as a businessman, keeping his focus on the economy and financial markets and urging people to continue traveling and patronizing U.S. businesses.
“You know, a lot of people are staying here and they’re going to be doing their business here,” he said Friday, as stocks fell again and the tally of infected in the U.S. climbed. “They’re going to be traveling here. And they’ll be going to resorts here.”
And possibly to Trump’s own resorts. The virus provides the latest example of how Trump’s public and personal interests are interwoven, but this time driven by a crisis with major global health implications in addition to financial ones.
“If there is any public health shutdown of restaurants, conventions, and meetings, that will impact his property and his finances,” said Kathleen Clark, an ethics lawyer at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis and frequent critic of Trump’s. “I think a reasonable person can conclude that he is motivated by personal interests.”
All of Trump’s properties, at home and abroad, would stand to suffer if travel and tourism business continues to evaporate. A business travel group is estimating revenue losses globally of nearly $50 billion per month.
Trump’s comments Friday are the latest rosy depiction of the crisis as he has tried to brush past the economic impact. No president has more closely tied his political fortunes to the stock market, and a slowdown in the nation’s economy could imperil his reelection hopes.
Trump has peppered his economic advisers with questions about the virus’ impact and has boasted about the strength of the economy. “We have a great economy. We have a very strong economy,” Trump insisting during an appearance Monday in the White House briefing room.
Though a self-proclaimed firewall exists between Trump and the company that bears his name, Trump has been known to ask his business associates, and namely his adult sons now its titular heads, how his properties are faring, according to two Republicans close to the White House not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations.
And in recent days, Trump was slow to embrace federal recommendations against the elderly boarding airplanes or passengers traveling on cruise ships.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment as to whether Trump’s handling of the epidemic was informed by the impact it could have on his properties.
Noah Bookbinder, executive director of the watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said that he isn’t sure Trump is thinking of his properties right now. But in deciding to not sell his business before taking office, Bookbinder said, Trump has raised doubts about his motives and that in itself is damaging.
“We have to ask with almost every major policy decision whether he’s acting in the country’s interest or his own interest,” Bookbinder said. “In a time of crisis like this, being able to trust our institutions, that our government is making the right decision for our health, economy and security is incredibly important.”
For now, the privately held Trump Organization doesn’t appear to have taken a blow.
As the coronavirus panic began to settle in during the first week of March, the high-vaulted lobby of his hotel in Washington and its bar remained crowded with visitors, including many sporting Trump’s trademark red campaign hats.
Next up, dozens of bankers from Texas who are planning a reception at the hotel on March 22 as part of a four-day visit to the capital. A spokeswoman for the group sponsoring the trip, the Texas Bankers Association, said that none of 81 registered to attend had pulled out yet.
“I haven’t seen much of a drop off — if at all,” said Zach Everson, a frequent visitor who writes an online newsletter about the hotel called 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. He added, referring to a recent visit, “It was packed.”
So too was Trump’s Mar-a-Largo in Palm Beach, Florida, last weekend. On Sunday, the venue threw a birthday party for Donald Trump Jr.’s girlfriend, and social media posts showed the place was jammed. The day before Trump hosted a dinner for Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
Still, the Trump properties can ill afford a downturn in business.
The Trump Organization has been struggling from lost business due to a backlash against Trump’s rhetoric and his policies. Several buildings licensing his name have stripped it from their facades, major groups have canceled events at his resorts, and his Scottish golf clubs continue to lose millions.
Even his Washington hotel, for all its buzz, is showing signs of struggling, as rooms stand empty. The Trump Organization recently put the hotel up for sale.
The company did not respond to requests for comment.
Trump has long governed with an eye toward increasing profits at his properties.
Since taking office, he has spent hundreds of days at his properties, particularly in Florida and New Jersey, the visits providing valuable promotional material.
Moreover, the Trump Organization profits off the federal employees — including White House staff and Secret Service — who then need to stay alongside Trump in Palm Beach or Bedminster, New Jersey, one of 17 Trump golf resorts around the world. Trump has also floated hosting the international G7 at his property outside of Miami, only to relent after being met by howls of protests from Democrats and civic watchdogs.
When it comes to Trump’s response to the current crisis and potential conflicts with his vast financial interests, not all ethics expert are bothered.
Edwin Williamson, a former State Department legal adviser, said that even if Trump had sold his properties before he took office and put the money into a stock or bond fund, as ethics rules suggest of many federal officials, critics might be raising questions.
“Anyone who had a highly diversified funds under the rules would still have the same issue,” said Williamson. “Did you see what the market did today?”
The Dow Jones index plunged 7.8 percent Monday, its steepest drop since the 2008 financial crisis.
Brian Friedman, owner of the Kimpton Glover Park among other Washington hotels and a bidder on the Trump hotel, said a falling stock market can wallop the front desk because people don’t want to travel as much when they feel less wealthy.
Throw in a virus, he said, and Trump, along with everyone else in the business, is going to take a big hit.
“I don’t know of any big cancellations. I have not seen the impact yet,” Friedman said. “But I do think it’s going to come.”


shareblue--2020-03-10--Fact check: Trump is wrong about lower oil prices being 'good'

Donald Trump is suggesting Americans should be happy about a plunge in oil prices because it 'll mean cheaper gas .
Those savings at the pump , though , are likely to come at a cost to other aspects of their lives .
TRUMP : `` Good for the consumer , gasoline prices coming down ! ''
Trump said in a tweet on Monday after the price of oil sank nearly 20 % and the stock market , already shaken by the coronavirus outbreak , took an even deeper dive .
THE FACTS : Lower oil prices look pretty bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's probably a bigger negative on balance than saving some dollars at the gas pump .
Crude oil prices have roughly halved in the past three months .
Estimates released Monday by the consulting firm Oxford Economics suggest the price drop if sustained could shave 0.2 % off U.S. economic growth .
Any benefits to growth from lower gas prices would be minimized because the coronavirus appears to be making Americans more hesitant about spending money .
The fracking revolution has made oil and natural gas production key factors for overall growth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That leads to fewer jobs , cuts in factory orders and a host of aftershocks that could leave the nation as a whole worse off despite lower gasoline costs .
Older Americans could be more reluctant to spend as lower stock prices and falling interest rates reduce their disposable income .
Companies could halt hiring as more workers stay away from the office in hopes of containing the virus .
It 's unclear exactly what will happen , but investors are now pricing in the risks .
Trump has celebrated the yearslong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which stands to suffer in times of cheap oil .
Monday 's price cut happened when Russia refused to lower production despite falling demand and Saudi Arabia indicated it would increase its output .
Oil prices last dropped by half in 2015-2016 , to just under $ 30 a barrel .
The decrease contributed to a slowing of economic growth from 2.9 % in 2015 to 1.6 % in 2016 , according to Commerce Department figures .

Donald Trump is suggesting Americans should be happy about a plunge in oil prices because it’ll mean cheaper gas.
Those savings at the pump, though, are likely to come at a cost to other aspects of their lives.
TRUMP: “Good for the consumer, gasoline prices coming down!” Trump said in a tweet on Monday after the price of oil sank nearly 20% and the stock market, already shaken by the coronavirus outbreak, took an even deeper dive.
THE FACTS: Lower oil prices look pretty bad for U.S. economic growth — and that’s probably a bigger negative on balance than saving some dollars at the gas pump.
Crude oil prices have roughly halved in the past three months. Estimates released Monday by the consulting firm Oxford Economics suggest the price drop if sustained could shave 0.2% off U.S. economic growth. Any benefits to growth from lower gas prices would be minimized because the coronavirus appears to be making Americans more hesitant about spending money.
The fracking revolution has made oil and natural gas production key factors for overall growth, and lower energy prices reduce drilling activity. That leads to fewer jobs, cuts in factory orders and a host of aftershocks that could leave the nation as a whole worse off despite lower gasoline costs.
Older Americans could be more reluctant to spend as lower stock prices and falling interest rates reduce their disposable income. Companies could halt hiring as more workers stay away from the office in hopes of containing the virus. It’s unclear exactly what will happen, but investors are now pricing in the risks.
Trump has celebrated the yearslong ascendance of the U.S. energy industry, which stands to suffer in times of cheap oil. Monday’s price cut happened when Russia refused to lower production despite falling demand and Saudi Arabia indicated it would increase its output.
Oil prices last dropped by half in 2015-2016, to just under $30 a barrel. The decrease contributed to a slowing of economic growth from 2.9% in 2015 to 1.6% in 2016, according to Commerce Department figures.


shareblue--2020-03-10--GOP lawmaker: Trump deserves more praise as farmer bankruptcies and suicides go up

Rep. Jason Smith ( R-MO ) on Tuesday drew attention to a speech he made criticizing Democrats for not praising Donald Trump 's policies affecting farmers — even as those policies have caused economic hardship in farming communities and contributed to rising suicide rates among farmers .
Smith posted a video of his remarks at a recent House Ways and Means Committee hearing on U.S.-China trade relations to his Facebook page , writing : `` China has exploited our farmers and workers again and again and again .
Decades have gone by with no change .
And now , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just bickering and politics from Democrats .
Disgraceful . ''
In the video , Smith says : '' We 've had enough people try to act like like they care about farmers but do zero about it .
That 's what we 've seen with members of Congress .
That 's what we 've seen with former presidents .
They knew China was [ sic ] bad actors .
They knew that China was taking advantage of our farmers , our small businesses , our intellectual property .
But yet they did nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do something , such as President Trump , they then complain about it because it 's not enough !
Let 's try to help deliver for the American farmers , the American manufacturers , the American businesses , the American consumers .
But instead all we 're hearing is more politics , and more bickering , and more fighting , and like , 'We 're not as good as so and so . '
I 'm sick of it .
Smith is referencing Trump 's trade policies , where he slapped high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to lower the trade deficit between the United States and country .
However , China did n't do what Trump wanted .
Chinese leadership instead responded by putting its own retaliatory tariffs designed to hurt specific industries in the United States — specifically the farming and agricultural industry that Trump has said he loves .
Since then , the bankruptcy rate among farmers has skyrocketed and suicide rates among farmers has gone up .
Smith also complained about how Democrats are n't praising Trump 's trade policies more for helping American businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and consumers are the ones paying for Trump 's trade policies , with manufacturers forced to pay the higher tariffs , which are then shifted onto consumers .
Still , Smith refuses to criticize the failures of Trump 's trade policy .
`` Let 's fight for the American people , '' Smith said .
`` That 's what we need to do ! ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) on Tuesday drew attention to a speech he made criticizing Democrats for not praising Donald Trump’s policies affecting farmers — even as those policies have caused economic hardship in farming communities and contributed to rising suicide rates among farmers.
Smith posted a video of his remarks at a recent House Ways and Means Committee hearing on U.S.-China trade relations to his Facebook page, writing: “China has exploited our farmers and workers again and again and again. Decades have gone by with no change. And now, when President Trump decides to fight back? Just bickering and politics from Democrats. Disgraceful.”
https://www.facebook.com/repjasonsmith/videos/560332167912074/?__xts__[0]=68.ARC6tiqp1jh6dG5HfA9LNqcqYicDbx-nsTGfqCec_bgr9_5jfXRXWu35N73P1gtSRmwYf9UNlzhVzqGkE482z4PMbKedW4iCdEHYmCYhQ0c-uJVh2ApzApS8mzOki4O7SWl_8I4O01tMCtY3cSO5p8KTzxnIPhP_jmtTFFsc8yqZC3t8KPgpbSFYGP64W_acPgTgLcI8o364RrartJ4V4aS5dH8it2bTP78nlGsKR28CSgYLBgQnFqGRTtbQXRu8dEo8Y2_lkq035F3ZVAwC0PRHD80ttoNgbh0Iq36_P86_MndUFaH29OyJressLZIMsPF9hjUWhkmgTRKFFMv__gplc21CNML7xJl_Yg&__tn__=-R
In the video, Smith says:
“We’ve had enough people try to act like like they care about farmers but do zero about it. That’s what we’ve seen with members of Congress. That’s what we’ve seen with former presidents. They knew China was [sic] bad actors. They knew that China was taking advantage of our farmers, our small businesses, our intellectual property. But yet they did nothing. And then when someone did try to do something, such as President Trump, they then complain about it because it’s not enough! Let’s try to help deliver for the American farmers, the American manufacturers, the American businesses, the American consumers. But instead all we’re hearing is more politics, and more bickering, and more fighting, and like, ‘We’re not as good as so and so.’ I’m sick of it.
Smith is referencing Trump’s trade policies, where he slapped high tariffs on imports from China in an effort to lower the trade deficit between the United States and country.
However, China didn’t do what Trump wanted. Chinese leadership instead responded by putting its own retaliatory tariffs designed to hurt specific industries in the United States — specifically the farming and agricultural industry that Trump has said he loves.
Since then, the bankruptcy rate among farmers has skyrocketed and suicide rates among farmers has gone up.
Smith also complained about how Democrats aren’t praising Trump’s trade policies more for helping American businesses and consumers.
However, American business and consumers are the ones paying for Trump’s trade policies, with manufacturers forced to pay the higher tariffs, which are then shifted onto consumers.
Still, Smith refuses to criticize the failures of Trump’s trade policy.
“Let’s fight for the American people,” Smith said. “That’s what we need to do!”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-12--Wall Street has its worst day since 1987 crash

The escalating coronavirus emergency Thursday sent stocks to their worst losses since the Black Monday crash of 1987 , extending a sell-off that has now wiped out most of Wall Street 's big run-up since Donald Trump 's election .
The S & P 500 plummeted 9.5 % , for a total drop of 26.7 % from its all-time high , set just last month .
That puts it way past the 20 % threshold to make this a bear market , snapping an unprecedented , nearly 11-year bull-market run .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 10 % for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % drop on Oct. 19 , 1987 .
European markets lost 12 % in one of their worst days ever , even after the European Central Bank pledged to buy more bonds and offer more help for the economy .
The heavy losses came amid a cascade of cancellations and shutdowns across the globe , including Trump 's suspension of most travel to the United States from Europe , and rising worries that the White House and other authorities around the world ca n't or wo n't counter the economic damage from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The news just continues to get worse , and the travel ban puts an exclamation point on the weakness we 're going to see in global GDP and , in turn , the U.S. , '' said Liz Ann Sonders , chief investment strategist at Charles Schwab .
`` We 're starting to get a sense of how dire the impact on the economy is going to be .
Each day the news does n't get better , it gets worse .
It now has hit Main Street to a more significant degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wall Street at the opening bell that they triggered an automatic , 15-minute trading halt for the second time this week .
The so-called circuit breakers were first adopted after the 1987 crash , and until this week had n't been tripped since 1997 .
The Dow briefly turned upward and halved its losses at one point in the afternoon after the Federal Reserve announced it would step in to ease `` highly unusual disruptions '' in the Treasury market .
But the burst of momentum quickly faded .
Trump often points proudly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under his administration and warned a crowd at a rally last August that `` whether you love me or hate , you got ta vote for me , '' or else your 401 ( k ) will go `` down the tubes . ''
Just last month , the Dow was boasting a nearly 50 % gain since Trump took the oath of office on Jan. 20 , 2017 .
By Thursday 's close , the Dow was clinging to a 6.9 % gain , though it was still up nearly 16 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 2016 .
On Wednesday , the Dow finished the day down more than 20 % from its all-time high , set just last month , officially entering what is known as a bear market for the first time in over a decade .
The combined health crisis and retreat on Wall Street heightened fears of a recession .
`` This is bad .
The worst and fastest stock market correction in our career , '' Chris Rupkey , chief financial economist at MUFG Union , said in a research note overnight .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the country stops working and takes the next 30 days off .
The stock market knows it . ''
The coronavirus has infected around 128,000 people worldwide and killed over 4,700 .
The death toll in the United States climbed to 39 , with over 1,300 infections .
For most people , the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illnesses , including pneumonia .
The vast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a matter of weeks .
In a somber prime-time address Wednesday night from the White House , Trump announced the new travel ban as well as measures to extend loans , payroll tax cuts and other financial relief to individuals and businesses hurt by the crisis .
But the travel restrictions represented another heavy blow to the already battered airline and travel industries , and the other measures did not impress Wall Street .
`` What markets are waiting for are efforts to contain the virus in a very aggressive way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Nela Richardson , investment strategist at Edward Jones .
`` Short of that , nibbling around the edges , maybe doing something that can help a firm with a very short-term impact or help an employee , does n't hurt , but it 's not the bull's-eye , and it 's not as targeted as the markets would like to see . ''
Michael McCarthy of CMC Markets said : `` The market judgment on that announcement is that it 's too little , too late . ''
The damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big moves : • Travel stocks again were among the hardest hit .
Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruises both lost roughly a quarter of their value .
Another drop for United Airlines put its loss for the year at more than 50 % .
• Oil continued its brutal week , with benchmark U.S. at $ 31 per barrel .
• In Asia , stocks in Thailand and the Philippines fell so fast that trading was temporarily halted .
Japan 's Nikkei 225 sank 4.4 % to its lowest close in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market lost 3.9 % .
Perhaps more alarming were complaints in recent days by investors that trading in the Treasury market was n't working well .
For reasons that were n't immediately clear , traders said they were seeing surprisingly large gaps in prices being offered by buyers and sellers .
That threatened to cause the market to seize up .
In a surprise move , the Fed said it would pump in at least $ 1.5 trillion to help calm the market and facilitate trading .
After earlier thinking that the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any dip in the economy would be followed by a quick rebound , investors are seeing the damage and disruptions mount , with Italy locking itself down , the NBA suspending games and authorities in the United States and beyond banning large gatherings and closing schools .

The escalating coronavirus emergency Thursday sent stocks to their worst losses since the Black Monday crash of 1987, extending a sell-off that has now wiped out most of Wall Street’s big run-up since Donald Trump’s election.
The S&P 500 plummeted 9.5%, for a total drop of 26.7% from its all-time high, set just last month. That puts it way past the 20% threshold to make this a bear market, snapping an unprecedented, nearly 11-year bull-market run. The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 10% for its worst day since a nearly 23% drop on Oct. 19, 1987.
European markets lost 12% in one of their worst days ever, even after the European Central Bank pledged to buy more bonds and offer more help for the economy.
The heavy losses came amid a cascade of cancellations and shutdowns across the globe, including Trump’s suspension of most travel to the United States from Europe, and rising worries that the White House and other authorities around the world can’t or won’t counter the economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic any time soon.
“The news just continues to get worse, and the travel ban puts an exclamation point on the weakness we’re going to see in global GDP and, in turn, the U.S.,” said Liz Ann Sonders, chief investment strategist at Charles Schwab. “We’re starting to get a sense of how dire the impact on the economy is going to be. Each day the news doesn’t get better, it gets worse. It now has hit Main Street to a more significant degree.”
Stocks fell so fast on Wall Street at the opening bell that they triggered an automatic, 15-minute trading halt for the second time this week. The so-called circuit breakers were first adopted after the 1987 crash, and until this week hadn’t been tripped since 1997.
The Dow briefly turned upward and halved its losses at one point in the afternoon after the Federal Reserve announced it would step in to ease “highly unusual disruptions” in the Treasury market. But the burst of momentum quickly faded.
Trump often points proudly to the big rise on Wall Street under his administration and warned a crowd at a rally last August that “whether you love me or hate, you gotta vote for me,” or else your 401(k) will go “down the tubes.”
Just last month, the Dow was boasting a nearly 50% gain since Trump took the oath of office on Jan. 20, 2017. By Thursday’s close, the Dow was clinging to a 6.9% gain, though it was still up nearly 16% since just before Trump’s election in November 2016.
On Wednesday, the Dow finished the day down more than 20% from its all-time high, set just last month, officially entering what is known as a bear market for the first time in over a decade.
The combined health crisis and retreat on Wall Street heightened fears of a recession.
“This is bad. The worst and fastest stock market correction in our career,” Chris Rupkey, chief financial economist at MUFG Union, said in a research note overnight. “The economy is doomed to recession if the country stops working and takes the next 30 days off. The stock market knows it.”
The coronavirus has infected around 128,000 people worldwide and killed over 4,700. The death toll in the United States climbed to 39, with over 1,300 infections. For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illnesses, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the virus in a matter of weeks.
In a somber prime-time address Wednesday night from the White House, Trump announced the new travel ban as well as measures to extend loans, payroll tax cuts and other financial relief to individuals and businesses hurt by the crisis.
But the travel restrictions represented another heavy blow to the already battered airline and travel industries, and the other measures did not impress Wall Street.
“What markets are waiting for are efforts to contain the virus in a very aggressive way, ways we’ve seen in other countries,” said Nela Richardson, investment strategist at Edward Jones. “Short of that, nibbling around the edges, maybe doing something that can help a firm with a very short-term impact or help an employee, doesn’t hurt, but it’s not the bull’s-eye, and it’s not as targeted as the markets would like to see.”
Michael McCarthy of CMC Markets said: “The market judgment on that announcement is that it’s too little, too late.”
The damage was worldwide and eye-popping. Among the big moves:
Travel stocks again were among the hardest hit. Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruises both lost roughly a quarter of their value. Another drop for United Airlines put its loss for the year at more than 50%.
Oil continued its brutal week, with benchmark U.S. at $31 per barrel.
In Asia, stocks in Thailand and the Philippines fell so fast that trading was temporarily halted. Japan’s Nikkei 225 sank 4.4% to its lowest close in four years, and South Korea’s market lost 3.9%.
Perhaps more alarming were complaints in recent days by investors that trading in the Treasury market wasn’t working well. For reasons that weren’t immediately clear, traders said they were seeing surprisingly large gaps in prices being offered by buyers and sellers. That threatened to cause the market to seize up.
In a surprise move, the Fed said it would pump in at least $1.5 trillion to help calm the market and facilitate trading.
After earlier thinking that the virus could remain mostly in China and that any dip in the economy would be followed by a quick rebound, investors are seeing the damage and disruptions mount, with Italy locking itself down, the NBA suspending games and authorities in the United States and beyond banning large gatherings and closing schools.


shareblue--2020-03-12--Congressman says he couldn't get coronavirus test despite Trump claim that 'anyone' can

Coronavirus tests are so scarce that a Virginia congressman was unable to be tested even though he came into contact with someone who tested positive .
His experience directly contradicts claims made by Donald Trump and others about the ease at which people can access coronavirus tests .
Beyer requested a coronavirus test from doctors at the House of Representatives `` and they said no , '' he told CNN on Thursday afternoon .
He said doctors denied the request because he `` was n't symptomatic , there were n't enough tests to use on me . ''
Beyer criticized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak , noting that Vice President Mike Pence broke a promise to deliver coronavirus tests across the country .
`` Vice President Pence last week promised us a million tests by the end of last week , and as of yesterday morning , the head of the CDC said we 're only up to 75,000 , '' Beyer said .
`` The president said something interesting last night : That everybody who needs a test , gets a test . ''
Beyer emphasized that more testing is necessary in order to identify those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but are not symptomatic , in order to slow down the spread of the outbreak throughout communities .
Beyer added that there were `` so few tests in play at the moment '' that doctors are only using them for patients who show symptoms .
According to a March 10 statement from his office , Beyer decided to self-quarantine after the Virginia Department of Health notified him that someone he recently had dinner with had tested positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus .
During a March 6 visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prevention , Trump said that `` anyone who wants a test can get a test . ''
His statement was soon contradicted by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar , who said people `` may not get a test unless a doctor or public health official prescribes a test . ''
On Thursday , Trump campaign spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany claimed a million coronavirus tests have been sent around the country , but a nationwide investigation by the Atlantic found less than 10,000 tests had been administered as of Thursday afternoon .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to answer questions about coronavirus testing .
When asked how many tests had been administered around the country , Pence , who heads the Trump administration 's response to the coronavirus , did not know and said he would `` leave that to the experts . ''
The New York Times reported that more than 1,400 confirmed cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus , were confirmed as of Thursday , and 38 people have died .
On Thursday afternoon , Rep. Katie Porter ( D-CA ) convinced the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority to ensure all Americans can be tested for coronavirus , free of charge , whether or not they have health insurance .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Coronavirus tests are so scarce that a Virginia congressman was unable to be tested even though he came into contact with someone who tested positive.
His experience directly contradicts claims made by Donald Trump and others about the ease at which people can access coronavirus tests.
Beyer requested a coronavirus test from doctors at the House of Representatives “and they said no,” he told CNN on Thursday afternoon.
He said doctors denied the request because he “wasn’t symptomatic, there weren’t enough tests to use on me.”
Beyer criticized the Trump administration’s handling of the outbreak, noting that Vice President Mike Pence broke a promise to deliver coronavirus tests across the country.
“Vice President Pence last week promised us a million tests by the end of last week, and as of yesterday morning, the head of the CDC said we’re only up to 75,000,” Beyer said. “The president said something interesting last night: That everybody who needs a test, gets a test.”
Beyer’s experience proved Trump wrong.
Beyer emphasized that more testing is necessary in order to identify those who have been exposed to the virus but are not symptomatic, in order to slow down the spread of the outbreak throughout communities.
Beyer added that there were “so few tests in play at the moment” that doctors are only using them for patients who show symptoms.
According to a March 10 statement from his office, Beyer decided to self-quarantine after the Virginia Department of Health notified him that someone he recently had dinner with had tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
During a March 6 visit to the Centers on Disease Control and Prevention, Trump said that “anyone who wants a test can get a test.” His statement was soon contradicted by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, who said people “may not get a test unless a doctor or public health official prescribes a test.”
On Thursday, Trump campaign spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany claimed a million coronavirus tests have been sent around the country, but a nationwide investigation by the Atlantic found less than 10,000 tests had been administered as of Thursday afternoon.
During television interviews Thursday morning, Pence struggled to answer questions about coronavirus testing.
When asked how many tests had been administered around the country, Pence, who heads the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus, did not know and said he would “leave that to the experts.”
The New York Times reported that more than 1,400 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, were confirmed as of Thursday, and 38 people have died.
On Thursday afternoon, Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) convinced the director of the CDC to use his authority to ensure all Americans can be tested for coronavirus, free of charge, whether or not they have health insurance.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.